The chief editor's office, the largest one on the entire floor, was adorned with sleek furniture and framed accolades lining the walls.Melissa knocked and waited for a reply before walking in.Robert Chavez's displeased expression confirmed her suspicions.She was on thin ice, her probation period nearing its end, and her lack of ‘BuzzWorthy’ articles hung heavily in the air Robert wasted no time in reminding her shortcomings, his voice laced with frustration. "Miss Walker, your probation period is almost up, and we haven't seen the impact we expected. Where are the headlines that will make waves?"Melissa's eyes darted around the room, searching for a lifeline.She pleaded, her voice tinged with desperation. "Please, Mr Chavez, just give me one more chance. I know I can deliver a headline that will captivate outlet readers."Robert gestured towards BuzzFeed's website, where Zara Watson's article on the A-list actress and the city's wealthiest billionaire CEO dominated the page, gar
Her mind raced, trying to find an escape route before Damien connected the dots and realised her involvement in the scandalous article.Guilt gnawed at her conscience, but she couldn't bring herself to face his anger and disappointed."Uhm, thank you and, sorry for bumping into you," Melissa stammered, her voice tinged with unease.She hastily straightened her posture but kept her head low. "Thanks for catching me."Damien released his hold on her but remained close, his presence both intimidating and alluring."You're welcome," he replied, his voice low husky. "Be more careful next time."Melissa tried to slip away before the man realised who she was.But Damien did recognized her.He recognised her from the same citrusy shampoo she used, and the fact that he wasn't repulsed by the brief physical contact with a woman.Then he smelled the alcohol on her breath, which somehow irked him.He furrowed his brow, his piercing gaze cutting through her like a knife.Melissa swallowed hard, br
The bodyguard obeyed without question, taking up his position alongside three others.The narrow hallway now stood as a blockade, with Melissa trapped within its confines.Melissa heart pounded in her chest.Her escape route has been cut off, leaving her feeling vulnerable and cornered.She couldn't deny the flicker of trepidation that danced in her eyes as she faced Damien scowl.Her breath hitched in her throat as Damien forcefully closed the distance between them, his hands holding her in place.The aggression in his action sent shivers down her spine, her body responding with a mix of fear and a raw, undeniable attraction.Melissa's eyes widened as his lips crashed against hers once more, this time with an intensity that left no room for escape.Her mind raced, her thoughts tangled in a chaotic web of desire and confusion.Damien's eyes closed as he deepened the kiss, his tongue exploring her mouth with an almost possessive hunger.Melissa's eyes remained wide and open capturing e
Melissa's eyes flickered between Damien and the huddled figure on the sofa.Her instinct urged her to turn around and flee, to escape the intensity of the room and the piercing gaze of Damien Ashford.But her escape path was blocked by the imposing presence of the four burly bodyguards in the hallway.Reluctantly, she took a deep breath and stepped into the room, her eyes meeting Damien's.Damien's gaze fell upon her face, his penetrating eyes seemingly drawn to her lips.Melissa could feel the heat rising in her cheeks as her mind involuntarily replayed the memory of their earlier kiss.The urge to shield her lips from his intense scrutiny surge within her, but she resisted the impulse.With new found courage, she locked eyes with him, refusing to back down.In that moment, Melissa's eyes was drawn to his lips—thin, yet undeniably masculine.The lighting in the room accentuated their vivid shade, akin to the colour of ripe roses.She turn her gaze away, feeling her cheeks burn with a
The room fell into a stunned silence as all eyes turned towards Melissa.Surprised by her sudden outburst, even she couldn't believe how forceful her words had escaped her lips.Zara's eyes pleaded with Melissa, silently urging her not to reveal the truth about the article.But it was to late— Robert had already let slip that Zara wasn't solely responsible for the article.The truth was already halfway out of the bag.Melissa couldn't bear to watch Zara face Damien Ashford's wrath alone or watch her suffer the consequence of her shared secret.She knew that she, too, must shoulder her part of the responsibility.Summoning her courage, Melissa's voice rang out in defiance. "You have no right to take Zara away." She declared, her tone filled with conviction. "It's against the law."Damien's eyes narrowed, his gaze chillingly cold as he stared down at Melissa.The weight of his dominance and authority bore down upon her, but she refused to back down.Jordan offered a silent prayer for th
The room fell into stunned silence as Damien turned away from Melissa, his dismissive stride cutting through the tension like a blade.He walked out of the karaoke room, leaving everyone in a state of disbelief and confusion.Melissa's determination surged as she chased after Damien, her heart pounding.She swiftly blocked his path, confronting his with a fiery gaze."What the hell do you think you're doing?" Melissa demanded.Damien's expression hardened, his voice dripping with aloofness. "This is between Zara Watson and me. It's none of your damn business."Melissa felt the sting of his barbed words and shot back. "Well, maybe that's true, but that kiss between us earlier was definitely my business."Damien's eyes flickered with a hint of something unreadable."The kiss was your deserved punishment. And I was merely trying to confirm something."Infuriated, Melissa pressed him, her voice laced with frustration. "Confirm what Damien? Don't leave me hanging!" Without offering an exp
