The night air was cold against Irene’s flushed cheeks as she staggered out of the bar, her bare foot slapping against the rough pavement.
She didn’t seem to notice that one of her shoes was missing, or maybe she didn’t care. Her vision blurred, and the world tilted precariously as she stumbled forward, her arms flailing to steady herself. “Where is he…?” she murmured, her voice hoarse and slurred, almost drowned by the distant hum of traffic. Her other shoe slipped slightly, making her trip. She cursed under her breath, frustration bubbling up, but she kept moving, her steps aimless. The sharp edge of the pavement jabbed her exposed foot, but she didn’t flinch. Her mind was far too preoccupied with the weight of her despair to care about something as trivial as pain. Ahead, the streetlights flickered, casting her shadow across the crosswalk. She stepped onto the road, not bothering to check for cars, her head hanging low. From the distance came the low growl of an engine—a sleek, black jeep speeding toward her. The car was a stark contrast to the dim surroundings, its polished surface gleaming under the faint light. Irene, however, stood frozen in the middle of the road, her arms hanging limply by her sides. “Just let it end,” she whispered to herself, closing her eyes as the roar of the approaching vehicle grew louder. The screech of tires shattered the silence, jolting her senses. The car skidded to a halt mere inches from her. The force of the stop caused a loud, ear-piercing sound, making her cringe. When Irene opened her eyes, she blinked at the black car, its headlights blinding her momentarily. Her knees buckled, and she collapsed onto the ground, her body trembling. “Why?” she muttered, her voice cracking as tears spilled from her eyes. “Why couldn’t you just hit me? Why can’t anything ever go right for me?” She sobbed, her chest heaving as the pain inside her spilled out in raw, uncontrollable waves. The gravel beneath her scraped against her palms as she punched the ground in frustration. Inside the car, Daniel sat stiffly, his jaw clenched. His dark eyes narrowed as he stared out at the woman blocking his path. “What the hell is this nonsense?” he muttered, irritation lacing his tone. The driver, an older man with a calm demeanor, glanced at Daniel nervously. “I’ll check, sir.” “Hurry up,” Daniel snapped, loosening his tie in frustration. “I don’t have all night.” The driver stepped out, his polished shoes clicking against the asphalt as he approached Irene cautiously. He bent slightly, his voice calm yet firm. “Madam, are you okay? You’re sitting in the middle of the road.” Irene didn’t respond. Instead, her sobs grew louder, her shoulders shaking as she buried her face in her hands. “Madam,” the driver repeated, unsure of what to do. “Please, move aside. You’re blocking the car.” Irene lifted her head, her tear-streaked face twisted in anguish. “Why didn’t you just hit me? Why couldn’t you have just…?” Her voice broke, and she shook her head, curling into herself on the ground. The driver hesitated, scratching his head. He crouched lower, trying to help her up. “Come on, you can’t sit here. Let me help—” Before he could finish, Irene suddenly lay flat on the road, her arms stretched out dramatically. “No! I’m not moving. If you’re not going to hit me, then you’ll just have to drive over me!” The driver blinked, baffled. He turned back toward the car, his expression helpless. “Sir… she’s not cooperating.” Daniel groaned, his patience wearing thin. “What kind of nonsense is this?” He pushed the door open and stepped out, his sleek suit catching the light. His movements were sharp, precise, and radiated irritation. “What’s the hold-up?” he demanded, his voice cold as his gaze fell on Irene sprawled on the road. The driver straightened, nervously clearing his throat. “Sir, she’s… well, she’s refusing to move.” Daniel’s eyes narrowed as he strode toward Irene. He stopped a foot away from her, his polished shoes glinting under the streetlights. “You,” he said, his voice cutting through the night like a blade. “Get up.” Irene didn’t move. She only cried harder, her sobs echoing in the quiet street. Daniel sighed heavily, his frustration evident. He raised his foot and nudged her lightly with his shoe. “I said, get up. Now.” Irene ignored him, curling tighter into herself. Daniel’s patience snapped. “Ken,” he barked, turning to the older man. “If she won’t move, we’re leaving. She can lie there for all I care.” Ken hesitated, his gaze darting nervously between Irene and Daniel. “But sir—” “Enough,” Daniel cut him off. He turned back toward the car, brushing off his jacket as he prepared to leave. Before he could take another step, Irene suddenly scrambled to her feet and lunged at