Allura was sleeping soundly until she heard a defeating thunder that jolted her awake. Her heart raced from the sounds and just checked the time to distract herself.It's currently two o'clock in the morning. Feeling thirsty, I stood and strolled outside the room to find a kitchen.Walking down the hallway, I noticed that the place was dark. I entered the large kitchen and opened the fridge, finding a glass of water.A loud thud was heard just outside the kitchen, making me flinch.I went outside the kitchen, and I looked from right to left, no one appeared to be around."Oh hell no," I whispered.I quickly sprint off and brought the glass of water with me, planning to go back to the room, but since the whole place is dark, and lights were barely on, I can almost see nothing but pitch black, especially since this place is complex, with so many corridors.Because of my panics and quivering hands, water spilled on the floor from my glass of water. I looked down and what I saw made my e
"Z-Zacharias, wait!"He pushed me to the table and yanked me inside his office roughly as he slammed the door behind him. I almost lost my balance, but luckily, I placed my hand on the table behind me to stabilize myself.As I turned my head to him, I saw him standing there, arms crossed as he trapped me with his presence."Turn around." He commanded."O-Okay..." I sighed as I placed my arms up and turned around with my back now facing him.He then inched closer behind me and inspected my pockets. My breath hitched as I felt his breath on the back of my neck as he leaned forward.Zacharias' eyes narrowed as he felt two solid things inside my pocket, so he took them out and saw the small recorder and key."Oh?" He muttered as he observed the two objects.Beads of sweat rolls were rolling down my forehead. I breathed heavily as I bit the inside of my cheeks."Where'd you get this?" He asked once more as he tossed the two things on the table.I gritted my teeth as I didn't answer. He cli
"Come in."Toshiro said as we both entered his room. I looked around and saw that his room was more luxurious and spacious than the others, and just more miscellaneous things. His designs are mainly based on old money.I sat quietly on one of the couches while Toshiro went to his kitchen area and grabbed some beers."Do you drink?" He asked while closely checking the can of beer."I guess.""Catch," he said nonchalantly as he tossed me the bottle of beer.Luckily, I caught it."Oh? Quite surprising." He said as he put his hands in both of his pockets and grinned while I rolled my eyes."Wow, okay?" I huffed."C'mon, I'm just kidding." He grunted as he sat on the couch beside me. He leaned back and put his arm behind his head, effortlessly opening the beer can and gulping it straight."By the way, didn't they tell you already?" Toshiro asked."Tell what?""You'll go to Roppongi with us next week." He said."Oh, are you all tired of me, and sell my organs to the blackmar—""No, the fuck
"Toshiro?!""Damn," he muttered under his breath, eyeing me up to down while leaning against the doorframe with his arms crossed."What?! I literally got embarrassed a while ago!" I complained as I hit him with the box."Oh? Did they see what's inside it?" He asked."Yeah, and can you please get out of the fitting room? I'll dress up—"Toshiro only chuckled deeply as he raised his brow, and then his hand moved to the door. I thought he would go out, but instead, he locked it."Hey!" My eyes widen as he walked closer to me, and the clothes in my hands dropped to the floor as I staggered back."How can I resist?" He licked his lips as he snaked his hands around my waist and brought me closer to him. I inhaled sharply as I felt my bare skin on him.I felt shivers all over me, and I don't know if it was because of the cold air or if I'm just only wearing lingerie and the dress is not completely worn."T-Toshiro..." I whimper as I felt his hand glide down my bareback. My hand gripped his s
As soon as the morning came, I went back to work at The Regio's workplace in the office as if nothing had happened between Toshiro and me yesterday."Allura," I glanced around and noticed Mask approaching me."You've been gone for days, what have you been doing?" Mask and his friends asked as I worked on some files at my office desk.I quickly responded, thinking I might get scolded due to my frequent absent days."W-Well, my boss requested a week off due to my sickness, and they suggested that I work at least in my room during that time. I hope you don't mind, but don't worry! I'll catch up in no time. I'm really sorry." I added, immediately sitting at my desk."Oh yeah sure, and don't worry, you didn't miss much. We've done half of the work. You need to rest more often these days. You easily get sick, huh?" Mask said."Oh, really? Thank you so much. You've done a lot for me." I said, showing a large amount of appreciation. I started my work early, also to make up for the tasks I've
"Where are they?"Leo yawned as he was outside the mansion along with the whole Regio except Allura and Dominic.The day has come when everyone will go to Roppongi. Allura was mostly nervous that she can't fall asleep, but the others reassured her that it would be just for weeks, just business matters and that they tagged her along because they didn't want her to be left behind, yet she was doubting that those were the only reasons.Allura know how these days in Roppongi will be long and a lot will definitely happen.Given that, of course, they obviously hired as much security as possible, including bulletproof vehicles and a private jet plane, even if the destination wasn't that far away.Rather, it's for her own safety.That's what they believe though."We're here." Dominic's words echoed as he stepped out of the mansion with his arms around my shoulder. He's side hugging me as I walked awkwardly, feeling their gazes on me."The hell took you both so long?" Leo complained as he chec
