Kyla had known Nina all her life. Since the day her parents moved into the neighborhood, she, Nina, and Emma had been inseparable. They were often called the "3 Crazy Girls" because of their wild dreams and fierce determination to chase them. Emma wanted to be a famous fashion designer one day, while Nina dreamed of creating a wellness center for women. They’d all vowed to support each other, no matter what.In about 30 minutes, Kyla had showered, dressed, and was now sitting at the dining table, quickly finishing the meal Nina had prepared. Just as she took a last bite, her phone pinged. She glanced down to see a message from Andrew.“Hello, Kyla. It’s your savior,” the message read.Kyla rolled her eyes. “Savior? Please. He’s persistent, I’ll give him that.” A glance at the time in the corner of her screen sent her scrambling. Stuffing the last few bites into her mouth, she started gathering her things.“Whoa, slow down! You’re going to choke,” Nina chuckled, watching her.“I’m late
The locker room was a whirlwind of activity, filled with female bartenders adjusting their uniforms and applying last-minute touches to their makeup. The scent of perfume lingered in the air, heavy and cloying. At the center of it all stood Mrs. Gina, her imposing figure commanding the room like a general preparing her troops for battle. "So, ladies," Mrs. Gina began, her sharp eyes scanning the room, "you know the drill. Make sure they keep spending until their pockets are dry. Your job is to serve drinks to your customers and keep serving until they've spent everything." Kyla observed the other bartenders as Mrs. Gina delivered her speech. Some were tugging at their already short dresses, trying to make them even shorter, while others adjusted their tops to expose more cleavage. The sight made Kyla's stomach churn. It was one thing to endure flirtation from entitled billionaires, but to willingly provoke it felt degrading. While the others fussed over their appearances, Kyla tugg
The night was a mess, more than Kyla could handle. She had thought the worst was over after the incident with Mr. Benedict Choi at the bar, but now, she felt like everything was falling apart. After the staff meeting, Mrs. Gina made sure everyone left in pairs. Kyla walked with one of the bartenders, her mind racing. She couldn't shake the feeling that something bad was about to happen. Her colleague's building was close by, just a few blocks away from Kyla's apartment. As soon as her colleague went inside, Kyla hurried down the quiet street. Suddenly, a hand grabbed her arm and pulled her into a dark alley. "Think you can embarrass me like that?" Mr. Benedict's voice was full of anger. He pushed her against the wall, his grip tight and painful. Kyla's heart pounded. "Let me go!" she yelled, trying to break free. "You need to be taught a lesson," Benedict hissed. He grabbed at her dress, trying to rip it. "Help me!" Kyla screamed, kicking and fighting. At that moment, a car scr
Kyla stared at the ceiling in her small, dimly lit room, unable to sleep. Lately, her mind had been a battlefield, filled with thoughts she couldn't control. She sighed, reaching for her bag and pulling out two sleeping pills. She swallowed them quickly and lay back on her bed, hoping they would finally give her the rest she desperately needed.Minutes passed, and just as her eyes began to close, the door clicked open. Someone was in her apartment. Her heart raced for a moment before she caught a familiar scent-musky, rich, unmistakable. It was Reece.She felt him before she even saw him. His lips brushed against her neck, waking her fully from the light sleep. "I called, but it didn't go through," Reece murmured in his deep, velvety voice. "So I rushed over.""My phone's battery is dead," Kyla replied softly, her voice cracking. She turned to look at him and couldn't help but stare. Even after all this time, he took her breath away. Reece was tall, with a chiseled body that looked li
Kyla packed up her things, ready to leave the office for the last time. Her heart felt heavy, but she knew she had to do this. Walking out of Reece’s world was the only way to save herself from more heartbreak. But just as she reached the door, her phone buzzed.It was an email from HR.URGENT: Audit Review – Immediate Action RequiredHer breath caught. What the hell was this?Before she could even process, her office door swung open, and there stood Reece, looking sharp in his tailored suit, but his eyes were wild. "Kyla," he said, his voice calm but with a hint of urgency, "We have a serious problem with the company's audit. Something’s wrong, and I need you to handle it."Kyla stared at him in disbelief. “Now? I just handed in my resignation,” she said, keeping her voice steady.He moved closer, his presence filling the room. “Look, I don’t know what happened. Finance flagged some irregularities, and it’s bad, Kyla. If we don’t fix this, we’re talking millions. This could get ugly
The invitation came as a shock. Kyla had been working late again, trying to wrap up the audit issue when her phone buzzed. It was Reece’s mother.“Kyla,” Mrs. Hastings' voice was sharp and formal, as always. “I need you at the family house tomorrow morning at 10. Sharp.”Kyla felt her stomach twist. “Is there a problem, Mrs. Hastings?”A pause. "No. Just be there. It's important." Then the line went dead.Kyla stared at her phone, her heart racing. She knew Mrs. Hastings never did anything without reason, and whatever this was about, it wouldn’t be pleasant. There was no way she could refuse, though. Not with everything that hung over her.---The next morning, Kyla stood nervously in front of Reece’s family mansion. It was enormous, with tall gates and sprawling gardens. She felt out of place, her palms sweaty as she clutched her handbag. This was not her world—this was Reece’s, where people like her didn’t belong. But Mrs. Hastings had invited her personally. She had no choice but t
