The next morning at the office, Emily walked in majestically, her poise and confidence drawing admiration from everyone around her. The click of her heels echoed through the hallway as her colleagues greeted her warmly, their smiles genuine and their words laced with congratulations. She acknowledged them with a polite smile, her eyes sparkling with quiet confidence.
Her manager, Rachel, a young lady like Emily with a sharp sense of style and an even sharper mind, approached her with a smile. She took Emily's bag, a gesture of camaraderie rather than servitude, and leaned in to whisper, "Emily, I heard the authorities have summoned that young lady from last night."
Emily chuckled softly, her laugh as light as a breeze, but her eyes held a flicker of satisfaction. "Good to know," she replied nonchalantly, walking towards her private office.
Rachel followed her, carrying a steaming cup of coffee. As Emily settled into her leather chair, Rachel set the cup on her desk and stepped back, watching her with a mixture of pride and fondness. Emily appeared momentarily lost in thought, her fingers absently tracing the rim of her coffee cup. Whatever occupied her mind, she quickly dismissed it, pushing it to the recesses of her memory.
Leaning forward, Emily reached out and held Rachel's hands, her expression sincere. "Thank you, Rachel. For everything. You've done so much for me, and your guidance has been invaluable. I'm truly grateful."
Rachel smiled warmly, her eyes softening. "Emily, stop this. You're an incredible person with a heart of gold. You deserve every bit of success. Don't thank me for something you've earned on your own."
Emily nodded, touched by her manager's words. She turned her attention to her laptop, eager to dive into the latest news in the entertainment industry. As the screen lit up, her heart skipped a beat. Her pictures were everywhere, splashed across gossip sites and social media feeds. Headlines celebrated her triumph at the awards show, but one particular piece of news caught her attention.
The CEO of Starlight Entertainment, the king of the industry , had been present at the event. Emily's brows furrowed in surprise as she turned the laptop towards Rachel.
"Rachel, look at this. How is it that no one noticed his presence?" she asked, her tone tinged with disbelief.
Rachel leaned over, glancing at the screen. "He's a man who values his privacy above all else. He likes keeping things on the down low," she explained with a shrug.
Emily nodded thoughtfully, filing the information away. The revelation intrigued her, but she didn't dwell on it for long. Instead, she shifted her focus to her tasks for the day, determined to keep up the momentum from her recent success.
---
Meanwhile, across the city, the atmosphere was far from celebratory. Mika was still seething from the events of the previous night. Her mind replayed the humiliating moments at the awards show, each memory stoking the flames of her fury. Jaden, her loyal companion, sat beside her, trying to calm her down.
"Mika, you need to let it go. Dwelling on this won't do you any good," he said gently, his voice laced with concern.
Before Mika could respond, a sharp knock at the door interrupted them. Jaden glanced towards the door and called out, "It's open. Come in."
The door swung open, revealing Mr. Richard. His presence was commanding, his tailored suit and confident stride exuding power. He carried himself like a king surveying his domain, his gaze sweeping the room before settling on Mika.
Mika's expression shifted instantly. The anger that had consumed her moments ago was replaced by a carefully crafted mask of neutrality. "Oh, Mr. Richard, welcome," she said smoothly, gesturing for him to sit.
Mr. Richard lowered himself onto the chair next to Jaden, crossing his legs with an air of casual arrogance. His lips curled into a flirtatious smile as he looked at Mika, his gaze lingering a beat too long. Mika felt a flicker of discomfort but kept her composure.
"Coffee?" she offered, her voice steady.
"Oh, my darling, I'd love some coffee," Mr. Richard replied, his tone dripping with charm.
Mika signaled for Jaden to fetch the coffee. Once he left the room, Mr. Richard's demeanor shifted. He leaned forward slightly, his eyes locking onto Mika's with a sly grin.
"Mika, my dear, do you know why I'm here?" he asked, his voice low and smooth.
She tilted her head, her curiosity piqued. "I assume you're here for business, Mr. Richard. But please, enlighten me," she said, her tone polite yet guarded.
He chuckled, his laugh rich and full of hidden meaning. "I saw your little drama at the awards show last night. It's clear you and Miss Emily aren't exactly fond of each other. I want to help you with whatever plans you have for her," he said, his smile widening.
Mika's lips curled into a faint smile. "And how exactly do you plan to help me?" she asked, her voice betraying a hint of skepticism. She knew better than to trust Mr. Richard blindly; his offers always came with strings attached.
Mr. Richard's smile turned predatory. He stood and walked around the table, closing the distance between them. Reaching out, he caressed her face lightly, his touch lingering. "Don't worry about the details, darling. All I ask is that you… keep my bed warm," he said, his voice a seductive purr.
Before Mika could respond, another knock at the door broke the tension.
"Come in," Mika called out, her voice steady despite the unease simmering beneath the surface.
Jaden entered, carrying the coffee. His eyes narrowed slightly as he took in the scene before him: Mr. Richard standing far too close to Mika, his hand still resting on the edge of her chair. A flicker of jealousy crossed Jaden's face, but he quickly masked it.
Mika, sensing the tension, spoke up. "Oh, Jaden, Mr. Richard was just leaving."
Mr. Richard straightened, adjusting his suit jacket. "Yes, my dear, I'll take my leave. But do stop by later so we can discuss the details of our arrangement," he said, winking at her as he placed a business card on the table.
Mika forced a smile as he walked out, her expression unreadable. Once the door closed behind him, the atmosphere in the room shifted. Jaden set the coffee on the table, his movements slightly abrupt.
"What business was he talking about?" he asked, his voice tinged with suspicion.
Mika waved a hand dismissively. "It's nothing serious, babe. He just wants to help me reach the level of success I'm aiming for," she said, her smile returning.
Jaden nodded slowly, though doubt lingered in his mind. He didn't trust Mr. Richard, and he certainly didn't like the way he looked at Mika. But for now, he chose to let it go, silently vowing to keep a closer eye on things.