“This is my first time presenting in front of so many people,” Sirena muttered, looking at her reflection.
The woman was all set in her formal attire: dark gray fitted pants, a crisp white shirt, and a matching blazer that made her look incredibly professional. The style was perfect for today’s shareholder presentation, but there was a personal touch that set her apart.
She arranged her long, wavy hair neatly, aiming for an elegant yet natural look, with only light makeup to keep it understated. Surely, everyone who saw her would be captivated, especially considering how beautiful Sirena was, already known as the campus’ darling. Even though she usually kept her look simple, her natural allure still managed to draw attention without the need for heavy makeup. It seemed that her beauty and confidence were inherent, and her every step left an impression, as if she carried stars around wherever she went.
“All right, done,” she murmured, grabbing her sling bag and heading out of her room.
She walked toward the exit and slipped into her black heels with a five-centimeter heel before stepping out of her apartment.
Brrr… brrr…
Sirena reached into her bag to answer her phone as she stood in the elevator. It was a message from Ramon, her cousin.
“Are you seriously going to the company alone, Sirena? Want me to accompany you?” the message read.
“Yes, Ramon. Thanks for worrying about me, but I can handle this myself. Don’t worry; Uncle Luke will be with me.” That was the message Sirena sent back to Ramon.
Luke, her mother’s younger brother, was someone who genuinely cared about their family. Her father’s side of the family felt distant, as if they lived in different worlds, seemingly uninterested in her life. Even Ramon’s parents were more focused on their own matters, and it was clear affection didn’t flow from that side of the family.
In contrast, her mother’s side was much more attentive, especially Luke, the only sibling her mother had. Luke worked as a branch manager at Reverie and was known for his ambitious career drive. But one thing that always made her smile was his dedication to helping Sirena with her love life. Since long ago, Luke had been enthusiastic about introducing her to James, though Sirena often found herself puzzled by his intentions. Was he genuinely convinced James was a suitable match, or was there another reason hidden away in his mind? Either way, Luke’s presence in her life was like a breath of fresh air, always ready to support her, though it occasionally left her feeling confused.
Sirena had to take a taxi since she had sold her beloved car to pay off debts to some thugs who had threatened both her and her mother. She had given up her car for their safety and now had to live more frugally than before.
Sirena looked out the car window, contemplating her drastically changed life. A father who had suddenly passed, a mother diagnosed with cancer, and now, as the only child, she fought alone to resolve all the issues left behind. She wasn’t even sure if she was making the right choices.
“But everything has already happened, right? I’m already stuck with that playboy,” she thought, sighing and wiping her face in frustration.
She glanced around, feeling anxious as the car came to a stop.
“Driver, what’s going on? Why the traffic?” she asked as she realized she was stuck.
“There appears to be an accident, Miss.”
Sirena looked at her watch. “Oh no, I’m almost late. Driver, is there any chance we can move? Or maybe find an alternate route?”
“I’m afraid not, Miss. The car is stuck; moving forward isn’t possible, and turning back would be difficult with the surrounding traffic completely gridlocked,” he replied.
“Oh no.” Sirena grew increasingly anxious. “I’ll just get out here, then.”
“Are you sure? It’s still a few kilometers to Reverie,” the driver asked.
“Yes, I’ll walk. I can’t afford to wait,” she said, paying the fare and stepping out of the taxi.
She walked briskly along the sidewalk, struggling a bit with her heels. She caught sight of the multiple-vehicle pileup causing damage and many victims being evaluated.
“No wonder it’s so congested,” she muttered, walking quickly, determined not to look at the accident scene. Sirena had a phobia of blood and hated the smell of it.
Beep… beep!
The sound of a motorcycle horn prompted Sirena to move further to the side as the bike stopped right next to her. The man riding the sports bike took off his full-face helmet, and Sirena’s eyes widened as she saw who it was.
“James?” she exclaimed in surprise.
“Hey, partner,” James greeted her with that infuriating grin she knew too well.
“You’re headed to Reverie?” James asked.
“Yes,” Sirena replied.
