ã€ŠLove Slave to My Devil CEO Bossã€‹


 One Night Stand with a Mysterious Man

    The end to my normal, poor, and simple life all started when I had a one-night stand with an unknown man. He was unknown to me because I was too drunk and too heartbroken to remember or care who he was.

    ¡°Hmmm¡­¡±

    My eyelids and body felt so heavy. Is it morning already? I have to go to work today¡­

    I breathed in deeply as I still kept my eyes tightly shut. It must be morning already and I didn¡¯t want to get up. This bed feels so soft andfortable, I could sleep in it forever.

    Wait¡­

    I gasped as I bolted up into a sitting position. I knew it¡­this is not my bed!

    Where am I?

    Squinting my eyes against the sunlight that was pouring in through a crack in the curtain and onto my face, I started to look around. My body still felt tired and heavy from sleep and perhaps all the drinks I hadst night as well.

    Looking around, it seemed like I was in a very luxurious hotel room, and I was alone. I was sitting on a king size bed in arge room decorated with burgundy wallpaper. The room was luxuriously decorated with a mix of burgundy and gold color tones.

    To my shock, I couldn¡¯t remember how I ended up here no matter how hard I tried to remember. What happened to me? How did I end up here? Where are my friends?Content is property of N?velDrama.Org.

    Thinking too hard began giving me a nagging headache. What time is it now? I need to get to work. As I began getting up, I felt the sheet and nket rub directly on my skin. Pulling up the nket that was covering my body confirmed my worst suspicion.

    Yes, I waspletely naked.

    I closed my eyes as I braced myself for the worst-case scenario. I can¡¯t believe this is happening to me. What happenedst night? Did I sleep with someone?

    I saw my clothes strewn randomly all over the floor as if they were taken off of me in a hurry. I blinked rapidly a few times, willing my hangover to go away so that I could focus on the situation at hand. With the resolve to face the truth, I pull the whole nket away to expose my naked body.

    It aches. There.

    Spreading my legs a little confirmed my worst suspicion. I felt an ache that I was used to experiencing after a night of hot and heavy love making. It was clear thatst night I went all the way with a man that I didn¡¯t even know¡­and didn¡¯t even remember¡­

    I didn¡¯t really remember what happenedst night, but my pussy seemed satisfied with the attention it had received and undoubted enjoyed. Reaching my hand down to touch the cleft in between my legs, I found myself still dripping wet from the sessionst night. The warm wetness of my love juices coated my fingers. I looked at the sticky wetness of my love honey and realized that I must have came quite a lotst night. Whoever I slept with did a thorough job of giving it to me¡­

    I moaned softly as I looked around again at the bed. The state of the bed left little room for imagination of what took ce herest night. I sighed with relief as I spotted a few used condoms in the room. At least, I don¡¯t need to worry much about STDs or unnned pregnancy. We must have done it so many timesst night, judging from the many used condoms, although I couldn¡¯t quite recall exactly what happened.

    ¡°Oh no!¡± I eximed as I saw the time on my mobile screen. If I don¡¯t hurry up, I will bete for work.

    I don¡¯t even have time to return home to change. I should quickly shower and get dressed before heading straight for work. This is such a disaster!

    ¡°Ah¡­¡± I sighed loudly as I saw the reflection of my naked body in the mirror. Whoever I slept withst night was quite aggressive in his mating session. There were many love marks on my body such as my neck, shoulder, my chest, my tummy, and a few on my thighs and legs. Thankfully most of them wouldn¡¯t be visible if I wore my clothes. I¡¯ll conceal the hickey on my neck with some concealer and make up in case my long hair did not cover itpletely. That should do.

    The love marks on my body brought back hazy memories in bits and pieces of what happenedst night on the bed in this hotel room. Short fragments of memories of what the unknown man didst night to me began flooding back into my mind. He supported me to this hotel room, and I remembered that I kissed him passionately before he started kissing me back. Then, he pushed me down onto the bed and continued kissing me as he began stripping me. When I was naked, he started stripping himself.

    Then he kissed my neck softly before licking it. This mark here was probably from when he sucked on the side of my neck. Then his hands wandered and explored my body. His hands felt warm on my skin as he caressed and kneaded my naked breasts. This mark on my chest was from when he sucked on my breasts teasingly before he started licking my nipple wildly.

    My fingertip stroked my nipple, and a slight stinging pain told me just how sensitive they still were from his rough suckingst night. My nipples were still swollen and a little pink from the loving yet slightly rough attention that they had received from before.

    These marks on my thighs were from his kisses before he started sucking on the sensitive skin of my inner thighs. I wondered if he tasted me there and then I was sure that he probably did. The stinging sensation in between my legs that seemed to throb deeply inside of me was a sure sign that something thick, long, and massive had been inside of my love tunnel. My lower abdomen told me that his cock must have stirred up my insides quite deeply when he thrusted his thick and massive rod into my wet hole.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Interview Invitation

    I didn¡¯t know why I hated to admit it but the man fromst night was very good at sex, and it seemed like he knew what he was doing. My wrecked but fully satisfied body and pussy was more than enough proof of that. It didn¡¯t matter though because I won¡¯t ever see that man again and even if I did, I probably won¡¯t recognize him. He probably won¡¯t recognize me either.

    Oh, the joy of one-night stands with no strings attached.

    Although I said that inside of my head, this was the first one-night stand that I¡¯ve had all my life. I cleaned up myself and showered quickly as I tried my best to make it in time for work. Recovering from a hangover is getting more challenging now, I guess I wasn¡¯t getting any younger.

    I took a deep breath as I closed the door firmly behind me, mentally locking up the event ofst night and putting it behind me. I¡¯m definitely not the type to have one-night stands with random guys and in fact, this was the first time that this has happened to me. However, I knew that I couldn¡¯t undo what was done. I will probably never meet that man again, whoever he was. It was time to return back to reality.

    ¡­

    ¡°Did I make it?¡± I mumbled underneath my breath as I panted.? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

    After getting off the cab, I literally ran as fast as I could in my high heels to the office. I ced my hands on my knees as I bent down in exhaustion. My slight hangover was giving me a headache and it was clear that I was far from being fit. Finding the time and discipline to work out was so difficult.

    Looking at my phone, I was right on time. Score!

    ¡­

    **Around 2 Years Ago**

    ¡°I don¡¯t know much about the business world but¡­this interview is supposed to be a big deal, isn¡¯t it?¡± my mother said as she smiled proudly at me.

    Looking down at the letter that had just been delivered to our small apartment earlier today, her eyes widened as she continued to read the words printed on the page on repeat as if she couldn¡¯t believe her own eyes. I don¡¯t me her, even I couldn¡¯t believe that I had been selected to interview at such arge and well-knownpany.

    ¡°I guess it is, mum¡­¡± I replied, trying to sound as calm andposed as possible.

    However, on the inside, I was screaming with joy, and it was all I could do to contain myself from jumping up and down in excitement. Even if it was just the first step of getting my foot through the door of thispany, I was thrilled to get a chance to interview at Jessen & Hills, the leading advertising and film productionpany in the country. No, in the world!

    I peered over my mother¡¯s slim shoulder to see the letter that she was holding in her hands. Slowly, my mother turned around and handed me the letter so that I could finally see it for myself. The whole event seemed more real once I felt the invitation letter in my own hand.

    It was just a single piece of paper, but it felt heavy as if it was made of metal instead of just in paper. If I cannd this job, then I can unlock my life and finally be a professional full-time employee and help lift the financial burden of my family.

    ¡°I better go make dinner! Let¡¯s celebrate!¡± my mother cried out excitedly as she headed towards the small kitchen at the back of the room.

    I¡¯ve been working hard my whole life towards this moment. I cannot let this opportunity slip by!

    My name is Karina, Rina for short. As you¡¯ve probably figured out by now, Ie from a very poor family. More urately, my father passed away from illness when I was just a baby leaving my mother as a single mother. My mother and I live in a small town on the outskirts of the city where she worked her whole life taking on various odd jobs around the clock just to make ends meet.

    I spent my entire childhood staying home alone until I could go to a public school near where we lived while my mother went out to work to put food on the table. She worked at any job that would hire her ranging from being a waitress, a gardener, a florist, a babysitter and then progressing upwards when she finallynded a fulltime job as an assistant cook in one of the local restaurants in the small town that we lived in.

    I realized earlier on in life that if we were to survive, I would have to find a way to be less of a burden to my mother as much as possible, especially financially. I learnt that we had to support each other, and I could contribute by being less demanding and doing my best to take care of myself. I hated being a kid, not because I couldn¡¯t wait to grow up into an amazing adult and do all the things that seemed fun that adults could do, but it was because I hated how useless and helpless, I was at that time.

    **knock knock knock**

    Firm knocking sounds on our front door brought me back to the present as I instinctively got up from where I was sitting at our small dining table and headed towards the door. Not many people visited, let alone knew where we lived, so I had a pretty good guess already regarding who was at the door.

    ¡°Hi Auntie Jane. What a pleasant surprise. Want to join us for dinner?¡± I greeted the old and slightly frail looking auntie standing in front of my door wearing her signature red knitted jacket.

    ¡°Congrattions! I¡¯m dropping by because I heard the awesome news from your mum! Congrattions!¡± Auntie Jane eximed excitedly before taking my hands into her thinner ones and squeezing them tight.

    News travels extremely fast in this small town, doesn¡¯t it? I bet my mother gave Auntie Jane a call the moment she disappeared into the kitchen. The speed that gossips and news travels in this small town should never be underestimated.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 To Survive

    ¡°It¡¯s a little bit too early for that. I haven¡¯t gotten the job yet. Oh, you shoulde in,¡± I replied as I smiled back at her and motioned for her to enter.

    Auntie Jane walked in carrying a bag as she patted my arm on her way in. I closed the door after her and gestured for her to take a seat on the sofa. Our apartment was small so there wasn¡¯t much space to wee guests which was why we hardly ever invited anyone over.

    Auntie Jane was an exception because to my mother she was like an older sister in everyway and to me, she was like my second mother. She helped keep an eye on me when my mother was away working when I was younger since she only lives next door. Auntie Jane lives alone and doesn¡¯t have children of her own, so it was quite natural that we quickly became like family to each other.

    ¡°Dinner is ready!¡± my mother called out from the kitchen with perfect timing.Content is property of N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°I¡¯ll help!¡± I called back as I hurried into the kitchen to help carry out the tes.

    ¡°Is Jane here yet?¡± my mother asked energetically. It was clear that she was in a splendid mood.

    ¡°Yes. She just got here,¡± I replied smoothly as I helped my mother bring out the food.

    ¡°Monica! Your food smells so good as always. I¡¯m here to congratte your dear daughter in person! I¡¯m so proud! I¡¯m so happy!¡± Auntie Jane said happily as she pped her hands together.

    Once we were all seated at the dining table, the three of us chatted away while we ate dinner together. It¡¯s moments like these that I think that despite all of life¡¯s hardship that I am actually quite lucky. We were poor but we were happy enough. I have these two wonderful women who I consider family right here with me.

    ¡°Oh, I almost forgot. Here, I brought these shoes over so that you can wear them to your interview. You don¡¯t have formal leather shoes, right?¡± Auntie Jane said as she handed me the shoe box that she had extracted from the bag she was carrying earlier.

    ¡°Oh wow¡­thank you so much,¡± I replied with a genuine smile.

    She was right. I haven¡¯t figured out what to wear to the interview and I didn¡¯t have proper shoes for the asion. We could have afforded something but, as always, budget this month was sort of tight.

    ¡°They¡¯re not new or anything but they¡¯re mine and still in pretty good condition. You should try them on. I think we¡¯re about the same size¡­¡± Auntie Jane said.

    ¡°Thank you. I¡¯ll try them on. They should fit well, no worries. You¡¯re a lifesaver as always!¡± I said with a bright smile.

    Now I just need to find some appropriate work attire. Something like a simple white shirt with ck skirt and a matching suit would do.

    Honestly, since the news of the interview came in, I had been so happy about it that the stress of it all hadn¡¯t really sunk in. However, now that some time had passed, I realized that there were many things I needed to do to prepare for the interview. I had to get the right clothing, shoes, and make-up on top of preparing for the interview itself.

    I took in a deep breath before stuffing more of my mother¡¯s home-cooked food into my mouth.

    I can do this!

    ¡­

    Later that night, Iy in my bed with themp on as I read the content of the interview invitation letter in detail. It wasn¡¯t thatte in the night, but my mother had already fallen asleep on her bed on the other side of the room. Tomorrow was another working day for her and getting up early was the norm. I tried to stay as silent as possible to not disturb her much-needed rest.

    The clutched the invitation letter tightly in my hands as I repeated to myself that this was really happening. The opportunity that I had worked so hard for is here right in front of me. If I can just get this job, then I can provide a better life for my mother. Hopefully a life where she could retire and stop working so hard.

    It clearly wasn¡¯t an easy road lined with red rose petals for me to get here up to this point. Since we were poor, I had to work extra hard at life in general. I knew we couldn¡¯t afford the school fees and other expenses rted to me going to school which meant that the only choice I had was to study my ass off so that I could secure a schrship. I was a schrship student all the way through school.

    Being a schrship student meant that I had to maintain my grades and also work for the school as well to support the teachers. I did all of that willingly to lessen the burden on my mother, hoping that one day my efforts would bear fruit that would lead me to a promising career.

    I hardly had time for romance during school at all because, unlike my other friends, I had to work multiple parttime jobs to make ends meet. I would work parttime jobs afterschool and during the weekends. After my parttime jobs, I would study long into the night so that I could keep my grade above the schrship requirements. I believed that if I worked hard and dedicated my effort to it, I would one day be sessful in supporting my mother.

    I started dating a couple of guys during my high school years but none of those rtionships eversted long and the same thing happened in university. I had to work many parttime jobs to make ends meet and didn¡¯t have the time to spend with my boyfriend.

    In the end most of them just broke up with me or cheated on me with another girl that had more time for them. At one point, I started believing that there must be something wrong with me. I can¡¯t seem to keep a guy and I guess my family situation didn¡¯t really help on that front.

    By the time I was in my final year of university, I had been dating and sleeping around with so many guys without any sess in a real rtionship that I finally gave up on the idea of finding the right guy for me entirely. Perhaps, it was because I never had the effort or the intention to focus my utmost attention on those rtionships that led to its failure. However, I couldn¡¯t help it. I needed to put my studies and my family¡¯s financial stability first, so until Inded a fulltime job, my love life just had to take a back seat.

    I didn¡¯t realize it when I fell into a deep and dreamless sleep. When I opened my eyes again, it was already morning. Looking towards my mother¡¯s bed, I found it empty which meant that my mother had already left for work. I stretched and yawn before pping my cheeks with the palms of my hand.

    Focus, Rina! Today¡¯s the day that I go out to scourge the secondhand stores for the perfect suit, skirt and blouse for my job interview. Although, the invitation letter was for an interview, the first screening of the process was a written examination. I must pass it no matter what!

    Regardless, proper business clothing was required because the interview was right after the written examination. I quickly showered, got dressed and headed for the nearby shopping district. It was the weekend, so the shopping streets were busy and filled with people. I quickly headed towards the secondhand clothing store that I had in mind. I knew the owner and have bought clothes from this shop before so hopefully she could help me find what I needed and give me a little discount.

    ¡°Hey, Rina! How are things? Looking for anything specific today?¡± the auntie who ran the store asked me in a cheerful voice. It was amazing how she could be so full of energy at her age.

    ¡°Yes, actually. I have an interviewing up so it¡¯d be great if I could get a suit and a skirt¡­a white shirt¡­¡± I replied with a smile.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 The Big Day

    ¡°Wow! Congrattions! You¡¯re all grown up now¡­¡± the auntie replied as she patted me on the back.

    ¡°You should save the congrattions for when I get the job,¡± I said as I began looking around the store.

    After trying on a couple of options that the shop owner rmended, I decided on a matching set of ck suit and skirt and a simple white shirt. I quickly paid and thanked the auntie before heading straight for home. The written exam was in two days so between now and then, I must study for it as much as possible.

    ¡­

    The night before the test and interview, my mother and I kneeled in front of my father¡¯s photograph as we prayed for luck and sess. My father died from illness when I was very young. To be honest, I didn¡¯t remember him very well. Any memories that I had of him were blurry at best, but I could sense that he must have been a good and kind man.

    I got to know my father based on my mother¡¯s words. She always had so many wonderful things to say about him like how he was a very responsible man who really loved and worked hard for his family. She would praise him for always putting us first.

    Dad¡­please keep on watching over us from above. Please do your best not to worry, mum and I are doing well. We¡¯re both doing our best to be happy. I¡¯ve always worked hard and will continue to work hard to protect my mother. Tomorrow is a big day indeed, so¡­please wish me luck.

    I prayed silently as I kneeled next to my mother with closed eyes. My mother said her prayers silently as well. When we were both done, we smiled at each other. For once in quite a while, our eyes were filled with hope for the future.

    If I get the job, I will have to move to live in the city. That would mean leaving my mother behind in this town but hopefully, with the money that I will earn, I can give her a better life. My mother is getting older, and it shows in her ever-increasing backaches and lower stamina, although she tries her best to hide it. I wish that I could work and send her back enough money so that she could finally retire or take on fewer or less intense work.

    That night, after making somest-minute preparations, I went to bed early. Tomorrow, I had to catch the train super early to head into the city where I will take my first written test and then if I pass that, I¡¯ll have the interview in the afternoon.

    I squeezed my eyes tight as Iid on my bed. Tomorrow, will be my day¡­

    ¡­

    Finally¡­I have arrived at what hopefully would be my future workce!

    I stood in front of a beautifully decoratedndscape with trees, bushes, flowers, and a veryrge water fountain. Beyond this was one of the tallest skyscrapers in the city, the headquarters of Jessen & Hills. This ce is the dream workce for countless souls of my generation that have been captured by the art of advertising and film production.

    I bit my lip with a mix of nervousness and excitement as I looked up at the shiny skyscraper looming over me. The building was made almost entirely of shiny silver ss that reflected the light, making the building seemed like a shiny diamond twinkling in the sunlight.

    Everyone who walked by were dressed in smart-looking suit. Everyone looked so well-aplished and qualified. Everyone looked like they belonged here. I looked around until I found a small bench where I hurriedly sat down. I was already dressed in my suit, but I haven¡¯t worn the proper shoes that auntie had lent to me yet. Since I wasn¡¯t used to wearing shoes like these and they were a little on the small side, I had decided to change into them right before entering the building.

    I took off my shoes and slipped on the leather shoes. It hurts a little when I walk but I should be able to manage for the day. I breathed in deeply as I headed for the entrance of the building.

    Here Ie¡­

    The written interview was conducted in a veryrge auditorium and the tension in the air was suffocating. I knew that this job application waspetitive, but I never thought that there would be this many people here. I pped the sides of my cheek softly to bring my brain into focus.

    I spent the entire morningpleting the written test along with the other candidates, silently in the auditorium. Then came lunch break where we were provided with box lunches. I was too stressed and on edge that I couldn¡¯t taste the food at all as I quickly gulped it down. Next was the interview in the afternoon.

    ¡­

    ¡°Sir, with all due respect, there is no need for someone like yourself to join in the interview of new recruits. I could understand if you wanted to interview executive-level applicants but¡­we¡¯re talking about fresh graduates here¡­¡± an old man said with a shaky voice.

    ¡°Is that all you¡¯ve got to say?¡± another man spoke through the phone, his voice was cold.This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Umm¡­yes, Sir,¡± the old man replied in fear.

    ¡°Good. Then noted but my decision stands. I want to participate in some interviews for the fresh graduates,¡± the other man spoke as he smiled on the other end of the line.

    ¡°Sir, the interviews are already going to start this afternoon¡­¡± the old man said hesitantly. How was he supposed to move all hundreds of interviews? It would be such a disaster¡­

    ¡°Then move it to tomorrow afternoon instead. You can do that much, right?¡± the younger man said with a clear challenge in his voice.

    ¡°Yes¡­Sir,¡± the old man was forced to reply. If he couldn¡¯t do ¡®that much¡¯ his job would be at risk for sure¡­

    ¡°You¡¯re probably wondering why I¡¯m doing this. Well, since I¡¯ll be taking over thepany soon, I want to experience firsthand how ourpany is viewed by the newer generation. After all, they hold the key to our sessful future in their hands,¡± the younger man said matter-of-factly.

    ¡°Yes¡­Sir. Very well, Sir¡­¡± the old man replied in resignation.

    ¡°Good. Good luck,¡± the other man said emotionlessly before killing the line.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Stranger in a Park

    ¡°Attention please everyone. We are extremely sorry to inform you that the afternoon interview sessions have been cancelled. We apologize for the inconvenience and confusion that this may cause but we have decided to postpone the interview to tomorrow afternoon instead. Please check the board or your email for the time and room for your interview tomorrow. Once again, we apologize for the inconvenience caused,¡± a formal woman voice announced through the speakers.

    Oh¡­so there won¡¯t be interviews today. I have toe back here again tomorrow in the afternoon for my interview which meant that I am now free for the day. I sighed as I took out my phone and began checking my email based on the announcement just now.

    Here it is. Tomorrow 3PM Room 309. The new time, date and location for my interview.

