Julian was sitting in his study, the faint glow of his desk lamp illuminating the stack of documents he was reviewing. He had just started making some progress when his phone buzzed on the desk. He glanced at the screen, recognizing the name instantly: Ethan. Ethan was one of his oldest friends, someone he had managed to stay in touch with despite his busy life. But Ethan wasn’t the type to call for small talk. Julian sighed and picked up the phone. “What do you want, Ethan?” “Julian! Is that any way to greet an old friend?” Ethan’s voice boomed through the line, full of energy and excitement. Julian pinched the bridge of his nose. “I’m busy. Get to the point.” “Well, Mr. Busy CEO, I’m back in the country!” Ethan declared. Julian raised an eyebrow. “You’re back? What happened to that extended stay in Europe?” “Got bored. Anyway, everyone’s meeting at the usual spot tonight—the bar. You’re coming.” Julian leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temple. “I don’t have time
“Oh, please,” Ethan jumped in, grinning like a Cheshire cat. “You’ve got the charm of a brick wall. Tell me you’ve at least gone on a date this decade.” Julian leaned back in his seat, unamused. “I’ve been busy running a company. Some of us don’t have the luxury of endless vacations and pointless parties.” “Translation: he has no game,” Liam interjected, earning a round of chuckles. Matt leaned forward. “You know what they say about guys like you? All power and no romance. You’re going to end up dying alone in a penthouse full of spreadsheets.” Julian rolled his eyes, swirling his drink lazily. “And you’ll end up broke, trying to fund your next bad idea.” “Deflection,” Ethan declared dramatically, pointing at Julian. “Classic move from someone with no love life to speak of. Come on, man, just admit it. When’s the last time you even looked at a woman?” Julian’s jaw tightened, but his smirk didn’t waver. “Unlike you lot, I don’t feel the need to broadcast my personal li
The hum of the car engine barely registered as Julian’s grip on the steering wheel tightened, his knuckles white. His mind was a whirlwind of frustration, confusion, and an emotion he refused to name. Why hadn’t Selena told him about the accident? Why did she keep hiding things? And Ethan—the so-called lovesick fool carrying around her earring—was now at the center of this tangled mess. Julian’s phone buzzed, pulling him from his spiraling thoughts. He glanced at the screen and saw a message from his private investigator. Opening it, he was met with a series of photos. The first showed Selena walking down a quiet street, wearing her hat, sunglasses, and mask. The second captured the exact moment she collided with a bike. A man wearing a helmet was caught mid-action, reaching out to steady her. The third showed her walking away, while the man stared after her, something shiny in his hand. Julian’s jaw clenched as his eyes darted between the photos. His mind pieced the story t
Selena woke up to the gentle sound of birds chirping and the faint rustling of servants outside her door. The sun filtered in through the curtains, casting a warm glow across her room.Despite the beautiful morning, her mood was far from sunny. Memories of Julian’s taunts, his arrogance, and his infuriating smirk from yesterday lingered in her mind. She groaned, tossing off the blanket as she got ready for breakfast. When she entered the dining room, she was greeted by the sight of Julian already seated at the head of the table. He looked every bit the composed CEO—crisp suit, perfectly styled hair, and an iPad in hand as he scanned his schedule. The servants were bustling around, refilling his coffee and placing her breakfast in front of her. Selena, still sticking to her silent treatment, quietly sat down and began eating. Julian didn’t seem to notice her lack of conversation—or perhaps he didn’t care. He remained engrossed in his work, his eyes never leaving the screen as he si
Julian was reviewing contracts in his office when his phone rang. Seeing Ethan’s name flash on the screen, he sighed heavily, already anticipating chaos. Reluctantly, he answered. “What now?” Julian asked, rubbing his temples. “Where are you?” Ethan’s voice was casual but persistent. “I’m at the office,” Julian replied curtly. “Why?” “Well,” Ethan began slowly, “since I’m on holiday, I thought, why waste money on a hotel when I can stay in your massive mansion instead? It’s got more than enough room.” Julian froze, his pen slipping from his fingers. His eyes widened in alarm as the implications sank in. “Absolutely not,” he said firmly. “What? Why not?” Ethan’s tone was laced with disbelief. “What kind of friend are you? I let you crash at my place whenever you wanted, but now you’re rejecting me?” Julian sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Why can’t you stay with Matt or Liam?” “Matt’s got some weird girlfriend situation, and Liam’s family is visiting. So that
Julian returned to his home after leaving Ethan at his private resort, his head pounding from the endless meetings and the confrontation with Ethan at the resort. All he wanted was some peace, but the sharp sound of Selena’s voice cut through the silence like a knife.“I said no! For the last time, stop calling me about this documentary! If you don’t leave me alone, I’ll report you!”Her tone was sharp and aggressive, but Julian could hear the tension underlying it. He frowned, his footsteps quickening as he headed toward her room.Selena stood by the window, her shoulders stiff and her phone clenched tightly in her hand. She tossed it onto the bed with an exasperated sigh.“What’s going on?” Julian asked, leaning against the doorframe.She turned to face him, startled. “Why are you here? Shouldn’t you be at work?”He crossed his arms. “I asked first.”“It’s nothing,” she said softly, brushing past him to grab a glass of water. “Just some annoying calls. I’ve dealt with it.”“Annoying
