"Do you think he'll agree to it?" Steve
inquired."Absolutely. It's an enticing deal. Why would he pass on it?" Tony confidently responded.
Steve furrowed his brow slightly and asked, "Couldn't we have chosen a more impressive location for the meeting?"
"Jeremy rarely leaves his house, so I thought an enchanting evening at an art exhibition would be a refreshing change for him," explained Tony.
"Refreshing?" Steve scoffed. "How is an art exhibition refreshing? It's just a gathering of pretentious individuals staring at paintings, trying to decipher abstract concepts that nobody truly comprehends."
"Just because it may not be your cup of tea, Steve, doesn't mean others won't find it engaging," Tony retorted, his attention focused on navigating the road. They were en route to Jeremy's Estate on the outskirts of the city.
Steve and Tony were among the handful of close friends Jeremy had. Steve possessed an exuberant and outgoing personality, while Tony emanated a calm and composed demeanor. Together, they made a dynamic duo, particularly with Steve's knack for livening up any occasion.
Entering the house, they discovered Jeremy comfortably seated on the sofa, fixated on the glass of Scotch in his hand.
"Hey, man," Steve greeted.Jeremy wearily turned his gaze towards them, then back to the glass of Scotch.
"You didn't inform me of your visit," he mumbled."I assumed we were always welcome," Tony interjected as he took a seat. Meanwhile, Steve wasted no time pouring himself a glass of Scotch.
Jeremy despised when these two made themselves too comfortable in his home.
"I never explicitly stated that," Jeremy replied, his frown deepening.
"Well, you didn't need to. Your warm nature speaks volumes," Steve sarcastically quipped, relishing in riling up Jeremy. The amusement on Steve's face at that moment was priceless.
Ignoring Steve's antics, Jeremy turned his attention to Tony.
"We're here regarding the partnership with Razor Tech. All the details have been finalized, but they would like to meet you in person before returning to Singapore. I took the liberty of arranging a suitable meeting place," Tony explained.
"And where might this meeting place be?" Jeremy inquired.
"It's an exclusive art exhibition party," Steve chimed in.
Disregarding Steve's remark, Tony sought to provide a more enticing explanation.
"It's the highly anticipated annual Arts Exhibition Program. The artwork on display is both exquisite and valuable, with pieces imported from around the world. If you're interested, you could even consider purchasing a piece. Trust me, it promises to be an enchanting evening."
Tony urged, hoping to persuade Jeremy. Before he could elaborate further, he heard Steve yawning and remarking, "Boring... it'll be a snooze fest."
"Well, what do you suggest, Steve? A meeting at a lavish strip club?" Tony retorted, his annoyance evident. He couldn't help but lament having such a friend who never seemed to know when to be serious.
"Yeah, now that sounds like a blast. Let's do that instead," Steve jested, raising his glass of Scotch in jest.
Tony simply shook his head, feeling a sense of disappointment in himself for keeping a friend like Steve.
Melissa had everything ready for the party, thanks to the helpful staff members Sasha had hired. It seemed that the woman didn't dislike her as much as she initially thought. Just as Melissa was immersed in her preparations, her phone vibrated in her pocket. She retrieved it and saw Nicky's name on the caller ID. Curious, she answered the call."Hey Nicky, what's up?" Melissa greeted her friend."Where are you??" Nicky's voice came urgently from the other end of the line."I'm at work, as I told you this morning. You know I have to make sure everything is ready before tonight's party.""Yeah, I know that, and that's why I'm calling. Remember, you were supposed to meet me and Sam to pick out a dress for the party," Nicole reminded her, excitement evident in her voice."Well, just pick one for me. I still have to supervise some things over here.""Alright, but don't blame me if I choose something you don't like," Nicky giggled mischievously.Before Melissa could say anything else, Nicky
Sam marveled at the beauty of the dress but eventually voiced her concern, "We can't afford this, Nicky."Nicky, however, was determined. "Well, I've been saving up for something truly important, and I think this is it. We're definitely getting this one." She turned to Rachel, her resolve evident.Rachel nodded understandingly. "Alright then, I'll get everything ready for you."*****Jeremy settled into the passenger seat of the sleek black Rolls Royce Phantom parked in front of the estate. Dressed in a splendid royal blue suit that perfectly showcased his physique, he was ready for the party."How long will this take?" Jeremy asked, his voice tinged with impatience."Probably a couple of hours, maybe three," Tony replied."Three whole hours? God, that'll be torture," Steve groaned as he opened the other door of the Rolls Royce."What are you doing?" Jeremy asked, his tone casual."I'm getting in," Steve replied, momentarily puzzled by the question."Get out," Jeremy stated matter-of-
