Bella couldn't stand the weight of Hanley's gaze; it felt as if he was peeling back every layer she had carefully hidden away. The urge to escape surged through her, raw and desperate. She needed to be anywhere but here.
Perhaps sensing her desperation, Hanley moved subtly, his hand gripping the doorframe as he pulled the door inward, blocking her path. The movement was swift and deliberate, leaving her with no room to slip past.
Thrown off balance, Bella stumbled forward, catching herself just inches from him, her hands landing on his chest. His heartbeat thrummed beneath her palms, steady and unyielding, a contrast to her own pulse racing in her throat. For a split second, she was suspended there, the air thick between them, her body betraying a trace of hesitation.
Then, as if jolted awake, Bella pushed away, quickly regaining her footing. Without looking back, she slipped through the open door, vanishing into the corridor beyond, her heart pounding as she fled the weight of his presence.
Hanley watched the turmoil in her eyes, feeling his own heartbeat falter, thrown off by her presence. Bella had always been the only one who could stir him like this, unraveling every guarded emotion with a single look. A faint, wistful smile touched his lips at the memory, but reality quickly washed over him. She probably despised him now, unable to even look him in the eye, weighed down by bitterness that had long replaced anything else she might have felt.
With a heavy sigh, Hanley lowered himself back into his chair, the emptiness in the room settling in like a familiar ache.
That morning, as Hanley was getting ready for the office, Sanjay called, asking about Bella's ID tag. It took him a moment to recall that he'd set it down on his coat the day before. As they spoke, he scanned the room, his gaze landing on the tag hanging from the coat draped over the sofa. He picked it up, ready to tell Sanjay he'd found it, but his eyes paused on the photo—and then drifted to the name printed below.
"Bella Sebastian."
He mouthed the name to himself, and the memories of the last few days washed over him. He saw her in his mind, crouched on the floor, carefully gathering the pieces of a spilled coffee cup, her face turned away, avoiding his gaze, before she hurried off without a word. Only now did he begin to understand why she'd been so guarded.
Hanley pulled himself from the memory, his eyes tracing the direction she'd disappeared through the glass wall. He knew it was a coincidence that the tag had lingered in his presence, but to him, it felt like one of the sweetest he'd ever experienced. A quiet, unbidden smile crossed his lips, and for a moment, he let himself savor it.
Bella ran until she reached the open area, throwing herself against the wall as she clutched at her pounding heart, gasping for air. Her pulse raced out of control, refusing to calm. Hanley's face flashed in her mind—his hand reaching out, holding her ID tag as he looked at her. Her fingers instinctively tightened around the tag still hanging from her neck, and a fresh wave of shock washed over her. She hadn't even realized it was missing until now, and somehow, it had ended up with him. Was this fate playing tricks on her?
The mask over her face only made it harder to breathe, adding to the feeling of suffocation. With a surge of anger, she tore the tag from her neck and tossed it aside. What use was it anymore? Hanley had already recognized her. But beyond that, what unsettled her most was that he remembered her. Even after all this time, she hadn't faded from his memory. That thought left her shaken.
What did he mean when he said long hair suited her better? And that smile—what hidden meaning lay behind it? Was he deliberately looking for new ways to mock her? Did he still see her as nothing more than a failure?
Bella's thoughts surged uncontrollably, like a wild stallion running free, untamed and relentless. As the storm inside her finally began to quiet, she moved forward, each step measured and slow. From the edge, the city sprawled before her, a vast, shimmering sea of lights and life. A cool breeze swept over her, its touch like a soft caress, as if the world itself was trying to soothe her. She closed her eyes, letting the calm wash over her, allowing her mind to empty, and for just a moment, she existed only in that one still, perfect instant.
"Beautiful view, isn't it?" The question broke Bella's thoughts, and she blinked, slowly opening her eyes. Standing beside her, gazing out over the city, was a strikingly beautiful young woman, sipping from a coffee cup.
"Oh, I'm Tara. I'm with the production team," the woman said, noticing Bella's uncertain expression and offering a warm, genuine smile as she introduced herself.
