The private jet touched down as the sun was beginning to set, casting a warm glow over the city. Siyana glanced out the window, a faint smile on her face as she anticipated seeing David waiting for her. But as she stepped off the jet, her smile faded. No familiar face greeted her. She scanned the VIP arrivals area, but only saw her assistant, a few bodyguards, and Sid.
Sid's jaw tightened as he took in her disappointment. He shot her a glance, his tone clipped but with a hint of teasing edge. "Still haven't figured out how to make better choices, huh?"
Siyana rolled her eyes, ignoring the sting of his words. "Whatever, Sid. He's busy, I get it."
Sid didn't respond, only nodding as he held the door for her. They knew the drill: this was the VIP exit reserved for high-profile arrivals like them, where security was tight and media access was controlled. Media attention on both of them had been intense lately. Every move they made seemed to turn into a headline or a rumor. Just last week, Sid had been seen with the chairman of Vukters Group's wife, and the tabloids had spun it into an affair scandal. It was only when Vukters Group issued a formal statement clarifying it as a business meeting that the buzz started to die down. But even then, Sid hadn't bothered to issue a personal response. He never did.
After a few more brief goodbyes, Sid and Siyana went their separate ways to their cars, each heading into the city. Siyana's mind wandered as she settled into the back seat. She decided that if David wasn't going to make the effort to greet her at the airport, she'd bring the surprise to him. She knew he'd be at his office—she'd only been there twice in the five years they'd been together, keeping their relationship mostly private. Not even her family knew the full story. Her brother had always warned her against dating so young, so she and David had agreed to keep things under wraps.
As the car drove toward the skyscraper where David worked, Siyana reached into her bag and pulled out the custom elevator card he'd given her years ago, which granted her access directly to his floor. Just to be sure he was actually there, she dialed his number, but the call went unanswered. She tried once more, waiting a few rings, but there was still no response. A faint frustration began to simmer in her chest. She tried his assistant next.
"Good evening, Ms. Siyana," the assistant greeted her. "Mr. David is in a meeting and isn't available to take calls."
That reassured her a bit. Siyana thanked the assistant and ended the call, deciding that she'd carry on with her plan. She'd surprise him, they'd go out for dinner, and it'd be fine.
When she arrived at his office building, she walked up to the elevator and swiped her card. She leaned back against the wall, watching the numbers light up as she rose to the thirty-fourth floor. As she stepped out, she noticed the slight shift in the office atmosphere. People glanced her way, and she could hear the whispers ripple through the office as they recognized her. Her face was well known—the youngest self-made billionaire, once the richest in the world, and even now holding the number two spot. She was used to the stares, the awe, the whispers. They didn't matter to her anymore.
Ignoring the murmurs, she walked confidently toward David's office, retracing the path she remembered from her last visit. She saw his second assistant approach, clearly startled to see her, but Siyana gave her a brief, dismissive nod, letting her know she didn't need assistance.
As she reached David's office, she noticed the door was ajar, and the faint sounds inside made her pause. At first, she thought it was laughter, but as she focused, she realized it was something else. Her stomach knotted, and a strange, cold sensation settled in her chest as she recognized the sound of moaning, mixed with the rhythmic slap of skin.
Her heart pounded, her hand trembling as she pushed the door open.
The scene inside was a harsh, brutal reality that slammed into her. There was David, slouched in his chair, with a blonde woman straddling his lap. They didn't notice her right away, completely wrapped up in each other, the sounds filling the room shamelessly.
Then, as Siyana's assistant caught up, her hurried footsteps and a breathless, "Ms. Siyana!" broke the moment. David's head snapped up, his face going pale as he locked eyes with Siyana. His expression was stricken, but the shock was nothing compared to the cold, numb rage settling over her.
"Siyana!" he stammered, his voice pleading as he tried to pull himself together. "This isn't what it looks like… I can explain…"
But Siyana barely heard him. Her gaze shifted to the woman on his lap, her face now visible. Recognition struck hard—this wasn't just anyone. It was Kendal, David's childhood friend, someone she'd met at gatherings and parties. Kendal, who she'd trusted, who she'd never thought twice about. Her mind spun, disbelief turning quickly into a sharp, stabbing anger.
For a moment, she considered saying something, letting out the fury she felt building in her chest, but she resisted. She took a breath, closed the door sharply, and walked back through the office with her head held high. Her face was a mask of calm, but the assistant who had followed her out sensed the barely concealed rage behind Siyana's tight smile and instinctively stepped back, leaving her alone.
The private jet touched down as the sun was beginning to set, casting a warm glow over the city. Siyana glanced out the window, a faint smile on her face as she anticipated seeing David waiting for her. But as she stepped off the jet, her smile faded. No familiar face greeted her. She scanned the VIP arrivals area, but only saw her assistant, a few bodyguards, and Sid.
