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 person. What a captivating presence."
"I wonder if he'd be interested in hearing my business idea."
"Such charisma and charm. He truly lives up to his reputation."
"He's beyond extraordinary. What a remarkable man."
Jeremy paid little attention to the buzz of excitement surrounding him. He maintained his composed demeanor and strode into the hotel, leaving the crowd abuzz with awe and admiration.
Entering the expansive hall, Jeremy found himself immersed in an atmosphere of sophistication. Magnificent chandeliers illuminated the surroundings, casting a warm glow over the room. Artworks, carefully displayed in elegant cases, adorned the space, showcasing the creativity of renowned artists. The walls were adorned with captivating paintings, evoking emotions and provoking thought. Over two hundred of society's elite had gathered here, each appreciating the beauty that surrounded them.
Undeterred by the lingering gazes and whispers that followed his every move, Jeremy continued to exude an air of indifference. He observed the room with a discerning eye, taking in the opulence and the meticulously arranged display of art.
A courteous steward approached him, respectfully addressing him. "Sir, I apologize for the wait. Please allow me to show you to your reserved area on the second floor, where you'll have a splendid view of the entire hall."
Jeremy nodded appreciatively and followed the steward, ascending to the exclusive area that provided a commanding vantage point.
Seated at a table were three men eagerly waiting for Jeremy's arrival. Mr. Quinn, the esteemed chairman of Razor Tech, and his board members, Rex Lee and Tin Wong, were delighted to have the opportunity to meet Jeremy. The partnership between their companies had been finalized, and Mr. Quinn had been eagerly anticipating this meeting before his departure for Singapore.
"I'm delighted that you could join us," Mr. Quinn beamed, extending his hand for a handshake.
Jeremy reciprocated with a firm handshake, though his demeanor remained somewhat reserved. "Likewise," he replied courteously.
"We are truly excited about the prospects of our business collaboration," Mr. Quinn continued, his enthusiasm palpable.
Jeremy, though not as effusive in his response, acknowledged the significance of the partnership. "Indeed."
Mr. Quinn, perceptive to Jeremy's subdued demeanor, made a mental note to ensure he felt comfortable and engaged throughout the evening.
At that moment, Steve and Tony, Jeremy's trusted companions, entered the room, exchanging pleasantries with the Razor Tech representatives.
The conversation soon veered toward the economy, business strategies, stocks, investments, and even politics.
They made every effort to include Jeremy in the discussion, but he responded with brief answers or a simple nod.
His mind yearned to escape the social obligations and find solace in the comforting embrace of his luxurious sofa, where he could temporarily drown his sorrows. However, as Jeremy gazed down at the crowd below, his attention was unexpectedly captivated by a figure amidst the sea of attendees.
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
Melissa arrived at Sasha Art Studios unusually early, determined to dive into her graphic design work. As she approached her workspace and opened her laptop, she heard her name being called. Surprisingly, it was Queenie Parker, her self-proclaimed rival, wearing an unfamiliar smile that made Melissa uneasy."Good morning, Melissa," Queenie greeted, beaming at her. Melissa couldn't help but feel suspicious. Queenie rarely engaged in friendly conversations, so this unexpected encounter seemed peculiar. Something was definitely amiss."Good morning, Queenie. Do you need any help with something?" Melissa asked, her curiosity piqued. She wanted to understand the motive behind Queenie's sudden friendliness."Oh no, I absolutely don't need any help. I just came to give you this," Queenie said, handing Melissa a letter. Melissa examined the envelope, a sense of unease settling within her."What's this?" Melissa inquired, her eyes fixed on the letter."Why don't you open it and find out," Quee
Jeremy awakened from a restless night's sleep, his mind consumed by thoughts of Melissa, the captivating woman he had met the previous evening. Her presence lingered in his dreams, replacing his usual nightmares with a sense of warmth. He found himself wondering why she had made such an impression on him.Seeking solace and clarity, Jeremy made his way to the terrace, hoping the gentle morning breeze and sunlight would help clear his mind. The day appeared beautiful, but his inner world remained shrouded in darkness. It was too early for a drink to drown his emptiness, so he settled for a cup of coffee instead. To his surprise, his housemaid Corene had prepared a cup and placed it by his bedside. He took a sip and then fixed his gaze on the painting above his bed—a depiction of a young boy enveloped in darkness, with a glimmer of light shining from within his heart. Jeremy had purchased the painting the night before."Reminds me of my childhood," Jeremy thought, savoring his coffee.
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
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