Leo
The rhythmic glow of the TV cast flickering shadows across the living room, the only sound the frantic button mashing coming from the controller in my hand. My fingers flew across the buttons, navigating my character through a particularly challenging level of "Apex Legends." Just as I was about to secure the win, a voice broke through the in-game chaos.
"Seriously, Leo? You're still playing that?"
I glanced over to see Molly standing in the doorway, her arms crossed and a playful smile tugging at the corners of her lips. It had been a year since we'd met online, united by our shared love of video games. Back then, she'd been the sassy teammate who'd carried me through countless raids in "Destiny," her wit as sharp as her aim. Now, she was my girlfriend, the woman who knew me better than anyone and still loved me despite my unhealthy obsession with virtual worlds.
"Almost finished, babe," I mumbled, my eyes glued to the screen. "Just gotta secure this win."
She chuckled, a sound that always managed to do a flip-flop in my stomach. "Sure you do. You say that every time."
I finally managed to take down the last enemy, the victory screen exploding in a flurry of color and sound. With a triumphant grin, I reached out and high-fived the controller in the air.
"Victory!" I declared, turning to Molly with a challenging glint in my eyes. "Ready for your rematch?"
She feigned offense, placing a hand over her heart. "Me? Play against my own boyfriend? Never! Besides, I have a proposition for you."
Intrigued, I set down the controller. "A proposition? Do tell."
She walked over and plopped down on the couch beside me, the familiar scent of her vanilla body wash filling my senses. "Remember that new Italian restaurant we were talking about trying?"
A smile lit up my face. "The one with the ridiculously long waitlist?"
"The very same," she confirmed, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "I managed to snag a reservation for tomorrow night. Your treat, of course, for putting me through the agony of your video game addiction."
A groan escaped my lips, but it was mostly playful. "Fine, fine. But only if you promise to let me win at least one round of Mario Kart after dinner."
She wrinkled her nose. "In your dreams, Leo."
We spent the rest of the evening tangled up on the couch, a bowl of popcorn balanced precariously between us as we reminisced about our first online encounters. It wasn't love at first sight for us. It was a slow burn, a connection forged through shared victories and friendly banter in virtual co-op worlds. We'd spent hours strategizing raids, strategizing battles, and slowly getting to know each other, our virtual personas acting as shields before we finally dared to be vulnerable.
Now, a year later, looking into her eyes, I knew I'd found something special. A love that transcended the boundaries of the digital world, a love that felt real and tangible.
"Remember that time we spent all night trying to beat that final boss in 'Bloodborne'?" I asked, a smile playing on my lips.
"And you still haven't figured out how to dodge its attacks properly?" she teased, poking me playfully in the side.
We laughed, a comfortable sound that resonated through the room. Looking back, it felt surreal that this beautiful woman, this amazing gamer girl, was actually mine. But then again, life often had a way of surprising you. Who knew an online gaming session could lead to finding your soulmate?
As the night wore on, the conversation shifted to the future. We talked about our dreams, our aspirations, and our hopes for a future together. It was a conversation we'd had countless times before, yet it never failed to send a thrill of excitement through me.
"I love you, Leo," Molly whispered, her voice soft and sincere.
My heart swelled in my chest. "I love you too, Molly. More than video games, more than anything."
We sealed the promise with a kiss, a kiss filled with the unspoken language of love and commitment. In that moment, with Molly by my side, the future stretched before us, an exciting adventure waiting to be explored, hand-in-hand, just like we'd explored countless virtual worlds together.
The night ended with a promise to conquer that treacherous boss in "Bloodborne" together, a testament to the shared love for gaming that had brought us together, and a reminder that no matter what life threw our way, we'd always have each other's backs, both online and off.
__ __ __
Cereus
The imposing glass and steel facade of the Wusan Conglomerate headquarters scraped the sky, a monument to corporate power. My stomach churned with a nervous mix of excitement and trepidation as I stepped into the opulent lobby, the cool marble floor reflecting the dazzling array of chandeliers overhead.
Despite the chaos in my head, I managed a smile for the impeccably dressed receptionist, a woman whose nametag read 'Ms. Lee.'
