The massive double door opened to a grand hall where brightly lit chandeliers hung from a sky-high ceiling with cloud murals, bringing life to the elegantly decorated ballroom. All around, people in evening gowns and suits swayed to the melodious tunes played by violinists and cellists.Jane’s eyes widened as she marvelled at the tastefully decorated interiors of the ballroom with a sea of red carpet and golden sculptures of angels complete with engravings at the sides of the circular walls.“You like it?” Daniel’s deep baritone broke through Jane’s awe and she blushed, embarrassed by her obvious ogling of the ballroom.“Yes, it’s beautiful…” she gushed before her inner nerd surfaced and took over. “Artio Palladio was only twenty two when he was commissioned to design the interiors of this great hall. His work is famous! No one’s ever come close to matching the magic he weaves whenever he &hellip

Daniel clenched his jaws as he continued stroking Jane’s silky mane. Who was the bastard who defiled Jane when she was in a vulnerable state?“I’m sorry, I wet your shirt,” Jane mumbled, pulling back from his embrace and wiped her eyes. She had calmed down slightly and was trying to stifle back her sobs. He finally understood why she pushed him away during their first meeting. Deep within her subconsciousness, she was still haunted by the monster.“It wasn’t your fault,” he said, wishing he could take away the darkness that was eating her alive.She lifted her head with the faintest smile and even with her puffy reddened eyes, Daniel thought she still looked breathtakingly beautiful. She pointed at his shirt, chuckling a little. “I made you look like you’ve been dunked in a water tank and you say it’s not my fault?”“You should change out of this. You might catch a cold,” she co

The glass doors slid open to a luxurious open space that was bustling with energy and activity. All around were staff sketching drawings on large pristine white desktops as luscious green wall plants behind them filled the room with fresh air. Other staff sat around an island table debating over their designs in hushed tones but animated movements while a few others lounged at the bright yellow and light grey bean bags as they worked on miniature models of houses. Next to them, a staff jumped onto an adult-sized slide and zipped all the way down to the floor below. Wayne watched as Jane took in the surroundings, gasping in amazement.“This place is an interior designers’ heaven!” she whispered in bated breath and a smile crept upon him face, happy to see the excitement in Jane.A young man with dyed green hair and a nose ring popped out of a glass encased office cube. It was a sound cancelling corner for designers to think in peace. Pulling down his h

Daniel Winters felt like slapping himself silly. What on earth was he thinking trying to kiss Jane? Sure she had looked so vulnerable standing like an innocent lamb in his office, but that was no reason for him to lose his senses!For goodness sake Daniel Winters, she was unwell and you tried to take advantage of her! He blasted himself internally as he stormed into the office pantry only to find the place void of any human presence. The place though simple and sparse was tastefully designed with a lone concrete island table in the middle and an L-shaped countertop at the side which housed a mini bar, a microwave oven as well as an open cabinet full of junk food.Daniel’s eyebrows arched slightly at the sight of stuffed nachos and cheese rings. He had no idea his staff ate junk. He almost never mingled with his staff and usually got Pepper to make his coffee, and therefore had never set foot in the office pantry before.I need caffeine to clea

“Jane! JANE!” Daniel called from the kitchen. It was a quarter past eight in the morning and she was nowhere in sight. Usually, the island table would be filled with a chockfull of her breakfast creations by now. His stomach rumbled like thunder and he frowned, not happy with the absence of the happy meal. With hard lines set across his face, he tightened the knot of his silken dark green robe and marched to the dimmed corridor which housed Jane and Timmy’s room at the very end. A few raps on the door later and Daniel’s annoyance turned into budding anxiety. Strange, why wasn’t she answering? He could hear Timmy’s gurgles coming from within the room. He rapped his knuckles against the bedroom door again, and this time, his forehead creased with worried lines. A sense of foreboding crept upon him and he called out, “Jane? You there?” There was no answer. Daniel pressed his ear against the door. There was breathing, it was ragged and faint and Daniel’s own brea