로그인The doorbell rang just as I finished folding my laundry and I frowned as I rushed to the door. Lance wasn’t supposed to be here until evening.And he wasn’t.Opening the door, a delivery man stood outside, holding an elegant bouquet of white lilies and pale pink roses.“Mrs. Klaire?”“Yes?”“These are for you.” He handed me the bouquet before asking me to sign on a small electronic pad. I thanked him, closed the door, and stared at the flowers in confusion.They were beautiful. Far too expensive for an ordinary gift.There was no need for Lance to go extra miles. He had apologized enough for regarding me as just his girlfriend and I had forgiven him…I guess.With curiosity , I opened it he letter placed in the flower.My dear,I have heard a little about what happened at Vilmorre Enterprise. Although I do not know every detail, I know enough to say I am truly sorry for the pain my grandson has caused you.Aleksander is many wonderful things, but apologizing has never been one of them.
Hale.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 next morning, I already regretted my life. Elise had arrived at the office dressed like she was attending a luxury brunch instead of training for one of the most demanding positions in the company.Stepping out of the elevator, we approached the executive assistant's office. My eyes widened at
When Mr. Vilmorre walked away, I stayed frozen still staring in the direction he had disappeared, taking time to process what I had just seen.Absolutely none of this made sense.Mr Aleksander Vimorre, the coldest, most emotionally exhausted man, had just sat down holding hands with a woman.Elise.
"You're home?" Elise's eyes bulged as she stood in front of the door. I pushed it open and walked into the room, collapsing on the bed. "That man didn't fire you, did he?" She shut the door aggressively. "First he makes you sleep at work and now…""He didn't fire me," I responded. "But now I wish
The minute I arrived at the diner, the hostess immediately offered to book me a VIP seat or try out their private floor, but I refused and chose a regular table. Somewhere visible. For a woman like her who lived in such a rundown apartment, this was probably the only place within her budget. So if







