The breakfast table was laden with the usual luxurious spread: freshly baked croissants, colorful fruit platters, steaming coffee, and a variety of gourmet dishes that only a household like Julian’s could produce. Selena sat quietly, nibbling on a piece of toast, still half-asleep but grateful for the calm. Julian was reading his tablet, his sharp eyes darting over the stock updates. Grandma, however, had other plans. “Selena,” she began, her tone sweet but mischievous, “how are you feeling this morning?” Selena looked up, surprised at the sudden attention. “Uh… fine, Grandma. Why?” “Good, good.” Grandma took a sip of her tea, her eyes twinkling. “And? Any news?” Selena blinked, confused. “News?” Julian glanced up from his tablet, his brow furrowing. “What news?” Grandma leaned forward, her voice dropping conspiratorially. “About the baby, of course!” Selena’s eyes widened in horror, and the toast she’d just bitten into caught in her throat. She coughed violently, grab
The rehearsal room was alive with activity. Assistants moved props around, and the director barked occasional instructions to the staff. Selena sat quietly in the corner, observing Cassandra as she rehearsed a particularly emotional scene. Cassandra’s voice carried through the room, full of intensity and conviction, as she delivered her lines flawlessly. Selena’s heart ached as she watched. The energy of the set, the feel of the script in her hands, and the thrill of becoming a character—it all felt like a lifetime ago. The sharp pang of longing caught her off guard, and she quickly looked away, pretending to be engrossed in her phone. Cassandra, ever perceptive despite her aloof demeanor, glanced at Selena during a break. She noticed the distant look in her eyes and the way Selena hugged her arms tightly around herself. “You miss it, don’t you?” Cassandra asked nonchalantly as she sipped from her water bottle. Selena blinked, startled by the question. “What?” “Acting,” Cass
Julian sat behind his large mahogany desk, sipping his morning coffee and scanning the day's schedule. Clara updated him on the day's appointments."Okay, so you have a meeting with the marketing team at 10 am to discuss the new campaign," Clara said, her eyes scanning her notes. "And then you have a lunch meeting with a potential investor at 12:30 pm."Julian nodded, making a mental note of the meetings. "Anything else?"Clara hesitated before speaking. "Actually, there is something. You have some visitors waiting to see you."Julian raised an eyebrow. "Visitors? Who?"Clara checked her notes again. "They're from a media company. They didn't specify what they wanted to talk to you about, but they said it was important."Julian's curiosity was piqued. "Send them in."Clara nodded and stepped out of the office. A moment later, she returned with two women and a man in tow."Mr. Julian, this is Ms. Thompson, Ms. Lee, and Mr. Patel from City Lights Media," Clara introduced.Julian stood u
Julian’s car pulled into the driveway of the mansion, the soft hum of the engine cutting through the evening quiet. As the driver opened the door for him, he stepped out, loosening his tie. Selena followed behind, her heels clicking softly against the stone path. “I’m going to my room to freshen up,” she said curtly, not even glancing at him. Her tone was polite but distant, and before he could respond, she disappeared inside the house, heading straight for the stairs. Julian stood there for a moment, watching her retreating figure. *Freshen up?* he thought, narrowing his eyes. It wasn’t unusual for her to keep her distance, but something about the way she said it irked him. Shrugging it off, he entered the house and made his way to the dining hall. Dinner was already being set, the aroma of freshly cooked food wafting through the air. Julian took his seat at the head of the table, the same place he always sat. The long dining table stretched before him, but tonight, it felt esp
Julian pushed the door open, his sharp gaze falling on Selena. She flinched, startled, and instinctively kicked the fallen script under the nearby sofa. “Julian,” she stammered, her voice slightly higher than usual. “What… what are you doing here?” Julian’s brows furrowed. Her tone, the way she stiffened as though caught doing something wrong—it was suspicious. “I could ask you the same thing,” he said, stepping inside and shutting the door behind him. “I wasn’t doing anything,” Selena said quickly, her hands clasped tightly in front of her as if trying to shield herself. Julian’s sharp eyes swept the room. The way she was standing, the slight movement of her foot—it was too obvious. He smirked, his arms crossing over his chest. “Really? You’re that bad at lying?” “I’m not lying!” she insisted, her voice rising a little too much. Julian took a deliberate step toward her, his towering presence making her instinctively take a step back. “Move,” he ordered, his voice calm b
The following day, Selena walked into the office with her usual guarded expression, half expecting whispers or side glances about the script incident from the previous night. But to her surprise, the office was just as normal as ever. No one seemed to know or care. Julian hadn’t said a word to her all morning, treating her with the same distant professionalism as always.She spent most of the day by his side, following him to meetings and scribbling notes on her notepad. Though her mind was preoccupied with thoughts of last night, Julian was as composed as ever, his piercing gaze fixed on the presentations or the documents in his hand.Selena walked into the cafeteria with her tray, grateful for a quiet moment to herself. She found a corner table and sat down, savoring the first bite of her sandwich. It was one of the few peaceful moments she’d had all day. But, as fate would have it, her solitude didn’t last long. “Mind if I join you, Selena?” Clara’s overly cheerful voice cut thr
