The two men stepped out of the Private room and walked out of the restaurant. The night was already basking in a starless night. The rays from the streetlights around every corner illuminated the area. The city was even as active at night just as it was during the day.
Steve walked in the direction where his black Ferrari was parked. His assistant also maintained a good pace behind him and as soon as they got to the car, he walked forward and pushed open the car door. His boss was just about to step in when he suddenly opened his mouth."Eh, Mr. Steve..." James called and the man paused. He threw him a glance and arched a questioning brow."What is it that you have to say?" Steve queried calmly."Boss, your smell... I think your body have been corrupted with the scent from other people. Do you want me to send the suit to the laundry?" James asked.Steve's brows furrowed, he subconsciously raised his hand to his nose and took a whiff of the smell of himself. He had first expected to smell the heavy or overly sweet perfume that was usually on most of the people in the club but, what he inhaled was far different from his expectations.He took in a deep breath that was mixed with a natural allure, a mild hint of feminine stress and pure sweetness, it was a scent that made one feel the presence of the carrier. A certain face crossed his mind and he frowned.Taking in his boss's dark expression, James assumed that his boss was really displeased this time. after all, after following the man for over two years, James already knew his personality and he could tell how much his boss hated to have other people's scent on him. There was a time that a woman's perfume rubbed on him in a business dinner and right on spot that night, the man ordered for a change of suit not caring for the emotions of the woman one bit.James reached out his hand forward and was about to help his boss take out the suit."What are you doing?" Steve thundered and the assistant shivered."I want to help take off the suit" James hurriedly said.Steve pinced the space between his brows and cold words escaped his tightened teeth."No need, let it be" he voiced and got into the car.James revealed a moment a bewilderment before he shook his head like a rattle snake and rushed to the driver's side of the car. He started the car and drove off at a normal speed.Meanwhile, at this same time, Serene just reached her box-sized apartment, she twisted the key in its hole and the door opened. She pulled her body inside and closed the door after her. She raised her hand, searching for the switch and when she found it, she switched on the light. The dark apartment was immediately brightened.Despite how tiny the apartment was, it was immaculately cleaned and neatly arranged. She walked forward, removed her shoes and changed into her indoor slippers which was just a plain white slippers with no fancy decorations. She dropped her purse on the table and walked to another side of the room which happened to be the tiny kitchen that was attached to the house.The space of the kitchen was so tiny that it only had a small space for a cabinet and the sink. Her stove was just at one corner. She reached into the cabinet and took out a glass cup. She was slightly tipsy and it made her head confused but she was still very much conscious of her surroundings. She brought the cup to the sink and turned on the tap but no water came through as she expected."Ah" a disappointed gasp slipped past her lips and she sighed. It looks like they have cut off her water supply this time. The disappointment disappeared from her face as quickly as it came as she strolled back to the cabinet and reached for the jug. Thankfully, she still had water left inside the jug, she filled her cup and gulped the water down her throat.After drinking the water, Serene felt better and her eyes cleared a lot. She returned the cup to the cabinet and turned to open a pot. It was empty.It seems she was really broke this time.Serene walked back to her tiny living room and just as she reached, she heard the familiar tune of her phone. She picked up her purse and brought out her phone. She had just received a message from her best friend who was asking her if she had gotten home safely. She quickly typed a response and also asked if her friend had reached her own home.In a few seconds, she got a response from her friend who answered positive and after that message, she received a bank alert. Paige had sent her a few dollars and asked her to used the money to take care of herself for the next few days. The latter did not forget to wish her well on her job seeking efforts.Serene smiled and put away her phone. Even if everything was not going too well for her, she still had a friend who care about her so much. She seemed to have remembered something and she took her phone again. She patiently tapped the screen of her phone until she found the address she was going the next day. She carefully memorized the address and nodded to herself.When she was done, she retired to her bedroom but, because there was no water running for her to take her bath, she simply went to bed just like that.She could not sleep immediately and kept on tossing and turning around her small bed, her head kept on calculating how much debt she was in and she could almost even picture her creditors coming to take her away. It took a while before nature eventually took its course and she fell asleep.Serene woke up at exactly seven that morning, she yawned and stretched lazily. She shook off the old blanket that she used to cover her body