James folded his arms. “You’ve proven yourself, Luna. Your analysis, your contributions during meetings, your initiative it all speaks volumes. But I won’t sugarcoat it. The selection process will be intense. They’ll evaluate everything: your skills, your decision-making, your adaptability. So prepare yourself thoroughly.I nodded, a mix of excitement and nerves bubbling inside me. Thank you for trusting me, Mr. Carter. I won’t let you down.“I know you won’t,” he said, giving me an encouraging nod before walking awayThe days that followed were grueling. I threw myself into preparation, devouring every material I could get my hands on,reports, case studies, industry insights. At home, my evenings were spent practicing mock presentations and honing my skills. Mom often peeked into my room, concerned.“Luna, take a break,” she’d say.I can’t, Mom. This is important, I would reply, my eyes glued to my notes.Finally, the evaluation began. Weeks passed as each candidate was tested throug
I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. The idea of being alone with the branch manager in a private jet felt daunting. My legs felt like lead as I climbed the stairs and stepped inside.The interior was sleek and luxurious, unlike anything I’d ever seen. There, seated in one of the plush leather chairs, was a man. He didn’t look up as I approached.“Hello, miss,” came a voice from one of the attendants. “Please take a seat.” She gestured to a chair behind him.I froze for a moment. Why won’t he look at me? Is this some kind of power move? Does he think I’m not worth his attention?As I settled into the chair, my thoughts raced. This man is a mystery, and I’m stuck with him for three whole days. The jet hummed softly as I sat there, the opulent interior feeling like something out of a movie. The attendant approached me with a s tray, offering a glass of red wine. Would you like anything else, miss?” she asked politely.“No, thank you,” I replied, gripping the glass tightly, I
We arrived at a towering skyscraper. Romano walked ahead, majestically and I struggled to keep up.Inside the boardroom, high-ranking executives greeted Romano with deference. Romano turned to me, handing me a folder. “You’ll handle the projections for Aurora’s next quarter. Impress me.I swallowed hard but nodded, taking the folder. “Yes, sir.During the procession of the meeting, It was my turn to speak. I stood before a room full of seasoned professionals, Romano’s intense gaze locked on me as I began presenting.I took a deep breath. “As we can see, expanding into new markets will require a combination of cost efficiency and localized strategies.My voice grew stronger with each word. I had prepared for moments like this, and I wasn’t going to let anyone see me falter.When I finished, the room was silent for a moment before breaking into applause.Romano leaned back in his chair, his lips curling into a small, approving smirk.That evening, back at the hotel, I returned to my su
I approached him cautiously, unsure of what to expect.“Miss Vargas,” he said, his tone formal but quieter than usual. It fits perfectlyYes it does, I responded. Before I could say anything, he turned to the crowd and said, “Mingle. Make connections. But remember,you represent this company tonight.”“Yes, sir,” I replied, my voice steady.He turned away, leaving me standing there once again. I couldn’t decide if I felt relieved or disappointed. But I pushed those thoughts aside, reminding myself why I was here.As the evening progressed, I did as Romano instructed. I introduced myself to other attendees, shared insights from our meetings, and even found myself enjoying the company of some of my colleagues. But no matter where I was or who I spoke to, I could feel Romano’s presence in the room, like a shadow that refused to leave.Just as I tried to enjoy the moment, A tall, handsome guy approached me. Smiling warmly, His confidence was evident in the way he carried himself.Miss Varg
I can’t do this, I blurted, my voice barely above a whisper but loud enough for him to hear. I pulled away from his grip, taking a shaky step back.Romano’s brow furrowed slightly, Without another word, I turned and walked away, weaving through the crowd until I found a quiet corner of the grand venue.My heart was pounding, and I pressed my hand to my chest, trying to steady my breathing. I leaned against the wall, staring at nothing in particular, my mind replaying the dance.Why does he affect me like this? Why does he have this hold over me?I felt my phone vibrate in my clutch and hurriedly pulled it out. Seeing my mom’s name on the screen, I let out a relieved sigh and answered the video call.Luna Mom’s voice was warm and full of joy. Look at you Oh my goodness, my baby girl looks like a movie star.I couldn’t help but smile, it’s nothing serious really,I said, laughing softly.Not that serious? she exclaimed, adjusting her camera to get a better look at me. You look stunning.
