10 years ago they were lovers.
10 years later they are strangers.

CADENCE P.O.V


It has been a year, when I got a permanent job as executive secretary in JD Global Corp in B City. I gave my ass to get in, in the said company. It was not easy since there were many people aiming for the job description. 

Out of many applicants, I was lucky enough they hired. Yes, we were five applicants hired then never expect that I was assign to be an executive secretary of the CEO. 

I got a house to live with my kids it is not big but there are three bedrooms enough for us. As for my two best friends, Clare went back to our hometown in A City and happily married with Tony. Yes, the two of them met again then got into serious relationship after college. 

Donna was still with me but not in the same house. We were neighbor she lives next door and godmother to my kids as well as Clare's.

We still keep in touch with Clare and chatting with each other time to time as if we are still together.

 I was preparing breakfast for my kids before going to school. Yes, you got it right. I have two kids already. Aside Jaxon who is 5 years old now then Jaya Cady Davies is 3 years old. They are all Jaron's. 

I got pregnant again after what happened to us at my sister's wedding. My parents and siblings knew about them and I did not deny anything only I did not tell them their father's name. They respected me with that decision and they accepted them. 

I hired nanny for my kids when I am at work so that I could feel at ease working. My parents paid the nanny monthly for them to help me some expenses. I tried to stop them doing it because I still have savings but they insist. My kids were the first grandchildren they have before my sister Cate got her own. 

I already done my morning routine to myself and sat down for breakfast. They are already going to school together so I have to get up early for them like a typical mother duty.

I dropped my kids in school then headed to the company. Donna arrived as I clocked in, she still look sleepy.

"So, someone gave you a tiring night last night." I smirked as she rolled her eyes.

"Well, it another way around and I broke up with him last night. I cannot sleep with his time to time calling me." She replied with irritation with his boyfriend. I do not know why but I do not like her current relationship.

"Thank God you realized he is not for you." I said happily.

"Yeah, I know I should have listened to you but I did not. He was so annoying to think it caught in the act cheating behind my back. Sh*t girl…" she said.

"Oh, that I never knew at least if I was the one who caught him I will smash his balls." We both laughed as the elevator door opened then we walked in.

JD Global is one of the best among the best company in the country and it is not just the country but internationally. 

Donna was the first one to work in JD after college she applied and got accepted working until now in Accounting Department.

She was the one who told me to apply in JD Global when they announced for hiring new employees. I went there and brought my resume without knowing what position I apply. It does matter to me what position they assign if I am hire.

When I got the position of an Executive Secretary I was happy because not just a good salary that it can help with saving my kids future but also I can face different people in different country.

They started being next door neighbor. Became friends and classmates but Cadence did not expect in her wildest dream that she gave her virginity to Jaron. Her next door neighbor that just moved in not long ago.

Jaron a guy who never do kissing on the lips when hooking up with girls but other than Cadence. He could not help it her lips were so tempting.

A girl who does not like going out a lot and always love to stay at home. A guy who loves party and hooking up.

But feeling could not deny if you are meeting your soulmate. It will lead you back together like destiny that already written in each palm.

Jin Zhilan looked at the two men who were already stopped in front of a Black coloured Cadillac Escalade SUV. The chauffeur carefully kept the luggage down.

The man in the executive attire handed the paper bags to the chauffeur. Then he went around the SUV to check whether the car was in good condition or not. Then he started giving instructions to the chauffeur regarding the things to be taken care of. 

While talking, the executive man suddenly frowned after looking at the chauffeur's face because the chauffeur's eyes were drooping shut.

"Dai Xuan, What happened to you? You look exhausted. Are you Okay?" 

Dai Xuan shook his head slowly and tried to keep his eyes wide open.

"If you are not okay, then I can drive Boss to the farmhouse tonight" 

Dai Xuan ran his hand over his face and sighed.

"I am sorry assistant An. I have a fever. My whole body is sagging with weariness. But I don't want to neglect my duties", Dai Xuan said with an embarrassing smile.

Assistant An Yuhe sighed and again suggested to chauffeur, "You need a few hours sleep. Go home. I will talk to boss"

Dai Xuan shook his head and said, "Assistant An, It is okay. I already took medications. I can drive. Boss will be here anytime soon. I will load his luggage in the cargo space"

"Then, I hope you can manage. If you are still feeling tired, ask any of the bodyguards to drive. I am leaving now", assistant An Yuhe reminded the chauffeur Dai Xuan.

Dai Xuan smiled and nodded his head. "Good night Assistant An"

"Good night. Have a safe journey"

Jin Zhilan was watching the whole scenario from behind the pillars. She was looking for an opportunity to climb into assistant An Yuhe's car again. But she didn't get any chance.

After talking to the chauffeur, assistant An Yuhe left the garage in his car. Jin Zhilan looked at the back of the vanishing car dejectedly since it was her last ray of hope.

Soon the chauffeur loaded the goods inside the trunk of the car. He was about to close the trunk, when his phone started buzzing. He took the phone from his pocket and attended the call. He tried to talk to the person on the other side of the call. But it was not audible. So he started walking towards the entrance of the garage. 

Taking advantage of this situation, Jin Zhilan ran towards the SUV. Cadillac Escalade has vast cargo space. She climbed inside and arranged the baggage a bit. Then she hid herself behind the goods. She hid her small backpack too.  

After several minutes, there was the sound of steady footsteps coming closer from afar in the garage. Panic started to flare inside her. The footsteps were approaching nearer to the car but suddenly stopped. 

Thereafter she heard a deep manly voice, "Dai Xuan". 

Even Though, it was a raspy and frosty voice, it was attractive too. 

All of a sudden, someone's running footsteps echoed in the garage. 

"Yes, Boss!", it was chauffeur's panting voice. 

"Give me the keys and close the trunk", she heard that manly voice again.

"But Boss…" 

"Give me the keys", the man's snappy voice echoed.

"OK, Boss!"

"Go home now. You can resume your duties after the lunar new year holidays. I expect you to be fit by that time" The man sounded dominating.

"Boss…"

"Close the trunk now", the man's voice turned more impatient.

"OK, Boss!"

Dai Xuan quickly obeyed and closed the trunk lid. After hearing his Boss's words, Dai Xuan was so excited that he didn't notice Jin Zhilan's exposed legs from behind the baggage. 

Soon, the man took the driver's seat and slammed the door shut and then the engine revved to life. 

The car started moving after a few seconds. From the sounds, it was clear that there was only one person inside the car. Jin Zhilan deduced that this man was the boss of that executive. From earlier conversations, it was evident that he was going on a trip.  She didn't know how she was going to explain to this man once he discovered her in the cargo. She just hoped that she could go far away from Jing city. She didn't want to bump into any of the Xu members. 

As she was engrossed in her thoughts, the speed of the car increased. But it was not too fast. It was moving smoothly, as if an experienced driver was behind the wheel. Most likely they were travelling on a freeway. 

At night, there was a new sound. The man started humming a song. After a little while, he began singing in a smooth and pleasant voice. He no longer sounded dominating. Rather, he sounded deep and intoxicating. 

Jin Zhilan was surprised at first but later started listening intently to the song. She liked his husky tone. She reminisced about her time with her mother, how her mother used to sing beautiful lullabies at night to help her sleep when she was small.

She felt a slight warmth in her heart and felt at ease. She no longer felt any panic as she was mesmerized by the man's singing. It felt magical. She started relaxing and closed her eyes listening to the song, silently. As soon as she closed her eyes, she fell into a deep slumber.

“You mean you changed my clothes?”
“Yes”
“Then what happened?”
“Don’t you remember anything? Don’t you remember kissing me? It was a wonderful night. You were really, really amazing.”

He expected her to either become nervous or explode in anger. But nothing he predicted happened.  

But five minutes later, he found himself trembling infront of a ferocious girl with a bunch of knives in her hand. With a sinister smile planted on her lips, she looked like a professional knife thrower aiming at her target - his little brother.

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Jin Zhilan grew up for twenty years abroad, dreaming about settling in her native country one day. 

Three years ago, at twenty, she came to Jing city for a fresh start, only to find that she walked straight to hell. She lost her only living relative - her mother.

