1**THE BREAKUP** Clara sat down for the stylist to begin her work. It was her wedding day, the day she had been anticipating for. She looked at her beautiful wedding dress and smiled. Finally, She and Jeremy would tie the knot. Jeremy walked in suddenly with a girl by his side. "Jeremy what are you doing here? You know that you're not supposed to see the bride before the wedding." Clara said looking all excited. "Wedding my foot, Clara we need to talk" Jeremy said and signalled the stylist to leave the room. "What is so important that we need to talk about and who's that girl beside you"Clara asked. "She is Vivian the rightful owner of that wedding dress"Jeremy said pointing to the wedding dress on the mannequin. "Wait, what do you mean?" Clara asked confused. "I'm breaking up with you and getting married to Vivian here" Jeremy said and hugged Vivian's waist. "What do you mean you're breaking up with me?"Clara asked on the verge of tears. Vivian couldn't take it
Clara opened her eyes the next morning. Wait where was she!!. She had a terrible headache, probably from all the drinking last night. She looked around the unfamiliar room, the room was quite luxurious . She looked under the sheets and found out she was naked. What in the world happened last night? She couldn't wrap her head around it. She heard the sound of running water in the bathroom and then it stopped. A fine young handsome man stepped out of the bathroom. She recognised him. "You're Jeremy boss!!" "Yes, I am"Alex banks nodded. "What are you doing here? what happened last night" "This is my room" "So how did I end up in your room?" Clara asked. "Are you kidding me? You really don't remember what happened last night. How you forced me to get drunk, dragged me here and asked me to sleep with you" Alex banks said trying to look all innocent. "You must be mistaken, I'll never do such a thing" "Then why are you naked on my bed?"Alex asked. "You must've taken ad
Clara stepped out of her room after freshening up. She looked really great this morning. "Look at you looking good after having an all night sex" Avi teased which made Clara blush. "Stop teasing me already" Clara said and waved her hand. "So where are you going?" Avi asked. "I'm going to Jeremy's place to pick up my things" "Let me come with you "Avi suggested "No need for that, I'll handle things there myself okay. Thanks for worrying about me "Clara said and planted a kiss on Avi's forehead. **AT THE BANKS OFFICE* Kevin, Alex assistant didn't know what was going on with the CEO today. He was all smiles ever since he arrived at the office this morning. "Sir,it seems you're in a good mood this morning" Kevin said. "Of course, I met a girl last night and she was hot" Alex banks said. Kevin now realised the reason behind his smiles. The boss had met a girl but he had never slept with a girl. "I had sex with this girl". Alex said shocking Kevin. "Wait, you di
"Don't take down the video"Alex banks said surprising Kevin. "But sir the last thing you need right now is to be involved in a scandal" "Just find whoever posted the video and deal with them"Alex concluded not wanting to talk about it anymore. **AT AVI'S PLACE** "Have you seen the video that is surging the internet?" Avi's asked Clara who seemed relaxed. "Yeah, Vivian posted it" "You mean that Jeremy's bitch that insulted you" "Yeah " "Then you should do something about it because I'm not sure Alex banks is going to do anything about it, not like this is his first or going to be his last relationship scandal "Avi said. "So what should I do Avi?"Clara asked lazily. Avi stood up,took her car keys and pulled Clara along with her. 'Where are we going,Avi"Clara asked "We're going to meet Alex banks and asked him to fucking take the video down" **AT THE BANKS COMPANY** Avi and Clara stood before the receptionist in the lobby. Immediately they entered, the employees remembe