At a bonfire camp."Urgh!"Melissa woke up with a pounding headache. Cautiously, she got up. Her head was throbbing, as well as her body aching as if she had been rammed by a truck.Looking at her scattered underwear and dress, she couldn't help but recall the intense sex last night.Last night, after the grand bonfire event organised by the charming hunk, Bryan Scott, Melissa finally crossed the line into intimacy.Bryan had been planning to confess his feelings to her, and her older sister, Mandy, had congratulated them both with a knowing grin.Melissa had downed a drink Mandy handed her and then blissfully drifted into slumber.But in her dreams, she had taken the initiative with Bryan.The transformation of an innocent girl to a passionate woman had been a rollercoaster of sensations.He was an absolute beast in bed, in the best way possible.Suddenly, she heard Mandy's voice with panic outside."I don't know, Bryan. I honestly didn't mean for this to happen.""Shh! lower your vo
Five years laterThe ballroom at The Grand Opulence Hotel buzzed with the sound of chatter and the clinking glasses as guest mingled and enjoyed the lavish surrounding.After making the obligatory small talks, Damien Ashford excused himself and went upstairs to the lounge, seeking a moment of respite from the crowd.The lights were dim, the lounge was empty except from himself.Yet, be couldn't shake off the feeling of being watched.He scanned the room, his jaw clenching slightly as he tried to pinpoint tge source of his unease.Before his investigation was complete, however, someone else entered the lounge, "Hi, there."Without turning around, Damien recognised the A-list actress by her famous sultry voice. Olivia Hamilton struck a pose in tge open doorway, her long, flowing brunette hair cascading down her back, complimenting her form-fitting black cocktail dress dotted with sparkling sequins.Her captivating smile hinted at both confidence and mischief.With calculated steps, Ol
The room fell into stunned silence as Damien turned away from Melissa, his dismissive stride cutting through the tension like a blade.He walked out of the karaoke room, leaving everyone in a state of disbelief and confusion.Melissa's determination surged as she chased after Damien, her heart pounding.She swiftly blocked his path, confronting his with a fiery gaze."What the hell do you think you're doing?" Melissa demanded.Damien's expression hardened, his voice dripping with aloofness. "This is between Zara Watson and me. It's none of your damn business."Melissa felt the sting of his barbed words and shot back. "Well, maybe that's true, but that kiss between us earlier was definitely my business."Damien's eyes flickered with a hint of something unreadable."The kiss was your deserved punishment. And I was merely trying to confirm something."Infuriated, Melissa pressed him, her voice laced with frustration. "Confirm what Damien? Don't leave me hanging!" Without offering an exp
The room fell into a stunned silence as all eyes turned towards Melissa.Surprised by her sudden outburst, even she couldn't believe how forceful her words had escaped her lips.Zara's eyes pleaded with Melissa, silently urging her not to reveal the truth about the article.But it was to late— Robert had already let slip that Zara wasn't solely responsible for the article.The truth was already halfway out of the bag.Melissa couldn't bear to watch Zara face Damien Ashford's wrath alone or watch her suffer the consequence of her shared secret.She knew that she, too, must shoulder her part of the responsibility.Summoning her courage, Melissa's voice rang out in defiance. "You have no right to take Zara away." She declared, her tone filled with conviction. "It's against the law."Damien's eyes narrowed, his gaze chillingly cold as he stared down at Melissa.The weight of his dominance and authority bore down upon her, but she refused to back down.Jordan offered a silent prayer for th
Melissa's eyes flickered between Damien and the huddled figure on the sofa.Her instinct urged her to turn around and flee, to escape the intensity of the room and the piercing gaze of Damien Ashford.But her escape path was blocked by the imposing presence of the four burly bodyguards in the hallway.Reluctantly, she took a deep breath and stepped into the room, her eyes meeting Damien's.Damien's gaze fell upon her face, his penetrating eyes seemingly drawn to her lips.Melissa could feel the heat rising in her cheeks as her mind involuntarily replayed the memory of their earlier kiss.The urge to shield her lips from his intense scrutiny surge within her, but she resisted the impulse.With new found courage, she locked eyes with him, refusing to back down.In that moment, Melissa's eyes was drawn to his lips—thin, yet undeniably masculine.The lighting in the room accentuated their vivid shade, akin to the colour of ripe roses.She turn her gaze away, feeling her cheeks burn with a