Three years later, she managed to escape hell. While running away, she fell into the arms of  an outrageously attractive man who changed her whole life forever.

Now it was her turn to destroy those venomous people who killed her mother. Before exacting vengeance, she decided to unveil the mystery behind her mother's death. She had to unlock the mystery  surrounding her own identity.

After a makeover, she appeared infront of everyone with a different identity, but not a new one. It was an identity she never revealed to anyone before - A WORLD RENOWNED WRITER who never appeared infront of public.

Leng Weilin was a self–made entrepreneur, who spent years building his impressive, but formidable and fierce reputation in the business world. He was a ruthless business tycoon no one dares to offend and a man capable of doing the unthinkable.

Love was a weakness that he refused to succumb to. That was before he met headstrong and feisty Jin Zhilan.

When he first saw her, he found himself lost in her blue eyes. He was shaken to the core by the irresistible  attraction that flared instantly inside his heart towards this feisty girl. He wanted to counter his feelings for her, but he couldn't resist the fire in her eyes and determination in her words. 

The risk of losing this extremely alluring girl stared him in the face. He couldn't stand the thought of losing the person who lit up his world, at no matter what the cost. A passionate possessiveness for her, drove him to an imprudent and impulsive decision: a marriage to protect her! A marriage to tie her to him! Hence the ultimate bachelor decided to take a bride.

He proposed a mutually beneficial marriage. 
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This novel is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are either the  products of the writer’s imagination or are used in a  fictitious manner. 
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The cover photo belongs to me. Please don’t copy it.
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"Uh, mag-aapply po sana ako ng trabaho bilang assistant executive. May bakante pa po ba para sakin?" Direkta kong tanong. Napansin kong napa-halakhak siya ng marahan ng sambitin ko iyon. 

May mali ba sa sinabi ko?

"Uh. Yes yes. Come here. Take a sit first". Madali kong tinungo yung upuan at sabay umayos ako ng upo.

Tumigil muna siya sandali sa paghalakhak niya ng nagsalita siya. "Well, actually, we're looking for it. And in fact, M--"

"Ma'am beauty. Lalaki po ba talaga ang hinahanap? Sayang naman kasi yung pamasahe ko dito kung lalaki yung hinahanap. Tignan niyo po." Sabay nilapag ko sa table niya yung diyaryo at nakita kong tinignan lang niya. "See? Babae po talaga ang hinahanap. Baka nagkamali lang sila ng pandinig na lalaki ang hinahanap kahit na magandang katulad ko talaga ang hinahanap para maging...Wait, kayo po ba ang magiging amo ko? Kung ganun, tanggapin niyo na po ako. Siguradong hindi niyo ako pagsisihan na ialok yang trabaho sakin. At saka, ayaw niyo po yun, mag-iistunning ang beauty natin. Pero mas malaki nga lang po ang standards ng akin." Sabay kindat ko kay maam beauty. Actually, mukhang magkasing-edad lang kami. 

Sinuri ko muna ng maigi yung si maam beauty at, check na check. Makinis at maputing balat, slim body, brown eyes, blondeng buhok. Sige. Pak na pak na talaga. 

Napansin kong hindi na nagsasalita si ateng beauty at blanko lang ang ekspresyon ng maganda niyang mukha.

Winave ko sa kanya yung kamay ko ng dalawang beses dahil hindi pa rin siya nagsasalita. Ang dami dami ko kayang sinabi. Napagod rin ang beauty ko dun ha!

"Ateng maganda, okay lang po ba kayo? May sakit po ba kayo? O baka nagagalit kayo sa mahabang sinabi ko? Ateng ma--"

"You're hired." Natigilan ako sa pangungulit ng matauhan ako sa sinabi ni ateng maganda. 

Kung ganun? Hired na talaga ako? Pero, ano pang silbi ng application letter ko? Kaya pala hindi na nila binanggit dun sa diyaryo kung may natapos ba ako? Wow. Eh di, hindi na maiistress ang beauty ko.

Sinubukan kong kumurap ng limang beses dahil baka nananaginip lang ako.

"You're hired miss, congrats". Napa mannequin tuloy ako na titig style dahil hindi pa rin nag-sisink sa utak ko kung hired na ba talaga ako.

"Are you okay? Oh, I forgot, may I see your application letter?". Napukaw ang atensyon ko ng banggitin niya 'yon sakin.

"Ahh. Akala ko po katulad niyo rin si manong. Eto po. Swak na swak! walang labis, walang kulang po yung laman niyan." Nakangiti kong sabi sabay iniabot sa kanya yung folder. Napansin kong nakangiti siya habang binabasa niya yung resume ko. Sabay sinarado na niya yung folder at lumingon naman siya sakin.

"Okay. As I've done reading your resume, you'll now proceed to 25th floor. Your boss now is waiting there. Good luck". Nakangiti niyang sambit.

Huh? Akala ko siya yung boss ko? Eh di, ma-seseparate tuloy yung ganda namin. Ay hindi pala, exotic yung akin ordinary lang yung kanya. Kaya, pwede na rin siguro.

Kinuha ko yung folder ko nang iabot niya sakin pabalik at saka ako tumayo at tumungo sa pintuan. 

Pero, hindi pa ako nakaka-labas, nakalimutan kong magpasalamat kay ateng maganda. Kaya lumingon ako sa kanya.

"Ay pasensiya na po. Nakalimutan kong mag-pasalamat. Salamat po ulit." 

"You're welcome. I know that  you'll boss will accept you. Well, good luck again." Ang cute rin pala niyang ngumiti. Ngayon ko lang napansin.

Wait, kung hindi siya yung boss ko..eh ano ginagampanan dito ni ateng maganda? Aba malay ko ba. Baka kakuntsaba niya yung magiging boss ko. Hays ewan.

Sinimulan kong hawakan yung door knob at pinihit ko ito hanggang sa umuwang ito at bumukas ng unti.

Tumalikod ulit ako at sinulyapan ko ulit ng atensyon si ateng maganda. 

"Ateng maganda, anong floor po ito? Tsaka anong floor po ulit 'yong susunod na pupuntahan ko?" Nakalimutan kong sambit. Napakamot nalang ako sa ulo at ngumiti na naman si ateng maganda. Sige na. Maganda na talaga siya. Magiging diyosa na siya kapag ngumiti pa siya ulit sakin. Matatalo yung beauty ko sa kanya eh.

Napatawa ng bahagya si ateng maganda at saka nagsalita. "This is 20th floor. You'll proceed to 25th floor. You'll just find out his office if you'll reach that floor. And by the way, don't saying po and ate to me. I'm just 24 yrs old. Just call me nalang Roxie." 

Grabe na nonose-bleed na ako sa ka-eenglish niya. Pilipinas kaya 'to hindi naman ibang bansa. 

Napa kibit-balikat nalang ako. Sabagay, bagay naman sa kanya mag English kasi maganda siya. At speaking ng sinabi niyang 'yon, isang taon lang pala ang agwat namin sa edad. Pero, mukha pa siyang 20 yrs. old sa itsura niya. At napansin kong ang bait pa. At, Roxie pala ang pangalan niya. Bagay na bagay rin sa kanya kaya. 

Oh sige, siya na maganda. Diyosa nalang ako. Hindi na siya ngumiti eh. Joke lang 'yun syempre, maganda nalang. Lumalaki ulo ko kapag sinasabihan ko ng diyosa yung sarili ko eh. Paano pa kaya kung ibang tao na ang nagsabi nun sakin? Eh di, baka magmukha na akong alien nun. Huhu, baka pumangit ang lahi ko noh. Ini-ingat ingatan ko pa naman yung ganda ko.

"Ahh. Sorry po, este, salamat ulit." Sabay nag-bow pa ako sa kanya parang korean style lang. At saka lumabas na ako ng opisina niya.

Grabe rin pala yung laki nitong building na 'to. Buti nalang at may elevator, baka hindi pa ako nakakarating ng 25th floor mamatay na ako. What? No way highway. Hindi pwede 'yun noh! Malalagas yung lahi ko. Okay lang pag-pawisan, mabango naman ako eh. Hihi.

