"Is it okay for me to be attending clubs yet? It isn't up to a month since the divorce."
Noami looked at Tiffany’s direction. "What could possibly go wrong?" She said with a smile. The car door opened, and Tiffany got out.
She wore a black halter top with a triangular handkerchief design. The front is sleek and fits closely, forming a sharp, inverted triangle that ends at her waist. The back is open and secured with thin crisscrossing straps, showing off her shoulders and back. She paired this unique top with loose-fitting black pants that are slightly oversized. The pants sit low on her waist, giving her a casual look.
Tiffany let her long, straight black hair flow past her shoulders. She wears red lipstick, black thin heels and a small white handbag.
Naomi on the other, stepped out wearing a soft pink, off-the-shoulder dress with delicate ruffle details along the neckline, fitting her curves with the hemline stopping above the knees. She accessorizes with a simple yet sparkling necklace and matching drop earrings.
Noami locked her hands with Tiffany, walking towards the club. As they reached, Naomi's hands slipped out of hers, waving towards a buff man at the corners.
"Daniel!" Noami waved, and his hands opened inviting her in.
Tiffany looked around, exhaling as she let Noami have her moment, but little did she know she would be dragged.
"Daniel, this is my friend I told you about, Tiffany Halton," she said, smiling.
Tiffany looked up at the man. "Daniel Choi."
Tiffany looked at Noami, and her eyes shot daggers at her. Was Noami setting her up?
"Oh, Daniel. It's nice to meet you. I didn't think would be having companies," Tiffany said, shooting Naomi's daggers back at her.
"You know what. Why don’t we go inside?" Noami said, cutting Tiffany short.
The music from inside the club pulsated in the air as they stepped past the velvet ropes. Tiffany still felt her cheeks flush with annoyance, her gaze flicking between Daniel and Naomi, who was already chatting away with him.
Tiffany adjusted her grip on her small white handbag and took a deep breath. This is fine. It’s just a night out, she thought, reminding herself to stay calm. But Daniel’s towering frame and disarming smile made her feel timid.
“So, Tiffany,” Daniel said, his deep voice cutting through the music spilling as they walked in. "Naomi’s been hyping you up. Said you could use a good night out.”
Tiffany forced a polite smile, her red lipstick doing all the heavy lifting. "Yeah. I guess."
Tiffany glanced at Naomi, who was suddenly very preoccupied with the bartender slipping him a playful wink.
"This is insane," Tiffany muttered to herself.
He chuckled, his voice warm, catching her sneaky glances at Noami. "She’s got good intentions. And trust me, this place? It’s a perfect escape."
The dim lighting of the club engulfed them as they stared at each other. The bass reverberated through the floor, and neon lights splashed colours across the crowd. Tiffany squinted.
"Daniel, I'm divorced," Tiffany said and headed towards the bar.
Naomi was already at the bar, ordering drinks, her pink dress catching the light. Tiffany trailed towards Noami, feeling the energy of the crowd press against her.
Daniel turned to her as they reached Naomi. "Nice, a divorcee. My type."
Tiffany scoffed, staring at him. She looked away, slightly amused by his response.
"What's your drink?" he asked, leaning closer to be heard.
Tiffany hesitated. “Just something light,” she said. “Maybe a vodka soda.”
Naomi passed her a knowing look as she handed her a glass. “Relax, Tiffany. You’re here to have fun, remember?”
Tiffany took a small sip, the fizzy drink cooling her nerves. “Right. Fun,” she said, forcing herself to focus on the music, the lights, and anything other than Daniel’s lingering presence but Daniel leaned against the bar, watching her with a curious expression.
Naomi clinked her glass with Tiffany’s, her smile mischievous. “To fresh starts,” she said, raising her glass high.
Suddenly, she felt a hand tap her from behind. "Tiffany?" As she turned around, Levi Jones— Francessa's brother stared at her with a wide smile.
She turned to Daniel who looked confused but plastered a warm smile.
"Oh. Levi! What are you doing here?" Her eyes scanned around for the possibility of Kai being here.