    Suddenly, I had the whole afternoon free and didn¡¯t know what to do. Just like the other candidates, I left the building for the day. I had plenty of time left before my train ridete in the afternoon. I guess I could change the time of my train ticket if I paid the fee, but I just didn¡¯t feel like it was worth it.

    I might as well find a way to burn a couple of hours now that I was already in the city and that would help me save up on the fee. As I walked pass the beautifulndscape of the garden in front of the building, I was reminded that I saw a public park right next to this building. Well, since this building was huge and so was thend that surrounded it, the park was a few minutes walk away but I had time to kill anyways.

    With no better idea in mind, I started walking towards the park¡­

    ¡­

    By the time I got to the park, my shoes were already killing my feet, literally. I¡¯m so stupid, I forgot to change into my own shoes instead of these ones lent to me by auntie. I looked around the beautiful lush-green park trying to locate a bench where I could sit down and rest my feet and legs.

    The park was beautiful beyond words, but it was also too big as well. The park was covered with lush green grass,rge trees, bushes, and flowers that were in full bloom. The center of the park was a big body of water with wooden bridges built to help people cross the water. There were paths for running and cycling and benches for people to sit down and just enjoy the scenery¡­or change their shoes in my case.

    I spotted a white wooden bench a little walk away which seemed to be in a perfect spot, under arge tree and quite close to theke side. Since it was early afternoon on a weekday, there were very few people in the park. It seemed the only people free at this time of day were mothers with their babies in strollers and the elderly. I watched as a couple of them walked by, enjoying their peaceful walk and the pleasant weather.

    I enjoyed the sensation of the wind blowing in my hair and face as I reflected on the written exam from this morning. I guess, I didn¡¯t do too badly on it. I wasn¡¯t fully confident, but I think I did a decent job and should be able to pass it. Now all I needed to do was nail the interview tomorrow to get the job offer. There were a couple of questions that I wasn¡¯t sure of the answer to.

    Well, no point thinking about it now. I can¡¯t go back to change what happened in the past, so it was better to focus on the present and the future. I wonder what questions will be asked in the interview tomorrow¡­

    I was so deep in thought that I didn¡¯t realize that a man had approached me until he had already sat down right next to me on the wooden bench.

    ¡°Good afternoon,¡± the man said, drawing me out of my thoughts.

    I turned around, a little bewildered at how close he was sitting next to me. The man that sat next to me is probably in his early thirties with light brown hair and matching hazel eyes. The look in his eyes was nothing like I had ever seen before.

    His eyes were so full of determination and passion like he had already figured out the goal of his life and was running as fast as he could towards it. I couldn¡¯t quite understand why or how to exin it but something in those eyes captivated and held my attention. It was like, if I continued to stare into them, I would see something great happen¡­

    ¡°You¡¯re here for an interview at Jessen & Hills?¡± he asked.

    At first, I wondered how he knew and then I realized that I still had the intervieweenyard with thepany¡¯s logo and my name around my neck.

    ¡°Umm¡­yes¡­¡± I said, nodding my head slightly as I stered on a friendly smile on my lips.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.

    I felt a knot of nervousness in my stomach and my heart started beating faster as I became more aware of his presence close to me. I didn¡¯t need to take another look to realize that this man was amazingly attractive looking. Although he was seated, I could tell that he was very tall and had a very fit body underneath the loose and casual clothes that hung from hisrge and muscr frame.

    He was dressed in a simple white t-shirt, light blue jeans, and sneakers. There was nothing to help me indicate who this man was and what he did in his life but for some reason, his presence intimidated me.

    ¡°Hmm¡­so, how did it go?¡± the man asked as a slight smile curved his beautiful lips. For a split second, I watched his full lips form a smile,pletely mesmerized.

    ¡°¡­it was ok, I think. Umm¡­the interview in the afternoon got postponed to tomorrow¡­so yea¡­¡± I replied after snapping out of my own thoughts.

    ¡°Oh, right¡­I forgot about that¡­¡± the man murmured as if to himself.

    ¡°Sorry¡­I don¡¯t quite follow¡­¡± I said softly in confusion.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Burning Kiss

    ¡°Oh¡­it¡¯s nothing,¡± the man said as he shed me a super stunning smile. I wonder if he¡¯s ever been told that he looks like a superstar actor or something along those lines¡­

    ¡°¡­I see¡­¡± I said.

    I didn¡¯t mind chatting to a stranger and he didn¡¯t seem to be a dangerous man or anything but I couldn¡¯t help wondering if there was something he wanted from me. I felt quite ufortable around him and wanted to excuse myself. Maybe I should just head home or walk around the train station instead while I wait for my train ride.

    Before I could get up from the bench, the handsome man spoke up once again.

    ¡°Do you honestly think that you can get a job in one of the toppanies dressed like that?¡± the man asked as he eyed me from head to toe and then up again.

    ¡°¡­what?¡± I asked, frankly shocked at what I just heard.

    ¡°I said, do you honestly think you can get a job at Jessen & Hills dressed in a cheap looking and outdated suit and a worn-out pair of shoes that seems too small for you? Ever heard of first impressions?¡± the man said, putting emphasis into his every word.

    I¡¯ve heard of first impressions before, sure, but this guy is clearly not considering what first impressions I am having of him. I hated to admit it but what he said could be partly true; however, he didn¡¯t have to put it that way.

    ¡°I¡­Thank you for pointing it out but that was quite a rude way of saying it¡­¡± I snapped at him.

    ¡°Oh¡­sorry if my honesty offended you,¡± the man replied like it was nothing. I couldn¡¯t tell if his apology was genuine or if he was just teasing me and honestly, I couldn¡¯t care less.

    ¡°Good day, sir¡­¡± I muttered as I got off from the bench and turned to leave.

    ¡°Pouting about it isn¡¯t going to improve how you look or get you any new clothes, right?¡± the man called from behind me.

    I took in a deep breath as I stopped in my tracks. I closed my eyes and bit my lower lip to stop myself from turning around and shouting my curses at that super rude guy. I¡¯m poor, so obviously, I know best that pouting orining isn¡¯t going to get me the things that I couldn¡¯t afford.

    I sighed and instead of turning around, decided to ignore his insulting words and continue walking forward with my head held high. Being poor isn¡¯t illegal. Not having the best and most expensive clothes isn¡¯t a crime. I didn¡¯t do anything wrong and there is nothing that I should be ashamed of.

    ¡°Wait,¡± I heard him say at the same time that I felt my wrist being grabbed and yanked.

    While stunned at how fast he had caught up to me, my body was spun around to face him once more. I looked up at him, literally, as he towered over me.

    ¡°What¡­¡± I whispered in shock as our eyes locked.

    ¡°Take this¡­¡± the man said, his eyes never leaving mine.

    I felt something being thrusted into the open palm of my hand. When I looked down, I gasped¡­

    I have never seen so much cash in my life! He had ced a thick wad of one-hundred-dor bills in my hand. My eyes widened not in greed but in astonishment. What kind of man would force this much cash on a stranger that he had just met?!

    The answer was simple¡­a very crazy one!!!

    ¡°No¡­I can¡¯t take this!¡± I shouted at him in shock.

    ¡°Why not?¡± he asked as he cocked his head slightly to the side as if what I said truly confused him.

    I found his behavior truly insulting and offensive. I might be poor but that didn¡¯t mean that I wanted to benefit from his charity.

    ¡°Because I don¡¯t want it¡­¡± I said as I stared back at him.

    ¡°But you need it, don¡¯t you?¡± he replied as if what he said was the most obvious thing in the world.

    ¡°¡­what? I don¡¯t need your charity¡­¡± I snapped back at him.

    ¡°I don¡¯t get it. I¡¯m offering you loads of money for free. You know, for free¡­so why aren¡¯t you happy to take it?¡± he asked, acting genuinely confused at how I was reacting to his proposal.

    ¡°To me, money needs to be earned. I can¡¯t possibly take anyone¡¯s money for free without doing something in return¡­¡± I said firmly.

    Why doesn¡¯t he get it? I don¡¯t want free money. I want money that came from my honest work and effort. Is the concept of earning money something so hard to understand?

    ¡°Ok, then. I guess, this would do¡­¡± he said.This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    The next thing I knew, I was in his embrace as his strong muscr arms held me, pulling me close to his body. Hisrge manly hands cupped both my cheeks as he tilted my face up and his warm lips crushed firmly against mine.

    This stranger¡­is kissing me? Why? What is going on¡­?

    ¡°Mhhmm! Mhmm!¡±

    I made protesting sounds against his mouth while my hands started beating on his rock-hard chest. His strong arms held me tighter, crushing my body against his muchrger frame. I could feel the heat of his body seep into me through our clothes. My heart began beating so fast in my chest that I thought that it would explode into tiny pieces.

    His lips on mine felt hotter and hotter as he continued grinding his lips against mind. He changed the angle of our kiss before I felt the tip of his hot tongue start to probe in between my lips, slowly urging me to open my lips to grant him ess to the depths of my mouth. He trusted his tongue greedily into my wet mouth when my lips slowly rxed and parted, allowing him entry.

    I heard a soft and low moan in my throat when I felt the heat and wetness of his tongue enter my mouth. His wandering tongue explored the cave of my mouth before entwining hungrily with my own tongue. The man grinded his tongue against mine as his lips continued to kiss and suck on mine. Our tongue engaged in a dirty dance that left my body hot and aching.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 We Meet Again

    He changed the angle of our kiss so that he could thrust his tongue deeper inside of my mouth. I couldn¡¯t stop myself from moaning at the intensity of his kiss. His hands held my head in ce as he continued to seduce my lips. My body felt hot and there was an undeniable ache in my lower abdomen that longed to be fulfilled.

    ¡°I¡¯ll take this kiss in exchange so feel free to take the money,¡± he said after ending our hot kiss.? N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.

    ¡°But¡­my kiss is not for sale!¡± I protested loudly.

    ¡°I enjoyed the kiss, so you¡¯ve earned the money. Good work!¡± He said while smiling seductively at me.

    ¡°Wait!¡± I called after him.

    ¡°I¡¯m not taking my money back, if you don¡¯t need it, you can burn it¡­¡± the man replied without looking back at me.

    The man never slowed down as his long strides took him further and further away from me. I was wrong, I realized that he was much taller than I initially gave him credit for¡­and a lot more good looking up close. My body could still feel his body heat where his arms hugged me and where his body touched me. Strangely, my heart was beating very fast, and I found it difficult to think straight.

    My lips still burned from his intense kiss, and I could still taste him in my mouth.

    I sat down on the nearest bench in the park as I tried to catch my breath and clear my head. The event that just transpired between that stranger and I left me confused and my brain is now a wrecking mess. I sat down and looked at the thick wad of cash in my hand.

    What am I supposed to do with this now? Should I go to the police with it? Will they be able to track down the man and return it?

    ¡®I enjoyed the kiss, so you¡¯ve earned the money¡­¡¯

    The man¡¯s words rang in my ear as I reyed what he said in my head. I touched my fingers to my lips, still swollen from his aggressive kiss. Hell, I really did earn it. I wasn¡¯t sure if my kiss was worth this much money but¡­

    I probably don¡¯t need this much money for decent new clothes for my interview tomorrow. If I can just get the job, I swear I¡¯ll track him down and return the money back to him. So, yea, it¡¯ll be like I¡¯m borrowing it from him for now.

    I¡¯m going to get the job no matter what and if getting new clothes will help increase my odds even by just a teeny, tiniest bit, I¡¯m going to get new clothes. There, I¡¯ve decided.

    I still have a couple of hours before my train ride back home. That¡¯s plenty of time to pick out and buy a new outfit for tomorrow¡¯s interview. I shoved the cash into my bag and zipped it. I got up from the bench with renewed energy and determination.

    Thank you, stranger. Your attempt to insult me and hurt my pride, I¡¯m going to turn all that around and use it to my benefit.

    In the end, I never learnt the man¡¯s identity and realized that I never asked him for his name.

    ¡­

    After a restless night tossing around in bed, the day of the interview had finally arrived. I stood in front of the same building at almost the exact same spot as I stood yesterday. However, today was different. I felt a lot more confident and the presence of the people around me no longer intimidated me.

    After buying myself a new outfit and shoes for the interview, I deposited the rest of the cash into my bank ount for safe keeping. I had no intention of using any more of that money that that man had given me yesterday. If fate would allow us to meet again, perhaps, I would thank him and return all his money back to him.

    I looked at the watch on my wrist that showed me that I should hurry along. My new high heels leather shoes clicking against the floor as I walked, I entered the waiting room where all other interviewees were gathered.

    ¡°Please remain seated and wait until your name is called. You can view your interview room and scheduled time on the monitors around the room,¡± the facilitator announced repeatedly through the microphone.

    I sat down and fiddled with my phone in my hand as I waited nervously for my name to be called. I couldn¡¯t sleep muchst night so I thought quite a lot about the answers I would give during my interview. Although I wasn¡¯tpletely sure what questions were going to be asked, I could guess a few.

    Thispany values inspiration and motivation. Everyone who¡¯s here for an interview obviously knows that if they¡¯ve read the mission statement of thepany. Based on this, I believed that some questions will be asked about my inspiration or motivation to join thepany for sure. I wasn¡¯t sure if the answer that I had prepared would sway the interviewers, but it was an honest one.

    I don¡¯t know about the other candidates sitting in this room but for me, I had a very personal reason why I wanted to join thispany. While other candidates may want to join thispany due to its prestige, high pay, or its leadership position in the industry; however, for me, I simply wanted to join thispany because I believed thispany saved me in one of my most desperate time of need.

    ¡°Miss Karina Miller¡­¡±

    I snapped out of my thoughts when I heard my name being called through the speakers along the wall of the auditorium. Finally, it¡¯s my turn. I quickly grabbed by bag and followed the other candidates who were also leaving the auditorium. I walked along the hallway, and it wasn¡¯t hard to find the location of my interview.

    I stood in front of the room and checked that it was the right room number before knocking softly but firmly on the door a few times.

    ¡°Come in,¡± a voice called out to me from inside the room.

    Slowly, I opened the door and entered the room. The room was muchrger than I had anticipated and seemed to be a meeting room of some sort with a long table. Three people sat on the other side of the table facing me, two men and a woman.

    When I saw the face of the man sitting in the middle of the interviewer panel, my whole body froze, my eyes widened, and my mouth dropped open in shock.

    What is that man doing here?

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 His Question

    Is he¡­my interviewer?

    I blinked rapidly as I tried to clear away my shock. There, sitting in the middle in between the other two interviewer, was the stranger that I had met yesterday at the park. If he¡¯s here, then he must be one of my interviewers. What a funny coincidence¡­

    This is great, I can return the money to him. It might not be the full amount, but I must return the bulk of it that I had not spent for sure and then for the rest, I¡¯ll pay him back as soon as possible. When I met him, he was wearing casual clothes; however, now he was wearing a formal business suit and his hair was styled differently. Although he looked different, I recognized him almost immediately. I thought he looked very handsome in his casual clothes, but he looks just as stunning or even more so in his pristine and expensive-looking grey suit.

    ¡°Have a seat,¡± he said as he motioned for me to sit down.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.

    His formal tone somehow disappointed me. Did he not recognize me? Was it because I was dressed in my new suit and my hair is styled a little differently? Based on his passive attitude andck of reaction, it was quite clear that he did not recognize me at all.

    After recovering from my shock, I was somehow able to force my body to walk forward. I sat down in the designated chair as I said polite greetings to my three interviewers. The middle-aged woman on the right was dressed in a very stylish suit and her hair was put up in a stylish bun. Her lips were a dark maroon that matched with her earrings and ne. She eluded a sense of superiority and experience.

    The man on the left was slightly older than the woman and just as well dressed. He wore golden rimmed sses and had apassionate look in his eyes. From the vibe that I was getting from the panelists, it was clear that thispany took the screening of new recruits extremely seriously.

    ¡°Please start off by introducing yourself¡­¡± the woman said before offering me a pleasant smile.

    I introduced myself and walked them through my resume. Although I was a new graduate and didn¡¯t have any real work experience, I had experience working part-time that could show that I am a responsible person who took my job seriously. My grades from university were beyond decent even if I do say so myself. However, I was sure that every other candidate that passed the pre-screening round was the same. So¡­if I¡¯m not able to somehow distinguish myself here then¡­

    After introducing myself, the woman and the older man took turns asking questions rted to my skills such as leadership, teamwork, and my ns for the future. The questions were standard, and I had responses prepared so everything went smoothly as nned. I tried to answer their questions as honestly as possible with examples from my past experiences to support my point.

    ¡°Why have you chosen to apply to thispany when there are so many others?¡±

    I sat up a little straighter when the man sitting in the center of the panel asked his first question since the whole session had started. To be honest, the question wasn¡¯t unexpected, and I knew my answer without the need to prepare.

    ¡°The reason why I¡¯ve chosen to apply to thispany is because a certainmercial that thispany produced helped save my life¡­¡± I said passionately.

    Unlike the anxiety that I was feeling inside, my voice came out bright and clear. I started telling the interviewers the story behind my motivation to join thispany.

    ¡­

    You know how sometimes when everything seems to be going well, you start to think that it¡¯s too good to be true. Then you start thinking that something bad is waiting to happen to you just around the corner. That was exactly how I felt on that day and, needless to say, I was right.

    ¡°I know this is sudden but, I guess it¡¯s better to let you know in advance. We just received news that there isn¡¯t enough budget for schrships next year,¡± my homeroom teacher said solemnly before sighing loudly.

    Oh¡­I see. There won¡¯t be schrship for students next year because there isn¡¯t enough money. I guess the budget got cut. If there¡¯s no schrship, then how am I supposed to continue going to school?

    ¡°I see¡­¡± was all that I managed to say.

    ¡°Umm¡­I know this is tough so¡­I¡¯ll try to see if there¡¯s something that I can do. I¡¯ll let you know if anything changes¡­¡± my teacher said as she tried to smile at me encouragingly.

    I knew she was just trying to be kind and do her job. However, deep down I knew that there wasn¡¯t much that she could do. If there was no budget, then that was that. There was no budget.

    ¡°Thank you¡­for letting me know,¡± I said as I tried my best to smile back at her.

    The conversation ended awkwardly. I waited until I left the room and closed the door behind me before letting out the sigh that I had been suppressing. I stood in the school¡¯s hallway with my back pressed against the wall as I let the words sink in. At this rate, it¡¯s going to be close to impossible for me to continue studying next year. Luckily there was still some time left, perhaps I could get multiple part time jobs and save up some money before the next payment was due.

    I grabbed my backpack from the locker and started on my walk back home with my head hung low. I didn¡¯t know how to tell my mum about this. She would be stressed and devastated, but worst of all she would start ming herself again when none of this was her fault¡­or anyone¡¯s fault. Perhaps, I shouldn¡¯t even tell her about it. I found myself sighing once again as I continued to walk along the sidewalk towards home.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 My Inspiration

    Then, I felt it. A single drop of water on my forehead. I silently wished that this is all just my own imagination ying tricks on me. However, the next wave was an all-out rain pour that left everyone, including myself, scrambling for cover.

    This is just great. I¡¯ve just been told that I¡¯ve lost my schrship for school next year and on top of that it is now pouring like the sky is falling. I hate the rain. The feel of it on my skin, the smell of it in the air, and the sound of it. Everything about it just makes me feel sick.

    Just like the people around me, I found cover at the nearest subway station. It really looks like it¡¯s going to be a long while before the rain would stop. Nothing I can do but to wait it out. As I stood there and wrestled with my own worries and negative thoughts, I felt a warm wetness on my cheek. When I reached up my hand to wipe it away, I realized that I had started crying.

    Shit. This is the worst. While other people proceeded deeper into the station to hide from the rain, I found myself sitting down with my back leaned against the wall close to the station¡¯s entrance. The rain was beating down loudly. I pulled my knees up and hugged it close as I watched the rain fall.

    I couldn¡¯t even begin to describe the stressful and dark thoughts that crossed my mind as I reflected on my troublesome life while I watched the rain fall. I couldn¡¯t understand why life was so harsh¡­and so unfair. Sometimes, I just inly hated my life. It was hard to go on living, so why do we even bother¡­

    At that moment, the rain that had been pouring down slowly started to stop. The dark clouds began to part, and some light started shining through. I looked up from the ground for the first time since I started curling myself up into a ball.

    Suddenly, there in front of me, on therge screen stretching across the whole length of the skyscraper opposite the subway station, was a scene of a sun rising. Although it was just on screen, I felt that the rising sun was so captivatingly beautiful. The rich orange, pink and red melted together as the sun slowly lit up the sky at the break of dawn.? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

    The next scene showed children running freely and then into the warm arms of their mothers. The smiles of their faces were all filled with love and hope for a better future. I watched as the many pairs of mothers and children hugged each other tightly and I felt a warm feeling creep into my heart.

    The final scene showed a chubby little boy¡¯s face in a close shot. I watched as he smiled adorably before winking at me as if he had a secret to tell. I didn¡¯t quite understand why but in that moment, I felt like he was trying to tell me that things will turn out ok¡­if I would just hang on¡­

    The next thing I knew, I had started crying again but now for apletely different reason. In the end, I didn¡¯t even remember what thatmercial was trying to sell to me exactly. However, I remembered every scene from themercial so clearly.

    It might sound like a random and unbelievable thing but sometimes the smallest and most random thing can have such a huge impact on you. That was exactly how I felt when I watched thatmercial. I closed my eyes as I felt the warmth in my heart spreading throughout my body, giving me life.

