I woke up to the soft glow of dawn, the clock blinking 5 AM, my usual time to rise. My brown hair was a tangled mess, and I could feel my glasses slipping down my nose as I stretched. It was time to start my day, even if I felt like a sleep-deprived zombie.As I stumbled out of bed, I tripped over Mr. Whiskers, who was sprawled out like he owned the place. I couldn’t help but giggle as I scooped him up, cradling him against my chest. “You little scamp,” I whispered, pressing a kiss to his furry head. “You’re the real reason I’m up so early, aren’t you?”But as I cradled him, a familiar ache tugged at my heart. Memories I tried so hard to forget crept in, uninvited. Five years had passed since I handed him those divorce papers, and yet the pain felt fresh. I could still see his detached expression as he signed, the coldness in his eyes cutting deeper than I ever imagined.I had loved him completely, but now all I saw was darkness—his obsession with work and that woman, Victoria. She wa
Mia and Alex quickly gathered their things, and the excitement in the air was palpable. “I can’t believe we’re finally going out!” I said, a smile spreading across my face.As we stepped outside, the cool night air hit us, invigorating and full of promise. We hopped into Alex’s car, and he cranked up the music, filling the space with upbeat tracks that matched our energy.“Where are we going?” I asked, glancing at Mia, who was scrolling through her phone.“I found this place called The Pulse. It’s supposed to be incredible, and they have a great dance floor!” she replied, her eyes sparkling.“Sounds perfect!” I said, feeling the anticipation build.When we arrived, the club was already buzzing with people. The lights pulsed in time with the music, and I could feel the energy radiating from the crowd. We made our way inside, and I immediately felt the weight of the week lift off my shoulders.Mia led the way to the bar, ordering us drinks while Alex and I chatted about the night. “I st
I woke up, my eyes blinking at an unfamiliar ceiling. Panic surged through me as I tried to remember where I was and how I got there. My head throbbed, and my mouth felt like sandpaper. I attempted to sit up, but dizziness hit me hard, forcing me back down.Then I realized I was completely naked. My heart raced as I threw off the covers, frantically searching for my clothes. That’s when I saw him—a stranger lying next to me. His face was chiseled, his dark hair unfamiliar. My mind went blank.I didn’t want to think about who he was or what had happened. I just needed to get out of there. My eyes darted around the room, taking in the opulence and the huge windows. I spotted my purse on the nightstand and snatched it up, digging for my phone. It was dead, and I cursed under my breath.Without thinking, I grabbed my purse and bolted from the room, not stopping until I was outside the mansion. I flagged down a taxi, my heart pounding as I gave the driver my address, still reeling from the
Two months have passed since that night, and I’ve been completely absorbed in growing my company with Donna by my side. She’s been a lifesaver, expertly managing my chaotic schedule and ensuring everything stays on track. .But as we were pouring over the latest project details, trying to partner with Jocelynn & Harvey’s a reputable brand, a sudden wave of weakness washed over me. “Rachel, are you okay?” Donna asked, her voice laced with concern as she leaned closer, searching my eyes for answers.I shook my head, feeling disoriented. “I don’t know. I just feel… weak.”“Weak how? Like you’re coming down with something?” she pressed, her brow furrowed.“Yeah, maybe. I’ve been so stressed lately. I thought it was just fatigue,” I admitted, “You need to take a break. We can pause this for today,” she said, her tone firm yet caring.“No, I can’t. We have deadlines, and I don’t want to fall behind,” I replied, forcing a smile “Your health comes first, Rachel. Let’s reschedule and focus
After six intense years, I have transformed my company into a formidable competitor in the market and I can proudly say I have poured my heart and soul into this journey and I… my trail of thought was cut short when Donna barged into my office like she was on a mission from the fashion gods. “Rachel! You won’t believe this!”I barely looked up, squinting at the numbers. “Did you finally figure out how to use the coffee machine? Because I’m this close to hiring a barista.”“No! Even better! Mavericks & Co wants to partner with us!”My head shot up, my heart racing. “Mavericks? The ruthless empire of Ethan Grey? What do they want with us?” I couldn’t help but picture Ethan in that dark suit, with his piercing eyes and that cocky smile that made my stomach flip—mostly in a bad way.Donna shrugged, practically bouncing on her heels. “They’re looking for brands that share their uniqueness. They want an interview with the CEO of Elegance & Style!”“Great,” I said, rolling my eyes. “I can al
The next few weeks passed in a whirlwind of meetings and brainstorming sessions. Ethan and I interacted daily, and each encounter left me exhilarated yet anxious, with the knowledge of my secret lingering just beneath the surface. One afternoon, as we reviewed design concepts in his office, I felt the tension building. “Rachel, these sketches are... disappointing,” Ethan said, barely masking his disdain as he tossed one aside. “You can do better than this.” I blinked, taken aback. “Disappointing? I thought we agreed on a bold approach. These designs are fresh and innovative.” “Fresh? They’re just a rehash of trends. You’re playing it safe,” he snapped, leaning back in his chair, arms crossed. “If you want to compete at this level, you need to push boundaries, not reinforce them.” I clenched my jaw, feeling anger flare. “Excuse me? I put a lot of work into these designs. Just because they don’t fit your narrow vision doesn’t make them rubbish.” “Don’t take it personally,” he