Now he was my boss, and somehow, that felt even more overwhelming. I gripped the sheets, willing the thoughts away, but they stayed. The next morning, I walked into the office, greeted by smiles and applause.Great job at the meeting, Luna one of my colleagues called out.We saw you on the live stream another added.I thanked them, feeling both proud and embarrassed by the attention. It was only then that I realized a part of the meeting had been streamed back to Aurora Innovations.As I reached my desk, Mr. James Carter, my team leader, called out from his office. “Luna, could you step in for a moment?”I walked in, closing the door behind me. He gestured for me to sit, his warm smile instantly putting me at ease.Luna, he began, leaning back in his chair, I just wanted to personally congratulate you. You did an exceptional job during the trip.“Thank you, Mr. Carter,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady. It means a lot.He chuckled. “No need to be so formal. We’re all proud of
I shook my head quickly. No, I will manage. I just need a little time to refocus.”He studied me for a moment, then nodded. Alright. But don’t push yourself too hard. If you need to talk or take a break, my door’s always open.“Thank you, sir,” I said, grateful for his understanding.The walk home was filled with more thoughts about Malia, and when my phone buzzed, Minho’s name flashed across the screen. I hesitated, then ignored the call. I wasn’t ready to talk to him.When I reached home, I opened the door to find the house in complete disarray. Furnitures overturned, random objects were strewn everywhere. My heart sank.Malia I yelled, storming through the house.I found her in my room. The sight stopped me in my tracks,clothes, books, and belongings were scattered across the floor, and my bed was unmade, the sheets tangled and tossed aside.“Malia, what is wrong with you?” I shouted, my anger boiling over.She turned to me, her expression cold and defiant. Hey, you listen to me, s
I took the phone, my hands trembling. The message read: Minho, I could never be with someone like you. You disgust and irritate me,I regret the day I met you, you're worthless, I have a better man You and your family are beneath me. Please don’t contact me again.My jaw dropped. Minho, this isn’t me. I didn’t send this.Then who did?” he asked, his voice tinged with disbelief.I don’t know, I whispered, shaking my head. But someone used my phone to do this. Please, Minho, you have to believe me.He stared at me for a long moment, his expression softening slightly. “And what do you want me to do, Maya? Miss my flight?”Without thinking, I screamed, “I love you, Minho! And yes, I’ll be your girlfriend.Heads turned, and I could feel the weight of a hundred eyes on me, but I didn’t care.Minho froze mid-step. Slowly, he turned around, his gaze locked on me. Before he could say anything, I ran to him and wrapped my arms around him tightly. “Please believe me. I could never say such things
Damien nodded, a knowing look in his eyes. “Sometimes, not having a plan is the best plan. Just go with the flow, till you figure something out.“Wise words,” I said with a smile. And he chuckled.We continued talking about everything and nothing, laughter filling the car as we made our way to Silver Hills, and enjoying each other's company. Before I knew it, we had arrived. The place was breathtaking, its grand exterior buzzing with excitement. Elegantly dressed people filled the area, each one a walking masterpiece of style. Fashion was at its peak, selfies were being snapped, photographers darted around capturing moments, and flashes illuminated the vibrant scene.I stepped out of the car, awestruck by the glamorous chaos. My eyes wandered from one dazzling display to another, taking in the colorful gowns, tailored suits, and radiant smiles. It was as if I’d stepped into a world where art and elegance collided. For a moment, I got lost in it all.“Looks like someone’s a little ench
“Well,” I muttered to myself, “whoever moves in there next better be a truly good neighbor.With a sigh, I turned and walked into my house. The quiet hit me immediately. Mom isn't home yet. I wandered into the living room and noticed the small, enlarged photo of me I had taken at Aurora Innovations. Picking it up, I stared at my younger, happier self, frozen in that moment.As I gazed at the picture, thoughts of Romano began flooding my mind again. Memories of everything he had done, both good and bad, came rushing in like a tide I couldn’t control. I shook my head, setting the photo down.“No,” I whispered to myself firmly. “I’m not ready. I can’t go back.”Placing the photo back in its spot, I retreated to my room, trying to push the thoughts away. But what I didn’t know was that the following months would bring mysteries unraveling, wounds reopened, and revelations I wasn’t prepared for.A future so uncertain.A nightmare in the daylight was dawning.The city was alive with noise a
As I opened the door, my eyes widened in surprise. Standing there were Mrs. Harrington and Joey. They looked healthy and happy, their smiles lighting up the doorstep.Joey I exclaimed, and before I could say anything else, he rushed forward, wrapping his little arms around me. His warmth filled me with joy . Mom We have visitors I called over my shoulder, still hugging Joey.As I stepped back to let them in, I caught sight of another figure approaching. Antonio. He was walking toward us with his usual confident stride, a small smile playing on his lips. The sight of him filled me with a sense of relief and gratitude.When he reached me, I didn’t hesitate. I threw my arms around him in a warm embrace. ''Mr Antonio,” I said softly, pulling back just enough to look at him. He smiled down at me.Just then, Mom walked in from the kitchen, wiping her hands on a towel. She paused, her face lighting up with recognition. “Joey, my then little customer, she exclaimed, her voice filled with exci
