“Yes, Dad,” she replied, her voice steady but cautious. “It’s my passion. I’ve wanted this for years.” Seth dropped the tablet onto the desk, his temper flaring. “Passion? What about the family business? What about everything I’ve worked for?” “Dad, I told you years ago,” Celine said, her voice rising slightly. “I have no interest in working under the family name.” “But you agreed to the business courses I enrolled you in,” he snapped. “Dad—” “No!” he shouted, cutting her off. “You’re my last chance, Celine!” Seth stood up immediately, pacing the room. “Your sisters have already disappointed me—one playing dress-up with her fashion company, the other running off to teach art to children! Let’s not even start with Angela, who eloped with her boyfriend. But you… You’re the only one who could—” “Could what?” Celine interrupted, her composure cracking. “Give up my dreams to live the life you want for me?” She stood now, her voice rising. “Dad, I’ve told you before. I lov
It was a beautiful Saturday evening, the kind Mia had craved for weeks. She relaxed in her small living room, nestled between her mom, who sat on the couch absorbed in their favorite Mexican soap opera, and Samantha, settled on the floor with a bowl of popcorn. For once, the world felt distant, her problems tucked away in some unreachable corner. Her phone buzzed on the side table, pulling her out of her brief escape. She ignored it at first, letting it buzz again before finally glancing at the screen. It was Zac Cornell. Her heart sank as she closed her eyes briefly, inhaling to steady herself, then stood and walked toward the kitchen counter. She hesitated before answering, knowing Zac never called unless it was important—or inconvenient. “Hello, Sir,” she said, keeping her tone light, though her fingers tightened around the phone. “Mia,” Zac began, his voice calm and annoyingly smooth. “I have a file I need you to look at before you resume on Monday.” Mia blinked, caught
Mia stepped into the private dining hall, her steps careful and purposeful. The room was filled with subtle luxury, muted golden lighting bouncing off polished silver accents, complemented by the soft hum of a piano in the corner. Two waitresses stood by discreetly, their postures perfect, as if rehearsed. It was the kind of refined luxury that made her feel like an uninvited guest at a gala. Zac sat at the far end of the room, casually swirling a glass of wine, looking like a king in his domain. He looked up when she walked in, his eyes scanning her as if measuring her value. When Mia stepped closer, he immediately noticed her simple outfit—a satin skirt, blouse, and flat sandals. She was beautiful, as always, but woefully out of place. He smiled, leaning back in his chair as she approached. “Good evening, sir,” Mia said with a polite bow. “Sit,” he said sharply, not bothering to acknowledge her greeting. “Check the menu if you need something specific.” Mia hesitated, her ton
Mia stared at the door Zac had walked through moments ago, her irritation bubbling beneath her calm appearance. After a beat, she rose from her seat, intent on following him, but just as her fingers brushed the cool handle, it swung open. A tall man stood in the doorway, his broad shoulders nearly touching the frame. “Excuse me,” Mia said sharply, tilting her head to glare up at him. “The boss asked you to wait,” the man replied, his voice low and gravelly, as if it had been carved out of stone. Mia blinked, her confidence shaking “Wait? For what? Am I a prisoner now?” “I’m just following orders, ma’am,” he answered politely without moving a muscle. Mia huffed, crossing her arms. “Look, I understand, but I have other important things to do.” The man didn’t budge, his deep voice unwavering. “I suggest you wait.” She opened her mouth to argue but stopped, taking a good look at him. The man was built like defensive wall, solid and unyielding, and she knew fighting him would be poi
The morning felt crisp, the faint hum of birdsong filtering through the open window as Mia prepared for her first day at ZIRCONS Group. Her mother was already in the kitchen, preparing breakfast as usual to help her get ready before she left. It was just past 6 AM, yet Mia, who always woke up early, was already wearing a black dress—one of those Zac had purchased for her. She stepped into a set of two-inch heels, the gentle click of her shoes on the tiled floor resonating as she rushed out of the house. At 7:20 AM, Mia found herself in the impressive foyer of ZIRCONS Group’s headquarters, feeling a mix of confidence and worry.. Upon entering the lobby, the refreshing air-conditioning welcomed her, and she surveyed the lively area. She arrived at the reception area by 7:25 and was promptly guided to Zac’s main office on the top floor. The office itself was striking—modern yet understated. Zac’s office was spacious, featuring a big mahogany desk at its core and tall windows fr
Friday mornings at ZIRCONS Group were typically filled with hustle and bustle, yet Mia’s sole concern was making it through to the weekend. While sitting at her desk, her mind wandered to the key she had discovered in Zac's office recently. She hadn't bothered to unlock anything or discover where it was supposed to go. What if Zac was testing her or watching her every move?The risk wasn’t worth it. Her only desire was to finish her project, pay back Derrick’s loan, and escape this complicated situation. Her phone vibrated on the desk, pulling her out of her thoughts. It was a text from Angelo.“Hey, Mia. Sorry I didn’t make it yesterday. Stuck in Rome longer than expected. I’ll clarify everything shortly. Take care of yourself, alright?”Her chest tightened. Angelo always knew how to weave warmth into his words, even from miles away. For a fleeting moment, she let herself miss his presence—the way he made her laugh, even when her world felt dark.But reality was quick to intrude.