"Welcome, sirs." The employees bowed as The Regio and Allura entered the building to their penthouse. The Regio only nodded as they walked through the foyer, all dressed in dark shades, black suits that complemented their dark auras, and surrounded by bodyguards, just as I am. The building is owned by the Takahashi brothers, and almost all of the land and residences here are owned by them. The building's interior and exterior overall design is modern and luxurious, and there's a penthouse at the very top. The entire building is a private residence, and they stay here whenever they have business in Roppongi, especially the Takahashi brothers. It is no doubt that the two brothers are full of authority. "Where's Hasen and the others?" Lorenzo asked an employee. "O-Oh sir they said they're on their way." The employee said with a little shudder in his voice, the employees were intimidated by their bosses, to say. The two other Regio executives, Hasen and Kanji took a different vehic
"Too bad," Cedric replied with a chuckle.Cedric only leaned back at the chair and rocked it, placing both of his hands inside his pockets as he poked his tongue inside his cheeks."Well, I've been missing our old gang, hm? How about that?""Cedric, let's not rush our commander." The man with white hair said."You mean... former commander, Asahi?" Cedric chuckled, ignoring the sharp stare from their former commander, Zacharias."Anyway, did Allura like the clothes I made for her?" Cedric asked."Who the hell is that?" Lazarus asked with a raised brow as he was resting back on the chair, placing his arm on the backrest while a cigarette was in his mouth."My slut," Dominic said with a lot of confidence as he stuck his tongue out with a pill and winked at Lazarus."You gay or somethin'?" Lazarus made a disgusting look on his face while Dominic immediately took it back and scoffed."Hell no—"Lorenzo clears his throat, cutting off and scolding the two."So, we got two childish fuckers no
Any person would freak out if they see this church, even the village itself. Anyone wouldn't dare to go here. But Zacharias and Allura? Why would they be? This place is what they call a beauty, yet none of them admitted that. They kept it to themselves like a secret. Just like before. As to why Zacharias regretted things now. He was indeed too late. "Let's enter?" I asked. "Let's go to the garden," but a different thing was in his mind. "A garden?" I tried to remember what it was. "I'll be left here alone, Ms. Marin. I'll just be waiting here." Willbert said and I just nodded but kept I phone with me. As Zacharias and Allura entered the church, he opened the rusty wooden double door, directing them to the church's garden. There, it shows an old patio, a rusty table and chairs, a cracked small stone fountain, a fence filled with webs now, and those fairy lights still hanging on the tree's branches. My eyes widened as I remember all of these in one place. Why was knowing my p
"She'll never arrive ten minutes early." Toshiro said as he looked at his wristwatch. Zacharias and the others have been waiting inside the van for over thirty minutes. They complain about the time, but they're always too advanced of arrival. Just like any other business trip, they'd all gathered to check that place discussed in the meeting the other day. "Ms. Marin is here," Kanji said, addressing me... formally. "Just came in time." I thought as I greeted each of them and also introduced Willbert to them, the secretary. As Zacharias continued to attempt to avoid her, he couldn't help but notice this one new behavior she developed. Allura never arrive early yet late, but instead, she's always arriving at the exact time. He just gave me a nod and a formal handshake as I then walked out to ride in my car to just follow them to the place. "Now I know the reason why you kept on rejecting Dias Corporation's offer," Kanji muttered. As the van began to drive toward their destination
"Mom, I'm sorry, I couldn't convince that large company to continue the partnership." I said on my phone while I'm currently in my room, and Eri is out of town for business matters, so it's me who's handling the company for now. Eri kept silent for a moment, and my brows furrowed as I looked at my phone screen to check if the call has ended. "Mom? Are you still there?" "Oh, yeah. I'm still here," Eri mumbled, and her tone was monotonous. "Is everything alright there? I should tell Secretary Willbert to escort you there. I can handle the company here." I said, sounding worried. "No, it's fine. I've already spoken to the company you've been mentioning for the past few days, too." Eri said. "Really?" My eyes shone. "I'll surely give you half of my shares when we continue the partnership, but of course, I need to give an outlook to their employees first. We can't just trust the human resources team sometimes." Eri really had no energy left ever since that day Allura asked her abou
