LIANAI woke up the next morning in a room that felt both unfamiliar and strangely recognizable. My head throbbed as I tried to piece together where I was. Just then, Zaylen walked in, his demeanor colder than I had ever seen. He placed a tray of medicines and a glass of water on the bedside table without a word."Where am I?" I asked, my voice still groggy from sleep."My bedroom," he replied curtly."Why?" I pressed, trying to understand the situation."You fainted, so I brought you here," he said, his tone flat and distant."Oh," I muttered, memories of the previous night slowly coming back to me. The events replayed in my mind, making me wince.Zaylen turned to leave, and panic surged through me. "Hey, are you mad at me?" I called out, desperate to understand his sudden shift."No," he replied, not even turning around."You seem mad, though,” I insisted, feeling the chill in his usually warm presence."Why does it matter if I am mad or not? You clearly don't think of me as someo
LIANAI took a deep steady breath, gathering my thoughts and summoning my courage. Knocking on Zaylen's bedroom door, I called out, "Zaylen, are you free now?"I pursed my lips, hoping he was free now. He just returned from the office an hour ago. I was hoping he was not in the shower or something right now, otherwise, I had to wait more.This morning, he had already left by the time I finished talking to Noelle, so I hadn't gotten the chance to speak to him until now. And this conversation was something I needed to have before I could move forward with anything else.I clearly couldn't go on a trip with this unresolved air between us. Zaylen meant way too much for that.After what felt like an eternity, the door finally opened. My eyes widened as I saw Zaylen standing there shirtless. He was undeniably hot, with a sculpted chest and defined abs that made my cheeks flush involuntarily.And the fresh scent of him being out of the shower made him all the more enticing. His hair was ev
LIANAI stepped out of the airport, feeling the warm breeze brush against my skin. My feet were practically bouncing with each step. Ten days in the Maldives had been exactly what I needed. I felt rejuvenated, my mind clear and my heart lighter. I couldn't help but smile as I scanned the crowd, my eyes landing on two familiar faces rushing towards me."Lia!" Sara called out, her voice filled with excitement. She was looking healthier and happier, fully recovered now. Noelle was right behind her, equally ecstatic."Lia!" Noelle echoed, and they both enveloped me in a tight hug, their energy infectious."I am so happy to see you guys!" I exclaimed, hugging them back. The warmth of their embrace felt like coming home."We missed you so much!" Sara said, pulling back slightly to look at me. "You look amazing. How was the trip?""It was incredible," I said, my smile widening. "I feel so refreshed. It was exactly what I needed.""I'm glad," Noelle said, her eyes twinkling with joy. "By
LIANAI took a deep breath before stepping into Zaylen’s cabin, the chill in the air immediately hitting me like an ice pole. I closed the door behind me, trying to steady my nerves."Yes, Zaylen, what did you want—""Boss. Call me Boss from now on," he interrupted, his tone colder than the room temperature. I blinked, stunned. "Oh, okay, Boss."He pointed to a stack of files on his desk, his expression unreadable. "These are the product information of our latest upcoming launch. I want you to go through them and come up with the perfect marketing plan suitable for them."I nodded, trying to keep my voice professional, already getting the hint of why Zaylen was treating me like this. "Okay. I will look through them and get back to you by the end of this week."Zaylen's eyes narrowed, his voice laced with irritation. "Where did you hear me say by the end of this week?"I stared at him, confused. "Huh?""I want the marketing plan prepared before you leave work today," he said, his wor
LIANAIt was almost midnight, and I was the only one still working. The office was eerily quiet, save for the faint hum of the air conditioning and the occasional creak of the old building settling. My back ached, and I could feel the jet lag etched into my bones, pleading for sleep. Yet, there I was, fighting off the overwhelming urge to let my eyelids drop.“If only that certain someone hadn’t called me to his office every hour,” I muttered under my breath, frustration bubbling up. Zaylen’s constant summons were driving me insane. Every time I started making progress, my phone rang, and it was him again. It was beyond annoying.I slumped my head onto the desk, the cold surface a slight comfort against my throbbing forehead. “I can’t do this anymore,” I whispered to myself. The temptation to quit was stronger than ever. Maybe it was time to just give up on this job.My phone chimed, interrupting my moment of despair. I groaned and lifted my head, squinting at the screen.Zaylen:
LIANAI blinked, taken aback. The heat of my anger evaporated, replaced by a confusing swirl of emotions. "You... missed me?" I repeated, totally dumbfounded. I even doubted if I heard Zaylen right.Zaylen nodded, his eyes still locked onto mine. "Yes, Liana. I missed you. And calling you here was the only way I could think of to see you, to talk to you."I stood there, stunned, my mind struggling to process his words. All the fire I had walked in with had melted away, leaving me feeling exposed and uncertain. The room seemed to shrink around us, and for the first time in a long while, I found myself at a loss for words. I didn’t know whether it was a good kind of loss of words or a bad kind.“I haven't seen you for ten days,” he added, his voice unexpectedly soft. “That's why I kept calling you to my cabin. I couldn't exactly tell you that earlier.”I blushed, feeling a sudden warmth creep up my cheeks. “Then why the extreme workload?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady despi
ZAYLEN"Why do you not like me?" I asked softly, my voice barely a whisper.The question hung in the air, heavy with anticipation. I waited, my heart pounding, but she said nothing."Liana?" I prompted, hoping for a response.When I looked down, I saw her eyes closed, her breathing even and peaceful. She was asleep. I couldn’t help but face-palm, a mix of frustration and amusement bubbling up inside me. "Of course, you fell asleep, idiot," I muttered under my breath.Shaking my head at her ridiculousness, a fond smile crept onto my face.How could someone be so infuriating and endearing at the same time? I brushed a strand of hair away from her face, tucking it gently behind her ear.Her features were so serene, so unlike the fierce, stubborn woman I was used to. At this moment, she looked vulnerable, almost childlike. My heart softened at the sight. I gently started stroking her hair again, unable to resist the urge to be close to her."I missed you so much," I whispered, my voi
ZAYLENBefore I could react, Jordan snapped a photo. “Seriously, Jordan?” I groaned, trying not to jostle Liana awake.“Oh, don’t worry,” he said, laughing. “This is definitely going to Sara. She will love this.”“Delete that,” I demanded, but I knew it was pointless. Jordan and Sara loved to gossip, especially when it was related to Liana and I. He grinned, clearly enjoying it. “No way. This is gold. Besides, it’s cute seeing you like this, our beloved Boss.”“Shut up,” I grumbled and shot him a sharp glare. “Go and bring two cups of coffee.” Jordan just laughed. “Alright, alright. It looks like you seriously need some coffee. I’ll get you two cups.”He was about to walk away but stopped and turned to me again.“What now?” I asked, not liking the look on his face at all. “Maybe I’ll send over the junior assistant instead,” he continued, a mischievous glint in his eye. “After that, the whole office can find out about your forbidden romance.”I frowned, irritation bubbling up. “Ro
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