“Miss Moguel?” The voice of the man who had been asking about technical constraints broke the ice that was choking me. “Can you explain more about risk mitigation in this implementation?”I tried to concentrate. My lips trembled slightly when I opened my mouth, but no sound came at first. It felt like this whole room was shrinking, the sound of Pascha's faint laughter echoing in my mind, even though he hadn't said anything.Mr. Grant turned to me, his eyebrows raised in slight concern. “Belva, please.”"I’m sorry." I nodded quickly, forcing myself to stand up straight again.I stared blankly at the screen for a few seconds, taking a deep breath before pressing the remote to display the next slide.“As I explained earlier,” I began, but the scratchy feeling in my throat made the voice hoarse. I closed my mouth for a moment and took another breath. “Our team has considered various risks in implementing this technology. In the event of operational disruptions, such as data inaccuracies or
“But isn't it...” He continued, folding his arms across his chest, “A team like that needs a leader who is not only smart but also... strong under pressure?”The whole room was silent, and I knew he wasn't just asking. He wanted to test me, to see if I was still the girl who had left him at the altar five years ago and whether I could still stand up under his pressure.I knew how Pascha always played with the people around him. Testing and testing. It was like he was the master of every game, while everything around him was just a pawn.And this time, I was the pawn.“Of course,” I replied, forcing a slight smile that didn't fully reach my eyes. “Pressure is part of the job, and I'm used to dealing with it.” I let the words hang, gauging his reaction.Pascha didn't answer right away. Instead, he leaned back in his chair. His cold eyes looked at me, then slowly toward the documents on the table before him. He held up one piece of paper, twirling the end between his fingers.“Interesting
“Belva!”I turned my head sharply, my hand raised on its own.A hard slap landed on his face before I could think.Pascha stood still for a moment, his hand still gripping my arm. He touched his cheek with his free hand, then, instead of anger, he chuckled—low, deep, provoking. But his gaze was piercing, like he was trying to strip away every wall I'd built over the past five years.I held my breath, trying to break free from his grasp.“So many things have changed, Bee?” he said, a lopsided smile gracing his face. “Five years ago, you were just running. On the night three days ago you were still moaning my name. Now? You slapped me. I like this new version.”My blood boiled. I jerked at his hand, forcing myself to stand straight even though my body shook angrily. “You don't know anything about me, Pascha.”“Oh, I know a lot,” he retorted casually, but his eyes blazed with provocation. “I know the girl who stood at the altar five years ago didn't dare to say what she thought. But now..
I sat on a cane chair on the balcony, looking at the coastline. The midday sun reflected golden sparkles on the waves rolling gently towards the sand. The cool coastal breeze blew through my hair, but I still felt like I was burning—not by the sun's heat, but by the thoughts that hadn't stopped tearing at my composure since this morning's meeting.In front of me, Max sat in his little chair, a spoon in his tiny hands, busily digging into the lasagna on his plate. His round cheeks moved as he chewed enthusiastically, his little legs dangling over the edge of the chair. Every time he looked at me, he smiled widely, like there was no sinner in the world."Mommy, the lasagna is so good!" he said happily, jolting me out of the dark vortex of thoughts shackling me.I forced myself to smile. "Really? Mommy made it, especially for you, Max. If you like it, I will be so happy."He nodded vigorously, his spoon back in action. I watched him eat, trying to hold on to the fact that he was the reaso
Max chuckled as Clara lifted him high, making a rattling sound like a robot. The little boy giggled loudly, his hands flapping like a bird learning to fly.I sat on the sofa, laptop on my lap, typing up the report due this week. Their laughter filled the house, forming an atmosphere that made me feel all was well."Mommy, look, I'm a robot Superman!" Max shouts, striking a strange pose: one arm stretched out like he's flying while the other grips his robot toy tightly.“You'd make a great superhero, Maxie.” I laughed, looking at him. I glanced over at them, seeing Clara teasing Max under the pretense of going after him.Clara was an irreplaceable presence in this house. She knew how to make Max happy and fill the void I couldn't constantly fill, especially when I was drowning at work or caught up in messy feelings like now."You really saved my life, Cece." I said, half-joking while typing the last line of my report."Ah, you know I'm glad to be here. Max is a wonderful boy. How could
This guy wasn't an asshole in the same way as Pascha. That was one thing I could admit without hesitation.Julian might be too conscious of his image but doesn't hide his weapons. Everything he did was open and obvious, unlike the other guy who still haunted me with that cold smile and game that always made me feel trapped.Inside, the atmosphere was luxurious. The Roles family had truly mastered the art of impressing their guests. A large crystal chandelier hung in the hall's center, and the scent of expensive wine and classical music's soft sounds filled the air.We didn't have to search for our hosts for long. The Roles—husband and wife, who looked more like living porcelain figurines, immediately greeted us with broad, overly friendly smiles."Belva Moguel!" exclaimed Mrs. Roles enthusiastically, grabbing both my hands. "It's been a long time. You were just a little girl the last time I saw you."I smiled slightly, trying to remain polite. "Thank you for inviting me, Mrs. Roles. Yo