"Are you crazy?" Clara shouted angrily. Avi and Kevin both raised an eyebrow. Did Clara just curse at Alex banks. Clara had had enough of people playing her so she didn't care anymore. "Fine I'll take down the video, but on one condition" Alex said. This was definitely his opportunity to have this girl. "Okay, what condition?"Clara asked finally cooling off. "Let's make a deal, be my girlfriend and I'll take down the video"Alex said leaving everyone shocked. Alex was clearly proposing to Clara. "You can as well leave the video on the internet" Clara response brought disappointment to all in the office. Even Kevin expected her to say Yes. She pulled Avi's arm and turned to leave. "What if I help get revenge on that bastard?" Alex said not wanting to miss this opportunity. Clara turned to look at Alex, her face was lit up indicating that she loved the idea. "What are you getting at?"Clara asked "Jeremy works in my company, I could fire him and even blacklist
**AT ALEX BANKS OFFICE** Kevin walked into Alex's office,"Your mother is here to see you"He said. "Send her in"Alex banks said. James knew well that Alex banks didn't like it when family members come to visit him at work. "How dare you make your mother wait at the reception, Alex"Anna shouted as she entered the office. Anna Banks was Alex's mother and she was always nagging. "You know why I'm here right?"Anna Banks said, trying to cool off. "What is it this time Mom?" "The video that has been circulating the internet,can you explain that?"Anna Banks asked. "There is nothing to explain mom" "What do you mean by nothing to explain. who is the girl in the video?"She asked. "She's my girlfriend". Alex banks said smiling,he knew what his mother's next reaction would be. Anna Banks gasped in shock,"Girlfriend!!Since when were you serious enough to have a girlfriend". Alex banks was always fooling around with other girls which made her really upset and worried, now
Every body in the conference room looked at him. Was he really leaving in the middle of a meeting? "I've got somewhere to be so finish up without me"Alex banks said and rushed out the door, leaving the people dumbfounded. **AT THE BANKS MANSION** "I'm talking to you and you're not showing any concern"Anna shouted at Robert Banks. Robert Banks was Alex's father. "We shouldn't meddle in our son's private life. You know how he is, jumping from one girl to the other. Let him do as he pleases"Robert Banks said. "You men are always like this can't you just understand my worry. That girl doesn't even have parents and she ran off on her wedding day" Anna said. "There's all sorts of rumour about her, people say she's just a gold digger and I don't expect better from people like that". Anna Banks added. "You haven't even met her yet". Robert Banks said, all these talking was already tiring him. "Do I really need to meet a girl like that? She is going to be like a stain on my son's rep
Clara woke up midmorning the next day. It was Thursday and she didn't have anything to do. She went downstairs and saw Avi reading a magazine, "No work today"Clara asked Avi. "Nah,I quit my job yesterday"Avi said. "Great, let's go have fun today"Clara hippied. "I said I just quit my job, shouldn't you be sorry for me?"Avi said. "I didn't ask because I'm very sure you quit your job because you were bored" "You're right, that work was just paper work and more paperwork and more paperwork,Arrgghhh" Avi groaned, she looked like she could tear anything apart. Clara took a few steps back. "Let's just leave this house and go have fun "Clara suggested. "You're right, we'll go to the park,then the shopping mall and a very nice restaurant "Avi said. "That sounds like an expensive fun and I'm currently broke" "How dare you say you're broke when your boyfriend is a billionaire? Just call him and ask for money " "No" "I'll call him for you "Avi snatched Clara's phone and dialled Al
“I was ashamed,” he cut in quietly.That stopped her cold.“I couldn’t face you. Not after what I did.”“And what did you do, Alex?” she asked, voice tight with restrained fury. “Tell me. Say it out loud.”He looked away. “I slept with Quinn.”The words fell like stones.She nodded slowly. “So it’s true.”“It meant nothing.”“You think that makes it better?”“No. I know it doesn’t.”The silence stretched again. Then Clara whispered, “Why?”He stepped forward. “Because I’m a coward. Because I was afraid of how much I care about you. Because I thought—maybe I could ruin it before it could ruin me.”She let out a bitter laugh. “Well. Congratulations. You succeeded.”His voice cracked. “I never stopped thinking about you. Every damn minute I was away from you, I wanted to come back. But I didn’t think I deserved to.”“You don’t.”The pain in her voice nearly broke him.“But I still love you,” he said, voice hoarse. “I never stopped. I’ve never loved anyone like I love you, Clara.”She loo