him. Her arms wrapped around his neck tightly, almost choking him. “Dave!” she cried, her voice filled with desperation. “You’re not leaving me! I won’t let you!” Daniel froze, his entire body stiffening as he registered the situation. “What the hell—?” “You want me, right?” Irene continued, her words tumbling out in a drunken frenzy. “I’m ready now! I looked it up—I know how to do it. I’ll do whatever you want, just don’t leave me, Dave!” Daniel’s shock quickly turned to anger. He grabbed her wrists, attempting to pry her off. “You’re insane,” he spat. “I’m not Dave, and I have no idea who the hell you are. Let go!” Irene clung tighter, her fingers digging into his skin. “No! You’re lying! You’re Dave! You’re mine!” She pressed sloppy kisses to his neck, her lips wet and messy as she muttered incoherent pleas. Daniel recoiled, his face contorting in disgust. “Stop that!” he growled, shoving her back slightly. “You’re drunk and completely out of your mind woman what the hell is wrong with you!” Inside the car, the driver watched in stunned silence, his mouth slightly agape. He’d never seen anyone dare to touch Daniel, let alone assault him in such a bizarre way. Daniel tried again to shake her off, his voice rising. “Get off me, you crazy woman!” But Irene refused to relent. Her arms remained locked around his neck, her tears soaking his shirt. “I won’t leave you, Dave. I love you. Please don’t go!” Daniel let out a frustrated growl and turned, dragging her toward the car. He opened the back door and shoved her inside unceremoniously. Irene sprawled across the seat, blinking up at him with glassy eyes. “Dave…” she whispered again, reaching for him. Daniel climbed in after her, slamming the door shut behind him. He sat on the opposite end of the seat, running a hand through his hair as he glared at her. “What the hell is wrong with you woman is it money you want, like who the hell sent you tell me how much were you paid I would double it?” he demanded, his voice low and dangerous. Irene didn’t answer. Instead, she crawled across the seat, straddling his lap before he could react. She cupped his face with both hands, her expression that of desperation. “Don’t leave me,” she whispered, leaning in to kiss him rigorously.Inside the dimly lit car, the tension was palpable. Irene leaned closer, her breath warm and heavy with the scent of liquor. Before Daniel could react, her lips were on his—soft, desperate, and intrusive.Daniel froze for a heartbeat, stunned by her audacity. Then, like a spring snapping back, his annoyance surged. "What the hell are you doing?" he growled, shoving her away with more force than he intended.Irene's head collided sharply with the car window, the thud echoing in the confined space. Her body slumped to the side, motionless, her hair spilling over her face."Shit," Daniel muttered, his heart skipping a beat. He leaned forward, panic flickering in his eyes as he shook her shoulder. “Hey, lady—wake up! Miss, can you hear me?”Irene didn’t respond. She remained limp, her head lolling slightly to the side. For a moment, Daniel’s mind raced with the worst possibilities. He glanced at the divider.“Ken!” he barked, his voice sharp and unsteady.The driver’s calm reply came thro
Daniel stepped out of the bathroom, the lingering coolness of the ritual rinses still clinging to his hands and mouth. His shirt sleeves were rolled up, his tie discarded somewhere in the corner. He was muttering under his breath, still irritated at the evening’s events. The soft click of the bathroom door behind him punctuated the otherwise silent room.And then he froze.Standing in the middle of the dimly lit suite was Irene, but she wasn’t just standing. She was completely bare, her skin glowing like porcelain under the subdued light, flawless and untouched.Daniel’s throat tightened, and an involuntary gulp escaped him, the sound echoing in the stillness. His eyes widened, unable to immediately process what he was seeing.“Hot,” Irene muttered, her voice slightly slurred as she bent down. Her fingers worked deftly at the clasp of her bra, unhooking it with an unsettling calm. The garment slipped down her arms and onto the floor, joining the other discarded pieces of her cloth
The sun had barely risen, painting the streets in soft, golden hues as Irene walked hand-in-hand with her twin sons, Ethan and Elias, toward their school. The gentle breeze carried with it a sense of promise, but Irene's mind was clouded with the weight of unfinished tasks and looming deadlines.“Mom,” Ethan began hesitantly, breaking the silence. His tone was thoughtful, as though he’d been rehearsing the question in his head. “Why do you always look so tired?”Irene blinked, caught off guard. She glanced down at him, his small face full of concern far beyond his years.“Because grown-ups have a lot to think about,” she replied softly, trying to keep her tone light. “But don’t worry about me. You’re my biggest reason to keep going.”Ethan frowned, his tiny brows knitting together. “But I don’t want you to be tired because of me.”“You’re not the reason I’m tired, sweetheart. You’re the reason I smile every day,” Irene said, crouching to his level. She cupped his cheek gently, her h