"Julian Warren." The voice sliced through the air, heavy and cold.Standing before us was Pascha Romanov, his towering frame exuding an aura of dominance. His thin, calculated smile shifted between us, lingering on me for an excruciating few seconds that seemed to stretch into eternity.Julian, who had been so at ease just moments ago, stiffened. Straightening his posture, he greeted Pascha."Pascha Romanov. It’s been a long time."I did not join the conversation. I couldn't because I immediately focused on Mikaela Morris, the woman beside Pascha—the woman I used to call my best friend.She stood there nervously, her hand clutching Pascha's arm like an anchor. Her eyes glanced at me several times, only to look away immediately. Her once confident face now looked doubtful, even a little flushed.How dare she stand here. How dare these two traitors approach me."Are you here on business?" Julian asked Pascha."Partly," Pascha answered casually. "And partly for personal matters."I swirl
I exited the bathroom quickly, trying to ignore the heavy feeling that hung in my chest after the conversation with Mikaela. When I arrived at the main hall, Julian walked straight up to me, his expression full of curiosity."Belva, are you okay?" he asked, but before I could answer, he continued, "You look like you just talked to a ghost."I almost laughed bitterly. It’s a ghost of the past that wouldn't leave."I want to go home," I said, cutting off whatever else he wanted to say.Julian looked surprised for a moment, but he soon nodded. "Alright. If you want to go home, let's go home."Without another word, I followed him outside. An incredible night breeze greeted us as we walked to the car. I let out a long breath, trying to calm my chaotic mind.Once we were seated in the car, Julian started talking."You know, parties like this are always full of little dramas," he said as he turned the steering wheel, heading down the deserted streets. "People making small talk, pretending to
I had just prepared to leave when the sound of footsteps filled the emergency room. I looked up, and Pascha stood in the doorway. His jaw hardened, and his dark gray eyes locked on me.I shoved my phone into my bag. I frowned. “Pascha?”“Move to another room. I will prepare everything for you to get better.” He said.I let out a breath, trying to stop myself from rolling my eyes. “I'm not sick. I'm fine. I'm just in a bit of shock, and I don't need hospitalization.”Pascha hardened his jaw. “At least for one night,” his voice was softer now but still insistent. "You need to undergo intensive treatment, just in case.”“The doctor already said that I'm fine.” I shook my head. “So, I'm going home. Max know about this?”Pascha shook his head. “No. I made sure he doesn't know anything.”I breathed a sigh of relief. But that meant I had to get home quickly. Max would be looking for me if I stayed here too long.I walk to the other side of the ER. Kyara was lying on the far bed, her face st
A sharp buzz pierced my ears.It was like the sound of the explosion had left residual echoes inside my head, spinning, spinning, until I felt nauseous.Everything was a blur.Chaos erupted around me. people dashing frantically, their voices crashing together in a deafening roar. The noise swelled into an overwhelming cacophony, blurring the line between reality and the storm inside my mind.My ears rang with a sharp, relentless intensity, each piercing note drilling into my bones, sending shockwaves through my skull. The pain throbbed, deep and merciless, unraveling my thoughts in the relentless tide of sound.I wanted to vomit.My hands trembled as I tried to steady myself on the floor, but my body felt too weak.I nearly slipped off the table if Kyara hadn’t pulled me back just in time.Her hands gripped my arms tightly, tighter than usual, her breathing ragged, her eyes huge with fear. I can't remember the last time I saw Kyara like this.I hugged her. Holding her body that was as
I woke up to the morning light streaming in through my window blinds.The air in San Francisco felt much different from Zürich. warmer, more humid, with the sound of the waves clearly audible.I let out a long breath, rubbing my face before stretching. I thought there would be silence this morning, but there wasn't.From outside my bedroom, Max's laughter could be heard, mixed with the all-too-familiar heavy grumbling.I blinked, frowning.Pascha.I snorted softly, pulling my blanket higher before finally remembering that Pascha really seemed to be living in this house now.Without an invitation.Without permission.Without realizing that this house is mine, not his.I let out a long sigh, finally giving up on staying in bed and getting up.When I opened the door and walked out, the smell of something burnt immediately greeted me.I refrained from groaning.I walked into the kitchen and immediately saw a sight that no longer surprised me.Max was standing on a small stool with an over