"I'm here for a friend's birthday. What about you? You look gorgeous as ever," he said, and Daniel stood straight beside Tiffany.
"I'm here for some celebration," Tiffany replied, awkwardness tugging at her.
"Let me not bother you. I'll call you soon," he said, glaring at Daniel. Before Tiffany could respond Levi had disappeared in the crowd.
A few hours later, Tiffany had already digested ten glasses, while Noami placed the eleventh one on the table for her. Tiffany shook her head, rejecting it. Her eyes could barely open as she could already feel tipsy.
"I can't! No more!" She said, Daniel chuckled.
"You know what? Let's go dancing!" Noami said, grabbing Tiffany’s wrist, and pulling her up towards the dance floor. Her eyes met with Daniel who followed slightly and shifted towards their belongings.
"My bag," Tiffany muttered, but Noami spun her, jumping to the beat.
Everything felt so spiny. It's been ages since she had drunk this much. Back then as a stripper, it was a regular, but with Kai, it was slight and wine. Tiffany could feel her body dropping.
"Are you okay?" Daniel asked, catching her.
"Oh," she murmured, moving away, but he caught her wrist, holding her. Tiffany looked back at Noami she had already found a dance partner.
"You need to sit," Daniel said, helping her back to their chair. Tiffany dropped to the chair, covering her face with her hands as she exhaled. "I'll get you water."
Tiffany watched him find his way through through bustling crowd. As she looked around for her bag. A bitter scoff escaped her lips, her frustration mounting as she realized with a sinking feeling that it was no longer there. Panic began to rise within her as she searched for her missing bag.
"Uh! No," she cried, scanning their table hoping to find it, but the only bag left was Naomi’s. "Damn it."
A hand suddenly shoved it in her face, and Tiffany's face brightened seeing her bag appear to her. As she raised her head, her smile dropped seeing Kai. His dark hair framed his face in soft, slightly tousled locks, the fringe brushing casually against his forehead, giving him an effortlessly charming and boyish look. His sharp yet gentle—high cheekbones and a defined jaw softened by the warmth of his easy smile and Broad shoulders. Draped over him was an oversized, fluffy white sweater, its texture cosy, as though it had been designed to match his understated yet captivating presence, he matched it with a pair of white jeans.
Tiffany sighed, rolling her eyes. She reclined on the chair, breathing loudly but the sound of the music masked it all.
Kai bent before her, taking out a bottle of water. "Here, you'll need it."
Tiffany stared at him, leaning forward, her eyes dancing in his piercing deep blue eyes. "Why are you here? Are you stalking me?"
"Maybe."
"What?" Tiffany asked, flushing red.
"Because I find you interesting," he said, his eyes flickering in the light.
Tiffany moved away, swallowing as her heart trembled in her chest. She glared at Kai, watching him open the bottle, and handing it to her with a lighthearted smile.
Taking a deep breath, Tiffany took it from him, carefully drinking it. Her eyes didn't move away from Kai as he arranged her things.
Their eyes met, and Tiffany raised her gaze. Kai glanced around the club. "You're coming with me."
"Why should I?" She asked, grumpily.
"Because you can't walk. I'll take you home," Kai said, approaching her, but was stopped by a presence. Kai and Tiffany looked up to find Daniel glaring at Kai.
"She's fine. What are you doing to my girl?" Daniel asked. Kai raised his brows, looking at Tiffany. Instead, she swallowed, avoiding his gaze.
Kai scoffed, his smile turning into a mocking smirk. "Your girl?"
"Get your hands off her," Daniel warned spitefully.
Kai inhaled, looking at Tiffany. Her eyes could barely stay open. Kai stood up, his height matching Daniel's. He smiled warmly, placing a hand on his shoulders.
"Tiffany Halton isn't your girl. That's my wife," he said, Daniel glanced downwards at Tiffany.
"She's divorced."
"It isn't yet finalised. Why don't you move, you don't want to cause a scene. Tiffany is my responsibility," Kai said.