    The person who made themercial probably never knew how much his or her work had an impact on me. The producer of themercial probably never knew how his or her work saved me that day¡­

    ¡­

    ¡°I want to producemercial and films that can one day move the hearts of people and perhaps even save someone¡­just like thatmercial saved me on that day. This is my motivation and inspiration. I want my work to connect with people and their feelings,¡± I said with conviction.

    I meant every word that I said. Over the years, I have thought about what I wanted to do with my life and my career. Whenever I thought of that, my mind always wandered towards the moment that I first saw thatmercial. It was burned so clearly in my mind that I had looked it up on the inte and found out about thepany that produced it.

    Once I had that information, it was like my mind was made up just like that. Whether it was on the spur of the moment or it was actually well thought out by the subconsciousness of my brain, I didn¡¯t know. However, I had already written down on my career survey form that I wanted to work in advertising and film production. My first and onlypany choice was: Jessen & Hills.

    ¡°Don¡¯t you think themercial was a very lousy one if you couldn¡¯t even remember what it was trying to sell?¡± the very handsome stranger in a suit asked quite bluntly after I had finished my story.

    ¡°Umm¡­I think that there are many elements that can make a goodmercial,¡± I replied softly.

    ¡°That might be true¡­ but I bet thatmercial you were talking about was made by a lousy rookie producer who didn¡¯t know what he was doing. What¡¯s the point of amercial if it doesn¡¯t lead to sales for our clients? I mean, they hired us to makemercials to increase their sales in the very first ce, right?¡± the man said beforeughing a little.

    I knew it. This man is so rude, arrogant, and offensive. He hasn¡¯t even seen themercial that I was talking about and yet he¡¯s making so many negativements. Not only that, but he¡¯s also insulting the producer of themercial.

    How can themercial be so bad? I mean, it was produced by Jessen & Hills. This verypany that I am interviewing for. If themercial did not meet thispany¡¯s standards, then why was it released to the public? I wanted to ask him all these questions, but I just held my tongue.

    ¡°Well, she did tell us a very convincing story of her motivation to join thepany¡­¡± the woman said as she shot me a sympathetic nce.

    Thankfully, the topic was dropped. After exchanging a few more words, my interview officially came to an end, and I was asked to leave the room.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Returning a Kiss

    It was when I had left the room that I realized that I was boiling with anger. My fists were clenched to my sides, and I was biting my lower lip to control my own rage. How dare he say those rude things?! I mean, I fully respect if someone has a different opinion but that man hasn¡¯t even seen thatmercial before. Themercial was quite old from when I was still a teenager, so it was probably six to seven years old now. I doubt anyone still remembers it¡­

    I was so wrapped up in my thoughts that my feet automatically took me to the building¡¯s exit. When I got there, I realized that I hadpletely forgotten to return the man¡¯s money. I didn¡¯t have any cash on me but if I could just find him then I could transfer the money back to him.

    Then it hit me. I can¡¯t believe that I didn¡¯t notice this before. I still didn¡¯t know his name. I still didn¡¯t know anything about him at all. His name, his age, his position in thepany¡­I didn¡¯t know anything! I was too shocked to find him in that room as one of my interviewers and then I was too wrapped up in my interview that I failed to find a way to learn his name.

    If I remembered correctly, the other two interviewers had a name tag on them, and they also had a name te ced in front of them on the table. The name te on the table was clearly for candidates to know who was interviewing them. However, I don¡¯t remember the man in the middle having a name tag attached to his suit or a name te in front of him on the table.

    Great. So, how am I supposed to find him now?

    The only thing I knew for sure was that he worked here. That would make sense since I met him at the park near here. I walked out of the door and then turned around and walked into the building again. I couldn¡¯t make up my mind. I didn¡¯t know how to find him, asking around would just be weird.

    I mean, how would I even begin to ask? Have you seen a very tall guy with brown hair and matching sexy brown eyes? Probably not going to work¡­

    On the other hand, I didn¡¯t want to give up now that he was so close. If I could just find him and return the money, then I can move on with my life without having a bunch of that stranger¡¯s cash in my bank ount. I sighed loudly as I came to a reasonable solution.

    The other thing I knew was that I walked to the exit right after leaving the interview room. That meant that he was still in the building. So, if I waited here until he left the building then I would probably run into him eventually. I use the word ¡°probably¡± because unfortunately, the building has more than one exit. There was an exit joined to the parking building.

    It¡¯s worth a shot¡­I guess. I looked at the watch and figured that if he wasn¡¯t a workaholic and left work at a normal time then I had to wait around 3 hours. I can do that¡­

    ¡­

    I waspletely mistaken. After waiting for around 5 hours, the man never appeared. It was already dark out and although the building was still open, there were very few people walking about now. Most people have already clocked out and left the building.

    I started an endless debate with myself if I should just give up and leave too. I mean, it was possible that he had left using the other exit a long time ago. However, there was a possibility that he¡¯s still in this building because he¡¯s working overtime. I¡¯ve waited this long so if I give up now then all that wait was for nothing? Isn¡¯t that just¡­so sad?

    Then again, there¡¯s that concept of sunk cost and how you shouldn¡¯t base your future decisions on it. In this case, the time I had spent waiting was sort of already my sunk cost. What should I do then?

    ¡°Why are you still here?¡±

    My whole body froze, and my eyes widened when I heard a familiar voice very close to me. I turned around and my suspicion was immediately confirmed. There, standing right in front of me was the man that I had waited for all this time. He really was still at work¡­

    I looked up at his face as he grinned down at me. Now that he was standing right in front of me, I didn¡¯t know what to say. My words were stuck in my throat and my mouth felt dry.

    ¡°Oh¡­¡± I said softly as I felt his hand plop down on top of my head.

    ¡°Why are you here thiste?¡± the man asked. I think I sensed some concern in his voice.

    ¡°I¡­¡± I began saying but his next words cut me off.

    ¡°Were you¡­perhaps, waiting for me?¡± he asked rhetorically.

    ¡°I¡­yes. I didn¡¯t know how to find you and I didn¡¯t know your name and¡­so I¡­¡± I said without any confidence in my voice. I still found his presence very intimidating.

    What am I saying? I should juste out and ask for his bank ount so that I can transfer back his money to him.

    ¡°So, you really were waiting for me,¡± he said with a satisfied smile.

    ¡°No¡­it¡¯s not like that¡­¡± I began protesting hesitantly.

    ¡°Then what is it like?¡± he said without giving me a break.

    ¡°I¡­want to return the money that you gave me,¡± I managed to say. Finally.

    ¡°Why?¡± he asked bluntly.This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Because¡­¡± I said.

    ¡°I told you it was payment for your kiss. You did get some new clothes¡­¡± he said without letting me finish my sentence.

    ¡°Yea¡­I did¡­thank you¡­¡± I thanked him, meaning it.

    ¡°Seriously though, I gave you so much money, so I was quite disappointed when you didn¡¯t turn up in some fancy branded suit, shoes and bag¡­¡± he said as he chuckled to himself.

    ¡°This is good enough. No, that¡¯s not the point! Please give me your ount number so that I can return your money,¡± I said with determination.

    ¡°If that¡¯s why you¡¯re still here, then you should leave. I¡¯m not taking that money back, it¡¯s yours now,¡± he said passively.

    ¡°But I told you before, I can¡¯t ept that much money,¡± I continued to argue my case.

    ¡°I¡¯ve told you before that you¡¯ve earned it. I bought your kiss in the park, remember?¡± he reminded me before grinning at me.

    ¡°That¡¯s¡­¡± I whispered.

    ¡°How about this? If you want to return the money, then I¡¯ll be force to return your kiss¡­¡± he said as his eyes lit up at his own idea.

    ¡°What do you mean?¡± I asked suspiciously.

    ¡°I mean¡­this¡­¡± he said in a low and seductive whisper.

    Our eyes locked as his lip inched closer and closer to mine. His hand that grasped my chin was gentle and yet I couldn¡¯t break away from him. I found myself so lost and I felt myself drowning in his captivating eyes. He¡¯s going to kiss me¡­to return the kiss he bought? That¡¯s¡­crazy.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Congratulations

    ¡°No matter how much I really want to kiss you right now, I¡¯ll still suggest that you keep the money,¡± he said before his hand released my chin as he stood up straight.

    I was stunned into silence. Was he seriously going to kiss me again? I ced my fingertips to my still-trembling lips. Was I¡­waiting for him to kiss me?

    ¡°Why¡­?¡± I began asking but a woman¡¯s voice rang out disturbing out conversation.

    ¡°Excuse me!¡±

    An attractive blonde woman with a sparkly wide smile called out to him. Her deep red knee-length dress hugged the beautiful curves of her body as she walked. Her red lipstick matched the color of her dress perfectly. However, she stopped in her tracks when he turned around to face her. I thought that she was about to say something, but she closed her mouth immediately when the man ced his index finger up to his lips. Clearly the message got across because the woman nodded slightly before turning around and leaving the way that she came without saying another word.

    ¡°See you around¡­¡± the man said before turning sharply on his heels.

    I stood there in silence as I watched the broad back of the tall man walking away from me with his long strides. Still confused as to what just happened, I couldn¡¯t bring myself to call him back. I was also sure that even if I did, he would not turn back around.

    I wonder what just happened and who that woman was. Was that beautiful woman his girlfriend?

    I heaved a sigh as I walked out of the building and stared up at the dark and starless sky above. That was aplete failure. Not only was I unable to return a cent of his money, but I had also failed in getting information about him. I still didn¡¯t know his bank ount, worst, I didn¡¯t even know his name¡­

    The only thing I got from our exchange was a burning ache where his fingers had gasped my chin. The only thing my mind seemed to remember well was the beauty of his arrogant smile, the heated look in his eyes as he looked at me and the smell and heat of his body.

    Not like I could use any of that information to find him¡­

    ¡­

    ¡°How was the interview?¡± my mother asked excitedly as she ced a bowl of vegetable soup on the table.

    ¡°It went well¡­I think,¡± I replied, truthfully.

    ¡°Really? Tell me more¡­¡± she said encouragingly.

    ¡°Well, I think I was able to answer all of their questions and I think I showed that I had motivation and passion to join thepany, so yea¡­¡± I said before shing her a smile.

    ¡°Thispany, if I¡¯m not wrong, it¡¯s always been your first choice, right? You¡¯re always talking about it¡­¡± my mother said as she seemed to recall some memories from the past.

    ¡°Yes! This might sound weird but I¡¯m happy that I got a chance to interview there. If I end up not getting the job, I¡¯ll still be happy that I got the opportunity to interview there,¡± I stated proudly.

    ¡°I heard the pay is good too¡­¡± my mother said wistfully.

    ¡°Yup, you¡¯re right,¡± I said as I smiled back at her.

    Days turned into weeks as I waited with anticipation for the result of my job interview. To be honest, I wasn¡¯t sure if I would get an offer and I wouldn¡¯t say that the odds were in my favor. However, I still had a glimpse of hope that I would be receiving an offer letter.

    Not knowing what to do about it, I prayedte at night before I went to bed every night that I would get the job. If I get the job, maybe I¡¯ll run into that man again, and for sure this time, I¡¯ll return his money back to him.

    A few weeks passed by just like that until the fateful day for my interview result arrived via call.

    I didn¡¯t know what I would do with myself if I had missed that phone call by mistake. Luckily, I was sitting right next to my mobile phone when it started vibrating on the table. When I saw an unrecognized number on the screen, I picked it up immediately. I usually don¡¯t get calls from unknown people and most ended up being telesales people calling to sell things that I didn¡¯t need.

    However, for this call, I had a feeling that it was the call that I had been waiting for.

    ¡°Hello. I am calling from Jessen & Hills. Am I speaking to Miss Karina Miller?¡±

    ¡°Yes¡­¡± I said, trying to control my excitement.

    ¡°We have very good news. After a verypetitive test, interview process and much consideration, we are pleased to offer you a position at ourpany. We will be emailing you the details of the job contract soon and will invite you toe in to sign the contract with us at headquarters,¡± thedy exined professionally through the phone.? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

    I was finding it hard to believe what I was hearing as I clutched my mobile phone tightly in my palm, pressing it against the side of my face. This is not a dream, right? This is really happening.

    ¡°Yes¡­thank you¡­thank you so much,¡± was all that I could manage to say.

    ¡°Thank you so much and congrattions again. Our HR representative will be in touch with you shortly via email. Have a good day,¡± the woman said before hanging up.

    Once the line disconnected, I stood up and squealed with delight. I was so loud that my mother came running.

    ¡°What¡¯s going on? Are you ok?¡± she asked with concern clear on her face. She must think that I¡¯m going crazy.

    ¡°Yes! I am more than ok. I did it mum!¡± I cried out excitedly.

    ¡°You did what exactly?¡± my mother asked, confused.

    ¡°I did it mum! I¡­I got the job! I got the job at Jessen & Hills!¡± I shouted so loudly that I was sure that our neighbors could hear me as well.

    ¡°¡­the one with the high pay¡­wow! Really?! WOW!¡± my mother screamed as excitedly.

    ¡°Yeah¡­really. Wow!¡± I cried back in joy.

    ¡°I¡¯m so happy for you! Big congrats, girl! You did it¡­this has always been your dream!¡± she said as she beamed at me proudly.

    ¡°Thank you, mum,¡± I said as we hugged each other tightly. I could feel tears sting my eyes as I held her in my arms.

    This job isn¡¯t just for me, and it isn¡¯t my own sess. I had my mother to thank for all the hard work she has put into raising me. This job is going to improve our lives. Hopefully, my mother would be able to retire soon or at least, work less than now.

    ¡°We have to celebrate!¡± my mother dered as she slowly let go of me.

    ¡°Where are you going?¡± I asked when I saw my mother get up and grab her bag.

    ¡°Out, of course. I have to go buy some good food so that we can celebrate this properly,¡± My mother said with determination as she turned to head towards the exit.

    ¡°I think the food you just made is more than enough,¡± I said as I pointed to the food she had ced on the table.

    ¡°Nonsense. Today is a special day. You just got your first real job¡­you¡¯ve grown into a full-fledge adult now and I am so proud of you¡­¡± my mother said before dabbing at the tears in her eyes.

    Without knowing how else to keep her here, I watched as my mother happily left the house to buy some food for us. I was sure that she would be back with Aunty as well because she couldn¡¯t possibly keep such good news to herself for long.

    I had people that I wanted to share this good news with too as I picked up my phone.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 The Forbidden Rule

    ¡°Hey girls!¡± I said cheerfully into the group video call with my two best friends.

    Lillian and Jennifer. We¡¯ve been friends since university started and went through university together. Throughout the four years, we helped each other out and worked so hard towards our graduation.

    ¡°Hi hi. I can just tell by how cheerful you are that you have some good news to share. Am I right?¡± Lillian said with a bright smile.

    ¡°Yup yup. Even I can tell that much as well. So¡­tell us!¡± Jennifer demanded.

    ¡°I got the job!¡± I announced proudly before pping my hands andughing with joy.

    ¡°Oh wow!¡± Lillian cried out happily.

    ¡°Congrattions!!!¡± Jennifer eximed almost at the same time as Lillian as they both heard my good news.

    Although we all acted so excited, it was a fact that I was thest person out of the three of us thatnded a fulltime job after graduation. Lillian was the first one who got a job as part of the PR team at one of the leading cosmetic and personal carepany. I had to say that the job suited her style so much that I envied her at the time.

    Soon after Jennifer got a job working in a design team for a jewelry and essoriespany. I remembered we went out to celebrate by eating buffet for dinner followed by watching ate-night movie together. Just the three of us. Those were the good times.

    After those two got their job, things got very busy for them, and we saw each other less than before. I missed them but I was happy that they were adjusting well to their new phase of life and their new job. Now, it seems like it was finally my turn.

    ¡°Thank you! Since you¡¯re both ahead on this new-job curve, don¡¯t forget to tell me some tips and tricks. I¡¯m actually quite nervous about this!¡± I admitted truthfully.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.

    ¡°Sure thing. You can count on us¡­although I would say that I¡¯m still pretty nervous at work. Everyone is just so much more experienced, you know? My team is also small, so I was the only new joiner in this batch¡­¡± Jennifer said with a loud sigh.

    ¡°I quite like my job so far. The seniors in my team are so friendly and helpful. I haven¡¯t gotten the hang of everything yet, but I think I¡¯m getting there. Don¡¯t worry, Risa. I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll do fine as always,¡± Lillian saidfortingly.

    I chatted with the girls until my mother came back from her food shopping trip. We enjoyed dinner together along with Auntie, who as I had guessed, was brought home by my mother. When dinner was over, I walked Auntie back to her house beforeing back to rejoin my mother.

    That night we prayed in front of my father¡¯s photo and told him the good news. I wondered how he would react and what he would say to me if he was still alive. I don¡¯t remember him at all, so it was difficult for me to imagine his reactions.

    That night I watched as my mother went to sleep with a smile on her face. I¡¯m sure that she was tired from her work but still went out to buy food for us. She was extremely happy, and I felt extremely proud of myself. The day that I would be able to support our family was fast approaching.

    ¡­

    After signing the job contract, I formally became an employee of Jessen & Hills and today marks the first day of work for me. Today is orientation day. Every new joiner must go through a short 2-day orientation course. The first day HR would go over everything from thepany¡¯s history, rules and regtions, employee benefits and everything else that we needed to know. The second day was reserved for team building activities with the main objective for new joiners to get to know each other.

    I sat in an auditorium with arge stage in front and a projector screen. This was a different auditorium from the one that I was in when I was a candidate. I guess I shouldn¡¯t be surprised that this building had multiple auditoriums considering its size and state-of-the-art technology.

    Suddenly the lights in the auditorium dimmed and a middle-aged woman walked up on the brightly lit stage. Although she was old, she still radiated activeness and poise. The woman was dressed in a ck business suit with matching skirt that looked expensive, and her hair was swept up in a stylish knot at the back of her head.

    ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, wee to Jessen & Hills. My name is Nina Leslie, and I am the head of Human Resources of thispany. It is an honor to be here to wee all of you here today. Today we will be going over the history of ourpany, our mission and motivation. Then my colleague will take you through the various details that will help you have a smooth transition into thispany,¡± the woman said in a very clear voice. Everything about her was professional yet warm and empathetic.

    ¡°Before that I would like to inform you of an iron-d rule that thispany would like all of its employees to strictly uphold at all times. In thispany, romantic rtionships between employees are strictly forbidden,¡± the woman announced in a very serious tone.

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°Seriously?¡±

    ¡°In this time and age, this rule still exists?¡±

    ¡°I thought thispany was supposed to be modern¡­¡±

    ¡°No big deal, right? We can always date someone outside thepany¡­¡±

    ¡°Isn¡¯t the rule a little weird?¡±

    I heard various murmurs from all around me as everyone started expressing their shock and discontent over the no-dating rule. I personally didn¡¯t think that this rule was necessary. If we are supposed to be professional enough, then we should be able to separate our personal from our professional lives. However, I guess I could understand the point of view of thepany. It could be counter productive or cause unnecessary conflict and tension if employees dated each other. Especially, when the rtionship went sour¡­

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Meeting an Angel

    I actually didn¡¯t care about it much. I¡¯m here to work not to date so the rule, even if it exists, wouldn¡¯t have an impact on me anyways. I guess the people who were overly worried about it wanted to find their soulmate in this ce, not that I med them. Thispany was huge and had many qualified employees; it wasn¡¯t a bad ce to find your significant other.

    The woman on stage cleared her throat and the murmurs in the auditorium came to a halt. Her face was dead serious as she scanned her eyes across the crowd of audiences in front of her.

    ¡°What you understand is correct. Employees in thispany are not allowed to date or have any type of romantic rtionship with another employee. Anyone caught breaking this rule, will face immediate termination. I hope that I have made myself and the rule extremely clear to all of you,¡± the woman said, continuing to stress on her every word.

    Everyone in the crowd, including myself nodded our heads as the situation got serious and tension filled the air. ¡®Immediate termination¡¯ was what she said just now. If anyone were to get caught breaking this rule, they would lose their job immediately. Now that is one hell of a harsh punishment for breaking the rule.

    ¡°Good. That will be all from me. Now, please wee my colleague who will walk you through a brief presentation of ourpany¡¯s history followed by a short video for you all to watch. Thank you once again for your attention and I wish you the best of luck for your future career,¡± the woman said before shing us a smile full of teeth. She bowed slightly before walking off from the stage.Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.

    Her younger colleague came on stage and took over from here. The rest of the session was uneventful, and the information was pretty standard. After a brief lunchbreak where we were shown to thepany¡¯s cafeteria that took up an entire floor. We had lunch there before we continued with the session in the afternoon.

    By the time that it was time to go home, I felt so drained of energy that I thought that I would fall over on my face into a deep slumber. Although the session was useful, it was extremely boring and too long in my opinion. I prayed that the team building session tomorrow would be more fun and interactive. It should be, since we¡¯ve been instructed to wear clothes that were easy to move in because we would be ying some team building games indoors.

    I heard the bell-like sound signaling that the elevator that I had been riding on had arrived on the ground floor where the lobby was. I reached into my bag for my mobile phone but for some reason I couldn¡¯t find it. I stepped aside and began looking through my bag. It¡¯s not here. Did I forget it in the auditorium?