"Good morning, Ms. Lee," I greeted her, my voice a touch shaky. "I'm Cereus Lilian, the new PA for Mr. CEO… uh, Mr. Wusan."
A flicker of surprise crossed Ms. Lee's face before it was quickly replaced by a professional smile. "Ah, Ms. Lilian. Welcome to Wusan Conglomerate. Mr. Wang, your predecessor, is expecting you in his office to brief you."
Relief washed over me. At least I wouldn't be thrown into the deep end quite yet. I followed Ms. Lee through the maze of corridors, the hushed murmur of conversations and the rhythmic clicking of heels echoing around us.
Mr. Wang's office was a stark contrast to the grandeur of the lobby – smaller, yet undeniably comfortable, with bookshelves lining the walls and a framed photograph of a smiling family perched on his desk. Mr. Wang himself greeted me with a warm smile and a firm handshake.
"Ms. Lilian," he said, ushering me into a seat. "Welcome aboard. I'm David Wang, and for the past three months, I've had the pleasure of being Mr. Wusan's… er, Mr. Collin Reeves' PA."
A jolt ran through me. Collin Reeves? The name echoed in my mind, a name I hadn't spoken aloud in years. My heart hammered in my chest, threatening to burst out of my ribcage. Could it be...?
Mr. Wang, thankfully, seemed oblivious to my internal turmoil. He launched into a detailed explanation of Mr. Reeves' daily schedule, the company's organizational structure, and the intricacies of being a PA to the CEO. He was patient and thorough, answering my questions with a friendly smile.
But all I could focus on was the name. Collin Reeves. My ex-boyfriend. The man who had walked out of my life without a word, leaving a gaping hole in my heart and a bitter taste in my mouth.
The rest of the day passed in a blur. Mr. Wang's helpfulness was invaluable, but my mind was a churning vortex of emotions. Every time a phone call came in, my heart would leap into my throat, dreading the moment I'd hear his voice.
No wonder his voice felt familiar two days before when I came for the interview.
As the clock struck five, signaling the end of my first day, I thanked Mr. Wang profusely for his guidance. He chuckled, a warm sound that put me slightly at ease.
"Don't worry, Ms. Lilian," he said, patting my hand reassuringly. "You'll get the hang of it. And by the way, congratulations on landing this opportunity. Mr. Reeves can be… demanding, but he's also a brilliant leader."
He hesitated for a moment, then added, "He's actually on a business trip right now. Won't be back for a month. So, you'll have some time to settle in before the real chaos begins."
My mind reeled. A month? A month of dreading his return, of wondering if he'd even recognize me after all this time.
"By the way," I blurted out before I could stop myself, "what was Mr. Reeves' name before he… changed it?"
Mr. Wang looked at me, a flicker of surprise crossing his face. Then, a slow smile spread across his lips. "He didn't change it, Ms. Lilian. Collin Reeves has always been his name."
The smile faltered on my lips. My ex-boyfriend wasn't some reclusive billionaire who'd adopted a new identity. He was, and always had been, Collin Reeves, the CEO of Wusan Conglomerate.
The realization hit me like a punch to the gut. All this time, the man I loved and the man I worked for were one and the same.
Forcing a smile, I wished Mr. Wang a happy start to his paternity leave and a safe delivery. The weight of the day pressed down on me as I stepped out of the opulent building and into the bustling city. The once exciting opportunity now felt like a cruel twist of fate.
How could I possibly work under the same roof as the man who broke my heart? And how could I face him, knowing that all this time, he'd been hiding a life of such immense power and wealth?
The walk home was a blur. The city lights, usually a source of comfort, seemed to mock me with their relentless twinkle. Every step felt heavy, a physical manifestation of the turmoil within. Cereus Lilian, the wide-eyed intern with dreams of climbing the corporate ladder, was now Cereus Lilian, the ex-girlfriend of the CEO, forced to work under the same roof as the man who ghosted her.
Reaching her apartment, Cereus practically stumbled through the door and collapsed onto the couch. The weight of the day pressed down on her, suffocating. Relief washed over her when she realized she had a month – a month to prepare herself for the inevitable confrontation with Collin. A month to decide how she would navigate this unexpected turn of events.