14Anna straightened her posture, her chin held high, and without a word, she turned on her heel and walked away. Each step was confident and deliberate, her head held high as she moved through the crowd, leaving Michael to stew in his own humiliation. The room remained silent as she exited, her presence commanding respect, the strength of her actions speaking louder than any words could have.Michael burned with anger, he brought out his phone and dialed a number. “ hello, find out who's funding Anna's businesses. Now!” He said on the phone and hung up the call. He stormed off.****Anna re-entered the winery, her heart still racing from the confrontation with Michael. The adrenaline was slowly ebbing away, leaving her feeling slightly unsettled. She scanned the room for Xavier, but he was nowhere to be seen. A growing sense of unease settled over her as she searched the crowded venue, her earlier confidence wavering.After a few minutes of fruitless searching, Anna decided to call h
15“Xavier, I... I don’t know what to say,” she whispered, her voice choked with emotion. A single tear slipped down her cheek, and she quickly brushed it away, a radiant smile breaking through the shock. “Thank you. I can’t believe this... it’s everything I’ve ever dreamed of.”She looked around the restaurant with new eyes, realizing that it was no longer just a beautiful space—it was now a reflection of her passion, her hard work, and the faith Xavier had in her.*****On the morning of her first day at work in her very own restaurant, Anna awoke with a mixture of excitement and nerves buzzing through her. The sunlight streamed through her bedroom window, casting a warm glow over the room, but her mind was already focused on the tasks ahead. This was the day she had dreamed about for so long, and now it was finally here.After getting dressed in a crisp white chef's jacket, she decided to call Jessica, her best friend, for a bit of moral support and some extra hands to help with th
16“Come here!” Maureen said and Sophie walked to her, Maureen whispered something into her ears and Sophie smiled mischievously.“It's surely going to work out!” Sophie smiled.“I won’t let this go, Sophie. I won’t let her win.” Maureen smirked. Sophie gave her a supportive smile.Maureen nodded again, feeling slightly more in control as she leaned back in her chair. With Sophie by her side, she knew she wasn’t alone in this fight.***Anna walked Jessica to the door, her friend's face creased with worry after receiving an urgent call from work. "Are you sure everything’s okay?" Anna asked, concern lacing her voice as she placed a reassuring hand on Jessica's arm.Jessica nodded, though her expression remained tense. "I think so, but I have to get back right away. I'm sorry I can't stay longer.""Don't worry about it," Anna said with a comforting smile. "We’ll catch up later. Just take care of whatever you need to."They exchanged a quick hug before Jessica hurried out the door. Anna
17The silence stretched on, unbearably thick, until Sophie, now visibly uncomfortable, hastily pushed the plate away. “I think we’ll be going,” she muttered, her voice trembling slightly. Maureen nodded quickly, the two of them scrambling to gather their things, eager to escape the charged atmosphere.“No one is going anywhere. I said, what's going on here?” He insisted. And Maureen faked a smile immediately.“Oh Xavier! I invited the famous food critic, Sophie. She's so in demand. But I thought she'd be perfect for a munchkin with chef Anna.” Maureen whined flirtatiously. “Okay, Sophie…you don't like the food here?” Xavier asked and Sophie smiled. “It just doesn't say anything, there's no pizzazz!” Sophie mocked cracking up with Maureen.“Well, food critic, I think it says a lot…” Xavier tried to say but Anna cut him off. “Xavier.” Anna called, holding him closer.“I'm sorry. But the high culinary world has its own set of definitions and rules.” Sophie chuckled.“Nah, I've been to l
18"Hey, babydoll," Michael said, a smile curving his lips. It was the first time he’d ever smiled at her like that—genuine, warm, and completely out of character.Anna stared at him, shocked. She didn’t know what to make of his sudden change in demeanor, her mind racing as she tried to figure out what he was up to.Anna felt a knot of unease tightening in her stomach as she stared at Michael, his unexpected smile making her more wary than reassured. She straightened up, crossing her arms defensively."What are you doing here, Michael?" she asked, her voice firm but with an edge of uncertainty.Michael’s smile widened, a mocking glint in his eyes. He sauntered closer to her, his tone taking on a seductive, almost taunting lilt. "Nice place you got here. I was just curious, Anna. How does someone like you afford a place like this? Must’ve cost a pretty penny."“Get out! Your present is not…” Before Anna could respond, Michael reached out and tried to pull her closer, his hand gripping
19"This is perfect," Maureen murmured to herself, her voice tinged with excitement. "Yes! Xavier must see this video." She chuckled softly, her mind already racing with the possibilities of what this could mean. The thought of Xavier’s reaction to seeing Anna so vulnerable, so broken, brought a surge of satisfaction to her.Maureen’s smile widened as she ended the recording, her thumb brushing over the screen as if caressing a precious secret. She savored the moment, imagining how this small clip could unravel so much. With a mischievous glint in her eye, she began crafting a message to Xavier, her mind spinning with wicked thoughts.****Xavier sat in his office, the steady tick of the clock on the wall barely registering in his mind. His focus was entirely on the Rubik's cube in his hands, his fingers moving with practiced precision as he twisted and turned the colorful squares into alignment. Despite the puzzle occupying his hands, his thoughts were elsewhere—caught up in a whirlw
20Xavier’s grip on the phone tightened as he stared at the video in disbelief. His heart pounded in his chest, a mixture of anger and confusion swirling within him. The sight of Anna with Michael, the way she seemed so distraught and vulnerable, hit him like a punch to the gut.For a moment, Xavier couldn’t tear his eyes away from the screen. Everything he had been thinking, everything he had planned—it all seemed to unravel in that instant. “You do know taking people's photos without permission is illegal, right?” Xavier asked Maureen's greatest surprise. Like, she expected something else!“I was just trying to protect you.” Maureen defended and Xavier smirked.“Now for your information, I know she's divorced. I could care less! Get that into your fixed skull!” Xavier said and handed her phone back to her. Maureen made her hands to his collar and creased his tie.“Then why keep holding on to her my love? She's clearly still in love with her ex-husband.” She said, pouting her lips.
