At Apple Villa on the east side of the city, which Golden Light Corporation was using as a temporary office, a group of young professionals gathered in the spacious living room, immersed in a lively discussion.Luna stood on the staircase on the second floor, clapping her hands to grab everyone’s attention. She held up a document, a playful smile on her face. “Alright, everyone, I’ve got some good news. Lincoln Corporation just delivered the cooperation agreement. That means this project is officially ours! We’ve successfully taken the first step!”“Clap, clap—”“Wow…”“Yes!”The room burst into applause and cheers.“Boss, now that we’ve secured the project, are you treating us tonight?”“That’s right, Emily! You said if we landed this project, we could party anywhere in the city! I remember it clearly!”“Emily, we’re not asking for much. Just a meal at ‘Reunion Heights Hotel’ would do!”“Come on, Linda! ‘Reunion Heights Hotel’ is a three-star hotel. But if Emily is offering,
Luna entered City Center Tower with a stack of documents in hand. A receptionist greeted her with a polite smile. “Good morning, miss. Who are you here to see? Do you have an appointment?”Luna returned the smile, holding up the files. “I’m here to see Mr. Lincoln. I’m the project manager from Golden Light Corporation, and I’ve already arranged a meeting with his assistant.”The receptionist’s expression shifted slightly, her smile growing tight as she gave Luna a quick once-over. “Very well. Please, go on up.”Just as the elevator doors closed, Luna caught a disdainful murmur from the receptionist, “Another one putting on a show. Just wait, Mr. Lincoln will teach you the true meaning of ‘pain’ soon enough.”Luna chuckled softly to herself. “‘Show me the meaning of pain?’” she thought. “Too bad. This time, there’s only one way this ends. He’s done for.”On the 28th floor, Mr. Lincoln’s assistant visibly relaxed as soon as he saw her, as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulde
One week passed. Then two.Time slipped by like water, and before she knew it, two months had gone by.At some point, she and Felix had developed an effortless connection. They were like dry tinder and fire. Whenever they were together, sparks flew instantly.Yet, their relationship was confined to the bedroom. No matter what she asked of him afterward, he always responded with a single word, “Yes.”So tender, so affectionate, it was almost as if she had become his treasure once again.Unexpectedly, a softness grew in her heart.Glancing down at the documents in her hands, Luna shook her head and patted her cheeks, taking a deep breath. “Remember why you came back,” she reminded herself.Outside, she heard the rumble of an engine. Wrapping her shawl around her shoulders, a smile tugged at her lips. “He’s back.”For a brief moment, Felix’s gaze flickered with something like surprise. She looked just like a wife welcoming her husband home.She stepped forward, taking the keys fr
Outside, the scenery rushed by in a blur as Luna curled up in the passenger seat, resting her eyes. Every moment with Felix kept her on edge, as if she were always just one step away from slipping back into old habits. Their recent intense encounter had drained her completely.She opened her eyes and took in the man behind the wheel. Felix was as handsome as ever, but his gaze was impossible to read, like a fog that hid his true thoughts. It was almost laughable. Once, she had thought that was just who he was. Now, she saw things differently.Here he was, completely vulnerable with someone he had known for barely two months. How naive she had been back then. To him, she had probably been nothing more than a sideshow.She turned to the window, a wry smile playing on her lips.The car made a graceful turn and stopped in front of a house. Felix, ever the gentleman, opened her door and motioned for her to step out. His dark eyes were as unreadable as ever. “Come on.”Snapping out of h
Standing in front of the bathroom mirror, Luna looked at the marks all over her body and suddenly laughed. But as she laughed, tears began streaming down her face.She had once despised women who would stop at nothing to achieve their goals. Now, she had become one of them. She had promised herself she wouldn’t soften, but here she was, unable to stop the tears.Her father was gone. Orion too. And the woman she used to be was gone along with them.There was no turning back now. All of this was the debt he owed.Burying her head into her folded arms, she hugged herself tightly, as if it was the only way to summon the strength to keep going.When Luna finally stepped out of the bathroom, a steaming bowl of pasta was already waiting on the dining table. She sat down across from him with a smile. “Wow, Felix, I didn’t know you could cook!”Felix seemed momentarily surprised. Her tone and expression were exactly like the woman he remembered. A flicker of something passed through his e
Felix’s voice wavered as he spoke, his fingers beginning to tremble. After a long pause, he took another drag from his cigarette, letting the smoke fill the room and mask the hint of moisture that flickered briefly in his eyes.Scenes from the past flooded his mind like snapshots from an old movie. He could still see Luna beneath him, screaming, “Felix, Orion is your son.” He could see her standing by the table, glaring at him with mockery in her eyes, saying, “What’s the matter? Have you really fallen for your enemy’s daughter? Or are you just too attached to our twisted love-hate dynamic to go through with a divorce?”And then, there was the memory of her with blood-streaked hands, clutching her face as she sobbed, “There’s no happy ending for someone who’s lost their mind. I must have been under your spell to end up this crazy.” And there was Luna in handcuffs, her tear-streaked face pleading with him, “Just let me die in prison. There’s no point in living anymore. I’d be be
“Tonight at eight, the Century Glimmer Hotel, private dining room 1888. I’ve got a surprise for you. Don’t be late!”After sending the text, Luna tossed her phone aside and tilted her head, examining her reflection in the mirror. A small smile crept onto her lips.One last time. After tonight, everything would end.She picked up a makeup brush, and in moments, the face in the mirror looked hauntingly familiar.In the suite, Felix swirled a glass of red wine, a flash of irritation crossing his face. He tugged at his tie. Why had he even come? He had a dinner event, but as soon as he saw her message, he had canceled it without a second thought.He set down his glass and stood, ready to leave. Just then, the door swung open. A woman in a white dress stood in the doorway.His eyes narrowed, his heart seeming to stop as he looked at her. “Luna?”The wine glass shattered on the floor, red wine pooling around his feet, as if his own blood had spilled. His mind went blank. All he
As soon as the door opened, Felix lifted Luna and pressed her against it. His strong hands roamed over her body, igniting fires with every touch. Luna’s breath caught as she wrapped her lips around his, whispering, “Felix, Felix…”He answered her with even fiercer kisses, his lips pressing hungrily against hers, his tongue invading and scattering her thoughts.In that moment, he was all she saw!Maybe this would be their last night together. For now, she just wanted to lose herself in the feeling, just to be a woman.Her fingers tangled in his hair, and she tilted her head back, letting out a string of soft, seductive moans, each one louder than the last. His heavy breathing filled her ears as he tore her dress apart.“Felix…”She whispered his name, but he silenced her with deeper kisses, their tastes blending until they were completely lost in each other.They stumbled together and fell onto the bed.“Ah, Felix, slow down. Slower…”The room filled with her soft moans and p