August dragged a drunken Zara into the room he had booked, just close to the bar they had left ten minutes ago. He dropped her on the bed carelessly and exhaled. "Damn it. She is heavy," he muttered under his breath as he watched her mumble something in her drunken state.Back at the bar, he had agreed they formed an alliance. But it was a lie. You could call this cheating or whatever, but he knew better than to trust Zara. He knew this woman more than anyone else. He had followed her for the last six years like a newborn pup would follow its mother. He knew better than to trust her. Zara never goes back to her past. Never. She had too much pride for that.This alliance might produce something fruitful in the sense that Dave would be ruined, but Zara would surely have other plans. And he would never fall for her tricks. He didn't know what to think when he first saw her at the bar. His heart had skipped a beat. Of course, he was human. She had broken his heart in the past, but she was
August entered the company the next morning after an uneventful evening with his ex-girlfriend. Everyone appeared busy, except for Lila, who immediately noticed him. It seemed she was the only one who consistently paid attention to August, always sensing when he wasn't feeling well, despite his attempts to conceal it."August?" She raised a questioning brow as she approached him."Hey, Lila," August replied, forcing a smile."You look awful. Come on, let's go to my office. I'll make you a cup of coffee," she said, leading the way as August followed reluctantly.He took a seat opposite hers as they entered the office, his downcast expression still evident while Lila busied herself with the coffee maker in the corner."What's wrong? Didn't you sleep last night?" she asked, placing a tumbler in front of him.He mouthed a thanks and took a sip. "I didn't," he admitted after swallowing.Their conversation was interrupted by the door opening, and both August and Lila glanced up to see Dan s
“What did you find?” Lila asked, even though she was already looking at the screen while August's gaze remained fixed on it. Dan scrolled down as they all read from Arya’s background to how she became popular to the part where it talked about her connection with Arizona Media. “On the 4th of March, 2023, she was accosted by an angry civilian who poured acid on her as she raved about how Arya presented fake news that led to her only son committing suicide. After this, Arya Stone has not been talked about for a while nor seen in public,” August read aloud. “Shit. Then she deserved it,” Lila immediately commented. “We shouldn’t jump to conclusions. We both know Dave has an idea of every need presented at Arizona Media. But Arya might not know,” August said, straightening up after scrolling down, finding nothing that connected Dave with the article. “I need to meet Arya,” August said, as Dan and Lila both looked at him curiously. “Why?” “Because she might be the key to unraveling the
“What the hell are you doing here?! You're not allowed in here?!” The nurse from the desk yelled at August after they managed to get Arya Stone away from the angry mob that had been over her a minute ago. All gazes diverted to him as he looked from one person to another: the women in monochrome clothing, white overalls that showed they were patients, and the two other men in blue scrubs.Then August's gaze came to rest on Arya Stone. She was still sitting on the floor, her head bowed with her hair covering her face. When they dragged her, he had seen a part of her face. Her scared face. It had sparked a certain type of reaction he couldn’t quite describe yet.“And why am I not allowed her?” August raised a cocky brow at Nat and tucked his hands into his pocket, watching the lady who was desperate to get him out.“What are you doing right now?” She asked in a low, pissed tone, any form of admiration of August suddenly fading away.“I should ask you that. Why did you lie Arya isn’t here
“We are not in any position to give you information concerning Arya Stone,” the doctor responded shakily, still under August's grip as August smiled.“You are trying to be cocky, ugh?” he asked while the doctor still stared at him with a frightened look but not anything close to doing his bidding, which only annoyed August.“You can call this place a psychiatric hospital, but all I see are people that ganged up against Arya Stone!” he seethed as the doctor’s shock deepened with every revelation August gave.“I…I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he replied again as August released him almost immediately. The doctor’s face looked relieved as he leaned on the wall, still scared.“Is Arya Stone mad? Why did that bastard keep her here?”“Yes. Yes sir. There is one Mr. August….”“Continue making that call and this whole building will go down in flames,” August turned around to look at Nurse Nat, who had a confused look.She placed her hands down slowly. “Turn it off or we’ll all burn,
“What do you want?” August placed the phone on his ear and asked impatiently, irritation lined the features of face. “Who?” Dan mouthed to him but August shook his head and concentrated on the call. “I called to congratulate man! You managed to take yet another puppet of mine. Wasn’t that quite easy?” Dave asked with a happy tone that only tinged on August’s skin.“I asked what you wanted.” August repeatedly with a tight tone, even though want he wanted badly to hang up on him, his curiosity beat that feeling still. His last statement already created an impression in his head. ‘Wasn’t that quite easy?’ He had intentionally asked August in order for him to continue the call.“Will you give me if I asked?” Dave asked in a mocking tone as August second hand clenched in a fist.“Arya Stone.” Dave started, seizing August’s attention afresh.“Return her from where you got her from. She won’t be of any use to you, trust me.” He said in that confident tone that made August gnaw in anger wi
