***"Anastasia..." Maximilian's voice was hoarse, almost a whisper, before his lips finally touched hers.The kiss was soft, yet full of warmth. It was as if time stood still, just the two of them in the still night. Anastasia couldn't think. Her hand came up and touched Maximilian's chest, which was now so close to her. She could feel the man's heart beating as fast as her own.Maximilian deepened the kiss, holding Anastasia's face with both hands to make sure she didn't go anywhere. The kiss was slow but intense, as if he wanted to convey all the feelings that had been hidden.Anastasia finally closed her eyes and let herself get lost in the moment. She didn't understand why her common sense wasn't working this time. The man had hypnotized her.Maximilian looked at Anastasia, who was still stunned after their long kiss. Her face was flushed and her lips parted slightly, as if she wanted to say something, but no words came out. Anastasia stood stiffly, her eyes still glued to the ma
***Maximilian rode his motorcycle at a moderate speed, enjoying the cool night breeze that blew across his face. A few minutes ago, he had dropped Anastasia off at her apartment. Now he was alone on the road, but a sense of caution began to creep into his mind."Looks like someone is following me..." he thought, glancing in the rearview mirror. Behind him, another motorcycle seemed to be following at a considerable distance. The rider's black helmet hid his identity, but Maximilian could already guess who he was."Journalist, huh?" Maximilian grinned from behind the helmet. "It will be interesting to play him."With a quick movement, Maximilian picked up speed. The once quiet street was now the man's playground. The reporters following him tried to catch up, but Maximilian had already calculated all the possibilities. He knew these streets well - every curve, every turn, everything was memorized.The reporter behind him began to panic. He didn't want to lose track of the mysterious m
***"Have you heard today's news?" asked Anya.Elora nodded, "Yes. But I don't like the news. I want Anastasia's good name to be ruined and there's no place for her anymore.""We should pay the media more," Anya suggested."Yes, I'll ask Roger. He can certainly help us. Besides, I can't wait for the day when my first album comes out," Elora replied happily."But what if there's a problem?" asked Anya cautiously."What problem?""With all the songs on your new album. Anastasia will know right away that the songs on your album will be hers, songs she wrote herself," Anya replied a little worried."She won't be able to do anything about it. You've deleted everything, right?"Anya nodded. "I deleted it, even Anastasia doesn't have the files, but when the public finds out the truth, what then? We'll be finished."Elora laughed, she was never afraid, because now Anastasia's good name was already bad in the eyes of the public. "The public will be more on my side, Anya. Even if Anastasia des
***That night, the sky outside Anastasia's apartment was dark. Only a few streetlights illuminated the deserted sidewalk. Maximilian stepped into the apartment building, tired after a long day of work due to the many projects he would be working on abroad. He took a deep breath, trying to get rid of the fatigue that had been building up since the morning. As he reached the floor of Anastasia's apartment, the soft sound of a piano could be heard faintly from behind the closed door.Maximilian stopped for a moment. He recognized the sound - an emotionally played piano, accompanied by a melodious voice he knew well. It was Anastasia's voice. Without hesitation, he opened the door and entered.His eyes were immediately drawn to the figure of Anastasia sitting at the piano in the living room. Her fingers moved softly over the keys and her singing voice flowed, blending with the beautifully played piano. Anastasia looked so calm, as if lost in her own world. Her long hair was down and her
***That morning, the sun had not yet fully risen when Anastasia's cell phone rang loudly. The sound of the phone was so loud in the still dark room. With her eyes half closed, Anastasia reached out from under her thick blanket and grabbed the phone from the nightstand.Lyra's name appeared on the screen, and without thinking, Anastasia answered the call in a still hoarse voice. "Lyra... so early in the morning, why?" she asked, trying to open her eyes fully."Anastasia, you need to hear this. Right now," Lyra's voice sounded urgent, full of fear. "Elora's new album... you have to listen to all the songs. Something's wrong."Anastasia frowned, trying to make sense of Lyra's words. She sat on the bed, her eyes still blurry from sleep. "What do you mean, what does this have to do with me?"Lyra took a deep breath, as if to calm herself. "Look, I just listened to their new album, and... it feels like those songs are yours. They sound very much like your work. Especially the title track,
***"Envious of you?" asked Anastasia with a mocking smile, "aren't you the one who is always jealous and envious of me? I'm perfect, aren't I? I'm beautiful, I'm talented, and I'm even able to get it on with a great actor like Leon Hale. You think I'm jealous just because everything you have is stolen?"Without further ado, Elora approached and looked Anastasia up and down with a condescending look. "Watch your language, Anastasia!" she snapped, then continued. "Ah, finally the bastard said something funny," she said coldly.Anastasia frowned, feeling angry but trying to control herself. "What do you mean, Elora?" she asked in a stern tone.Elora laughed