The boardroom was filled with tension as producers, directors, and various department heads from the drama production team gathered around the long table. Selena sat in a corner, quietly observing as papers shuffled and murmurs floated in the air. This was her first time attending a meeting of this magnitude. She had prepared to take notes for Julian, but she couldn’t shake the nervousness bubbling in her chest. Julian entered the room with his usual commanding presence, his sharp gaze sweeping across everyone as the murmurs ceased instantly. Selena clutched her pen tightly, shrinking into her seat. 'He doesn't even have to say anything. People just fall silent around him.' “Let’s begin,” Julian said coldly, settling into the chair at the head of the table. His deep voice sent shivers down her spine, and she instinctively glanced at him. He looked composed yet utterly intimidating. The head producer started the discussion, outlining the current progress of the drama. Everything
As Selena reached the elevator, she pressed the button and waited, her mind a chaotic swirl of thoughts. Julian liking her? The idea was laughable. The man seemed to take genuine pleasure in tormenting her. Every interaction with him felt like a battle, where she was always a step behind, fumbling for composure while he remained effortlessly in control. The elevator dinged, its arrival pulling her back to the present. She stepped inside, leaning heavily against the wall. Crossing her arms tightly over her chest, she exhaled sharply. “Maybe they’re just imagining things,” she muttered to herself, her voice barely above a whisper. “Julian is strict with everyone. He’s not... he doesn’t—” She cut herself off mid-sentence, shaking her head as if to dismiss the absurd notion entirely. The ride to the top floor felt longer than usual, every second dragging as she rehearsed a thousand possible scenarios in her head. Julian’s summons were never casual, and the knot in her stomach tighte
Selena stiffened the moment she heard Grayson's name. Her fingers curled into fists at her sides, her breath catching in her throat. The memories of that day came crashing in her and she shuddered. Her lips parted, but the words felt heavy, suffocating. She wanted to tell Julian exactly why she would rather rot than take this role—but she couldn't. Instead, she forced herself to stand tall, masking the turmoil swirling inside her. "I’m not interested," she said coldly. Julian's brows furrowed, his jaw tightening. "Not interested?" he echoed, disbelief lacing his tone. "You were desperate for an opportunity, and now you're just—rejecting it?" Selena swallowed hard, gripping her arms to steady herself. "I don’t need your help anymore," she glared at him. "So?" he drawled, his deep voice laced with amusement. "This is what you wanted?" Selena stood in front of him, arms crossed, her expression hard as stone. There was no amusement in her face—just cold fury. "What I want
After the meeting, Julian returned to his office with lots of thoughts in his mind. He couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off. Grayson had agreed too easily and quickly. It wasn’t like him to be so...cooperative.He sat down at his desk, his thoughts drifting back to Selena. Why had he even mentioned her? His chest aches at the memory of their argument and how she was on the verge of crying and he rubbed his temples, trying to push the thoughts away. He didn’t owe her anything. He didn’t even 'like' her. So why was he helping her?"Damn it," he muttered under his breath, leaning back in his chair. He didn’t understand why he cared. But the truth was, he couldn’t stop thinking about her. About the way she had looked at him, the way she had fought back even when she had nothing left.He sighed, running a hand through his hair. He would talk to her about the movie. Not because he wanted to help her, but because he had made a promise. And Julian Mathers always kept his promis
Mr. Grayson sat in his office, his jaw clenched so tightly it ached. The sting of Selena’s slap still burned on his cheek, a constant reminder of the humiliation he had suffered. A 'mere actress', a 'nobody', had dared to strike him.Him! A man of power, of influence. The audacity of it made his blood boil.He slammed his fist on the desk, the sound echoing through the room. "That 'bitch'," he muttered under his breath, his voice trembling with rage. "Who does she think she is?"He pulled out his phone and dialed his manager, his fingers trembling with anger. The call connected after two rings."Grayson," his manager’s voice came through, calm and professional."Find out everything you can about Selena Frost," Grayson snapped, his voice low and venomous. "Where she is, what she’s doing, who she’s working with. I want to know 'everything'."There was a brief pause on the other end. "Selena Frost? The model-turned-actress? I thought she fell off the radar after that scandal.""Well, she