Buti nalang at mag-isa ako ngayon dito sa loob ng elevator kaya nakapag-ayos pa ako ng sarili ko. 

Chineck ko yung dress ko...check na check.

Yung flat shoes ko... Check na check.

Yung ngipin ko, hindi naman masyadong naninilaw. Sabi kasi nila kapag dilaw daw yung ngipin mo, matibay raw 'yon. Eh naninilaw yung ngipin ko kaya ibig sabihin, matibay 'to. Check na check.

At ang huli, yung maganda kong mukha. Malaking check! Approve na approve na kapag nakakita ulit ako ng mga gwapong lalaki dito. Lalo na siguro yung boss ko. Lalaki pa naman yun. Maghanda siya, maglalaway siya sa ganda ko. Smirk ngiti smirk.

*ting!

Nang makita ko nang maayos na yung sarili ko ng tignan ko sa makintab na repleksyon ng pinto ng elevator, ay sabay lumabas na kaagad ako at hinagilap ko kagad yung opisina na papasahan ko pa uli ng resume ko.

Eto na ba yun? "Logan Figueroa Office". Nakita kong nakalagay dun sa itaas ng glass door sa harapan ko. 

Ayos rin pala. Mukhang sound proof yung office na 'to ha. Plastered yung dingding ng glass at kakaiba.

Nakita ko na naman tuloy yung sarili ko sa makinis at makintab na dingding nang mapansin ko.

"Ako si Bell Haha. Ang ganda niya kasi kaya maganda rin ako. Magpinsan nalang tayo Bell! Para hindi na ako lamang sayo. Haha!" Bulong ko sa sarili ko at pakindat-kindat pa ako sa salamin. Hays. Ang lakas talaga maka-bell kuno.

Huminga muna ko ng malalim at saka huminga ako palabas. Inhaled exhaled ulit. Bigla kasi akong kinabahan eh. Pero, carry lang yan! Maganda ako kaya maglalaway sigurado yung boss ko dahil sa napakaganda ko at siguradong tanggap na tanggap na rin niya ako kaagad at mawawala na yung kaba ko. 

Malakas kong kinatok yung glass door at walang bumubukas. Kinatok ko ulit yung pinto ng ilang beses at wala pa ring epek yung katok ko. Baka tulog yung boss ko sa loob? O baka nag-cocencert? Sabagay, sound proof nga pala 'to. Pero, mas okay sana kung ako ang nasa lugar niya ngayon kung nag-coconcert siya jan sa loob. Aba! Talented kaya ako sa pagkanta. Naalala ko tuloy yung nag-wawalis ako, dumating lang kasi nun si Suzanne eh, kaya hindi ko na natuloy yung concert ko.

Nilapit ko yung tenga ko sa pintuan para pakinggan kung may nangyayari ba talagang concert niya sa loob. Hindi ko pa masyadong nadidikit sa pintuan yung kanang tenga ko ng bigla namang bumukas yung pinto. 

"What the--"

Bigla tuloy akong na-out balance at buti nalang at hindi ako naka-sandals. Ganun kasi minsan yung nababasa ko sa mga romance stories eh. At hindi sa diyaryo na binigay ni Suzanne, hindi kasi ako nagbabasa nun eh. Kaya ang bagsak, sinalo ako ako ng gwapong nilalang na tumambad sa akin na nanggaling sa loob pagbukas niya ng pinto.

"How do you entered here?! Get out in my office before I'll call a guard to drag you outside!" 

Bigla naman niya akong binitiwan kaya ang sunod kong bagsak, sa sahig. Pero, buti nalang at may malambot na carpet siya at hindi nasaktan yung puwet ko. 

Ang sama niya! Binagsak niya ang magandang tulad ko sa sahig. Buti pa si Bell, niyakap pa ni beast. Beast ba yung pangalan nun? Ah basta! Beast kasi yung prince charming niya kaya beast nalang ang tawag ko sa kanya.


Aba't ang sungit rin pala nito. Para rin siya yung prince charming ni Bell eh, baka magmumukhang beast siya niyan sa kasungitan niya. 

And speaking of this, syempre, marunong rin akong mag-english noh. Ayoko pa namang may nanghihimasok na masungit sa magandang tulad ko. Katulad nitong lalaking 'to. Gwapo nga kaso mukhang may PMS (Premenstrual period ba yun? Tama ako diba? Whahaha!) ata dahil sa kasungitan niya eh. Baka maistress ang beauty ko sa kanya. Inaasahan ko pa naman na mag-lalaway siya sa alindog ng ganda ko. Pero, mukhang ako pa yung naglaway sa kanya eh.

Bumuntong-hininga muna ako ng malalim at saka ako nagsalita. "Excuse me po sir. Bakit niyo naman po ako kaagad pinapalayas? Grabe naman po kayo. Mag-aapply pa sana ako sa inyo bilang assistant executive pero mukhang fired na kagad ako. Huhu. *sob* Namasahe pa ako ng singkwenta pesos papunta dito 'tas *sob* hindi niyo man lang i-hihire yung magandang tulad ko *sob*"." Sabay kinurot ko pa yung siko ko para halatang umiiyak talaga ako. Paraan ko kasi 'yon para lumabas talaga yung luha ko. Pero syempre, acting lang 'yon. Kapag ako nakapasa sa drama scene ko na 'to pwede ko na sigurong palitan si Marian Rivera. Haha!


Pinahid ko yung tumulong luha ko sa pisngi at saka tinignan ko naman yung reaksyon nung gwapong nilalang na 'to. Akalain niyo yun, nandito lang pala karamihan nagtatago yung mga gwapong lalaki sa buong mundo. Kanina kasi sa elevator, puro gwapo yung fans ko dun eh, tas may nakasalubong na naman ulit akong isang gwapo kanina pagkalabas ko ng elevator. Tapos ngayon, ito na naman, may gwapong nilalang na naman akong nakita, hindi lang mismo nakita, boss at may-ari pa ata siya dito. 

Naisip tuloy ako bigla, kaya pala kumokunti yung mga gwapong nakikita ko sa labas kasi dito karamihan sila lahat nagtatago. Aba! Kumalat naman sila! Paano dadami yung lahi ng magaganda at gwapo kung nagtatago lang sila. At isa na ako dun, syempre. Pero nag-eexpose naman ako noh. Hindi ako nagtatago. Baka malanta yung beauty ko. Exotic at high standard pa naman 'to.


Back to realidad tayo. Napansin kong nanlilisik na pala sa kasungitan yung gwapong boss na 'to at akala ko pa naman pasado na ako sa iyakan drama scene ko na 'to. Fine. Ipapasa ko na kay Marian Rivera yung korona pag uwi ko. Akala ko pa naman mahihigitan ko siya. Syempre, labas na sa usapan yung usapang ganda noh. Ang totoo niyan kase, mas maganda talaga ako kay Marian. Walang bawian!

"Do you think I'll be carried out of your dramatic ugly? Tsk. And excuse me miss who ever you are, I'm hiring for a MALE not FEMALE. So, better just leave now." 

Ouch. Na hurt ako dun sa sinabi niya huh. Parang nawalan tuloy ako ng guts ko. Pero hindi pa rin ako mag-papatalo, aja! Fight fight fight! Maganda ako kaya malalampasan ko 'to.


Tsaka wait lang ha, kung hired ako dun kay Roxie ganda...di ba dapat hired na rin ako sa kanya? Ahhhh! Ang gulo ha. Na guguluhan rin kaya ang beauty ko. O baka chossy lang si boss na gwapo? Ahh, yun siguro 'yon? Haha. Sabagay, naattract lang ata siya sa beauty ko. Ngiti ngiti ngiti.



Nilapitan ko siya at pinahawak ko sa kanya yung diyaryo, yung folder ko at yung purse ko. 

"What the--"

"Watch and learn. Ipapakita ko sayo na karapat-dapat mong i-hire ang magandang tulad ko at hindi lalaki..." 

"Eto? Gusto mo ba ng sexy na assistant executive?.." Pinakita kong bahagya sa kanya yung balikat ko at nanlaki yung mata niya.

"What the...what are you doing?" 