Lucas, Jeremy's trusted right-hand man, skillfully navigated through the city's bustling streets, he ensured a smooth and efficient journey to the venue of the prestigious Arts Exhibition Party. The grand event was held at an opulent hotel renowned for its luxury and elegance.Upon their arrival, a gathering of excited onlookers had formed outside the hotel. The air was charged with anticipation as influential guests began to enter, accompanied by the flashing cameras of the paparazzi. Jeremy emerged from the car, exuding an aura of confidence and authority. The crowd fell into a hushed silence, captivated by his commanding presence.With poise and grace, Jeremy adjusted his impeccably tailored jacket and made his way toward the entrance, drawing all eyes upon him. Whispers and murmurs spread through the crowd like wildfire."Is that Jeremy Nobody? Unbelievable, I've only heard of him.""He's the owner of Si Tech! I can't believe he's attending this event.""He's even more handsome in
Melissa glided through the bustling hall, exuding an air of elegance in her radiant red dress. Her natural beauty shone effortlessly, captivating the attention of those around her. Men couldn't help but steal glances as she passed, drawn to her magnetic presence.Seeking respite from the persistent attention, Melissa skillfully maneuvered through the crowd, hoping to find solace in a quiet corner. The hall mesmerized her with its vibrant ambiance, adorned with captivating artworks that adorned the walls. Diverse talents converged in this space, with artists passionately discussing their creations and eagerly presenting price tags to potential buyers. Melissa, too, had the privilege of showcasing one of her own paintings. However, plagued by self-doubt, she wondered if her art would find appreciation amidst renowned masterpieces. After all, the allure of owning an artwork crafted by a celebrated artist often overshadowed the potential of undiscovered talent. Who would boast about an
Jeremy's heart skipped a beat the moment Melissa entered the room. She exuded an undeniable radiance, captivating his attention effortlessly. Amidst his troubled thoughts, she served as a beacon of joy, lifting his spirits and filling the air with an aura of enchantment.However, their momentary bliss was shattered by a blood-curdling scream, followed by the sound of shattering glass. Jeremy's gaze shifted abruptly towards the commotion, his curiosity piqued. "Oh no," Steve lamented, reaching for his glass of brandy and taking a sip. "It seems the unfortunate waiter has fallen into the clutches of none other than the city's notorious diva, Diana Woods. Poor guy."Jeremy was no stranger to Miss Woods. He had encountered her on several occasions due to her father's ownership of a prominent tech company, in which she played a significant role as his successor. While undeniably intelligent, she possessed a deceptive nature and a narrow-minded outlook, much like her father.Observing from
Melissa stepped out of the hotel, needing a breath of fresh air to clear her mind after the intense confrontation. She berated herself for the impulsive decision to involve herself in the world of the wealthy once again, having learned the hard way from past experiences. Rich people never made empty threats, and now she found herself questioning the consequences she might face. "What have I gotten myself into?" she cursed under her breath. However, after reflecting for a moment, she resolved to return inside and salvage what was left of the evening, determined not to let fear dictate her actions."I believe it's time for me to make my exit," Jeremy announced, standing up from his seat. He had grown weary of the social gathering, preferring the solace of his office to these extravagant events. "Thank you for taking the time to meet with us," Mr Quin politely acknowledged."Certainly," Jeremy replied, shaking hands with Mr. Quin before making his way out of the hotel. As he walked b
Diana paced restlessly in her opulent bedroom, her mind consumed by the aftermath of the party. Social media had erupted with criticism, painting her as the villain while glorifying Melissa as the courageous heroine who had come to the rescue of the poor waiter. Normally, Diana wouldn't care about such trivial matters, but the fact that Melissa had stood up to her in front of everyone wounded her pride deeply. She was determined to make Melissa pay for daring to challenge her. With that in mind, she had already enlisted the help of a private investigator to dig up personal information about her nemesis. Diana knew she had to be cautious, as she didn't want to unknowingly provoke someone of higher status than herself.Imagine her shock when she discovered that Melissa was a mere nobody. Just a 26-year-old girl from a middle-class background, who had grown up in Brooklyn and moved to New York after her release from prison last year. Diana couldn't help but chuckle at the absurdity