“Hop on. I’ll give you a ride,” he insisted.
“No need, I can walk,” she replied. “Besides, it’s almost close.”
“Close? It’s still two kilometers. Get on. I don’t want your skin getting scratched or bruised. I’m very fond of beauty, so I don’t want your body to be harmed,” James said casually.
“No need to think much about it. I’m doing this to protect the body I’ll touch and caress so gently,” he added with his most infuriating smile.
“Honestly…” Sirena muttered, speechless.
She got on the bike, putting some distance between them.
“Why so distant? You usually stick close,” James teased, grabbing Sirena’s hand so that her body pressed against his broad back. “Now I can feel its softness.”
“Pervert!” Sirena scolded, pinching his side, which made him wince in response.
“Hold on tight, my partner,” James said, shifting gears and releasing the clutch, pulling on the throttle.
Caught off guard, Sirena instinctively hugged James tightly. Behind his helmet, James smiled, satisfied that he’d successfully teased her.
Sirena was tense as James drove fast, overtaking every vehicle in front, and before she knew it, she was holding on to him very tightly.
Screech…
James stopped his motorcycle right in front of Reverie’s lobby.
“Finally made it here. Any longer, and I might have died from lack of air,” James complained as Sirena got off the bike.
“What do you mean?” Sirena asked.
“You were holding on to me like you were afraid I’d leave. Relax, I’ll be here for the next three years,” he teased, winking at her.
“Oh, whatever!”
Siren complained turning her face away. “Thanks for dropping me off anyway, thanks to you I'm not late.”
“I don't accept thanks just from your lips,” said James.
“Tsk, you sneaky bastard,” Sirena complained as she walked away in annoyance.
“She's still a bitch,” James muttered, watching Siren walk away. “But I like her more and more.” James smiled looking at Sirena.
***
"Welcome, Sirena," Uncle Luke greeted warmly as Sirena arrived at the company."Thank you, Uncle Luke. Has everyone gathered?" Sirena asked."Yes, they have. Relax, don't be tense," Luke encouraged her. "By the way, I heard you successfully persuaded James to invest in our company. I always knew you’d manage to convince him. After all, James still has feelings for you," Luke added with a chuckle, making Sirena offer a faint smile."Uncle has no idea how that annoying man is using this situation to his advantage," Sirena thought to herself."How is Brianna doing?" Luke asked."Mom's condition is improving, but she still needs close monitoring until her chemotherapy schedule is finalized," Sirena replied."So, she really has cancer," Luke said with a sigh, sadness and worry evident in his voice."Yes, Uncle," Sirena confirmed."You must stay strong, Sirena. If you need anything or face difficulties, let me know. Right now, you're the only one who can save this company and your family,"
"We don't have any kind of relationship, Uncle," Sirena answered calmly."That's a lie. It looks like your relationship is very serious. Are you two dating?" Luke asked."No," Sirena replied firmly. "Please stop asking about that. What's important now is solving all these problems and convincing the investors not to withdraw or cancel their contracts. We need the support of other investors too.""Alright, fine," Luke finally agreed.They then discussed work-related issues and Sirena's future plans for managing the company her father left behind."Finally, home sweet home," she sighed, throwing her bag onto the sofa and plopping down with a loud creak that echoed her exhaustion after a long day.At home, the cozy couch was her most desired spot. She planned to enjoy a bit of relaxation to ease her stiff muscles before moving on to her next plan—visiting the hospital later that night. The thought of facing the somber atmosphere and grieving people weighed on her, but it was her responsi
On the other hand, James stared at his phone with a mixed expression of hope and frustration, occasionally sipping vodka from the glass in his hand. A sense of disappointment began to envelop his heart because the only thing he wanted at that moment was a reply from Sirena, the arrogant girl who always made his heart race.Time seemed to pass slowly, and each second that went by felt like a ridiculous twist in the circle of time, making him more restless. He scratched his head, which wasn’t itchy, while glancing at the wall clock that seemed to mock his foolishness. The mixture of frustration and amusement finally made a small chuckle escape his lips.“How foolish I am,” he thought. Waiting for a reply that might never come, yet still holding on to hope, as if he were waiting for a miracle.The grip on the vodka glass in his hand served as a reminder that life is full of absurd moments that sometimes make us smile, even though they are quite annoying.“This arrogant woman, I’m so obse
