141. Interrogating

Serena Vale~•~The first thing Rafael did when he walked into my office was look around like he was mentally calculating how much it would cost to improve it.The second thing he did was kiss me.Nikolai followed a second later, setting down three coffees and a box of pastries on the only flat surface available, which was currently the floor. He didn’t say anything at first. He didn’t kiss me. He just looked around. Took in the empty room. “This is good,” he said finally. “You chose well.”The praise did something warm to my chest.Rafael grinned, picking up a coffee cup from the floor and handing it to me. “You said furniture was coming today. Figured the CEO could use some manual labor.”“We brought extra screws, anchors, and paint touch-up. Whatever you need.” Nikolai said, bringing my attention to the toolbox in his hand.My heart did a stupid flip. They looked casual. They were in regular clothes that I’d seen them wear all the time, but it was different this time. Whenever the

Last Updated : 2026-01-07

142. Work flow

Serena Vale~•~The cafe Marcus chose was minimalist, overpriced, and only two blocks away from his company. While driving to the cafe, I saw the building. It was huge, clean, and had Grant Tech written at the top of it. I arrived fifteen minutes early and chose a table near the window. Then I ordered my coffee and waited for Marcus to arrive.He came in at 10:59am.He was wearing a suit that looked like it was made specifically for him. He smiled when he noticed me and walked over. I stood up to welcome him. “Mr. Grant, it’s good to see you again.”“Call me Marcus.” He chuckled and sat opposite me. “Can I refer to you as Serena?”I nodded. Of course. I preferred being on a first-name basis with my clients. “You’re right on time.”“I try to be.” He said, glancing at my coffee which I’d gotten just five minutes ago. “Already ordered?”I nodded. “Didn’t want to waste time,” I said, hoping he didn’t take offense to that. I always had a hard time making a decision whenever I went to eat

Last Updated : 2026-01-07

143. Tailed

Nikolai Vetrov~•~I hated VM Global Holdings.Well, I didn’t hate the company itself, but I hated the old fuckers who were trying their best to make sure the joint project Rafael and I were working on failed just so they could prove that we worked better individually.Three calls fell through today. Two partners were suddenly reconsidering. Meanwhile, one of the shareholders politely insisted that keeping Moretti International and Vetrov Industries separate was healthier for the market.Code for profitable for them.I don’t care though. I was going to make sure the project was successful. It didn’t matter who was standing in my way.I dragged a hand down my face and stared at the ceiling, taking a much-needed drag of the cigarette in between my fingers. I hadn’t slept for more than four hours in days. Anytime I closed my eyes, my brain ran numbers, scenarios, and threats.And most especially, Serena.She spent most weekends with us. She didn’t spend the last one with us and I knew it

Last Updated : 2026-01-08

144. Articles

Serena Vale~•~I didn’t see the photos until Thursday evening. I’d spent the whole day in my new office, sketching initial ideas for Grant Tech and interviewing potential hires. I hadn’t signed the contract yet, but I couldn’t stop myself from working on it. It was the first company that had offered me a valid contract. The rest were still in the talking stage.My phone had been on silent for hours. I’d learned to keep it that way if I wanted to get any work done. It made me wonder how celebrities were able to leave peacefully. I wasn’t even one yet my notifications went crazy every day since my relationship with Nikolai and Rafael got confirmed. When I finally picked it up, notifications flooded the screen.As usual.Except this time, it wasn’t just random people.I had several texts from Lila.[Lila: Are you okay? Call me][Lila (2): Serena, answer your phone before I conclude you’re dead in a ditch somewhere]There were missed calls from her. There were missed calls from my mom t

Last Updated : 2026-01-08

145. Judged

Rafael Moretti~•~I heard the door open and close upstairs. Nikolai and I had been waiting.We’d seen the photos twenty-four hours ago. We didn’t want to mention it at first, expecting her to talk about it first. When the next morning came and she still hadn’t said anything about it, we decided to text her. She didn’t respond. We called. She didn’t pick up. Nikolai had assured her we were home. She had read the text, but I didn’t expect her to come back since she wasn’t even replying.When we walked past us without a word, Nikolai and I shared a glance. He closed his laptop and I set down the takeout menus I’d been going through before the door suddenly opened.We gave her ten minutes. But in reality, I was just waiting for our food to arrive.When it did, we moved.Thankfully, I’d ordered from her favorite Thai place. We found her on the bed, still in her work clothes, and her shoes kicked off by the door. Her face was buried on the pillow. Not crying.I wasn’t sure if that was a

Last Updated : 2026-01-09

146. Secretary

Serena Vale~•~I signed the contract the next day.I wasn’t sure if it was out of spite or because I genuinely believed it was good for my growth.I wasn’t sure if anything anymore.I’d read it a dozen times. My lawyer had reviewed it. There were no traps. There was no way it could directly affect Nikolai unless he intended to ruin my relationship with him. If that was the plan, it was already working.Nikolai and I hadn’t had a normal conversation in two weeks. Since the day after the mixer, things had been tense between us, and I doubted they would improve anytime soon, especially now that my name was written at the bottom of the page on my desk.I sent a quick text to Marcus, asking if he was free, and he replied that I could meet him at his office whenever I wanted. I closed the folder, slipped it into my bag, and grabbed my keys.The drive to Grant Tech headquarters felt longer than it was, but it was because a lot of things were running through my mind, first and foremost, my r

Last Updated : 2026-01-11