Across Town – Maya’s Private villa.Maya sat with her legs crossed, watching live security footage of Clara’s building. She had eyes everywhere now. And with Quinn as her unstable puppet, the plan was moving faster than expected.One call, and Clara would be gone.She picked up the phone, dialed.“Move to Phase Two,” she said. “I want her out of the picture.”“What about Alex?” the voice on the other end asked.Maya smiled. “Let Quinn ruin him. Once he’s broken… I’ll finish the job.”She hung up, eyes glittering with victory.---Later That Day – Clara’s ApartmentClara had barely moved from her spot on the couch.The doorbell rang.She opened it slowly.Alex stood there, looking like he hadn’t slept in days.“I need to talk to you,” he said.She didn’t move.He stepped inside without waiting for an invitation.“Clara, I didn’t mean to hurt you. I didn’t even mean for it to happen. I was drunk. I was… drugged, I think.”She turned to him slowly. “You think you were drugged?”“I don’t
Meanwhile, Quinn watched the video again from her hotel suite, smirking. She could practically feel Alex unraveling already. Just one leak, and everything he’d built would burn.She picked up her phone and dialed.“Release the clip to Clara if he doesn’t do what I ask,” she told her contact. “He’ll come crawling.”Just then, the door clicked behind her.Quinn turned, expecting her assistant.Instead, she found herself staring into Maya Stark’s icy eyes.“Oh,” Quinn said with a smirk, “to what do I owe the pleasure?”Maya walked in, slow and deliberate. “You think you’re clever, don’t you?”Quinn’s eyes narrowed. “I know I am.”Maya tilted her head. “I came to make you an offer.”“Go on.”“We work together. You keep Alex occupied. I take care of Clara.”Quinn raised a brow. “And what do I get?”Maya’s smile was razor-sharp. “Everything you want—Alex, money, revenge. I just want the girl gone.”Quinn laughed softly. “You’re insane.”“Perhaps,” Maya said, “but I always get what I want.”
Kevin continued, “She tried to kill you, man. This isn’t about jealousy anymore. It’s about control.”Alex finally turned. “Do whatever it takes. Find proof. And keep this quiet.”Kevin narrowed his eyes. “What about Clara? Are you going to keep treating her like a stranger too?”Alex flinched.Kevin sighed. “She’s not the enemy, Alex. But if you keep pushing her away, she will be gone. For good.”Before Alex could reply, the receptionist buzzed in.“Ms. Quinn Stark is here for you.”Alex stared at the intercom, a muscle in his jaw tightening.“Send her in.”Clara stood frozen in the middle of the living room, the sound of the door slamming behind Alex still echoing in her ears. His words—“It’s none of your business”—hung in the air like a dagger suspended over her chest. It wasn’t just what he said, but the way he said it. Cold. Detached. Like she was a stranger asking too much of a man who owed her nothing.She sat down slowly, the silence closing in like a storm cloud. Her fingers
He slammed the bathroom counter with both fists, pain shooting up his arm.Coward.That’s what he was.Because it wasn’t just the act—it was the way it had changed everything inside him. The guilt made it impossible to look Clara in the face without seeing her heartbreak. So he didn’t.He walked out into the bedroom. She wasn’t there.For a moment, he thought she had left.He almost hoped she did.But then he saw her curled on the couch, arms around her knees like a child, silent tears glistening in the dim light.Something inside him cracked.He moved toward her, then stopped.He didn’t deserve to comfort her.ClaraShe felt him approach before she saw him.Clara looked up slowly, wiping her tears with the back of her hand. Alex stood there, looking lost. Like he wanted to speak—but couldn’t.“Why are you doing this?” she asked softly.He didn’t answer.“Did I do something wrong?”“No,” he said finally, his voice hoarse.“Then why are you shutting me out again?”“Because I’m not the