    I clicked my tongue in annoyance at my own forgetfulness. Why did I have to be such a clumsy person and on the first day of work no less. There was nothing that I could do beside returning to the auditorium to find my phone. I just hoped that the auditorium wasn¡¯t locked up yet, otherwise this will turn into a bigger deal than it has to be.

    I walked as quickly as I could in my heels towards the auditorium once the elevator opened. I was relieved to see that the auditorium didn¡¯t seemed lock. I was about to push the door open with my hand when the door suddenly moved on its own. Since I had shifted my weight to push open the super heavy door, I found myself loosing bnce and falling forward.

    This can¡¯t be happening to me!!!

    I squeezed my eyes closed tightly as I braced my body for the impact of my fall. The only saving grace was that everyone should have left already so no one would be here to witness my downfall, literally.

    ¡°Are you alright?¡±

    Huh?

    I slowly opened my eyes at the sound of a man¡¯s voice. His voice sounded so heavenly calm, gentle and kind. It was as if he was talking to an adorable child that needed tender loving care. The face that greeted me so close to my own when I opened my eyes matched my imagination of the owner of such a heavenly calm voice.

    He¡­looks like an angel¡­

    My eyes widened as I took in his beautiful angelic features. Very light blue eyes, light blonde hair, slightly tanned skin, full lips that was currently curved into a small smile and straight nose. I have never seen a man so beautiful¡­

    ¡°Umm¡­are you ok? Are you hurt anywhere?¡± the man said softly.

    I blinked rapidly as the sound of his voice broke the spell that his angelic features seemed to have casted on me. Finally, the reality of what was happening hit me. The man was still holding my body in his arms as he saved me from falling forward onto my face. I see, so he was the one who suddenly opened the door from the other side.

    ¡°I¡­I¡¯m fine¡­I¡¯m so sorry¡­¡± I managed to say in a stutter when I found my voice.

    ¡°Oh no¡­not at all. I¡¯m sorry, I think it¡¯s actually my fault for opening the door so suddenly¡­¡± the man apologized before smiling at me.

    Oh¡­I¡¯m still in his arms¡­

    As if he realized this as well, the man slowly loosening the hold he had on my body. We stood facing each other and the atmosphere around us started to feel awkward. Oh hell, Ipletely forgot why I came here in the first ce.

    ¡°Sorry, I didn¡¯t know that there was still someone here. I thought that everyone had gone home¡­¡± I said to break the awkward silence.

    ¡°Yeah. I¡¯m thest person here. I¡¯m about to head back too. What about you? Why are you here?¡± he asked curiously as he cocked his head slightly to the side. I didn¡¯t know why but I found it so adorable when he did this.

    ¡°Oh¡­actually, I realized that I¡¯ve forgotten my phone somewhere and I came here looking for it¡­¡± I said a little shyly.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Fateful Attraction

    ¡°I¡¯m d you¡¯re here then¡­¡± the man said before he started tough a little.

    I sucked in a breath when his hand reached out and handed me my phone. He found my phone? Wow¡­what a lucky coincidence.

    ¡°You found my phone? Wow¡­thank you! You¡¯ve really saved me¡­¡± I said feeling a mix of surprise and relief.

    It would be such a huge hassle to lose my phone not to mention that I didn¡¯t have spare money to buy a new one. I couldn¡¯t wait to get my first paycheck at the end of the month, seriously.

    ¡°Must have been fate¡­¡± the man said softly as he smiled so gently at me, his light blue eyes seemed to shine, and I couldn¡¯t look away.

    Before I could stop myself, I startedughing. My reaction confused the man so much that he stared at me, a little take a back by my reaction.

    ¡°Sorry. I just thought that it was a little funny. You see, I thought to myself that it¡¯s such a lucky coincidence that you found my phone¡­but¡­you called it fate¡­¡± I said as myughing came to a stop and I smiled sweetly back at him.

    ¡°I see. My name is Kyle, I just joined thepany today. I¡¯ll be working in the nning department,¡± Kyle introduced himself.

    So, his name is Kyle, and he just joined thepany just like me.

    ¡°Nice to meet you. I¡¯m Karina, Rina for short. I guess we¡¯re in the same batch, I just joined thepany today too. I¡¯ll be in the design department,¡± I introduced myself, suddenly feeling a little shy.

    ¡°So, I guess you were here for the orientation too, right?¡± he asked.

    ¡°Yup, that¡¯s right. I didn¡¯t see you though, there were so many people¡­¡± I replied.

    ¡°I guess. Oh¡­the no-dating rule the head of HR told us today was quite crazy, isn¡¯t it?¡± he asked with a smallugh.

    ¡°Yeah. I didn¡¯t expect a rule like that in thispany. It seems a little old-fashion, I guess,¡± I replied beforeughing along with him.

    ¡°I think so too. I mean, you can¡¯t really stop people from falling in love, can you?¡± he said, his tone suddenly sounding serious.

    I couldn¡¯t breathe when his pale blue eyes met and held mine. I guess, he was right, you can¡¯t really stop people from falling in love¡­

    ¡°I guess not¡­¡± I replied softly as I broke our eye contact and shifted my gaze down to the floor.

    ¡°Can I get your number? Let¡¯s keep in touch. You¡¯re the first person I¡¯ve really spoken to today¡­¡± Kyle said with a shy smile.

    ¡°Oh¡­sure¡­¡± I said as I took out my phone and we exchanged numbers.

    ¡°Cool. Are you heading to the station, or did you drive here?¡± he asked.

    ¡°I¡¯m taking the train, you?¡± I said.

    ¡°I drove here¡­so¡­¡± he replied, looking conflicted.? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

    I see, so we¡¯re not heading in the same direction.

    ¡°Oh, then I¡¯ll see you tomorrow¡­¡± I said softly.

    ¡°Umm¡­I can drive you back¡­if you want¡­¡± he said abruptly.

    My eyes widened at his sudden suggestion, and he seemed to notice the abruptness of his suggestion as well.

    ¡°Oh no¡­it¡¯s ok,¡± I declined politely.

    ¡°Sorry, I didn¡¯t mean to sound so forward. We just met and¡­I didn¡¯t mean it like that¡­¡± he said, clearly regretting his mistake.

    ¡°No, not at all. I didn¡¯t think you meant anything¡­like that,¡± I said reassuringly.

    ¡°It¡¯s dark¡­so what about I just walk you to the station?¡± he suggested brightly.

    ¡°Umm¡­ok¡­¡± I replied before smiling a little at him.

    Kyle and I shared small talk about random things andughed all the way together to the subway station that was a short walk away from the office building. I usually didn¡¯t find it easy to talk with guys, but Kyle made it seem so easy. He seemed so kind and open-minded and that helped me rx in his presence. It wasn¡¯t long before I wasfortable around him and the conversation between us flowed smoothly.

    I waved goodbye to him, and we both wished each other good luck when we arrived at the station and had to part ways for the day.

    ¡°Goodbye. Thank you so much for walking me to the station,¡± I thanked him.

    ¡°You¡¯re weed. It¡¯s no trouble at all, don¡¯t worry,¡± I replied with a smile of his own.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry that you have to walk back alone though,¡± I said teasingly.

    ¡°I told you, it¡¯s no trouble at all. Bye¡­I¡¯ll see you tomorrow at work,¡± he said.

    ¡°See you¡­¡± I whispered.

    Slowly and hesitantly, we turned away from each other to head our separate ways.

    ¡­

    The door closed behind me when I arrived home and a small smile curved my lips as I stood there with my back leaned against the closed door. Just thinking about Kyle had me smiling to myself like a fool. I would be lying if I said that I wasn¡¯t smiling and giggling a little to myself all the way home. It wasn¡¯t like I was in love with him or anything, but his kindness really touched me.

    I walked away from the door as I shook my head softly from side to side as I recalled the strict rule that ourpany had against employees dating each other. That thought gave me pause.

    What on earth am I getting all bothered for. It¡¯s not like we¡¯re dating. He¡¯s¡­not even interested in me. Why am I getting ahead of myself? We¡¯re just colleagues and that¡¯s it.

    ¡°How was your day at work?¡± my mother asked with a bright smile on her face.

    ¡°It was great. Thepany is so big and there¡¯s so many people, but that¡¯s ok. I¡¯ll do my best,¡± I replied enthusiastically.

    ¡°Don¡¯t overwork yourself,¡± my mother replied.

    I felt a little ufortable about what I wanted to talk to her about next, but I was sure that she saw thising as well.

    ¡°Umm¡­thepany is quite far away from here, so¡­¡± I began saying.

    My mother smiled at me and nodded as if she already knew what I was going to say.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 The New CEO

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll be fine living alone. I have good friends in this neighborhood so there¡¯s nothing for you to worry about. Get a nice new ce close to the office so you don¡¯t have to waste time and moneymuting,¡± my mother said before I could exin anything.

    ¡°Thank you, mother,¡± I thanked her wholeheartedly.

    ¡°Don¡¯t thank me. Thank all the efforts that you put intonding this job. Don¡¯t worry about me and just focus on your career,¡± my mother said encouragingly.

    ¡°I¡¯lle back to visit or you cane visit me,¡± I said with a smile.

    ¡°Sure, I¡¯ll do that. Don¡¯t go to bed toote,¡± she said before she returned my smile.This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°I know. Good night, mother,¡± I wished her goodnight.

    My mother had to start work very early tomorrow and I knew that she needed to go to bed early. I wished her goodnight with a smile. I was always so thankful of how understanding she is. Once I¡¯ve settled into my new life, I¡¯ll take care of her better.

    Now that my mother has gone to bed, I should focus on researching for my new amodation. Although I was hesitant to leave my mother, I knew that she was right. The sooner I move, the better. It would be best if I could find a ce before my orientation ended because I had a feeling that when the real work started, I would be very busy and wasting timemuting might not be a viable option anymore.

    I turned on the television with the intent to passively catch up on some news while I did my research on finding an apartment for rent. The sound from the television filled the quiet room as I began going through some real estate agency websites. There were many options avable across various budget ranges. Of course, I was going for the cheapest options avable. I didn¡¯t mind if the building was old or if there wasn¡¯t an elevator. All I wanted for a decently convenient location that wasn¡¯t so far from the office via some kind of public transportation.

    My eyes narrowed as I scrolled through the various websites. Suddenly, something on the news caught my attention because I believed the name of mypany was just mentioned. Jessen and Hill¡¯s is a very famouspany and it was always on the news in the business segment and sometimes in the entertainment segment as well. The mention of Jessen and Hill¡¯s caught my attention and I turned towards the television to watch the news on the screen.

    ¡®It has been publicly announced that Jessen and Hill¡¯s will have a new CEO after the current CEO has decided to step down. Mr. Eric Hill, the current CEO of Jessens and Hill¡¯s has announced his retirement from his current position earlier this evening in a press conference. After many years leading thepany, Mr. Hill will be handing his position over to his son, Mr. Ace Hill, as of today,¡± a woman reported politely on the news.

    This is so sudden. I worked for thepany now, but I didn¡¯t hear anything about this before. Mr. Eric Hill is famous for being the co-founder of thepany along with his friend Mr. Jessens. It was unfortunate that Mr. Jessens passed away earlier on from cancer leaving Mr. Hill to take over the management of thepany solely by himself. From then on, thepany truly grew and prospered into what it is today.

    Although I have seen Eric Hill on television multiples times before and knew his face well, the same couldn¡¯t be said about my knowledge of his son. The news reporter continued on and the image on the screen transitioned from Eric Hill to a smoking hot man dressed formally in a smart suit.

    It can¡¯t be¡­

    Are my eyes ying tricks on me right now because it isn¡¯t very funny¡­

    I approached the television and brought my face closer to the screen as my eyes narrowed and strained to see the face of the man more clearly.

    It can¡¯t be him¡­it just can¡¯t be him¡­

    Dressed in a smart navy suit and looking so confident and as cocky as can be is the man that shoved that thick wad of cash into my hands in the park. Then he kissed me and then I met him again as my interviewer¡­then we kissed again¡­

    What is going on? That man is now the CEO of thepany? What¡¯ more, he¡¯s Eric Hill¡¯s son?!

    I gasped before covering my mouth with both hands as my eyes flew open in shock as this new piece of information started setting into my mind. How can this be possible?

    That man was the CEO¡¯s son all along? And now he¡¯s the new CEO?!

    Oh¡­and I acted like that in front of the CEO. My fingertips traced my lips as I began remembering the feel and taste of his kiss on my lips and his tongue inside my mouth. A shiver ran through my body before it froze in shock.

    I just couldn¡¯t believe that that man is now the CEO of mypany. He did help me, but he was a very twisted man.

    Wait? Does that mean that he kissed me even though he knew about the no dating rule? Or was it fine because all we did was kiss and we were not in a rtionship or anything? Suddenly, my mind was a mess, and I could no longer pay attention to the news reporter who still continued to report on the CEO change.

    I grabbed the remote control and changed channel in search for something lighter so that I wouldn¡¯t go crazy. My fingers changed the channel to an entertainment one. Seeing gossip around celebrities would probably be good for easing my stress and shock right now.

    ¡®Although Mr. Ace Hill has tried to keep himself away from the spotlight, it is evident from various leaks regarding his numerous love affairs with the rich and famous that his efforts hasn¡¯t been all that sessful. Now that he is officially the new CEO of Jessens and Hill¡¯s, we present to you the top ten list of his hot and steamy love affairs with the rich and famous from over the years. Please enjoy!¡± a cheerful young TV host said.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 The Devil Boss Arrives

    Various photos which seemed like paparazzi shots of Ace with various beautiful women on his arms or locked in his embrace started showing on the screen as the host began narrating through the list of his ex-girlfriends and others that he¡¯s had an affair with. I recognized some of the famous names from various industries. Movie stars, singers, supermodels, and other socialites.

    A sigh escaped my lips as I turned off the television. Who cares about his love affairs anyways?

    Time to go back and focus on hunting for a new apartment. Time is of the essence here and I didn¡¯t have the time to worry about that crazy yer guy. He¡¯s the CEO of thepany that I work for now, but it didn¡¯t really have anything to do with me. I knew that I was way down there on the corporatedder, and he was way up there so the chances of us ever meeting again or working together was next to non-existent.

    After finding a couple of reliable-looking real estate agencies and noting down their address, I decided to visit them soon to see if they could rmend me a ce that fitted my requirements and budget. After taking a quick shower, I tiptoed into the bedroom before getting into my bed. My mother was already sound asleep by that time.

    That night when Iy alone in my bed, my head was filled with thoughts of Ace and Kyle as the two seemed to fight against each other in taking up the space in my mind. The image of Kyle¡¯s smiling face and the things that he said to me kept entering my head. Even though, I tried to push thoughts about him away from me, I wasn¡¯t exactly sessful in doing so. When I closed my eyes, the scene of us together would pop up and rey itself behind my closed eyelids. Then I would see memory of Ace¡¯s cocky smile and how he forced money on me. I didn¡¯t even know his name until like¡­just now. It was a while before I finally fell asleep from a mix of exhaustion and confusion.

    ¡­

    The next day everything seemed a lot more chaotic when I arrived at the office. The chaos started even before I stepped foot inside of the office building. The employees had formed small groups here and there in thepany¡¯s lobby and also in front of thepany¡¯s entrance. Walking past a couple of groups made me quickly realize that they were gossiping frantically about the new CEO.

    That wasn¡¯t surprising since the change in CEO was supposed to be a big news to everyone. However, the content of their gossip caught my attention. Basically, there was a wild mix of the good and the bad. The staff seemed to enjoy sharing their version of gossips with each other because they spoke quite loudly, and I didn¡¯t have any trouble overhearing them.

    ¡°He is the only son of the current CEO and I also heard that he¡¯s a devil at work¡±

    ¡°Everyone who worked with him before said that he¡¯s super scary to work for. He¡¯s so strict and so mean, although he¡¯s supposed to be very good at what he does,¡±

    ¡°I heard that he used to work abroad in many countries, and he has a good track record of setting up his ownpanies. It¡¯s been a while now since then, so he has finally decided to take over his family business from his father,¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s not all. There are loads of rumors surrounding him. Have you heard?¡±

    ¡°I heard that he has a lot of affairs with the people that work with him, especially the beautiful women. He changes his secretary very often. I don¡¯t know how much of those rumors are true, though,¡±

    ¡°I heard that he¡¯s a genius. Apart from his family business, he has a lot of businesses that he created on his own. I heard his father wanted him to take over thispany a long time ago, but he refused, saying that he¡¯d rather start something on his own. And then after establishing so many sessfulpanies, he¡¯s now back to turn thispany around and take it to greater heights!¡±

    ¡°I know that there¡¯s so many rumors about him and it¡¯s pretty scary, but I think we should wait and see how he does. I¡¯m just hoping that the rumors about him being a devil CEO and a devil boss isn¡¯t true,¡±

    I walked along the building¡¯s lobby as these rumors floated around in the air and entered my ear. I didn¡¯t need to make an effort to hear them because the people were talking loud enough for them to be heard. I quickly made my way up the elevator to the auditorium where I would be attending the second day of my orientation.

    Surprisingly, I ran into Kyle right in front of the auditorium. He was leaning casually against the wall, and I wondered if he also heard the rumors from downstairs and the news that thepany had gotten a new CEO. He waved and smiled at me the moment that he spotted me, and I found myself smiling back at him naturally. The way that his beautiful smile lit up his face made me believe that he was such an angel. I approached him with a smile on my face.

    ¡°Good morning. You¡¯re here quite early.¡± I said before I shed him a smile.

    ¡°I could say the same thing about you. Excited for the second day of orientation?¡± Kyle asked.This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Yes, there¡¯s supposed to be some team activities today, so I¡¯m looking forward to that. Honestly, the lectures yesterday was a little bit boring and a little scary with all the rules and everything,¡± I confessed my honest thoughts.

    ¡°I know, right. Let¡¯s enjoy our orientation together today,¡± Kyle said invitingly.

    I had a feeling that it was going to be a good day already.

    ¡°Sure¡­¡± I replied with another smile.

    Soon it was time for the orientation to start and we made our way into the auditorium. Kyle invited me to take the seat next to him and that was what I did. The second day of the orientation started right on time with the same middle-aged womening up on stage to make an announcement. Her announcement shocked everyone in the auditorium, including myself.

    ¡°Listen up everyone. As you have probably seen on the news, ourpany has had a change in management. As of today. Mr. Ace Hill will be taking over as thepany¡¯s CEO. And I am delighted to share with you today that Mr. Ace has taken his time to share a word of inspiration with you to mark the start of your journey at thispany. Please put your hands together for Mr. Ace, our new CEO,¡± the woman announced before stepping aside and pping her hands together.

    There was a moment of silence as everyone was stunned by the sudden announcement that the new CEO would be giving a wee speech to the new employees who have just joined thepany. After a moment of stunned silence, the auditorium exploded with the loud sounds of people pping their hands in apud. The spotlight turned on and focused on a man as he walked up on stage and stood behind the podium.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Angel and Devil

    Ace was dressed in a smart all ck suit with a white shirt. Although I was seated quite far from the stage, I still thought that he looked amazingly handsome in that suit. After waiting for the apuse in the auditorium to die down, Ace began delivering his speech. If I had to describe his speech, I would say that it was harsh, straightforward, but strangely very motivating.

    After briefly introducing himself and extending a few polite words of wee to us, Ace began delivering the main message of his speech.

    ¡°Thank you everyone for joining thispany. I understand that each and every one of you may have different reasons for joining thispany, but I hope that everyone will work together towards amon goal that is aligned to thepany¡¯s vision. As the new CEO of thispany, I am determined to take thispany to new heights. And I¡¯m overjoyed that everyone here will be part of the journey. I hope that everyone contributes more than 100% always to their work with fullmitment while adhering strictly to the rules set by thispany. Thank you very much,¡± Ace said with full confidence as he enunciated each word clearly.

    After ending his speech, Ace looked around with am determined look in his eyes at the people sitting in the full auditorium. After seemingly satisfied at what he was seeing, he nodded his head before turning on his heels and to stride off the stage. After that, the second day of our orientation proceeded smoothly and normally as nned. The woman came back up on stage and exined the group activity for team building that we will work on as part of our second day of orientation.

    ¡°At the back of the auditorium, on the furthest side of the wall, there are papers posted with your name. Please look for your name to find out which group you are in and then please find the number of your group to find and form your team members. Each team will have two team leads who will help facilitate the team building game. I hope that you will benefit from this activity that you will know and learn more about the other people who have started this new journey with you. Please enjoy your second day of orientation,¡± she said.

    After the woman ended her instruction and got off the stage, everyone busily got out of their seat and headed towards the various papers posted on the walls in order to look for their name.

    ¡°Shall we go?¡± Kyle asked.

    I nodded my head as I smiled at him. He led the way through the crowd towards the nearest wall with papers posted and our eyes began scanning it to look for our name.

    ¡°I think I found my name,¡± he turned to say to me.

    ¡°I just found mine too,¡± I replied as my eyes narrowed and focused on my name on the piece of paper.

    To my pleasant surprise, I soon found out that Kyle was in the same team as me.

    ¡°I think we¡¯re on the same team,¡± he said before turning to smile at me.

    ¡°I guess you¡¯re right about that. Your name is almost next to mine,¡± I said before I returned his smile.