Angelo’s texts to Mia had gone unanswered for hours. At first, he told himself she was probably busy—work could run late, or maybe she just needed space. But as the evening stretched on, a gnawing worry crept in. This wasn’t like her.Sitting in his apartment, he scrolled through his message thread with her:Hey, I’m back in town. Let’s catch up soon?Mia?You okay?No response.Her silence wasn’t intentional, but the weight of the day—her mom’s reckless mistake and the looming debt to Derrick—left her too drained to face anyone, even Angelo.Angelo tossed his phone onto the sofa, raking his fingers through his hair. He had just come back from spending weeks in Italy dealing with family issues, and all he desired was to hear her voice, to ensure she was alright. Yet with each minute that passed, his discomfort grew.Grabbing his phone again, he dialed her number. Straight to voicemail. Again.He exhaled deeply, walking around the room. “Where on earth are you, Mia?” he whispered unde
The first thing Mia felt was the coziness of a gentle duvet enveloping her tightly. The mattress underneath her was soft, much more comfortable than her own. Gradually, her eyelids opened to the warm pendant light hanging on the ceiling. She blinked, her head heavy, as blurry memories of the previous drifted through her mind. She had been at the bar. Somehow Angelo was there, was he? For a brief period, everything seemed like a dream, fragmented and unreal. However, as she brushed her fingers against the duvet and sat upright, reality hit her. This was not her room. Her eyes scanned the strange surroundings. The interior was simple but graceful, featuring off white walls and a carefully arranged dresser. She looked down at herself and halted. She had on a baggy white shirt, obviously not hers. Her heart raced. Swinging her legs off the bed, Mia paused momentarily before rising. The shirt reached her mid-thigh, excessively oversized for her small figure. Her exposed feet made conta
Zac took another step back, glancing around. The air felt strange now—charged, tense, awkward.He shoved his hands into his pockets—partly to steady himself, but mostly to hide the bulge in his pants. A clear reaction his body had to Mia.Security had done their job well. They moved fast, blocking the paparazzi before they could fully swarm, but a few had already captured the moment—high-quality shots from sharp angles before being forced back.There was no undoing it now. It’s not as if they hoped to.By morning, this would be everywhere.A step away, Mia remained silent, lost in thought; Maybe she overdid it. She should have pulled away first.If this was all just an act, then why had Zac kissed her like that?She stole a glance at him. Zac looked fine—composed, as if nothing had happened. Like he was a master at this.But Mia? She couldn’t even look him in the eye right now.Zac cleared his throat. “Shall we?”Mia only nodded, lowering her head as she slipped inside the car. Zac ex
“Seth invited us,” Sarah said.Mia’s brow arched. Seth?She turned, spotting him across the room, deep in conversation with an investor. Of course, he did.She had kept her family at a distance from the media—afraid of them seeing too much, of them getting tangled in something she wasn’t even sure she could handle herself. So what were his intentions in bringing them here?Sarah squeezed her shoulder gently. “We are proud of you, Mia.”She forced a small smile before checking her watch. “Oh, look at the time. The event’s almost over.” She turned back to them. “It’s getting late. You should start heading home. The house is far from here.”Sarah exchanged a glance with Fred before nodding. “Yeah. You’re right.”Mia let out a sharp breath as they finally left.*****************As the event wound down, Mia stepped outside, leaning against Zac’s car. The night air was crisp, a stark contrast to the warmth of the hall. She idly scrolled through her phone, letting the silence settle over he
The night of the product launch had finally come. Zac adjusted the lapels of his black tuxedo, the refined fabric sitting perfectly against his well-sculpted body. Every one of his tuxedos had a slightly different edge to it—similar in style, but never identical. He stood beside the Rolls-Royce Phantom, checking his watch. Any other night, his focus would be on the event—on the press, the investors, or his competitors. But not tonight. Not when he was waiting for her. And then Mia’s door creaked open. She came out of the house dressed to kill. Her outfit had been chosen days in advance, planned to the last detail. When Zac saw her, he suddenly forgot how to breathe. She wore a white, form-fitting gown, its smooth fabric hugging her in all the right places. Her brown hair was styled in a classy updo, revealing a generous amount of skin on her neckline. A single diamond earring caught the light, and her bold red lipstick—God help her—was perfect. So flawless that it felt almost ille