"Bella. Bella Sebastian," Bella replied quickly, introducing herself in turn.
"Is something wrong?" Tara asked, her gaze softening as she observed Bella's hesitation.
"Eh... nothing," Bella muttered, shaking her head. The images of her encounter with Hanley flickered in her mind, but she pushed them away, forcing herself to appear calm.
"why did you ask that?" Bella asked with a curious tilt of her head.
"Well," Tara began, her voice light and knowing, "Most people come to this edge to escape their troubles. I thought that might be the case with you." She smiled as she spoke, her eyes warm with understanding.
"This place is like that," Tara continued. "In the middle of the chaos, it offers a slice of peace—a quiet escape where the city's noise fades away, and you can find a little calm. No one's wrong for choosing to be here."
Bella listened, the soft wind brushing past her face as Tara spoke. She felt the weight of her words settling over her, as though they spoke to something deep inside her.
"So," Bella asked, her voice gentle with curiosity, "What are you escaping from?"
Tara's expression flickered with a hint of humor, then softened. "Not exactly escaping... It's more like dealing with a few rich, senior people who never seem to find satisfaction, no matter how much work they pile on. They take all the credit for what others do and leave you with nothing. If you don't manage to slip away for a moment, they'll drag you right down with them."
Bella nodded slowly, sensing the unspoken frustration in Tara's words. "Are they the people you are talking about?" Bella asked, glancing back at the door behind them.
Tara's gaze shifted quickly, her surprise clear. "Where?" she asked, her eyes wide.
Bella couldn't help but laugh, her tone light and teasing. "Why do you look so scared? There's no one there. And don't worry, I don't know anyone here, either," she said, offering Tara a reassuring smile as she handed her a crumpled piece of paper.
Tara took it, absently wiping off a few drops of coffee that had splashed on her clothes. She looked at Bella, her smile returning with a trace of amusement.
"Thank God. I was really scared. So, are you new here?" Tara asked suddenly, her voice filled with relief.
"Yes, I'm new. I've just joined as a webtoonist," Bella replied with a smile, introducing herself.
"Oh, I've heard about this new department. Actually, I'm a huge fan of creative things like this," Tara said, her eyes lighting up with excitement.
"It's not a very big team, but we'll probably be working closely together soon," Bella hinted, a subtle confidence in her voice.
"Really?" Tara asked, her tone tinged with surprise.
"Yes," Bella nodded, her gaze steady. "I've made the decision to start a webtoon production, so we'll be partners in no time."
"Wow, congratulations! That's amazing. I'm so excited to work with you, Bella," Tara said, her voice bubbling with enthusiasm as she extended her hand.
"Likewise," Bella replied, taking her hand with a firm, warm shake, her smile radiant, as if the promise of their future collaboration filled the air with possibility.
When Bella stepped into the office, she found Vicki still immersed in the world of webtoon creation. With a quiet smile, she crept up behind him, leaned in close, and whispered in his ear.
"Vicki... Happy news!" she exclaimed, spinning his chair around with a sudden burst of energy.
"Oh my God, someone hold me!" Vicki gasped as the chair spun wildly out of control, nearly sending him tumbling. Bella's quick reflexes kicked in, and she grabbed the chair just in time to steady him.
"Our webtoon is about to become a real series! Can you even imagine?" Bella's voice was full of excitement, her words practically sparkling with joy.
Vicki jumped out of his chair, his eyes wide with disbelief.
"I can't... I just can't believe it. This soon? And let me guess... Do you believe in soulmates? Isn't that what the series is about?" he asked, teasing her with a playful grin. Bella burst into laughter, her heart light with happiness.
"How did you know?" Bella asked, an eyebrow raised in surprise.
"Before we even joined here, this webtoon production was already causing a stir in the market. In fact, the whole reason our company hired us was to make this series happen," Vicki explained, sounding almost like a philosopher as he shared his insights.
"Oh," Bella said, nodding thoughtfully. "I guess I must have known."
"Don't tell me you didn't know about this?" Vicki asked, his voice filled with playful disbelief.
