“Noah, I'm so sorry,” Leah pleaded over the phone. Her voice was a blend of desperation and guilt as she tried to bridge the gap that had grown between them.Noah remained silent. The pause on the other end of the line stretched uncomfortably, but Leah could hear his breathing; a quiet reminder that he was still there, still listening, even if he didn't utter a single word.“Please say something. I miss you. I miss us,” Leah said, her voice calm and soft, insistent. “What has come over you, Noah?”“Me? I'm the problem, huh? You toss me about like I mean nothing. Like I'm just indispensable,” Noah said, his voice sounding frustrated.“You mean everything to me, Noah. You're my best friend. I couldn't afford to lose you,” Leah said sincerely.Noah was pleased to hear that. However, he longed for more. But he wouldn't push it. It had to flow naturally. He and Leah should be together, he believed. “I'm sorry I left the way I did knowing you had just discovered something as important as t
Jeremy glared at Sarah, his expression a mixture of disdain and suppressed anger. The woman standing before him was once the center of his world, someone he had loved deeply and trusted completely. Now, she was nothing but a painful reminder of betrayal. “You stopped being a friend the moment you betrayed me. Now, unless you have something useful to say, I suggest you leave,” Jeremy said,his voice firm and authoritative.Her smile faltered, but she quickly recovered. “I came to talk about Conrad.”“Conrad?” Jeremy repeated, his interest piqued despite himself. “What about him?”Sarah hesitated, glancing at the door to ensure it was closed. “He’s planning something, Jeremy. Something big. And it involves your company.”Jeremy narrowed his eyes, his mind racing. He knew that though. “Why are you telling me this? What’s your angle?”Sarah sighed, a flicker of vulnerability crossing her face. “Let’s just say… I’ve realized I made some mistakes. Big ones. And I want to make things right.”
Noah tracked and found Sarah. He pretended to accidentally bump into her. Her bag fell off, the contents scattered on the ground. Noah helped her pack her things from the floor, scanning through every item, his fingers moving swiftly, yet deliberately. “I'm so sorry,” he apologized. “Get lost, you loser,” Sarah yelled, her voice sharp as she quickly grabbed her bag and got up. She walked into a car and kissed the man who was in the driver's seat, before the car zoomed off. Noah figured the man must be Conrad. Noah quickly hopped on his scooter and drove away too, but he didn't follow the car. He stopped by a flower shop and bought a bouquet of flowers. Then he called Leah on the phone. “Hey. Can you come out?” Noah asked when Leah answered the phone. “Sure. You found something? Leah inquired. “Yeah. Let's meet at the usual spot,” Noah said. “See you shortly,” Leah replied and hung up. She quickly slipped into a fine simple silk gown, parked her hair up and zoomed off.
“Ugh!” Jeremy screamed from pain and frustration and anger. But what was he even angry about? He couldn't understand where his anger had stemmed from. He had been anxious, excited to come home, to Leah, but now… what was even wrong with him?Leah was startled by the outburst and rushed to help him. “Are you okay?”Jeremy shrugged his hands off her shoulders. “I'm fine, I'm fine. I can manage on my own,” he said, his tone a bit harsh.Leah took a step back, confused and slightly hurt. Still, she was impressively shocked by what she'd earlier seen. “I saw you…. standing? Jeremy, you did it!” Leah said excitedly.But Jeremy's expression was anything but. He struggled to adjust himself and when Leah attempted to help him, he turned away. “Don't worry, I can manage on my own.”“Our contract has been on for a little over two months now, huh?” Jeremy asked.The question sprung from nowhere and Leah couldn't fathom. “Have I done something wrong?” she asked him.“No, you haven't. I'm only tryi
Big Margaret had been discharged from the hospital and was at home resting now. However, her driver had lost his job. He had been too reckless with her car and her life, so she settled him and fired him.Then she made a few calls, requesting that she needed a replacement as quickly as possible. The salary was very attractive.“Hello, Sarah. I have been trying to reach Conrad. Is he with you?” Big Margaret asked when Sarah picked her phone call. Sarah sighed, clearly annoyed by something.“Yeah, just a minute,” Sarah said and went to hand over the phone to Conrad. “There's a call for you.”Conrad looked surprised. “Who's it?” He asked.“Here, please,” Sarah handed him the phone almost aggressively, hissing.Big Margaret rolled her eyes. She didn't have time for any lovebird fights, and there was work that needed to be done.Conrad hesitantly spoke. “Hello?”“Conrad. You two are fighting again? About what this time?” Big Margaret asked just out of courtesy and curiosity.“Please ignore
Leah woke up exhausted the next morning. She had cried all night. Her eyes were swollen from too much crying. She just laid in bed, too tired to get up or do anything.Maggie and Jeremy were on her door, knocking, but she wouldn't open up. She was just too weak to get up; to even carry on. It felt like the weight of her shoulders was on her. She thought about her mom whose life had changed drastically since she was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis. Her mom was a warrior. Jeremy and Maggie looked at each other, their expression worrisome. “Is she in there?” Jeremy asked.“Yes, she is,” Maggie replied.“You're certain?” Jeremy asked again, to be sure, and Maggie nodded. “Get me the spare key. I hope she's okay.”Maggie rushed to get the spare key, but by tge time she came back, she heard silent sobs from Leah's room. She looked at Jeremy who confirmed he could hear it too.“I think we should give her some time alone. I could help you with anything you need for the time being,” Maggie
