FAZER LOGINDave POVLeaning against the railing, looking up like she had found something in the sky that the rest of the room couldn’t offer her. For a second, I just stood there, taking it in, the way the light hit her, the way she seemed completely unaware of anything behind her.It felt like the universe was playing a game I didn’t understand.I stepped closer anyway.“Beautiful, isn’t it?”She didn’t turn immediately, but I knew she recognized my voice. I kept my distance, not close enough to crowd her, just enough to share the space. And then I started talking. About the stars, about constellations, about things I hadn’t spoken about in a long time. It came naturally, easier than anything else had that night, like slipping into a version of myself I had forgotten existed.To my surprise, she responded.At first, just small things. A comment here, a question there. But she stayed. She listened. She engaged. And for a moment, it didn’t feel like we were standing in the middle of everything th
Dave POVA charity gala, hosted by one of the biggest socialites in the country, the kind of event that people pretend is about impact but everyone in the room knows it is really about positioning. Optics. Power. Who is seen, who is aligned, who is still relevant. I had been to enough of these to understand the script without needing to read it again.I got dressed anyway. Armani tuxedo, tailored perfectly, sitting on me like it was made for moments exactly like this. Everything about my appearance was intentional, from the cufflinks to the watch, because in rooms like that, details speak before you do. My driver was already waiting by the time I stepped out, and the ride over was quiet, the kind of silence that isn’t peaceful but isn’t disruptive either. Just space to think, which, if I’m being honest, I had been doing too much of lately.I arrived somewhere in between early and late, right at that perfect window where the room is already alive but not yet chaotic. Conversations were
Lydia POVI didn’t even let it settle.“Are you stalking me now?” I asked, my tone flat.He started explaining, something about business, about collaboration with the host, and I barely listened.“Nice to see you,” I said quickly. “Please excuse me.”And I walked away.I wasn’t ready for him. Not tonight. Not like this.I needed air.So I found my way to the balcony.Finally, quiet.The night sky stretched above me, clear, calm, filled with stars I hadn’t properly looked at in a long time. I leaned against the railing, letting the cool air hit my skin, letting myself breathe.And then“Beautiful, isn’t it?”I didn’t need to turn to know that voice.Dave.Of course.He didn’t stand too close. Just beside me, looking up like I was.“The stars,” he continued, almost casually, “they look simple from here, but every single one has its own system, its own gravity, its own chaos.”I glanced at him briefly, surprised despite myself.“You see that cluster there?” he said, lifting his hand just
Lydia POVCarefully, I adjusted them, one after the other, easing them into bed without waking them. I pulled the covers over them, brushed their hair back gently, and just stood there for a second looking at them, the way mothers do when they don’t want to admit how much of their strength comes from these tiny humans.I switched off the lights and stepped out.The next morning came faster than I expected. It didn’t feel like I slept much, but I still got up, went through the motions, and showed up. That’s the thing about being me. No matter what is happening inside, outside still has to run smoothly. Work didn’t pause because my life was chaotic. Meetings lined up, decisions to make, people relying on me to be sharp, to be composed, to be Lydia. I moved through the day like I always do, ticking things off, handling situations, correcting strategies, answering questions before they were fully asked. But somewhere at the back of my mind, I knew I had something else waiting for me.The
Lydia POV I didn’t answer immediately. Not because I didn’t hear her. I heard her very clearly. But because of everything going on in my life right now, that question did not feel like a question. It felt like a trigger. And she noticed the pause. So she continued. “Or would you say you’re one of those who believe that if a young woman wants to succeed, she has to figure out love early? And what would you advise young women who look up to you… should they choose love or success?” I almost laughed. Not the funny kind of laugh. The kind that comes when you’re slightly irritated and trying not to show it. This interviewer. Are you here to actually interview me, or are you trying to set me up? Because that was not part of the questions you sent earlier. And right now, with everything going on in my life, you really picked today to ask me this. But I smiled. Of course I did. Camera on. Composure intact. Lydia mode activated. “Love and death,” I said slowly, “are things that
Lydia POVBy 6 a.m. the next morning, I was already awake, standing in front of my wardrobe like it had personally offended me. I was tired, not just physically, but the kind of tired that sits in your chest and makes even simple decisions feel unnecessary. But there was no space to indulge that feeling. I had an interview today, and whether I liked it or not, I had to show up. Not just show up, but show up well. I had built too much to start slipping now, and whether I liked the responsibility or not, there were people watching, young women especially, and I knew what it meant for them to see someone like me stand tall regardless of whatever was happening behind the scenes.Still, none of that helped me decide what to wear.I had two outfits laid out on the bed, both recent buys from one of those impulsive shopping days where I convinced myself I deserved nice things after a long week. One was a structured ivory suit, clean, sharp, the kind of outfit that walked into a room before yo