The elevator chimed softly as it came to a halt. The doors slid open with a quiet whoosh, revealing the pristine, glass-walled corridor beyond. Irene stood frozen, her heart still hammering from the tension that had filled the small space just moments ago.The man in front of her—tall, powerful, and exuding an effortless authority—finally lifted his head from his phone. His gaze flickered toward her, and for the briefest second, something unreadable passed over his face. Then, his lips curved into the faintest ghost of a smile—so quick, so subtle, that Irene almost doubted she had seen it.Before she could even process the expression, he looked away, his sharp, calculating eyes masking whatever emotion had briefly surfaced. He took a single step forward, closing the small gap between them, and then, with an ease that made her breath hitch, he reached out.His fingers brushed against her arm—just a whisper of contact—as he helped her up to a fully standing position. The touch was
Irene let out a long, weary sigh, the sound barely audible over the steady thud of her aching footsteps against the stairs. Her legs trembled beneath her, the strain of repeated trips up and down the floors sapping what little energy she had left. Her arms burned from the weight of the thick files she clutched to her chest, and every muscle in her body screamed in protest. She had lost track of how many times she had climbed these stairs today. Three? Four? Maybe even more. It didn’t matter anymore. The only thing that mattered was the fact that she had no choice but to keep going. Her first day at work, and she was already being punished. The thought made her chest tighten with frustration, but she swallowed it down, forcing herself to focus on placing one foot in front of the other. She had been in a hurry earlier, just trying to do her job, and in her desperation, she had unknowingly stepped into the CEO’s private elevator. A simple mistake. One that should have warranted
Irene gasped, her heart slamming against her ribs as she stared without blinking at Mr Blackwood. Sir I did not get what you said she finally manage to blurt out after the shock. But Mr. Blackwood barely spared her a glance as he straightened his cufflinks, his voice calm and unyielding. "I said we leave now. Pack your things." Her fingers trembled around the phone in her grasp. "But I—I can't just leave like that. My sons—Ethan, Elias—I promised I'd pick them up early today. I told them we'd get ice cream!" Her voice cracked, the weight of her broken promise sinking deep into her chest. Mr. Blackwood remained indifferent. "Then find someone else to pick them up." His words were a punch to her stomach. Find someone else? Did he think it was that simple? Panic clawed up her throat as she scrambled to think of a solution. Levi. Maybe Levi could help. Her thoughts were in chaos as she turned, ready to call—but the soft click of the door closing made her freeze. He was already gone
Irene was still replaying the humiliating moment on the plane in her mind when the car rolled to a smooth stop in front of an opulent five-star resort. The towering building loomed before them, bathed in golden lights, its grand entrance adorned with luxury cars and uniformed doormen assisting well-dressed guests. She barely had time to adjust to the sight before Mr. Blackwood stepped out, straightening his cuffs as if this were just another mundane stop on his schedule. Irene hesitated. She didn’t belong in places like this. The marble floors, the crystal chandeliers visible from the entrance, the air of exclusivity—it all screamed money. And not the casual kind. The kind that whispered in private jets and dined on meals worth more than her monthly rent. Swallowing hard, she gathered her courage and stepped out of the car. The moment she did, she felt entirely out of place. Even in the sleek black dress, which now felt like a poor attempt at blending in, she stuck out. She was st
