"I want to see the face that you consider ugly," Max said, smiling as he gazed at Zoe's face.Zoe felt like she was dying as Max continued to stare at her. Max's eyes rolled, focusing on a spot on Zoe's nose, but that was it.Zoe's heart, initially pounding with panic, slowly calmed and shrank when she didn't see any sign that Max recognized her.Apart from her currently reddened face, Zoe's makeup could be considered heavy—far from her usual simple self. But the freckles on her cheek and nose didn't reflect the real Zoe, as her face used to be clear and flawless."I don't see any flaws here. You don't need to be embarrassed to take a photo with me." Max released Zoe's chin, and of course, Zoe instinctively stepped back.[Sorry, but I am really embarrassed.]Zoe wrote it with trembling hands, fortunately still managing to write it correctly.Max laughed again. "You're so cute," he said."Let's do this. I'll give you my phone number. If you want a more private photo session, just conta
"Have you already woken up? I want to ask you something."Zoe just yawned and wanted to go back to sleep, but reluctantly opened her eyes upon hearing that.Zoe turned and was surprised to see Wolf still sitting beside her. He was still not wearing any clothes, judging by his exposed waist, but he was modestly trying to cover half of his body with a blanket. Zoe noticed a snake tattoo circling his waist. And this was the second time Zoe saw Wolf in bed upon waking up.Zoe pulled the blanket closer, furrowing her brow and raising her hand. She wanted to know why Wolf had awakened her."I want you to hear something and tell me your opinion."Wolf took one of the earphones out of his ear, handing it to Zoe, who immediately put it on. But she asked Wolf for a moment to ask a question, grabbing her phone first.[Why do I have to listen to this?] Zoe wanted to know."You ask too many questions. Just listen." Wolf pushed away Zoe's phone and played a video on his own phone.A song and a pers
"Sara works for my company. Almost all the artists under Wolf consult with her regularly, if needed."Wolf explained as they walked into the building where the psychiatrist's office was located. Not far from Wolf's building—Wolf's own company. The company's name was the same as his own, and it momentarily confused Zoe.[What's your real name?] Zoe asked as they ascended to the tenth floor. Zoe just wanted to distract her panicking mind with a light conversation."You know Wolf isn't my real name?" Wolf frowned.[I'm sure any mother in this world wouldn't name their child after a wild animal.]Wolf chuckled as he read Zoe's writing. "I thought Wolf sounded cool. I chose it carefully."[No. You just chose it to look scary.]"But I am scary, aren't I? I chose that name because my real name is not scary at all. It's too clever."Zoe wanted to know what he meant by a clever name, but they had already entered the psychiatrist's room.Zoe read the name on the door. Sara Salgado. Seeing her n
"Venti caramel ribbon crunch frappuccino, extra banana, extra sprinkles, extra caramel, extra whipped cream, extra ice, extra cinnamon topping, and seven pumps of black caramel sauce."Zoe looked at Sara, who was ordering a colorful drink, with her mouth wide open. She only needed two words to order her drink earlier: warm Americano.The barista behind the counter remained unfazed; she was accustomed to such situations. She even smiled as she handed Sara her vibrant order and Zoe's plain black one."Let's sit over there."Sara pointed to a corner of the coffee shop's patio, and they sat down. The weather was cold, but bearable. What wasn't bearable for Zoe was how Sara could casually consume—eat?—her colorful order with a spoon.Due to the excessive extras, Sara couldn't just sip her drink; she had to use a spoon.[Is our session over?] Zoe asked, writing it on the colorful, cat-shaped sticky note Sara had given her.Sara didn't want Zoe to answer via text but to write it on the stick
"Wolf?""Hm?" Wolf removed the headphones from his head. Becca waved her hand in front of his face to get his attention."What's up?" Wolf hissed. He didn't like interruptions when he was working in the studio, especially during the final stages of deciding whether a song was ready for release or not.This process took time because Wolf was very meticulous—not hesitant to ask for re-recordings or remixing if he wasn't satisfied. Wolf demanded high concentration and despised interruptions halfway through.For almost a week now, Wolf hasn't left the studio, conducting a marathon quality check of many songs scheduled for release next month. His patience was at an all-time low."That Bitch is here."Becca felt no remorse for the interruption; in fact, she cursed whoever it was that came, as anyone earning that nickname was someone she despised."Which Bitch?"However, Wolf couldn't comprehend, as Becca had a long list of people earning that title. Even Iris had called her that when she wa
Sara snorted."If that's her only trauma, she wouldn't be mute. It's another psychological issue. If it's just falling down the stairs, she'll probably be afraid of heights or never climb stairs again in her life. Her muteness isn't because she fell down the stairs. It represents another kind of pain, probably related to a man. Shit! I shouldn't have told you that!"Sara is sharing too much. She shouldn't have mentioned the possibility of a man hurting Zoe."What kind of man?" Wolf, of course, didn't understand. Sara waved her hand, not wanting Wolf to bring up the topic of men again."Look. I just want to say that Zoe's issues might not be easy to handle because she won't open up to me. But that's the core of the problem. She's holding something in, keeping the pain or whatever it is inside her. I won't be able to help her unless she starts opening up herself.""And you're giving up?" Wolf would be disappointed if Sara was truly giving up."I am not giving up, but I need your help. S
