Lucy.I stormed into work the next day, still fuming from what Ravenna had told me. Ethan still loved his ex? It was unbelievable.How could he still love his ex? And now, he was asking me to search for her? It felt like a betrayal, a slap in the face even if he didn't know it.As I sat at my desk, trying to focus on my work, Ethan walked in, a smile on his face. "Hey, Lucy! I need to talk to you about something."I raised an eyebrow, surprised. "What is it?""I have another task for you," he said, oblivious to my anger. "I need you to send out some top models to Reina's company in Paris."My jaw dropped. "Reina's company?"Ethan nodded, still smiling. "Yes, that's the one. I want to make sure she gets the best talent models for her launch."I felt a surge of anger and betrayal. He was still pining for his ex, and now he was asking me to help her?"Ethan, I don't know if I'm comfortable with this," I said, trying to keep my emotions in check.He looked at me, confused. "What's wrong,
LUCY.Plans were set in motion and I could finally dig into Reina without feeling like I wanted to hang myself.I was sitting at my desk, typing away on my computer, when Ethan suddenly bursted in with an HR beside him."Lucy, I need you to do something for me." He said and turned to the H.R"Sheri, I forgot my briefcase at home," he exclaimed, looking frazzled and worried.Sheri, who was standing across from him, raised an eyebrow. "You can't go home now, Sir. You have a meeting in fifteen minutes. What's going on?"Ethan ran his hands through his hair, looking stressed. "I know, I know. I'm so sorry. Lucy, can I ask a favor of you?"I looked up from my computer, curious and concerned. "Of course, Ethan. What do you need?"He hesitated for a moment before handing me his house keys. "I need you to go to my house and get my briefcase. It's on the kitchen table. Please, Lucy, I really need this."I took the keys, feeling a sense of responsibility and worry. "Okay, Ethan, I'll go get it.
Ethan's POV I watched in shock as Ravenna slapped Lucy again after I asked them both to leave but i didn't care enough tosay a word. The two women began to fight, their voices raised in anger."Get out! Both of you!" I finally shouted, trying to intervene because my head seemed like it would split into two But they didn't listen. They continued to fight, their argument spilling out into the hallway.I tried to separate them, but they pushed him away. Finally, i had had enough. "Leave! Now!" I shouted, pointing to the door.The two women stormed out of the apartment, still arguing. I slammed the door shut behind them and locked it, trying to block out the sound of their fighting.I took a deep breath and tried to calm down, but my mind was racing. I couldn't believe what had just happened. I had just missed a million dollar meeting just to get caught up in a banter between two women. I walked to the kitchen and poured myself a glass of whiskey.I decided to distract himself by goin
REINAI stood in my office, looking out at the bustling preparations for my fashion brand's launch. My heart was racing with excitement and nerves. This was it, the moment I had been working towards for months.But as I thought about the financial burden it was going to put on me, my excitement started to falter. I felt a knot in my stomach, a sense of doubt creeping in.Just as I was starting to feel overwhelmed, my assistant burst into the room, a huge smile on her face. "Reina, you won't believe who's here to see you!"I raised an eyebrow, curious. "Who is it?""Some of the top models in the industry," my assistant replied, barely containing her excitement. "They're offering to model for your fashion brand and help with the launch... for free!"I couldn't believe my ears. Top models? Offering to work for free? It sounded too good to be true.I felt a surge of hope and excitement. Could this be the answer to my prayers?The models walked into my office, and I was struck by their bea
REINAIt was finally the day of the launch, and I was a nervous wreck. What if the top models bailed on me at the last minute? What if they didn't show up because they weren't getting paid?But as I arrived at the venue, I was relieved to see that everything was going smoothly. The models were all there, getting their hair and makeup done, and the atmosphere was buzzing with excitement."Reina, darling, you look stunning!" one of the models exclaimed, air-kissing my cheeks."Thanks, girls! You all look amazing too!" I replied, trying to hide my nervousness.As the guests started arriving, I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and accomplishment. This was it, my big moment, and everything was going perfectly."Reina, this is incredible!" Bruce said, coming up to me with a huge smile on his face. "You've outdone yourself."I beamed with pride. "Thanks, Bruce. I couldn't have done it without your help."As the launch went on, I couldn't help but feel grateful for everything. The mode
LucyI gathered a group of desperate individuals, all eager for a quick buck. "I have a job for you," I said, my voice low and mysterious. "It's simple, but it pays well. $1,000 each, to be exact."Their eyes widened in surprise, and they leaned in, eager to hear more."What's the job?" one of them asked, a burly man with a scruffy beard.I smiled, enjoying the suspense. "I want you to buy a product from a certain brand, and then leave a review. A bad review."They looked at each other, confused. "What kind of review?" a petite woman asked.I shrugged. "Something that will make the brand look bad. Something that will make people not want to buy from them."They nodded, understanding. "And what's the brand?" the bearded man asked.I smiled sweetly. "Reina's Fashion Brand."Their eyes widened in surprise, and they looked at each other nervously. "I know that brand, they just launched.x one of them whispered.I nodded. "Yes, it is. And I want you to make sure that your reviews are convi