Knock. Knock. Irene bounced lightly on the balls of her feet as she waited at Levi's front door, her heart thumping with a mix of nervousness and excitement. From inside, she heard the unmistakable thudding of tiny feet—running, stomping, probably jumping on something they shouldn’t. Her face broke into a wide grin. Before she could knock again, the door flung open. Levi stood there, eyes wide, arms outstretched. “Irene! You’re back!” Irene laughed, practically jumping forward to hug her. “Girl! I’ve missed you like crazy.” Levi pulled back with a smirk. “Missed me? You were gone for, what, two days? Please. Acting like you left for a whole year.” “Two days too long,” Irene teased, brushing past her into the house. “Where are my babies?” Levi shut the door behind her with a little dramatic click. “Mmm... I think you’ve got some serious begging to do first.” “Begging?” Irene frowned, confused. “What do you mean?” “They’re upstairs,” Levi said, walking ahead. “But brace yourse
“Elias, are you sure this is a good idea?” Ethan asked, tightening the straps of his tiny backpack as they walked side by side. Elias grinned mischievously, hugging his little hoodie closer. “Of course it is. Don’t you want to see where Mama works?” “I do,” Ethan muttered, then glanced around. “But we’re gonna get in so much trouble. You know she’s gonna be mad when she finds out we left after school!” “She won’t be mad if we surprise her,” Elias said confidently. “It’ll make her happy.” Ethan shot him a skeptical look. “You sure about that?” “Very sure.” There was a beat of silence before Ethan mumbled, “Do we even know how to get there?” Elias smirked and patted his chest proudly. “I took it for myself.” “Took what?” “The card. Mama’s card. It has the name of her company on it. BIC Enterprises.” Ethan’s eyes widened. “You stole her business card?” “I didn’t steal it! I borrowed it. I’m gonna give it back.” They reached the sidewalk where a few cabs were parked. One of t
Irene moved through the office like a machine. From the moment she clocked in that morning, her mind had been spinning. Ethan and Elias's question from earlier haunted her like a shadow clinging to her heels. "Mama, do we have a dad?" Her lips had gone dry immediately and her heart had nearly stopped. And ever since, everything around her had felt like a blur. Her hands moved on their own—filing documents, passing forms, replying “yes sir” and “on it” to her boss's endless commands—but she wasn’t there. Not really. Her body was present, but her soul was elsewhere, trapped in that single question she had no answer to. Mr. Blackwood had barked orders all morning. "Where are the Peterson files?" "Did you cross-check the shareholder update?" "That email should’ve been sent ten minutes ago!" She didn’t even flinch. She did everything without protest, without expression—just like a robot. It was around midday. She had just returned from submitting paperwork to the PR departme
Irene lay on her bed, eyes wide open, the dim light from the window casting soft shadows on the wall. She had not slept a wink. All through the night, her mind had been a restless reel, playing and replaying the moments from the trip with Mr. Blackwood. The hotel. His voice. His gaze. Each time she tried to shake the memories away, they returned stronger—clearer. And every time, she found herself blushing like a schoolgirl. She tossed on the bed, tangled in her sheets, her cheeks warm from embarrassment. “Ugh, stop it,” she mumbled into her pillow. “He probably doesn’t even think about you. Get a grip, Irene.” Just then—beep! beep! beep! The sharp sound of the alarm pierced the silence. She jolted upright, heart pounding, momentarily dazed. “What?” She reached for her phone, blinking at the time. “Did I really stay up all night thinking about a man who might not even care about me?” she muttered, dragging a hand down her face. With a groan, she threw off the covers and s
Knock. Knock. Irene bounced lightly on the balls of her feet as she waited at Levi's front door, her heart thumping with a mix of nervousness and excitement. From inside, she heard the unmistakable thudding of tiny feet—running, stomping, probably jumping on something they shouldn’t. Her face broke into a wide grin. Before she could knock again, the door flung open. Levi stood there, eyes wide, arms outstretched. “Irene! You’re back!” Irene laughed, practically jumping forward to hug her. “Girl! I’ve missed you like crazy.” Levi pulled back with a smirk. “Missed me? You were gone for, what, two days? Please. Acting like you left for a whole year.” “Two days too long,” Irene teased, brushing past her into the house. “Where are my babies?” Levi shut the door behind her with a little dramatic click. “Mmm... I think you’ve got some serious begging to do first.” “Begging?” Irene frowned, confused. “What do you mean?” “They’re upstairs,” Levi said, walking ahead. “But brace yourse