and climbed out of the bed. She stumbled to the bathroom and subconsciously turned on the tap. Cold water gushed out of the tap and she was forced to take a step back. She raised her brows and turned off the tap again. It looks like they have pitied her again and gave her water. She took her toothbrush and forcefully squeezed out the last toothpaste from the tube to brush her teeth. After brushing her teeth, she returned her toothbrush and stole a glance at her reflection on the mirror. She had a straight long hair that was very thick and full, her heart-shaped face made her appear delicate and cute, the kind of innocent beauty that made people's heart fluster. The years of hard work had made her skin darker but she still met with the latest beauty standard of the girls of her age. She dropped her eyes and and looked at her palm. She saw the c
"Why is she not here yet? I thought you said the appointment you sent is for nine O'clock? This is already few minutes past nine!" A soft but arrogant voice rang across the corners of the private room. Amelia Elliott, an internationally known model sat on the couch and twirled a glass of wine between her fingers, she threw an impatient look at her assitant as she questioned. She did not have much free time to spare and she hated it that she had to wait for a person for that long. As good as she may appear on the screen on many, only a few insiders new how bad and erratic her attitude was to those beneath her. "Amy, she should arrive soon, I am sorry for keeping you waiting" the assitant hurriedly responded and apologized. She discreetly glanced at the time and her watch and saw that it was indeed past nine. She silently prayed that the person they were waiting from arrived soon. She could not bear to be the victim of Amelia's anger. "She had better arrive soon!" Amy snared and pull
"You amuse me, Serene" Amy suddenly said and leaned back against her chair while she tapped her wine glass with her fingers making a rhythmic sound. Serene arched a brow, she did not understand what Amy meant. "You did not even read through what you have in the contract and simply signed it" Amy smirked and played even more with her glass. Serene tilted her head and cast a look at Amy, "have you not said everything that is in the contract?" She asked calmly. Pfft–Amy snickered, in her opinion, she just thought that Serene was simply dumb. Why would anyone sign a contract with going through its content? Isn't she just exposing her level of stupidity? Amy even concluded that Serene could be easily used by her and this deepened her smile. "Well, since you believe whatever I say concerning the contract, it is also included in the contract that you have to listen to every other addition clause I might like to include to the contract. In other words, during the period of the contract,
"First People's hospital, thank you" Serene said to the taxi driver as she got in. "Okay, young lady!" The driver uttered and drove into the road. Serene leaned against the chair, she was just about to close her eyes when the notification sound of her phone rang into her ears. She sat properly and straightened her back before pulling out the phone to check out the notification she had received. She unlocked the phone and clicked the screen patiently. Then, she saw that it was a notification from her bank, at first she wanted to close the message with the thoughts that it was the usual spam messages from bank but, the moment something caught her eyes, her fingers froze over the screen of the phone. The message she saw this time around was in like this. 'You account XXXX had been credited with $500,000' "!!!" Her body tensed and her eyes popped open, she opened her mouth and her jaw dropped. She subconsciously wanted to drop her phone when she saw that her account which only had a
Serene and Paige sat across from each other in a coffee shop, Paige fixed his eyes on Serene who gripped her cup with both hands, seemingly in a daze. "Common girl, snap out of it already, your brother is definitely fine" Paige uttered with a sigh, she placed her hand on Serene's and massaged her clenched fingers. "Seriously, he is going to be fine. Can't you tell? He just wanted you to leave just now that is the reason he raised that alarm!" Paige explained in exasperation. Seeing that Serene still did not show any emotion and was still looking so lost, Paige pinched the space between her brows and tugged her hair. "Don't tell me you are beginning to doubt yourself too now?" "Paige…" Serene parted her lips and muttered with a lost expression. Paige pressed her lips together and sighed, "oh, Rene… trust me, your brother will be fine. This trance that you are in, snap out of it, girl! The Serene that I know, is stronger than this!" Paige uttered seriously. And, as though the word
Steve Jobbs stood in front of the French window in his office and watched the city from the top floor. His face was emotionless as usually and he only pulled his gaze away from the view when he felt a person approach. "Boss" James announced as he stepped into the office. He gave a nod and moved towards the young man with a document in his hand. "Hm" Steve gave a deep nasal accent in response and walked away from the window. He returned to his chair and sat down elegantly while James quickly dropped the document before him. "The collaboration with the east companies have been completed, all that is needed now is your approval for the commencement of the project, sir" James diligently reported. Steve hummed and nodded, he took the document and flipped it open with his long manly fingers. He read through the papers carefully and at the last page, he sighed his name in satisfaction. "Good," he commented in the end and leaned back against his chair. "What else?" He asked the secretar
