"Ms. Montclair, you are being called upon by the Director of the Project Management Division. You are to see him in his office immediately."

"I'm sorry, but where is his office located again?"

"On the 12th floor, you'll be able to see his office straight away."

"Alright, thank you."

With shaking hands and heavy breaths, Zarielle walked away from her desk and waited in front of the elevator. From time to time, she occasionally opens and closes her fist to try and calm herself down. She closed her eyes, bringing back the memories of her past as well as the recent events that led to this day.

It only felt like yesterday, Zari was crying her heart out from being dumped by her ex-boyfriend. But now, she couldn't believe that it was weeks ago already. You wouldn't even think that, in the past, she was blaming herself for their breakup. Only to witness that her ex-boyfriend was the one to be blamed.

Zari's hand unconsciously went to wrap around her arms. The pain was still fresh, and she was not reminiscing about her aching heart. It was the physical pain that bleeds you to death. But a bizarre event happened that even she can't fully comprehend to this day. She is breathing and alive. She has never felt so alive, not until this day.

The sound of the elevator doors opening brought Zari back to reality. She took a step forward, gaining courage with every step she took. Finally, the doors closed, and she felt the elevator rising.

Zarielle Montclair, though shaken earlier, now feels as if the whole world is in the palm of her hands. She will not let this opportunity pass by. An opportunity to turn the tables around. This time, she won't just wither away without a fight.

The elevator doors opened, signaling that she was finally on the 12th floor. The person who called her earlier was telling the truth: she would be able to see the director's office right away due to the large sign plastered in front of the dark office door.

Zari's hands rolled into a fist, ready to knock. But she couldn't bring herself to do it.

"This is it." She took a deep breath. "It's all or nothing."

The moment her fists landed gently on the door, a voice so deep and enchanting greeted her from the other side.

"Come in."

Zari thought it was weird that the director didn't even let her introduce herself before entering. But she thought that perhaps she was the only person whom he was expecting after all.

As Zari stepped into the office, the air instantly embraced her with the intoxicating allure of a manly scent, a subtle fusion of musk and confidence that lingered like an unspoken invitation. Contrary to her expectations, the office was neat, as if sparkling in every direction.

"Focus, Zari!"

She lightly shook her head before looking in front of her directly. There was an air of quiet authority, his piercing gaze revealing depths of experience, and a stoic demeanor that hinted at a complex history. Dressed in impeccably dark-tailored attire, he exuded a commanding presence that left an indelible mark on all who crossed his path.

Kaelum Vermillion, the youngest Director of Project Management at QuantumSphere Corporations, was standing in front of his desk before leaning back and resting his arms on it. He tilted his head, causing his dark brown hair to shift its weight. His strong jawline clenched as his intense brown eyes stared at her very own.

"Well, Ms. Montclair, I believe I have given you time to think about it." His alluring voice echoed across the office. If she wasn't careful, she would've already fallen for such a voice. Who wouldn't be able to resist him, especially with the way he's standing right now?

"Ms. Montclair? Didn't you call me 'Zari' the last time we talked? Even though it was our first time talking outside the office."

Kaelum's lips rose into a smirk before he shifted his weight to his other foot. "I just wanted to try and say it. After all, the next time others call you, it will be Mrs. Vermillion."

Zari scoffed and raised her eyebrow. "How can you be so sure, Mr. Vermillion?" she asked, emphasizing the way she called him.

"Because you have nothing to lose here, Zarielle. Refusing would be... disappointing."

Kaelum stood up properly and decided to walk towards Zari. Zari's breath hitched as each footstep became closer and closer. She was then greeted by Kaelum's hard and broad chest. Her cheeks felt hot in just a second, but she immediately looked up to face him. Kaelum, being significantly taller than her, had to look down to see her soft face and delicate features.

"Disappointing? How so?"

Their eyes locked on each other. The air exuded intimacy, one that would be hard to break. The only thing left now is for them to finally touch each other, and sparks would fly.

"Like this," Kaelum said, looking at the space in between them. "I could never dare to move forward even more, not without having the right to do so." The longing was evident in his voice, which made Zari confused.

How could one feel such a way when they have only met through meetings? They barely even greet each other when they pass each other. Aside from projects where their divisions intersect, there was no other connection.

"And if I agreed?"

"Then I'll take that as your permission for me to cross the line."

Zari tried the hardest she could not back down from their eye contact. She didn't want him to know that, deep down, she was scared of what the future might bring her. She's currently on a split road, choosing either path would lead to a point of no return.

"Let me ask again, Kaelum. Why are you doing this?"

"There is only one reason why I'm doing this, Zarielle." Kaelum's gaze softened, revealing a hint of vulnerability beneath the surface of his composed demeanor. "If multiple lifetimes even existed, I would've fallen for you and would've done everything I could to make you fall for me, too."

Zarielle's heart pounded in her chest, and his words hung in the air, creating a space where time seemed to slow. She searched his eyes for any sign of deceit but found only a genuine longing mirrored in his gaze.

Kaelum's hand reached up to gently brush a strand of hair away from Zarielle's face, his touch sending a shiver down her spine. "So, Zarielle, what is your answer?"

"I..." Zari's voice trailed as she closed her eyes before taking a deep breath. She once again looked at his deep brown eyes, which were gazing at her intently.

"I accept, Kaelum. Let's get married."

Kaelum's face lit up, and his shoulders relaxed. Zari didn't even notice how he was tense the whole time.

"I was expecting you to reject me." Kaelum let out a sigh of relief. "Still, I would continue pursuing you." He let out a light laugh, something that caught Zari's attention more. This once stoic man is now smiling as if the world were given to him.

"Then..." Kaelum took another step forward. "I can now do this, huh?" Sparks finally flew. In one swift move, Zari found herself in between Kaelum's arm and body. One arm is wrapped around her waist while the other is holding the back of her head gently, as if afraid of breaking her.

You should've expected this, Zari. It's fine. You can do it.

Zari closed her eyes, waiting for Kaelum's next course of action. What she didn't expect was the way his lips brushed gently against her forehead. Leaving Zari confused for the nth time about Kaelum's unexpected actions.

"This will do, for now, my lovely Zarielle."

Zari can't help but shiver at the touch of his lips. The weight of guilt and a tingling conscience settled within her as she realized the leverage of using Kaelum to her advantage in the pursuit of revenge.

What's more, the uncertainty of the path she had chosen intertwined with the tenderness of the moment, creating a tumultuous storm within her. As she pulled away, their eyes met, both having a secret that hung in the air like a delicate thread.

Zari never expected, what she thought was a simple proposal, and a means to her revenge, would lead to a path much more complex than what she originally planned.