sarcastically, then suddenly slapped Anastasia hard on the cheek. The sound of the slap echoed throughout the room, making everyone jump and stop what they were doing."Don't pretend you don't know!" Elora shouted in a sharp voice. "You're nothing but a bastard. You were born to a bitch. Your mother was nothing but a whore with no se
***Maximilian sat on the edge of the bed and looked at Anastasia, who was fast asleep. Her face looked pale, even in the sleep that should have given her peace, the woman's eyebrows remained furrowed, as if carrying a burden too heavy for her alone.Unconsciously, Maximilian's hand moved to caress Anastasia's cheek. Her skin felt cold, and there were dark circles under her eyes that clearly showed how tired she was. He knew that Anastasia had many wounds - not only physical ones, but deeper ones as well."Why are we meeting now? If we had met before, I would have taken good care of you." Maximilian murmured softly, his fingers still caressing Anastasia's cheek. There was a sharp pain in his heart when he saw that she was not well. He could not bear to see Anastasia hurt like this, hurt by people who should not touch her life.Gently, Maximilian moved his face closer and kissed Anastasia's forehead. A wordless promise was spoken in his heart. "I will avenge them, Anastasia," he whispe
***Anastasia awoke with a rare sense of comfort. Her sleep last night had been deep and peaceful, as if all the nightmares that usually haunted her had vanished. She stretched lightly on her bed, pulling the covers up to her shoulders.As she started to get up, her gaze suddenly landed on the figure next to her. She froze for a moment and held her breath. Maximilian. He was lying next to her, sleeping peacefully, as if he were part of her softest dream. Immediately, the memories of the previous night flooded back into her mind. Anastasia remembered herself trembling with fear, crying in Maximilian's arms. And even more, she remembered begging him not to leave, to stay by her side."Foolish Anastasia," she murmured, lightly tapping her own forehead. She shook her head, slightly embarrassed as she remembered how vulnerable she had been in front of Maximilian.But despite her embarrassment, a warmth spread through her chest as she looked at his face so close to hers. Maximilian's face,
***Maximilian stood in front of his sister's grave, the spring breeze blowing gently, carrying the scent of flowers blooming from the trees around him. His eyes were fixed on the gravestone with a name that was always painful to remember. Ten years had passed, but the wound was still fresh in his memory."Max..." A soft voice behind him made Maximilian jump. He turned to find Renata still standing there, her face filled with fear.He let out a long breath, holding back the emotions that were churning inside him. "Renata, why are you still here? You'd better leave. I don't have much time. I have a lot of work to do."Renata didn't move, tears began to run down her cheeks. She knelt down in front of Maximilian, ignoring the cold floor and the piercing wind. "I'm sorry, Max," her voice trembled with regret. "These ten years I have been tormented because you hated me. I can't live like this anymore... Please, forgive me."Maximilian was stunned. He looked at Renata crying in front of him
***Anastasia walked slowly to a fancy restaurant in downtown New York. When she arrived, she saw a familiar face, Selene, waiting for her at one of the tables near a large window with a breathtaking view. Selene smiled warmly when she saw Anastasia approaching."Anastasia! You're here at last," Selene greeted, rising from her chair and hugging Anastasia."I'm not too late, am I?" asked Anastasia as she returned the hug."Ah, not at all. Mama just came early. Sit down, dear."Anastasia sat across from Selene and looked at the menu on the table. The waiter came quickly and they ordered lunch."Mama looks wonderful today," Anastasia complimented with a smile.Selene chuckled softly. "Oh, you always know how to flatter Mama. So how are you, Anastasia? I hear your new album is almost finished? I can't wait for it to come out."Anastasia smiled a little. "Yes, just a little bit longer. I can't wait either. Everything is going well, although there are some hurdles I have to go through. You
***Maximilian sat in his study, surrounded by piles of files that needed to be completed. He had just returned from a long trip to New York, but his work was already waiting for him. Bryan, his assistant, stood in front of him with a tablet in his hand, ready to report on everything that had come up in his absence."Mr. Maximilian, here's a full report on projects in progress and some meetings that need to be rescheduled," Bryan said in a professional tone. He handed the tablet to Maximilian, who took it without taking his eyes off the laptop screen.Maximilian studied some of the data and presentations he had to review. His eyes carefully scanned the numbers, graphs and financial reports. "Good, reschedule these meetings in the near future, especially with the Tokyo investors. We can't delay too long," he says, handing the tablet back to Bryan."Of course, sir." Bryan quickly made notes. There was one report, however, that made Bryan hesitate for a moment before going into it. "Ther
***This night was very special for Anastasia. After spending a wonderful day with Maximilian in Finland, she had no idea that another surprise was waiting for her. Anastasia's eyes were covered with soft black silk as they arrived at the place Maximilian had promised. Her curiosity and pounding heart made her impatient to open her