"You have arrived, Miss" a deep local accent reached Serene's ears, she opened her eyes and looked at the driver. "Oh, thanks" she said. She paid the driver and got out of the car. Serene rubbed her eyes and let her eyes take in her environment. She was slightly irritated when she received a call that disrupt her sleep that morning but seeing that it was a call from her 'employer', she hurriedly picked it up. She was not even allowed to respond properly when she heard the person over the phone asking her to meet as fast as possible in the address that was sent to her. She had to hurriedly take her bath, prepare and rushed over. And now, she had arrived in the unknown place and could only stare around. She hissed in frustration and took out her phone from her pocket, she clicked on the number that called her earlier and sent a text to the person. 'I have arrived' she messaged and after a few seconds, she got a reply. 'Okay'. Then, she waited. Meanwhile, inside a room in the hou
Things were worst than Serene expected when the car that brought her to the wedding venue stopped in front of the big cathedral. Naturally, she was escorted by Jane who helped her out of the car. As soon as she stepped out of the car, flashes from cameras crossed her eyes and it made her dizzy. She almost instinctively covered her eyes with her palm but Jane was also quick to shield her. There were so many people who had been waiting for the bride to arrive. These people were curious about who she was and the instant she appeared in front of the cathedral, they flooded her with their recorders and microphones and cameras. Serene felt dizzy and frustrated. One thing that she hated in her life was unnecessary crowd and noise. As though this scene was expected, men dressed in black suit suddenly popped out and helped led her away from the scene. The paparazzi were only able to get a few shots of her but no one got a name. And the most important thing was that her face that was hidden b
After Serene and Paige had separated ways, the words of Paige kept on resonating in Serene's head, no matter how hard she tried, she could not just stop thinking about it. A soft sigh slipped past her lips and she pinched the space between her brows in exasperation. She pressed her back against the seat of the car and closed her eyes. "Miss, we are at your stop" after a while, the voice of the driver reached her eyes and she opened her eyes. "Oh, thanks" Serene mumbled gently and got out of the car. She paid her fare before turning around and walking away. It was a good thing that the area Steve bought his apartment was a private residential area, if not, she may have been noticed by someone each time she went out but because of the privacy of the area, she could move around easily as much as she wanted without having fear of her identity being discovered. Serene walked to the door and opened it, she entered the door and closed the door behind her. Just as she did, she heard a voic
After Serene and Paige had separated ways, the words of Paige kept on resonating in Serene's head, no matter how hard she tried, she could not just stop thinking about it. A soft sigh slipped past her lips and she pinched the space between her brows in exasperation. She pressed her back against the seat of the car and closed her eyes. "Miss, we are at your stop" after a while, the voice of the driver reached her eyes and she opened her eyes. "Oh, thanks" Serene mumbled gently and got out of the car. She paid her fare before turning around and walking away. It was a good thing that the area Steve bought his apartment was a private residential area, if not, she may have been noticed by someone each time she went out but because of the privacy of the area, she could move around easily as much as she wanted without having fear of her identity being discovered. Serene walked to the door and opened it, she entered the door and closed the door behind her. Just as she did, she heard a voic
"Are you hiding something from me?" Paige asked after a moment of silence. Serene did not raise her head to look at her, she tightened her fingers around her cup and shook her head. "What can I be hiding from you?" She mumbled. "Rene… I know you" Paige uttered with a soft sigh. Serene raised her head and arched her brows. She was only quiet for a moment before she opened her mouth to talk again. "You are not allowed to lie to me" Paige suddenly pointed and said. Serene arched a brow before she helplessly closed the mouth that she opened. She fell speechless. Paige sighed softly and pushed her cup aside, she leaned across the table and faced her best friend. "Rene, did anything happen lately?" Paige asked. Serene lowered her eyes and did not answer immediately, she could not help but think about the question Paige asked her. Did anything happen? Yes, something did happen and it had been making her filled her mind with uneasiness. The man… Steve, he has been treating her diffe