Alex’s expression changed. “What?”“Yeah. They weren’t faulty. They were cut. And the footage from the garage was wiped. A clean two-hour gap. Only someone from inside could’ve done that.”Alex’s hands clenched. “Are you okay?”“I’m fine. A fractured arm and a few bruised ribs. But if I was driving your car that day…”“Maya,” Alex said quietly.Kevin’s head tilted. “You think so too?”“She’s the only one smart enough and ruthless enough.”“What the hell does she want?”“Control,” Alex muttered. “And I just gave her a reason.”Kevin stared. “What do you mean?”Alex didn’t answer. Instead, he shifted back into CEO mode, tossing Kevin a document. “We need to finalize the Decker merger. Handle the press. I’ll give you a few days off. You’ve earned it.”Kevin wanted to press further. He wanted answers. But something in Alex’s expression warned him to back off. The man was crumbling, piece by piece, and Kevin wasn’t sure if he was going to make it out whole.---ClaraIt was well past midni
“She tried to bribe me. Said I could have the job if I told her where Jeremy is.”Mabel stared at her, horrified. “She did what?”“I walked out.” Clara’s voice trembled. “I couldn’t do it. I wouldn’t.”Mabel’s expression softened instantly. “Good. You did the right thing.”“Clara, I’m proud of you. Vivian’s a snake. If you’d accepted, she would’ve found a new way to twist the knife. You chose yourself. That matters.”Clara exhaled, some of the pressure easing from her chest. “I feel like I’ll never catch a break.”“You will,” Mabel said firmly. “And when you do, it’ll be on your terms.”***********ClaraThe silence in the penthouse was suffocating.Clara sat on the edge of the bed, her phone clutched tightly in her hand. The screen displayed the same thing it had for the past two days: Call ended. Twenty-three missed calls. Three unread messages—short, uncertain, all unsent drafts she’d stared at for hours before deleting. She hadn’t heard a word from Alex since that night.Since he d
The morning sunlight filtered softly through Clara’s window, casting warm golden streaks across the hardwood floor. She stood in front of her mirror, adjusting the collar of her blouse for the third time. Pale blue—professional, calming, confident. She exhaled slowly, trying to settle the nerves churning in her stomach.Behind her, Mabel leaned against the doorframe with a mug of coffee in hand. “You look like you’re about to walk into a Vogue cover shoot.”Clara cracked a smile. “Thanks, but I feel like I’m about to walk into a firing squad.”Mabel straightened up, walking over to clasp Clara’s shoulders. “You’ve got this. You’re smart, you’re talented, and you’ve got more grit than most people I know. Just be yourself."They left the villa, the city already humming with Monday morning energy. Mabel dropped her off at the entrance of the company, one of the most prestigious independent publishing houses in the city.Clara took in the sleek glass façade, the crisp signage, the bustle
She picked up the phone,"Hi Avi, what's up with you?" Clara greeted."I'm in the hospital right now Clara " Avi said,her voice sounding like she had been crying."What happened to you ,why are you in the hospital? " Clara asked. Mabel heard Clara mention hospital,so she strained her ear trying to listen to their conversation. It wasn't hard for her to hear what they were saying because she was a good at eavesdropping."It's not me, I'm perfectly fine. It's Kevin,he was in a car accident and I've been trying to call Alex Banks but he isn't picking up" Avi said."How did he get into an accident?" Clara asked. "They investigated and checked the car, someone had ripped out the brakes of the car" Avi said."Why would someone try to kill Kevin?" Clara asked."They weren't trying to kill Kevin but Alex. The car belonged to your boyfriend" Avi said."I'll come to the hospital now" Clara said."You don't need to come,he only sustained minor injuries. He'll be discharged tomorrow and it's alr