“You have officially lost your mind,” Selena said, her voice sharp. “What exactly do you think you’re accomplishing by locking me in here?” He stopped pacing and turned to her, his expression unreadable but his tone laced with steel. “I’m accomplishing something you clearly need—a lesson in accountability.” She rolled her eyes, exhaling sharply. “Oh, please. You act like I’m some rebellious teenager sneaking out after curfew. Newsflash, Julian: I’m an adult. I don’t owe you an explanation for every little thing I do.” “You’re right,” he said, his voice low and dangerous. “You don’t owe me every explanation. But you sure as hell owe me honesty when something affects your safety.” Her eyes narrowed. “What are you even talking about? I didn’t do anything!” “Oh, really?” He stepped closer, his towering presence forcing her to look up at him. “So did you tell me about the accident that happened yesterday? And the phone calls? You keep things to yourself, pretending everything’s f
Selena clenched her fists, her jaw tightening as she swallowed the insults bubbling on her tongue. 'What is wrong with him?' She turned her attention to the room, her gaze darting over the rows of leather-bound books, the sleek wooden furniture, and the perfectly organized desk. Everything about the space screamed dark and gloomy, just like its owner. She groaned loudly, hoping to irritate him, but Julian didn’t even glance her way. 'What’s the point of having such a handsome face if he’s such an asshole?' she thought bitterly, her gaze involuntarily lingering on him. She hated that she couldn’t ignore his looks. His sharp jawline, the way his dark hair fell slightly over his forehead, the intensity in his eyes as he read—it was all infuriatingly perfect. But then, she reminded herself, his good looks were wasted on his devilish personality. 'How can someone who looks like that be so unreasonable?' she wondered, glaring at him. 'Does he think locking me up is going to make me
At dinner, the dining table was laid out as elegantly as ever, a variety of dishes carefully prepared by the staff. Selena sat beside Julian, as always, while Samantha and Grandma were seated across from them. The warm light from the chandelier above gave the room a cozy ambiance, but beneath it, a storm of emotions brewed.Grandma was the first to break the silence, her voice filled with genuine curiosity. “So, Samantha, tell me more about yourself. You two sisters are so different! What have you been up to?”Samantha’s lips curved into a sweet smile, one that made Selena relax. “Oh,” she began, her tone soft and modest, “I haven’t done much compared to Selena. She’s always been the star of our family.”Selena’s heart warmed at her sister’s words. She reached over and gently squeezed Samantha’s hand. “Don’t say that, Sam. You’ve been through so much, and you’re still so strong. I’ve always admired you for that.”Samantha tilted her head, her innocent facade firmly in place. “You’re t
The drive home was quiet at first. Selena kept fidgeting with the hem of her dress, stealing glances at Julian’s calm demeanor. He had one hand on the wheel, his eyes firmly on the road, as if he hadn’t a care in the world. But she couldn’t hold it in anymore. “How did you find out about the calls?” she finally asked, breaking the silence. Her voice was cautious, hesitant. Julian didn’t even glance at her. His jaw tightened slightly, and he responded in an even tone, “I put the pieces together.” Selena frowned. “What do you mean by that?” He sighed, still not looking at her. “You were constantly yelling at someone on the phone. And Clara mentioned those media people came to my office with some ridiculous proposition. It wasn’t hard to figure out.” Selena bit her lip, feeling embarrassed. She didn’t like the idea of him piecing together her problems, even if he had helped her in the end. “I…I didn’t want to bother you with it,” she admitted softly, staring down at her hands.
Selena rubbed her temples, trying to shake off the strange tension that clung to her. Why was she even thinking about Julian right now? This man, who spent half his time tormenting her and the other half confusing her with small, unexpected gestures of care, should have no power over her thoughts. Selena plopped down on her chair, staring at the ceiling. “What’s happening to me?” she whispered. Her mind drifted back to the little moments she had shared with Julian recently—the way he had silently handed her his jacket when she was shivering, the way his eyes softened ever so slightly when he caught her rehearsing that script, the fact that he defended her from those media people without a second thought. And then, there were his teasing remarks in the car earlier. And now in his office, he told her to come to him if she ever faced any problem. Almost like they were two people who cared about each other. She groaned, covering her face with her hands. “What is wrong with me? He’
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
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
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
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
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 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