Laughter filled her ears as soon as she walked into the ward and she arched a surprising brow. She looked in the direction of the bed, she saw her brother was sitting straight and Paige was sitting on a chair close to him. She had no idea what Paige must have said to her brother that made him have such a beautiful smile on his face. The smile was gentle and it brightened his dull face. This scene that she saw when she walked in melted her heart. "Sister" Jordan said as soon as noticed Serene's presence. Serene smiled when she heard her brother's voice and she hurried towards him. "How are you doing?" Serene asked. "I am very well, look at me, I feel so good already" Jordan answered. "Mm" Serene nodded, "that is good". "How are you doing, bestie? I thought it would still take a while before you arrive and I was keeping your brother's company" Paige uttered with a smile. Serene returned her smile and said, "thank you" "Ah, it is nothing, I was just telling Jordan about the new j
Laughter filled her ears as soon as she walked into the ward and she arched a surprising brow. She looked in the direction of the bed, she saw her brother was sitting straight and Paige was sitting on a chair close to him. She had no idea what Paige must have said to her brother that made him have such a beautiful smile on his face. The smile was gentle and it brightened his dull face. This scene that she saw when she walked in melted her heart. "Sister" Jordan said as soon as noticed Serene's presence. Serene smiled when she heard her brother's voice and she hurried towards him. "How are you doing?" Serene asked. "I am very well, look at me, I feel so good already" Jordan answered. "Mm" Serene nodded, "that is good". "How are you doing, bestie? I thought it would still take a while before you arrive and I was keeping your brother's company" Paige uttered with a smile. Serene returned her smile and said, "thank you" "Ah, it is nothing, I was just telling Jordan about the new j
"Where were you last night? I saw that you called me but I was busy and only saw the call this morning, did something happen?" Amelia asked. In the past, it was always her who called Serene first and because she had instructed Serene to only call her if something happened, she assumed that it was the case when she saw Serene's missed call. Serene's body stilled when she heard the question. She remembered calling Amelia once out of panic when she got the summon from the old chairman. She had even forgotten about this. And after the event of the day before, she did not even remember about the model at all. To think that she even slept with her 'husband' again, she felt a jolt in her heart. "Hey, are you listening to me?" Amelia's voice rang into her ear again. She blinked and pushed back her thoughts. "Mm, I was called over by the old chairman yesterday, I was at his place" she answered truthfully. "You went to see the old chairman? Is it just you or did Steve go with you?" The lady
For a split second, Serene froze with her eyes wide opened. She never expected that he would suddenly kiss her and what's more, he kissed her quite aggressively. She placed her hand on his chest and pushed but, he was too strong for her. She clenched her teeth indignantly, the rim of her eyes reddened in anger but Steve did not consider any of her emotions. Seeing that she would not stop struggling and would not allow him to get into her mouth, he bit her directly on her lips until the metallic taste of her blood hit their taste buds. Serene flinched, she involuntarily parted her lips and the man delved into her mouth. His tongue, hot and slippery overbearingly squeezed into her mouth and swept through every corner. He encroached and attack every part of her mouth and placed his mark on her. Their tongues moved together and their breathe mixed. He licked and sucked, stealing her breathe away until she forgot how to breath. After what seem like forever, Steve eventually let go of he
Serene walked to the house and reached for the door. She walked in and just as she was about to turn on the light, she was pulled into a warm embrace. At first, she was shocked and wanted to scream but when she inhaled a familiar fragrance she calmed down. Serene only allowed him to hug her for a few seconds before her eyes widened and she suddenly pushed his chest. Steve however would not allow her to push him away easily, he grabbed her wrist and looked intently into her eyes. "What are you doing?" He questioned and in return, she stared back at him with her glossy orbs and thought for a moment before returning the question. "Why are you here?" She calmly asked. Steve narrowed his eyes slightly and tge air dropped around them. Serene blinked, she realized that she asked something wrong, she cleared her throat and paraphrased. "I thought your trip this time would be for a few days, did you finish early?" She asked. The cold air dissipated and the man fixed his gaze on her. It
"We are here, madam" the middle-aged man voiced. Serene raised her head and her eyes widened. Where in the world had she come to?! She yelled in her heard when she saw the vast green area, she saw a few old men hanging around the place holding some sort of sticks and a familiar white ball. She had almost even forgotten about the reason that she was there when she looked at the vast land. Who would have thought that behind the mansion, something like this existed?!The golf course was unexpectedly large, it occupied a vast area of land and it stretched over with a green grass carpet. She saw a few of the old men in the area hitting the golf ball with the stick and looking expectantly as it rolled into the hole. It was this scene that she saw and it made her slightly lost."Old Chairman, it looks like your granddaughter-in-law that you invited has arrived!" The sudden announcement cause Serene to snap out of her thoughts and she trembled slightly. Ah, she had arrived…How could she