Feeling safe, i turned around to reveal my saviour to Antonio, but he was nowhere to be found, i kept looking around, he was here i kept saying, yes i know tommy was here answered Antonio, no not tommy he escaped, I'm talking about the man who saved me from the house, as I turned to look at the house again, all i could see was it's ruins, and thick smoke roaring up into the sky. Go check it out, bring anyone and anything of value you can find, Antonio commanded his men.As you can see ma'am Melissa there's absolutely no one else here, with you, are you sure someone got you out, or you're just seeing things, i am certain mr Antonio, i was saved by a mask man, but i guess Antonio didn't believe me.We need to get you to the hospital, he said as he guided me away, in a helicopter.I wrapped my arms around her, holding her tightly. "Mom, you’re so strong. I’m so glad you’re safe now. Antonio truly is a hero.She pulled back slightly, brushing my hair from my face. You’re my strength, Lu
Antonio chuckled, crouching slightly to meet Joey’s gaze. That’s a noble goal, Joey,he said with a warm smile. You’ll be an amazing hero one day. Just remember to always protect those you love.We all shared a laugh, the tension in the air finally beginning to ease. Later, we checked on my mom, who was recovering well. She looked so much better, and to my relief, the doctor confirmed she could be discharged.With Mom cleared to leave, Melissa, Mom, and I headed home. Before Melissa left for her own house, Mom took her hands and thanked her sincerely for all her help. Melissa smiled and waved us off, leaving us at the door.As we walked inside, I couldn’t help but sigh in relief. “Home sweet home,” I murmured, sinking into the sofa and letting my body relax for the first time in what felt like forever.Mom sat beside me, placing a comforting hand on my shoulder. We’ve been through so much, Luna, she said softly, but we made it. I’m so proud of you.I leaned into her, grateful for her p
My heart stopped as Joey broke free from Tommy’s grasp and ran toward us, his little face pale with fear and tears streaming down his cheeks.Behind him, Tommy staggered, clutching his chest as blood blossomed across his shirt. He fell to the ground with a heavy thud.Then, like a hero , Mr. Antonio emerged, his gun still smoking in the broad daylight. Without hesitation, he ran to us as I and Joey knelt by Grandmother, frantically trying to wake her up.“Grandma! Please, wake up!” Joey cried, his small hands shaking her.The other men who were with Tommy fled the scene, chased by the officers who had arrived with Antonio. Chaos erupted as gunshots echoed in the distance, but my entire world narrowed to Grandmother lying motionless before us.Some officers apprehended and handcuffed Tommy, ignoring his injuries. He was still alive but groaning in pain as they dragged him away."We need to get her to the hospital, " I cried, my voice trembling.Without wasting a second, Antonio and I c
For a while longer, we stayed up, laughing and talking. He told me about his adventures like the time he accidentally spilled gelato on a street artist’s painting, or when he and Grandma got lost in a vineyard and ended up having the best picnic ever.As his eyelids grew heavy, I tucked him in and kissed his forehead. Goodnight, Joey. Sweet dreams.Goodnight, Luna,he murmured sleepily. I’m so glad you’re here.I’m glad, too, I whispered, watching him drift off. In that quiet moment, all my worries melted away. The following day, Joey and I decided to go grocery shopping. Grandma handed us some cash and sent us off, but I had already made up my mind to leave right after we were done. Knowing this, Grandma asked the maid to accompany us so she could take Joey back home.We had a blast at the store. Joey giggled endlessly as I placed him in the shopping cart and spun him around, his laughter echoing through the aisles. We bought everything Grandma had listed and by the time we were done
“Well, Luna,” she began, “things haven’t been easy for us since Joey’s father passed. It’s been a difficult journey grieving, trying to move forward, and, most of all, seeking justice for what happened.She paused, her gaze momentarily drifting to the window. “The loss of my son left a void that can never truly be filled. Joey adored his father, and it’s been heartbreaking to see him struggle to understand why someone would do such a terrible thing. It’s a question I ask myself every single day.Mrs. Harrington’s hands trembled slightly as she clasped them together on the table. “For the longest time, it felt like we were just shouting into the void. The authorities weren’t giving us answers. But then Mr. Antonio got involved. He’s been a beacon of hope for our family.She looked at me, her eyes filled with a mix of gratitude and determination. Antonio has gone above and beyond. He reopened the case when everyone else wanted to close it and forget. He’s dug deep into investigations,
The house was eerily quiet, every room turning up empty. My mind raced with questions. Had Tommy known Antonio was coming? Was he hiding them somewhere else?I finally stumbled back outside, my chest heaving as panic set in. Two of Antonio’s injured men were being loaded into an ambulance.Antonio walked up to me, placing a firm hand on my shoulder. “Luna,” he said, his voice steady but tinged with concern, we’ll get to the bottom of this. I promise you. But I wish you hadn’t come out here. Now he knows you’re involved. He might come after you or your mom.The weight of his words sank into me like a stone. “What do we do now?” I asked, my voice barely audible.I’ll assign some men to watch the area, Antonio replied. “You, your mom, and Melissa need to be extra careful. If you see or hear anything suspicious, call me immediately.The moment Antonio and his men left, the reality of the situation hit me like a tidal wave. I stood frozen, staring at the empty street where Tommy had disapp