Sirena had just arrived at her apartment. She saw a pile of gifts stacked up in the living room. She glanced briefly at the pile without the intention of opening them and walked toward her bedroom. She placed the large bag containing the dress and accessories she had bought earlier on the bed. Then, she went to the bathroom to freshen up. It felt so stuffy after spending the whole day outside, dealing with traffic and the scorching heat. Now it was time for some "me-time."After spending a few minutes in the bathroom, Sirena felt refreshed. She took out her skincare products and began pampering her skin, applying a face mask and aromatherapy lotion. The gentle scent of lavender filled the bathroom, making her feel more relaxed.Once done, Sirena stepped out of the bathroom with her hair still damp and wearing comfortable clothes. She decided to make herself a cup of warm tea and sit on the couch, enjoying the calm moment. As she sipped her tea, her eyes briefly wandered to the pile of
"Seeing your surprised and annoyed expression, let me guess, you're not happy to see me here, right?" he said, hitting the mark.Quickly, Sirena put on a wide smile full of theatrics."How could I be upset seeing Mr. James? You’re my benefactor, of course I’m happy you greeted me," Sirena said, still maintaining her friendly smile. "Damn! Why does this pervert have to be here too?" Sirena thought, feeling irritated."Wow, those luscious lips can say sweet things, though they’re the complete opposite of what’s in your heart," James teased, smiling warmly."How does he still greet me like this? Pervert!" Sirena thought, irritated.Sirena tried to control her frustration, though her polite smile remained on her face."You really know how to read the room, Mr. James. But I don’t remember asking for your help to entertain me here," she replied, her tone slightly sarcastic but still sweet.James chuckled softly. "Ah, Sirena. You always have a way of captivating people, even when you’re tryi
Inside the room, the doctor entered with a warm smile."Good afternoon, Mrs. Briana. How are you feeling right now?" he asked, exuding warmth and professionalism.Briana lay back on the bed, feeling the tension in her body."Good afternoon, Doctor. I feel a bit anxious, but I know this is a necessary step," she replied, trying to stay calm despite her racing heart.The doctor nodded, understanding Briana's feelings. "That's very natural, Mrs. Briana. Many patients feel the same way. We will do our best to ensure you are as comfortable as possible during this treatment."He reviewed her medical notes and explained the chemotherapy process clearly, ensuring Briana understood every step that would be taken."If there's anything that makes you uncomfortable or if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to let us know," the doctor added, reassuring her that the medical team was ready to assist.Briana felt slightly calmer after hearing the doctor's explanation and the support provide
“Is this the place?” Sirena murmured, looking at the apartment address James had given her. She hadn’t expected James to prepare such a luxurious apartment.She then pressed the touchscreen and entered her password.Click!The sound of the lock opening. Sirena turned the door handle and entered the apartment.Her eyes widened as she looked at the spacious, luxurious apartment, fully furnished.Sirena walked into the living room and sat on the comfortable sofa. She was so impressed with the apartment and with James’s efforts to make her feel comfortable.A few minutes later, the apartment door opened and James entered, a wide smile on his face. “Looks like you’ve arrived,” James said, walking toward Sirena while removing his jacket.“Yeah, I don’t like being late,” Sirena teased, sitting with her legs crossed gracefully.James chuckled. “Alright, alright. I admit it, I was late, just 30 minutes this time,” he said, causing Sirena to snort in annoyance.“Have you eaten?” James asked whi
James watched Sirena closely, sensing the obvious tension between them. He knew that there was something that could not be put into words, something deeper than just a casual conversation at the dinner table.As she continued to spoon her food, Sirena tried to focus on the flavors and textures. However, her mind drifted, caught between doubt and hope. For their previous conversation came back to haunt her, as James touched on an issue that was so sensitive, but also gave her heart palpitations.“So, how do you plan to move forward?” James asked, trying to open a lighter conversation.Sirena looked down at her plate, trying to find the right words. “I... don't know for sure yet,” she replied quietly, refraining from expressing any real concern.James nodded, but the look on his face showed dissatisfaction. He wanted more than a vague answer, but he also didn't want to force something that might make Sirena feel uncomfortable.“Sometimes, we just need to take the first step,” he said so
