로그인Hale.Seeing Hale’s call was mixed feelings. I didn’t know what to expect and how to respond to any news he might bring. Was it work? Or just wanted to say hi to Lance’s wife.I answered immediately. “Good afternoon, Mr. Hale.”“You’ve started sounding too formal.”I laughed. “You are my superior.”“To an extent…” he laughed. “So…”“So?”“I’m inviting you out.”“…What?”“Relax.” He laughed. “It’s lunch. I promise I’m old enough to be your uncle.”I covered my mouth as I laughed. “I wasn’t thinking whatever you’re thinking”“You were.”“I wasn’t.”“You definitely were.”His laughter was contagious. “So…Are you coming?”I looked around my apartment.“I suppose sitting indoors all day isn’t helping.”“Exactly. I’ll send you the location.”An hour later, I found him waiting outside a quiet café. The moment he saw me, he stood.“I almost didn’t recognize you.”I frowned. “Is that a compliment?”“You look…” He studied me “…rested.”I laughed.“I’ve been sleeping.”“I can tell.”He pulled out
The navy-blue dress wasn’t too fancy, neither was it casual. It was just the perfect dress for meeting Lance’s family. At least… I hoped so.The decision to fully commit into my relationship has my stomach tied in knots since morning. I’d never met Lance’s family before. In truth, I hadn’t really met anyone important in his life…except his grandmother who died sooner than I had thought.Maybe if I hadn’t taken so long to meet with Lance, she would have seen us have a proper wedding and meeting.A knock came at the door and I smiled when he walked in.“You look beautiful.” He mentioned and heat rushed to my cheeks. I had begun to get comfortable with receiving compliments from him…and although physical touch was still out of the chart, I knew we were closer to that.He held out a small bouquet of white flowers.“For you.”I laughed. “You’re meeting your family, not proposing.”“Can’t I spoil my…” He paused dramatically. “…favorite person?”I accepted the flowers and he offered me his
Grandmother looked at me as though she was about to disown me. "Aleksander.""I already said no, Grandma." I sighed “Grandmother, this isn't your responsibility."She leaned back on the sofa inside my office and folded her arms. “It became my responsibility the moment you refused to do the right thing.""We've discussed this." There was no reason for her to risk her health and show up at my office."No. You've avoided this. They're different things."Hale wisely remained near the door, pretending to be fascinated by the paintings on my office wall. And by even when I shot him a look, he immediately looked away.Traitor.Grandmother wasn’t done. "You accused an innocent girl.""I acted on evidence.""You acted on assumptions.""I acted as a CEO.""You forgot to act as a human being." I inhaled slowly. "I've already withdrawn the legal proceedings.""That isn't enough.""I gave her leave.""That isn't enough either.""What else do you want me to do?"She smiled. “The obvious thing. A
The conference room was silent. Everyone had finished presenting their reports, yet somehow the silence irritated me more than the presentations themselves.I had never realized how loud incompetence could be.I closed the last file and looked around the table.“So…” I leaned back in my chair. “Does anyone here actually read these before submitting them?”No one answered.The Head of Finance adjusted his tie. The HR director lowered her head. Someone coughed.I tossed the report onto the table. “It says here the recruitment figures increased by fifteen percent.”I looked directly at HR. “Where are the supporting documents?”She opened her mouth. “Mr. Vilmorre, we were still…”“I didn’t ask what you were still doing.” I interrupted coldly. “I asked where the documents are.”She swallowed. “We haven’t completed them.”“Then why is the report on my table?” I picked up another file. “This proposal.” I flipped through a few pages. “The formatting is inconsistent. The projections contradict
Since I didn’t get some sleep, I had just finished reviewing another financial report when my phone vibrated. Without much interest, I reached for it.One new message. No words.Just…’a love emoticon’I frowned.From Elise?I stared at the heart for a few seconds before placing my phone back on the table.After sneaking into my room. After taking something from my drawer without asking. After betraying Vilmorre Enterprise. She thought one stupid heart would make me forget everything?I leaned back on the sofa and closed my eyes. It was not even that I had trusted the wrong woman. It was that I had underestimated her. I had spent days wondering how someone could smile in my face while selling information behind my back.Now she wanted to pretend none of it had happened.Ridiculous.I picked up my phone again. My thumb hovered over the keyboard. Then I locked it without replying. There was nothing left to say.Not anymore.After completing my review and I laid in bed trying to find done
The cemetery was quieter than I expected. I mean… what was I expecting? I had never been here before… I just knew it was considered serene and peaceful The wind carried the scent of freshly cut grass through rows upon rows of marble headstones. Lance parked the car and turned off the engine."You okay?" he asked softly.I nodded. “think so."He reached into the back seat and picked up the bouquet we'd bought on the way.White lilies. The florist had told us they symbolized peace. I hoped they did. Because, I came here in peace. Wanting to apologize for not coming in time for her burial. And for not visiting her as often as I should. We climbed out of the car together and walked toward the entrance. An elderly attendant greeted Lance almost immediately."Mr. Albert." Lance smiled politely. “It's been a while.""It has."The old man looked at me before smiling kindly."You must be his young lady."I offered a respectful nod. "Pleasant afternoon sir”He returned the greeting before moti
I stood in the middle of the living room, surrounded by gift boxes and half-opened bags, staring at walls that didn’t have cracks in them. No leaking ceiling, no noisy neighbors. No moans from the very person I was living with…I mean if there ever get to be moans in this apartment, it would be com
One moment Grandmother was sleeping, the next, the nurses rushed into the room, and machines were making noises I never wanted to hear again.Doctors appeared from nowhere.And once again, I found myself standing outside the hospital room with absolutely no control over the situation.By sunrise, t
I practically skipped into the building that morning. I would be setting my clock to Moscow time this week, which meant I would be finishing all my work for the day by 10.00 am just to be culturally accurate.Haha.But for the first time in weeks, there wasn’t an Aleksander Vilmorre waiting to thro
Elise’s smile dropped for a second when I finished my sentence. We were seated inside my office after work hours. Most employees had already left."Why all of a sudden?" Her eyes blinked several times. "You said it was not the time to meet her. You said it would take a long while before you decide