Zoe complained because the recording she took a few days ago required a lot of editing. In addition to cutting Max's voice to keep Iris calm, there were also many other voices of people present in the gym at that time.Due to being too focused on Iris, Zoe didn't really notice the presence of many people gathering because of the incident. They were mostly whispering, and of course, it was disturbing because the phone's microphone would pick up all the surrounding sounds. There was a part where Cleo dispersed them, but it was after the final part.Zoe wanted to clarify Iris's voice and remove other voices to make it clearer, but she didn't have the ability to do that. Before Billy found them, Zoe's experience using social media to promote Max and herself allowed her to use video editing to blur faces. But for the voice part, it's usually Max's job. Zoe regretted not participating in working on that part, so she had little knowledge now.Zoe leaned back, supporting her cheek with her ha
"Okay, what confuses you?" Clay asked while sipping the newly delivered blue cocktail.As requested by Clay, they were at the most ordinary bar, where the patrons were genuinely there for company and diverse cocktail offerings. They sat in a corner with a sofa for a more relaxed conversation."How do you make a woman comfortable?" Wolf asked.This time, Clay really spit out the drink he was sipping, causing Wolf to grimace as some droplets landed on the back of his hand."That's disgusting, Clay!" he complained."You dragged me here just to ask that?" Clay used a tissue to clean his lips and clothes."Yeah, you know the answer, right? I want specific details. I don't want broad strokes. Attention and understanding—I don't want answers like that. I want clear examples!" Wolf demanded specificity because if it was just a global answer, Sara had already covered everything earlier. Wolf wanted clear examples.Clay stared at Wolf in amazement. He never imagined such a question would come f
"LORIA MOREAU!"Zoe froze. She heard her name, but couldn't believe it was hers."Wake up, baby. And smile. It’s yours."Wolf's whisper finally stirred emotions in Zoe. She blushed with emotion, only able to stand when Wolf helped her. Unfortunately, Wolf couldn't escort her to the stage.Luckily, Syanne's hand was there to assist her, followed by Jacob, who was closest to the stage, helping her navigate the stairs to reach the top.Zoe expressed her gratitude several times to the person presenting her award before finally standing in front of the microphone to deliver her speech.Zoe took a few deep breaths, wiping away tears, before finally being able to address the camera and the patiently waiting audience."This is something I never dreamed of, standing here and receiving this." Zoe glanced down at the trophy in her hands once more and smiled."I... I once buried this dream. I no longer hoped to sing, let alone receive this. Not long
Zoe did something that Wolf would not like. She wouldn't lie, but she would inform him later, once the task was complete. Zoe wants to handle this herself without anyone else's interference.Of course, it's not easy. She walks with an anxious heart. Zoe adjusts her sunglasses several times on her nose, while her other hand carries a beautiful pink flower and gift box.Zoe feels anxious, knowing that people will recognize her when she enters later. But she's resigned. It's not possible to hide her identity now, considering the person she's going to meet.Approaching the counter after filling out a form with the prisoner's name and number, Zoe submits it."Please wait over there. We'll call you," says the prison guard behind the counter.He stares at Zoe several times as another guard checks Zoe's belongings—making sure no contraband is smuggled, glancing to confirm—even reading her name on the form but doesn't comment.Relieved—because
"Here." Wolf handed the cup to Zoe.Zoe wanted to take it, but her hands were still busy responding to messages on her phone."Cliff really doesn't have a girlfriend, does he?" Zoe asked."Hm? Why are you asking?" Wolf asked suspiciously."For Sara. She wanted to confirm this because she doesn't believe someone like Cliff is still single.Zoe sighed, showing the message Sara sent to her. Showing that she wasn't lying. She was indeed asking for Sara, not for herself."Not yet. According to Clay, he used to have one—a journalist or an MC, if I'm not mistaken. But they broke up when Cliff was about to move here. Either he moved and then they broke up, or they broke up and then he moved."Wolf just repeated Clay's words, of course. And now Zoe repeated them in the form of a message to Sara and sent it to reassure her."How do you know these details?" After sending the message and taking her cup, Zoe asked in amazement. The knowle