"What do you think?" Bella replied with a mischievous grin, her eyes sparkling. Vicki finally realized—she had known all along. That was why, even when she received offers from the top companies, she never lost her confidence. She had understood exactly what she needed—a team capable of making her vision come true. Everything had fallen into place, just as she had planned—everything, except for one thing: Hanley's unexpected entry into her life.
"You're amazing," Vicki said, raising both hands in a gesture of admiration.
"Congratulations, Bella," came a voice from behind them. They turned around to see Sanjay standing there, a proud smile on his face.
"Thanks, boss," Bella replied, shaking his hand with a grin, her heart soaring with excitement and the promise of what was to come.
"So, do you realize how lucky you are to have accepted my offer?" Sanjay teased, a grin tugging at his lips. "Honestly, I feel like I'm the lucky one in your life. What do you think?"
Bella's expression softened as she replied, her voice calm yet confident. "I think this luck comes from my hard work, not just chance."
"Alright, alright, BS," Sanjay said with a wink, clearly impressed. "I can't argue with that. Let's work hard together."
He extended his fist, and Bella met it with a playful bump, her smile bright and warm. They shared a moment of quiet celebration, but as they stood there, happy in their small victory, Hanley watched them from behind the glass of his office. The sight of Bella's smile made his chest tighten with an unexpected sense of joy. But that joy quickly twisted into something uncomfortable when he remembered that smile wasn't meant for him.
The easy rapport between Bella and Sanjay stung in ways Hanley hadn't anticipated. It bothered him more than he cared to admit.
Without a word, he picked up the phone and dialed Vicki. "Meeting in five minutes," he said curtly, hanging up before Vicki could reply.
"Meeting in five minutes," Vicki echoed Hanley's words, ensuring everyone was informed. Sanjay quickly checked his watch.
"Come on, guys," he called, casting a glance at Bella. She picked up her agreement file and tablet, then followed him into the meeting room.
On her way there, Bella paused to step into the restroom. When she finally pushed open the door to the meeting room, she was taken aback to find everyone already gathered, the meeting on the brink of beginning. She was the last to arrive.
As she entered, her gaze instantly locked with Hanley's. It was as though he had been waiting for her eyes to meet his. The moment felt charged, intense—like something unspoken had passed between them.
Bella gave a formal nod, her face briefly softening with an apology before she stepped into the room. She walked over to the chair next to Vicki, settling herself with quiet composure.
"Good morning, everyone," Hanley's voice rang out, smooth and authoritative.
"I'm Hanley Sam Matthew, your new chairman. Let's consider this our formal introduction. And please, don't think of me as your boss—I'm just one of you. So let's work together and get along as a team. What do you think?" He paused, his eyes meeting Bella's, holding her gaze for a moment longer than necessary. Bella, momentarily breathless, returned his stare. A swirl of questions seemed to be caught in her eyes, but she couldn't quite find the words.
As the room echoed with a chorus of "Yes, Mr. Han," Bella snapped back to reality. She quickly lowered her gaze and nodded with a quiet, "Yes, Mr. Han," her voice barely above a whisper.
"Now," Hanley continued, turning toward his chair, "the reason we called this sudden meeting is to discuss an important matter. We've got a major project ahead of us, and that's thanks to Miss Bella Sebastian." He gestured toward her, his tone deliberate. Bella's heart skipped as she caught his gaze, the weight of the moment settling in. She smiled faintly, nodding in acknowledgment, her thoughts swirling with uncertainty and curiosity.
"Miss Bella, there's no need for formal introductions here. Let me introduce her to you," Hanley said, briefly pulling his gaze away from Bella to address the room. He turned back to her.
"This is Bella Sebastian. A very renowned webtoonist," he continued, his words carrying a certain tone that made Bella pause. Was he mocking her? Did he really believe she wouldn't rise to the occasion? For a fleeting moment, doubt crept in, but before she could dwell on it, Hanley's voice broke her thoughts.
"She's recently joined our department. Let's give her a warm welcome." With a flourish, Hanley raised his hands, signaling to the room. The others joined in with applause. Bella stood, her smile a little hesitant, yet grateful, as she acknowledged everyone.