The bodyguard obeyed without question, taking up his position alongside three others.The narrow hallway now stood as a blockade, with Melissa trapped within its confines.Melissa heart pounded in her chest.Her escape route has been cut off, leaving her feeling vulnerable and cornered.She couldn't deny the flicker of trepidation that danced in her eyes as she faced Damien scowl.Her breath hitched in her throat as Damien forcefully closed the distance between them, his hands holding her in place.The aggression in his action sent shivers down her spine, her body responding with a mix of fear and a raw, undeniable attraction.Melissa's eyes widened as his lips crashed against hers once more, this time with an intensity that left no room for escape.Her mind raced, her thoughts tangled in a chaotic web of desire and confusion.Damien's eyes closed as he deepened the kiss, his tongue exploring her mouth with an almost possessive hunger.Melissa's eyes remained wide and open capturing e
Her mind raced, trying to find an escape route before Damien connected the dots and realised her involvement in the scandalous article.Guilt gnawed at her conscience, but she couldn't bring herself to face his anger and disappointed."Uhm, thank you and, sorry for bumping into you," Melissa stammered, her voice tinged with unease.She hastily straightened her posture but kept her head low. "Thanks for catching me."Damien released his hold on her but remained close, his presence both intimidating and alluring."You're welcome," he replied, his voice low husky. "Be more careful next time."Melissa tried to slip away before the man realised who she was.But Damien did recognized her.He recognised her from the same citrusy shampoo she used, and the fact that he wasn't repulsed by the brief physical contact with a woman.Then he smelled the alcohol on her breath, which somehow irked him.He furrowed his brow, his piercing gaze cutting through her like a knife.Melissa swallowed hard, br
The chief editor's office, the largest one on the entire floor, was adorned with sleek furniture and framed accolades lining the walls.Melissa knocked and waited for a reply before walking in.Robert Chavez's displeased expression confirmed her suspicions.She was on thin ice, her probation period nearing its end, and her lack of ‘BuzzWorthy’ articles hung heavily in the air Robert wasted no time in reminding her shortcomings, his voice laced with frustration. "Miss Walker, your probation period is almost up, and we haven't seen the impact we expected. Where are the headlines that will make waves?"Melissa's eyes darted around the room, searching for a lifeline.She pleaded, her voice tinged with desperation. "Please, Mr Chavez, just give me one more chance. I know I can deliver a headline that will captivate outlet readers."Robert gestured towards BuzzFeed's website, where Zara Watson's article on the A-list actress and the city's wealthiest billionaire CEO dominated the page, gar
As Melissa stepped out of the hotel, her heart raced with a mix of excitement and nervousness.Without wasting a moment, she dialed Zara Watson, her supervisor at BuzzFeed.The phone rang, and Zara's voice echoed through the receiver. "Melissa, what do you have for me? I hope it's a juicy scoop?"Melissa couldn't help but smirk. "Oh, it's definitely spicy, Zara. It involves none other than A-list actress Olivia Hamilton and our very own Mr Ashford."Zara's excitement grew, her voice practically crackling with anticipation. "Damien Ashford? The billionaire CEO? That's huge! Tell me everything!"Melissa's eyes gleamed with satisfaction. "Olivia Hamilton and Damien Ashford are more than just acquaintance. They were caught in a well, let's call it a compromising position at the hotel."Zara let out a gasp. "Photos, Melissa! Do you have photos?"Melissa's lips curved into a mischievous smile. "Of course, I do!"When Damien asked her to delete the photos earlier, she did. But he didn't know
Damn it!WHAT A MESS!Melissa, sensing the weight of Olivia's emotion rushed to explain, desperation lacing her words."No, Miss Hamilton. it's a misunderstanding! I'm in no way involved in with Ashford. We are just—"But before Melissa could finish speaking, Damien's restraining arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her closer to him.The sudden closeness sent a shiver down Melissa's spine. A flush of embarrassment coloured her cheeks as she realized the physical evidence of Damien's desire pressing against her backside.They stood together, facing Olivia, their bodies almost melding into one.Damien shit a cold look at Olivia. "Have you seen enough?" Olivia pursed her lips. "Well, aren't you touchy? Fine, I won't disturb you any longer. Carry on. Although, I suggest you take this party to a hotel room. Too many prying eyes here."Olivia shot Melissa a look of jealousy before she turned and walked away.The car closed once again."Urgh!" Melissa fumed, her anger mounting.She elbo
"Ahh!" Melissa screamed, a high pitched noise that jolted Damien back to the present.She swatted away his offending hand. "Pervert!"Damien shrank back, flustered.He was about to apologize, but the young woman let out a string of word that were not exactly expletives, but came pretty close."It was an accident." He scowled. "And I don't appreciate that type of language.""And I don't appreciate you putting your hands where they don't belong!" Melissa's face was flushed crimson."Like I said, it was an accident.""You even squeezed it." Melissa folded her arms over her chest, eyes blazing.Damien cleared his throat. "I was just checking... something.""Checking what? Cup size?" Melissa wanted to smack him. "Pervert!""I wasn't—" Damien tried to put his thoughts into words, a rare occurrence for him.But then, what he experienced just now was also a rare occurrence.Not only was he not repulsed by this woman's scent or physical proximity, he felt rather compelled to get closer.And wh