Ethan I stormed into Ethan's office, my heart racing with anger and concern. "Ethan, we need to talk," I said, my voice firm and commanding. Ethan looked up from his desk, a hint of surprise on his face. "Bruce, what's going on?" I took a deep breath, my words spilling out in a rush. "You need to stay away from Reina, Ethan. You've hurt her enough already." Ethan's expression turned defensive. "What are you talking about, Bruce? I don't know what you're referring to." But I cut him off, my voice rising. "Don't play dumb, Ethan. I know all about your little stunt at her luncheon. Showing up uninvited, causing a scene... it was a low blow, even for you." Ethan shrugged, a smirk on his face. "I just wanted to make my presence known. Let her know I'm still interested." My anger boiled over. "Interested? You call that interested? You call hurting her, embarrassing her in front of her peers, interested? You're sick, Ethan." Ethan's smirk faltered, and for a moment, I saw a glimmer
REINAI was still trying to reason with Bruce, to convince him to leave the situation alone, when the door to my office burst open and Ethan walked in, a smug smile spreading across his face.My heart sank, my mind racing with worst-case scenarios. What was he doing here?Bruce's eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched in anger. "What are you doing here, Ethan?" he growled, his voice low and menacing.Ethan chuckled, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "I could ask you the same thing, Bruce. I didn't know you were so interested in Reina's business."I stepped forward, trying to intervene, my voice shaking with emotion. "Ethan, this isn't a good time. Bruce and I were in the middle of a meeting."But Ethan just laughed, his eyes fixed on me with a condescending gaze. "Oh, I think it's a perfect time. I have some... business to discuss with Reina."Bruce's eyes flashed with anger, his face reddening. "You're not welcome here, Ethan. Leave."But Ethan just ignored him, his eyes never leaving mine.
EthanI could not sit still. Not after everything that has been happening.My fingers drummed against the edge of the hotel desk as my eyes looked towards the door for the hundredth time. I had double-checked the lock, slid the chain in place, and even propped a chair under the handle. But it was not enough. Not when I knew someone was following me.All these things felt like deja vu because something like this has happened to me before I moved to the country my family is in. Why was all these messing up with my life? “They have been watching us. There are cameras in the house.” I remembered Reina's words. And now this being tailed by a black car, the creeping feeling that every step I took was being tracked. I ran my hands through my hair and each strand was damp with sweat. I felt trapped and powerless, and it was eating me alive.My phone buzzed on the desk. I snatched it up, my heart pounding, hoping it was Reina. It was not.It was Carl. He never backed down even when I told
Reina I was scared to death, unaware of what to do. Ethan had been yelling at me that I should call the cops. “Call the cops now! Reina!” I wish I could. My hands were shaking and I could not dial the number correctly. When I was able to call the cops, the line operator answered and I heard a faint knock at the back door. My breath caught in my throat.“Reina?” Ethan’s voice came in again. I knew he heard the noise. “They are at the back door,” I whispered with tears streaming down my face. I could not believe that I would be crying this minute. See what we have gotten ourselves into. “Get out of there,” he said. “Now.”“I can’t. It's not that easy,” I said, my voice barely audible.“Then hide,” he said. “Go somewhere safe and stay there until the police arrive. I’m on my way, Reina. I promise.”On your way? Oh, Ethan. I know that you haven't booked a flight yet even though you pleaded with me that you will book the next available flight. I hung up and bolted toward the pantr
ReinaThe house has always been this quiet in the past few days. The kind of quiet that made every creak of the floorboards and every faint rustle outside feel like something heavy. I sat at the kitchen table, staring at the unknown number on my phone screen. My hands were trembling as I read the message again.“You’re in over your head, Mrs. Reina. Tell your husband to back off and leave Japan or you will both regret it.I had seen my fair share of threats in my career. The angry competitors, disgruntled clients, jealous rivals but this was different and more dangerous. I knew Ethan was in danger. I knew I was in danger. But what chilled me to the bone was the realization that whoever sent this message didn’t just know about us, they were watching us. They had their eyes on us. I felt like I was suffocating, the walls of the house closing in around me. I needed air. I needed to breathe. I ran outside so that I wouldn't faint and the cool night breeze kept on hitting my face as I
