LucyI stood up, my face burning with anger and humiliation. "This is a lie!" I shouted, my voice echoing through the room. "I didn't sabotage Reina's company!"But before I could say anything else, a group of people were brought in, their faces familiar. My heart sank as I realized who they were - the ones I had paid to write the sketchy reviews.Reina's eyes locked onto mine, a triumphant smile spreading across her face. "Ah, Lucy. It seems we have proof. These individuals have confirmed that you were the one who hired them to write the fake reviews."I felt like I had been punched in the gut. How did they find out? I thought I had covered my tracks so well.Ethan stepped forward, his expression grim. "Lucy, we have evidence. We know what you did. It's over."I shook my head, trying to think of something, anything, to say. But my mind was a blank.Reina took a step closer to me, her eyes blazing with anger. "Lucy, do you have anything to say for yourself? Any explanation for why you
LUCY I slam the door shut behind me, tears streaming down my face. I've never felt so humiliated in my life. My first big start in the fashion industry, and it was a disaster.I throw my bag across the room, watching as it hits the wall with a thud. I follow it, collapsing onto the floor in a heap."Why did this have to happen to me?" I sob, my body shaking with uncontrollable tears.I think back to the meeting, to the way they looked at me, to the way they laughed. I can still hear their mocking words echoing in my mind.I get up, stumbling to the kitchen. I need something to take the pain away. I spot the wine bottle on the counter and grab it, unscrewing the cap with shaking hands.I pour myself a glass, drinking it down in one gulp. The liquid burns my throat, but I don't care. I need to feel numb.I pour myself another glass, and another, until the bottle is empty. I stumble to the couch, collapsing onto it.As the room starts to spin, I let out a loud sob. Why did this have to
ETHANI walk into the company, feeling a sense of unease. Something is off.As I enter the conference room, I see the board members seated around the table, their faces stern."Ethan, we need to talk," one of them says, their voice firm.I take a seat, feeling a sense of trepidation. "What's going on?""It's the media," another board member says. "There's been a lot of bad news released against you. Infidelity, trying to steal another man's child...it's getting out of hand."I feel a surge of anger and denial. "That's not true," I say. "Who's behind this?"The board members exchange a nervous glance. "We don't know," one of them says. "But we need you to do something about it. This is affecting the company's reputation."I slam my fist on the table, feeling a sense of frustration. "I'll take care of it," I say. "I'll find out who's behind this and I'll stop it."The board members nod, looking relieved. "We're counting on you, Ethan," one of them says.I get up, feeling a sense of dete
ETHAN'S POV At this point, Lucy had truly bitten more that she could chew and I had been restricting myself because we used to be friends but I won't do that any longer.I won't! I would absolutely make sure that she gets served what is befitting hr treacherous attitude.It was all my mistake to trust her again to bring into my company. I should have transferred her somewhere else. I didn't even want to look at my phone because I knew that the number on search button would be about me.It would definitely be about how I was trying to claim someone else's son. How was she even sure that Bruce was Andrews father? Those papers could have definitely been forged.I drove into her apartment, my heart racing with anticipation and anger. I had finally gathered enough proof to confront Lucy about the eerie news and forbidden media releases but as I entered the living room, I was met with an empty space."Lucy!" I shouted, my voice echoing off the walls.But there was no response. I approach
REINA I watched as Bruce entered the room, his eyes scanning the space until they landed on Ethan. But instead of greeting him, Bruce's expression faltered, and he seemed to freeze.Ethan, oblivious to the tension, smiled and nodded in Bruce's direction. "Hey, Bruce. How's it going?"But Bruce didn't respond. He just stood there, his eyes fixed on Ethan with a mix of emotions swirling across his face.I felt a pang of discomfort, sensing the awkwardness in the air. "Bruce, is everything okay?" I asked, trying to break the silence.But Bruce still didn't answer. He just kept staring at Ethan, his expression unreadable.The silence stretched out, becoming increasingly uncomfortable. Finally, Bruce seemed to snap out of his trance-like state and turned to leave, still without saying a word."Bruce, what's wrong?" I asked, trying to keep my voice calm.But he wasn't listening. He slammed the door shut behind us and spun me around, his eyes blazing with intensity."What is Ethan doing he
REINAI walked back into the living room, my mind racing with thoughts of Bruce's strange behavior. But I pushed it aside, focusing on the task at hand. I had to help Ethan clear his name."Ethan, I've been thinking," I said, my voice firm and determined. "I want to help you debunk these fake claims. We can hold a press conference and get the truth out there."Ethan looked up at me, a mix of surprise and gratitude on his face. "Why are you doing this for me?" he asked, his voice laced with emotion.I shrugged, feeling a sense of conviction. "I just don't think it's right what's happening to you. You deserve a chance to clear your name."Ethan nodded, his eyes welling up with tears. "Thank you, Reina. Thank you for believing me."I felt a pang of empathy for him, but I kept my emotions in check. I wasn't doing this because we were friends or because I had a personal stake in the outcome. I was doing this because it was the right thing to do."Let's get to work," I said, my voice firm.
ETHAN As I followed Reina out of her house, I couldn't help but feel a sense of disbelief. Was this really happening? Was Reina, the woman who had been so distant and cold towards me, actually helping me?I glanced over at her, trying to read her expression. She seemed determined, her jaw set and her eyes fixed on some point ahead."Reina, I don't know how to thank you," I said, trying to sound sincere.She turned to me, a small smile playing on her lips. "You don't have to thank me, Ethan. I'm just doing what's right."I nodded, feeling a sense of gratitude towards her. "I know I don't deserve it, but...thank you."We walked in silence for a few moments, the only sound being the rustling of leaves beneath our feet.As we approached the office building, I could feel my heart racing. This was it. This was the moment of truth.Reina seemed to sense my nervousness, and she placed a reassuring hand on my arm. "It's going to be okay, Ethan. We've got this."I took a deep breath, trying to
Ethan I needed to talk to Reina, to find out why she had kept this secret from me for so long. But hen that wasn't something I had to think much on, she hated me before so it was very understandable. Even at that, I couldn't help but ask. As I burst through the door, her assistant looked up from her desk. "Ethan, what's wrong?" "Where's Reina?" I demanded, my voice shaking with emotion. My assistant nodded, her expression sympathetic. "She's in her office, Ethan. But be careful, she's been crying." I nodded, my heart heavy with foreboding. I made my way to Reina's office, my mind racing with questions. Why had she kept this secret from me? Why had she lied to me all these years? I pushed open the door, and Reina looked up from her desk. Her eyes were red and puffy, her face streaked with tears. "Ethan," she whispered, her voice barely audible. I felt a pang of emotion, seeing her like this. But I pushed it aside, my anger and hurt taking over. "Why, Reina?" I demanded, my
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