"Miss Bella?" Hanley called her name again, and this time, hearing it from his lips stirred something within her. Was it admiration? Or something else? She couldn't quite place it, but it felt unsettling.
"Hmm?" Bella responded, unsure of his intentions.
"Bella, this project is yours. Please, go ahead and share it with us," Sanjay said, helping her get back on track.
"Oh, yes," Bella replied, taking a deep breath before continuing. "So, everyone, I'm truly excited to see my webtoon evolve into such an important project. I really hope we can work together and make this a huge success." As the applause echoed around the room, Bella felt a spark of confidence return. She took her seat, but even then, she could still sense Hanley's gaze lingering on her.
A shiver ran down her spine. The weight of his eyes was too much to bear, and she couldn't understand why. Once, those eyes would have held warmth, affection, maybe even love. But now, what did they mean? They weren't friends anymore—just two people connected by past and present. She could almost feel the tension in the air, and for some reason, she wanted to escape the intensity of his stare.
She quietly slid her chair back and moved towards Vicki's side, making sure neither Hanley nor she could catch a glimpse of each other. A long breath escaped her lips as she scanned the room, her eyes briefly resting on the others.
At the far end of the row, Sanjay was seated first, and Bella immediately recognized the two young women beside him. She had seen them before—on the first day, in the restroom. They were the ones who thought they could win Hanley's heart, naive in their belief. Bella couldn't help but feel a quiet amusement. If only they knew how unlucky they truly were. She smirked inwardly, observing the faces around her, most of them unfamiliar.
But then, her gaze landed on the last seat, and a genuine smile spread across her face.
"Thara," Bella whispered softly to herself. Thara looked up and smiled back at her, radiating warmth. Bella waved enthusiastically, like a child filled with pure excitement. Thara returned the gesture with a smile and a wave of her own.
Bella's attention shifted back to Hanley, who was deep in conversation with Sanjay, a file between them. She had a feeling he might lift his head, so, almost instinctively, she withdrew further, hiding behind Vicki, as if to shield herself from his gaze.
Hanley couldn't pull his eyes away from Bella's face. The cool distance she placed between them was palpable, and he knew it well. Yet, in his mind, he had hoped for a familiar smile, something to ease the tension between them. But the cold indifference in her expression stung more than he had anticipated. Every word Sanjay spoke seemed to fade into the background as Hanley's focus remained solely on Bella. His gaze followed her as she subtly moved behind Vicki, deliberately keeping herself out of his sight. Hanley, trying not to be obvious, tilted his head slightly, attempting to catch a glimpse of her. But she was adept at remaining hidden, carefully retreating from him, as if to ensure their paths would never cross.
"Bella, you're welcome to suggest anyone from the production team for this project," Sanjay said, interrupting the conversation with a sudden offer.
"Tara!" Bella exclaimed without a second thought, rising to her feet. The enthusiasm in her voice caught everyone's attention, and Hanley's smile softened into something more knowing.
The room fell silent for a moment as Tara looked up in surprise. Bella immediately realized the energy she had just released had taken everyone off guard.
"I mean, I would like Tara," Bella clarified, gesturing toward her, trying to regain control of the moment.
"We have senior members—Miss Veena and Miss. Fathish," Sanjay said, pointing to the two individuals sitting beside him.
Bella's gaze shifted to them. Both wore expressions of such arrogance that it made her hesitate before even offering a polite smile. She could feel her distaste for them grow stronger, but it was a feeling she had been holding back for some time.
"I want Tara. It's my project, and I firmly believe I should have the authority to choose the production head. Am I wrong, Mr. Hanley?" Bella asked, locking eyes with him, seeking his confirmation.
Hanley looked at her without a flicker of doubt, nodding in agreement.
"That's not possible," Miss Fathish spoke up suddenly, rising from her seat with a sense of authority.
"Why not?" Hanley asked, his expression unchanged.
"We are seniors. We've been responsible for making every project in this company a success, including major ones like this. Giving such a big project to inexperienced juniors is sheer foolishness," Miss Fathish explained, her tone firm.
"Yes, sir. I totally agree with her," Miss Veena added, supporting the stance.
