"W-what did you say? Can you ..... Can you please come again?" The voice of a girl sounded, shaking, a tremor visible in her voice as she posed a question disbelievingly to the person to whom she was speaking.

She was standing in the middle of a lush green garden, surrounded by beautiful flowers of all varieties. What should have been a wonderful scenery in anyone's eyes suddenly lost all color in the eyes of the girl.

Listening to whatever was being said by the other party on the phone, her eyes dimmed, her expression turned pale and she staggered, her body losing strength at the response she was being given.

Fortunately, there was a bench behind her, so she didn't face any unfortunate incident.

"They ... They want that much? How ... Where am I going to get it?" she stuttered in disbelief, shock and despair written all over her face.

How could they be so unreasonable to demand such a crazy amount of money?

The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. However, she had to keep that anger in check. After all, the messenger didn't have any problems. Even if she gets angry at this juncture, was that going to stop the fact that the money was still needed? And from her on top of that?

However, when the response came again, she automatically sat on the bench, her soul drifting away from her.

Her worries seemed to have come true with a simple response, and it made her feel deflated and defeated.

She had already lost before she could even fight. How could life be this so unfair?

She wanted to cry and yet no tears could save her in such a dreadful situation right now.

"I'll see what I can do. Please, just give me two days! I will gather the money!" she dejectedly said. The person on the other side of the line said something, and the call was cut.

Briar slumped into the seat. How was she going to get that sort of money in two days?

Even if she resorted to extreme measures, two days weren't just enough.

Unfortunately, no matter how hard she thought about it, there seemed to be nothing much that she could do. She needed to make a move as soon as possible, since the clock was ticking.

After thinking for a while, she stood on her feet—resolution and determination in her eyes.

"I guess I can't escape it no matter what!" She sighed helplessly, accepting her fate as she dragged her tired body back to the towering mansion.

There was still work for her to do and at the same time, use that time to see if she could try to get the money she wanted from her boss. He was the only person that she could think of right now.

If he couldn't help her, then no one else would.

 ***

Sometime later, Briar drove moderately on public roads for more than an hour until she parked in a reserved parking lot in front of a very tall building which stood majestically.

She briskly walked to the building and when she entered, the girls in the lobby cheerfully greeted her, in a flattering tone, something that she had gotten used to for years now, and she returned the greetings enthusiastically as well.

Do unto others what you want them to do unto you.

She understood that pretty well.

After a quick greeting exchange, she boarded the lift and soon was out of everyone's sight.

Others seeing that especially those who never saw her before, started gossiping and mumbling to each other.

Curious about who she was.

Meanwhile, on her side, the elevator reached the top floor, and she alighted.

Walking briskly once again from the elevator, she shortly approached the extensive waiting area which was quite familiar to her.

Manning this area were five beautiful girls with appearances which surpass hers by a large margin. She didn't dare compare much. It hurts her heart so much knowing this. However, rather than being sour about it, she was someone who had learnt to accept reality and thus no longer bothered that much like before.

"Afternoon ladies!" Briar cheerfully greeted, her expression void of that despair which still haunted her.

"Afternoon Miss. The boss is waiting for you. You can directly go in!" The head secretary directly informed her with a smile on her face.

Briar gave the other an appreciative nod before continuing with her journey.

Leaving the secretarial area, she wasn't aware of the envy and reluctance which showed in the head secretary's eyes for a second as the other watched her unceremoniously going to the office every single female employee would kill to have a chance to be in.

Or rather, be with the person who owns the office.

Briar, on the other hand, once she arrived at the office, knocked lightly on the door and a hum was heard granting her the amnesty to enter the office. And she opened the door and walked in.

As she walked into the familiar office, an office she had been to so many times she couldn't count, a familiar emotion rose in her which she quickly cut off before it sprouted and put her in danger.

Being self-conscious at times makes a person live long.

Especially when the other person involved was such a hot, mature and handsome older man who had enamored her maiden heart ever since she was fifteen.

"Briar, you are here!" His voice sounded throughout the room, making her heart race wildly and heat rise to her cheeks.

A familiar sensation, something she had been feeling for over a decade now. Pathetic, wasn't she?

Moreover, when the person she was feeling like this for happened to be .... Her thoughts halted as her gaze shifted to the picture frame neatly placed on the desk, showing five people. Among those five, she stood with a smile standing in between a mature lady and a girl in her teen.

And that girl can be considered her best friend. After all, she was closer to her than other people out there.

And this man, this Adonis of a man, she had been lighting a candle for years, just so happened to be her best friend's father.

Now, wasn't she really pathetic?

"Yes, Master Logan. I have brought your lunch. Have you been waiting for long?" she asked calmly as she walked towards him with a smile.

fortunately, after masking these complex feelings for years, she had become a professional in not slipping up.

And as she approached him closely, she just prayed that it would remain that way.

Just being by his side without asking for much was enough for her.

She was content

But for how long?

Logan Meyer looked at the young girl, or rather the young lady he literally watched growing up with amusement in his eyes as she set his food on the table like a small dutiful wife whose family now knew her as well.

Recalling how many years it had been since she came to his house. He couldn't help but sigh inwardly, thinking how fast time flies in the blink of an eye.

Is it ten or eleven years?

It's been that long.

Looking at her, he was reminded of someone who still remained special in his heart. If it wasn't for her, then this young lady wouldn't be in their lives at all.

"Briar!" he called out to her softly as he locked his gaze with her, forcing the other's eyes to shake as she shyly looked away.

'Cute!'

Badum. Badum. Badum.

'Why is he looking at me like that? Did he perhaps see through me already? That's impossible. I have been hiding this for over a decade. There is no way he can see through this. B, be calm. Don't get caught!' Briar felt panicky as she found herself locking her gaze with her master.

After chanting a mantra in her mind for a bit, she shifted her gaze to her master and responded, "Yes, Sir. Do you want any help?" she asked, her tone on the lower side, uncertain of what her master wanted from her.

Logan noticed the other's confusion and uncertainty, but he simply brushed it off. After all, it wasn't like the two of them were so close to having stories to chat about all the time.

They both did what was expected of them, and that was it.

"Go and take that document from the desk and read it. Once you are done, give me an answer!" he ordered with a straight face, his tone very commanding, leaving no room for disobedience.