Kyla sat on the edge of her bed, staring at the plane ticket to London clutched in her hand. She had everything she needed to leave-an apartment waiting for her, a credit card with enough money to start fresh, and the knowledge that her parents would be taken care of. But no matter how much she tried to convince herself it was the right thing, her chest felt tight, suffocated by the weight of everything she was about to leave behind. Two more days. That's all she had left before she disappeared from Reece's life for good. Mrs. Hastings made it clear. And now, there was no turning back. Her phone buzzed. It was her younger sister, Emma. "Kyla!" Emma's voice was full of excitement. "I've got great news." Kyla pinched the bridge of her nose. "What now, Emma?" "I set you up on a date. Trust me, he's loaded. Not like Reece's family, but he's got money-cars, a couple of clubs, the works. You need a night out, sis. Stop moping around about work and whatever's going on in your head." Ky
Kyla spent the next day in a haze, her mind replaying every word, every touch from the night before. Reece's words, his desperate pleas, echoed in her head. He begged her to stay. She couldn't let herself believe it. She had spent so long convincing herself that he didn't care, that she was just another woman in his life-a pet. But now his words haunted her. "You're mine. You always have been." She shoved clothes into her suitcase, trying to focus on the task at hand. Her flight was tomorrow and everything was falling into place. The apartment in London was arranged, the credit card Mrs. Hastings had given her was ready to use, and all she had to do was leave. Simple. Yet, her heart felt like it was being torn apart with every step closer to the door. Kyla's phone buzzed on the dresser. She picked it up, glancing at the screen. A message from Emma. "Hey sis, still planning on going out tonight? You should meet this guy I know, he's super rich. Call me later." Kyla sig
The night was a mess, more than Kyla could handle. She had thought the worst was over after the incident with Mr. Benedict Choi at the bar, but now, she felt like everything was falling apart. After the staff meeting, Mrs. Gina made sure everyone left in pairs. Kyla walked with one of the bartenders, her mind racing. She couldn't shake the feeling that something bad was about to happen. Her colleague's building was close by, just a few blocks away from Kyla's apartment. As soon as her colleague went inside, Kyla hurried down the quiet street. Suddenly, a hand grabbed her arm and pulled her into a dark alley. "Think you can embarrass me like that?" Mr. Benedict's voice was full of anger. He pushed her against the wall, his grip tight and painful. Kyla's heart pounded. "Let me go!" she yelled, trying to break free. "You need to be taught a lesson," Benedict hissed. He grabbed at her dress, trying to rip it. "Help me!" Kyla screamed, kicking and fighting. At that moment, a car scr
The locker room was a whirlwind of activity, filled with female bartenders adjusting their uniforms and applying last-minute touches to their makeup. The scent of perfume lingered in the air, heavy and cloying. At the center of it all stood Mrs. Gina, her imposing figure commanding the room like a general preparing her troops for battle. "So, ladies," Mrs. Gina began, her sharp eyes scanning the room, "you know the drill. Make sure they keep spending until their pockets are dry. Your job is to serve drinks to your customers and keep serving until they've spent everything." Kyla observed the other bartenders as Mrs. Gina delivered her speech. Some were tugging at their already short dresses, trying to make them even shorter, while others adjusted their tops to expose more cleavage. The sight made Kyla's stomach churn. It was one thing to endure flirtation from entitled billionaires, but to willingly provoke it felt degrading. While the others fussed over their appearances, Kyla tugg
Kyla had known Nina all her life. Since the day her parents moved into the neighborhood, she, Nina, and Emma had been inseparable. They were often called the "3 Crazy Girls" because of their wild dreams and fierce determination to chase them. Emma wanted to be a famous fashion designer one day, while Nina dreamed of creating a wellness center for women. They’d all vowed to support each other, no matter what.In about 30 minutes, Kyla had showered, dressed, and was now sitting at the dining table, quickly finishing the meal Nina had prepared. Just as she took a last bite, her phone pinged. She glanced down to see a message from Andrew.“Hello, Kyla. It’s your savior,” the message read.Kyla rolled her eyes. “Savior? Please. He’s persistent, I’ll give him that.” A glance at the time in the corner of her screen sent her scrambling. Stuffing the last few bites into her mouth, she started gathering her things.“Whoa, slow down! You’re going to choke,” Nina chuckled, watching her.“I’m late