    ¡­

    ¡°Honestly I¡¯m not very good at this¡­¡± I admitted a little shyly.

    ¡°It¡¯s ok, I¡¯ll help you so don¡¯t worry,¡± Kyle said reassuringly as he took my hand in his.? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

    His hand felt warm around mine and it gave me a little more strength and confidence in myself. The first half of team building was to form arge circle to carry arge ball in the center of the circle as a group. I honestly wasn¡¯t very good at physical activities and sports so I didn¡¯t feel very confident that I could contribute so much to the group.

    ¡°Just make sure to hold my hand tightly and everything will be fine,¡± Kyle said before giving me a firm nod.

    I smiled and nodded back at him in acknowledgement. With his help and the help of other people in my team, we were able toplete the task wlessly although we didn¡¯t make it as the first group whopleted the task of transporting therge ball from point A to point B. However, we still did decently well, cing somewhere in the middle among the other groups.

    The day went by as we were asked to participate in other simr team building activities. Overall, I thought that the most interested and the best part was that the activities helped us to get to know other people in thepany better. I found out the teams were smartly structured so that new joiners came from a well-bnced mix of departments. That meant that I made friends from different departments; for example, Kyle was from nning, Serena was from creatives, Jamie was from ounting, and Susanna was from operations.

    There were around 10 people on my team including Kyle and myself. After wrapping up the activities for the second day, our group decided to go drinking as a way to celebrate the end of our orientation. Although I had ns to go looking for an apartment at the end of the day, I decided to postpone it because I wanted to join in the party with my newly made friends.

    ¡°Do you have a ce in mind?¡± one of the girls asked.

    ¡°I¡¯m fine with anything,¡± I replied honestly.

    ¡°Would you rather go to a karaoke so that there will be some activity for us to do or do you want to have dinner and just chill out?¡± one of the guys asked.

    Honestly, I was fine with anything, so I left it to the other people in the team to make the decision. I turned to Kyle to see that he was looking at me and I found myself smiling back at him. I wondered what Kyle liked to do. Was he an activities person or would he rather just sit back and chill at the end of a tiring day. In the end, the team decided to go for a rxing dinner and then follow that up with drinks at a nearby bar.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Wanting More of Him

    At the end of the workday, our team headed to a restaurant that one of the members helped to book. The restaurant was quite small, but it served very interesting foods and the atmosphere was one of the best things about the ce. The orange and dim light was the perfect atmosphere for a rxing dinner after a tiring and long day of team building exercises. Everyone was in high spirits and after ordering our food, everyone started chatting immediately.

    For most of the people it was their first fulltime job. Only two people had a fulltime job prior to this one and had moved over from anotherpany. Overall, everyone was extremely excited to get a chance to work for thispany and obviously I shared the same sentiment as everybody else in my team.

    ¡°Is anyone still looking for a ce to stay close to the office?¡± Susanna asked.

    ¡°I¡¯m actually still searching for a ce. My old ce is very far from the office, so I was hoping to find a ce closer,¡± I chimed in.

    ¡°I think I know a few good real estate agencies,¡± Kyle said as he turned to look at me.

    Kyle was sitting next to me, and I wasn¡¯t sure if it was just my own imagination, but I felt like he was sitting a little close, not that I minded.

    ¡°Would you mind showing me the list? I did some researchst night but I¡¯m still not sure whether these agents that I found are trustworthy or not,¡± I said.

    ¡°Sure thing,¡± Kyle replied enthusiastically.

    ¡°Do you already have a ce, Kyle?¡± another member of the team asked.

    ¡°Yes, I already got a ce,¡± he replied casually.

    It seemed that Kyle was well prepared for starting this new job. He had a ce, and he also had a car. For some reason, I felt like he came from a well-off family, and it showed in everything that he does. His mannerism, the way he carried himself, the clothes that he had on, the fact that he had a car and so on.

    The conversation quickly steered away to more cheerful topics as the people started talking about their potential bosses and what they thought their new bosses were going to be like. That reminded me of the devil CEO rumors that were floating around in the lobby of the building from this morning. From my personal experience of running into Ace a couple of times, it wasn¡¯t hard for me to imagine him being a devil CEO.

    I definitely could see him being very strict, mischievous, and perhaps even on the edge of evil. Despite all that, I didn¡¯t doubt for a moment that he had the skills to really take thispany forward and I was excited and anxious to see what changes he would bring now that he had taken over thispany from his father.

    The food tasted great, and it wasn¡¯t too greasy. There was just a decent amount of spice to it. When dinner came to an end, and everyone was excited to head off to our next destination which was a nearby bar. Apparently one of the girls on the team knew a bartender who worked there, and I didn¡¯t ask for any more details. The bar was small, but it seemed to cater to a very niche clientele. Just like the restaurant, the atmosphere was great for conversing and just chilling out.

    ¡°What would you like for a drink?¡± Kyle asked.

    I turned towards him as he handed me a small drinks menu.

    ¡°I¡¯m actually not very good at ordering these things because I don¡¯t really drink¡­¡± I replied honestly.

    ¡°Hmm¡­then what about a cocktail,¡± Kyle suggested as he pointed to a cocktail with a mix of apple juice.

    ¡°Sure, I¡¯ll trust you on this one,¡± I replied before smiling sweetly at him.

    We were seated at the bar and some of the other guys had started walking around. It was gettingte and I knew that I should head back home before my mother started to worry. My house was also far away from here so it would take time for me to get back and I didn¡¯t want to arrive home toote. I nced at my watch and decided that I should leave soon.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.

    ¡°Do you have to go somewhere?¡± Kyle asked.

    He probably saw me ncing at my watch and wondered if I had to leave in a hurry.

    ¡°Not really, I just don¡¯t want to get homete that¡¯s all,¡± I replied truthfully.

    ¡°You did mention that your ce was far away. Is it that far away?¡± Kyle asked with apparent concern.

    ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s very far. That¡¯s why I¡¯m desperately looking for a new ce, but I¡¯ve got a limited budget, though. So, I don¡¯t think that I can be too picky,¡± I replied while feeling a little shy.

    ¡°If you don¡¯t mind let¡¯s go see some ces together. I can help you out,¡± Kyle kindly offered.

    ¡°Sure¡­that would be nice,¡± I readily agreed before I smiled at him.

    Kyle was so kind and moving to the city was new for me, so I was thankful for his guidance. Soon the drinks that we ordered arrived and after clinking our sses together I ced the small cocktail ss to my lips and started sipping. The sweet and aromatic taste of the cocktail entered my mouth and soothe my tongue. It was a pleasantly sweet drink and it wasn¡¯t hard to drink at all unlike the other alcoholic drinks that I¡¯ve experienced before.

    It didn¡¯t take long for me to like the vor.

    ¡°I wondered if we will still get to see each other after we start working for our different departments,¡± Kyle said and for a moment he looked slightly depressed.

    That was a good question. I wasn¡¯t sure what life would be like after we ended our orientation and started working for our respective departments. Kyle and I were going to work in different departments, so I wasn¡¯t sure whether I would be seeing him often anymore. A small aching pain in my chest told me that I wanted to see more of him, and I wondered if he felt the same way. I felt his eyes on my face and when I looked towards him our eyes met.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 The Beginning of Many Nights

    His eyes held mine as he stared deeply into my eyes, and I thought that his eyes looked so captivatingly beautiful. In that moment, I felt like we were the only two people in the world and I hadpletely forgotten about the other team members that were around us. It took a lot of will power to break the spell that Kyle seemed to have casted on me as I broke eye contact and began looking around the small bar. I could see that our friends have started to separate into pairs or into smaller groups as they form their own side conversations.

    ¡°I have no idea if we will get to see each other that much anymore¡­¡± I replied a little regretfully.

    ¡°Do you want to see me more?¡± Kyle asked as he looked straight at me.

    I was surprised that it didn¡¯t take me long to figure out that I also wanted to see Kyle more and that I was a little scared that after we went our separate ways to work for our department, I would never see him again.

    Jessens and Hill¡¯s was a veryrgepany with many thousands of employees so it wasn¡¯t odd that I would be afraid that we wouldn¡¯t be in touch anymore. I would go to my new department and I would make new friends while he would go to his new department and he would also meet new friends there. Suddenly it became very likely that we would never cross paths again after our orientation ended and I had very mixed feelings about that.

    ¡°It would be great if we could keep in touch, you know, even after we start working for our departments,¡± I confessed to him honestly.

    ¡°Me too,¡± he replied seriously.

    At that moment, his hand reached for mine and held it. My eyes widened in slight surprised at how straightforward he was and the implication behind his words. His hand tightened a little around mine. Just as his hand held mine, his eyes held mine as well and I could feel the connection between us.

    I was surprised at my own forwardness. Normally I wouldn¡¯t say these things. So perhaps it was the alcohol in me talking. However, I didn¡¯t think that I drank that much. Although my head felt a little light and hazy, I wasn¡¯t quite sure if I was drunk or not or maybe I was just trying to me the whole thing on the alcohol.

    After sharing some more light and casual conversation with Kyle, it was like I had fallen under his spell once again. I nced at my watch and found out that it was time that I should head back home. However, now that the time had arrived, I didn¡¯t want to go home at all. I just wanted to stay here and spend more time with Kyle. The way he smiled at me and the way he spoke to me so sweetly told me that he also shared my thoughts.

    ¡°Shall we leave?¡± Kyle asked and I didn¡¯t miss the suggestion or the desire burning in the depths of his eyes.

    ¡°Yes¡­¡± I replied as I lowered my gaze shyly.

    We stood up from our seat at the bar and began making our way towards the exit. I felt a little tipsy, but I was far from drunk. However, I think the alcohol did make me a little braver and bolder. I watched as Kyle told our other team members that we would be leaving first for the night.

    ¡°Let¡¯s keep in touch after we start working officially,¡± he said before waving goodbye.

    I turned and waved at our other team members too. They smiled and waved back as we said our farewells for the night. Once we left the bar, Kyle¡¯s arm was around my waist as I leaned my body against his. He supported me as we walked, and I was thankful for his support and the warmth of his body against mine. It was useless to deny that I felt very attracted to him.

    ¡°Are you sure you¡¯re not drunk, Karina? You can barely walk straight,¡± Kyle asked me with concern as he supported my body.

    ¡°Call me Rina,¡± I purred seductively as I leaned closed to him.

    With his arm around my waist, he supported my body against his as we headed to our next destination for the night: a hotel close to the bar where we had been drinking together.

    My body felt slightly warm from the alcohol, and I was probably slightly tipsy, but it would be a lie if I said that I didn¡¯t feel hot for Kyle as well. It wasn¡¯t even our first date but after a couple of hours flirting at dinner and at the bar afterwards, we were both ready to quickly move on to the next phase.

    I could feel the warmth of his body against mine as well as the hardness of his tall and muscr frame. He smells so nice and there¡¯s something about his pale blue eyes that captivates me every time he looks me in the eyes. I felt myself blushing at my own dirty thoughts.

    I don¡¯t remember the details of how we checked in and arrived at our hotel room, but I clearly remember how aggressively we tore at each other¡¯s clothes the moment that the door to the room closed behind us and we were finally alone. Without a word, Kyle pinned my back against the wall and kissed me so passionately that I lost my breath, and my legs grew weak.

    I kissed him back hungrily as he held my face in between his warm hands. Our tongue thrusting out to meet each other¡¯s as we both tasted one another. It was a very wild and wet kiss that left us both panting for breath. I felt so hungry for him as my desire started to take over.Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.

    ¡°Stick out your tongue, Rina,¡± Kyle instructed in a low sexy voice.

    The fact that he called me by my nickname worked to turn me on even more and I quickly did as he wanted. His tongue grinded against mine as our tongue engaged in a wild and fervent dance. I could taste some of the alcohol on his tongue as we continued to kiss. My hands were on his hard and muscr chest before I started stroking my hands down the in of his well-toned stomach.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Desire Takes Over

    After that, Kyle impatiently tore open the front of my blouse sending the tiny buttons flying to expose my chest to him. He unhooked my bra and peeled the cups from my breasts before he started groping both my breasts. I moaned with ecstasy as his hands kneaded my breasts firmly, my nipples standing erect and rubbing against his hot palms. He kissed me again as I impatiently tore his suit from his body and then his tie and white shirt.

    The sight of his naked upper body was so beautiful and sexy. His muscles were firm and beautifully sculpted, it was clear that he had been working out regrly to maintain his figure. I ran my hands along his hard chest muscles, brushing my fingertips teasingly on his hard nipples causing him to close his eyes and moan softly.

    His moan was so sexy, and it turned me on even more as I felt my body getting hotter for him. I squeezed my thighs together as desires stirred in between my legs. There was a pleasurable ache waiting to be fulfilled in my lower abdomen and I felt a hot wetness gushing out from my love tunnel. I wanted him. I wanted Kyle so badly.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Rina but I can¡¯t wait anymore¡­I need to be inside you now,¡± Kyle panted thickly with lust, and I saw the same need I felt reflected in his eyes.

    I nodded my head a few times in understanding. My pussy throbbed with need for him to fill me as well. I couldn¡¯t wait to feel his cock inside of me. The thought only made my pussy clench and quiver even more as it poured out more wet juices onto my panties.

    ¡°Please take me,¡± I replied bluntly as I grabbed his hips, bringing it closer to grind against mine. I felt the hardness of his erect member through his pants as we grinded our sex together. The hardness of his cock rubbing firmly against my pussy and I couldn¡¯t wait to feel it inside of me.

    ¡°Turn around and put your hands on the wall¡­I don¡¯t think I can be gentle with you, though,¡± Kyle said as he took out a condom and began tearing it open seductively with his teeth.

    The look of raw passion in his blue eyes as he looked at me told me beyond words how much he wanted me. I stared deeply into his eyes as he slowly tore the pack of condom. A sensual smile formed on my lips before I turned my back towards him and ced my hand on the wall as he had instructed. I bent down and stuck out my hips, thrusting my ass up a little towards him invitingly.

    ¡°Please hurry,¡± I pleaded with my body turned around and bent over with my hands on the wall as he had instructed, pushing my ass upward slightly to grant him easier ess.

    I felt his impatient hands pull up my skirt until it pooled around my waist,pletely baring my ass to him. Hisrge manly hands stroked my round bottom and squeezed it teasingly before he pulled down my panties in one smooth motion down my legs.

    I kicked it away from my ankle so that it wouldn¡¯t get in our way. I felt his hand sliding up the insides of my thighs and I clenched my wet insides in anticipation of what was surely toe. I closed my eyes and let out a loud moan when his fingers finally found and caressed my flooded opening. Up and down, he caressed my wet slit with his exploring fingers. The repeated motion gave me indescribable pleasure as Kyle continued to stroke the wet slit in between my thighs.

    ¡°You¡¯re already flooded down here¡­¡± Kyle whispered his observation into my ears seductively as he leaned against my back.

    I felt rather saw the thick head of his cock lodge itself at my sopping wet entrance as he prepared to prate me. My eyes closed as my lips parted slightly while I panted in anticipation of his thrust. I wanted to be one with him so badly.

    ¡°Ahhh! Kyle!¡± I screamed loudly as he entered me in one hard and deep thrust.

    He was huge, much bigger than I had anticipated, and judging from the fact that he was still pushing deeper into my hole, he was also very long and thick. His member felt deliciously satisfying inside of me as it stretched my entrance and stroked my pussy walls. I couldn¡¯t stop myself from moaning as my lust took over in full swing.

    I rocked my hips backwards against his hips to take him in deeper inside of me. Without pausing, Kyle continued to plough hisrge love pole into my wet sopping hole until he was buried all the way inside to the hilt. His enormous cock filled and stretched me and it felt amazing. It felt so good to have his cock buried deep inside of me and he hadn¡¯t even started thrusting yet. After a moment¡¯s pause to allow me to adjust to the shape and size of his cock, Kyle reared his hips back, withdrawing his cock from my love tunnel before he rammed his hot rod back into me again.

    ¡°Ahh! Ah! Ahhh!¡± I let out passionate cries to match the rhythm of his fast and wild thrusting as he pumped his cock in and out of me.

    Kyle¡¯s hips jerks and grinded against my ass as he thrusted wildly into my flooded hole. The sounds of our lovemaking filled the hotel room as he both moaned and cried out in pleasure. Wet sounds of hisrge cock stirring up my melting wet insides echoed throughout the room as our flesh pped hard against each other. Kyle groaned from behind me as his thrusts intensified. My body rocked in rhythm to his wild cock screwing itself deeply into me from behind.

    My pussy clenched tightly around his thick shaft as it squirted even more love juices to coat his cock. I moaned and cried out his name as his thrusts hit me deeper and deeper inside until I felt the impact of his thrusts against my womb with each powerful stroke.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

 Desperate Passion

    It was fast and intense. His hot hands reached in front of me to squeeze my breasts while he continued to pound hisrge member in and out of my woman hole. I clenched around him to suck him in deeper inside of my cave. I cried out his name when he pinched my nipples simultaneously while his cock hit deep inside of me.

    ¡°Kyle¡­I¡¯m cumming!¡± I screamed loudly with abandon before the world went white as my orgasm hit me hard.

    ¡°Me too,¡± he panted his reply.

    I felt Kyle¡¯s body tremble as he came after thrusting hard into me a couple of times. He hugged me from behind as we both slid down onto the floor right there in the doorway. We didn¡¯t even make it to the bed in our rush to have each other.

    I never knew that sex could feel this good. I¡¯ve never had sex this satisfying before.

    After catching our breath, we made our way to the bed where we continued to make love all throughout the night. I gave my body to him over and over again until we were both exhausted from our wild coupling. At some point, I must have passed out. When I woke up the next morning, I found myself in Kyle¡¯s loving arms.

    We decided to be a couple immediately when we both woke up the following morning. It just felt so natural that he didn¡¯t even have to ask. We connected well on so many levels and we got along great as well. Kyle was loving, kind, and extremely good looking. He was everything that I was looking for in a man and I was d that he wanted me too. It wasn¡¯t just our character that got along famously well with each other, our bodies were also verypatible in bed¡­and out of bed¡­

    ¡°I¡¯m so happy that we met and that we did¡­what we did¡­¡± Kyle whispered seductively into my ear and I found myself blushing red at his loving words.

    ¡°Me too¡­¡± I replied with the only words that I could think of.

    Everything moved so fast between us, but it felt so right. I blushed a little more as I thought of the passion that we sharedst night. I soon found out that there was nothing to fear at all because there was no awkwardness between us at all when morning arrived. There was just love and ourughter as we enjoyed more of each other¡¯pany. Kyle continued to hold me in his strong arms as I nuzzled my face into his muscr chest. He smells so good and the warmth in his embrace helped me to rx. After cuddling in bed for a while, we both came to the realization that we had to go to work.

    ¡°I wish that I could spend the whole day with you in bed but unfortunately, we both have to go to work¡­¡± Kyle said regretfully as he shed me a saddened smile.

    ¡°That¡¯s ok. We¡¯ll have a lot more time to spend together in the future,¡± I replied reassuringly.

    ¡°Let¡¯s head to work separately,¡± Kyle suggested casually.

    At first his suggestion confused me, but it didn¡¯t take me very long to figure out the reason behind his strange suggestion. It almost slipped my mind that ourpany does not condone dating or any kind of romance between employees. Yet despite that strict rule, Kyle and I had decide to start dating in secret.

    ¡°You¡¯re right. It would be bad if anyone saw us¡­¡± I said as I watched Kyle get up from the bed.? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

    In the end, we decided for Kyle to head to the office first and I would follow separately around 15 minutes after. That worked well in my favor because he required a lot less time than I did to get ready for work in the morning.

    ¡°Have a good day at work!¡± I told him enthusiastically.

    Kyle was at the door when he turned back and pulled me into a firm hug before his lips found and captured mine in a sweet kiss that left my heart pounding wildly in my chest. I found myself blushing as I smiled back at him.

    ¡°You sound like a housewife,¡± Kyle teased me.

    Now that he had pointed it out, I guessed I did sound a little like a housewife sending her husband off to work in the morning.

    ¡°Stop teasing me. You should head to work now,¡± I said as I tried to hide my shyness.

    ¡°Take care of yourself, Rina,¡± Kyle said and I could feel the care that he felt for me.

    I waved my hand at him until he exited the room and the door closed firmly behind him. Noticing that I hardly had any time to spare, I quickly gathered myself and began preparing to go to work.

    ¡­

    Since I didn¡¯t make it home the night before, I discovered with dread that my mother had left many miscalls on my mobile. While on my way to work, I decided to give her a call. This had never really happened before, so I bet that she was super worried about me. I didn¡¯t quite have an excuse prepared when my mother answered the call.

    ¡°Rina?¡± my mother said questioningly through the phone.

    She sounded so worried but relief at the same time.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry for disappearing on you. Thepany had an eventst night for new recruits and it ended veryte so I decided to stay over at my friend¡¯s ce,¡± I quickly exined.

    I hated lying to my mother but technically it wasn¡¯t that far from theplete truth. It just didn¡¯t seem necessary for me to tell her that I ended up having sex with a colleague.

    ¡°You should have called. I was so worried about you, you know? I¡¯m d that you¡¯re fine,¡± my mother replied and relief flooded her voice.

    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, mum. I¡¯ll see youter tonight when I get home, ok? Sorry but I have to hang up now, I need to work¡­¡± I said apologetically.