With a determined hold, August grabbed Arya Stone forcefully by the shoulder and forced her to look at him as he glared down at her, while Lila and Dan stared at them in shock.“Don’t behave so cute, Arya,” Dave smiled coyly, all the while trying to hide the fact that he was frustrated at that point, as Arya tried to get free from his grip.“I will kill you! I will kill you myself!” Arya seethed at him as Lila covered her mouth to stop the shout that wanted to come out in fear, while Dan watched them in total confusion.“No. No one will be doing any killing, Arya,” August still held onto her tightly as she stopped moving all of a sudden. Dan breathed a sigh of relief, but August didn’t think the battle was over yet.“Look at me,” August said calmly but in a commanding tone. Arya, who had a grim expression, gritted her teeth before forcing herself to look at August. “Do I look like Dave Arizona? Do I look anything like that bastard?!” August shouted on top of his voice as the others go
“You came after all,” Zara smirked as she watched August take his seat opposite her in the coffee shop where they were literally the only patron.August took a brief glance around. “Don’t get too excited. I came here out of pity,” he said as his gaze landed on her face. Her swollen eye and bursted lips caught his attention.“Don’t stare too much. This is the punishment for choosing a scumbag over a man that truly loved me,” she said sarcastically as if she wasn’t uncomfortable with the immense pain that brewed from the miserable state of her face.August pressed his lips and rested back on the chair as he examined her for a while. “Allen hit you?” he asked out of curiosity, not from concern. Zara knew that well.She picked up her cup of coffee and sipped from it. “Ouch…” she winced when the liquid touched the fresh wound on her lips.“Are you crazy? You should be in a hospital instead of here,” August hissed almost in frustration.“You shouldn’t feel too sorry for me,” she waved nonch
“I think you’re mistaken, Miss. I hope you can check through again in case you missed something….”“Are you trying to teach me my job?” The receptionist snapped, shocking Aliya with her abrupt outburst.A mere receptionist was talking to her rudely, and there was nothing she could do. They weren't in the same league, but if she caused a scene with this secretary here, what would the trillion-dollar company think of her?She pressed her lips together for a while, trying to suppress the growing anger within her.“I am not trying to teach you anything, Miss. I only want a chance to meet the chairman,” Aliya managed to muster in a calm tone.“And I am telling you right now that there is no room for you, Miss. Please leave, or I will have security drag you out,” she hissed impatiently and shifted her attention to the system in front of her.Aliya wasn’t sure how to behave afterward. Even from the beginning, this whole thing had worn her out. Pushing through was something she was barely cop
“I can’t believe you agreed to it just like that, Grandfather.” Simon walked into Pa West’s study room later that evening to vent. Even though he had looked calm when everything was concluded earlier, deep down he was pissed.“Don’t be such a fool. Didn’t you realize the stunt that loser was trying to pull? He is trying to delay the vote to take down his wife.” Pa West took a gulp of his liquor while seated on the luxurious leather seat in the room. He relaxed backward and gave a satisfied groan as the liquid went down his throat.“If we had dismissed his suggestion like that, the shareholders might start to think we only want to remove Aliya due to personal reasons. These people don’t give a fuck about sentiments. All they care about is profits. And Allen, that weird pauper, knew that and played his card well.” He placed his hand on his chin, a thoughtful look on his face. “I wonder how he got the idea to bring in the trillion-dollar company into this. He talks about the company like
“The both of you could compete for who could bag the contract with the trillion-dollar company,” August suggested with a confident look. “I am sure the owners won’t mind if they see that the West Corporation is enthusiastic to work with them.”“Don’t be ridiculous,” Simon chuckled as he tried to wave off the suggestion. “They would think the company is divided if my sister and I submit different proposals to them for the same company.”“And who said you would be the next chairman if it isn’t Aliya? What do you take me for?” Landon immediately cut in as Simon shifted his gaze slowly to meet his enraged brother.“Shut up and stop embarrassing yourself, Landon.” Pa West seemed to be pissed too as a deep frown formed on his face.Landon gritted his teeth as he tried to hold himself from speaking again. But he knew better. His grandfather, who was his only backer, was solidly behind Simon. It felt like all he had been working hard for was a waste. He had been fighting Aliya all this while
