A voice is echoing through her head, slowly ringing louder and stronger as the voice of an elder male repeats these words with an ire tone, "I regret having daughters! I should have never kept Belen. She's only making my life miserable. I have no need for her anymore!"

The words continue to grow with malice as it rings throughout a dark hallow room, simply echoing like a water droplet. Finally, this voice is interrupted by another gentle, familiar warm voice, slowly creeping into her ear "Belen… Belen… Belen wakes up… Belen, we are five minutes away from the office."

A ray of light shines through this darkness when Belen, a slender tall caramel-skinned woman in her 20s opens her eyes. She is sitting in the back seat of a 2019 black Mercedes Benz, and next to her is Noah, a tall slim man with fair skin in his mid-20s.

Belen glances at her surroundings when she lets out a short yawn. She carefully cleans the corner of her eyes as her vision clears. She turns to look at Noah, who is seated on her right side, when he says in a warm tone, "we're about to arrive in 3 minutes, please get ready."

Belen quickly glances up to see the driver when she makes a distant stare at the driver and nonchalantly looks over at Noah. "I'm awake, what time is it?"

The driver makes his way into the front entrance of a great luxurious Mall, with huge crimson letters on the mall reading "A Star" hanging across the tall luxurious building. Finally, the car comes to a stop, when Noah answers calmly, "arrived just in time, it's 7:30 am."

He looks forward and notices two rows formed of five men and three women waiting to greet her.

The driver obediently opens the door. Belen steps out of the car, showcasing her black four-inch heels. Brimming with confidence, her left arm carried a branded black purse from head to toe. She is wearing a grey long sleeve peplum dress, a black pencil skirt, fine jewelry around her neck, ears, fingers, and wrist. This dress displays her curves and honey thighs. She gets out of the car and stands right in the middle of the two rows that have been formed.

She looks to her left this time and sees Noah nod. She takes this as a signal and struts between the five men and three women on her left and right side. They respectably bow their heads with their hands humbly courted to their sides. They say in unison like a choir, "Good Morning, Madam President!" Belen is walking through their greeting as the doors to the mall are open letting her walk right inside with heavy yet confident footsteps. Her heels ring against the marble floor as if she's the only person in the building. Noah is a step beside her. Along with the eight men and women dressed in black suits enter following three steps behind Noah. Belen is walking through the mall, this is normal because it's her daily routine. All of the employees are gathered to the center of their workstations and respectfully greet the Madam President.

The mall has seven levels, the 7th level of the mall is the CEO's floor, no one is allowed entry. Only those the President calls are allowed to enter the floor. Though this floor has an access code for the 8 leaders, exclusive security, secretary, and President to enter. No regular employee is allowed to enter. If an employee even presses the 7th level without an appointment, they can be immediately fired. The first and second floors are for regular customers. The third floor through the 6th floor is for VIP guest customers.

She visits the shops, makes sure they are clean, checks for any mistakes, fix things on display, recommends other ways of displaying certain items. And even questions employees and tests their fast knowledge on the product or item they are selling. If for any reason an employee cannot fulfill her requirement they are immediately fired. Therefore, Belen takes her time checking the mall since it opens at 9 am.

When Belen makes a correction, the heads of that chosen department must make a note of it and at the end of her inspection make sure to fix, clean, and change any mistakes she pointed out. This is the most nerve-racking moment for the eight heads of the departments because this shows their volubility.

Belen is finishing up her inspection, "hmm, nothing is out of the ordinary. Strange I didn't have to correct anything, though this may be the only day that happens. I guess they snapped back into their senses after yesterday's meeting."

Noah presses the elevator button that is across two other elevators. The other two elevators are specifically for customers only. The elevator doors open, Belen enters first following Noah, they both turn to the eight heads of the departments.

The eight leaders of the department gasp as if they were holding their breath underwater. "I thought I wouldn't be able to continue living." Another man claims, "I can't believe she didn't point out any mistakes this time!"

"But even so wasn't she quieter today than usual?"

"right! I thought it was strange, she didn't even talk, like at all it was as if she was distracted."

"you're not some kind of detective! Just let it be, if she was distracted, then we're safe, I mean its not every day we get off the hook!"

"Since we don't have to worry about anything, why don't we go and celebrate by drinking a cup of coffee?"

Everyone glances at one another as a smile forms on their faces with mischief, "Yes! Let's go!" the eight shout in unison as they walk away.

Meanwhile, in the elevator, Belen and Noah are heading to the 7th floor. Silence is in the air with nothing but their breathing. Noah looks up at the right side of the elevator to notice the security camera and glances at Belen simply staring at the elevator door with a cold glare. Her eyebrows furrowed in, clutching onto her purse. Noah feels awkward, so to break the ice, he clears his throat as the elevator doors open.

The front office employee and security all greet them, "Good Morning, Madam President and Secretary Noah!" She walks right past their greeting but Noah humbly greets them while opening the door to her office.