James' return from the dead after a plane crash and his rise as the CEO of the massive Scout family corporation have become the talk of the town. Adding to the sensation, the news of his stepmother, Hanah, and stepbrother, Aladric, being arrested has spread like wildfire, fueling the hunger of journalists eager for a scoop. The shocking revelation of James Scout being alive and back in power has stunned many.The news went viral, shaking the public. Even James' biological father, who had always remained silent, could only apologize in shame. He realized that he had utterly failed to protect his own family.As the world reeled from James Scout's return, the headquarters of Scout Corporation was flooded with reporters, all desperate to get a statement from the rightful heir. Cameras and microphones were thrust at anyone entering or exiting the building, while speculation on how James survived the plane crash spread rapidly.At the Scout family residence, James’ biological father, Leonar
As expected, today James confidently arrived with David and Vaul, his assistants, at the giant corporation owned by the Scout family. According to David, there was a meeting scheduled today with shareholders and the company's elite executives to appoint the new CEO.James, who was presumed dead, reappeared with irrefutable evidence of Aladric and his mother's crimes. Now, as the largest shareholder, James was set to take his rightful place as the company's director. His arrival was bound to shock everyone.As James stepped into the grand headquarters of Scout Corporation, the atmosphere inside was tense. Executives and shareholders had already gathered in the main conference room, awaiting the crucial moment—the appointment of the new CEO.David and Vaul followed closely behind James, their expressions unreadable, but their eyes sharp, as if prepared for any resistance."Everything is ready, sir," David whispered as they neared the entrance to the large meeting room.James nodded slig
"I'm home, Sweety." James entered the mansion at night, though it was not too late.He walked toward the dining area and noticed that the dinner remained untouched, even though dinnertime had long passed."Where is Siren? Has she not had dinner yet?" James asked one of the maids present."Madam is still in her room, Sir. She hasn’t come down at all," the maid replied, making James feel uneasy.James let out a slow sigh before climbing the stairs to their bedroom. Worry started creeping into his mind. Siren never skipped dinner.Reaching the door, James knocked gently. "Sweety, are you inside?"No response…James frowned before finally opening the door and stepping in. The bedroom lights were dim, and Siren sat at the edge of the bed, hugging her knees. Her eyes stared blankly at the window.James approached her and crouched down in front of her. "Hey, what's wrong?" he asked softly.Siren didn't answer immediately. It took her a few seconds before she finally whispered, "I'm just… tir
James narrowed his eyes. "What is he up to?"David placed his phone on the table, displaying a report. "There are signs of sabotage in one of our related projects. Several suppliers have suddenly withdrawn, and there are rumors that someone is trying to buy shares in companies affiliated with us."Romano growled. "Damn it, he's wasting no time."James gave a faint smile, completely unfazed. "Then let's give him a surprise."Romano's eyes narrowed. "What’s your plan?"James leaned back in his chair, exuding confidence. "If Leonard wants to play dirty, we’ll make sure he realizes he picked the wrong opponent."Romano smirked. "I like the way you think, James. But you know Leonard isn't someone who goes down easily."James met his gaze sharply. "Which is exactly why we need to act fast."David crossed his arms. "Do you have a strategy?"James picked up his phone, typed something, then looked at them. "First, we identify the suppliers who backed out and secure alternatives before the proj