Jeremy had offered to drop Leah off and then go to the salon to fix his hair and beards. And then he'd pick her up and take her home. They were sitting at the back seat, quietly, while Jackson drove the car. “Since we'll just be quiet like this, could Jackson please play a good song?” Leah requested. Jeremy looked at her and looked way, facing his front. He didn't answer her. “Jackson, please play something good,” Leah said softly. Jackson glanced through the mirror. “Yes ma'am,” he said. Then he played “Piano Man” by Brandy. Leah's face lit up. “An old song. I could sing the lyrics as a teenager. You listen to these songs too? I had expected something different in your playlists.” “Not my playlist,” Jeremy said and looked steadily at the window. “Jackson, it's yours?” Leah asked, surprised. Jackson smiled. “Yes, ma'am.” “You have “Long Distance?” Leah asked. “I do,” Jackson replied, his face covered with smiles. “Afrodisiac?” Leah asked again, enjoying the co
“Leah, after all this is over, we should take a photoshoot together, to celebrate our birthday in December this year,” Noah suggested. Noah and Leah shared the same birth date, 29th December. Noah was just born three years earlier. Their birthday had always been a special connection between them. Leah forced a smile. “Sure. When all this is over,” she said. Leah's mind was far. Far from birthday shoots. Jeremy was in danger too, and she couldn't bear the thought of it. “Noah, shouldn't we report this matter to the police? They can help save my dad before Big Margaret finally kills him. They killed her driver. They're after Jeremy too. Who knows how many more people they'll kill,” Leah said, fear and panic written all over her. “Leah, get a grip on yourself. We can't tell the police. We'll get arrested instead. Big Margaret has connections. She knows people, and I'm sure she has backings,” Noah explained, placing his hands firmly on her shoulders. “So does Jeremy. He has co
The low hum of the airplane filled the silence between Jeremy and Leah. The private jet flew through the night, taking Jeremy to a challenging situation he wasn't sure he could handle. He stared out the small oval window, watching the dark clouds swirl and the endless black stretch before him. His mind was filled with worrisome questions, none with answers he liked.His father.Alive.The man Jeremy had mourned, idolized, defended even when others accused. The same man who had once filled his childhood with warmth and strength… yet had also, in hidden shadows, betrayed his mother with Big Margaret — the woman who had caused more havoc than Jeremy could have ever imagined.If he had been alive all these years, why hadn't he reached out? Why had he allowed Jeremy and Maggie to suffer, to believe he was dead, to build their lives on lies and pain? Why had he joined forces with Margaret, forming something as monstrous as Ares Protocol?Jeremy closed his eyes briefly, exhaling slowly throu
The phone slipped from Jeremy’s fingers. He barely caught it before it hit the floor. His heart pounded violently against his ribcage, a deafening rhythm in the stillness of the office. He looked at Leah, his face expressed disbelief—shock. Perhaps he was hoping that she might confirm that this wasn’t real, that it was some cruel illusion crafted by his stressed mind."I... I don't understand you," Jeremy said finally, his voice rough and uneven, still battling the reality Maggie had just thrust upon him.Maggie's voice trembled through the speaker. "It's true, Jeremy. He's here… at the penthouse in Japan."Jeremy's lips parted, but no words came out. His hands tightened into fists at his sides. His wide, unblinking eyes stared through Leah, through the walls, through everything.His head was filled with thoughts.How?And if true, why?Why had the man stayed away all these years?Was he here now out of love and loyalty or was he plotting something sinister with those who had been tr
Jeremy frowned as he dialed Maggie’s number for the third time. Again, the call didn’t go through. The automated voice repeated, "The number you're trying to call is currently switched off. Please try again later."He pulled the phone away from his ear, staring at the screen like it would change the outcome."Her phone is still off," he said, puzzled.Leah turned to him from across the desk, arching a curious brow. “Maggie’s phone is off?”“Yeah. It's weird. Her phone is never off,” Jeremy muttered, eyes narrowing. “Something feels off. She always picks.”“Try again?” Leah suggested, though her voice lacked urgency. Her gaze had shifted. Like she was less focused on the problem at hand and more on him.Jeremy was about to dial again, but when he glanced up, Leah was staring at him… differently.Her head tilted ever so slightly, her lips parted just enough to reveal a hint of a sultry smile, and her eyes darkened with unmistakable mischief. Slowly, she rose from her chair and walked ar
