As the evening went on, the tension between Rex and Bruce became more palpable. At one point, Rex ordered another round of drinks, raising his glass with a grin.Bruce took a slow, measured sip, eyes narrowing slightly. “To friends… and boundaries,” he replied.Camila noticed the shift and quickly tried to steer the conversation. “Hey, let’s not make this a competition. We’re here to have a good time, right?”Rex shrugged, looking at Camila with a glint in his eye. “I’m just enjoying the company, Camila. Especially yours.”Bruce set his glass down, his jaw tightening. “I think she’s here with me, Rex. Let’s keep that clear.”Rex ignored him, turning his full attention to Camila. “Camila, remember that time we stayed out until dawn, just wandering around the city? Those were good times.”Camila chuckled, clearly nostalgic. “Oh, how could I forget? Those nights were… some of the best.”Bruce shifted in his seat, visibly irritated. “Camila, do you want to go somewhere else? Maybe somewhe

A commotion started in the crowded plaza as a middle-aged man stumbled backward, clutching his arm in pain. Leander had just stopped by the nearby food stand, drawn by the aroma of grilled skewers, when he saw the scene unfolding. A tall, sharply dressed young man, named Zach Robertson stood over the older man, sneering down at him with an air of entitlement. His expensive watch flashed under the plaza lights, and his leather shoes were too polished for the dust that swirled around them. By his side, two of his friends chuckled, clearly amused by the situation. “Pathetic,” Zach sneered, adjusting his cufflinks with a mocking look. “You’re in my way. Learn your place, old man.” The middle-aged man tried to stand, his eyes avoiding the crowd that had begun to gather. People whispered, but no one dared to step in. Leander’s brows furrowed, irritation flaring up. He stepped forward, his voice loud and calm. “What’s going on here? Got nothing better to do than bully someone twice your

Leander’s car came to a quiet halt outside the unassuming, brick-walled office of Hightide Electronics, a mid-sized tech company nestled on the outskirts of the city. It looked almost quaint on the outside, a deceptive calm that did little to prepare him for the stories he’d heard about what went on inside. For months, rumors had circulated among industry circles about High Tides toxic work culture: unbearable hours, ruthless management, and, above all, the dehumanizing treatment of its workers.Leander adjusted his cuffs, his gaze steely. He hadn’t come here on a whim; he had done his research. The accounts of mistreatment had been more than enough to make his decision clear—if the owner had no respect for his workers, then the company was better off under new leadership. Today, he’d make that happen.The moment he stepped inside, a sense of tension filled the air. Heads ducked behind computers, avoiding his gaze, as if the very sight of an outsider was unwelcome. He could almost fe

Leander entered the upscale grocery store, his usual calm demeanor in place as he scanned the aisles. He wasn’t typically one to handle the day-to-day shopping, but he’d decided to pick up a few essentials himself. As he moved toward the organic produce section, he noticed a salesman lingering nearby, watching him with a smirk that didn’t quite sit well.The salesman, wearing a slick suit a shade too flashy for the store’s atmosphere, sauntered up to Leander, his grin widening as he looked Leander up and down.“Afternoon, sir,” the salesman said, his voice dripping with condescension. “Can I help you find anything special? Or perhaps…direct you to something more suitable?”Leander raised an eyebrow, not missing the mocking tone. “I’m good, thanks,” he replied coolly, turning back to examine the apples.But the salesman didn’t take the hint. He stepped closer, an exaggerated sigh escaping his lips. “I don’t think you understand, sir. Some of our items here are, well, a bit on the expen

As the sun peeked through the curtains, Brianna woke up to find Leander gazing at her with a mischievous grin. He was holding two plane tickets in his outstretched arm."Good morning, Mrs. Goldstein," he whispered, leaning down to give her a gentle kiss on the forehead. "Ready for an adventure?"Brianna yawned and rubbed her eyes, trying to process the surprise before her. "An adventure? Wait, where are we going?""It's a surprise," he said with a wink. "I've been planning this since before our wedding. Just a little getaway to somewhere beautiful."She couldn't resist his infectious energy and soon they were packing their bags and heading to the airport. Excitement filled the air as they boarded their private jet. Brianna settled into her seat, giving Leander a playful look."Can you give me a hint now?" she asked.He chuckled and shook his head. "Not yet. But trust me, you'll love it."As they flew over the Atlantic, Leander entertained Brianna with stories and memories from their y