"You might want to prove that. How am I supposed to let her go with a stranger?"
"Uh? Mr Winson? What are you doing here?" Noami said she looked towards Tiffany, and she seemed to have passed out on the couch.
Daniel turned to Noami, "You know him?"
They both stared at Kai, and she nodded. "Ugh, he's Tiffany’s husband— I mean, Ex," she pulled Daniel, whispering to him. "He's the popular Kai Winson of the Winson family. You know that multibillionaire family."
"Mr Winson, the car is ready," Audrey said behind him. Kai looked at Tiffany.
"Since you've confirmed my identity. Tiffany is going with me," Kai said, wearing her bag, and reaching for her but pauses midway at Noami’s statement.
"Uh? I don't think she would-" Noami swallowed her words.
"I don't think-"
Noami pulled Daniel away, "shush!" She said, watching as Kai picked her up, Audrey cleared the way.
The following morning. As the first light of dawn crept into the room, Kai stood mesmerized by the sight before him. He placed it gently on the table beside the bed a glass of apple juice. His gaze lingered on Tiffany, peacefully curled up in his bed. Her chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm, each breath soft and quiet. The sunlight slipped through the curtains, giving a warm glow around her. The delicate curve of her lips, the faint flutter of her eyelashes, and the blush that lingered on her cheeks. From the very first day he saw her asleep. It's a sight he loved to see. But suddenly, her expression changed. Her brow furrowed, and her eyes twitched beneath her closed lids. A flicker of fear flashed her face, then deepened. Whimpers, low and distressed, escaped her lips and underneath the soft blankets, her body moved restlessly. She looked like she was having a nightmare. Kai’s brows furrowed, and he rushed to her side, his wide eyes darting between hers, trying to figure out w
Kai’s car stopped in front of Sun’s Nursing Home. Tiffany didn’t even wait for the car to settle completely. Her hand flew to the door handle, and before Kai could say a word, she flung the car door open, trembling as she walked, her heart pounding in her chest. She raced toward the building. The glass doors slid open. Her breath hitched as she entered, her eyes scanning the white walls of Sun Nursing Home. At the reception desk, Naomi stood, her shoulders tense as she spoke in hushed tones with Dr. Darcy, the woman in charge of Sun Nursing Home. Darcy’s face was calm, but she looked worried. "Where’s my mother?" Tiffany’s voice broke as the words tumbled out. She stood there, chest heaving, her hands gripping the edge of the counter. "I left you in charge of my mother this is what you do? How could you be careless?" Dr. Darcy turned to her, her lips pressed into a thin line. "I’m so sorry, Mrs. Winson," she said carefully in a low and apologetic tone but it wasn't enough to soothe
As the elevator to the apartment dinged open. Tiffany hurriedly put in the passcode and entered their apartment. "Mom?" She screamed, dropping her coat and bags as she rushed into the living room. Relief struck her heart as she found her mother sitting peacefully on the couch, smiling at the television. Tiffany rushed to her, hugging her tightly, tears pouring from her eyes. "I thought I lost you, Mom! Thank God you're okay! Thank God you're okay!" She cried in her mother's arms.But Victoria was too focused on the television, not minding Tiffany, who cried nonstop. "Let me see. Did he hurt you? Mom, do you feel any pain?" She asked, but Victoria said nothing. Tiffany looked to the other side. Noami looked worried, her eyes flicking to the bouquet of flowers sitting on the dining table. "I'll be back soon, okay?" She said softly, getting up and walking towards Noami. "It's him. He dropped her off. He knows you live here," Noami said, handing her a small note. "My lovely Ashley,
