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 a distance, Jeremy watched as Diana verbally berated the waiter without a care in the world. The situation seemed dire, until Melissa, the captivating woman he had been admiring, gracefully stepped forward.
"Pardon my intrusion, but it's evident to everyone present that this unfortunate incident was an accident. Blaming the waiter won't rectify the situation, especially when he has already apologized for his mistake. It would be best for everyone involved if we let this matter go," Melissa spoke with conviction, her frown reflecting her genuine concern.
"How dare you speak to me in such a manner! Do you have any idea who I am?" Diana snapped, her arrogance palpable.
"At this moment, it's irrelevant to know your identity. I'm simply suggesting that dropping the matter is the wisest course of action," Melissa responded calmly, unwavering in her resolve.
Diana scoffed in disbelief, her ego bruised. She wondered who this audacious woman could be, daring to speak to her in such a manner, especially in the presence of so many onlookers. Could she possibly outrank her in social status? Diana's mind raced with questions, her sense of superiority shaken. She felt a wave of discomfort wash over her as she noticed the disapproving gazes directed at her. Perhaps, just maybe, she had allowed herself to get carried away. With a mix of frustration and embarrassment, Diana decided to retreat but not before leaving Melissa with a chilling promise. "I'll remember you. I promise," she declared, her words tinged with bitterness.
Melissa contemplated Diana's parting words, confident they were not meant in a positive light. As she watched Diana walk away, she couldn't help but feel a twinge of sympathy for the diva's misguided pride.
Jeremy, an amused spectator throughout the confrontation, couldn't help but smile at Melissa's remarkable display of courage and grace. In that moment, he found himself even more captivated by her, realizing that her beauty extended far beyond her stunning appearance.
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 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 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