At the grand Avalon Theater, the red carpet rolled out, cameras flashing as celebrities made their way toward the glamorous venue. The night buzzed with excitement, as attendees speculated who would win the evening’s prestigious awards. Among the crowd, Camila strutted down the carpet, her dress glimmering under the lights, her confidence radiant. This was her moment—her chance to claim the Best Actress award, a title she had pursued relentlessly.Inside, the theater was magnificent, with gold chandeliers hanging from the ceiling and plush seats filling every corner of the large, dimly-lit room. Camila took her seat near the front, crossing her legs and flashing a smile for the cameras. She could almost taste victory. She had poured herself into this role and made countless sacrifices. This award felt like it was hers.Meanwhile, in the back of the theater, Leander observed the scene with quiet intensity. He wore a tailored suit, his gaze focused on the stage as if he could see throug
He met her gaze, calm and steady. “No, I don’t think it’s funny. But I do think it’s reality. Not everything is guaranteed, Camila.”She crossed her arms, her anger flaring. “What would you know about it? You wouldn’t understand what it’s like to work so hard and still lose.”Leander raised an eyebrow, his voice sharpening slightly. “Oh, I think I know more than you realize. I just learned to handle it differently.”She scoffed, her eyes flashing with resentment. “Of course. You’ve always been so ‘resilient,’ haven’t you?”Leander held her gaze, his expression unfazed. “Camila, maybe if you’d focused on more than just appearances, you’d see that setbacks are a part of success. You don’t always win, but it doesn’t mean you don’t deserve better.” Camila’s face softened, just a touch, as she searched his eyes, perhaps looking for the man she once knew. But then her pride flared up again, blocking any hint of vulnerability. “I don’t need advice, Leander. I know what I’m doing.” “Do you?
As Leander strolled through the airport terminal toward his private Gulfstream, a spring in his step and a calm sense of purpose, he was already mentally preparing for the meeting ahead. Time was tight, but he had it all perfectly mapped out. Or so he thought.Suddenly, a security officer stepped in front of him, blocking his path. “Excuse me, sir,” the guard said brusquely, looking him up and down with an air of suspicion. “I’ll need you to step aside for a random security check.”Leander blinked, slightly taken aback. “A random check?” he echoed, his tone measured. “I’m just on my way to my jet. My clearance should already be approved.”The officer didn’t budge, arms crossed. “Doesn’t matter. Random means random.”Sighing, Leander nodded and stepped aside, though a few people nearby had started to take notice, their curious gazes making the situation feel unnecessarily conspicuous. He watched as the officer signaled to another guard, who walked over with an imposing expression.“Ple
The moment Leander stepped off his Gulfstream, a cool breeze hit him, carrying with it a mix of anticipation and urgency. The tech summit was already buzzing, and he could feel the energy as he made his way through the city. Every banner, digital billboard, and street sign seemed to be promoting the event, boasting the names of the biggest players in the industry.An official car was waiting for him at the exit, and he settled into the back seat, scrolling through his schedule on his phone. It was packed—panel discussions, exclusive meetings, and a closed-door dinner with a select group of CEOs. One name on the list caught his eye: Jason Becker, CEO of Circuitron, one of the tech industry’s most notorious power players.As they pulled up to the summit venue—a towering skyscraper wrapped in sleek glass panels—Leander took a moment to appreciate the architecture. The building seemed to glow with an artificial aura under the evening lights, a fitting choice for a gathering of innovators
The moment Leander stepped off his Gulfstream, a cool breeze hit him, carrying with it a mix of anticipation and urgency. The tech summit was already buzzing, and he could feel the energy as he made his way through the city. Every banner, digital billboard, and street sign seemed to be promoting the event, boasting the names of the biggest players in the industry.An official car was waiting for him at the exit, and he settled into the back seat, scrolling through his schedule on his phone. It was packed—panel discussions, exclusive meetings, and a closed-door dinner with a select group of CEOs. One name on the list caught his eye: Jason Becker, CEO of Circuitron, one of the tech industry’s most notorious power players.As they pulled up to the summit venue—a towering skyscraper wrapped in sleek glass panels—Leander took a moment to appreciate the architecture. The building seemed to glow with an artificial aura under the evening lights, a fitting choice for a gathering of innovators
Leander leaned against the kitchen counter, his sleeves rolled up and his hands busy chopping vegetables. The soft hum of the refrigerator filled the air as the smell of garlic and herbs began to waft through the spacious, sunlit kitchen. Brianna walked in, barefoot and carrying a tablet, her face lighting up when she saw him."Wait—are you actually cooking?" she teased, placing the tablet on the island.Leander shot her a mock offended look. "You doubt my abilities? I can cook, you know."Brianna laughed, walking over to peer at his chopping skills. "You’re slicing those peppers way too thick. You’re lucky I like you; otherwise, I’d kick you out of the kitchen."He smirked, sliding the chopped peppers into a bowl. "I don’t remember inviting you to critique my culinary masterpiece. What are you working on, anyway?"She grabbed a piece of carrot from the counter, munching on it as she leaned against the island. "Just reviewing some proposals for the charity gala. But clearly, you’ve go
Leander sprawled on the couch, arms stretched across the backrest as Brianna rummaged through a cabinet nearby. The dim glow of the fireplace cast a warm light across the room, softening its sharp edges and creating a cozy cocoon just for them.“What are you doing over there?” Leander asked lazily, tilting his head to watch her.“Looking for something fun,” she replied, her voice muffled. “Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten where we keep the board games.”“Games?” He feigned a groan, dramatically slumping further into the couch. “I thought we were relaxing tonight, not fighting over Monopoly.”Brianna turned, clutching a stack of games in her arms. “Relaxing and fun aren’t mutually exclusive, you know. And Monopoly is banned. You’re too competitive.”“Am not,” he retorted with mock indignation.“You tried to mortgage my properties last time I left the room,” she shot back, walking toward him with a smug smile.Leander chuckled, holding up his hands. “Fair point. What’ve you got there?”Sh
Leander leaned against the railing of their beachfront villa, watching the turquoise waves crash gently against the shore. A breeze carried the salty tang of the ocean, mingled with the scent of tropical flowers from the garden below.“Morning view doesn’t get better than this,” he murmured as Brianna stepped out onto the deck behind him, a steaming mug in her hands.She smiled, handing him his coffee. “You say that every time we go on vacation.”“And I mean it every time.” He took a sip, savoring the rich, nutty flavor. “This, right here? Worth every canceled meeting and rearranged schedule.”Brianna chuckled, leaning against the railing beside him. “I’ll remind you of that when you start checking emails later.”“Not happening,” he said with a mock-serious expression. “This trip is about us. Work can wait.”“Good answer,” she said, bumping her shoulder against his.For a few moments, they stood in comfortable silence, watching the sun climb higher into the clear blue sky.“What’s the