Mia felt her chest tighten the moment she caught the vulnerability in Angelo’s gaze. He wasn’t his usual self—lighthearted and teasing. Instead, something heavy lingered in his eyes.“Maybe we can watch a movie or two?" he proposed, attempting to appear cheerful.She nodded, forcing a small smile. "Alright."They sat together on the couch, with a blanket covering their legs. Angelo had ordered pizza, yet his slice remained uneaten on the table. His thoughts appeared distant, caught up in a reality he wasn't prepared to share. After a while, Mia observed the small shaking in his hands. She paused for a moment, then leaned in closer. “Angelo,” she spoke gently, her worry clear, “You’re shivering… are you feeling okay?”He glanced at her, his expression clearly neutral. “I’m fine… it’s nothing to worry about,” he replied, but the sound of his voice betrayed him— it was weak, his posture too stiff. Mia placed the back of her hand against his forehead. It was warm—too warm to ignore.“Yo
Mia pushed the door open to her house, the silence greeting her like an old acquaintance. It was late, too late to hope for a proper conversation with her mom. She had come visiting without notice and it had been almost two months, yet she hasn’t mentioned returning to her residence. She wasn’t supposed to be here, not right now when she was about to round things up with Xiang. As expected, her mother, Sarah, was already dressed, looking elegant and put together, as if everything in their lives was perfectly in order. “Oh, Mia,” Sarah said, glancing up briefly. “You’re back. How are you?” “I’m fine,” Mia replied, her tone clipped, betraying none of the turmoil within. Deep down, she wasn’t fine, but saying so wouldn’t change anything. Her problems, after all, had roots she couldn’t simply pull out—roots her mom had unknowingly planted. Sarah adjusted her scarf, her eyes already on the door. “I’m off to Bible study. Samantha still isn’t back, is she?” “No,” Mia said, her chest
“Mia, get up and do something—at least try some clothes on, for heaven’s sake! You’re a mess.” Samantha came out from her room with both hands on her hips. “There’s so much to do, and there’s barely enough time to finish your makeover!” Mia lay sprawled across the couch, staring at the ceiling with a blank expression. She didn’t even have the energy to think about what to wear. Despite it feeling like a once-in-a-lifetime experience for her, she had a feeling she might look out of place. She stretched out, throwing an arm over her eyes. “You worry too much, Sam. I’ll probably just sit in a corner all night.” Samantha immediately stormed into the kitchen, grabbed a spatula from the counter, and marched back into the living room. She waved it in front of Mia like a magic wand. “Enough of this pity party! You sound like you’re attending for just the fun of it. I, Samantha, your self-appointed fairy godmother, will not just get you to the party, I’ll make sure you steal the show.
The cab pulled up to the Grand Kew Hotel, its sleek exterior gleaming like a polished jewel under the evening lights. Mia stepped out, gripping her VIP pass with a steady hand as her heels tapped against the pavement. The buzz of the crowd and the clicking of cameras created a vibrant energy, but her focus remained sharp. At the gate, guests were thoroughly checked, some being turned away if their names didn’t make the list. She watched as many uninvited guests were bounced back, their complaints fading into the busy evening. Mia adjusted her mask—customized, light, and carefully designed to frame her face perfectly. Her friend had called it “mystique,” and it added an air of allure to her entire outfit The entrance was lined with TV hosts and photographers, their cameras snapping away at the arriving guests. Most guests wore masks—some opted for traditional Venetian designs, others chose handheld masks, while a few decided not to wear any at all. The temporary steel fence sepa
Mia blinked, still processing his words, especially with that look in his eyes. “Zac, I… I suck at dancing.” “That shouldn’t be your worry. Just follow my lead,” he replied, his voice still gentle but firm, leaving no room for her to refuse. “What about Bella?” she whispered, the words fragile as they left her lips. But even as she spoke, her hand had already slipped into his. “Shhh,” Zac hushed her with a disarming smile. “Unless you’re planning to take off your mask and tell her yourself, I’d suggest you relax.” His voice held a teasing edge as he led her to the center of the ballroom. Suddenly, the lights dimmed, casting a golden glow across the room. The crowd around them faded into a blur, and for a moment, it felt like the world had shrunk to just the two of them. As the opening notes of ‘Careless Whisper’ began to play, Zac stopped, turning to face her fully. He softly rested his hand on her lower back, the warmth of his touch against her bare skin causing her heart to ra
Mia’s heart pounded as she walked behind Zac, the sound of their footsteps echoing through the quiet hallway. The party had nearly ended, but Zac had pulled her away from the crowd, leading her in a new direction. “Are you sure we’re allowed to be here?” Her voice had a trace of doubt, even though the buzz from the party still lingered around them. Zac glanced back at her, flashing a casual smile. “My grandfather owns this hotel as well. So…yes, I know my way around.” Mia blinked, surprised. They own the hotel? Zac has this way of talking about things so casually, like it’s not a big deal or there’s no real value to it.” Still, an uneasy feeling settled in her chest. There was something different about him tonight. Even after all their time working together, he was always unpredictable. They reached a set of grand double doors, and Zac turned to her, his face neutral. “Close your eyes.” Mia hesitated, confusion furrowing her brow. “Why?” “Just trust me,” he said softly, the ca
