LOGIN~LioraThey left with Julian’s arm around her shoulders.I cleared my tab and also left the cafe to hail a cab. The street was loud and the air smelled like rain. I knew it might start raining at any moment.I got in the back and gave the driver the address to the penthouse."Everett," I called, the moment I entered the penthouse, searching around for him.I was going to follow Emily's advice. I would talk to him. I went straight to his bedroom knocking once on the door, before turning the doorknob and peeking inside.The sound of the showers running reached me.Steam fogged the glass door of the bathroom. The soft glow from the bedside lamp made the room feel warmer than it should. I should leave. He was clearly in the shower and I didn’t want to barge in. But then I saw it. A manila envelope lying right on top of his black silk sheets. It wasn’t sealed properly, the flap slightly open.My curiosity won before my logic could. I stepped closer, picked it up, and my thumb was already s
~LIORA~I left the penthouse the moment Everett left, needing some fresh air, and time to think about what Everett was up to.There was no doubt he was hiding something from me, but I couldn't figure out what it was exactly. Something at the back of my mind kept gnawing at me that it had something to do with the recent scandal.Diella was also involved in whatever he was hiding from me which even made things all the more harder to comprehend.I went to a small cafe along the road, and ordered coffee. I was wearing shades so no one recognized me.While sipping my coffee and letting my mind wander around, I suddenly heard someone call my name from behind.At first I ignored it, pretending like I didn't hear, until I felt a tap on my shoulder. When I looked back at the person, I gasped recognizing the familiar face."Emily!" I half gasped, half whispered at the same time. "Oh my god.""Is that really you, Liora Jovan?" Emily smiled brightly, as she sat down across from me.It was then I
~EVERETT~She picked up instantly."I've called you like three times. Why didn't you take my calls?""Why are you calling me?" I snapped, but still managed to keep my voice low. "I told you to text. Just text, Diella.""I thought you’d want to hear this news directly.""What news?" I asked, impatience creeping into my voice."We should meet in person. You never know who might be listening."I pinched the bridge of my nose, exhaling slowly."Fine. Where?""De Venta Hotel. Room 507. Be there in thirty minutes."The line went dead before I could respond.Unbelievable. Of all places, she had to set up a meeting at a hotel.I stared at my phone for a second before heading back to the living room. Liora was exactly where I left her, though the mood had completely changed."I have to leave again," I said, grabbing my jacket and slipping it back on. "Another urgent meeting. I’m sorry.""It’s okay," she replied softly, but the disappointment in her eyes didn’t match her words.I felt like an a
"Sorry for keeping you waiting. I was on a call with an important investor."I scoffed at his apology."Can we just get this over with? What did you want to talk to me about?" I asked, leaving no room for greetings or any nonsense."Sit, son," he said, walking over to his seat behind the desk.I took my seat back, wanting to get this over with as quickly as I could."I know by now you're already working out a solution to end this current crisis of yours," he said, interlocking his fingers in front of him as he spoke."Correct, though I wouldn't call this current situation a crisis," I replied."Good, then I assume you're planning to end things with that woman within the week?"It was a question. A very stupid question."That woman has a name, and it's Liora. I think you may have missed it the last time we were here.""I don't care about her name. What matters to me is that you'll be ending things with her."So this was the reason why he called me here. I sighed. My time wasted on this
Liora"It's the way you've been staring at me all night.""How do you mean?" he asked almost innocently, like he wasn't aware of the things he was doing to me with his gaze.I turned my face to the side without replying. A sudden cold breeze swept over the rooftop, causing me to shiver slightly as I rubbed my arms for warmth."We should go inside." I heard Everett, then his seat scraping against the ground as he stood up.I tried standing up too, but the world suddenly spun around my eyes and I had to catch the table to stop myself from falling.Everett rushed over to my side, concern etched on his face."Easy now," he said as he helped me sit back down.He went on one knee, helping me take off my shoes. When his fingers brushed against my feet, I shivered, drawing his gaze up to me."I'm not letting you drink next time," he said almost playfully.My face instantly heated up in embarrassment as he stood up, holding my shoes before hoisting me up into his arms in bridal style like I we
LIORAA smile quickly spread across my face. I checked myself in the mirror one last time before leaving the room, taking the elevator straight up to the rooftop.The moment the doors opened, I gasped as my eyes landed on a breathtaking sight.Candles were lit across the rooftop, forming a glowing path that led straight to Everett, who stood at the end holding a bouquet of flowers, waiting patiently for me.A soft laugh escaped my lips as I stepped out, my heels clicking gently against the floor while I followed the trail of flickering lights toward him.My smile only widened the closer I got, a warm, fluttering feeling spreading across my chest."Did you do all this?" I asked, my gaze sweeping across the neatly arranged table for two, the candles on it flickering softly in the slightly cool night air.He scratched the back of his neck, a nervous smile tugging at his lips."Yeah, the internet helped. Hope it isn't a complete mess?"I shook my head, letting out a small chuckle as my ey
LIORAEverett turned away. He walked to the window and stared outside."You met with a man who's been trying to destroy my company for ten years," he said. His voice was cold. "A man who sees you as just a tool to hurt me. And you're mad at me for not telling you every detail of my past?""I'm mad
LIORAMy phone wouldn't stop buzzing. I woke up to the sound of notifications going off like fireworks. One after another after another. I grabbed it from the nightstand and squinted at the screen.Four hundred and seventy two I*******m notifications.My stomach dropped.I opened the app. The first
LIORA They all filed back into the conference room. Derek looked annoyed that I was taking up more of his time.I pulled up my presentation. "Okay. So the previous campaign focused on product features. Specs, capabilities, technical details. It was fine. But fine doesn't make people care."I click
LIORAThe bar was loud and packed with people. My team had insisted on celebrating after the presentation. They dragged me to some trendy place downtown where the music was too loud and the drinks were too expensive."To Liora," Derek shouted over the noise. He raised his glass. "Who proved all of