Irene was still replaying the humiliating moment on the plane in her mind when the car rolled to a smooth stop in front of an opulent five-star resort. The towering building loomed before them, bathed in golden lights, its grand entrance adorned with luxury cars and uniformed doormen assisting well-dressed guests. She barely had time to adjust to the sight before Mr. Blackwood stepped out, straightening his cuffs as if this were just another mundane stop on his schedule. Irene hesitated. She didn’t belong in places like this. The marble floors, the crystal chandeliers visible from the entrance, the air of exclusivity—it all screamed money. And not the casual kind. The kind that whispered in private jets and dined on meals worth more than her monthly rent. Swallowing hard, she gathered her courage and stepped out of the car. The moment she did, she felt entirely out of place. Even in the sleek black dress, which now felt like a poor attempt at blending in, she stuck out. She was st
Irene gasped, her heart slamming against her ribs as she stared without blinking at Mr Blackwood. Sir I did not get what you said she finally manage to blurt out after the shock. But Mr. Blackwood barely spared her a glance as he straightened his cufflinks, his voice calm and unyielding. "I said we leave now. Pack your things." Her fingers trembled around the phone in her grasp. "But I—I can't just leave like that. My sons—Ethan, Elias—I promised I'd pick them up early today. I told them we'd get ice cream!" Her voice cracked, the weight of her broken promise sinking deep into her chest. Mr. Blackwood remained indifferent. "Then find someone else to pick them up." His words were a punch to her stomach. Find someone else? Did he think it was that simple? Panic clawed up her throat as she scrambled to think of a solution. Levi. Maybe Levi could help. Her thoughts were in chaos as she turned, ready to call—but the soft click of the door closing made her freeze. He was already gone
Irene let out a long, weary sigh, the sound barely audible over the steady thud of her aching footsteps against the stairs. Her legs trembled beneath her, the strain of repeated trips up and down the floors sapping what little energy she had left. Her arms burned from the weight of the thick files she clutched to her chest, and every muscle in her body screamed in protest. She had lost track of how many times she had climbed these stairs today. Three? Four? Maybe even more. It didn’t matter anymore. The only thing that mattered was the fact that she had no choice but to keep going. Her first day at work, and she was already being punished. The thought made her chest tighten with frustration, but she swallowed it down, forcing herself to focus on placing one foot in front of the other. She had been in a hurry earlier, just trying to do her job, and in her desperation, she had unknowingly stepped into the CEO’s private elevator. A simple mistake. One that should have warranted
The elevator chimed softly as it came to a halt. The doors slid open with a quiet whoosh, revealing the pristine, glass-walled corridor beyond. Irene stood frozen, her heart still hammering from the tension that had filled the small space just moments ago.The man in front of her—tall, powerful, and exuding an effortless authority—finally lifted his head from his phone. His gaze flickered toward her, and for the briefest second, something unreadable passed over his face. Then, his lips curved into the faintest ghost of a smile—so quick, so subtle, that Irene almost doubted she had seen it.Before she could even process the expression, he looked away, his sharp, calculating eyes masking whatever emotion had briefly surfaced. He took a single step forward, closing the small gap between them, and then, with an ease that made her breath hitch, he reached out.His fingers brushed against her arm—just a whisper of contact—as he helped her up to a fully standing position. The touch was
The sun had barely risen, painting the streets in soft, golden hues as Irene walked hand-in-hand with her twin sons, Ethan and Elias, toward their school. The gentle breeze carried with it a sense of promise, but Irene's mind was clouded with the weight of unfinished tasks and looming deadlines.“Mom,” Ethan began hesitantly, breaking the silence. His tone was thoughtful, as though he’d been rehearsing the question in his head. “Why do you always look so tired?”Irene blinked, caught off guard. She glanced down at him, his small face full of concern far beyond his years.“Because grown-ups have a lot to think about,” she replied softly, trying to keep her tone light. “But don’t worry about me. You’re my biggest reason to keep going.”Ethan frowned, his tiny brows knitting together. “But I don’t want you to be tired because of me.”“You’re not the reason I’m tired, sweetheart. You’re the reason I smile every day,” Irene said, crouching to his level. She cupped his cheek gently, her h