Belen enters her office walks to her desk, pulls the chair to sit down. In front of her desk is a marbled name engraved. "CEO of A STAR Mall, BELEN ASTARES."

Noah enters the office and walks to the right corner of her desk. She asks, "what is today's agenda, Noah?" he takes a clipboard out of his briefcase and takes out a pen when he turns pages from the clipboard and comments, "were you distracted the whole time we were downstairs?"

Belen seems bothered and coldly replies, "I'll tell you about it later, just tell me, what's the agenda for today?"

Noah concurs, "today you have a meeting with the President of HR group at 11 am. Next, you have a meeting with the President of Lang corporation at 1:15 pm. He'll most likely invite you for lunch but of course, you're going to decline. And I'll make an excuse for you. After him, you have a meeting with Counselor Erick Daniels for lunch at 3:20 pm, if I had to estimate this will take till 4 pm. And your final meeting for today is with Lady Annalise, she wishes to have tea with you at 6:30 pm."

Belen arrogantly rolls her eyes in annoyance, "Lady Annalise, hmm she's obsessed with her tea parties, and what is this meeting for again?" she asks, leaning comfortably against her chair while staring at Noah for an answer.

A gentle smile slowly forms on Noah's face, he can't help but chuckle, "the meeting with Lady Annalise is to finally bring the contract to a close. She agreed to hand over thirty-five percent of her overseas brand tea wear to sell only at A Star Mall, it's a great benefit because it'll provide diversity among VIP and regular customers to shop knowing Lady Annalise's brand tea wear is available in both sections."

Belen waves her right hand to stop him. "I get it, please no more, ah…" she irritably rubs her head thinking, "why am I so out of it? Am I tired?" Noah interrupts, "shall I bring you a cold drink, to wake you?" she allows him. Noah walks out of the office, she opens her left bottom drawer and pulls out two files, "Councilor Erick Daniels" and the other "Lang corporations" she opens the "Lang Corporations" file and pulls out three documents along with other files scattered on the desk. She hears a knock on the door, and responds indifferently, "enter."

He places her drink on the right edge of her desk, away from the files.

A phone rings, Noah paused for a moment not knowing what to do, she deliberately glares, "it's your phone, or do you want me to answer it for you?"

He declines, "ah um no sorry, I got surprised, ah if you'll excuse me I'm sure it's the marketers." He pulls his phone out from his briefcase and answers it.

Belen is simply sipping her drink while reading some documents and clicking the computer mouse. "let's see the Lang Corporation history with A Star Is… it's not A Star Is anymore, it's A Star, hmm I should rename that file."

He sighs tiredly and looks up to see Belen focused at the monitor so intently. He affectionally stares at her thinking, "when she's focused on something there is no stopping her, let alone distracting. If I were to call out to her right now, I bet she wouldn't even hear me, even though I'm ten steps away from her, she wouldn't even look."

Belen steps away from her desk and turns in Noah's direction he's talking on the phone again. "oh Noah I'd get tired of having to force a smile and spit out sweet words to win someone over… but it looks natural on Noah, he just knows how to persuade others, especially women."

Noah shouts, "Madam President, we must leave! The car is ready!" 

***

Noah glances outside the window admiring the weather, "this weeks weather is calm, Spring is just around the corner, I wonder if she has plans? Hmm?" something seems to have caught his attention when he points out, "Madam President, it seems the Billboards you paid for seem to be promoting the mall, and your photoshoots turned out well" he glances over at Belen but she ignores him, "do you plan on promoting A Star Mall this month with more photoshoots?"

She has her eyes closed, "I'm not sure, do the advertisement managers want me to come in for another photo shoot? I checked my email this morning and I continue to get offers but it's very tiring. It'll bring in more for A Star, so I have to force myself to smile."

Noah proposes an idea, "why don't we get a celebrity to promote the mall?" she quickly gives Noah the evil eye, "you mean pay someone else to promote my mall? Why would I pay extra on a celebrity who won't even give a care about my mall and pretend to like every item in for money!? So what is wrong with you secretary Noah? To suggest such an idiotic idea?!"

Noah regrettably bows, "forgive me, Madam President. I was only thinking about you-" she interrupts him. She's offended, "next time don't! keep those thoughtless ideas to yourself! The mall has me now! I can walk, talk, and breath, that is why I'm the President of A Star!"

Noah is so speechless all he can do is respectfully admit, "Yes you are correct, Madam President, forgive my rudeness." She closes her eyes until the sound of a vibrating phone goes off. Noah checks his pockets to make sure it's not one of his phones and whispers, "I think your phone is ringing, President."

Belen sighs with discontent and rummages through her purse. She glances at three phones inside her purse and sees one of her phones vibrating. She looks at the caller ID and she silently grunts with displeasure, "What does she want?" and throws her phone back inside her purse. Noah saw this thinking, "it must have been her family again."