Leah could perceive the sweet aroma of freshly baked croissants and sizzling eggs as she stepped into The Maple Grove, a quaint yet upscale eatery nestled between two tall buildings on Eastbourne Street. The morning rush hadn’t quite begun, so the place felt warm, inviting, and quiet—just as she remembered. It was the kind of place that offered comfort in chaos, and today, she needed that comfort.The hostess greeted her with a soft smile and recognition in her eyes. “Ms. Leah! It’s been a while.”Leah smiled back, her voice a little strained from the weight of everything she’d been carrying. “Yeah, it has. Just stopping by for breakfast.”“Jeremy not with you today?” the hostess asked, leading her to their usual corner table by the window.Leah shook her head. “No, he’s at the office. I’ll be taking some breakfast to him, too.”The woman nodded knowingly, placing the menu before Leah. “The usual?”Leah nodded. “Yes, please. Two of everything.”As she waited, she looked out the window
The morning sun shone brightly, lighting up the Fisher estate. The living room was quiet—a calm before a storm everyone could sense but couldn’t see. Leah sat at the edge of the sofa, her hands folded across her lap, trying to hide her nervousness.Jeremy stood by the window, staring out with a pensive look, his jaw tight. His phone buzzed on the table, and he glanced at it before ignoring the call. His mind was elsewhere, calculating, preparing.He turned and looked at Leah, concern evident in his eyes.“Sure you’re strong enough to go with them to the airport?” he asked gently, stepping toward her.Leah looked up at him, offering a small but determined smile. “Yeah, I am. Don’t worry.”She knew her body wasn’t in top shape as she was still recovering, but her spirit, her will, wouldn’t let her stay back. Not when the people she loved were being sent into hiding, even temporarily. She had to be there. She needed to see it for herself—that they were safe, that they got on the plane, t
Outside of town, in a secretive, quiet place, a lady was standing; waiting, her arms folded across her chest, her breath coming out in even mists as the evening chilled. The only sounds were the distant calls of birds settling in for the night and the subtle crunch of gravel beneath approaching footsteps.Clara appeared moments later, dressed in dark jeans and a loose sweater, her blonde hair tucked beneath a cap. She moved quickly, glancing over her shoulder every few seconds. Her heart was beating fast, but not from fear—at least not entirely. There was something else pulsing through her veins: adrenaline, purpose, the knowledge of what they were about to set in motion.The lady had a striking resemblance with Clara. Their face, height, complexion, everything. They were mirror images. The only difference was that she had sharper edges and a colder aura."Update," the woman said, her tone brisk, as though she wasn’t interested in pleasantries. Even her voice echoed Clara’s, but wit
Morning light came through the curtains, casting soft lines on the walls. Leah woke up, still feeling the effects of the previous night. She lay in bed for a few seconds, enjoying the warmth and Jeremy's gentle breathing—the faint scent of him lingering in the pillows.Slowly, she got up from the bed, careful not to wake him. She yawned as she sat upright, her bare skin kissed by the gentle chill of the room. It was then she realized she was completely naked, her breasts still standing and pointed; sensitively alive, a sweet reminder of how passionately they’d expressed their love just hours ago.Last night had been more than sex. It had been soul meeting soul, a temporary sanctuary from the chaos that constantly clawed at their lives. With Margaret’s evil still echoing through the walls, with betrayal and secrets swirling in every corner of Empire Hub, and possibly Fisher Enterprise, they'd found comfort in the only place that still felt safe: each other.Leah slipped into her silky
Leah had gone with Jeremy to see Ivan. “Please wait for me. Let me go in alone,” she said to Jeremy.“Okay,” Jeremy said without any argument.He trusted Leah so much, more than himself even. She was extremely smart and her gut feelings were usually right.Leah walked in and the warder went to bring Ivan out.Ivan couldn't look at Leah. He bent his head, avoiding her gaze.“Look at me,” Leah said, her tone firm.Ivan didn't look up.“Ivan, look at me, I said!” She sounded authoritative this time.“I can't. I'm too ashamed,” Ivan admitted, crying softly.“You were brainwashed. Big Margaret was very manipulative. I don't blame you, Ivan,” she paused and stretched her hands to his. “I'm getting you out of here, I promise.”Ivan finally raised his head up and looked at her, surprised at her words. She would help him after everything?Leah nodded as if she could hear his thoughts.— — —Jeremy was still being troubled about Clara or Claudia or whoever she was. She was an infiltrator and s
Jeremy was no longer himself. Always lost in thoughts, wondering who that lady, Clara, actually was, and where he'd seen her.Damn! Why couldn't he place the face? He surely had seen her before. The face… It was too familiar.And she wanted to work in his firm as his secretary? He couldn't trust her. No, he couldn't trust anyone. Not after everything they'd been through.His fingers moved reflexively toward the resume she’d left behind. He wanted to show it to Leah. Clara Dane. Age thirty-two. A flawless work history. Multiple firms, stellar recommendations, even a few accolades for administrative excellence. But no matter how pristine the paper trail looked, his instincts screamed that something was off. That woman… he knew her. Or he knew her face, her eyes, or maybe the energy she carried — like a polished blade hidden beneath silk.He snapped out of his daze when Jackson walked in, holding two cups of coffee and humming along to whatever was blasting in his AirPods.“Morning, boss