Kyla knew she didn’t have the luxury of being picky anymore. She opened her laptop and reluctantly applied for the job as a bartender. Less than five minutes later, her inbox chimed with an email. She’d been hired. They needed her at the bar by five for a brief interview, with her first shift starting at six. She also had to move into a smaller apartment today to save money, which made the day feel especially daunting.She hurried to her sister’s bedside, kissed her forehead, and left the hospital. Outside St. Blaise, she tried hailing a taxi, but they were all full. As she swung her arm, a sleek black Ferrari pulled up beside her. She looked up, surprised, as the window rolled down, revealing Andrew.“Hello again,” he said with a friendly smile. “Need a ride?”Kyla hesitated, glancing down the road. “It’s fine, I’ll just get a taxi. You must be busy.”“No taxis around here at this time,” Andrew insisted gently. “Come on, I’ll drop you off.”After a moment’s pause, she gave in. “If yo
“I’m fine. Thank you for what you did—you saved my life and my sister’s. I’ll pay you back, I promise,” Kyla said, gently brushing his hand away from her neck. She was still trembling, hoping to divert his attention elsewhere, but his gaze lingered on her neck, his fists clenched. “You’re bleeding. You should get that checked first. Forget about the money,” the mysterious man insisted. Kyla frowned. She hated owing anyone money or favors; she knew how easily they could turn against her. “I insist I’ll pay you back. $350,000 isn’t a small amount. Please, don’t refuse,” she replied, gripping his hands. He looked into her eyes, smiled, and seemed to understand her. “Of course. You can pay me back when you’re ready. I’m Andrew, but you can call me your savior,” he said, stretching his hand out to her. “Kyla. Kyla Reed,” she responded, shaking his hand with a light smile. She appreciated his help, but “savior” still felt a bit too much. They stood there, facing each other in awkward s
Kyla sighed, taking a deep breath as she checked her account balance. Balance $10,000 She ran a hand through her hair, leaning against the wall outside her sister's room, and began to cry softly. She couldn't hold back the tears. She couldn't call her parents or Reece for help either. How was she going to get out of this mess? After a while, with swollen red eyes and a runny nose, she rummaged through her bag for a handkerchief, her hand brushing past her purse. She suddenly froze. Opening the purse, she found the credit card Mrs. Hastings had given her to use in London. Her heart pounding with a glimmer of hope, she ran to the nearest ATM outside the hospital, swiping the card with a simple prayer. "Please work. Please, God, just this once." The screen displayed an error message. The card was blocked. Tears streamed down her face. She dialed Reece's number, but it didn't go through. She felt helpless. "Why didn't you confide in me, Emma?" Kyla thought, her heart aching. She m
Reece arrived at the airport just as Kyla was stepping into a taxi, but they missed each other by seconds. Running through the airport, Reece hurried to board the next available flight, unaware of how close he’d come to catching her.“Where to, Miss?” the taxi driver asked, eyeing Kyla in the rearview mirror as she settled into the back seat.“St. Blaise's Hospital. Please, hurry,” Kyla said, her voice tight with worry as she tried to steady her breathing.The drive felt painfully slow as her mind raced with countless worst-case scenarios. Emma was her only sister, her only true family, and her mind spun at the thought of why she might be in the ICU. Her chest tightened as her heart pounded faster, unwilling to imagine the worst.Finally, they arrived at the hospital, and the driver’s voice broke through her deep thoughts. “We’re here, Miss.”“Thank you.” Kyla handed him cash, barely registering his words as she dashed into the hospital. She ran to the receptionist’s desk, trying to s
Spending one last night with her dream man was all Kyla needed before leaving. In the early hours of the morning, Reece noticed that Kyla was not sleeping, just staring at the ceiling. He tugged her head closer to his chiseled chest."Can't sleep? Me too," Reece said, staring at her.She cleared her throat and closed her eyes, trying to force herself to relax, to keep her heart steady."Ignoring me now, huh?" Reece added, making her open her eyes."I'm not ignoring you. I just need to rest; you know it's hard for me to fall asleep," Kyla said, trying not to make eye contact with Reece. He gently planted a kiss on her forehead and wrapped his arms around her tightly until she could feel the steady beat of his heart. She took a deep breath, her heart aching as she realized this would be the last time she'd be in his arms."Promise me you'll never leave, that you won't even think about it," Reece said under his breath, his voice a vulnerable whisper."I promise," Kyla lied, her voice bar
Kyla spent the next day in a haze, her mind replaying every word, every touch from the night before. Reece's words, his desperate pleas, echoed in her head. He begged her to stay. She couldn't let herself believe it. She had spent so long convincing herself that he didn't care, that she was just another woman in his life-a pet. But now his words haunted her. "You're mine. You always have been." She shoved clothes into her suitcase, trying to focus on the task at hand. Her flight was tomorrow and everything was falling into place. The apartment in London was arranged, the credit card Mrs. Hastings had given her was ready to use, and all she had to do was leave. Simple. Yet, her heart felt like it was being torn apart with every step closer to the door. Kyla's phone buzzed on the dresser. She picked it up, glancing at the screen. A message from Emma. "Hey sis, still planning on going out tonight? You should meet this guy I know, he's super rich. Call me later." Kyla sig