On the other side, James, along with David and Romano, attended a major business meeting. The tender at stake was highly sought after by many entrepreneurs. James had already promised Romano that he would secure the contract.The meeting room was filled with prominent business figures, each with their own agenda and ambitions. James sat calmly in his seat, his expression unreadable as the tender committee representatives began presenting the highly contested project.Romano sat beside him, appearing relaxed, but his eyes were sharp and calculating. Meanwhile, David, seated across from them, seemed more at ease, occasionally glancing around the room to assess their competitors."James," Romano whispered. "We must ensure our proposal is the best. I don't want to lose this project."James nodded without turning his head. "Don't worry, Mr. Romano. I've prepared everything."The presentation session began. One by one, the participants took turns presenting their plans. James observed atten
"Good morning, Sister-in-law!" David entered the mansion with a bright expression."Oh? What brings you here so early?" Sirena asked, frowning."What else? I'm here to greet the newlyweds," he chuckled, making Sirena roll her eyes."Sit down, have breakfast," Sirena said, already seated at the dining table."Well, if you insist, I won’t say no," he laughed, taking a seat across from her."Ck... Always taking advantage of opportunities," James commented as he appeared, dressed neatly."Of course," David grinned as he flipped his plate over."You're all dressed up, James? Are you going somewhere?" Sirena asked, observing her husband."Yes, Sweety. I have a meeting and need to meet with some investors," James replied, sitting beside her."Will it take long?" Sirena asked, not wanting him to leave.James smiled slightly, sensing the reluctance in her voice. "I'll try to be back as soon as possible. Just a few hours, Sweety."Sirena sighed softly, stirring her food absentmindedly with her
"Ah, looks like my persuasion worked this time," James teased as Sirena opened her bedroom door, stepping out with a clearly annoyed expression."It better be good," Sirena muttered, walking ahead and leaving James behind."Of course. When have my dishes ever been bad?" James chuckled, following her.Sirena shot him a glare over her shoulder, eyes filled with doubt. "You're way too confident."James feigned offense. "Oh, Sweety! Do you still doubt my culinary skills? That really hurts my pride as a man."Sirena scoffed and crossed her arms. "We'll see. If it’s not good, you’re washing dishes for a whole week."James let out a low chuckle. "Deal. But if it is good, you owe me a reward."Sirena narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "What kind of reward?"James leaned in slightly, whispering in a playful tone, "Three rounds tonight. How about that?"Sirena’s face instantly turned red. "JAMES!" she shrieked, shoving him away.James just laughed in satisfaction. "Alright, alright. Let’s start co
"You're lying, aren't you? You must be lying to me, James," Jeslyn said, completely unwilling to accept James' statement."Why would I lie to you, Jes? There's no point in doing that," James replied."James, from the very beginning, our agreement was about my marriage to you!" Jeslyn snapped, her eyes brimming with anger."There was never such an agreement, Jeslyn!" James said, his frustration evident. Meanwhile, Sirena remained silent, but her gaze was filled with anger toward James, as if accusing him of being a liar. That alone made him feel pressured.Jeslyn stared at James, her eyes burning with fury and disappointment. "So, you're just going to throw me away? After everything we've been through?"James sighed, trying to suppress his frustration. "Jeslyn, I never promised to marry you. If you or your father assumed that, it was never my agreement."Jeslyn let out a bitter chuckle, tears threatening to spill from her eyes. "So, this was all just business to you? What am I to you,
"Welcome to my mansion," James said as he opened the massive door to his grand estate."Wow, so this is where you've been living all this time?" Sirena asked in awe."That's right. I bought this place because it's comfortable. Even though it's on the outskirts of the city, the view is breathtaking," James replied.Sirena stepped inside, her eyes immediately captivated by the mansion's magnificent interior. Tall walls adorned with classic carvings, a grand crystal chandelier casting shimmering light across the room, and elegantly arranged furniture created an air of luxury."You're right, this place is truly beautiful," she whispered, admiring every corner.James smiled slightly as he closed the door behind them. "I want you to feel comfortable here. From now on, this is your home too."Sirena turned to him, sensing something in his tone that made her feel... safe.Vaul, James' personal assistant, appeared from the hallway and gave a slight bow. "Welcome, Madam. The master bedroom has