Sid's jaw tightened as he took in her disappointment. He shot her a glance, his tone clipped but with a hint of teasing edge. "Still haven't figured out how to make better choices, huh?"
Siyana rolled her eyes, ignoring the sting of his words. "Whatever, Sid. He's busy, I get it."
Sid didn't respond, only nodding as he held the door for her. They knew the drill: this was the VIP exit reserved for high-profile arrivals like them, where security was tight and media access was controlled. Media attention on both of them had been intense lately. Every move they made seemed to turn into a headline or a rumor. Just last week, Sid had been seen with the chairman of Vukters Group's wife, and the tabloids had spun it into an affair scandal. It was only when Vukters Group issued a formal statement clarifying it as a business meeting that the buzz started to die down. But even then, Sid hadn't bothered to issue a personal response. He never did.
After a few more brief goodbyes, Sid and Siyana went their separate ways to their cars, each heading into the city. Siyana's mind wandered as she settled into the back seat. She decided that if David wasn't going to make the effort to greet her at the airport, she'd bring the surprise to him. She knew he'd be at his office—she'd only been there twice in the five years they'd been together, keeping their relationship mostly private. Not even her family knew the full story. Her brother had always warned her against dating so young, so she and David had agreed to keep things under wraps.
As the car drove toward the skyscraper where David worked, Siyana reached into her bag and pulled out the custom elevator card he'd given her years ago, which granted her access directly to his floor. Just to be sure he was actually there, she dialed his number, but the call went unanswered. She tried once more, waiting a few rings, but there was still no response. A faint frustration began to simmer in her chest. She tried his assistant next.
"Good evening, Ms. Siyana," the assistant greeted her. "Mr. David is in a meeting and isn't available to take calls."
That reassured her a bit. Siyana thanked the assistant and ended the call, deciding that she'd carry on with her plan. She'd surprise him, they'd go out for dinner, and it'd be fine.
When she arrived at his office building, she walked up to the elevator and swiped her card. She leaned back against the wall, watching the numbers light up as she rose to the thirty-fourth floor. As she stepped out, she noticed the slight shift in the office atmosphere. People glanced her way, and she could hear the whispers ripple through the office as they recognized her. Her face was well known—the youngest self-made billionaire, once the richest in the world, and even now holding the number two spot. She was used to the stares, the awe, the whispers. They didn't matter to her anymore.
Ignoring the murmurs, she walked confidently toward David's office, retracing the path she remembered from her last visit. She saw his second assistant approach, clearly startled to see her, but Siyana gave her a brief, dismissive nod, letting her know she didn't need assistance.
As she reached David's office, she noticed the door was ajar, and the faint sounds inside made her pause. At first, she thought it was laughter, but as she focused, she realized it was something else. Her stomach knotted, and a strange, cold sensation settled in her chest as she recognized the sound of moaning, mixed with the rhythmic slap of skin.
Her heart pounded, her hand trembling as she pushed the door open.
The scene inside was a harsh, brutal reality that slammed into her. There was David, slouched in his chair, with a blonde woman straddling his lap. They didn't notice her right away, completely wrapped up in each other, the sounds filling the room shamelessly.
Then, as Siyana's assistant caught up, her hurried footsteps and a breathless, "Ms. Siyana!" broke the moment. David's head snapped up, his face going pale as he locked eyes with Siyana. His expression was stricken, but the shock was nothing compared to the cold, numb rage settling over her.
"Siyana!" he stammered, his voice pleading as he tried to pull himself together. "This isn't what it looks like… I can explain…"
But Siyana barely heard him. Her gaze shifted to the woman on his lap, her face now visible. Recognition struck hard—this wasn't just anyone. It was Kendal, David's childhood friend, someone she'd met at gatherings and parties. Kendal, who she'd trusted, who she'd never thought twice about. Her mind spun, disbelief turning quickly into a sharp, stabbing anger.
For a moment, she considered saying something, letting out the fury she felt building in her chest, but she resisted. She took a breath, closed the door sharply, and walked back through the office with her head held high. Her face was a mask of calm, but the assistant who had followed her out sensed the barely concealed rage behind Siyana's tight smile and instinctively stepped back, leaving her alone.
As she walked, she ignored the stares and whispers of employees around her, all probably trying to piece together what they'd just witnessed. The elevator doors opened, and she stepped inside, feeling a wave of nausea mix with the anger building inside her. But she wouldn't let herself break here. Not in David's office, not in front of people who would no doubt spread rumors within minutes.
When she reached the car, she slid into the back seat, took a deep breath, and closed her eyes for a moment to collect herself. The driver looked back, sensing her mood, and she met his gaze with quiet resolve.
"Take me home," she said, her voice low and steady.
As they pulled away, Siyana felt a familiar ache in her chest, but this time it hardened into something else. She'd worked too hard, built too much to let anyone, even David, tear her down. If he was foolish enough to betray her, then he didn't deserve a place in her life, and he definitely didn't deserve her loyalty.