Mag-log inMorning, Eclipse Models...Elara stood in front of her Director, a warm smile on her face. On the other hand, the Director glared intently at her as his fingers twitched slightly.Another lady walked into the room, greeting the Director politely.“Isabel, meet Elara Hayes. She’s going to be joining your team as from today,” the Director said simply.A stunned look flashed on her face, but it left as fast as it came.She turned to Elara and let out a small smile. “It’s a pleasure meeting you. I’m your team leader, Isabel Rowe,” she said as they shook hands.“Elara Hayes, ma’am. It’s a pleasure meeting you,” Elara beamed.“Here’s your Worker ID pass,” the Director shifted it towards her. “Isabel, make sure she feels comfortable,” he said.Isabel nodded before leaving, with Elara following behind her.“You have such a pretty name. Pardon my reaction earlier, our Director is a very selective person and so hard to please. You must be a very competent designer if he scouted you personally,”
Julian could feel her body stiffen in his arms. She instinctively raised her arms to push him off, but he grabbed them, pulling her even closer, her soft, delicate body pressing against his chest. She smelled like vanilla and jasmine—sweet, soft, and intoxicating, just the way he had imagined. The kind of scent that made something dark and fiercely protective twist tight within him. His other hand slid from her cheek into her hair as he deepened the kiss, his lips brushing hers before gently catching her lower lip. At first, she resisted, then slowly and hesitantly, she kissed him back. Like a kitten stepping out of its comfort zone. With the last thread of restraint he had left, Julian pulled away, watching her closely as she caught her breath. A faint smile touched his lips. Interesting. “You look stunning tonight,” he murmured, smoothing her hair. He didn't fail to catch the look of disbelief written all over her face as she stared at him with parted lips. “It's already lat
Elara came to a halt when she got to the other end of the bridge, far from the commotion she had just caused.The smile she had worn so perfectly finally fell. She finally did it. She finally ended her relationship with Vance.To Vance, it might have felt like two years, but to her it was so much more than that. Years filled with lies, deception, denigration, all beautifully painted as love in her heart.Elara thought she would feel happy and free, but faced with it right now, she didn't know what to feel. As much as she loathed Vance, she couldn't erase the fact that he was her first love—her sole companion.Taking in a deep breath, she resumed walking. She had gone too far to back down, and never would she go back to the pitiful woman she used to be. That woman died that fateful night."I'm sorry I took so long," she muttered to the Uber driver who had been waiting for her.Getting in, the car drove off. As she stared out of the window, her phone rang. It was an unknown caller."Hel
Julian, who was about to take another sip from his drink, froze mid-action. He couldn’t hide the look of surprise on his face as he gazed at the woman who had just asked him to marry her like it was the most casual thing in the world.Julian let out an amused laugh, dropping his glass back onto the table.“Do you realize what you’re asking me to do?”Elara’s heart raced and her fists clenched nervously on her thighs, but the look in her eyes said otherwise.“Yes. Marry me,” she repeated.Julian leaned back on the lounge, resting his cheek on his left hand. “And why exactly should I do that?”Elara let out a confident smile. She picked up his glass and took a sip from it.“Because I have things Lyra could never give you — things that could protect everything your family is trying to preserve,” she said, playing with the glass. “I can make The Beaumont a bigger name than it already is… far bigger than you can imagine.”“And besides, you need someone who won’t complicate your life. Someo
Lyra’s perfume clung to the apartment like syrup, too sweet and heavy. Elara kept her expression pleasant, letting her smile widen just enough to hide the flicker of rage twisting beneath her ribs.“So,” she said lightly, settling on the edge of the armchair. “Vance says you’re engaged?”Lyra flicked a quick, annoyed glance at Vance before she smoothed it over with a practiced laugh. “Mm. It’s complicated. Our families go way back. They arranged it before I could even walk.”“Sounds old-fashioned,” she murmured aloud, tilting her head. “Who’s the lucky man?”“Julian Beaumont.” Lyra’s eyes glimmered with pride as those names rolled out of her mouth too easily like she hadn't just witnessed her and her fiancé ravaging each other in bed.Julian Beaumont. The name landed sharp in Elara’s mind. The name sounded too familiar and then something ticked in her mind, “As in Nicholas Beaumont’s family?”Lyra smirked, pleased with herself. “The second son, yes. Elusive. The public hardly knows an
“No... Please... Don’t go... No... NO!” Elara screamed out as her eyes flew open. She abruptly sat up on the bed, her chest rising and falling rapidly as she looked at her surroundings. The white pale walls, the beeping sound of machines, the faint smell of antiseptic... She was at a hospital. Her hand instinctively went to her head. No pain, not even a bump. The door opened and the nurse walked in, holding a magazine in her hand. The nurse’s brows raised in surprise. “Ma’am, you’re awake!” She smiled, placing the paper on the stool. “Where am I? How am I... here?” Elara spoke as the nurse checked her vitals. “You fainted, Miss. The results show that it was due to lack of sleep so your system automatically shut down. It’s important you...” Elara zoned out at the nurse’s words. Stress? What is she talking about? What is happening? Her gaze went to the magazine on the stool and she quickly grabbed it with wide eyes. ‘Summer 2021: July Issue.’ Two thousand and twenty-one? She