ReinaThe sun was just beginning to set when I heard the sharp knock on the door. It was unusual. I wasn’t expecting anyone.I froze, my mind immediately flashing back to Leonard’s warnings and Detective Daniels’ advice to stay vigilant. For a moment, I considered not answering, but the knock came again, louder this time.“Reina, it’s me,” a familiar voice called out.Leonard.My stomach churned as I tiptoed to the peephole. Sure enough, there he was, standing in a crisp black suit, his expression unreadable.I opened the door just enough to see him. “What are you doing here?” I asked sharply.“We need to talk,” Leonard said, his voice calm but urgent.“We have nothing to talk about,” I replied, starting to close the door.He pushed it open slightly, his hand on the frame. “Please, Reina. This is important. It’s about Ethan.”That made me pause. I didn’t trust Leonard as far as I could throw him, but the mention of Ethan pulled at my resolve. Reluctantly, I stepped aside and let him i
EthanI stood by the window in my hotel room, staring at the city lights shining brightly against the night sky.The streets below were alive with honking cars and I could hear laughter, and the distant thrum of music right here in my room. Yet inside this room, the silence I felt indifferent. I felt something that I could not quite shake off. The events of the last two days replayed in my mind like a broken record. The redhead, the alcohol, the shame. And Carl, my so-called friend who had managed to vanish when I needed him most.I clenched my fists, anger bubbling under the surface. “You are an idiot, Ethan,” I muttered to myself. “An absolute idiot.”My phone buzzed on the bedside table, snapping me out of my thoughts. I reached for it, half-expecting Reina’s name to light up the screen. But it wasn’t her.It was Carl. “Come on dude. Let me be.”I hated the way I was dwelling on all of these. I had work to do and I haven't been able to do anything yet. For a moment, I conside
ReinaThe dinner with Leonard didn't go as expected. As usual, he was cutting through corners. If he knew that I had submitted his name to the cops, maybe he would have given me more information. I was left to rack my brain over this. This was something that was meant to be the detectives work but I have not gotten any report from them. I wanted to call them to ask if they are making any progress but I guess I should just wait for some time. I sat at my desk, staring at my computer screen. The article I had been reading earlier blurred before my eyes. Leonard's words from the night before were still looping in my head. How would I get him to tell me all I need to know?Ethan was in Japan and some unknown people see plotting to kill him. Getting anything from Leonard seemed impossible especially when I knew that he was more interested in my body. But, I can't give in him or anyone. I was w married woman and I had a child. "They see Ethan as a threat,” I repeated as I thought alou
EthanThe cold shower did little to wash away the guilt clinging to my skin. I stood there, water pouring over me, hoping the icy sting would calm the storm in my chest. But it didn’t.I was haunted by memories and all I could see and hear and feel were The redhead’s laughter, her touch, the softness of her lips. it all kept on haunting leaving a relentless echo in my mind.“You are a fool, Ethan,” I muttered, slamming my fist against the tiled wall. “A bloody fool. How could you do such a thing?”I turned off the shower and stepped out, grabbing a towel. My reflection in the fogged-up mirror stared back at me. I looked like a total stranger. A stranger with bloodshot eyes and a fucked up face. This was not me. This was not the man I promised Reina I would be.Reina. My sweet wife. Her face swam before my eyes and I could still see her bright smile, the way her eyes sparkled when she laughed. What would she think of me now? Would she even look at me the same way if she knew what
ReinaThe clock on my desk kept ticking loudly and I wondered if it was because I was paying attention to even the little things that I was able to hear it. On a normal day, I would care less about a clock. The sound of the clock was made louder by the silence that engulfed the house. At first, I was sketching a few designs that I was going to put up for sale in the online market but my attention became divided when I remembered that there was something I had to do quickly. tapped my pen against the edge of my notebook, staring at the half-written page in front of me. Research on Leonard had consumed my thoughts for the past two days, but the deeper I dug, the murkier things became.Something about him didn’t sit right with me.I sighed, pushing the notebook aside and reaching for my phone. My messages with Ethan stared back at me, our recent exchange still fresh.“Hey. Busy morning. I will call you tonight. Miss you.”His words these days had been reassuring, but something felt of
EthanI woke up to the sound of a door closing softly, followed by the faint click of heels on the floor. My head throbbed, pounding restlessly that made even the dim morning light coming through the curtains feel unbearable. Letting out a soft groan I tried to sit up, but the heaviness in my limbs kept me pinned to the bed.And then it hit me. I was naked. In her. By this time. I blinked, looking down to see the rumpled sheets tangled around my naked body. My stomach twisted as I began to remember what happened last night. The memories kept flooding back and I could not move. Her red hair glowed under the blue lights. Her laughter. Her hands. Her lips.Oh, my God! What have I done?The door clicked shut, and I turned just in time to catch a glimpse of her fiery hair as she disappeared down the hallway. She didn’t say goodbye. She didn’t even look back.I sat up quickly, clutching the sheets as if they could shield and protect me from the shame threatening to consume me. My cl