***

"Why don't you have money now?! All of a sudden?! We used to have a lot! Why are you suddenly short on money? Don't lie, dad! Just ask Belen for money!" Iris refutes.

Edilberto stands up, "don't! Belen has nothing to do with this! You work already! Why don't you use your money?"

Iris sighs, "fine I'll call Belen myself, She should have money lying around since she practically owns the mall!" she dials Belen's phone number and presses it against her ear. Edilberto rushes to take the phone away from Iris and hangs up.

"leave your sister alone! She's busy! She doesn't have time to answer your useless phone call!"

Iris takes her phone away from her dad's grasp and puts it in her purse. "fine, I won't call her, but then give me money! please, dad!"

Edilberto hesitates when he takes out his wallet and gives Iris three hundred dollars.

Iris grabs it smiling, "thank you, dad! I won't be back until tomorrow! So make sure to pick up Azaan from school! Bye!" she walks out of the house satisfied like a little kid.

He feels physically drained after his argument with Iris. But mere words worked his anger up so much that he couldn't take anymore and gave in to her.

Edilberto picks up the mail that came from Spain and opens it and jumps, "he's coming back! An old best friend of mine will be visiting!"

***

"Did something happen?" Noah calmly asks while driving.

Belen sighs, "ah Noah. I don't know. Ever since this morning, I've been wanting to go home."

Her tone changed, and her icy cold frontier melted away. It was as if the women who used to speak with such formal elegance were now gone. Belen throws her purse to the back and leans on the window. She softly continues, "I kept hearing those words…."

Noah glances at her and understands the situation so he worriedly asks, "whose?"

Belen stares out the window, "my fathers… the very words that broke me." "I see, is that why you were inattentive throughout the meetings? I saw you're personal phone ring, did he call you?"

She looks bothered, "don't even remind me! I think I would have preferred his call over hers."

Noah warmly smiles, "ah so your sister Iris called, is that why you made such a sour face?"

She tries to defend herself when she raises her voice, "I did not!… yeah, I guess…" he asks, " has your father called you? Have you spoken to him?"

Belen makes a bitter expression, "Four years… it's been four years since I last spoke to him, his wedding… he hasn't tried contacting me at all." Noah decides to turn on the radio to distract her.

She's surprised, "is this the station that plays oldies music?"

Noah nods with a cheeky grin, "Mhm."

The air in the car lightens, they both sing along to Careless Whisper by Georgie Michael and more on their way home.

They stop at a huge black gate.

Belen stretches as if she couldn't before, "ah finally home!" Noah passes by her and heads straight to the kitchen, "being under camera surveillance continues to exhaust you."

Noah nods while opening the fridge, "you're the ice queen at work but at home, you're the lazy princess ha! what do you want me to cook today?"

Belen replies, "I'm going to take a quick shower. Is that alright with you? Or will you need my help?"

He shakes his head.

So Noah turns on the tv across from him, twenty minutes pass by and he isn't paying attention to the tv at all until he turns the volume up.

In the news, a reporter states, "A 6-year-old girl was found alone at night in a park in southern China, sleeping in a stroller. Next to her, in a blue-green backpack, was a water bottle, clothes, and a two-page note from her parents. "She'll die if she stays with us," it said, according to the letter. "We know this is selfish, but we have no way out." The case has prompted a national debate about"

The news dampens on Noah's heart while listening to the reporter. He turns around with a bewildered expression paralyzed, but his eyebrows slowly begin to furrow. Finally, he comments with exasperation, "she'll die if she stays with us? Yet you left her with all her necessities and you worry she might die? Why bother having a child, if you're just going to throw them away like some kind of toy. I don't… can't understand parents… their actions leave a great impact on the child's future. It's better to grow up poor with your family than an orphan with money." He abstains with a gloomy expression, "like me."

He looks up, startled at the sound of the TV turning off.

Belen was the one who turned it off. She walks towards the kitchen wearing her silky rose gold pajamas and her black long hair moved to the side. She turns the volume up to the music she just put on, when she says, "there's no need to listen to such depressing news."

Noah automatically changes his expression when he gently smiles.

***

Belen is leaning against her balcony, the night wind seeping through her pajamas, drying her wet hair, softy grazing against her cheeks.

She's admiring the moon, "the truth is, I don't want to have a boyfriend because I don't want to get married. I can't… not without him by my side… he promised. He's no longer in this world."

Belen pessimistically sighs, "a complete fantasy… what am I thinking? I have to try to sleep." She closes the door to her balcony, slowly lies on her queen-sized bed, and mumbles, "What good is having it all when you aren't here to share it with. Tomorrow…. tomorrow…" she falls asleep repeating, "tomorrow...."

********************************

Author's note....

Hello readers! Thank you for reading this far, I must admit this first volume may not be as great so I'll save you time. If you're interested to read further, you can jump into volumes 3 or 4. Don't worry, you won't miss any necessary information.

Thank you again for your support and interest in BFMF. I hope you stay reading!