LIANA We reached a really nice restaurant. After placing our orders, we began eating our starters with light conversations. “I don’t understand one thing,” Zaylen started, “Why didn’t James break up with you if he liked Lara?” “Apparently, he claims to love me and Lara, both of us,” I let out. Zaylen had a look of disgust for a moment before rolling his eyes. “How stupid can one be?” he murmured. I continued eating as I said, “You know, James’s dad left his family in a huge debt. He told me he had a really hard time growing up with his mother and sister. There were days where his family had to starve and he couldn't afford to buy nice clothes. So he worked really hard to get into a good university and land a good job. When I got to know about it, I felt so sad. So I ended up offering to help him out.” Zaylen’s eyes lingered at me in amusement. “You decided to help him financially? That guy really lost a gem.” “Well, I told him there was no need for interest and he could pay me
LIANA “You still didn’t tell me what we should do with Lara,” Zaylen pointed out. “Right. We need to find more information on her because Lara isn’t the type to be hurt so easily. Even if she lost her job, she would manage to survive that somehow. She has ways.” “Then how about we target her family like James’s?” he suggested. “Lara doesn’t even have a family. She grew up with a distant relative and left that house when she became eighteen. That’s how she always garnered sympathy from others,” I informed him, and he nodded, understanding the scenario. “In that case, I know a good private investigator. I will ask that person to do a background check on Lara. And just to be safe, James as well,” he stated. “Okay, thank you. I don't know how I would have managed to dig information on Lara, otherwise.” “I told you that I would help you. This is the least I can do for you since you have already taken it upon yourself to handle James.” “I would still like some help if James bothers
LIANA My phone chimed in. When I checked, it was a text from Zaylen. Zaylen: Are you okay? It’s been a long time. I stared at the text momentarily. I sighed, realizing I had no option. Zaylen was my last resort. Now I have to deal with such a day where I have to inform my boss that I got my period but no tampons. Liana: Zaylen, I am stuck in the restroom. I got my period and I have no tampons. I finally typed and sent the message after sucking in a deep breath, trying to digest my embarrassment. Zaylen left my message on seen. Probably he was dumbstruck, not knowing what to reply to this text? Was it a bad decision? After some time, I saw he was typing something. Zaylen: Don’t worry. Just wait. I rolled my eyes at his text. Saying ‘Don’t worry’ wouldn’t magically disappear my worries. That’s so stupid! How will he understand what I am going through? What is he even gonna do? Did he think if I waited a few minutes, my periods would be gone? I tried to wait patiently,
LIANA As I stepped out of my apartment, my mind already preoccupied with the day ahead, a colorful bouquet caught my eye. Its presence was vibrant against the dull backdrop of the hallway, which instantly soured my mood. I recognized it immediately, even before my gaze drifted to the attached note. James. The note said, “I am sorry, Liana. I love you. Forga-ive me.” I rolled my eyes. He didn’t even bother to write a new note. That’s how sorry he was. Wow! God, he didn’t even know what my favorite flower was. That’s why he had sent this variety of flowers. He thought I wouldn’t catch that? I swept the flowers from their perch and deposited them unceremoniously into the nearby trash bin. No apology could erase the pain he had caused, nor could it erase the betrayal. If he was in front of me, I swear to God, I would have fed him the flowers and choked him to death. I slid into the driver's seat of my car, the engine humming to life. As I started driving, my phone rang instantly.