“What just happened here, Zac?!” Bella demanded, her voice sharp as she glared at him.She had marched into the courtyard, with so much fury in her eyes—a blend of frustration and urgency. She had hoped to confront the woman standing next to Zac, but to her surprise, Mia was already gone.“Excuse me?” Zac raised an eyebrow. “Wait, what the heck are you even doing here anyway?”She didn't speak a word. Instead, her eyes shifted beyond him, focusing on the path Mia had taken.Without hesitation, she started toward the path, but Zac’s hand shot out, gripping her wrist.“Let go of my hand,” Bella demanded, her voice sharp as she looked at him.Zac’s grip didn’t loosen. Instead, his eyes darkened as he warned, “Don’t you dare, Bella. Or else… I’ll make you regret it.”There was a cold finality in his tone as he released her. She yanked her hand back, twisting her face in rage.“Really? Because of… that woman? Who is she? What’s her family name, anyway?” Bella spat, her voice dripping with
Mia paused, her gaze still fixed on Zac, uncertain whether to believe him. Then, out of nowhere, Zac’s expression shifted. His lips twitched before he burst into laughter. “You should see the look on your face,” Zac said, his voice light and amused. Mia blinked, her mouth slightly open. “That’s… not funny, sir,” she replied, shaking her head, though a hint of a smile crept onto her lips. Zac chuckled and pulled a second key from his pocket. “Relax. I was just kidding.” She exhaled sharply, finally allowing herself to smile. “What a bad joke,” she muttered. Zac grinned, unfazed, as the hotel porters approached with their luggage. They moved efficiently, unloading the bags and arranging everything for their respective suites. When the porter led Mia to her room, she followed with curious anticipation. Zac's suite was certainly luxurious, the finest that the hotel could provide. However, when she entered her own room, she was astonished. The suite was much more lavish than she ha
By the time Angelo got to the tech corner behind the stage, Jonathan was already there—his face red with panic. He was yelling at the tech crew, who were hunched over a console blinking with error lights.“Take it down!” Jonathan barked. “Get the damn video off the screen! Now!”“We’re trying, sir!” one of the tech guys snapped, fingers flying over the keyboard. “It’s not responding—system error keeps flashing. It’s like a virus or something, an override! The damn thing won’t shut down!”Jonathan cursed, then stepped back with wild eyes. He grabbed a thick cord running to the display hub. He yanked at the wires, pulling one loose.A small spark flew, and the large screen in the main hall went dark.A collective gasp echoed from the hall, but the damage had already been done.An alarm started to wail in the distance—soft at first, then louder. Security teams moved in with accuracy, their earpieces crackling. VIP guests were already being ushered out a side exit, leaving the remaining g
It was the day of the product reveal.Mia was already dressed—flare black trousers, a tucked-in blouse, and her red Zandawoo lipstick perfectly set. Her face was bare but glowing, hair pulled into a sleek low ponytail.She moved around the condo with quiet focus, checking her bag again, even though she’d already packed everything twice.Zac sat at the kitchen island in his loose lounge pants and a white tee, sipping coffee with one hand, scrolling through emails with the other. He looked up when she walked past with her coat draped over her arm.“You’re leaving already?” he asked, brows pulling together.Mia paused at the door, her clutch in hand. “Yeah. The hotel’s closer to the venue. I just want to settle in there before everything kicks off.”“And Angelo?” Zac’s raised a brow.She gave a short nod. “He’ll pick me up from there.”Zac looked down at the coffee in his hand. “Right. Makes sense.”“See you around,” Mia said, offering a small smile. “And don’t be late.”“Wait,” he said
It had been days since the studio incident, and they hadn’t had any more fights—just existing in silence.Zac hadn’t tried to provoke her since. He kept to himself, stayed in his lane, and gave Mia the space she seemed to need. But that didn’t mean he was okay. Not even close.Mia had thrown herself into work—meetings, fittings, even calls at odd hours. She was hardly ever home, and when she was, she barely spoke unless she had to.Zac, on the other hand, was knee-deep in preparations for his grandfather’s handover.After Charles returned from his yearly checkup abroad, everything had become more real. The old man had confirmed it—Zac would be named chairman of the ZIRCONS Group.They were both busy. But being busy didn’t mean they should keep living like this.That morning, Zac stepped out of his bedroom just as Mia was locking hers. She was already dressed—high-waisted jeans, a cropped black top, and sunglasses perched on her head. The kind of casual that still looked like a stateme
As soon as the car door slammed shut behind her, Mia didn’t even bother to click on her seatbelt. “What the fuck was that?” she spat, turning to him. “Seriously—what the actual fuck?!” Zac’s hands gripped the steering wheel tighter. Samantha sat in the back seat, silent, her eyes darting between them, not saying a word. “Mia, calm down,” Zac said, trying to keep his voice even. “Calm down?” she repeated, a sharp laugh escaping her lips. “You show up at my shoot uninvited, crash the set—and you want me to calm down?” “I was just trying to be supportive,” Zac said, his jaw tense. “Supportive? By bringing a food truck?” Her voice rose. “That’s not support, Zac. That was out of line.” “What else could I have done, huh?” His voice cracked, eyes still fixed on the road. “You think other women wouldn’t love this?” His voice was low, biting. “You embarrassed me,” she muttered, more quietly now. “That might be cute to other people. But I’m not other women. I’m Mia Williams.