"I still can't believe you met Jeremy Nobody," Nicole exclaimed, her eyes filled with excitement."Yeah, I did. And you know what? I think he actually liked my painting," Melissa replied with a sense of wonder."Wow, that's amazing," Sam chimed in. "Did you tell him it was yours? You know, with the whole made-up artist name and everything," Nicole asked, rolling her eyes playfully.Melissa paused for a moment, contemplating her response. "Well, I didn't think it was relevant," she admitted.Nicole scoffed. "Are you kidding? God, you should have told him.""What's the use of telling him? We'll probably never meet again, so..." Melissa trailed off."Because then he would know he was talking to a goddamn freaking amazing artist. You never take credit for anything, and you're crazy talented," Nicole insisted, her enthusiasm unwavering.Melissa couldn't help but smile at her friends' unwavering support. "How could I have remembered when the moment I looked up at him, I almost forgot how to
Jeremy stormed into his study, his face etched with fury. The audacity! After subjecting him to such turmoil last night, she had the nerve to speak to him however she pleased. What had he expected, though? He pondered, massaging his temples."Whoa, you look like a thunderstorm. Are we in danger?" Steve remarked as he and Tony entered the study.Jeremy turned towards them, his anger palpable. "What are you guys doing here?" he demanded."We came to discuss business. We asked Thomas to inform you of our arrival, but he said you were preoccupied upstairs. Is everything alright?" Tony inquired, extending a glass of Scotch to Jeremy.Jeremy accepted the glass, swiftly downing its contents in a single gulp. "Slow down, buddy. I'm sure you can handle whatever is bothering you," Steve advised, concerned."Quiet, Steve. Tony, go on," Jeremy commanded."Well, we find ourselves in quite a predicament," Tony began."What's wrong?" Jeremy interjected, his interest piqued."One of our esteemed clie
Melissa slowly regained consciousness, realizing she was still in the same room where she had awoken earlier. The throbbing headache had eased slightly, but her memory remained blank, unable to recall anything from the previous night. She cautiously examined her body and discovered she was no longer wearing the bathrobe but instead adorned in a modest red dress."Don't worry, the maid changed your clothes," a familiar voice reassured her. Melissa looked up and saw Jeremy seated on a white sofa across the room. His striking eyes held a mix of intensity and curiosity as they focused on her."How did I end up here?" she inquired, her voice tinged with confusion."You seriously don't remember anything?" Jeremy asked, amusement dancing in his eyes."If I did, I wouldn't be asking you, would I?" Melissa responded, her irritation apparent.Jeremy cleared his throat, taken aback by her boldness. It was a rare occurrence for someone to speak to him in such a manner. Normally, such insolence w
"Please don't leave. I don't want to stay alone," Melissa whispered that night, and Jeremy found himself unable to walk away. The thought of leaving her all by herself tugged at him, compelling him to stay. Something deep within urged him to hold her in his arms, offering solace and support that she desperately needed. However, Jeremy, true to his nature, initially dismissed the idea."I can't stay," he said softly, gently releasing his hand from her grasp."Why not?" Melissa questioned, her eyes filled with genuine concern.Jeremy struggled to find the right words. "It's complicated.""You look really sad," Melissa observed, her expression filled with kindness. "My mother always used to say that warm hugs take away sadness."Jeremy was taken aback, unsure of how to respond. "So?" he managed to utter."So come here, so I can give you a big hug," Melissa exclaimed, stretching her arms wide open with a bright smile on her face.Jeremy stood there, contemplating his next move."You're
The lined curtains allowed a gentle stream of morning light to seep through, casting a soft glow in the room. Melissa's eyelids fluttered open, greeted by a throbbing ache in her head. With a faint groan, she instinctively reached for her forehead, massaging her temples to ease the discomfort. The events of the previous night flooded her mind, and she realized she had indulged in excessive drinking. How did she manage to get home? And when did she arrive? The details eluded her, lost in a hazy fog. Stretching her limbs and stifling a yawn, she couldn't help but marvel at the unexpected comfort of her bed. "Wait, what?" she thought, suddenly fully awake.As her eyes adjusted to the surroundings, she took in the opulent black fur rug and the sleek flat-screen TV adorning the black and white walls. The room exuded an air of luxury that puzzled her. Where was she? Was this all just a dream? Confusion mingled with her headache as she struggled to piece together fragmented memories. Frust