21"Actually, I’m here to deliver some food to a guest. Could you tell me which room Maureen booked last night?"The receptionist, still starstruck, didn’t hesitate. "Sure thing, let me check for you." She turned to her computer, typing in a few details as Anna watched, a satisfied smile playing on her lips. This was just the beginning. She was determined to get to the truth."Room 300," the receptionist said with a smile, and Anna thanked her before making her way down the hallway.When she reached the door, she knocked firmly. After a brief pause, she heard Maureen’s voice from the other side. "Who is it? Hold on!" The door swung open, and Maureen’s face paled when she saw Anna standing there, a cold, curly smile on her lips. Maureen’s jaw dropped, and she stammered, "How did you—"Before she could finish, Anna pushed past her with a force that left Maureen stumbling aside. Anna marched straight to the bedroom, her heart pounding with fury. There, on the bed, was Xavier, still wea
Greg's face was plastered with worry and panic, his brow furrowed and lips trembling as he fidgeted nervously. “Could it be that they’ve rekindled their old feelings, sir?” he ventured, hesitating as he spoke. His voice wavered, unsure whether he should even suggest such a thing.Leo’s reaction was immediate. His eyes darkened, the veins in his neck bulging as fury built inside him like a storm. His fists slammed onto the table, rattling the objects on it. “It’s *not possible!*” His voice exploded, raw and full of venom. His breathing quickened, each intake of air sharp and strained, the very idea of betrayal igniting something fierce in him.Greg stepped back, eyes wide with fear as he instinctively raised his hands in a defensive gesture. “S-sorry, sir,” he stammered, bowing his head to avoid Leo’s searing gaze. His heart raced, pounding against his ribs. Leo clenched his jaw so tightly his teeth ached, but the pain in his chest was far worse. His eyes darted back and forth as his
THIRTY FOURFear gripped Talia as she looked around the dark, suffocating room. Her heart pounded like a drum, her palms slick with cold sweat. She pounded on the door, her fists aching from the effort. “Mother! Mother! Please, open the door! Open the door for me! I know you're out there!" Her voice cracked with desperation as she slammed her body against the heavy door again, the sound echoing in the suffocating space.Outside, her stepmother smirked, her lips curling into a cruel grin. Her hand gripped the door knob tightly, fingers lingering as if savoring Talia’s agony. "Shut up, Talia!" she hissed, her voice dripping with malice. "Stay inside and let the matter settle. When everything falls into place, only then will I open the door for you. Do you hear me?!" Her voice was sharp, echoing through the cold, silent house.Talia’s heart dropped. She backed away from the door, chest heaving, her breath ragged. She fumbled for her phone, hands shaking, and frantically dialed the guards
THIRTY THREE Talia immediately stiffened, her name echoing through the hallway, spoken by a voice she didn’t recognize. A cold shiver ran down her spine as she turned slowly toward Leo, her heartbeat quickening with a mix of fear and frustration. “Let me finish this conversation with my mother tonight, Leo,” she said, her voice barely concealing the exhaustion that weighed heavily in her chest. Her eyes flitted away from his, avoiding the intensity in his gaze. “We’ll talk about this later.”She ran a hand through her hair, trying to soothe the tension pounding in her head. “And I think we both need time to calm down, to think clearly before we take any action.”Leo’s hand lingered on her arm, his touch soft yet filled with restraint. His lips pressed together as he held back the words he truly wanted to say. His eyes, though dark and stormy, flickered with something more tender—something Talia refused to acknowledge right now."Al
THIRTY TWOMr. Diego's eyes widened, confusion and disbelief etched on his face as Leo’s bold claim hung in the air. The room fell silent, all eyes shifting to Leo and Talia, their tension palpable. Talia’s heart thudded in her chest as she avoided her father’s questioning gaze, desperately trying to maintain her composure.“Wait… you’re married?” Mr. Diego asked, his voice thick with curiosity, as if struggling to grasp the reality.Leo’s lips curled into a mischievous smirk, his sharp gaze fixed on Talia, who stood rigid beside him. Her pulse quickened under his stare, a storm of emotions brewing beneath the surface. He seemed to take pleasure in the subtle discomfort he was causing her. “Yes. I got married as soon as I returned to the country,” Leo responded smoothly, his voice laced with arrogance. “I just haven’t announced it yet.”Mr. Diego raised an eyebrow, clearly puzzled by the sudden revelation. “It’s quite a rush! I wonder if one of the people here is your fiancée?” His wo