"She would be fine. I promise I'd have my men watching her every minute. It's my private hospital. You don't need to worry," Kai said as he and Tiffany watched Victoria get into Kai’s jet."Thank you. Let me handle her payment. You don't have to do that for me," Tiffany said, and Kai nodded, he looked at Peter beside him. Peter walked straight to Tiffany handing her a file. Tiffany glanced at Kai, but his gaze was fixed on Victoria getting into the plane. As she opened the file, her eyes lowered towards the amount. Tiffany’s eyes popped open almost falling from her sockets, maybe hoping to see the amount written clearly."Ten thousand euros a week?" Her jaw almost dropped, seeing the entrance fee, eight hundred thousand euros, the annual fee of one million, nine hundred thousand and twenty euros. Tiffany looked at the jet and gulped unexpectedly. Her mind wondered how much it was to fly a private jet; business class already cost thousands. Kai had already paid in full for a year. "
The Next Day Tiffany arrived at work the next morning, trying to shake off the tension from the yesterday. The tension between Kai and Daniel had lingered in her mind. As she stepped into the boutique, her heels clicked against the floor. Her gaze caught Noami at the counter. Noami glanced up, her expression immediately souring. Tiffany ignored her cunning smile and walked into her office. She sank into the chair, sighing heavily. "Good morning," Noami said, sneakily closing the door behind her. "You didn't come home last night. I wonder why," Tiffany said, her voice weak. She sighed heavily again, staring at the blank ceiling. Noami straightened, crossing her arms as she turned to face Tiffany. "Yeah. I crashed out at Daisy's apartment after a few drinks." Tiffany blinked and nodded. "You seemed to have fun after giving out my number and our address to Daniel! I told you I wasn't interested!" Noami scoffed, her li
The elevator doors slid open with a soft chime, and Tiffany stepped out first. Naomi and Kai followed closely behind, their footsteps slow and gentle. As they reached Kai’s apartment, he stopped and turned to facing them, but his gaze poured solely on Tiffany who looked away. His lips curving into a small smile."Well then, tomorrow," he said, casually but his eyes still fixed on Tiffany.Naomi’s cheeks flushed a gentle pink, and glanced quickly at Tiffany before replying. "Tomorrow? Uh… okay, then. See you tomorrow." Her voice wavered slightly, although she wasn't sure what was happening tomorrow. Tiffany remained silent, her hand already on the keypad outside her apartment door. As she began typing in her passcode, Kai’s voice called out behind her, soft and calm. "Tiffany."She paused, her shoulders stiffening, and slowly turned her head to look at him. His gaze was steady, filled with warmth that unsettled her."If you’re n
As the day drew to a close, Tiffany was tidying up her desk when Elle, her assistant, walked into the office. There was a glow in Danielle’s expression, but her eyes weren’t on Tiffany—they were locked on the bouquet of flowers in her arms. “Oh, Elle, seems you’ve got yourself a date. Flowers, huh?” Tiffany teased lightly, glancing up from her papers. But Elle shook her head, her lips curving in a small smile.“No, Miss Halton. They’re for you,” Elle said, setting the bouquet gently on the desk as though it were something precious. “They’re gorgeous.”Tiffany stared at the flowers, her expression unreadable. The tulips were beautiful, pristine white blooms arranged in a way that was both elegant and expensive. Each petal looked soft, perfectly curled at the edges, as if they’d just bloomed that morning. She reached out, brushing her fingers lightly against a stem before looking back at Elle, who was watching her intently.“I didn’t know you had a man, Miss Halton. You always seemed…
"Goodnight, Peter," Kai said. Tiffany fastened her pace, walking into the building. Kai watched her for a while, before following behind. The elevator opened and Tiffany walked in, staring at him. Her eyes met his evenly, searching his gaze. Her chest rose and fell heavily. The elevator door was still open. Kai walked in, slowly. His gaze never left hers. Kai got in. But Tiffany kept watching him stare at her with his hands buried inside his pocket. Kai took careful steps and her body shook as she gasped in a silent ragged breath. Tiffany’s heart pounded as she clutched her bag tighter, trying to keep her distance."Tiffany," Kai said softly. "You’re holding your breath." He paused, staring at her. "Again.” their eyes met. She slowly released her breath, hoping he hadn't noticed. "I’m not," she lied.Kai chuckled, low and knowing. "You always do when you’re nervous. You know, Love... I love catching you like this.""