    ¡°Alright then, see you¡­¡± my mother replied before the line disconnected.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Chasing My Dream

    This was my first official day at work in the designs department. As instructed, I headed to my department and met my mentor there. The stern-lookingdy was waiting for me, and I could tell that she was quite senior in thepany. She led me to the boss¡¯s room to introduce me to my boss. She was the head of my department and also someone that I looked up to very much after having seen many of her work in public and reading many interviews that she gave online and in business journals.

    ¡°Hello, my name is Lauren and I am the head of the design department here at Jessens and Hill¡¯s. It¡¯s a pleasure to have you here with us,¡± my boss said.

    I looked up at thedy who smiled politely at me in awe. I respected her and revered her talent. Apart from thatmercial that changed my life, she is another main reason why I wanted to join thispany. I smiled in return as I thought about how much closer I had gotten to the start of realizing my dreams. From today on, I will get to work with Lauren.

    ¡°I¡¯m Karina Miller. It¡¯s nice to meet you too. Thank you for having me. I look forward to working here,¡± I replied politely.

    She nodded her head in acknowledgement. Before signaling for the older woman to take me to my seat. There was an empty desk and chair prearranged for me. After settling in, I introduced myself to my new colleagues. Two employees were selected to act as my buddies. One was a woman with light blonde hair and very long eyshes.

    ¡°Hi. My name is Katie. It¡¯s nice to meet you. I¡¯ll be your buddy from today. If you have any questions, don¡¯t hesitate to ask me, I¡¯ll help you out,¡± Katie said as she smiled at me.

    I could sense that she was very friendly, and I hoped that we would get along.

    ¡°I¡¯m Karina. It¡¯s nice to meet you too. I look forward to working with you,¡± I replied politely with a friendly smile.

    ¡°My name is Dan. I¡¯ve been here for almost five years now, so if you need any help, don¡¯t hesitate to ask me. I look forward to working with you,¡± Dan said politely.

    My other buddy who seemed more senior than Katie, introduced himself. He was a tall and thin man with brown hair and a very wide smile. I could feel their genuine generosity to help me out at work, and I felt extremely thankful to have such supportive colleagues.

    ¡°Let me walk you through what we do here at the design department. Although, you¡¯ve probably heard as part of the job description already of what we do, I¡¯d still like to walk you through just to show you the ropes. Well then, if you¡¯ll just head this way,¡± Dan said as he led the way to a small meeting room.

    Katie followed after us. After setting up hisputer, Dan shed some slides on the presentation screen.

    ¡°Here at the design department, we focus mainly on the storyline of advertisements based on the demands of our clients. The process starts out with pitching to our potential client. Ourpany will receive requests from clients such as the scope of what they want their advertisement to be about, their products, so on and so forth. Then, based on the scope outlined by the client, we as the design department, woulde up with storylines and storyboards that we would pitch to the client. Our ideas of what the advertisement should be like,¡± Dan exined.

    ¡°Of course, we are very active in the design of the storyboard, and we are also active in the presentation to the client. If ourpany and our idea is selected for the advertisement, then we would work with the production and the nning team in order to n the production of the advertising. We would also get involved with the execution of the production to make sure that it matches with what we had in mind when we designed the storyboard and the storyline,¡± Katie chimed in.

    Dan continued exining each phase in more detail as he pointed to the associated elements on the presentation slides. Katie sat silently by my side as she also listened in to Dan¡¯s presentation. Frankly, what he described was like a dreame true for me. It was all that I ever wanted to do as my job. Using my creativity and imagination to bring a storyline to life in an advertisement. It was what I had always wanted to do after seeing thatmercial on that fateful day. I wanted people to feel the emotions and the underlying messages in the advertisement that I had designed.

    ¡°Do you have any questions?¡± Dan asked after he had finished exining everything.

    ¡°No questions at all. It¡¯s very clear. Thank you so much, Dan,¡± I replied honestly.

    ¡°That¡¯s great. Then let me show you around the office a little more. And I¡¯ll also introduce you to other team members,¡± Katie suggested enthusiastically as she got up from her seat.

    I didn¡¯t get my first project assigned to me on that day, so I spent a lot of time just shadowing Katie and Dan to see what they were doing as part of their daily work. When lunchtime arrived, we went out for lunch together at the cafeteria in the building. Dan had a meeting in the afternoon, and I was allowed to sit in and observe. After that, Dan prepared edits to the storyline based on his client¡¯s feedback. He was working on an advertisement for a chain of fitness gyms.

    ¡°The client told me that they wanted to add a bit more of a healthy angle to the whole storyline, so here I¡¯m adjusting to put in the other services that they provide such as nutritional advice and programs,¡± Dan exined to me, as he pointed to the storyboard, that he had on hisputer.

    ¡°Do you have a meeting with your clients soon?¡± I asked.

    ¡°Yes, the meeting ising up next week. That¡¯s why we¡¯re working so hard. If I could just get the storyboard approved by the client, then we can move on to more in-depth design, nning, and then production,¡± he exined.

    ¡°Good luck. I¡¯m sure that you can do it,¡± I said encouragingly.

    Dan turned to smile at me and nodded.

    ¡°Would you like to join the client meeting next week? If you are still free?¡± he offered.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.

    ¡°Sure, I¡¯m sure that I¡¯ll learn a lot from it,¡± I said, feeling thankful.

    I continued observing Dan working for the rest of the day. He was kind enough to pause here and there to exin to me what he was doing and the importance of what he was doing. Towards the end of the workday, I got a message from Kyle.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Secret Date

    ¡®Are you heading home now?¡¯ read the text.

    My heart skipped a beat when I saw that I had received a text from him. I have been so busy with my work on the first day and so focused that I didn¡¯t realize that we haven¡¯tmunicated since this morning.

    ¡®I just got off work¡¯ I texted back.

    I took the elevator down to the lobby of the building. And just when I arrived on the first floor, my phone started vibrating in the pocket of my suit. I took it out and found that Kyle was calling.

    ¡°Hi Kyle,¡± I said once the line connected.

    ¡°Where are you right now?¡± He asked.

    ¡°I¡¯m at the office lobby,¡± I replied.

    ¡°I¡¯ll meet you there soon,¡± Kyle said before hanging up.

    I was slightly confused at his sudden appointment, but I was d to meet him, nheless. I could feel my heart beating slightly faster in anticipation of meeting him. After a short while, I spotted Kyle walking out from an elevator. I waved at him to make sure that he saw me. There wasn¡¯t anything for me to worry about on that front because he saw me immediately and approached me.This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Sorry, I got off work a littleter,¡± Kyle said apologetically.

    I didn¡¯t see why he had to apologize at all.

    ¡°Are you going to go home now?¡± I asked him.

    ¡°I¡¯m quite free,¡± he replied.

    ¡°I see,¡± I said a little softly.

    ¡°Do you want to go out for dinner?¡± he asked before he showed me a hopeful smile.

    I was personally surprised by his sudden invitation and then I felt like it was me who was acting strangely. I guess it¡¯s normal for my boyfriend to ask me out for dinner, except for the fact that we¡¯re not supposed to be dating and that we were supposed to keep our newly formed rtionship with secret. Overall, I wasn¡¯t yet used to fact that we had started dating. It just seemed too good to be true.

    ¡°I¡¯m not sure¡­¡± I murmured as I looked around nervously.

    Kyle caught on immediately that I was worrying about the ¡®no dating¡¯ rule in ourpany.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, we can eat somewhere far from the office so that we don¡¯t run into any of our colleagues,¡± Kyle suggested reassuringly.

    I nodded my head slowly at him. Leaving together from thepany might look suspicious to the other people too, so we decided on a restaurant and a time and then agreed to meet there. Kyle picked a very casual restaurant that was quite far from the office, and I met him there around 40 minutester. When I arrived, Kyle was already seated at the table. He waved at me once I walked in through the door. After ordering our food, Kyle got down to business immediately.

    ¡°I actually invited you out here to discuss about ns for Saturday,¡± he said, getting directly to the point.

    My eyebrows shot up in wonder.

    ¡°You want to meet me on Saturday?¡± I asked, unable to hide the curiosity in my voice.

    ¡°Yes, if you¡¯re free. I thought I could help you pick out an apartment,¡± he replied.

    ¡°Oh, that would be great,¡± I said excitedly.

    ¡°I actually took the liberty to contact a couple of real estate agents and they came up with a couple of options based on your requirements and also your budget,¡± he said before grinning at him.

    ¡°Wow, that¡¯s amazing,¡± I said, truly impressed.

    ¡°Here this is the list you can take a look if you¡¯d like,¡± Kyle said as he slid over some papers across the table towards me. I thanked him before picking up the papers and looking through it. There were more than 10 properties on the list. Each with detailed description, location, photographs and rent rates.

    ¡°Wow, this is so detailed¡± Iplemented.

    ¡°I suggest you pick a couple of ces that you¡¯re interested in, and we can go check it out together on Saturday. I have a car so I can drive you around,¡± Kyle suggested helpfully.

    He was right. It would be a lot more convenient for me to travel around these ces if I had a car.

    ¡°Which ces would you pick if you had to choose?¡± I asked.

    ¡°Let¡¯s see. I will go with this one because it¡¯s close to a subway station. The rent is a little higher than other ces, but I think the location is worth it. Then also this one, because it¡¯s also close to a bus stop and a grocery store. This one as well has convenient location, although it¡¯s a little pricey,¡± Kyle said as he made a thoughtful face.

    I followed his finger as he pointed out the options that he mentioned. After reading the description and looking at the photos of the options that he had preselected, I nodded my head in agreement. These do look like very sensible options.

    ¡°Let¡¯s check them out together on Saturday. Thank you so much for doing all of this for me. I really do appreciate it,¡± I said before smiling sweetly at him.

    ¡°That¡¯s not a problem at all,¡± Kyle said with a warm smile.

    I had to acknowledge once again just how kind and caring Kyle was. We had just started dating and he was already doing so much to help me out. After that, we discussed ns for our Saturday. Then I told him that I would rather go home a little early today since I didn¡¯t go homest night. Honestly, I was slightly worried about my mother, and I felt more than a little guilty. Kyle offered to cover for the food, but I refused.

    ¡°You don¡¯t have to pay for it. I¡¯ll pay for my share,¡± I offered.

    ¡°You¡¯re my girlfriend now, and this is sort of like a date. So let me cover it,¡± Kyle countered with his own logic.

    I felt a little ufortable, but in the end, I decided to let him take the bill. I can¡¯t even begin to exin how lucky I felt that I had a boyfriend like Kyle, although our rtionships just started, I felt like he was the right man for me. After paying, Kyle took my hand and led me to the front of the restaurant.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Productive Weekend

    ¡°Should I walk you to the closest station? Is not far from here,¡± he offered.

    ¡°That would be nice,¡± I replied with a smile.

    I love the feel of my hand in his as we walked side-by-side. I enjoyed hispany and was conscious of the way that he was holding my hand. We shared small talk and every time he would turn to smile at me, my heart would skip a beat. I was so in love with his smile and probably everything else about him.

    ¡°Thank you for walking me here,¡± I said sweetly when we arrived at the station.

    ¡°Have a safe trip back home,¡± Kyle said before cing arge hand on top of my head.

    That gentle gesture put a smile to my lips, and I felt my heart skipped a beat again. He really knows how to get to my heart. After smiling at him, I boarded the train and was on my way home. I waved to him through the window, and he waved back until I couldn¡¯t see him anymore.

    ¡­

    Saturday arrived in a blink of an eye. After two days of orientation and three days of working at the design department, the weekends have finally arrived. I was so excited about my first weekend date with Kyle that I couldn¡¯t catch a wink of sleep the night before. I spent almost the whole night tossing and turning in bed and thinking about what outfit I should wear for tomorrow. Although we were just going to visit some apartments to help me pick a new ce for myself, I couldn¡¯t help but look forward to our day tomorrow.

    I hoped that the apartments that we will be visiting would be what I was looking for, and that I¡¯ll end up with a rent contract in my hands by the end of tomorrow. My mother was right,muting from home to work became a challenge. After a week of doing that, I was undoubtedly tired of travelling back and forth across long distances. I guess moving out as soon as possible is probably the right option after all.

    After a long while tossing and turning in bed, I finally fell asleep. The sound of the rm the next morning woke me up and I bolted upright in bed. Unlike other the mornings where I wouldze around in bed before getting up, I got out of bed immediately and headed for the shower. After that, I rummaged through my closet trying to find the right outfit.

    I thought that I had envisioned the right outfit that I would wear todayst night. But when I tried it out, it just didn¡¯t look right. Maybe this skirt is a little too short. Maybe this shirt makes my chest look t. I tried on a couple of outfits and in the end settled with a dress. It was a light pink dress with flowery patterns. I thought it looked cute and wasn¡¯t too revealing.

    After applying some makeup, I nced at my watch and found out that I should leave right now. If I didn¡¯t leave now, I risked runningte and I didn¡¯t want Kyle to wait. After rushing to get on the train, I somehow managed to arrive at our appointment ce in time. When I arrived at the train station, Kyle was already waiting for me.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.

    ¡°Did you wait long?¡± I asked breathlessly.

    ¡°Not at all. Actually, I just got here,¡± he replied calmly with a smile.

    I could feel his eyes looking up and down my body, and I hoped that he liked what he was seeing.

    ¡°My car is parked this way,¡± he said invitingly.

    I nced down as I felt something warm epass my hand and found that he had held my hand in his. He smiled at me, and I smiled back as I let him lead me to where he had parked his car. Our first stop was at a real estate agency that Kyle had chosen. When we arrived, we were greeted by a middle-aged man who was supposed to take us to see the apartments that we were interested in.

    ¡°Wee to our agency. So today we¡¯ll be visiting these three ces and hopefully you¡¯ll like one of them,¡± he greeted us with a pleasant smile.

    The three ces that Kyle had helped me shortlist during our dinner were where we were headed today. Just like the man had just said, I hoped that I would like one of them so that I didn¡¯t have to waste more time searching for amodations.

    ¡°Let¡¯s go then, Kyle,¡± I said enthusiastically.

    ¡°Yes, let¡¯s,¡± Kyle readily agreed.

    The first apartment that we visited was in a pretty modern building. It was conveniently located close to a subway station and a grocery store as well. However, the room was a little on the small side, but the convenient location probably ovepensated for that.

    ¡°What do you think?¡± Kyle asked.

    ¡°I like it. It¡¯s simple and clean. The location is works well too,¡± I replied as I looked around the room.

    ¡°The balcony should let in a lot of sunlight and and air flow,¡± Kyle added.

    ¡°Let¡¯s go see the second apartment,¡± I suggested.

    ¡°Sure, let¡¯s go,¡± Kyle readily agreed.

    The second apartment building wasn¡¯t that far away from the forest. The location of the second apartment was also great, but it was a walk farther from the closest subway station. Topensate for that, the building was newer and looked cleaner. The room was also slightly bigger. However, the rent was a little higher.

    ¡°Do you like this ce?¡± Kyle asked.

    ¡°I think it¡¯s fine. What do you think?¡± I asked for his opinion.

    ¡°You¡¯re the one who¡¯s going to be living here,¡± he reminded me with a smallugh.

    ¡°I guess you¡¯re right about that¡­¡± I mumbled as I looked around the room.

    The room was clean, and it had all the basics. Honestly, I didn¡¯t have a clear preference between the first and the second option.

    ¡°Maybe we should go see the third option now,¡± Kyle suggested.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Kiss Me in the Dark

    I nodded at him in agreement, and we were on our way to the third apartment. The third apartment was probably the best out of all the three options. It was located close to the subway station and had multiple restaurants and grocery stores around it. The building was quite new as it had recently been renovated. Room was slightlyrger than the other two options. The only problem was that the rent of this third apartment was the highest among the three options.

    It was still within my budget but I wondered if I should be saving money for something else other than amodation.

    ¡°Do you like this ce, Kyle?¡± I asked as I wondered what he thought.

    ¡°I like it, but it¡¯s the most expensive option out of all the three,¡± Kyle replied and his thought matched mine perfectly.

    Let me see if I can negotiate with thendlord to bring the rent down a little bit,¡± the man from the agency quickly suggested.

    My eyes widened at his suggestion. If he could help bring the price down a little bit, I think the third option would be what I would go with. I like therge balcony of the room and how the air seemed to flow in. I also liked how the natural light came in as well and it should help save up on lighting.

    ¡°Thank you so much for that. If you could let me know the new rent rate, then I can make my decision,¡± I informed the agent.

    ¡°Sure. I¡¯ll be in contact,¡± he replied with a smile.

    ¡°Thank you so much for your time today. So sorry we had to take up your weekend,¡± I said apologetically.

    ¡°No worries. I always work on Saturdays,¡± he replied casually.

    With that, our tour of the three apartments was over.

    ¡°What should we do next?¡± Kyle asked after we got into his car.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know. We do have some spare time before dinner. Is there something or somewhere that you would like to go?¡± I asked.

    I honestly didn¡¯t have anything in mind. It also wasn¡¯t often that I came to the city on my day off so I didn¡¯t quite know what to do. Kyle, who was clearly the city boy, probably had better ideas, so I left it up to him to decide.

    ¡°I¡¯m not very good with dates¡±, he confessed a little timidly.

    ¡°Seriously?!¡± I asked in surprise.

    Kyle looks like ady¡¯s boy. He was very attractive, so I had assumed that he must have had many girlfriends. Perhaps that was the case but he was too shy to admit it.

    ¡°What about a movie?¡± He suggested after a while of thought.

    ¡°I think that¡¯s a great idea, although I don¡¯t know what they¡¯re showing right now,¡± I replied.

    ¡°We can choose together when we get there,¡± Kyle suggested brightly.

    ¡°Where are we going for the movie?¡± I asked.

    ¡°I was thinking of taking you to a mall close by¡­¡± Kyle replied with his eyes on the road ahead.

    ¡°That sounds great. I haven¡¯t been to a mall in forever,¡± I replied honestly.? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

    Kyle was right that the mall was nearby. It was only a short 5 minutes¡¯ drive from where we were to the mall. To my surprise, the cinema wasn¡¯t crowded when we arrived. We studied the movie options avable and the showtime on the screen as we stood side-by-side in front of it.

    ¡°What sort of movies do you like?¡± Kyle asked with interest.

    I could feel his eyes on my face. Honestly, I didn¡¯t have a lot of time to watch movies, so I wasn¡¯t sure what type of movies that I liked. Probably something lighthearted like a romance or aedy.

    ¡°I like something lighthearted. Perhaps, like a romance oredy, or abination of both. What about you?¡± I asked, curious to know more about him.

    ¡°I like action movie,¡± he replied without hesitation.

    ¡°I don¡¯t mind action movies. I just don¡¯t think I could handle thrillers,¡± I said before turning my attention back to the showtimes on the screen.

    ¡°So, what should we go for today?¡± Kyle asked.

    ¡°Good question. What about this one?¡± I suggested as a pointed a finger at a movie¡¯s name.

    ¡°I think that¡¯s a goodpromise between action and romance,¡± Kyle replied with a smile.

    ¡°It¡¯s settled then,¡± I said enthusiastically.

    After buying our tickets, we headed to the movie theater. Either the movie wasn¡¯t very popr or people had other things to do on a Saturday because not a lot of people were in the theater with us when the movie started.

    The lights in the theatre dimmed down even further when the movie started and suddenly, it got darker. I could feel Kyle sitting next to me as our arm pressed against each other. He held my hand in his as we enjoyed the movie together. For some reason, I started feeling slightly nervous and I was increasingly aware of his presence close to me. The movie was a good mix of action and love scenes. The sound during the action part was quite loud as the movie tried to show off its sound effects.

    I nced over at Kyle and saw that his eyes were glued on the movie screen. It was great that he was enjoying the movie. The movie wasn¡¯t bad at all, and I started to enjoy it too. After a while of watching the movie together, I could feel Kyle¡¯s hand tightening around mine as heced his fingers with mine. I turned my face to look at him and found him staring at me. My heart skipped a beat before he leaned in and ced a firm kiss on my cheek.

    ¡°Kyle¡­¡± I whispered his name.

    His face came closer to mine, and it wasn¡¯t long before his lips were on mine. I could feel the heat from his soft lips pressing firmly against my own as he began kissing me. His kiss was undemanding at first; however, the kiss soon turned hot and aggressive. He pulled me into a hug, and I could feel his arm around my waist. His palm pressed up tightly against the small of my back as he pushed me closer against him.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Pleasure from His Fingers

    Our kiss deepened when his tongue thrusted deeply inside my eagerly awaiting mouth. He tasted me as his tongue mingled with mine in a passionate dance. My body started responding to his seductive caresses and actions. He changed the angle of our kiss a couple of times, each time deepening our kiss. He was such a good kisser and I found myself wanting even more of him. His hand slide down from my waist to caress the side of my hip before stroking its way down even further to my thighs.

    I moaned into our heated kiss as our tongue continued to grind hungrily against each other. His other hand cupped my breast over my clothes, and I let out another soft moan of pleasure. My body felt hot with need as desire clouded my brain. I no longer paid any attention to the movie as my attention shifted to the pleasure that Kyle was making me experience.

    ¡°Kyle¡­maybe we should¡­stop¡± I whimpered weakly when he finally broke our heated kiss.