THIRTY ONE Malia sat on the edge of the bed, her gaze fixated on the floor, as her mother gently combed through her hair. The rhythmic strokes of the brush were meant to soothe, but the tension in Malia’s clenched fists betrayed her frustration. “You look absolutely stunning, Malia,” her mother, Mrs. Lyra, said, a smile playing on her lips. “I’m telling you, no man will be able to walk past without turning his head.” She admired her daughter’s reflection in the mirror, her voice dripping with pride. Malia’s lips tightened into a thin line, her eyes dark with jealousy as she met her mother’s gaze in the mirror. “That’s only if my idiotic stepsister doesn’t decide to crash the night and ruin everything, like she always does,” she muttered bitterly, venom seeping into her tone. Mrs. Lyra’s fingers paused for a second, her face twisting with a knowing smirk before she resumed brushing. “Oh, that’s right, Talia. The ever-perfect golden child. But did you hear?” Her voice lowered, al
THIRTY Talia glared at Marco, the heat of her anger burning in her chest as she avoided eye contact. She clenched her fists, every muscle in her body screaming with frustration. She didn’t want to be near him, let alone listen to whatever nonsense he had to say. “What do you want?” she snapped, her voice sharp and cold. Her expression remained hardened as she shifted her weight uncomfortably, wishing he would just disappear. Marco’s face tightened, his jaw clenching as he took a step forward, his hand reaching for hers. “Let’s go,” he demanded, his voice devoid of emotion as though he had the right to still control her. Talia flung his hand off her wrist as if his touch burned her skin, her heart pounding with irritation. “Just tell me what you want, Marco!” Her voice rose, shaking slightly from the mixture of hurt and anger coursing through her veins. “Stop touching me!” Marco’s eyes flashed with a hint of frustration, the calm facade slipping for a brief second before he compos
TWENTY NINE Talia’s face was a mask of forced calm as she walked over to Leo's table. Inside, however, her stomach churned with discomfort. She sat down across from him, plastering on a fake smile, hoping this encounter would be quick."Mr. Leo, what a coincidence seeing you here!" she said, her voice bright, but her eyes carried a glimmer of frustration she struggled to hide.Leo leaned back in his chair, a sly smile curling on his lips as he met her gaze. “Yes, Miss Talia. Funny thing though, my wife cooked for me today, so I didn’t even need to come here.”Talia froze mid-bite, her throat tightening as she swallowed her food a bit too forcefully. She quickly reached for her water, taking a sip to mask her growing irritation. *Oh please, stop talking nonsense,* she thought, resisting the urge to roll her eyes."Then why aren't you eating what your wife cooked?" she asked, her voice filled with false curiosity a
TWENTY EIGHT Lisa's face flushed with anger, her lips pressed into a thin line as she stormed toward Malia, her eyes blazing with indignation. She moved so quickly and forcefully that the tension in the air crackled around her, completely ignoring Marco who stood nearby, his gaze shifting between the two women with a quiet intensity.“Malia, I thought you were fired?” Lisa spat, her voice sharp and accusatory, her eyebrows furrowed in disbelief. Her fists clenched at her sides as she squared off with Malia, her anger palpable.Malia let out a slow, sarcastic laugh, her lips curling into a smug smirk. She stood tall, shoulders back, exuding a cocky confidence that only made Lisa’s blood boil more. “Fired?” she repeated, her voice dripping with mockery as she raised an eyebrow. “No, darling. I wasn’t fired. I was *demoted,* yes, but I’m still your supervisor.” Her smirk widened as her eyes flicked over to Marco, who gave her a small nod of approval, his expression unreadable but approv
Lisa finished talking, letting out a long sigh as her head drooped back onto the desk. The exhaustion in her eyes was evident, dark circles framing them. Her shoulders sagged, and within seconds, she dozed off.“Lisa, don’t sleep!” Talia’s voice broke through the silence as she barged into the office, her hand dramatically placed on her growling stomach. “Let’s go eat. I’m *famished*,” she added with a playful groan. Her eyes scanned Lisa’s sleeping form before she walked over, lightly tapping her on the shoulder.Lisa jolted awake, her eyes fluttering open, squinting in confusion before she realized where she was. She groaned, stretching her arms above her head as a tired smile curled on her lips. “Ugh, Talia, I was in the middle of such a good dream,” she mumbled, but the moment she caught sight of her phone, her grogginess faded. Excitement sparkled in her eyes as she reached for it. “Girl! I have some juicy gossip for you!” she exclaimed dramatically,