"Eto pa. Kaya rin kitang masahiin. Kaya ko ring hilutin. San ba masakit? Sa ulo mo? Sa batok? Kayang-kaya ko po lahat sir. Hindi lang ako basta one in all, All in all po ako." Halos napagod rin ako dun ha. Napapahid naman ako ng kaunti tagaktak ng pawis ko sa noo at pagkatapos ay kinuha ko na sa kanya yung purse, folder at dyaryo na pinahawak ko sa kanya.


"A-no sir? Hired na po ba ako? Oh. Eto po yung resume ko, paki check nalang para siguradong sigurado na rin po yung desisyon niyo." Sabay pa-cute ko sa kanya. 


Pinagmasdan ko muna siya at sa kamamasid ko sa kanya. Wow. Ngayon ko lang napansin na ang perfect ng broad shoulders niya...yung physiques niya..yung brown eyes at tangos ng ilong niya. Siya na! Perfect na perfect na talaga siya.


Pero ba't ganun? Biglang kumabog yung puso ko? Hinawakan ko at biglang bumilis? Hala! Hindi kaya...


"I'M NOT INTERESTED TO HIRE YOU. GET OUT OR ELSE, I'LL DRAG YOU NOW!" 

Grabe. Nag-mukha na tuloy siyang lucifer na gwapo sa ka-sungitan niya. Mas lalo tuloy akong na-gaganahan sa kanya. 

Nag-cross arms ako at inirapan ko lang siya. "Paano kung ayaw ko?" 

Kakaladkarin ba niya ako in mala-prinsesa? O kaya ibang kaladkad yung sinasabi niya? Hmm...di kaya..


Nakita kong binuhat niya ako na parang ikakasal at halatang umuusok at namumula na yung dalawang tenga niya sa galit at kasungitan niya. 

Napangiti lang ako at mukhang enjoy na enjoy ko pa yung buhat niya ha. Mukhang hindi naman siya nabibigatan sakin? Ilan na ba yung weight ko? 600 ba yun? Ay hindi, ang taba ko na nun. Hays ewan.


"Enjoying huh!". Galit niyang sabi. Ngayon ko lang napansin na bagay rin pala sa kanya ang kasungitan niya. Mas lalo pa siyang gumagwapo. 

Pero ganun ulit? Bigla na namang bumilis yung tibok ng puso ko? Whaaaa!! Na-abnormal na ata 'to. Naku, wag naman sana. May pangarap pa ako. Tsaka, paano na si Suzanne? Whaaa!! Wag naman po sana lord.

"Logan?" Napatingin ako dun sa nagsalita at nakita ko na naman yung magandang mukha ni Roxie. Ang ganda niya talaga.


Pangatlo na 'to ha. Binitiwan na naman niya ako kaya ang bagsak, ang sakit na naman ng puwet ko. Tumama kasi sa sahig, pero buti nalang at tiles yung sahig. Kaya hindi naman masyadong masakit.

"What did you do to her Logan?" Tanong ni Roxie.

"What? The hell she worth it and she's ruining me. And the hell sh--"

Hindi pa man ako nakakatayo ng makita kong binatukan siya ni Roxie sa ulo.

"You're really out of your mind Logan. Well, I'll hired her as your secretary an--"


"WHAT?" Gulat na sabi ni Logan.

"Why? Are you complaining? Well, I will never change my mind. And that's final. Period."

Nabigla ako ng bigla nalang akong hinila ni Roxie at dinala niya ako sa loob ng opisina ni Logan. Habang naiwan naman dun si Logan na tulala at mukhang hinahamon niya rin mag-mannequin challenge yung sarili niya dun.

They unexpectedly meet each other in an unexpected way. Their world suddenly turns into a hundred millions of beats when they path crossed--making them to throw back the memories from the past. 

Marsha Sandoval. Who had a simple and happy life. Her smiles creates long happiness, and creates a joy into her surroundings. But the fact that she had a past life in a man who's became part of his heart--when she had a tragic incident and makes to forgot her past--for having an amnesia. 

But unexpectedly, he suddenly met a person. Making her life change and help her to recall her past, to recall their memories that they'd made. 

Logan Figueroa who owns a company of Empire State Corporation (LFESC). Known as a billionaire, tyrannical, arrogant, selfish and almost everything was on him. His known also for being a Beast--but his manner of a beast is turns into a gentle way, especially when there's a girl whom he actually looking for so long--and when he found it, his longing heart suddenly melt again on that girl. His beasty way was faded, and as a matter of fact--on that manner--His being selfish, as he don't want to lose again that girl who's he unexpectedly met again and change his beast world.

Steven Montefalco. Who also owns a company. Prominent man who's the same with Logan for being a rich man.


But there's suddenly came another man in Her life, which makes her to choose over that two men who leave a trace on her past. Make her to choose which who she should love, and where her heart belongs for.

Ye Hao went to work early the next morning but He Xiyan was so exhausted from last night's activities that she slept till 8:30 AM in the morning and was woken up by a familiar ringtone.
She unlocked her phone screen and saw that it was a call from an unfamiliar number.
"Hello, is this He Xiyan?" 
He Xiyan answered that it was indeed her.
Then, the person on the other end said, "I'm Si Lisha, from the Human Resources department of Yimi Technologies. We'd like to inform you that you've passed the two rounds of interviews and you may come down to the office tomorrow to understand more about the company and the manager of the design department will probably speak to you as well. If everything goes well, we'd like to welcome you to our firm." 
The voice of the Human Resources employee sounded very clear and melodious.
He Xiyan froze for a moment before her face broke into an elated smile.
She suddenly sat up and her eyes were filled with surprise. She couldn't believe that she managed to pass the interview rounds since she knew that she didn't perform that well and she didn't have any edge over the rest in terms of her education or work experience.
She didn't understand how she managed to beat out so many excellent graduates from famous universities all around the world.
In the building, Si Lisha looked at her boss and said, "Mr. Su, I've already spoken to her on the phone, so I think she'll be here tomorrow." 
Si Lisha who was hailed from the United Kingdom eyed the tall man in front of her with surprise. This man was also the man who was named as the bachelor that all women wanted to marry. 
Su Ye nodded calmly and browsed through He Xiyan's resume a few more times.
"Mr. Su, is there a problem?" Si Lisha asked. They only discovered the candidate named He Xiyan was in fact, the wife of Ye Hao, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ye Group. They were very surprised to see her application to Yimi Technologies and due to the sensitivity of her identity, they had to seek Mr. Su's advice to confirm if it was appropriate to hire her.
Su Ye's lips curved into a small smile and his gaze never left the photo on He Xiyan's resume. The more he looked at this photo, the more it resembled the girl in his memories.
"No…" he finally looked at his employee and said, "Tell the design department to give Mrs. Ye a lighter workload and also tell them not to stress her out."
"Yes," Si Lisha nodded and watched her boss leave her office.
After he left the Human Resources department, he dug out his phone and called another employee, Megan.
"Sir!" someone said respectfully on the other end of the line.
"Did you receive any news?" Su Ye asked and his brows were tightly knitted together and he was clearly concerned about this matter.
"No, sir. We haven't been able to track her down. Tang Tang, the young girl you mentioned, was not registered at the orphanage and we spoke to several employees from the orphanage and they don't remember anything about this girl either. We've also carried out a search in the public security systems and would that He Xiyan who we had investigated earlier, bore the most resemblance to this girl you're looking for. We did the search three times and the outcome didn't differ. However, we're sorry to say that based on our research, Mrs. Ye is not Tang Tang. Their ages don't match and she had always been raised by her parents. The hospital also has her birth records."
Megan sounded a little helpless as she spoke. They had carried out the investigations so many times but their young master simply refused to give up.
"Alright!" 
Su Ye acknowledged the information coldly, then he hung up in disappointment.
He was 28 years old and had always managed to accomplish everything he set out to accomplish but he simply couldn't find the girl he had been looking for after so many years.


Married rich for three years with no child born. Just when she was finally cured of infertility and ready to give him a child, he brought home his pregnant mistress in high profile. 

"Get lost if you can't get knocked up. Or do you want my son to be the last of the Mo family?" her mother-in-law viciously cursed. 