eyes and see what her husband had prepared."Are you ready?" Maximilian's voice rang softly in her ear. He clasped her hand warmly."Max, what exactly are you preparing? I'm getting curious," Anastasia smiled faintly behind her blindfold, unable to hide her growing curiosity.Maximilian chuckled and slowly removed Anastasia's blindfold. When her eyes opened, Anastasia was stunned, unable to believe what she saw. In front of her was a very romantic scene - a luxurious restaurant in a private setting, with candles beautifully arranged on a dining table decorated with red rose petals. Small sparkling lights added to the warm and intimate atmosphere. Soft music
***The Finnish sky was a brilliant blue, and a cool spring breeze caressed Anastasia's face as she walked hand in hand with Maximilian through a garden filled with wildflowers. The trees were turning green and the smell of spring was refreshing. They both smiled, feeling as if the world belonged to them."This place is beautiful," Anastasia said as she looked at Maximilian. "I never thought I'd see Finland so beautiful, and it's my first time in the country, and with you."Maximilian looked at her tenderly. "Well, then I'll keep bringing you here because I know how much you love the serene scenery of nature," he replied, rubbing the back of his hand that still held Anastasia's. "And also... I want us to enjoy our time together without anyone interfering."Anastasia smiled, her smile so genuine and charming. "I really feel free here. Thank you for coming, Max."They walked slowly, savoring every second together. In the distance, the sound of the flowing river added to the peaceful atm
***Renata was still in the doctor's office, today the last patient was finished and she was getting ready to go home. The familiar sound of footsteps came from outside the room. The door opened slowly and Robert, her father, appeared in the doorway. Renata's smile immediately widened, although there was a slight hesitation in her heart."Dad, why did you come here?" Renata greeted him with a surprised tone, although she couldn't help but be curious. Usually Robert rarely visited her at work.Robert smiled slightly before answering, "I just wanted to see you, Renata. There's something I wanted to talk to you about. I spoke with Maximilian earlier."Hearing that name, Renata fell silent. Her smile slowly faded, her eyes narrowed slightly. "What did you talk to him about?" asked Renata in a slightly tense tone. She knew that whenever Maximilian's name was mentioned, her feelings were always chaotic.Robert took a deep breath, seemed to hesitate for a moment before finally answering, "It
***Maximilian sat behind his desk and looked at the files piled in front of him. His thoughts and feelings were in turmoil due to the problem that someone had attacked him that night and that person could be dangerous if he knew that he and Anastasia were married. He let out a long sigh and tried to concentrate on his work. However, a gentle knock on the door of his room stopped him in his tracks. He looked up and was surprised to see Robert standing in the doorway."Uncle Robert?" Maximilian frowned, it was rare for his uncle to enter his room unannounced. "Can I help you?" He invited his uncle to take a seat.Robert smiled as he entered. "No need to be so formal, Max," he said as he sat down on the sofa. "I just want to talk to you casually."Maximilian felt a wave of anxiety that he couldn't ignore. He knew that if Robert had come without business, the conversation would have been more personal."So," Robert began after a moment of silence, "I hear you have a girlfriend?"Maximili
***That evening, Robert invited Shayne and Selene, Maximilian's parents, over for dinner. At the long table, decorated with small candles and delicious food, the conversation flowed. But one question stuck in Robert's mind."Why didn't Maximilian come with you?" asked Robert as he looked at Shayne and then at Selene sitting next to him.Shayne chuckled, "Max is too busy with his own affairs. He often forgets his parents," she replied with a broad smile, although there was a slight note of disappointment in her voice.Robert smiled, then leaned back in his chair and looked at his daughter, Renata, who sat gracefully at the side of the table. "When you have grandchildren, you won't feel lonely. If Max is too busy, at least you can play with your grandchildren," he said, trying to break the ice with a little humor.Shayne and Selene exchanged glances and nodded, "We've been wanting grandchildren for a while," Selene replied quietly, brushing back her long hair. "But you know how Maximil
***Selene confidently opened the door to the CEO's office. Maximilian's office was quiet as his son was having a serious conversation with Bryan at his desk. The room was filled with natural light from the large windows.Bryan said goodbye as soon as their conversation was over, nodding respectfully to Selene before leaving the room. Selene looked at Maximilian with the gaze of a mother who missed her son but understood the burden he carried."I'm sorry, Ma," Maximilian said as he came over and gave Selene a loving hug. "I haven't had a chance to see Mama and Papa lately."Selene smiled warmly and gently rubbed Maximilian's back. "Mama and Papa understand, Max. We know you've been busy. But I heard from Bryan that you're going abroad the day after tomorrow?"Maximilian released their embrace and nodded slowly. "Yes, I have some business in Finland this weekend.""Finland, huh?" Selene looked at Maximilian for a moment, then smiled slightly. "Can you come with me? It's been a while si