“This is why I keep talking about the importance of marrying people with brains. How could you just suggest something like that?” Landon spoke up, immediately seizing the opportunity to humiliate August again while August maintained his calm and composed look.He stared straight ahead without sparing Landon a look. He knew Landon was dying to see him crumble. Too bad he was done being a punching bag to them. This would be the beginning of their sorrows.“You always end up saying nonsense whenever you open that mouth of yours. What the hell do you know about business, huh?” Pa West asked.“Do you truly care about my sister? Do you actually want her to lose her position deep down?” Simon asked with a cocky grin. As always, he was the only one who made a point.Normally, they were supposed to just agree to it and watch Aliya fail because bagging a deal with a trillion-dollar company is like an ant trying to move a mountain. The West Corporation is a small company and not among the top th
Simon noticed how Aliya entwined her fingers together. He could already see how tense she was, and he would definitely use that to his advantage. He was always like this—watching with sharp eyes like an eagle and pouncing on his prey when they let their guard slightly down.“Are you tense, sister? If you’re uncomfortable about the whole arrangement and would prefer not to go through with it, you can just step down willingly. Everyone would understand that you’ve grown wary over the years and would like to focus on your family now,” Simon said with a cool gaze, making a face as if he was truly looking out for her.“Don’t be ridiculous, brother. Just because I am a married woman doesn’t make my career hopeless. Forget about stepping down—I dare you to say you are capable of handling West Corporation half as well as I have,” Aliya said in a cocky tone, causing Simon to clench his fist, which was placed on the table.It wasn’t always easy to get her brother to lose his composure, but when
“Did the beating affect your head? What the hell are you saying?” Aliya laughed, not taking his words seriously. He didn’t blame her. He is a pauper with nothing to his name. How could he possibly help her?“You will see how I will make everything easy for you.” August sat up, brushed away the hair covering her face, and placed a peck on her forehead. Aliya watched him, unsure how to react.She pressed her lips and watched him in silence as he lay back. “Could you get me an apple, please?” he asked politely.Aliya, who was deep in thought, shook her head as she came back to reality. She flashed him a smile and nodded. “Sure,” she said and started to walk out of the room.“Babe,” he called when she grabbed the doorknob and was about to open the door. “Make sure to take your time,” he said with a calm smile.Aliya gave him a half-suspicious look before nodding.Immediately after she left, August located his phone by the bed stand and dialed Lila.“That was quick,” she commented the mome
“I will do neither, and none of you has the right to make me do any of it if I don’t want to,” Aliya said stubbornly.“You are testing my patience, girl,” Pa West gritted his teeth. As Aliya made to say something, August held her hand. She turned to look at him, an almost helpless look on her face. August shook his head.“I don’t care,” Aliya still turned around to say. “You all should go to hell for all I care!” she blurted in annoyance and made to leave when Landon rushed after her and grabbed her other hand.Aliya swung around to find Landon staring deadly at her. He raised his hand to slap her. “How dare you speak to Grandfather like that!” he berated.August couldn’t believe what had just happened. He stared wide-eyed at his wife’s now reddened face. He grabbed Landon by the collar. “How dare you!” he fired at him.Landon had never seen August like this. August rarely spoke, but now he looked like an enraged lion about to pounce on its prey.“You crazy psycho. Get your hands off
“What! No!” Aliya blurted out almost immediately, glaring at anyone who dared to look at her.“Are you glaring at me right now because of this piece of trash?” Pa West asked, a disgusted look on his face as August's fist clenched. This wasn’t him. He wasn’t used to people treating him like trash. In the past, he would usually put whoever tried to cross him in their place. Dave's case was a perfect example. At that moment, he felt a sudden urge to reincarnate that part of him that he killed years ago.But he couldn’t do that. He had managed through all this while. Besides, he barely cared about insults as long as Aliya was still very much in love with him. But what he wouldn’t tolerate was anyone trying to take her away from him.“She is feeling like a big shot because Dad made her the CEO, Grandfather. Uncultured people like her, who are raised by nobodies, will always act like they want. It’s so disappointing,” Landon chipped in, indirectly insulting her mother.“How dare you insult
August walked into the room that seemed as quiet as a graveyard. It was the exotic living room of the Wests. They were among the wealthy people in the country, more like among the second tier when it comes to ranking from top to bottom. But theirs was the best of the second tier. They were not to be trifled with at all. With the kind of achievements Aliya had made for the company, it had grown significantly over the last five years. Besides that, August used his secret connections with influential people he had worked with in the past to help Aliya secretly.“Babe, you’re here,” Aliya said, walking toward him the moment she noticed August standing in the doorway.August was carried away by the sight of the familiar yet unfamiliar man sitting on the single-seat couch in the middle of the room. He suddenly realized why nobody bothered to use that particular seat in the room. It was reserved for someone.Pa West. The head of the West family who had been away from the family for the past