The next morning, I woke up to the sounds of my kid’s laughter echoing through the apartment. Stretching and blinking away sleep, I smiled at the thought of a weekend free from work stress. As I brewed my coffee, my phone buzzed on the counter, pulling me back to reality.“Are you ready to tackle the office again?” came the message from Donna.I chuckled to myself and quickly typed back, “Actually, I’m taking a little time off this weekend. Need to recharge with the kids!”Moments later, my phone pinged again. “Nice! You deserve it! But if Ethan calls...”I rolled my eyes and typed, “I’ll ignore him! Unless it’s an emergency, I’m off the clock girl. He can wait!”Taking a sip of my coffee, I savoured the rich flavour. Just then, Dante came racing into the kitchen.“Mommy! Can we have pancakes?” he exclaimed, his wild curls bouncing as he jumped up and down.“Pancakes it is!” I replied with a grin. “How about we make them together?”Daniella peeked around the corner, her big brown eyes
As I walked into the office, Ethan was standing with two guys I'd never seen before. They looked like they belonged on the cover of a fashion magazine - tall, lean, and impeccably dressed."Rachel, I'd like you to meet my friends," Ethan said, his tone a little softer than usual. "This is Liam" - he gestured to the taller one with piercing brown eyes and chiselled features - "and Grayson." He nodded toward the other, with brooding Green eyes and jet-black hair.Liam smiled warmly and extended his hand. "Hi, Rachel. It's great to finally meet you."Grayson nodded curtly, his eyes narrowing slightly as he took in my appearance."Nice to meet you both," I replied, shaking Liam's hand.Ethan gestured to the empty chairs. "Please, have a seat."Liam sat down beside me, his eyes sparkling with interest. "So, Rachel, Ethan's told us a lot about your work."I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "All good, I hope?"Liam chuckled. "Mostly. Although Ethan did mention you can be a bit... stubborn."As
"Emerald Designs: The Rising Star Threatening Mavericks & Co." His forehead creased and his jaw clenched. The article detailed how this new brand had taken social media by storm, challenging the long-held dominance of Mavericks &Co. in the fashion industry.He tipped his cup to the floor and coffee flowed from it onto the desk. He didn't even bother to call any help without wasting a second, he called Greg and summoned his core team for an urgent meeting.---The meeting room buzzed with tension. Mark, Ethan’s father’s long-time friend, sat with a smug expression, leaning back in his chair as though he already knew how the meeting would end. Danny, the publicist, did a restless tap on her laptop as Liam crossed his arms inside and an inky frown screwed itself on his face. Greg glanced at Ethan, waiting for him to speak.Ethan entered the room, his presence commanding attention. His tie was slightly loosened a sign of the stress weighing on him. He dropped the tablet displaying the Eme
Rachel walked back and forth in the living room, just after putting the children to sleep. Her arms crossed snugly around her breast, her mind buzzing with anger and hurt. Ethan sat on the edge of the couch, his elbows resting on his knees, staring at the floor. The tension in the air was suffocating, both of them unsure of how to start the conversation that hung heavily between them.Rachel finally broke the silence, her voice trembling but sharp. “Do you even realize what’s happening, Ethan? It’s because of you. You've dragged me into this mess and now everybody hates me. Hundreds of thousands of people who don't even know me are calling me names, criticizing me for something, calling me names and a husband snatcher”Ethan’s head snapped up, his eyes filled with guilt. “Rachel, I know you’re hurt. I’m trying to fix this—”“Fix this?” Rachel cut in, her voice becoming hoarse in a round of pain-struck gestures as her hands shot to her waist. “You can’t fix this, Ethan. This is Sophi
Lying on her velvet armchair, Sophia read a book when suddenly her door opened loudly. Of course, she did not flinch, because she knew how Michael would burst into her room. He entered furiously but at the same time looked puzzled; his dark eyebrows knitted, his lips pressed in a thin line."You knew!" Michael spat, slamming the door shut behind him. "You knew those kids weren't mine, and you didn't think it was worth telling me?"Sophia calmly set her book on the side table, crossing one leg over the other, a smirk tugging at the corner of her lips as she regarded him with an air of superiority. "And ruin the fun of finding out yourself? Where is the excitement in that?" she said in a tone full of mockery.Michael's jaw clenched, his fists at his sides. He stormed over to the liquor cabinet, yanked the door open, and grabbed a bottle of whiskey. He poured himself a glass with shaking hands, spilling a few drops onto the glass table.I should have known this was your doing, he grumble
