Stephen sat in his car, stuck in traffic, tapping his fingers on the steering wheel. The events of the day replayed in his mind, the miners' applause echoing in his ears. He glanced at the clock on the dashboard—8:45 PM. He had promised Yuna he'd be home early, but the unexpected tasks at the Empire had delayed him. The traffic finally started moving, and he maneuvered through the streets, his thoughts drifting to Yuna.By the time he parked in the hotel garage, it was 9:30 PM. Stephen sighed, thinking about Yuna probably waiting for him, or worse, already asleep after a long day of waiting. He entered the elevator, his mind heavy with guilt. The elevator dinged, and he stepped out, using his card to open the door to their suite.Darkness greeted him. The entire room was pitch black. Stephen's heart skipped a beat. "Yuna?" he called out, flicking the lights on. Silence answered him. He checked the bedroom—empty. The bathroom—empty. Panic began to set in as he searched every corner, ca
He looked at the phone screen, then back at Yuna, who was starting to stir in her bed.Yuna woke up, blinking at the sunlight filtering through the curtains. She called out, "Stephen?" There was no response. The entire suite was silent. She got up, rubbing her eyes, and walked to the living room. "Where did he go?" she sighed. This reminded her of her father, who was rarely around on her birthdays. Now, it seemed Stephen was doing the same thing.Yuna sighed again and took the elevator downstairs. She passed by the hotel staff easily; they were busy with customers or other tasks. Stepping outside, she looked at the morning sun and felt a pang of loneliness. She watched kids playing and making noise in a huge school bus. She had never been in one of those before. Back in her hometown, she used to walk to school. Since moving to the city with her father, things had changed. Her mother had left them for some rich man, leaving her and her father to fend for themselves.Lost in her though
They arrived at the hotel where Stephen had booked a suite. As he parked the car, he turned to Marianne, his expression unreadable. "Follow me," he said coldly, his tone leaving no room for argument. Marianne nodded silently, her heart pounding in her chest as she followed Stephen into the lobby and up to the elevator. The ascent felt like an eternity, each floor passing in suffocating silence until they finally arrived at the top floor. Stephen led her down the plush corridor to the penthouse suite. He stopped before the ornate double doors, his hand hesitating over the handle. "There are a few ground rules while you stay here," he began, his voice clipped and businesslike. "No touching or going through my personal belongings. And lastly, you shouldn't be harsh to Yuna." Confusion flickered across Marianne's face. "Who is Yuna?" she asked, her voice tinged with suspicion. Stephen ignored her question as he pushed open the door, his gaze immediately falling on the chaos that await
---Yuna stepped out of the building, clutching the money Marianne had given her. The city was overwhelming, its lights and sounds a stark contrast to the safety of the penthouse. She hesitated on the sidewalk, unsure of which direction to go. Her heart pounded as she tried to recall the way to the fries shop Marianne had mentioned, but everything seemed to blur together.Yuna wandered down the street, the noise of the city growing louder with each step. People brushed past her, barely noticing the small, anxious girl among the throngs of city dwellers. She looked around, searching for any sign that might point her in the right direction, but nothing seemed familiar.After what felt like an eternity, Yuna spotted a small shop that sold fries. Relief washed over her as she walked in and placed her order, using the money Marianne had given her. She clutched the warm bag of fries tightly, hoping that the smell of fried food would provide some comfort.But as she stepped out of the shop,
Stephen quietly exited Yuna's room and walked toward the balcony, needing a moment to clear his head. The morning air was cool, a welcome contrast to the tension that had filled the penthouse. He leaned against the railing, staring out at the city's glittering skyline. The view was breathtaking, but this morning, it felt like a backdrop to his worries.With a deep breath, he pulled out his phone and opened the system, his mind turning to the practical aspects of his life. His current stats appeared on the screen:- **Name:** Stephen- **Surname:** King- **Level:** Penicia One- **Net Worth:** $10.8 Billion- **Personal Health:** 80%- **Security Threat Level:** ModerateStephen's eyes lingered on the "Security Threat Level" metric. Was that recently added? He knew it was an area that needed his immediate attention. The events of last night had made it clear that despite his business acumen, he still had a lot to learn about balancing his responsibilities and ensuring Yuna's safety.J
Yuna stood frozen, staring at the intruder with wide eyes. Fear gripped her heart as the man's cold voice cut through the silence of the apartment."Where's your Stephen?" His words hung heavily in the air, filling the room with an ominous tension. Yuna's mind raced, trying to process the danger she was in.Marianne, still unaware of the unfolding crisis, remained seated in the kitchen, absorbed in her book. Yuna's thoughts darted to Stephen, hoping desperately that he would come to her rescue.Just as panic threatened to overwhelm her, the apartment door burst open with a sudden shout, "Surprise!"Yuna's confusion mingled with relief as the scene before her transformed in an instant. The intruder's menacing presence dissolved into a whirl of colors and joyful voices. Standing before her were familiar faces, friends, and family members she hadn't expected to see."Happy birthday, Yuna!" The chorus of voices erupted in unison, accompanied by the lively melody of "Happy Birthday." Confe
The next morning dawned bright and clear, casting a golden hue over Stephen's apartment as sunlight streamed through the windows. Stephen, disciplined in his routine, rose with the first light. His mornings were sacred, a time for physical upkeep and mental clarity.With determination, he moved through his morning tasks. The aroma of coffee filled the kitchen as he brewed a strong cup, marking the beginning of his day. Sipping the hot liquid, he savored its warmth, letting it awaken his senses.Outside on the balcony, the morning air was crisp and invigorating. Stephen performed a series of stretches, his muscles flexing and relaxing with practiced ease. His commitment to fitness was evident in each deliberate movement, a way to keep his body in peak condition.As he finished his stretches, Stephen glanced over the cityscape spread out before him. The skyline stood against the backdrop of a clear blue sky, a sight that never failed to inspire him. He took a moment to appreciate the be
Stephen chuckled softly, though there was an edge to his amusement. "I see what you're playing at, Marianne," he said, his voice tinged with a hint of resignation. "You want me to abandon Yuna and suddenly be fully present for Ariane, just like old times, huh?" Marianne's expression hardened, her gaze locking onto Stephen's with intensity. "It's not about that," she retorted sharply. "It's about balance, Stephen. Yuna needs stability, but so does Ariane. And where's Yuna's father in all of this? Why must you be the one to bear all this burden alone?" Stephen sighed, a mix of frustration and sadness crossing his features. "Yuna's father is... not around," he said quietly. "He's in jail. I can't just leave her alone in this cruel world, Marianne. She needs someone." "And Ariane doesn't?" Marianne shot back, her voice rising slightly. "You think she doesn't need her father after everything she's been through?" Stephen ran a hand through his hair, his eyes troubled. "Of course she doe