…The Next Day, at StriveStyle Co.Heidi and Isla were packing her stuff inside some boxes, the atmosphere lively and blissful.“Ms. Olsen, every employee in this brand is saddened, you know. They all wish they could come along.”“I'm also saddened to leave this place.” Heidi let out a soft laugh. “But duty calls.”“Congratulations, Princess!” Zach barged into the office, startling everyone. “I heard about the big promotion and had to leave the comfort of my Villa to personally congratulate you! I always knew you would be victorious.”He pulled her into a hug, squeezing her tightly and Heidi gasped for breath.“I thought you left the country for real.” Heidi pushed away.“Nah!” Zach laughed. “I’ve been taking my time recovering at home and having the fun of my life until I heard the news. By the way, I have some mind-blowing news to share with you.”He sat Heidi down on the couch, sitting beside her. “What news?” His big mischievous smile made Heidi uncomfortable, anticipating what h
Heidi's heart stopped beating for a few moments, her eyes fixed on him in a trance.Lucas straightened up and walked forward, looking nowhere else but her.Seeing the man approaching, Isla whispered to Heidi, “Ms. Olsen, I'll go ahead.”She proceeded to the car while Lucas stopped in front of Heidi.He shoved both hands into his pockets, his blank expression not hiding his discomfort. “Heidi, I want us to discuss.”“Whatever you want to say, I don't want to listen,” Struggling to reign in her anger, Heidi said in a low voiceLucas sighed. “I know I treated you wrong in the past. Can you let things go? Let's have a fresh start.”A fresh start!Heidi wanted to laugh at his words, but the hurt in her heart wouldn't let her.“Mr. Harrison, your apology doesn't matter. Whether I forgive you or not, we are still going to be strangers.”“We won't remain strangers if you come back to me, Heidi.” Lucas stepped forward, trying to hold her hand. His eyes were raw with emotions. “Just come back t
Lucas drove to the Carlsons’ Household.Tracy's parents were waiting outside the door to the living room, their eager gazes fixed on the gates.The joy in their eyes shone like a thousand stars as Lucas's car pulled over. They welcomed him warmly.“Son-in-law, you are finally here.”“We know you are a busy person, however, the conversation we'll have is very important. We apologize for interrupting your work.”They led him into the house, ordered the servants to bring drinks and snacks, inviting him to sit on the big couch.Tracy sat beside him, her demeanor gentle, extending her fragile hands to pour him a glass of drink. “Honey, I didn't expect you would come.”After bombarding him with text messages, she acted as if only one call from her had Lucas racing there.“Don't.” Lucas stopped her from pouring juice. He wasn't interested in drinking it anyway.Tracy blushed, retracting her hands.The parents watched with huge satisfied smiles, relating it to loving gestures between the co
“I have many dreams but I'm ready to compromise them all because of this baby, won't you do the same? D'you want me to raise it alone as a single parent?”Tracy eyed her parents, signaling to them to help her out.“Son-in-law, she is right,” Tracy's father butted in. “This marriage will benefit you both. Sit down and think about it. You must still be in a denial stage at the sudden news that you'll soon become a father.”“Remember the many years Tracy has spent waiting for you. Now that she's even pregnant with your child, you won't abandon her, will you?” Added Tracy's mother.When Lucas left the house, Tracy followed him to the parking lot, letting her silent sobs reach his ears.Like a broken stick, she looked fragile and irredeemably weak, clinging onto his arm as if he was her only pillar of support.“Lucas, you won't abandon our baby, will you? You're the only person we have, you can't be mad at me because I never planned for it to happen. Remember I was also a victim.”“Would y
…At The AG Group.In the vast office of the CEO, decorations stood in every corner in the form of huge artificial flower vases, and the newly installed furniture served as an element to captivate the eyes.However, sitting on the big swivel chair, the solitary figure of the young woman had its back to the office.Instead, her eyes were glued to the large window, her gaze traveling through it, her vision blurred by the images portrayed by her mind guided by the constant thoughts in her head.She should be focusing on the duty ahead, instead of the scandalous imaginations occupying her thoughts.Sometimes, she'd question the reality, and what true affection denotes.Sometimes she'd find herself wallowing in grief and regret of letting the reigns of her emotions go into the hands of a man.She'd been lost in her fantasy beyond redemption, and despite waking up, remnants of those fantasies lingered, serving as a reminder of what a huge fool she'd been. Because, they hurt more than dagge
…In The Evening,...Skyline Bar boomed with loud music, the vibrating beats sounding like a thousand bells in Heidi's head.A place she'd hoped she'd find solace created an even more stream of chaos in her head.Holding the wine glass in her right hand, her dazed eyes studied the wine swirling in its glass.“Why aren't you drinking, Heidi?” Sitting beside her, Kate nudged her playfully. “Remember we're here to have a blast, not sit and just stare at each other.”“Uhm, Ms. Anderson, isn't Mr. Anderson coming?” Isla asked.“The dude's out of town,” Kate said, her attention still on Heidi. “He went back to GreyHills for some urgent business. Will be back in a few days.”From the couch behind them, strange noises sounded followed by the sound of ruffling fabrics.“Not here, Babe. Wait until we get home.” Yet, Zach was kissing the girl as if he'd devour her whole.Kate's eyes dimmed, irritation flashing in her eyes. “Get a room, Zach Olsen! Yeah, we're all adults but no one's interested
Now staring at his face, Heidi found it familiar and a chilling coldness glinted in her eyes. “What do you want?”“You.” His eyes raked over her body, and he grinned like a psychopath.Heidi almost belched at his words, repulsed and irritated. “Mister, we've never known each other before. Respect yourself and get the hell out of my sight!”“The more you speak, the more I want you, Heidi. You don't know me well, do you? If you did, you would have begged me to take you-”“Back off!” Heidi's palm flew to his cheek, the slapping sound echoing in the washroom. “Get out before I summon the security.”Todd rubbed his cheek, the sinister look in his eyes increasing. “This is the second time your precious hand has graced my cheek, Candy. I hope the third time it does, we'll be in a different situation.”“Pervert! Stay away from me!” Heidi's yell was deafened by the loud music coming from downstairs.Todd grabbed her, covering her mouth to stop her from yelling further.Her strength unmatched h
“Hey, relax.” His smile didn't fade. “Your friend also told me you're very energetic, I can see that. However, let's play a different kind of game, can we?”“What friend are you speaking about?” Heidi's brows furrowed.The crazy man kept mentioning the word ‘friend’ which was disturbing.Which of her friends would recommend her to such a crazy man?“Oh, she said not to mention her name.” Todd kept moving forward until he was so close to her. “She wanted to give me to you as a surprise.”“Really?” Heidi raised a brow, faking an inquisitive look. “But how should I thank her if you don't tell me who she is?”Todd's eyes lit up, sensing her consent. “We made a deal…” his eyes glinted, his gaze traveling down to her chest. “I wouldn't say a word… just make you feel good.”By then, he'd placed both palms on the wall, caging her in between. “Be a good girl, get back to the bed-”“Urgh!” His groans followed his next words.Grabbing the perfect opportunity, Heidi sent a flying kick to his sens