    ¡°Shhh¡­let me y with you some more,¡± Kyle said lustily as his hand began squeezing and kneading my breast.

    It felt so good. He was being a little rough, but I loved how he stimted my breasts and nipples through my clothes. I threw my head back and moaned while feeling thankful for the loud sound effects of the movie. While his hand continued pumping my breasts in turn, his other hand stroked my thighs until my legs felt weak from the pleasure. He kissed my lips again as his hand slipped under the hem of my dress. The heat of his hand against my thigh felt so good and I was eagerly anticipating what was toe next as his hand slowly slid up the inside of my thighs teasingly.

    ¡°Spread your legs¡­¡± Kyle whispered seductively in my ears.

    His hand nudged my thighs apart as he urged for me to spread my legs for him. I knew that he wanted but I felt slightly embarrassed. I have never done anything like this in public before. Although it was dark and no one could see us clearly, I was still very conscious that we were inside a movie theatre. There weren¡¯t many people around but there were still people. His exploring hand stroked its way up my inner thighs until I felt the pressure of his hand against my crotch.

    My core throbbed with heat, and I knew that I was already wet down there. Kyle pressed his hand skillfully against my love opening through the thin fabric of my panties. My body reacted so strongly to him, and I felt my legs loosening. It wasn¡¯t long before I was willingly parting my legs to wee his touch. I wanted him to touch me more and pleasure my throbbing pussy.

    ¡°You¡¯re so wet. Your panties arepletely soaked here¡­¡± he whispered teasingly into my ear.

    His dirty and naughty words filled my senses and turned me on even more than before. His fingers began stroking my wet opening through my panties and I moaned louder in response. He hasn¡¯t touched me directly yet, but it already felt so good. I couldn¡¯t wait for him to touch me there.

    ¡°Ahhh¡­Kyle¡­¡± I moaned and whimpered his name.

    ¡°Does doing it in public excite you?¡± he asked seductively.

    I bit my lower lip to stifle my moans of pleasure as I felt his fingers pulling the thin fabric that was covering my sopping wet love hole to the side. I felt the air in the theatre against my wet pussy before it was quickly reced by the heat of his fingers.

    ¡°Ahhh¡­yes¡­¡± I moaned from the intense pleasure of his fingers stroking my wet slit.

    His fingers skillfully stroked up and down my wet opening. It felt so good that my hips had started thrusting up and down against his fingers. Although I tried to bite on my lower lip, I couldn¡¯t keep my moans of ecstasy from growing louder and louder.? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

    ¡°Shh¡­keep your voice down. You don¡¯t want anyone to see us doing this, right?¡± Kyle whispered into my ear.

    I couldn¡¯t tell if he was being serious or if he was just teasing me for the fun of it. Kyle made matters worse for me by nibbling on my earlobe before licking my ear. He kissed and sucked on my ear before inserting the tip of his tongue into my ear. It tickled but it felt so good. The dirty sound of his sucking and kisses filed my senses as his fingers began stroking me faster down there. His fingers found my swollen clit and began stimting it in circr motions. I cried out his name as my hips moved up and down in abandon, grinding my clit against his fingers.

    ¡°Ahh¡­Oh¡­Ahh¡­¡± I moaned before I had to ce my hand over my mouth to shut myself up.

    Kyle pinched the little nub in between my legs a few times before rolling it in between his fingertips. My core grew hotter in desire, and I felt a gush of hot wetness spurting out from the hole in between my legs. My pussy was getting wetter and wetter as my love juices poured out non-stop.

    ¡°You¡¯re wetting my fingers. Do you want me to fuck you with my fingers?¡± Kyle offered knowingly.

    I didn¡¯t have to reply to him. In the next instant, Kyle screwed two fingers deeply into my sopping wet hole. I screamed into my hand as I closed my eyes tightly. His thick and long fingers stretched my love opening. It felt so good to be stretched and filled. Sensing that I had adjusted to his fingers, Kyle began thrusting his fingers in and out of my hole.

    Just like he had offered, Kyle was fucking my cunt with his fingers. It felt mind-blowingly good. My pussy clenched and spasmed wildly around his fingers as it tried to suck his fingers in even deeper. Kyle moved his fingers in and out of my hole, always thrusting it back at a slightly different angle. It felt so good that I felt like I was about to lose my mind. My hips rocked in rhythm to his fingers pumping fast and deep into my wet hole.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Unstoppable Lust

    His fingers quickly found the pleasure spot deep inside of my hole and started thrusting against it. I could feel my orgasm fast approaching as he brought me closer and closer to my climax. My body writhed from the pleasure. His other hand spread my legs even further apart before I felt his fingers on my swollen and sensitive clit again.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.

    I moaned louder at the double pleasure that he was feeding me. His fingers continued to pound into my wet hole while his other hand yed with my swollen clit. The pleasure was getting too much for me to take. He¡¯s going to make me cum¡­

    ¡°Kyle¡­oh¡­I can¡¯t¡­anymore¡­¡± I whimpered as I began to lose myself.

    I was already oblivious to where we were as my mind and body focused on the pleasure and lust that he was making me feel.

    ¡°Just let go¡­just cum, Rina,¡± Kyle coaxed into my ear gently.

    His lips covered mine, capturing my cries of ecstasy as my climax imed me. My entire body trembled from the impact of my own orgasm. That felt so good.

    ¡°Should we go back to my ce?¡± he whispered seductively close to my ear.

    It was so unfair of him to invite me over now. He made me crave for him and he knew that I couldn¡¯t wait to have more of him.

    ¡°Ok¡­¡± I replied as I blushed madly in the darkness of the movie theatre.

    I quickly adjusted my clothes in the dark before Kyle offered me his hand and pulled me up from my seat. My pussy was still wet and throbbing from his stimtions as he led me out of the movie theatre. We left in the middle of the movie as we hurried back to continue where we left off at Kyle¡¯s ce.

    The ride back to Kyle¡¯s ce felt torturously long. I wasn¡¯t even sure if his ce was even that far away from the mall but our desire to have each other made the ride feel extra-long and painful. Kyle leaned over and ced hisrge hand behind my head before his lips captured mine in a long and passionate kiss. His tongue quickly entering my mouth to taste me. I knew that he was close to his limit as well and we found it hard to keep our hands to ourselves all along the duration of the drive.

    ¡­

    The door to Kyle¡¯s ce opened and closed with a m when we finally arrived. Without waiting any further, Kyle¡¯s lips crushed mine in a passionate kiss as his arms wrapped themselves around my body and pulled me close against him. I could feel the heat and hardness of his muscr body against my own as I started to melt from his seductive kiss. My desire for him intensified as he continued to grind his tongue against mine.

    ¡°Come here¡­¡± Kyle ordered in a voice thick with lust as he grabbed my hand.

    Impatiently, he led me towards his sofa, and I knew that we wouldn¡¯t make it to his bedroom at this rate. He pushed me down gently onto his sofa before taking a step back. I turned around to see him tugging impatiently at his belt as he unbuckled it. Then his hands were on his zipper before he quickly freed his engorged manhood from his pants. His thick and erect cock stood up proudly in between his legs and I knew that he couldn¡¯t wait to thrust his hot rod inside of me. My body grew hotter at the thought of taking that massive pole inside of me.

    ¡°Grab the sofa and bend over,¡± Kylemanded.

    Quickly, I arranged my body into the position that he wanted. I knew that he wanted to take me from behind and I wanted him to do that as well. I grabbed the back of the sofa with my hands as I got on my knees and thrusted my ass backwards towards him.

    His hands were automatically on my dress, yanking it up to expose my ass to him before pulling down my panties. Kyle was immediately behind me and then I felt the heat of his thick cock at my love opening. He fitted he swollen head of his massive cock at my wet entrance. I sucked in a deep breath and held it as I braced myself for the impact of his rough entry.

    Kyle let out an animalistic groan before he thrusted his thick shaft forcefully into my wet love hole. His cock was much thicker and longer than his fingers and I felt my hole stretching to amodate his shape and size. He filled me as he drove his cock deeper and deeper into my love tunnel. My pussy clenched around his length as I felt his heat stimte the inner walls of my pussy. It feels so good¡­

    I closed my eyes and moaned in delight. Kyle couldn¡¯t wait any longer and reared his hips backwards. His cock slid along the walls of my pussy as his cock withdrew from my hole just to pound into me again and again. Faster and harder than even before. His cock reached deeper into my cunt until it hit my womb. I cried out at the mix of pain and pleasure. His cock felt hotter, and I knew that he had gotten even bigger inside of me.

    ¡°It¡¯s so tight¡­your pussy is clenching so hard on my cock¡­¡± Kyle groaned.

    I was so turned on that all I could do was scream as we continued to pump his enormous cock into me. His hips pped against mine as his hand held the sides of my hips tighter. His cock stirred my wetness as he continued pounding his member in and out of my hole. My pussy spasmed around his cock as he hit my womb over and over again. Each thrust felt deeper than the previous one, and I wondered if his cock had gotten bigger and longer inside of me again.

    Loud moans and cries of pleasure escaped my lips as Kyle gave it to me harder and faster. My pussy was very sensitive from having climaxed once before and it didn¡¯t take long for me to feel another orgasm creeping up on me. My pussy got wetter and wet lewd sounds erupted from where his cock was beating into my wet hole.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Not Built to Last

    ¡°I¡¯m cumming! Ahhhh!¡± I cried out when my climax suddenly arrived.

    I cried so loudly that I was ashamed of myck of control as my orgasm imed my mind and took over my body. My pussy spasmed wildly around his cock as my entire body trembled. Kyle¡¯s cock pounded into my hole faster and I knew that he was close to his release as well. His groans of pleasure got louder as he raced towards his own release.

    ¡°Rina! Oh¡­yeah¡­your pussy feels so good¡­¡± he groaned.

    After a few forceful thrusts, I felt his body still behind me a moment before his hot release shot deep inside of me. He came inside of me in waves as he nted his seed inside of my love hole. He moaned and I whimpered as he continued to fill me up deep inside. The heat of his release filled my lower

    ¡­

    **Back to the present**

    The cold wind blew harshly against my face, fluttering my long hair around my face. I didn¡¯t know why Kyle wanted to meet me so suddenly like this. A little before lunch break, I got a text from him to meet him on the rooftop of our office building. It was unusual for him to ask to meet me close to the office, let alone at the office itself, since dating between employees is strictly prohibited in ourpany.

    The punishment for dating in the office was harsh and simple: Immediate job termination. I wasn¡¯t sure who came up with this rule, but this long-standing rule is known to be absolute leading to zero romantic rtionship in the office. Well, at least publicly known romantic rtionships were non-existence.

    Kyle and I have been secretly dating for over two years now. We first met each other in the orientation for new staff at Jessens & Hill¡¯spany, thergest multimedia productionpany in this country. Although we were joining different departments, we met during a group activity and hit it off right away.

    Kyle is kind, friendly and very handsome with his blond hair and striking light blue eyes. It was love at first sight for both of us as we noticed our chemistry for each other right away. Within days, we kept in touch and went on dates. From there things moved quite fast and we were officially a couple within a few days of meeting.

    I loved everything about Kyle especially his supportive nature and how open and kind he is towards me. My closest friends adore him and envies me for being able to snatch up such a good catch like him. Kyle was also a good cook, and he was outstandingly amazing in bed. This is something I found out on our first date when we went directly to a hotel to spend a passionate night together after having a few drinks. Our attraction to each other was that strong, we couldn¡¯t wait to test each other out in bed.

    ¡­

    That was around two years ago. I smiled as I thought back on the first night we spent together. The first of the many wild nights that were to follow. It¡¯s been more than two years now since we¡¯ve been dating, and I still get the butterflies when I¡¯m with him. I work in the design department while Kyle works in nning. Our department gets to work with each other sometimes but so far, to our relief, we have never been staffed on the same team.

    Looking down at my phone screen at the message he sent, I wonder what he wanted to talk about so urgently that we needed to meet here during our lunch break. No need to overthink things though, Kyle should be here any moment now.

    ¡°Rina¡­¡± I heard Kyle¡¯s familiar voice call my name and I immediately turned around to face him.? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

    ¡°Kyle¡­it¡¯s unusual for you to call me out here,¡± I greeted him, showing my surprise.

    ¡°It¡¯s cold so¡­I¡¯ll make this quick,¡± Kyle began before pausing as if considering his words.

    ¡°Ok¡­¡± I said with a bit of confusion.

    ¡°Rina¡­let¡¯s break up,¡± Kyle said in a soft voice that I almost didn¡¯t catch what he said.

    I didn¡¯t just hear what I just heard, did I?

    ¡°¡­What?¡± I replied nkly in shock.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Rina. I think we should end our rtionship here,¡± Kyle said as he gently took my hand in his.

    ¡°What? Why?¡± I asked in shock.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Rina,¡± Kyle repeated his apology but didn¡¯t answer any of my questions.

    ¡°If there¡¯s something that you want me to fix, I would dly do it. Please, Kyle,¡± I said truthfully, my voice shaking as tears threatened to fall from my eyes. I didn¡¯t want to cry¡­not right now in front of Kyle.

    Kyle went silent and I could tell that his decision was firm. For some reason, Kyle wanted to break up with me. I surely did not see thising. At all.

    ¡°Ok¡­¡± I whispered in defeat. If he truly wanted to end this, there was nothing more I could do or say.

    I nodded at him and pretended that I was fine. However, my face felt numb, and it took all that I had to keep myself from breaking down right then and there. I wish that he would just walk away now that he was done saying what he wanted to say. I just want to be left alone right now.

    ¡°Thank you for everything¡­let¡¯s keep in touch,¡± Kyle said vaguely.

    Such nice and pretty words but with no real intention behind them. He didn¡¯t want to keep in touch, and to be honest, neither did I. Hanging around my ex was not really my thing and I never believed in a friendship after a breakup either. At least, that sort of rtionship never worked out for me.

    ¡°Yeah¡­¡± I also replied vaguely while wishing with all my heart that he would just shut up and leave. The wind that was howling all around me suddenly felt a hundred times colder than before. Although he was standing directly in front of me, I have never felt so alone as I did in that moment.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 The Deviléˆ¥æªš Kiss

    ¡°I¡¯ll see you around,¡± Kyle mumbled as he turned to walk away.

    He didn¡¯t turn around to look back at me at all and I was d that he didn¡¯t because I didn¡¯t want him to see the tears that were now slowly trickling down my face. I watched him leave in silence as the world around me started crumbling down. Of course, I was the only one who heard the loud crashing sound of my world breaking apart.

    I looked up at the bleak sky and realized that it had started to snow. Who would have thought that the first snow of the season which I always found so beautiful could make me feel so lonely and empty inside like this. Unclenching my hands, I watched as small snowkes fell down onto my cold palms. If Kyle was still with me, we would be watching the first snow of the season together arm in arm. I bit my lower lip as I continued to sob and cry.

    I honestly thought what I shared with Kyle was something special. However, it was clear that I was so wrong about us. Being the fool that I was, I even went as far as to dream of marrying him and starting a family together. I sigh out loud as I leaned on the railing of the rooftop. Look at the precious two years of my young adult life going to waste¡­

    ¡°Fifteen minutes,¡±

    What?!

    I slowly turned my head to look in shock. There standing not far from me was Ace Hill, the direct descendant of thispany¡¯s founder and current CEO. How long has he been standing there? Howe I didn¡¯t feel his presence at all?

    Oh¡­ no¡­did he overhear what just happened between Kyle and I?

    Shit¡­I¡¯m still crying. Did he see me crying?

    So many questions raced through my mind in that moment as I quickly turned away from him and wiped my tears away in embarrassment. This is not good¡­of all the people that I had to meet at his moment, I had to meet the Devil CEO.

    If this doesn¡¯t go well, I won¡¯t be losing just by boyfriend today; I¡¯ll lose my job as well. What a day this is turning out to be for me¡­

    ¡°Excuse me?¡± I said nkly. I didn¡¯t know what else to say and I didn¡¯t get his greeting, if it was even supposed to be a greeting, at all.

    ¡°Fifteen minutes. That¡¯s the time you have left to gather yourself back together before your lunch break is over. Then it¡¯s back to work for you,¡± Ace stated tly.

    Back to work? Which means that I still have my job?Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.

    If he overheard what had urred between Kyle and I, he did notment on it. Perhaps this Devil CEO did have a streak of rare kindness after all. My luck has notpletely run out yet¡­or so I thought at that time.

    ¡°Thank you, Sir¡­¡± I replied softly before bowing a little before turning to leave. I must get off this roof top as soon as possible. Being alone with Ace is so scary and so awkward. His presence is just too intimidating.

    Just as I turned to leave, I felt a firm grip on my wrist pulling my body back. My body spun around with the force of his pull, and I twirled right into Ace¡¯s hard chest. Oh wow¡­I always thought he was tall but now that I was standing so close to him that our bodies were touching, I realized that he was much taller than I had previously thought.

    Looking up timidly at his face, I saw him staring down at me with an amused look. For a moment, I didn¡¯t know how to process this unusual situation as I lost myself in his sexy hazy brown eyes. I felt my lips going dry as we silently stood there staring into each other¡¯s eyes with the white snow falling all around us.

    As if ensnared in a trap, my body felt weak, and I was unable to move. Even when the tip of his long and elegant finger lifted my chin up, tilting my face up towards his. Before, I could respond, his face came closer to mine until I felt his warm lips softly brushing against mine.

    His lips are so soft and warm, it¡¯s making me feel like I¡¯m melting inside. I let out a small moan when he increased the pressure of his lips on mine.

    No, wait! Ace is kissing me?!

    My eyes flew wide open in shock when I finally realized what was going on. This can¡¯t really be happening!

    I ced my hands on his chest as I tried to push him away. This just resulted in his arm wrapping around my waist to keep me from getting away from him. His body is so warm, and I could feel the hardness of his firm frame underneath his suit. I cursed at myself silently for noting on how attractive he is even in this situation.

    ¡°Wait¡­please¡­¡± I opened my lips slightly to protest against his demanding kiss.

    Instead of stopping, Ace used that opportunity to slip his hot and wet tongue inside my mouth. I moaned louder as his tongue teased my own. I was moaning loudly now, and the worst thing was that I wasn¡¯t sure if I was moaning in pleasure or in protest as our kiss deepened even further. His tongue teased and thrusted against mine while hisrge hand held my head in ce, preventing me from breaking away from his aggressive kiss.

    The heat and passion of his kiss reminded me of how he kissed me like this around two years ago. Memories of our kiss and of that day when we first met came flooding back into my brain like high tsunami waves. I didn¡¯t want to believe it, but after all this time, I still couldn¡¯t really forget about him. The feel of his seductive lips on mine reminded me of the few incidents when our paths ovepped.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Dealing with Aftershocks

    When he finally stopped kissing me, I was panting and out of breath. My whole body, especially my face felt hot, I was sure that I was blushing like mad. It was so embarrassing; I just wanted to run away and hide myself inside a small hole in the ground¡­forever¡­

    Let¡¯s not talk about the ¡®no dating in the office¡¯ policy, the big boss just kissed me in broad daylight.

    I loud p rang out, cutting through the silence around us. The slight sting on my palm made me realize that I had just pped my CEO¡¯s face. Time froze. I wasn¡¯t sure who was more shocked at what had just happened. I blinked rapidly in shock when I realized what I had just done.

    What do I do now? Do I apologize or do I just run out of here? I mean, I¡¯m not really the one at fault here. I stood there as I debated my options when Ace spoke up.

    ¡°Well, I guess I deserved that. Don¡¯te up here ever again. This is my space. If you do, you might have to pay with something more than a kiss next time,¡± Ace stated with a very satisfied grin.

    I didn¡¯t need a warning like that. I would nevere back up here, nor will I ever be alone with him ever again. He was way up there as the CEO, there wouldn¡¯t be any opportunities for me to interact directly with him in work anyways. Thankfully so.

    I need to get away from him¡­

    Without replying to him, I turned around and ran as fast as I could in my heels towards the rooftop exit and back inside the building. What happened just now both with Kyle and Ace was too much for me to handle and process. I just wanted to forget them both right now.This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡­

    I need to stay strong. No matter what happens, the show must go on¡­ or so they say. In this case, the work must go on!

    There¡¯s still the second part of the workday left before I was free to go, and I had so much work to do. Wallowing in my grief needed to wait until I got off work. If I can¡¯t seed in my love life, at least I could try to seed in my career and my dream job.

    I had a few minutes left before I have to head to a meeting, and I decided to use that precious time to call up my best friend.

    ¡°Lily¡­¡± I began when she answered my call.

    ¡°Oh girl, you don¡¯t sound too good. What happened?¡± Lillian asked, catching on to my troubled mood immediately.

    ¡°A few bad things actually¡­can we go out drinking tonight? Let¡¯s invite Jen as well?¡± I suggested.

    ¡°Sure thing, girl. A brand-new bar just opened up at that new luxury hotel. I saw the ads on it, and I really want to go. So, let¡¯s all go together, ok?¡± Lillian agreed gleefully.

    One of the things I loved so much about Lillian was her never ending positive energy and ability to cheer people up. This was something I really needed right now.

    ¡°Yes! Let¡¯s go!¡± I replied happily. Drinking the night away with my friends to forget my troubles would be the best way to end this shitty day.

    ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll text you the address and time. I¡¯ll make the booking, you don¡¯t need to worry about a thing,¡± Lillian assured me in her cheerful voice.