They say everything that was done in haste will go to waste.Ever since he saw a glimpse of her, everything felt like reverting from the start.Last week, Friday night, the same exact night where he saw her again. No, he couldn't be mistaken. It was really her.He's at his firm's office, sitting in his office while gazing outside the glass window from the fifty-seventh floor."Sir Sano," one of his employees called.Expecting to sign a fresh set of documents on his desk, Zacharias turned in his chair and tapped his desk."Toshiro, just place them," Zacharias told in almost a whisper."How's your medication?" Toshiro was actually about to ask this. Not bombard Zacharias with tons of paperwork again.Zacharias just nodded and rubbed his eyes as he yawned. "It's alright.""Alright? I've heard from the doctors that you've been skipping your medication." Toshiro said."Then I'll take one today. You can go now, thank you." Zacharias simply said."Wait. Have you told Kanji about the new part
"More?"The bartender asked as I was getting myself wasted on the bar's counter."One more shot," I groggily said as my head was lying down on the counter.The bartender looked at me cluelessly at my state. "A heartbreak?""Hell? Fuck no," I scoffed."My bad. Usually the customers who get wasted, slumping themselves down on that counter are going through a breakup. I believe it's a curse now." He joked."Well, I am not. Just fill my glass up... Goddamn," I grunted as I clank my shot glass on the counter."Alright, alright," the bartender said as he hurriedly filled my glass up. I grabbed the glass from him, and he's just standing there as I gulp the shot of gin straight."Ma'am, seems like your phone has been ringing for minutes now," the bartender said as he noticed the constant dings and rings on my phone beside me.I raised my head lazily as I checked my phone with my squinted eyes.74 missed calls from Erianne Dhiore59 missed calls from Zane WilbertAnd more missed calls from my
"It's impressive, Madame Allura, the company in the meeting a while ago backed out of their contract."Secretary Zane Willbert said inside my office, and he's also the secretary of Eri."Yeah," I simply replied while I was busy signing the files."Uhm, do you know that company has been pestering us for almost a month? They kept on insisting on pushing this future plan of theirs and the partnership." Zane informed."Why am I only informed now?" I stopped with my work and looked at him."Madame Dhiore told me not to inform you since she wants the higher positions to handle this. She didn't want to add up more work for you." Zane said."Next time, tell her to have her inform me of every audit that takes place within the company." I commanded."Yes, madame.""Also, madame. Since you refused that company's offer, do you want to move forward with the next company?" Zane asked as he took his iPad out to list information."The background of their company?""They're also a company that focuses
"Madame Allura!"I woke up the next morning feeling nausea washing over me. As soon as I got out of bed, I heard frantic knocks on my door and someone calling me.Fixing my hair and appearance for a bit, I opened the door since it seemed like the maids were calling me in a rush."Secretary Willbert Zane has been calling you. Eight o'clock is close, and you're going to be late for your supposed meeting, madame!" The maids shouted."Fuck," I cursed under my breath."Tell Secretary Zane that I'll be there in thirty minutes," I hurriedly added as I closed the door and proceeded on getting ready.After forty minutes of getting ready, even if I'm told that I'll be finished within thirty minutes, I quickly prep myself and ate at least small portions of breakfast before going out of the house."Ah shit, mom will kill me." I thought. I know that my stepmother Eri is the one that holds the highest position in the company, and of course, there will be times when she needs to take her role. She m
Ten years later..."The rise of Dias Corporation! Cheers!"The workers of Dias Corporation clanked their bottles as they commemorated a special day for the company inside a restaurant."Madame Marin... All of us look up at her hard work." Eri's workers said with genuineness."I never doubt how I grew my daughter. She deserves the position in my company." Eri said as she sipped the glass of wine.After being admitted to the hospital ten years ago, Eri immediately entered my name in her company. Of course, it wasn't that easy. I had to attend therapy, take my prescription every day, and take extra lessons.It was like I was at university again, studying business courses for a brief period of time but also needing to join the civil service and earn a degree in business management to secure the position. Even though Eri, my stepmother, had to cover all of my expenses, it wasn't simple to attend classes while still keeping up with my health."Cheers to Ms. Allura Marin, our general manager
They say, at the end of the day, it's the people who are capable of achieving their wants, dreams, and affords that will only survive.And years later...It's only those people who are sane, and who still have a space in mind for serenity.They think it's okay to survive in this world, but what's engulfing them is the feeling of dread and loneliness as they grow old.It was a mixture of emotions, honestly. It's overwhelming."Kanji, how was it?" Toshiro asked as he entered Kanji's office in his firm.The two knew it was best for the group to disband. They felt like it was the best option. It's a horrendous era for them, and they have to end it.Kanji didn't notice that he was dozing off, so Toshiro had to call his attention thrice. "Kanji?""O-oh," Kanji shook his head. "Sorry, what was that?""I said, how's the convention, a while ago?" Toshiro asked."Ah, it's alright. Just a few errands here and there," Kanji replied as he placed his phone on his office table while turning his phon