"I think I'm going to be sick," Melissa managed to utter, her hands clutching her mouth tightly in a desperate attempt to hold back the impending wave of nausea.Jeremy's face contorted with a mixture of dread and concern. "What? Can't you hold it?" he asked, fearing the worst."No, I can't..." Melissa's words trailed off as she succumbed to a fit of vomiting, the contents spilling onto both the car's interior and Jeremy's pants. He let out an exasperated sigh, his frustration mingled with sympathy for Melissa's discomfort."Oh God..." Jeremy muttered, his voice filled with resignation."Sir, should I stop the car?" Lucas inquired, his eyes reflecting a mix of concern and disgust."No, keep driving. Drive even faster," Jeremy commanded, urgency lacing his voice.Lucas accelerated the car, the engine roaring as they raced toward Jeremy's estate.As they arrived at Jeremy's grand estate, he swiftly exited the vehicle and extended a helping hand to Melissa, who struggled to maintain her
"Please, I beg you. Don't do this," Melissa pleaded weakly as one of the men approached her, her voice trembling with fear."You'll be fine. We won't harm you," the man replied dismissively, his hand reaching out towards her.But then a sudden eruption of anger shattered the tense atmosphere as Jeremy's commanding voice cut through the darkness. His presence was formidable, his protective instincts ignited like a raging fire. The three men turned their attention to the new arrival, their bravado waning."Don't you dare touch her with those filthy hands," Jeremy's voice resonated with an unmistakable authority, piercing through the night.The assailants sneered in defiance, underestimating the resolve within Jeremy's gaze. One of them taunted, "Or what? People like you are all bark and no bite. You can't do shit."Jeremy merely tilted his head slightly, his eyes piercing through the darkness. "Don't make me repeat myself," he warned, his voice laced with lethal determination."Alright,
Melissa gripped the steering wheel tightly, feeling torn between heading home and facing Nicky and Sam's barrage of questions, or seeking solace elsewhere. The weight of her thoughts pushed her towards the latter, prompting her to consider stopping at a bar for a drink. She yearned for a moment of respite, a chance to clear her mind.Three years of incarceration should have made her strong and resilient, impervious to pain. Yet, the truth was that she still felt fragile, vulnerable, and easily wounded by life's challenges. She had toiled tirelessly to rebuild everything, only to see it crumble because of one person. Memories of her past, when her life had been shattered by a single individual, flooded her mind, and tears welled up, blurring her vision. Melissa had to pull over, her tears demanding attention.After taking a deep breath, she resolved to visit a nearby bar and indulge in a couple of drinks. Drinking wasn't her usual remedy, but today felt like an exception—a moment to te
Jeremy sat in his office, struggling to focus on his work as his mind continuously wandered back to the encounter with Melissa earlier. He couldn't understand why she had pretended not to recognize him, hastily departing with an air of sadness and hurt. Various questions swirled in his mind. Had someone said something offensive to her? Or had she experienced something traumatic? Although Melissa seemed strong and independent, he doubted any of these possibilities. Yet, inexplicably, he found himself caring about her well-being, despite knowing so little about her.Realizing his ignorance about Melissa nagged at him, Jeremy made a decision. He called Lucas into his office and requested him to gather information about Melissa. "Lucas, could you please find out more about Melissa? I'd like to know who she really is.""Of course, sir," Lucas replied, his efficient demeanor evident. He set to work, and a couple of hours later, a comprehensive file appeared on Jeremy's computer, containing
Melissa's gaze was irresistibly drawn to the imposing figure standing next to her car. The perfectly tailored black suit accentuated his muscular physique, and her eyes trailed down his straight, powerful legs, leading to a pair of exquisite Italian black leather shoes. A glimpse of a GMT Master Ice Rolex caught her attention as it adorned his wrist. "Damn," she thought, momentarily captivated by his striking appearance. His chiseled face and alluring lips, coupled with his impeccable fashion sense, could easily enchant any woman. However, Melissa was determined not to let his good looks distract her. She wondered what he was doing in such an unlikely place. Taking a deep breath, she composed herself and walked purposefully toward her car.The distance between them seemed longer than it actually was, for his unwavering gaze made her feel unexpectedly nervous. Melissa's heart skipped a beat, causing her to stumble precariously. Just as she teetered on the verge of an embarrassing fall