“Beautiful, Mia,” the photographer directed. “A little more, a little to the left. Perfect.” Click! “Nice. Now raise your arm a little… Yes, just like that.” The camera clicked again, capturing her every movement.The studio was alive with energy, team members moving around, adjusting lights and equipment. Mia stood in front of the arranged background, the lights flashing on her as she struck one pose after another. “You’re absolutely killing it, Mia,”Jonathan said with a grin, moving closer to her. “No way you’re telling me this is your first time.”“Thanks, Jonathan,” Mia said, smiling as a rush of pride warmed her—though her mind wandered for a moment. She glanced at the clock on the far wall. It was almost noon.She had promised herself she’d check on Zac during her lunch break, but time was ticking away, and she hoped she wouldn’t be too late.The crew took a short break, giving Mia a moment to relax and refocus. She sipped from her water bottle, her fingers tapping nervously ag
After a week at the penthouse—always buzzing with voices, assistants, and too many walls listening—they finally returned to Zeus Skyline. It was private, exactly what they both needed. Where they could figure things out without a world interfering. Zac loved it here. He believed Mia did too. No pressure, no pretending. Just two people, married now, trying to breathe in the same space. Zac had been up for a while, tablet in hand, but he hadn’t done much. He was supposed to check in on some site reports, go over the team’s weekend progress—but his mind drifted too often. Then came the familiar shuffle of feet. Mia emerged from her room, her steps light on the smooth floor. Her hair was hidden under a bonnet, and a pale gray robe cinched around her waist. Without a word, she padded toward the water dispenser in the kitchen. Zac watched her from the corner of his eye as she filled her cup with water. She didn’t look at him. Not at first. Then came her voice—gentle, a little hesitant.
The ride home wasn’t as chatty as Mia expected.Zac, the same man who had praised her all morning, now sat silent beside her in the back seat. He stared out the window, his arms folded, jaw tight. Something felt different, and she could feel it.They were already close to their estate gates when Mia finally broke the silence.“Zac… are you alright?” she asked, turning to him.“Yeah, sure,” he replied without looking her way.But he couldn’t help it. The question came anyway.“Who was that guy?”Mia blinked. “You mean, Jonathan?”“How come I’ve never heard of him before?”She gave a small shrug. “He’s not important. Just someone I knew from way back.”“Not important,” Zac echoed, voice sharp. “But now he’s suddenly important enough to say things like, ‘I can’t wait to work closely with you again.’” His tone was dry, tinged with something more than irritation.Mia sighed, lightly touching his arm. “Zac, really? Jonathan and I barely even talked in high school. We only worked on a scienc
“Mia, are you ready?” Zac’s voice drifted through the bedroom door, followed by a light knock.Mia, still tucked away in the walk-in closet, sat in front of a vanity table, gently dusting blush across her cheekbone. “Don’t you dare come in here,” she called out.“I wasn’t planning to,” he replied dryly. “But you could’ve told me to call the stylist if we were going to take this long.”“I never asked you to join me, did I?” she shot back. “Why are you trying to pressure me? It’s not even time yet.”“As a businesswoman now, you should know the importance of punctuality,” he countered, already turning toward the hallway. “I’ll be downstairs. Call me if you need anything.”She heard his footsteps fade away.Still in the closet, Mia stood before the full-length mirror, adjusting the fit of her outfit—an oversized, slouchy sweater in deep slate-blue that fell just below her hips. The relaxed style complemented a pair of sleek, high-waisted black jeans that hugged her legs and ended just
Zac saw it too, but he said nothing—just shifted slightly in his chair, then gestured toward the bedroom with a subtle lift of his chin.“You should take it,” he said in a neutral tone. “It might be important.”Mia blinked, surprised by his calmness. “It’s fine. I can call him once we’re done.”Zac didn’t answer immediately. He just leaned back in his chair, looking down at the laptop again. “I’m also in the middle of something, so run along.”She waited a bit, searching his face for any trace of resistance, but there was none. He was calm. Mature. Composed.She nodded, gently straightening up. “I’ll just… go inside.”Zac didn’t respond. His eyes had already returned to his laptop, though his fingers weren’t typing anymore.She slipped away, robe brushing softly against her thighs as she padded back into the bedroom. The call connected before the door even closed behind her.“Angelo?”“Hey.” His voice was warm, calmer than she remembered. “I hope I didn’t wake you.”“No, I was up.” S