"Sorry, Bella. But I also agree with them," Sanjay chimed in. His words left Bella feeling a bit unsettled. She glanced at Hanley, hoping for a more supportive response.
"What do you think, Bella?" Hanley asked, his voice steady.
"Sorry, Mr. Hanley. Experience doesn't come from position, but from work, And I trust Tara. I've already seen her work. I'm going with Tara. Otherwise, let's forget about this project altogether," Bella replied in a single breath, her words strong and unwavering.
"And I agree with Miss Bella," Hanley's response caught Bella completely off guard. She had never imagined he would side with her. For a moment, she even doubted if she had heard him correctly, wondering if it was truly Hanley who had spoken.
"Bella..." Vicki gently called Bella back to reality as she stood frozen in shock. Bella blinked, refocusing her attention on Hanley, who gestured for her to sit down. Without hesitation, Bella returned to her chair.
As soon as Hanley spoke, Fathish turned away, clearly annoyed, while Sanjay, too, seemed at a loss for words. He turned around but didn't say anything more.
"So, let's develop a team under Tara's leadership," Hanley continued. "And let's wrap up this meeting."
The moment Hanley concluded, Bella was the first to rise, eager to leave.
"Miss Bella, you stay back," Hanley called out, his tone making it clear it wasn't a request.
Veena and Fathish exchanged looks before heading out, their footsteps echoing as they left. Sanjay, carrying a file, gave Bella a quick wave, saying "All the best" with a casual gesture before exiting. Bella managed a small smile, though her thoughts were elsewhere, and she stayed behind, unsure of what would come next.
Once everyone had left, Bella felt her heartbeat accelerate, a mix of nerves and confusion swirling within her. She realized, with a start, that she didn't have the courage to face Hanley alone in the room. His presence seemed to fill the space, and she couldn't understand why he'd kept her back.
"You can't say that so casually," Hanley's voice broke through her thoughts as he stood and closed the distance between them, his gaze steady and unreadable.
"About what?" Bella asked, her words tinged with doubt, her suspicion rising with each step he took closer.
"About leaving," he replied, his tone firm. "I mean, you've signed the agreement. You can't just walk away now, after everything's been set in motion. You have no right to quit, Miss Bella Sebastian."
His words hit harder than she expected. She had been thinking about walking away, about ending it all, but in that moment, she realized that Hanley was right. She had no legal ground to stand on. Her mind reeled, and for a brief moment, it felt like the room was closing in on her.
Her voice was steady, despite the turmoil she felt inside. "So, what if I do?"
Hanley's smile was cold, almost knowing, as he leaned in just a fraction closer. "You can. But the cost will be steep. Ten million in compensation, to be exact. So, I don't think you're going anywhere anytime soon, Bella."
His smirk stung more than it should have. It wasn't just the words—it was the way he said them, the quiet certainty in his voice. It was as if he knew she had no real choice, and somehow, that made her blood boil.
"That's true. But Bella doesn't walk away so easily. I hope someone with that kind of indifference, Mr. Hanley, isn't who you are. At least, that's what I believe," Bella said, her voice sharp, eyes locking onto his with an intensity that made his chest tighten. Hanley's smile evaporated, replaced by a flicker of something raw—something he couldn't quite name.
Without another word, she turned and left the room, the sound of her footsteps echoing in the silence she left behind.
Hanley stood motionless, her words reverberating through him like a storm. They cut through him, sharp and searing, as though they were intended not just to hurt, but to strip him bare. He could feel the weight of her contempt, thick in the air, suffocating him.
For a moment, he stood there, paralyzed, as if her bitterness had wrapped itself around him like chains. From the depth of her gaze, he understood how much damage he had caused. He could see it in her eyes—an abyss of hurt and resentment that had taken root in her heart. It tore at him. The realization that he might never undo the pain, that he might forever be the reason behind her broken trust, was suffocating.
Would she ever forgive him? Would there ever be a moment where the anger and the betrayal would fade? He wasn't sure, and the uncertainty crushed him, leaving him wondering if he could ever find a way back to her, or if he had destroyed any hope of redemption between them for good.