Her husband grimly shoved a divorce agreement upon her face, "I've signed. Leave when you are ready."

It was heard later that two men went physical in the city plaze of Ye City to win back the wife, with the two babies at the side fighting fiercely for their mom!

This is a story of a woman's search for a new life and bliss while abandoning her tragic past. 


Oh no, I'm falling, I can't even breath. Is this how I end, I don't wanna die like this. NO, I can't die like this not when my life is getting better. Those were the things I was thinking when I was suddenly pushed off my balcony. How did it all this happen, today should've been the best ever. I finally got engaged and got my dream job as a film director how did this happen. It all started this evening.

7 hours earlier

"Lily lets go the director is waiting for you in his office." my manager called.

This was it I said, seven years of hard work just for this moment. As I went through the office I glanced out the window looking at the buildings of new york. to think a girl from Virginia would end up here in the big city. As I walked into the room I saw the boss and two other people there.

" Well Hello you must be Lilly Johnson nice to meet you," the man said.

" Hello nice to meet you, sir"

" Please call me Mr. Richard," he said with a smile.

" Well miss Johnson I saw your resume and you have outstanding talent and would be perfect in the Entertainment industry as a director."

" You flatter me Mr.Richard."

The two other men must have been other executives in the industry in charge of newcomers, I thought.

" You must be wondering why Mr. Jenal and Mr. Smith are in the room, we were all looking at your files and we couldn't believe our eyes no one in the company has made such a script for a movie only you."

" Yes I made a few scripts for new coming movies for RedTube Entertainment and VRX cooperation."

" That's amazing we had no newcomers do such a thing, instead of being a Scriptwriter what do you think about being an executive director." Mr. Smith said.

I couldn't believe what I was hearing, an Executive director is close to a Director itself, I could get an internship from different companies and become famous and became the youngest executive director in the U.S.

" Yes, of course, I will work my hardest."

The Producers smiled happily I shook there hands in confidence and left the room. I couldn't believe all the hard work and cramming all paid off. I was so excited that I texted all my friends and my boyfriend about the exciting news as walked out of the building. I was so happy that I got my dream job as a worker at an entertainment company. If only my parents were here they would be proud. As I went to the novel cafe I heard a buzz in my pocket, I guess someone texted me. I took my phone out of my pocket and almost dropped it. It was my boyfriend, Luke, he was a Comic Artist and worked in various Companies, the main one was MARVAL. We were high school and college sweethearts and meet in middle school. I was glad to have such a friend I was happy we were both able to move from Virginia to New York, it was like we were destined to be together. I read the message.

Luke

Meet me at Coney Island Beach in 1 hour.

I didn't get what he needed but went anyway. So I answered.

Lily

Ok <(*^*)>

As I got a train to Brooklyn, I was reading some novels I got at the cafe. My favorite novel is Celestia, it's about a princess who was killed just because she loved someone else and not her real lover. The story had twists and turns and the way it ended was heartbreaking. At first, when they put it as an online novel it got popular and the author decided to make a book. Almost every single book shop sells it. 

I got off the train and ran straight to the beach, and there I saw Luke standing next to the ocean. When Luke was young he was a little cute dork, but when we got to High School his looks skyrocketed. I was happy I was wearing a great outfit since I came from an interview. Luke noticed me and ran to me. He kissed me on the cheek as we hugged.

" Lily, it been a while, Congratulations on your Job"

" Well I still have a long way to go"

" Well since you work at the entertainment company there's a possibility we can work together"

" Oh, that's right you work at the Artistic Pictures Company right"

" Yup but since you might be in charge of me try not to be too harsh"

I giggled. The ocean was beautiful especially since the sun was coming down. 

" hey, Luke lets take a picture this view is pr-"

" Lily I have something to tell you"

Lukes's face turned into a frown, the wait is he going to break up with me. Even though we love each other I've been quite busy so has he, did the long-distance frustrate him. I was scared I wanted us to be together but is this the end.

Luke went on one knee and pulled a ring out of his pocket. My face beamed.

" Lily Johnson would you do the honor of becoming my wife and be with me till the day I die."

Tears came out my eyes I couldn't believe this he proposed.

" Yes, 100 times yes."

Luke put the ring on me and we hugged and kissed it was a beautiful sight. I was going to get married, this day couldn't get better.

***

After Luke dropped me home I called all my friends and told them the news they all rejoiced and were so happy for me. It was quite late and it was passed ten Oclock. I went up to my balcony and saw the lights and beautiful buildings. it was as if all my dreams came true. All of a sudden I felt a push and I realized I was falling. no, I'm falling, I can't even breath. Is this how I end, I don't wanna die like this. NO, I can't die like this not when my life is getting better. I thought of all the things I regret, what did I do so wrong to deserve this. This is a dream wake just wake up-

" WAKE UP"

"WAKE UP"

I felt my eyes open and I saw myself in a bed, but not just any ordinary bed this one was huge. The room I was in had ceilings of gold and a crystal chandelier. I looked down and had a white robe on and my hair was longer than it should be and it was WHITE. I little girl who seemed to be at least 11 or 12 came in the room. She had white silky hair that went up to her neck and blue crystal eyes. Tears started flowing from her eyes and she ran to give me a hug.

" Stia is awake!!!"

I woman who seemed like a maid came in and a huge man with a crown and beautiful attire came in. He ran and gave me a hug. What the HECK is going on. The man looked at me.

" Are you all right Stia"

" What's going on "

" What do you mean Celestia you were ill for three months "

WAIT did he say, Celestia. Now that a see it there were a lot of Manhwas about people from the earth being reincarnated into different characters in a novel. BUT TO THINK IT WAS REAL!!!! The worst part I just had to be recriminated into CELESTIA the Heroine who gets killed.

It was Lily`s best day of her life, her boyfriend Luke just asked for her hand in marriage. She grew up in Virginia without parents and no one to love her, but she finally found the one. As she stared at the buildings of New York on a balcony she suddenly felt something push her, and she started to feel herself falling. Soon she realized it was the end she couldn't survive this fall. But suddenly she found her self in a beautiful bed in a room that was the size of her house. She soon realized she was recreated into a " PRINCESS " from one of her favorite Novels. Lily had to get into the habit of this new lifestyle of being Princess Celestia, but what she didn't know, it would be harder than she thought.

Probably the same gleam she'd gotten when she read the email from the Executive Committee, J.D. guessed. He tossed his briefcase and his gym bag onto the living room couch that faced the best feature of his apartment: floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the famed Magnificent Mile of Michigan Avenue, and beyond that, the vast blue expanse of Lake Michigan. ("At least there's a view," his mother had sniffed reluctantly.)
Yes, indeed, J.D. had no doubt that the email from the Executive Committee had been the absolute highlight of Payton's day. She was clever—she never directly played the gender card with the firm's partners, but she also never missed a chance to flaunt her feminine status. Like that "Forty Women to Watch Under 40" article, for example. The only reason he'd asked her about it was to preempt any pleasure she'd get in bringing it up herself and rubbing it in his face.
Not that it was a competition between them.
Payton Kendall, Esquire, could be named in ten magazine articles for all he cared, she could have the entire firm wrapped around one of her little liberal feminist fingers—it concerned him not one bit. J.D. knew he was a good lawyer, very good, and once he made partner (even if she made it, too), and was in complete control of his own workload, he planned to make sure that he and Payton never worked together again.
Now, if he could just get through this business with Gibson's Drug Stores . . .
J.D. showered quickly. It was late, and he needed to get an early start tomorrow morning. Payton had very nearly beaten him into the office the other morning, and he needed to put a quick kibosh on that.
Not that it was a competition between them.
Not at all.

