All Chapters of The Tycoon's Leading Lady: Chapter 31 - Chapter 37

KAYLAI stood in front of the large mirror and took a deep breath. I just finished applying a soft layer of lipstick. For tonight’s look, I chose a "no-makeup" style. It looks natural, but it actually takes a lot of work to look this effortless. I made sure my eyebrows were perfectly shaped and filled in, and the lipstick gave my face just enough color to look healthy and bright.Corvin invited me to dinner after the moment we had in the pool. Even though I was a bit tired, I wanted to make sure I looked my absolute best for him. Tonight, I decided to wear a simple black dress with thin spaghetti straps. It hugged my body perfectly, showing off my figure without being too flashy. I left my hair down, letting the dark strands fall over my shoulders, but I used a curling iron to add some soft waves at the ends. I always care about my appearance because I’m a celebrity. In my world, privacy doesn't really exist. Even when I don’t want the attention, strangers are always hiding nearby,

KAYLA The heavy wooden door of my villa clicked shut, but it couldn't block out the noise in my head. I stared at nowhere, catching my breath while my back was leaning against the door. I was absolutely seething. I hated that Derek had the audacity to show up here. I hated that Rowanda had allowed it, or worse, orchestrated it. Most of all, I hated the look on Corvin’s face before I walked away. We were supposed to have this night. We were supposed to be exploring whatever this "thing" was between us. Instead, my past had walked in, ruining everything. "I hate him," I whispered to the empty room, my voice cracking. "I hate him so much." I paced the length of the floor. I felt a desperate, gnawing need to talk to Corvin. I need to explain that I didn't know Derek was coming. I need to tell him that the "I miss you" I whispered was a lie forced by a contract and a fear of a public scene. But as I reached for my phone, reality hit me like a physical blow. I didn't have his numbe

CORVINThe glass walls of my office usually offered a sense of power, a panoramic view of the city that reminded me I was at the top of the food chain. Today, they just felt like a cage.I stared at the stack of acquisition reports on my desk, the texts making me want to just close my eyes and go to sleep. I had been back from Thailand for three days, and I had spent every waking second trying to bury the memory of the salt air and the sound of the waves. Most importantly, I was trying to bury the memory of Kayla.My assistant, Michelle, knocked softly and stepped in. "Sir, the board is waiting in Conference Room B. The Marlowe International expansion strategy needs your final signature.""I'm coming," I said.I stood up, adjusted my tie in the mirror, and forced my face into a mask of cold professionalism. This was who I was. I was Corvin Marlowe. I didn't get distracted by movie stars or get hung up on women who clearly had baggage I didn't want to carry.The meeting was a blur of g

KAYLAThe shift from my movie set to my real life felt strange. Just days ago, I was standing in fake rain, holding Derek’s flowers while my skin crawled. Now, I was at home, getting ready for a night that actually mattered.Tonight wasn't for the cameras or the fans. It was about Casey’s dinner party. But mostly, it was about Corvin.I stood in my closet, my hands shaking a little as I looked at my clothes. I wanted to look pretty but not like I was trying too hard. I wanted him to remember me. I finally picked a deep green silk dress. It made me feel calm. I put on a light sweater and just a little bit of makeup. I still had a bit of a tan from Thailand, and I wanted that to show.As I looked in the mirror, I felt a knot of nerves in my stomach. It had been so long since I had seen Corvin. Every time we were near each other, it felt like there were so many things we wanted to say but couldn't. I was scared that as soon as I looked at him, he would see exactly how I felt.I left my a