The weight of victory should have felt heavier in Angelo’s hands, but as he stepped out of the courthouse, the air around him felt strange—hollow, even. He had won. The court had ruled in his favor. His father’s empire was his. Yet, the moment his foot hit the pavement, he saw them waiting—his stepbrothers. Max, the eldest, stood at the forefront, arms crossed, his smirk barely concealed. Beside him, Romeo, the younger one, held a folder. Angelo barely had time to process the shift in energy before Max spoke. “Little brother,” he called, his tone amused. “Congratulations.” Angelo kept his face neutral, but his fingers twitched as they approached him. “This…” Max gestured lazily to the courthouse. “—is far from over.” Angelo took a breath, already exhausted. “I don’t want us to keep fighting. We can fix this—we’re family. We can make this work.” Max chuckled, shaking his head. “Family,” he repeated, dragging out the word like it amused him. “That’s rich—coming from a bastard
A few nights ago, just after Mia dropped Zac off at his condo after his birthday hangout, he stood still for a moment, watching as her car disappeared down the garage ramp. His mind was still half in the night—Mia's laughter, the chemistry between them—when the sharp click of heels echoed against the interlocked grounds.Then, in a flash, he turned.He saw Bella walking toward him as if she was on a catwalk, dressed in a fitted beige coat, knee-high boots, her usual confidence masking her expression.Her red-lipped smirk was the same as ever—sharp and tempting.“Hey, Zac,” Bella tilted her head slightly.Zac clenched his teeth. He was not in the mood for this.“What are you doing here?” His voice was low, his tone cold.Bella’s eyes crawled over him in slow motion, from the black jeans to the fitted t-shirt and sneakers. Her smirk faded just a little. “So, this is how you dress now?” She made a small, dismissive gesture. “Not bad, though.”Zac crossed his arms, already irritable. "Wha
Samantha cleared her throat, shifting to sit up properly. “Despite how this looks, the angle made it even worse.” Mia slowly exhaled, pressing her lips together. The photo was perfectly framed to spark rumors—Zac, leaning casually in his car park, Bella standing way too close, her hand resting on his chest. And then that smile. Not his usual charming, easygoing one, but just enough to stir unnecessary drama. Samantha nudged her gently. “So… are you going to ask him about it?” Mia shook her head, locking her phone and tossed it onto the couch. “Nope.” Sam blinked. “Why?” “Why should I?” Mia shrugged and got up. “Less than an hour ago, we were together and the next minute, he’s out there bonding with his ex.” Sam gave her a long, skeptical look. “Mia. Are you for real?” Mia turned with a blank expression. Samantha grinned. "You sound jealous or something." Mia raised an eyebrow and headed to the kitchen. "Me… nah." “Oh, you so are,” Samantha countered. “I am not,” Mia shot bac
“Hide your face all you want, but I can never forget the way you walk.”Derrick's gaze narrowed on her. His smile was thin, but his eyes burned with something mischievous.“Or the scent of your skin," he went on, moving closer."What do you want, Derrick?" Mia tightened her jaw. Her tone was even, but rage burned just below the surface.He took another step forward, tilting his head like he was amused. “Easy, baby. No need to get feisty.”“Don’t fucking call me that.” Her fingers curled into fists. “I don’t owe you anything. I’ve paid all my debts. So why are you here?”“I know. I’m not here for that.” His eyes swept over her outfit, taking in the way she carried herself—poised, classy, nothing like the Mia he once knew. A quiet laugh escaped him, shaking his head. “I just didn’t expect this.”Her frown deepened. “Expect what?”He gestured his hand vaguely. “You. Dating your boss.” His voice dipped into something taunting. “I thought you had more self-respect than that.”Heat flared u
Mia stood in front of the mirror, swiping a layer of gloss over her lips, when Samantha’s voice disrupted the silence.“So, let me get this straight.” Samantha leaned against the doorframe, “You say you’re being nice—because he needs emotional support, right?” Her brows lifted. “Yes?” Mia turned to meet her gaze.“Hmm… even after you woke up in his bed.”Mia sighed, pressing her lips together to even out the gloss. “And that was all. What’s there to lie about?”Samantha’s grin widened. “Oh, I don’t know. Maybe because you’re actually getting all dressed up for him at this time of the evening?” She checked her wristwatch. “Or should I just say goodnight now?”Mia rolled her eyes. “It’s just 6PM, Sam. I’ll be back.”“Uh-huh.” Samantha tilted her head. “That’s what you said yesterday, and guess where you woke up?”Mia picked up her purse, shaking her head. “It won't take long. I promise.”Samantha smirked. “Exactly, your famous last words.”Mia ignored her, and slipped out the door bef
Mia froze. Did Zac really mean that? Or was he just sleep-talking? For a moment, she let herself believe it was harmless—just a brief moment of comfort. Nothing more. “Okay,” she whispered, allowing herself to sink deeper into his embrace instead of pulling away. And the night passed in silence. ******** The next time Mia opened her eyes, the room was brighter. Not from sunlight—just the soft glow of morning creeping through the curtains. She inhaled sharply, and turned—but Zac wasn’t there. Alone in bed, she sighed, pushing her hair back. She reached for her phone on the nightstand—it was only 6:12 a.m. The sky was still a dull gray, the sun yet to rise. Groggy, she mumbled, “Jeez…” and pushed the duvet off. She was still in the same clothes from the night before. She was about to head to the guest room when a familiar smell made her stop. Something was cooking. Her eyes landed on Zac in the kitchen. He stood by the counter, dressed in a different outfit from last night