PAYTON REVIEWED THE schedule of events for the Gibson's executives a second time.
To say she was displeased would be an understatement.
She had been swamped this week, preparing for both the Gibson's pitch and a sexual harassment trial that was set to start the following Wednesday. And J.D. had caught her at a particularly bad time when he stopped by her office yesterday to discuss the agenda for wining and dining Jasper Conroy and his in-house litigation team. She'd been arguing all morning with opposing counsel over last-minute additions to the exhibit list. She had hung up the phone, spotted J.D. standing in the doorway, and sensed her morning was only about to get worse. But instead, in a rare moment of apparent helpfulness, J.D. had offered to take the lead in setting up the Gibson's schedule.
And, in a just-as-rare moment of receptiveness to anything J.D. related, as her phone began ringing off the hook and she saw the familiar number of her opposing counsel on the caller ID and realized she was about to begin Round 137 with him, she accepted J.D.'s offer.
Big mistake.
Clutching the agenda in her hand, Payton looked up at her secretary with a mixture of frustration and trepidation.
"Is this really the agenda?" she asked.
Irma nodded in the affirmative. "J.D.'s secretary just dropped it off."
"Okay. Thanks, Irma."
Payton pretended to resume typing at her computer as Irma left her office. She watched as her secretary headed back to her desk, waited a moment or two more, then casually got up and walked across the hall to J.D.'s office.
J.D. peered up from his desk when he heard the knock on his door.
"Got a sec?" Payton asked pleasantly. One never knew who was watching.
"For you, Payton—anytime. How can I be of assistance?" he asked.
Payton stepped into his office and shut the door behind her. They both instantly dropped the charade.
She held out the agenda accusingly. "You told me we were having dinner with the Gibson's execs tomorrow evening."
J.D. eased back in his chair, gesturing to the agenda. "And as you see, we are."
"But you're also playing golf with them tomorrow afternoon. Why wasn't I invited?"
"Do you play golf?"
"No, but you didn't know that."
J.D. grinned. "Actually, I did. I overheard you mention it to Ben last summer."
Stunned by the overt snub, Payton opened her mouth to respond. She clenched her fist as she searched for some response, some insult, anything, and a moment passed, and then another . . . and—
Nothing.
J.D. smiled victoriously. "Tell you what—why don't you think about it for a while? Come back when you're ready—make it a good one." Then he ushered Payton out of his office and shut the door behind her.
She stood there in the hallway. Staring face-to-face with that stupid nameplate, J. D. JAMESON, which she was seriously tempted to tear off the wall and chuck straight at his face.
It was true, she didn't know squat about golf; she had never even swung a club. Her avoidance was purposeful. She had distinct opinions regarding the sport and, more important, those who played it.
Payton considered her options. On the one hand, she hated the idea of J.D. getting the better of her. And she really hated the idea of looking like a clueless novice playing golf in front of Jasper and the Gibson's team.
On the other hand, the thought of being left out for the entire afternoon was not appealing. With the partnership decision looming, she needed to ensure she was an integral part of the effort to land Gibson's as a client. And she simply didn't think she could stomach playing the part of the little woman sitting back at the office while the men talked shop at the twenty-fifth or whatever tee.
So as far as Payton could see, she had no choice.

Payton Kendall and J.D. Jameson are lawyers who know the meaning of objection. A feminist to the bone, Payton has fought hard to succeed in a profession dominated by men. Born wealthy, privileged, and cocky, J.D. has fought hard to ignore her. Face-to-face, they're perfectly civil. They have to be. For eight years they have kept a safe distance and tolerated each other as coworkers for one reason: to make partner at the firm.
...There are no rules.
But all bets are off when they're asked to join forces on a major case. Though apprehensive at first, they begin to appreciate each other's dedication to the law—and the sparks between them quickly turn into attraction. But the increasingly hot connection does not last long when they discover that only one of them will be named partner. Now it's an all-out war. And the battle between the sexes is bound to make these lawyers hot under the collar...

Iris finally received an "all clear" from her doctor, declaring her healthy enough to resume all of her normal activities after suffering injuries in the bomb incident. Now she could once again work as much as she wanted. And most importantly, she could make love with Jin Liwei again. Finally!
He had been so concerned about aggravating her injuries that he didn't make love with her, frustrating her so much that it almost caused a big fight between them. She had been on the verge of storming off the mansion and moving back to the penthouse to live with Wei Lan instead due to her frustration. Fortunately, Jin Liwei managed to sweet-talk her, ease her bad temper, and redirect her restless energy to her showbiz work instead of focusing on her unspent libido.
She missed him so much that she would sometimes uncharacteristically wake up from her usual deep slumber to grope him in the dark while they were in bed in the middle of the night. He would always respond, of course, making her so excited and needy…until he realized what was happening and regain his wits. Then he would stop just when everything was hot and exciting.
To ease her frustration, he would go down on her, spread her legs wide open and eat her with his mouth and fingers until she shook and cried out in ecstasy. Despite this, she still didn't feel completely satisfied.
She wanted more, but he refused to do more.
No matter how much she asked him—begged, even—he controlled himself like a monk. She wanted, no, she needed him to make love with her energetically, firmly, vigorously, thoroughly, with everything he had like how he always did before.
But Jin Liwei would always prioritize her health, safety and well-being no matter what. Without the doctor's assurance, he wouldn't dare fully touch her for fear of hurting her because he was certain that he would lose control if he allowed himself to give in to his desire for her. 
Iris was frustrated but he was also frustrated. She knew that it was taking all of his self-control and discipline not to jump her, tear off her clothes, and take her like a wild beast on the floor every time she tried seducing him.
Fortunately, their mutual frustration would end today. She would make sure of it.
After working early in the morning, Iris headed to Jin Corporation to personally deliver lunch to Jin Liwei. This would be the first time she would set foot in his company in broad daylight. She had sneaked in a few times before at night with the assistance of Diao Yijue and Gu Chang to install the new security system she created after Jin Corporation was attacked by the hacker Eagle.
Jin Liwei had expressed his desire to show her his workplace a few times before but never forced her to come. She always wanted to openly visit but didn't want to disrupt business operations and cause unnecessary disturbance because of her presence.
The media would certainly catch wind of her visit because Jin Corporation was such a huge company and housed so many employees on a daily basis. If she didn't sneak in, everyone was bound to know of her visit.
But she didn't want to sneak in. Not today. This was her future husband's company. Why should she sneak in?
Filled with anticipation, she rushed to Jin Corporation as soon as she was done with work that morning. She was in such a hurry that she almost forgot to bring lunch. Good thing that Dom remembered and they were able to pick up the lunch the chef prepared from the mansion.
Little Jun saw them and wanted to tag along, too. Iris almost gave in when her cute godson started crying but steeled her heart this time because what she planned on doing with Little Jun's papa was inappropriate for a kid to see.
"Junjun go with Mama? Pwease!" the little guy begged her, looking pitiful and adorable at the same time with his puppy eyes.
Iris struggled finding a random excuse while trying to comfort her godson. Her eyes fell on the dark clouds covering the grey sky outside the windows. "Sorry, Little Jun. The weather is not good today. It's going to rain. It's cold outside and you might get sick if you come with us, so stay at home today, okay? We'll be back later."
Fortunately, Little Jun was a good boy and was soon distracted by his cat cousins, Ice Cream and Popcorn. Iris and Dom were able to escape and rush to Jin Corporation.
Later, two black cars sandwiched an executive van and stopped directly in front of Jin Corporation's main entrance. The weather worsened, cold and drizzling. There was a chill in the air that felt like it would seep into one's bones whenever the wind blew by.
Normal people wouldn't want to venture outside in this kind of terrible weather unless it was absolutely necessary but a certain woman was burning with a blazing fire deep within herself that needed to be quenched no matter what as soon as possible. She needed to see her man—RIGHT NOW—so the terrible weather could go fuck itself. As if something like the weather could stop her when she had already made up her mind.
The doors of the two black cars opened and men in black suits poured out holding large, black umbrellas. They moved in unison to surround the executive van and nodded at their colleagues who came out of the company building to welcome them.
This impressive sight caught the attention of both the company employees and passersby. They craned their necks and wondered who in the world was coming to be treated with such extreme importance.
Finally, they got the answer. The van's door opened and a high-heeled leather boot stepped on the ground followed by the graceful figure of a familiar beautiful young woman.
Silence for a couple of seconds.
Then gasps all around. Eyes popped out and jaws fell down.
"Kyaaaaaaah! It's Iris Long! Boss Iris has come!"
###
[This novel is a contracted work with W e b n o v e l . c o m (remove spaces). If you're not reading this chapter on W e b n o v e l, it has been stolen. It's very discouraging to see thieves profitting from my hard work. Please read this novel on W e b n o v e l. Thank you! -Arria]


A world-famous hacker and daughter of the most powerful criminal family who ruled the international Underworld for many generations is killed when their organization is annihilated in a single night.