"Should have been in jail..."Max denied reality once again. For him, Loria still couldn't possibly be Zoe because she should have been in jail."You're endlessly foolish!" Billy slammed the table and went berserk.He grabbed Max by the collar with his handcuffs. Of course, chaos ensued immediately, and shouts erupted as the police guarding the area rushed in to subdue Billy, pinning him to the ground.But evidently, Billy was truly furious with Max, as he continued to resist and curse at Max even while being held down."YOUR STUPIDITY KNOWS NO BOUNDS!""SILENCE!"The judge's thundering voice overshadowed Billy's outburst. Not only Billy fell silent, but also the journalists and spectators who were making noise."Once again, if anyone disturbs me, I will reschedule this trial! UNDERSTOOD?!"The silence in the room signified that they all understood."Take him out. Mr. Dacosta, I'll make sure your charges include this incident. Assaul
The prosecutor began with standard questions, asking about Sara's background—education, how long she had been a psychiatrist, and so on. Only after that did she mention Zoe."Since when has Ms. Zoe Anderson been your patient?" the prosecutor asked."For over a year," Sara replied clearly. Gone was the cheerful demeanor she usually wore when facing patients."Can you explain Ms. Anderson's condition at that time?""Zoe came with a desire to heal because she suffered severe trauma that was very visible and prevented her from leading a normal life.""Could you please explain more about that trauma?"Sara nodded calmly because everything matched the expectations given by Cliff."Zoe came in a state where she couldn't speak, but medical examinations showed that Zoe didn't have any physical injuries anymore. The absence of any disturbances in her nerves confirmed that her inability to speak was a result of PTSD. Severe trauma due to a bad incident
"That's... Strange. You must be kidding!" Iris shook her head vigorously while staring at Zoe from head to toe, trying to recognize her as the same person she saw before with Max."Have I ever joked when talking to you?" Wolf replied flatly, pulling a chair for Zoe. The chair is furthest from Iris. She was still at a loss for words and kept staring at Zoe."Are you really Zoe Anderson?" Iris continued to stare at Zoe."Yes, before I changed my name to Loria Moreau, that was also my name." Zoe replied calmly. The apprehension that had plagued her earlier had vanished.The meeting with Iris might have been unexpected and almost annoying, but Zoe felt empowered, knowing that she was currently in control.Seeing Iris's surprise, Zoe felt satisfaction. A victory for successfully showing her new self to Iris. Zoe was no longer the disheveled individual she had encountered, who garnered disdain due to her perceived inferiority."That's impossible! You don't lo
Zoe smoothed her cream-colored skirt and blazer. Darcy's choice, so Zoe wouldn't appear intimidating or grim.She felt nervous, as she could see from a distance how journalists were crowding in front of the courthouse. They were undoubtedly waiting for the enigmatic figure of Zoe Anderson. There were no images of Zoe in the news because there was no documentation of Zoe's case.Due to her prior injuries and hospitalization, Zoe did not attend the trial as a suspect. No one recorded her face or bothered to find out at the hospital because the case clearly made her a suspect.Zoe also ran her fingers through her hair, which was back to being blonde. She wasn't wearing a wig today. It was the first time she would appear without her black hair, and honestly, it made Zoe even more nervous. It felt like she was removing the mask that had protected her. Zoe would be Zoe in front of everyone, no longer Loria.Wolf, who had been observing Zoe's nervousness, said, "Your be
"He's trying to save himself! So cunning!" Wolf hissed irritably.It was clear from Iris's statement that she only wanted to save herself by blaming Max and Billy."She made them look like she was under pressure to hide the truth about Zoe. Iris then used that pressure as an excuse to justify all her strange actions. She hid from her mistakes by using mental health as an excuse." Sara shook her head, looking annoyed. She was obviously upset when someone used mental health as a lie."She managed to escape using a lifeboat before her ship really sank." Cliff looked at Iris, who continued to sob and cry amidst her words."It doesn't matter. Let it be," Zoe said, folding her arms and staring at the television without blinking."What do you mean, let it be? She's lying again!" Wolf also pointed to the television with a disapproving face."At least she has been honest, especially about me. Whatever she said makes things right; just let it be," Zoe repeated.
"Why so fast?" Zoe stared at the summons she had received in panic.When Benson mentioned that she would receive a summons to attend court, Zoe assumed the trial would take place maybe around one or two months later, but it turned out to be only three days later and effective in two days."I think Benson waited until his file was complete before calling you. That's why now he just has to submit it to the court, and the schedule comes down immediately," Cliff explained. He took the letter from her hand to examine it."I only have to come once, right?"Zoe asked to confirm, as she really didn't want to attend the trial multiple times."Yes, that's why I asked to meet with the psychiatrist who treated you. I need to ask them to answer questions about your condition well. They have to give the right answers for the judge to grant the request," Cliff explained today's plan."I think they'll be here soon. She said they still had a patient earlier,