I close my eyes, letting the cool breeze from Lake Zürich brush my face.The air here felt different and fresher than San Francisco's. For a few moments, I let my mind wander.I didn't care what Pascha was doing next to me. It didn't matter if he was looking at me or busy with his thoughts. I just wanted to enjoy the Zürich air cool down all of the things spinning in my head."Do you remember?" he asked, his voice a soft murmur, laced with an unusual calm.I opened my eyes slowly, turning my head towards him. "What?"Pascha stared at the lake, his expression unreadable, but the corners of his lips twitched ever so slightly.“You once said you wanted to leave,” he mused. “Switzerland. Sheep. A simple life. Do you still dream about it?"I was silent, letting his words sink into my head.Then, I smiled a little.Oh. That.I remember that.Pascha and I—still young, still full of dreams and reckless plans—lay on his bed, talking about the future. I laughed, saying how much I wanted to run
I let my mind go back to that time—to the year when Pascha was not yet the Pascha Romanov he is now.I remember how he was still a young man trying to prove himself in his father's shadow. He spent long nights in the office, sitting behind a large desk with an endless stack of documents, occasionally throwing his pen in the air in frustration before finally looking up at me with a tired grin.“Bee, I'm not made for this.”And I would lean closer to him, rest my chin on his shoulder, then reply in a light tone, “It’s okay.”I was there when he was strategizing his first business and when he argued with senior executives who doubted his decisions. I saw him grow from an impatient young man to someone more dangerous.And then there was Mikaela.She came into the company a year after Pascha started taking over. I still remember how I first introduced her to Pascha.“She's smart,” I said at the time. “And I trust her.”And Pascha, with ease, accepted her.Mikaela became a manager in one of
Summer in Zürich is much different than in tropical countries. There is no scorching heat that burns the skin, no humid air that makes the body sticky. Instead, a cool breeze blows gently along the city streets, creating the perfect balance between warm and fresh.I smoothed the sleeves of my denim jacket as I walked beside Pascha. We were dressed casually. I was still wearing a white t-shirt wrapped in a denim jacket and paired with jeans and sneakers. Meanwhile, Pascha was also relaxed in a black sweater and jeans, which felt too casual for business. “We're really going to a business meeting like this?” I glanced at him with raised eyebrows.Pascha just shrugged, not seeming to care at all. “I'm lazy.”I narrowed my eyes. “Lazy?”He turned to me, his flat expression slightly lifted by a small grin. “I don't plan on staying long, so why bother?”We finally arrived at a skyscraper with a very familiar logo stamped on the front. I paused momentarily, staring at the writing with a surp
The trip home from the Alps felt faster than when we arrived.Blue skies spread out over the mountains, and the air was still cool even after we left the cabin. The winding road stretches before us, passing green fields and typical Swiss country houses that look like pictures on a postcard.I thought Max would be sad to leave this place, perhaps whining about staying longer like usual. But I was wrong.The boy sat confidently in the back seat, his hands resting on his small thighs while his feet swayed casually in the air.“I'll be back here,” he said confidently.I turned to him with a raised eyebrow. “Oh yeah?”Max nodded, his wide smile full of pride. “Yes! I'll be back here with all my robots. Optimus, Bumblebee, Megatron. All of them...”I let out a long breath, rolling my eyes. “Max, your robots can't enjoy the view of the Alps.”Max looked at me like I had just said something really stupid. “Mommy, they're Autobots. They like to explore.”From the seat next to him, Clara, busy
Max squirmed in Pascha's arms, he’s struggling violently. “Daddy! Let me go, I want to go to Mommy!”Pascha just grunted lazily, his eyes still heavy from just waking up. “You can be with Mommy later. Now, can you be quiet for a while?”Max pursed his lips and immediately punched Pascha's upper arm with his small fist. “No! Mommy is still sick, and you made Mommy sick! It's your fault!”I held back a laugh at Max's seriousness with his 'demands.' Meanwhile, Pascha just let out a long sigh, finally opening his eyes fully. With a relaxed movement, he sat on the bed and turned to me.He looked at me with an assessing expression, and then, without hesitation, his hand reached out and touched my forehead. His fingers were large and warm, contrasting with my slightly hot skin.I remained silent, letting him do that without comment, although a slightly strange feeling crept into my chest.Pascha murmured, “Your fever has dropped.”I gave a small nod. “I feel better.”Meanwhile, Max, who had
A few minutes later, the medicine's effects started to work. My eyelids were heavy, and my body relaxed even more under the thick blanket. I let out a long breath, letting my body sink slightly into Pascha's soft bed.But then, I felt the other side beside me move.I opened my eyes, only to find Pascha lying next to me, his face only inches from mine.I frowned, my voice half sleepy. “What are you doing?”He grinned, one arm resting on the pillow while his other hand rested casually on my waist. “I'm sleeping.”I chuckled, blinking my still-heavy eyes. “You'll get infected.”Pascha smiled, then leaned a little closer, “If it means I can feel your concern like this, maybe I should be sick more often.” his voice low and deep.I stared at him, incredulously, my cheeks warming even though my body was still shivering. “Asshole ...”He laughed, but before he could get any more annoying, I immediately pushed his head away with my hand. “Stay away, you asshole.”But he stayed still next to m