LIANA“Since I was so blind before,” I added, “I had decided to loan out some to James. I hope that clears everything out.” Zaylen stayed quiet for a few seconds after my confession. Then he asked, “Then why are you working in this company? That too, at such an ordinary post?” I had anticipated this question. "I want to be independent," I confessed, the words spilling forth in a rush of honesty, "to prove to myself and to my dad that I'm capable of standing on my own two feet. I want to gain experience, to learn from the ground up, before I even think about stepping into his business." There was a soft hum on the other end of the line, a sound that carried with it a depth of understanding I hadn't expected. "You're admirable, Liana," Zaylen said, his voice tinged with genuine respect, "I just joined the company as the CEO right after graduating. But you, you're choosing to carve your own path, to forge your own destiny. That takes real courage." His words washed over me like a s
LIANAAs I stepped into the familiar hustle and bustle of the office, my thoughts still lingered on the conversation with Zaylen. But before I could fully immerse myself in the day's tasks, a voice sliced through the chatter, sending a shiver down my spine. "Liana," James called out, his tone a sickening blend of remorse and desperation, "did you get my flowers?" I turned to face him, my expression impassive despite the tumult of emotions churning within me — mostly rage. "Yes, I did," I replied curtly, my voice tinged with a cold edge, "and I threw them into the trash where they belong." His face fell, a mask of hurt and disbelief. "Liana, please," he pleaded, reaching out to touch my arm, "can we talk? Just for a few minutes?" I sighed, relenting to his request with a begrudging nod. Leading him to a secluded corner of the office, I turned to face him, my arms crossed tightly over my chest. "What do you want, James?" I asked, my voice clipped. He swallowed hard, his eyes dartin
LIANA As I made my way through the bustling office during lunchtime, the events of the morning still weighed heavily on my mind. I noticed that James took a half-day leave after my ultimatum. Serves him right! Let him struggle now. As I approached the break room, Lara intercepted me with a bright smile. "Hey, Liana! Want to grab lunch together?" she chirped, her voice filled with warmth. If I was the previous Liana, I would have never guessed that it was all fake. But now I know. "Thanks, Lara, but I'm going to eat with Sara and Kiara today," I replied, my tone polite but distant. Lara's smile faltered slightly. "Oh, okay. Then maybe next time." With a nod of farewell, I made my way to the table where Sara and Kiara were already seated. “Why are you still talking politely to that Lara?” Sara grumbled. “I hate her, ugh.” “I know, right? She deserves to rot in hell,” Kiara added. I smiled at their words. Is that how actual friends behave? Combinedly hate one person even t
LIANA “Why? What's on the office page? And why is our boss on the office page in the first place?” I furrowed my eyebrows. Zaylen twitched his lips. “Jordan showed me.” “Jordan needs to be kicked out of the page then. He's a spy, spilling all the tea to our boss,” I retorted as I took out my phone to check the forum. He chuckled. “He will find a way to creep his way back in. He is extremely resourceful.” “I expect no less. He's our scary boss's assistant—” I paused the moment I saw the latest post about a cheating story about two colleagues from the marketing department from an anonymous person. A gasp escaped my lips as I read the post. It cleared up everything that Lara used to spread lies about me too. Although names were not explicitly mentioned, everyone guessed the people involved anyway, and it was the latest tea of the office. Oh, my God. Who made it public? Sara and Kiara! Of course! “It must have those two,” I grumbled, feeling steam coming out of my ears. “W
LIANAThe morning sun poured through the curtains, casting a gentle light across our bedroom. I woke up to the soft, familiar hum of the world outside, the sound of birds chirping in the distance. I turned to see Zaylen sleeping beside me, his face relaxed in peaceful slumber. The sight of him always filled me with a profound sense of contentment and love.I stretched, carefully sliding out of bed to avoid waking him. Today wasn’t just any day—it was a day I had looked forward to for a long time. The house was still, the calm before the storm of our bustling family life. I tiptoed down the hallway, my heart swelling with excitement as I made my way to the nursery.Our twins had brought a new kind of joy into our lives, their arrival a culmination of love and anticipation. The nursery was painted in soft pastel colors, with a cozy crib in the corner and shelves lined with toys and books. The gentle hum of the white noise machine filled the room, blending with the soft sunlight filte
LIANA It was mid-morning, and the office was bustling with the usual activity. The gentle hum of conversation and the clacking of keyboards filled the air, but I could barely focus on anything other than the growing discomfort and irritability that had become a constant companion over the past few weeks. I sat at my desk, my fingers drumming impatiently on the surface. The pile of paperwork before me seemed to mock my inability to concentrate. I sighed heavily, feeling a wave of frustration wash over me. Zaylen, ever observant, noticed my agitation from his office. He appeared at my desk, a look of concern etched on his face. “Hey, baby. How’s it going?” I glanced up, trying to muster a polite smile. “Just peachy,” I said, though the words were more of a snarl than anything else. “If you consider battling an insurm
LIANA The next few days, I couldn’t shake a strange feeling. I was more tired than usual, and the scent of coffee, which I normally loved, was suddenly making me nauseous. Sara noticed my discomfort. “Liana, are you feeling okay?” she asked, her brow furrowed with concern. “I’m fine, just a bit tired” I replied, trying to brush it off. “Been feeling nauseous and my head is pounding these last few days.” Sara gave me a knowing look. “Maybe you should take a pregnancy test.” I blinked, surprised by her suggestion. “A pregnancy test?” She nodded. “There might be a possibility.” The idea was both thrilling and terrifying. Could it be possible? I decided to take Sara’s advice to heart. During my lunch break, I headed to the pharmacy just a few blocks away. The fluorescent lights and the hum of the store seemed unusually bright as I picked out a pregnancy test kit. My heart raced with a mix of excitement and anxiety as I made my way back to the office, clutchin