A loud ringtone broke through the morning stillness, vibrating on the nightstand. Tiffany stirred, lids fluttering open, her hand fumbling toward the nightstand, finally, she grabbed it. "Hello?" she croaked, her voice still heavy with sleep."Bebe," Noami’s voice crackled through the phone, loudly. There was a pause, then she continued. "Please don’t tell me you slept through that view. You’re in Florence, remember? Don’t waste the sunrise."Tiffany groaned softly, rubbing her eyes. A small sigh escaped her lips as she sat up, the sheets slipping off her shoulder. Her mind lingered on Noami’s words. She wondered for a moment if Noami was her best friend or Kai's. "I'm starting to wonder if you're really my friend.""Is that important? A surprise wouldn't be a surprise if I told you. You—are you u–" Noami’s voice faded as her gaze swept the room. It was empty. She blinked, a frown forming as she turned her head. The balcony door was ajar, the sheer curtains swaying gently with the
The jet touched down just as the golden light of Florence’s early evening spilt over the tarmac. As soon as Tiffany stepped onto the stairs, the warm Italian breeze kissed her cheeks. But what truly stole her breath was the car that awaited at the base of the steps.A Rolls-Royce Boat Tail. A custom pearl and rose-gold finish that shimmered like sunlit silk. The wooden rear deck gleamed under the fading sunlight, handcrafted like a yacht. It looked like something out of a dream. It's a fantasy-made metal.Tiffany descended the last step slowly, her heels clicking with intent, her lips parted in awe. "Kai!" she whispered."In love?" he asked, his arms wrapping around her waist, taking her towards the car with that lazy confidence that made her stomach flip. "Can I drive it? I wanna drive it!" She pouted, looming at him. Kai chuckled. She had been drowsy throughout the flight. Driving? "Not today, baby. Come on." He opened the door for her. Tiffany looked around. "What about your gua
"Thank you so much, girls. I loved it. Noami... are you coming home tonight?" Noami turned, surprised etched her face. "What? No, I'm going to see Daniel." Tiffany nodded. "Ah? Daniel? Alright." She said with a smile. Although, she wanted to celebrate more for her birthday. She couldn't bother their plans. She had Kai after all. As she stepped out of the boutique, there he was. The perfect one. She spotted him just across the street Kai, tall and poised, his frame leaning against the car parked. His coat flared gently in the breeze, hands tucked into the pockets, but his eyes were locked onto her like a man possessed.Tiffany didn’t think. Her feet moved, and she ran towards him. The world blurred around her. Her heels struck pavement like thunder, her heart roaring in her ears. Her curls bounced wildly, her blazer flaring behind her like wings. Her hands wrapped around him, hugging him tight. Kai smiled, leaning backwards to take a look at her. Before he could say a single word
A sleek black car rolled to a gentle stop in front of the boutique, its engine quieting to a soft purr, like a contented whisper. The door opened with an elegant ease, and Tiffany stepped out, her presence commanding yet ethereal. She looked like she had just walked out of a dream, her skin glowing against the soft morning light. Her outfit was something out of a fashion editorial—a three-piece tailored suit in pearlescent white that seemed to shimmer with every subtle movement. The corset-style vest hugged her figure flawlessly, its sculpted design cinching her waist before flaring slightly at the hips. Each satin-covered button gleamed with understated elegance, catching the sunlight like tiny stars.Around her neck rested the necklace. The one Kai had given her. Two delicate chains of silver and diamonds lay against her collarbone—one a choker, snug and bold, while the other draped longer, cascading down her chest like a graceful line of starlight.Her high-waisted trousers were a
