Alanna gave Renee an exasperated smile. "There's no need for that. Just don't be so rash in the future."Renee pouted. "They were really out of line, though."Alanna laughed. "It doesn't matter. Words can't hurt me."It still didn't stop Renee from getting upset on Alanna's behalf. "Even so, we can't just let them talk about you like that! That Melanie Smith isn't a good person. She's clearly a conniving bitch. I don't know why Mr. Florentine likes her. Is he blind?""Watch your mouth," Alanna said, exasperated. "If he heard you say that, I won't be able to save you again."Renee shut up obediently. After a while, she exclaimed, "Ms. Jacinto, your lips are bleeding! Did you not drink enough water?"Alanna pursed her lips, feeling the wound where Hades had bitten her. Keeping her expression neutral, she said, "Yeah, I didn't."…Toward the end of the day, Alanna received a call from Chelsey.They met up at a dessert cafe. When Alanna arrived, she had already ordered herself a l
Alanna always cooked for Hades at home back when he didn't have to go outdoors for business meetings.He was a picky eater and had many opinions when it came to ingredients. So, he seldom ate out when he didn't have a business meeting. Alanna put loads of effort into ensuring he ate well when she used to be with him. A simple "It's not bad" from him made her giddy for ages. She had given him her girlhood, attempts at new things, and hard work. Likewise, she had spent her youth with him. Even her heart raced for him.At the time, she was so in love that she only wanted to cook the food he liked. Now that she thought about it, those days felt like forever ago."What's wrong?" Chelsey asked.Alanna hung up with a grim, weighed-down expression. "I have to return."She lacked money and had no choice but to admit that she needed to get some from Hades. Her mother's medical fees were like an endless vortex, after all.It didn't matter if she wanted to abort the child before. However
Perhaps pregnant people were just emotional wrecks.Alanna didn't know how long had passed before a pair of leather shoes stopped before her. Even so, she didn't look up because she didn't want Hades to see her in that miserable state. Not a word came from Hades as he stood before her and watched as she fed the strays. He only spoke when the strays left after they finished eating. "Get up."His voice was gravelly and low with a hint of anger.Alanna wondered if it was because Hades had a tough time with Melanie earlier. She had regained her calm by then, so she looked up at him. "You're back."Hades' eyes narrowed at her. "Were you crying?"Alanna chuckled. "No, it was just some sand that got into my eyes."Hades didn't take her too seriously and was probably asking her that offhandedly. Since Alanna insisted that it was just sand, he nodded. "Are you done feeding the strays? If so, let's head home.""I want to stay here a little longer."Hades' eyes briefly flickered toward
Alanna suppressed the rage burbling inside her. She returned to the studio and apologized a lot before finally returning to the company. She knew Hades had deliberately withheld Melanie's absence from her yesterday. That said, she didn't understand how she had offended him to deserve this.Hades eventually phoned her after she sat in her office for a while.He said, "Make me a cup of tea." "Sorry, Mr. Florentine. I need to come up with a new shooting schedule with the studio.""So?""I'm not free now. You can have someone else make your tea." With that, Alanna hung up. She felt like she had come a long way after that. It was shocking that she dared to hang up on Hades.Still, she refused to see him regardless of whether he was upset. Alanna didn't understand how it was fun to mess with her this way. The thought of what happened only fuelled her rage. Hades always refused to be in a disadvantageous situation.Now that Alanna thought about it, Hades was probably upset becau
"It's impressive that you're able to slack off, Ms. Jacinto," Hades stated."Apologies. You looked busy earlier," Alanna explained."Indeed. While your boss was drowning in work, you managed to have the time to drink water and enjoy the view. Do you think it's unnecessary to put in work for the salary I'm paying you?""Sorry." Alanna paused before continuing, "Mr. Florentine, may I know when Ms. Smith can start the shoot? I suggest switching her out for someone else if she's unable to recover soon. The new product launches next month. The promotional campaign will get affected if we delay this any longer."Hades finally met her eyes. "That only means you've failed to do your job. As for switching Melanie out, that's impossible. Don't bother considering that route, Ms. Jacinto. We can switch you out for someone else if you feel incapable of completing this task."Alanna's body stiffened. Hades wasn't planning on switching out the person responsible for this project planning. Inst
All at once, Alanna didn't know how to respond. Her smile tensed, and it took her a moment to speak up. "Please tell this Mr. Florentine on my behalf. Have Ms. Smith confirm her availability with me once she recovers. That way, I can schedule the shoot."She then turned on her heel to leave, not staying any longer after saying that. …Melanie looked around the CEO's office, her eyes scrunching with the utmost distaste. "Your office is too cold! Plus, the black, white, and grey color scheme is hideous!"Hades was currently flipping through a contract. His lips curved once he heard her words. "It's not like you're using this office. Why does it concern you if it's hideous?"That made Melanie bitter at once. "It's your office! How can it not have anything to do with me?"Hades glanced up at her and lightly chuckled. "How are you still as bossy as always?"Flashing a mischievous grin, Melanie leaned close to him and asked, "Why? You don't like it?"Hades didn't respond to her. Ins
Little did Melanie expect Hades to chuckle and say, "Indeed. You never had a say in this matter, anyway."That pissed Melanie off so much that she snarled through gritted teeth, "Get her up here. I want to discuss the commercial shoot with her!"Hades no longer looked at her. "You may look for her on your own. Be civil when discussing things instead of throwing your temper tantrums."Melanie huffed before leaving the CEO's office.…Alanna headed for the garden outside the company after leaving the top floor. The garden was specially designed as a space for employees to relax. Once there, Alanna sat beside the pond and felt slightly better. Hades had always been demanding when it came to sex. Because of that, Alanna had a hard time coping with it. Despite always screwing her to extreme exhaustion, Hades would still sometimes feel dissatisfied. That said, he was probably also picky about who he dated. That was why he never sought out another woman, even if Alanna failed t
Alanna's lips twitched.Terrence hadn't bothered softening the insult behind his words. In fact, he even sounded haughty, as if amused by the drama.Although Alanna always felt invincible and unfazed by others, Terrence's words made her blood run cold. Indeed, the people in the industry, including Hades, didn't respect her.She faced Terrence and tried hard to make herself seem perfectly unbothered. "The bitch who covets others' belongings? Why?""Naturally, it's because you stole Melanie's spot, Ms. Jacinto. I always thought you were sensible. Who'd have known you'd have such blurred boundaries between doing the right and wrong thing?"Alanna chuckled. "That's funny. If Hades wanted Melanie, do you think I'd be able to steal her spot? Or, do you believe I'm actually capable of controlling Hades? I have this current position because Hades kept me here. Aren't you people being too nosy? Also—"She paused for a breath before continuing, "If I'm a bitch, what does that make you? I s