LIANAThe past few months had flown by in a blissful haze. Our honeymoon had taken us from the Maldives to the enchanting streets of Paris, and finally, to the serene countryside of Tuscany. Each day had been filled with love, laughter, and unforgettable moments. But now, it was back to reality—our reality, where Zaylen and I were not only husband and wife but also Alpha and Luna, and for the time being, colleagues.I walked into the office, the familiar scent of coffee and paper filling the air. As I made my way to my desk, I couldn’t help but feel a flutter of excitement mixed with nerves. This was our first day back after the long honeymoon, and though I was eager to dive back into work, I couldn’t ignore the butterflies in my stomach.Zaylen’s office door was slightly ajar, and as I passed by, I saw him sitting behind his desk, engrossed in a document. He looked up, catching my eye, and a slow, mischievous smile spread across his face.“Good morning, my Luna,” he called out, his
LIANAThe following morning, we decided to explore more of the city. After a quick breakfast, we set off to visit the Louvre Museum. As we walked through the grand halls, admiring the masterpieces, Zaylen kept me close, his hand never leaving mine."Look at this one," he said, pointing to a painting. "Doesn't it remind you of one of our dates?"“The one we had just before you proposed to me?” I asked to be sure. As he nodded, I laughed, remembering that endearing evening. "It does. We have come a long way, haven't we?""We have," he agreed, his eyes softening as he looked at me. "And I wouldn't change a thing."We continued our tour, losing ourselves in the beauty of the art and the history that surrounded us. As we exited the museum, we found a street vendor selling crepes. Zaylen insisted on buying one for each of us, and we sat on a nearby bench, enjoying the sweet treat."These are delicious," I said, licking a bit of Nutella from my fingers."Almost as sweet as you," Zaylen tea
LIANAThe Eiffel Tower stood tall and majestic against the twilight sky, its twinkling lights casting a romantic glow over the city of Paris. I marveled at the sight, my heart swelling with awe and excitement. Our long honeymoon had brought us from the tropical paradise of the Maldives to the enchanting streets of Paris, and I couldn't have been happier.Zaylen and I strolled hand in hand along the Seine River, the soft murmur of French conversations and the distant sound of street musicians creating a magical atmosphere. He looked dashing in a tailored suit, and I felt like a princess in my flowing dress."Isn't this beautiful?" I sighed, leaning my head on his shoulder."It is," he agreed, pressing a kiss to my temple. "But not as beautiful as you."I blushed, my heart fluttering at his words. "Always the charmer.""For you, always," he replied with a playful wink.As we walked, we passed a quaint café with outdoor seating. Zaylen tugged me toward it. "How about a little dessert?"
LIANAThe soft rustling of palm trees and the rhythmic lapping of waves greeted me as I stepped onto the sunlit balcony. The warm, salty breeze of the Maldives caressed my face, bringing with it a sense of serene contentment I hadn't felt in years. The crystal-clear waters stretched out endlessly, a shimmering expanse of turquoise that promised days of relaxation and intimate moments with Zaylen.I leaned against the railing, closing my eyes and letting the sounds of paradise envelop me. A gentle smile tugged at my lips as I thought of Zaylen still asleep in our villa, the man who had turned my world upside down in the best way possible."Liana?" Zaylen's voice, husky with sleep, reached me, making my heart flutter.I turned to see him standing in the doorway, his dark hair tousled and his eyes still heavy with sleep. He looked so different from the domineering, fierce leader I had first met. Here, he was just Zaylen, my husband, the man I loved with all my heart."Good morning, sle
LIANAToday was the day—the day Zaylen and I would finally stand before our loved ones, pledging our hearts to each other in marriage. The anticipation and excitement in the air were palpable, mingling with the fragrant scents of blooming flowers and the soft rustle of leaves. Our wedding was set against a backdrop of lush greenery, the venue a picturesque garden that seemed to be alive with joy and celebration.The sun shone brightly, casting a warm, golden glow over everything. The ceremony was to be held in a charming outdoor setting, with a floral arch adorned with cascading white roses and delicate greenery. The aisle, lined with white rose petals, led to a beautifully decorated altar where Zaylen and I would exchange our vows.I took a deep breath, feeling the flutter of nervous excitement in my stomach as I prepared to walk down the aisle. Noelle, radiating beauty even with her eight-month baby bump, adjusted her position next to me. She looked stunning in her deep emerald g
LIANAThe morning sun filtered through the canopy of trees, casting dappled light across the campsite. The soft, golden rays glinted off the sparkling surface of the waterfall, creating a mesmerizing display of light and water. The gentle roar of the falls provided a soothing soundtrack as the water cascaded into a clear, shimmering pool below.The campsite, nestled beside this natural wonder, was waking up with the day. The cool, fresh air carried the crisp scent of pine and morning dew. The grass was still damp from the night, and the tents stood slightly crumpled, evidence of a night spent in cozy slumber.Trevor, ever the early riser and mischief-maker, had a gleam in his eye as he set his plan into motion. He crept quietly towards Zaylen, who was enjoying a leisurely breakfast by the fire, unaware of the prank that was about to unfold. Trevor had filled a bucket with water and carefully rigged it to tip over when Zaylen’s chair was moved.I observed from a distance, sipping my