"Okay, spill it," Noami said firmly but gently. "What’s going on? And don’t even think about leaving anything out."Tiffany’s lips quivered as she tried to speak. Finally, the words tumbled out. "Noami... I think Kai’s involved in something bad. Really bad."Noami’s expression tightened. "What do you mean? What did he do?"Tiffany’s voice cracked as she whispered, "Kate got arrested. She’s the one who hurt his mom, and Kai... he knew. He knew all along." Her voice dropped lower. "Even Conrad..."Noami’s face paled. "Tiff, are you safe? Do you feel safe with him?"Tiffany’s shoulders shook as tears finally spilled over. "I don’t know," she choked out. "I want to believe I am, but... everything’s falling apart. I don’t know who to trust."Noami reached out, gripping Tiffany’s hands tightly. "Listen to me. We’ll figure this out. You’re not alone. I’m here, okay? No matter what."The Next Morning. Sunlight filtered through the curtains, soft and golden against the white walls of the bedro
"Kai!" Tiffany called out, her voice trembling. He stopped in his tracks, pausing to take a deep breath before turning to look at her. Her wide eyes were brimming with fear, her chest rising and falling rapidly as though the air itself was too heavy to breathe.Kai released Kate’s arm, his jaw tightening as he turned away without a word. He walked back to Tiffany, took her hands in his, and guided her out of the room. The sound of their footsteps echoed, leaving Amelia frozen in shock, her mouth slightly open as though trying to form words that never came.Barely a minute later, a man burst into the room, panting as though he had run a marathon. "Ma’am, the police are searching for you," he said between gasps.Kate’s head snapped up. "What?" she asked, her voice sharp but tinged with panic.Tiffany’s worried eyes darted to Kai’s face. He was calm, too calm, as though he had expected this all along.The man glanced nervously at Kai and Tiffany, his words faltering under their gaze. "Th
Tiffany as she stepped back into the room. The sunlight had shifted. She paused in the doorway, catching sight of Kai sitting in the armchair by the window, his phone pressed to his ear. His expression was focused, his free hand resting on the arm of the chair as he listened intently to Peter on the other end of the line."I’ll take the meeting with Auden tomorrow morning, but push the board review to Thursday. I need to make time for Nolan’s doctors this evening." There was a pause as he listened, his fingers tapping lightly against the chair’s arm. "No, I don’t care about the press conference. Let them speculate for now. I have more important things to handle."Tiffany smiled softly to herself, watching him. Even in the middle of chaos, Kai carried himself with that unshakable air of control. He looked so much hotter, well, not as hot as their time this morning.She moved quietly across the room, her footsteps muffled by the plush carpet, until she was standing in front of him. Kai
Tiffany’s heart raced as Kai’s touch grew more urgent, his hands moving over her with a kind of restless need. She could feel the pressure building, a tension that mirrored the storm of thoughts swirling in her mind her mother and Noami only a few rooms away, the need to stay quiet gnawing at her. But Kai wasn’t helping. His touch, his gaze, were relentless. His fingers tangled in her hair, pulling her head back just enough to expose the tender curve of her neck, and she inhaled sharply, his breath warm against her skin. The way he held her, firm and possessive, sent a shiver down her spine. Tiffany squeezed her eyes shut, but the way he moved against her, the steady rhythm that had her body arching for more, made it impossible to ignore. Her pulse quickened, a rush of heat curling in her stomach. His hands slid over her, gripping her hips as he pulled her closer. His lips brushed the sensitive spot behind her ear, a whispe
The hospital room was eerily quiet, with only the faint, rhythmic beeping of the machines to remind Kai that life was still hanging on. The sterile air smelled faintly of disinfectant, but none of it mattered to him. His hand rested on the edge of his father’s bed, his fingers brushing lightly against the coarse blanket. On the outside, Kai’s face was unreadable, calm as still water. But inside, waves of anguish and frustration churned, threatening to pull him under.His father lay there, unmoving, his chest rising and falling with shallow breaths. The sight struck a deep ache in Kai’s heart—a mixture of helplessness and longing for a miracle. He refused to show it, though. Not here. Not now.The soft creak of the door broke the silence, and Kai’s dark eyes flicked over to the figure entering. Peter stepped in hesitantly, his face etched with worry and something else—fear, maybe. "Mr. Winson," he said softly, his voice careful, like he didn’t want to disturb the fr