She is reborn into the body of Iris Long, a teenage pop singer, wild party girl, and spoiled brat. For the former princess of the Underworld who lived an overprotected and shackled life, this new life is a chance to finally live the life of freedom and independence that she always wanted.

Jin Liwei is the most powerful man in the country's business world. Cold and ruthless, he is someone only a few dare offend. When the infamous Iris Long, who used to chase his younger brother, wakes up from a year-long coma, his unfeeling heart moves for the first time and he falls hard for this unexpected genius girl.

She wants to fly freely and soar high beyond the sky. He wants her everything, to tie her to himself and to never let her go.

This is her journey to super stardom. This is his journey in accompanying her. Together, they will rock the world while facing many challenges.

But what will happen when she discovers that she can never escape from the shadows of her previous life? Will she still be able to live her dream life of freedom and independence? Will he be able to protect her from the dangers?

###
Instagram: Arria Cross (@arriacross)

HGWS Discord Server: 
https://discord.gg/cSUhBdz
...

WARNING!!! WARNING!!! WARNING!!!

This novel is rated 18+ (no one 17 and under allowed). It contains mature adult themes, coarse language, explicit sexual content, and occasional graphic violence. Reader discretion is strongly advised. Please do NOT read if you are under 18 or if you feel uncomfortable with any of these elements. 

And despite of what some of the negative reviews are claiming, there is NO rape in this novel. Many scenes are deliberately made uncomfortable (clear 18+ warning), but there is NO rape.

Also please remember that this is a work of "fiction". Thank you!

"Are you asking me to move to the company on the second floor?"
"I'm not suggesting you to actually move in, but just change your resident registration to the company address."
"What would that do?"
"And buy the land next to the company. It's a 1,500 pyung large farmland.
"Why do you want to buy farmland? Are you planning to do farming?"
"In order to be able to buy farmland, we need a permit. To get a permit, we will have you change your home address here. Then, we will change the use of the land."
"Change the use of the land?"
"Yes, we will change it to non-farming land, so we can include that land as part of GH Logistics. We need more space to grow for sure."
"Oh, I see."
"Why don't you handle the process from purchasing the land to changing the land use? You will need to know that anyway. It will be a very useful experience in life for you."
"Hmm."
"The land price will go up once its use is changed to non-farming. GH Logistics will buy the land from you then. You will make some money in the process."
"Hmm."
"The target land is right there next to GH Logistics. Good luck!"
"Hmm. Okay."
Jae-Sik Moon nodded his head.
 
"Jae-Sik, I should take off now. I will bring my certificate of a registered seal and my property tax return so we can take out a loan. You prepare the documents related to the company."
"Don't worry about it. I will get them ready. Aren't you going to interview the person who would come here with his resume at 2 pm?"
"I won't get involved in that sort of matter, Jae-Sik. You are the one who will work with him, not me. You choose the other person who would do bookkeeping as well. I don't take part in hiring workers for other companies either, except the executive officers of GH Mobile and Dyeon Korea."
"Really?"
"Okay. Keep up the good work."
 
The weather was getting cold. Gun-Ho wore a vest inside his jacket when he went to work.
He looked down the street from the window in his 18th-floor office. People on the street looked busy.
His phone started ringing. It was GH Media's President Jeong-Sook Shin.
President Shin was feeling happy these days because her business was doing great. She already paid 300 million won back to Gun-Ho that he lent to GH Media in publishing the cartoon series which were purchased from Amazon. Also, GH Gallery and the book café that she was running were generating profits.
 
President Jeong-Sook Shin didn't get along with the owner of the publishing company which she had worked for before she joined GH Media. She believed that she wasn't fairly compensated for the work she did for the company, especially when the owner rejected her request to give her a stock option; however, she didn't have any problem with Gun-Ho. Gun-Ho totally trusted her in running the business and treated her fairly. She could operate the business the way that she believed right.
In Gun-Ho's eyes, President Shin was a positive and pleasant person.
 
"President Goo? It's Jeong-Sook Shin."
"Oh, hi, President Shin."
"The artist—Jeong-Soon Choi came back from Yokohama City in Japan after finishing her art exhibition there."
"It was a successful art exhibition, wasn't it?"
"Half of her paintings that were displayed during the exhibition were sold. So, yes, you can say it was successful."
"Haha. That's good to hear."
"Jeong-Soon Choi seems happy these days. She wants to host a small social gathering this Sunday at her home. You can join us, right?"
"I felt chilly this morning. The weather is getting cold. You could catch a cold by having cold soybean noodles in this weather."
"It's not only cold noodles in soybean soup that she can cook well, but she can cook warm noodles too. It's really delicious as well. As she lives by herself, she cooks a lot at home and develops her own recipes. She usually uses the vegetables and other ingredients that she harvests from her farm."
"Does she have a farm?"
"Haha. It's not a huge farm but she farms a 300 pyung large land. She rented it. She grows various vegetables and other plants."
"Is that so?"
"Mr. Yoshitake Matsuda will join us too."
"Oh, that Mr. Art Dealer?"
"I will text you with the direction to her house. The gathering starts at noon on Sunday. You will have to come, okay? Artist Choi really wanted to have you taste her warm noodle dish."
"Okay, I will be there."
 
After getting off the phone with President Shin, Gun-Ho tried to think of the lady medical doctor's face, but he couldn't remember her face. The image of her face in his head was blurry. Gun-Ho then tried to recall the face of Mori Aikko and Seol-Bing. Their faces were clear in his head.
'Will the lady doctor be there too? I wonder if her niece is the lady doctor who took care of my mom. Say, there are fifty female doctors in Seoul National University Hospital. The odds that they are the same person would be 50 to 1.'
 
Gun-Ho actually planned to visit the painter—Jeong-Soon Choi's art exhibition in Yokohama City. He wanted to go there with Mori Aikko. But, he then changed his mind thinking that her niece who she wanted to introduce to Gun-Ho could be the same lady doctor who he met at the hospital. He didn't want her to know that he was dating Mori Aikko.
 
'I wonder how Mori Aikko is doing these days. She is probably still busy doing dance performance here and there. Seol-Bing never contacts me unless I contact her first. I wonder why she does that. Well, she is so popular these days that she might not want to see a businessman who is not  well known. As a top star, she might want to meet someone who is wealthier and also popular.'
 
Gun-Ho had a lot of thoughts going on in his head.
 
Gun-ho went to GH Logistics in Seonghwan Town. Jong-Suk Park expressed his excitement when Jae-Sik decided to move to Seonghwan Town, but Gun-Ho was actually more excited than him about Jae-Sik's moving. Gun-Ho didn't have many friends. He had been bullied during his high school years and he didn't really have a campus life in college. Min-Hyeok Kim was the closest friend and he was now living far in China. So, Jae-Sik Moon was the only friend who was close to Gun-Ho emotionally and also geographically.
 
Gun-Ho considered Jae-Sik as one of his best friends and he wanted to help him in any way he could. However, Jae-Sik thought differently. To Jae-Sik, Gun-Ho was not a comfortable person, maybe because of the social gap between them. Jae-Sik was a poor man living in an old townhouse by paying a monthly rent while Gun-Ho was a big player in Gangnam who owned several big companies.
 
Jae-Sik acted carefully when he was with Gun-Ho and with the executive officers of GH Mobile or Dyeon Korea who were in their 50s. For some reason, he didn't feel right talking to Gun-Ho in an informal way as friends. Jong-Suk Park felt the same way. Jong-Suk couldn't even call Gun-Ho brother when they were with the company's executive officers, especially after President Song reprimanded him for it once.
But Gun-Ho always treated Jong-Suk and Jae-Sik as a brother and a close friend.
 
When Gun-Ho arrived at GH Logistics, there was a young man and woman in the office.
"Hey, President Goo. Please come in."
Jae-Sik then called for the two new workers.
"This is President Gun-Ho Goo. He is the major shareholder of our GH Logistics."
The two workers gave a bow to Gun-Ho. Gun-Ho extended his hand to them for a handshake.
"I hope you enjoy the work here."
 