Few days later -Selena stepped into the restaurant, her heels clicking softly against the polished floor. The place was upscale, with low-hanging chandeliers and plush velvet booths, but the atmosphere felt suffocating. She adjusted the strap of her purse, her fingers trembling slightly. This was her chance. Her 'only' chance. She couldn’t afford to mess this up.The director, a man in his late fifties with a receding hairline and a smug smile, was already seated at a corner table. He stood up as she approached, his eyes raking over her from head to toe in a way that made her skin crawl."Selena," he let out, his voice smooth but laced with something she couldn’t quite place. "It’s been a while. You look... stunning, as always.""Thank you, Mr. Grayson," she replied, forcing a polite smile. She slid into the seat across from him, her stomach churning. She could feel his gaze lingering on her, and it took every ounce of willpower not to squirm."So," he began, leaning back in his chai
Julian ran a frustrated hand through his hair, his jaw clenching as he watched Selena storm away. What the hell was he doing? He let out a low groan, leaning back against his desk. His fingers curled into fists as a memory flashed through his mind—one that he hadn’t allowed himself to think about in years. Selena. Standing on a bright stage, cameras flashing, her signature dazzling smile lighting up the entire room. She had just been named the youngest top model of the year. Julian had been there too—not as an honored guest, not as one of the powerful figures shaking hands with her—but as a mere assistant to the photographer covering the event. Back then, he was just another nameless face in the crowd, watching her from behind the lens. She had been untouchable. A goddess in human form. And he? He was nothing. Just a man with a borrowed camera, standing in the shadows, admiring her from a distance. How ironic was it that now, she stood right in front of him—no longer
The words hit her like a punch to the gut. Her heart stopped. Her stomach twisted. Did she hear him right? Her lips parted, but no words came out. He was…he was joking, right? But no—his eyes told her he wasn’t. Pure amusement danced in his expression, like he was watching a little bird trapped in a cage. Selena’s hands trembled. She didn’t know whether it was anger, shock, or something far more dangerous twisting inside her. She couldn’t even breathe properly. “W-What the hell?” she finally whispered. Julian tilted his head to have a better look of her nervous eyes. “What? I thought we were making deals, Selena.” Her body stiffened. She searched his face, desperate to find some sign that he was just trying to mess with her. But there was nothing. Only cold amusement. This was what he thought of her, wasn’t it? That she was just another actress willing to do 'anything' for fame. Julian watched her, soaking in every single reaction. It was fascinating, real
Julian was in his office, flipping through a document when his phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen. A number with no name. His muscles tensed. He knew this number. He hadn't seen it in a while, but the memory of the last call burned in his mind. The call that changed everything. Slowly, he reached for the phone, his fingers curling around it like a loaded gun. A strange feeling settled in his stomach—a mixture of anticipation and dread. He exhaled sharply before pressing the answer button. “Julian Mathers,” he said, keeping his voice steady. A low chuckle greeted him on the other end. “It’s nice to speak to you again, Julian.” That voice. Smooth, almost robotic, yet dripping with something sinister. His grip on the phone tightened. “Who are you?” The chuckle deepened. “Just someone who wants the best for you.” Julian’s jaw clenched. “Cut the crap. Why are you helping me?” “Helping?” The man sounded amused. “Oh, Julian. Do you really think I 'helped' you? I
The dining table had already been cleared, and Samantha, with her perfectly practiced smile, was saying her goodbyes. Grandma, always warm and welcoming, held Samantha’s hands. “You should visit more often, dear. You’re always welcome here,” she said, patting Samantha’s hand affectionately. Samantha nodded sweetly. “Of course, Grandma. I loved staying here. I’ll come again soon,” she promised, though in her mind, she was thinking something entirely different. 'Oh, I’ll definitely come again. Especially now that I know what I want.' She turned to Selena, who smiled at her warmly, completely oblivious to the venom hidden beneath her sister’s kindness. They hugged, and Samantha put on her best affectionate act. “Take care, okay?” Selena said, squeezing her lightly. Samantha pulled away, plastering on a pout. “Of course. And you too, sis.”And then, it was Julian’s turn. As she turned to him, she hesitated for just the right amount of time, as if nervous. Then, without waiti
Samantha adjusted her nightgown, tugging it slightly lower until the swell of her breasts became more pronounced. She glanced at her reflection in the mirror of the dark hallway, smoothing her hair and letting her lips curve into a sly smile. Time to start the plan, she thought. She wasn’t here just because she hated Selena—though that certainly sweetened the deal. Samantha had bigger goals, and Julian Mathers was the key to unlocking them.As she wandered down the hall, she spotted a faint light spilling from a crack in a door. The guest room? she thought, but as she moved closer, she realized it wasn’t. Peering inside, she saw Julian sitting in his study, his sleeves rolled up and his dark hair slightly mussed. He was leaning over his desk, focused intently on the papers in front of him.Samantha hesitated for a moment, her heart racing. Julian in person was even more intimidating than she’d imagined, but she wasn’t one to back down. You’ve got this, she told herself. Schooling her