Ethan sat at his desk, fingers beating on the wood veneer in some rhythmic way. Outside the heavy wood doors of his office, there was a soft hum of activity, but he focused only on the glowing screen of his laptop as he went through the drafts of the official statement Danny had made, his eyebrows furrowed.Danny knocked first, then entered, clasping a clipboard tightly against her chest. "Sir, Greg said he has something going on tracing the videos back to their origin, but it's taking him longer than anticipated. He needs more resources in order to speed up the process."Ethan leaned back in his chair; the leather groaned a bit as he pinched the bridge of his nose. "Give him everything he needs, Danny. This is priority one. I don't care about how much it's going to cost or how many people he's got to bring on board-just get it done.""Yes, sir," Danny said with a nod, jotting a quick note on her clipboard. "And about the statement you wanted to release regarding the videos?"Ethan st
Rachel sat at the dining table and watched as the children dug into their pancakes, syrup dripping down their little hands, their giggles filling the room like a soothing melody that momentarily quieted the storm raging in her mind. Events of the past days had shaken her, but it was moments like these that made her feel back on solid ground. She absent-mindedly scrolled through her phone with one hand and sipped her coffee with the other, hoping to be distracted.Then she saw it-a headline with her name. Her heart dropped. Her fingers froze mid-scroll before she gained the courage to tap the link. Much to her surprise, the page came up blank. She refreshed it once, then twice. A wave of relief washed over her when she realized the content had been removed, no doubt due to Ethan's work. She inhaled deeply, but the weight in her chest didn't completely lift.Mom," Daniella's tiny voice broke into her thoughts, tugging at her sleeve. Rachel looked up at her daughter, who stared at her w
Ethan sat opposite the lead investigator at the police station. His fingers tapped impatiently on the edge of the desk, while his face screwed tightly, his jaw clenched down, and a thin furrow set between his eyebrows. A fact that Ethan had hardly slept well for days was aptly reflected in the dark circles hanging like bruises beneath his eyes."Mr. Carter," the officer started, his voice even but threaded with frustration, "we questioned every single protester. None of them met anyone directly. All they got were private messages-anonymous, untraceable."Ethan's eyebrows shot upwards while his lips pursed into a thin line. "Anonymous?" he repeated, his voice sharp. "You are telling me that somebody out there is running this whole mayhem from behind the scenes and you can't tell who?" The officer leaned back in his chair with steepled fingers. "Whoever is behind this knows what they are doing, and they covered their tracks well.Ethan blew heavily and massaged his temples. His face r
Above, fluorescent lights hummed softly above the police station-a very soft hum that did nothing to drown out the tension in the room. Ethan sat forward on the chair, his jaw clenched, his fingers tapping impatiently on the cold metal armrest. Across the table, a knot of protesters slumped, bravado drained from earlier posturing. They shifted under the officers' sharp gazes, their guilt across slouched postures and darting eyes.Ethan leaned forward, his dark eyes boring into them. "Who put you up to this?" he demanded, his voice low and steady, laced with steel.The protesters shifted uneasily, eyes darting about, their feet scuffling the tiled floor. Finally, one of them spoke-a young man with a scraggly beard-his voice quavering. "We don't know who it was. Somebody sent us money. Told us to, uh. show up and, you know, cause a scene."Ethan's brow furrowed, his lips pressed into a thin line. "And you didn't think to question it?" he snapped, frustration bubbling over. “You didn't
Rachel adjusted her blazer, the fingers trembling, as she stepped out of the cab. The soft click of her heels against the pavement was drowned by the chaos ahead: the normal entry building of her company now was a battleground. Protesters crowded the front entrance, their faces twisted in anger. Chants echoed through the street, accompanied by the sound of eggs splattering against the glass doors. Rachel froze for one second, her heart sinking as it finally registered. Her shoulders stiffened, but she forced herself to take a steady breath. “ You built this company from nothing,she reminded herself”. “You’re not going to let it crumble now.” Keeping her head low, she circled to the back entrance, her steps quick and purposeful. Her chest tightened with each step, the echoes of the protesters’ angry cries trailing behind her. As she slid into the building, the usual warmth of her office felt eerily cold. Donna, her secretary, was waiting at her door. Her face was white and her
Morning sun poured in through the windshield through the driver's side at times from the windshield when Rachel steered the car onto the street. They were in the back of the car and their discussions filled the car. Rachel smiled softly, glancing at them through the rearview mirror. Her chest filled with love, while listening to the song, as Daniella hummed, while Damian and Dante shared a secret in hushed tones.“Mummy, our class teacher told us that we are going to have parents day in school soon" Dante tells her after gossiping with his brother.“Really!" Rachel smiled as she stared at them through the mirror.“Yes" the voice of Damian filled the car with his joyful tone. “So you want me to come?" She asked them “Yes mama" Damian shouted.“Alright, don't strain yourself Damian" she said softly as he settled down quietly.When they got close to the school, Rachel observed a black SUV in close shadow behind her. She frowned, checking her rearview mirror again. Soon, another car joi