"President Moon, I brought all the necessary documents. Let's go to the bank."
"Oh, you did? My documents are ready too."
"I will drive."
"Sure."
The two workers gazed blankly at Gun-Ho and Jae-Sik driving off the company's yard, and then the male worker suddenly shouted, "Whoa! It's a Bentley!"
The female worker asked, "That vehicle is an expensive one, right? It must be over 50 million won, huh?"
"Are you kidding me? It's over 300 million won. 300!"
"300 million won?!"
The woman looked at the male worker in astonishment.
 
Gun-Ho placed all the documents prepared for a loan on the table. The bank manager was startled when he looked at Gun-Ho's property tax document. He looked at Gun-Ho's face. He then mumbled while swallowing his saliva, "He is a very rich man!"

This is the story of a poor young man whose poverty even shreds apart their family willing to climb his way through society and into the top. A very realistic novel that moves away from fantasy and sci-fi and focuses solely on the issues of society and life.

It wasn't that Darren knew that Xiu was Dylan's new Executive Assistant. He had indeed selected her and read all her details but there was a certain detail missing on Xiu's resume and that was her photo. While all the other resumes had a photo, hers didn't. 

This was the first point that had intrigued Darren when he was helping Li Qi'er in the screening process. The second point was her accomplishments. And those accomplishments were enough to make him realize why she didn't attach her photo on the resume. It was a clear statement that her work would be enough to speak for her. His interest had piqued enough.

However, the deciding factor was her answer to a certain question. During the screening process, Xiu was given a sheet of paper with some questions. In fact, that was a set of questionnaire to determine the character of the employee and it was set by Darren himself.

Since Li Qi'er knew how good Darren was at determining the abilities of a person, she had said nothing about that questionnaire. And she was right, with just those answers, Darren could tell what kind of a personality each of the candidates had.

The answer that became his final deciding factor for Xiu was for the question; Write a letter to yourself.

It seemed a very simple and ordinary question but in reality, Darren knew how complex it could be. People often tried to show their ambitions through this. But he wasn't looking for ambition because ambitions often led people astray. He was looking for determination and sincerity. And that's what he found in Xiu's questionnaire sheet.

Her answer was something like this:

"Dear Xiu,
I'm sorry. I'm sorry for letting you down. I'm sorry that even after living a lifetime, I didn't care about you. I didn't spend any effort to learn about you or your wishes. I'm sorry for mistreating you and most of all, taking you for a coward. I'm sorry for not standing beside you as your strength when you needed it the most.
Xiu, I know you're strong. Stronger than anyone I've ever met. But it's time to prove this to others. It's time that we should learn about ourselves. Forgive me for prioritizing others over you. But no more, let's give ourself a chance. We have spent long enough in the paradox of past and future. Neither we can go back in past nor do we have the sight to see the future.
What we have is today. And now, we need to shape this today of ours. 
Thank you for staying with my unbearable self. Thank you for not giving up. And thank you for trying your best with this second chance. This time, I want you to live to the fullest. Live your imperfect desires that you had hidden from the world. Let me give you the love that you craved for till the end. Let me make you forget the scars that are left behind.
Don't ever let anyone make you feel small again. Don't let anyone make you cry again. Forget yesterday and come, we'll find our true self together. What do you like to do? What makes you feel good about yourself? What makes you happy? Because you're never alone. I'm always there for you. And together, we can conquer the world.
Just do give up and keep fighting! Because this rollercoaster of a ride we call life has only started."

Xiu's words had touched Darren deeply. It was the sincerest letter he had read. All other candidates went along the lines of how they will do their best and achieve the heights of success. But she only asked herself for a chance to prove herself. Live one day at a time. 

Obviously, he didn't know what second chance Xiu had talked about or which end she was referring to but nonetheless, the letter was very touching. It reminded him of someone whom he lost. Someone who was gone forever now. 

He really wished to poach Xiu to his own company. But he couldn't snatch someone from his own best friend. Therefore, he decided to let it go.

On the other side of things...

Xiu had no clue that the words that she wrote because of her frenzied emotions were the reason for her selection. She had a dream about a bitter memory that very day and she wasn't in a good mood. Therefore when she read that question about writing a letter to yourself. She just poured her heart out.

She also had no clue, how deeply those words had affected someone. And how she had invoked someone's buried memories along with her own.

Currently,

When Xiu entered the apartment with a content smile, she heard Nora's voice, "Baby Xiu'er, why are you so late?"

And seeing Nora's concern, Xiu just spilled her heart out honestly as she kept cursing Dylan who was sneezing unceasingly in Darren's apartment and Darren even joked saying, "I think someone is cursing you."

"It must be that Ms. Bai!" Dylan answered hatefully while Darren shook his head at him.

Who knew that his guess was right on point! It wasn't in Xiu's hands otherwise she would have already smashed Dylan's head with a baseball bat.

Back on Xiu's side, she looked aggrieved as she related the story of the whole day to Nora who was equally furious now.

"How dare he! Such a despicable man! He treated you so badly and you let him? Why didn't you say anything?" Nora's temper flared up as she rolled up her sleeves ready to fight. "Let me find him. I'll give him a good lesson!"

Xiu held her back saying, "Nora darling, stop it! Do you think I can't give him a punch or two?"

"Then why didn't you?" Nora shouted at her, not satisfied with how Xiu let herself get bullied.

"He's my boss. I should bear with him once or twice." Xiu's voice was barely a whisper. "Besides, I don't want to end up with a lawsuit."

"What lawsuit? My mother is the best lawyer. Why are you worrying about a lawsuit?" Nora gave her a side hug and added, "Next time, feel free to kick his ass. We'll handle the lawsuit if we have to."

Xiu smiled at her reply wholeheartedly as she felt completely relaxed now. Nora had that effect on her. She really could brighten up her day.

"I'll definitely kick his ass," Xiu replied with determination.

"Good!" Nora patted her head proudly.

"Are you looking for your Mr. Right?"

"Why would I wait for him? Mr. Right is lost on his way."

He quirked his brow at her answer with a faint smile at the corner of his lips.

"Then what are you doing?" He questioned in amusement.

She placed both her hands on his chest and pushed his masculine body against the wall taking him by surprise.

Her honey-brown eyes blinked at him with mischief dancing in them as she planted a firm kiss at his jaw and said, "I'm planning on taking advantage of Mr. Right Now!"

His eyes widened dramatically in disbelief. Before his eyes darkened with desire and passion. 

He placed his hands on her small waist and she could feel the heat of his big hands through the flimsy fabric of her shirt.

His head leaned ahead as he whispered close to her ear, "Feel free to take whatever you want." 

She felt his hot tongue licking her earlobe making her heart to beat erratically.
~~~~~

Chen Xiu; known as Ms. Goody-two-shoes. A Superstar who was said to have it all which made her the center of hatred and envy as well.

Little did anyone knew that the same Superstar had to nurse her own wounds in the silence and darkness of night where no one was looking.

But for how long could she hold on for? Eventually, she decided to end her own misery and ended her life in the darkness of night, her only companion.

Having woken up in a new body and at a new place wasn't something she could ever believe in. At least, not until she became Bai Xiu out of the blue.

The day she thought to be her last became her first as a second chance awaited her. But whether this new chance was a blessing or disaster, it was hard to tell since she was trapped in a new body with a new life with the shackles of only her old memories.

New life or a new curse? What really awaited her? The same disappointing silence of the night or was there someone calling out her name desperately at the end of the tunnel? Were sparks meant to fly in her heart or the fire in her heart was meant to burn her whole? Was this leap of faith gonna make her fall on her face or was she meant to fly the horizon?

The new life brought a lot of questions. But the answer was simple...

You would never know until you give it a shot!
~~~
This is an original novel by Xiao MeeHee. All rights are reserved to the author.
Thank You! 
~~~
Other Novels by the author: 
"Mr. CEO Loves The Devilish Beauty"
"The Inconceivable Flame: A Fallen Angel's Disguise"
~~~
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