    ¡°Thank you. I owe you one,¡± I thanked her truthfully. I don¡¯t know where I¡¯d be without my friends.

    ¡°Have to work now. Bye! See you!¡± Lillian said before hanging up.

    ¡­

    Work was finally over for me. It has been a long and emotionally painful day. Work was productive as always, which seemed to be the only thing going right for me right now. I hoped that meeting up with my friends would be the second thing to go right today. I looked around the office that was almost empty since most people have already left work. I did a bit of overtime again today just to wrap a couple of things up so that I was all set for tomorrow and perhaps so that I wouldn¡¯t risk running into Kyle on my way out of the office.

    ¡°My back hurts¡­¡± I mumbled to myself as I stretched in my chair at my work station.

    Turning my head to the side, I tried to stretch out my neck muscles before stretching my arms. My neck and shoulders felt so stiff from both the stress of work and the overall stress of this eventful day. I looked at the small digital clock on my desk which showed that I had under 30 minutes to meet with my friends at the designated ce. Perfect timing, I should be able to get there on time.

    I took out my pocket mirror and checked my own reflection. I didn¡¯t know that I walked through the office today looking so pale with big dark circles under my eyes. Well, I just got dumped and the CEO caught me dating a colleague. Not that I was dating him anymore since he just broke up with me. I didn¡¯t know which one was worst at the moment or which one I should deal with first. Getting some alcohol into my bloodstream might take priority right now.

    I hated my own reflection right now as it stared back at me. Now that I was single, I guess I couldn¡¯t go around looking like this. As they say, your true love could be anywhere so you should always look your best. I certainly didn¡¯t look by best right now; not that I believed that my true love would be waiting for me at the bar that I was heading to tonight.

    I grabbed my make up bag and headed to the toilet to apply some make up and fix my hair before I left to see my friends. If nothing else, looking a little more decent and less like a corpse, would lessen the worry of my dear friends.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Blame it on the Alcohol

    ¡°So¡­he broke up with you just like that?!¡± Lillian eximed loudly, clearly, she was shocked and forgot all about keeping her voice down.

    A few other guests around us stared at our table but I guess I didn¡¯t really mind their judging eyes.

    ¡°Yeah¡­I still can¡¯t wrap my mind around it. I mean, I totally didn¡¯t see iting¡­like¡­at all,¡± I replied before tipping back my shot. I usually hated the taste of alcohol, but right now, I enjoyed how it burned all the way down. I waved my hand gesturing to the overly friendly bartender to get me another drink.

    ¡°Maybe you should slow down on the drinking¡­¡± Jennifer warned with a look of concern.

    ¡°I¡¯m ok¡­¡± I brushed off her concern as I eyed my new shot ss.

    ¡°What are you going to do now? Why don¡¯t you try to make up with him?¡± Lillian questioned. She had always been a big fan of Kyle, but then again, who wasn¡¯t a big fan of Kyle?

    ¡°I honestly don¡¯t know¡­the way he said it, it just felt like he didn¡¯t care about me anymore,¡± I said sadly as I recalled Kyle¡¯s face and his tone of voice. It gave me the chills.

    ¡°Well, it certainly isn¡¯t the end of the world. There are plenty of fishes in the sea. Cheers!¡± Jennifer jumped in as she tried to cheer me up.

    I knew that it wasn¡¯t the end of everything, and she was right. Although, after ending my two-year rtionship with Kyle, I was ready to take a break from rtionships for a while. Being single was actually something that I missed. Spending time to focus on myself and my career might be a good thing.

    ¡°I guess being single right now isn¡¯t bad. I can focus more on my career. I¡¯m progressing well in my job and as you know this job is my dream job so¡­¡± I said as I smiled back at my friends.

    Clinking our sses together we drowned our drinks for the countless time that night.

    ¡°Enough about my shitty life. When is the big day, Jen?¡± I asked Jennifer.

    I decided not to tell my friends about my weird encounter with the big boss earlier today. That would bring too much drama into this conversation. The drama around my breakup with Kyle was enough to entertain my girls for weeks toe.

    Unlike my currently non-existent love life, Jennifer had been proposed to only two weeks back. Her fiance, Will, proposed romantically while there were on vacation on a tropical ind. I wasn¡¯t there to witness the real deal, but the photos were amazing. The sunset and the rich blue ocean backdrop made the proposal picture-perfect. Will and Jennifer had been together since our university days so it came as no surprise that they would be getting married, finally.

    ¡°We¡¯re thinking in around two months¡¯ time. It¡¯s a rush to prepare everything but I don¡¯t want to wait any longer. I¡¯ll invite you girls to help me pick out my wedding dress! Of course, you two will be my bridesmaid!¡± Jennifer announced excitedly as she beamed a huge smile at us.

    ¡°Wow! Congrattions. Show me your ring again!¡± I cried out excitedly.

    Jennifer held up her hand and wriggled her finger to show off her solitaire diamond engagement ring. The rock sparkled in the light beautifully. I felt so proud of Jennifer and so happy for her.

    ¡°Knowing you, your wedding is going to be perfect! Have you decided between indoors or outdoors?¡± Lillian asked.

    ¡°Good question,¡± I added as we both looked at Jennifer.

    ¡°I haven¡¯t really decided but I have to decide soon. I¡¯ll keep you girls posted,¡± Jennifer replied as she pped her hands together.

    ¡°Another cheers for Jennifer and her engagement to Will!¡± I cheered as I held up my shot ss.

    After many rounds of drinks, I guess I was feeling a little tipsy.

    **ring ring ring**

    ¡°Oh¡­that¡¯s mine. Sorry, I have to get this¡­¡± Lillian said as she stared at her phone screen.

    ¡°Ok¡­¡± I repliedzily as I ordered another drink. This time a stronger one.

    ¡­This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    I didn¡¯t remember much after that. The next thing I knew, I woke up alone in a luxurious hotel room after what seemed to be a wild and very sexual night with a stranger. My temple throbbed from my hangover, and I knew that I had to drink loads of water to get it out of my system.

    At least today was starting off with a good start. I was notte to work. Now I just need to focus on getting my work done perfectly and my life will somehow return to normal. I tried to be as optimistic as possible while pushing away my thoughts of Kyle. I haven¡¯t heard from him or seen him since he broke up with me. Well, that was to be expected.

    I was partially happy that we haven¡¯t moved in with each other yet, although we did discuss it. If we did, breaking up and moving out would have been veryplicated for both of us. I greeted a colleague as I entered the elevator on my way up to my floor. This was a good distraction to keep my thoughts from wandering off to Kyle. I prayed silently that I wouldn¡¯t run into him at the office. Pretty please.

    ¡°Karina, the department head wants to have a word with you. He dropped by your workstation earlier, but you were in the toilet,¡± Dan informed me as he gestured towards my supervisor¡¯s room.

    ¡°I see. Thank you for letting me know, Dan,¡± I replied before offering him a polite smile. Since showing me the ropes on my first day, we had remained close.

    I wonder what the boss wants so early in the day. Hopefully I didn¡¯t make any mistake in the proposal that I had handed in. That would be a full-blown disaster.

    ¡°Hi Lauren, it¡¯s me,¡± I called out softly after knocking on the door to her office. My supervisor, Lauren, is a middle-aged woman who was well respected in thispany for her many achievements and long tenure with thispany.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Wanted by the CEO

    ¡°Come on in,¡± I heard Lauren¡¯s calm voice call out to me through the door.

    I entered the room, closing the door carefully behind me. Lauren immediately gestured for me to take the seat opposite her. I nodded and did as I was beckoned while offering her a professional smile.

    ¡°Hi Karina. I hope I haven¡¯t been keeping you too busy these days,¡± Lauren greeted me with a smile.Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.

    ¡°It¡¯s always a pleasure working on all the projects that you¡¯ve assigned to me,¡± I replied honestly. Lauren was a good supervisor and she cared deeply about the development of the people in her team.

    ¡°I see. Well, this might seem a little sudden but¡­as of today, we have decided to transfer you to the CEO¡¯s office,¡± Lauren stated in with a bright smile.

    ¡°Sorry? I mean, excuse me?¡± I replied in shock, unable to hide my confusion.

    The CEO¡¯s office was a team thatprises of selected individuals from various departments that would work directly with the CEO. Naturally, only the top talent from each department is selected to join the team and they work on strategically important projects for high-profile clients. The team only consists of a handful of people but are able to deliver top performance for thepany, and naturally, the leader of such a team is none other than the Devil CEO himself.

    Now, she¡¯s saying that I will be joining that team?!

    ¡°You didn¡¯t mishear, Karina. I received the official transfer papers this morning and it clearly states that as of today, you are to transfer to the CEO¡¯s office where you will be working directly for the CEO. Isn¡¯t this great? This is almost like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,¡± Lauren repeated herself more clearly this time while handing me a sheet of paper that contained the official transfer letter.

    I felt myself feeling dizzy as my eyes started to lose focus from the shock.

    ¡°What role will I have in the new team?¡± I asked the most reasonable question I coulde up with.

    ¡°That is up to the CEO. I¡¯ve heard that the same person can take on different roles when working on different projects. The joy of learning cross-functional work, you know¡­¡± Lauren stated proudly.

    I felt my mouth hang open. Me? I¡¯m moving to the CEO¡¯s personal team?

    ¡°Wait. I work in design, and I¡¯ve done some production here and there but¡­I¡¯m not sure that I qualify for such an opportunity¡­¡± I protested although my voice sounded weak even to my own ears.

    It was going to be challenging enough for me to join the superstar team, I doubt I even had the skill for it. However, working directly with the Devil CEO brought a long throng of other issues. I never thought I would meet the CEO again let alone work as his secretary. He just kissed me on the roof top too!

    Why can¡¯t I get that kiss out of my head? Arghhh!

    ¡°The CEO has specifically requested for you. Apparently, this is a new role he deemed necessary to make future projects more sessful. I honestly don¡¯t know why you¡¯re so hesitant about this. Other people would be jumping up and down with joy right around now. It¡¯s going to be a challenge but you were always up for challenges, right? You¡¯ll learn a lot and I assure that this position will take you much closer to your dreams,¡± Lauren said as her eyes looked at me earnestly.

    I could feel that she truly believed that this opportunity was the right one to assist my professional development. A part of me believed that to be true too, but there were other issues that I couldn¡¯t exactly tell her about.

    ¡°Can I think this over¡­?¡± I tried my best to negotiate. The atmosphere in the room and the tough look on Lauren¡¯s face told me that it was not an option to decline.

    ¡°You can do the thinking after you¡¯ve had a talk with the CEO. He wants you in his office in precisely five minutes,¡± Lauren said with a grin as she looked at her wristwatch.

    Huh?! I have to meet Ace in f-five minutes?

    ¡°Ok¡­¡± was all I managed to say in a whisper.

    Internally, I wasn¡¯t feeling ¡®ok¡¯ with any of this at all.

    ¡­

    How did I end up here?!

    I stood in front of arge dark brown wooden door with the silver metallic letters spelling out ¡®CEO Office¡¯. Behind this door is Ace¡¯s work room and the man himself. I gulped as I closed my eyes to control my nerves and to stop my legs from shaking.

    Recalling our first andst encounter on the rooftop, I could help having a sense of dread. He didn¡¯t call me here regarding that event, did he?

    Well, unfortunately, there¡¯s only one way to find out.

    **Knock Knock**

    ¡°Hello, Sir. This is Karina here,¡± I called out in a soft voice after knocking softly on his door. I was surprised at how normal and professional my voice managed to sound even when I was trembling and so nervous inside.

    ¡°Come in,¡± Ace replied curtly.

    This is it. My future at thispany is hanging by a thread right now¡­

    ¡°Good morning, Sir,¡± I greeted him politely when I entered his office, closing the door softly behind me. His two bodyguards moved to station themselves right outside his door.

    The tension in the atmosphere is driving me crazy and for some reason Ace has not said a word. What do I do? Do I sit?

    I stood there in the middle of his room hesitantly as I shuffled from one foot to the other. The fact that he had not said a word since I arrived here made me feel more nervous than ever before. I wondered for the hundredth time why he had called me here. There was no logical reason why the CEO of such argepany would have anything to talk to me about. His hazel brown eyes settled on me and I felt even more ufortable. His eyes travelled up from my chest to the top of my head before returning to my chest and then descending down until it reached my feet before making its way up again to my face. The atmosphere felt very tense and suddenly I felt very cold.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 His Personal Secretary

    ¡°Take a seat,¡± hemanded, as he gestured with his eyes to the seat located opposite side of his work desk where he was seated. I walked on shaky legs before I hesitantly took the seat as Ace had indicated. Ace was silent again, and I held my breath as I waited patiently for him to say what he had to say. For some reason, I knew that it wasn¡¯t good news.This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°I won¡¯t beat around the bush,¡± he said as his eyes narrowed slightly at me. He felt like a wolf ready to prance on its prey. That prey, unfortunately, was me.

    The fact that he paused for effect only made me more curious about what he had to say to me. After a few seconds of silence, he continued.

    ¡°I want you to be my personal secretary,¡± he stated emotionlessly.

    My mouth hung open as my eyes widened in shock. Did I hear him correctly just now? I heard his words, but I couldn¡¯t understand them. Did he just ask me to be his secretary? I didn¡¯t know how to respond, and I couldn¡¯t wipe the look of pure shock from my face either.

    He stared at me with an amused look on his face before he chuckled softly. I knew that he found my reaction entertaining, but I did not find his suggestion funny at all.

    ¡°¡­Excuse me?¡± I managed to say in a faint whisper.

    Aceughed a little louder before repeating his same words ofmand.

    ¡°You heard me right. I want you to be my personal secretary,¡± he said sternly, and I did not miss the extra stress he put on the word ¡®personal¡¯.

    The way he spoke, and his tone of voice told me that he was serious. The first question that popped into my mind was: why me?

    ¡°Why, I wonder?¡± he said with an amused look on his face as his magnificent brown eyes narrowed at me. It was like he could read my mind or perhaps everything that I was thinking showed inly on my face. I had a feeling that he didn¡¯t want to answer my unasked question, nor did he have the responsibility to.

    The Devil¡¯s CEO¡¯smand was absolute, and I knew that as well as everyone else in thepany. When I joined thepany, I never dreamt that I would end up working as the Devil CEO¡¯s secretary. I had two problems regarding this proposal of his. Firstly, I wanted to work in advertising. I want to design storyboards that would appeal to the audience. That was my dream and bing a secretary worked against leading me to my goal. The second reason was in and simple. I didn¡¯t really want to work every single day with this man. The problem right in front of me was clear, but I didn¡¯t have a clear solution to it.

    How can I possibly turn down his proposal? The fact was that it wasn¡¯t really a proposal. It was amand to be obeyed.

    ¡°I don¡¯t have any experience working as a secretary, so I¡¯m not sure if I¡¯m the right person for the job¡­¡± I voiced my excuse softly.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ve chosen you. So, you must be perfect for the job,¡± Ace stated confidently, brushing all my excuses to the side.

    I felt so nervous and intimidated that I couldn¡¯t meet his eyes any longer, and my gaze dropped to my hands that were clenched tightly on my ownp. What can I possibly say to make him change his mind?

    This might put an end to my career at thispany, but I had no choice but to say it.

    ¡°What if I said that I don¡¯t want to be your secretary?¡± I asked in a very soft voice.

    I was surprised to see his lips curl up in the little smile. Although I was serious and scared, he seemed truly entertained by my reactions.

    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter what you want, you will be my secretary,¡± he stated without a care in the world.

    Something snapped inside of me at his words and arrogant attitude, and my words escaped my lips before I could process them through my brain.

    ¡°So, what I want doesn¡¯t matter to you at all?¡± I snapped at him.

    I knew that he was the big boss, but I didn¡¯t agree with his method of forcing people to do things against their will. I gasped in shock after I said those words, thinking that it must have offended him. However, those words seemed to have theplete exact opposite effect on him because his smile only widened. Then he startedughing loudly.

    Well, I was confused as to what he found so funny about what I had just said. He covered his mouth with his hand as he continued tough before he put up his other hand as if to excuse his sudden outburst. The way his face transformed when heughed made him look years younger although he wasn¡¯t that old to begin with.

    ¡°Then¡­tell me what I can do to make you want to be my secretary?¡± Ace asked with an amused glint in his eyes.

    His questions really caught me off guard. I never considered that he would ask me something like this. Now that I considered his words, I wasn¡¯t sure what I wanted or what he could do to make me want to take up this job offer.

    ¡°Honestly, I want to designmercials and that is why I joined thispany. I think I told you as much during my interview¡­if you still remember¡­¡± I confessed, honestly.

    I doubt that he would remember something so trivial as an interview that he attended years ago. So much time had passed, and I didn¡¯t think that I was a particrly memorable candidate.

    ¡°I remember what you said,¡± he replied and I was forced to believe him.

    ¡°Then¡­¡± I mumbled as relief flooded my body.

    If he remembers and if he understands then¡­

    However, before I could say anymore his words cut in quite bluntly.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Already Moving On

    ¡°That is exactly why I want you to be my secretary. You¡¯ll get to work on more challenging projects, and you¡¯ll work alongside me. My team and I handle all the first tiers and the most challenging projects in thispany. If you work as my secretary, I¡¯ll put you on all those projects so that you can learn. You can flourish while you watch and learn with the best of the best. There are many things that I want to teach you, Karina,¡± he said it all like a promise.

    Once again, the passion and determination behind his words touched me. I cursed myself silently when my heart skipped a beat when he called me by my name. Just like the many speeches that I¡¯ve heard him deliver, I was captivated by his words and the earnest emotions behind them.

    There are many things that he wanted to teach me. It wasn¡¯t like I didn¡¯t find his suggestion tempting. I knew that it was a rare opportunity to work alongside someone as superior as he was. However, I still had my doubts, and I was very scared of him. But then again, it wasn¡¯t like I honestly had a choice.

    ¡°May I have some time to think about this?¡± I asked hopefully.

    ¡°No, you may not¡­but I¡¯ll give you one day to mentally prepare for it. Tomorrow you will start working as my secretary,¡± he said in all seriousness.

    He shed me a very charming smile and it was clear that he thought that he had offered me more than enough mercy already. I was frankly dumbstruck, and I didn¡¯t know what else to say. Slowly, I stood up from my seat because I knew that our conversation was over. The only thing I could say to him was¡­

    ¡°Yes, Sir,¡± I whispered.? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

    I could feel his eyes on me as I turned to leave. His heated gaze burnt into my back as I walked away and out of his personal office. When I was far enough away from Ace¡¯s office, I let out such a long and loud sigh that I was sure that my exhaustion and depression could be felt by everyone in the building. From our entire conversation, I probably agreed with him on one thing only: I needed this entire day and this entire evening and this entire night to mentally prepare myself for my new job of working as his personal secretary.

    ¡­

    Although I wanted to mentally prepare myself for my new job tomorrow, I found myself tossing and turning in bed, unable to catch a wink of sleep. I was stressed, anxious, and very scared of what would happen tomorrow. I¡¯ve never worked as someone secretary before, and honestly, I didn¡¯t know what to do. I was scared of losing my job if I failed at this job that he had given me. There were bills that needed to be paid and I wanted to send money back to my mother. That meant that failing wasn¡¯t an option for me. I sat up in bed with renewed determination. I¡¯m going to do my best and survive this job no matter what.

    My mind went back to my initial motivation. Themercial that I saw that changed my life that day. One day I¡¯m going to make amercial, so touching that I would inspire and change the lives of the viewers who watches it too. With that thought in mind, Iid back down on the bed and closed my eyes and prayed that tomorrow would be a productive day that would lead me closer to achieving my dream.

    Morning came and I had no idea that something truly shocking would be waiting for me when I arrived at the office. Since I had received an e-mailst night that I would be required to move from my current department to the CEO¡¯s office, I decided to go to work early. I knew that I needed time to clear away my desk and also say farewell to the people in my department. I didn¡¯t have that many things on my desk and it didn¡¯t take so long to clear it and pack it all up into a small box.

    With that box in my arm, I began making my way towards the CEO¡¯s office. While waiting for the elevator, I heard the sound of people whispering rapidly to each other and quickly realized that they were gossiping. My initial reaction was to ignore them while thinking that they should be doing some productive work rather than gossiping about other people like this.

    ¡°I heard Kyle from the nning department is getting married next weekend,¡± a woman whispered to her colleague.

    ¡°Really?! You mean that hot, Kyle, that we all admire?¡± the other woman replied, clearly shocked at what she had just heard.

    ¡°He¡¯s getting married. But I thought he didn¡¯t even have a girlfriend¡­¡± another woman whispered back.

    Kyle only broke up a few days ago¡­so what does it mean that he¡¯s going to get married this weekend?

    My hands clenched tightly at the box that I was holding in my arms as I listened in to the conversation that thedies were having. I couldn¡¯t believe what I was hearing and I didn¡¯t want to believe that it was true. Obviously, these two women didn¡¯t know that Kyle and I have been dating for two years and that we broke up very recently. I didn¡¯t want to hear anything more of what they had to say but I was still waiting for the elevator to arrive.

    ¡°Are you sure that¡¯s true and it¡¯s not just some rumor?¡± the woman asked suspiciously.

    That was exactly what I was wondering. Is this true or was it just some weird and untrue rumor that was spreading around?

    ¡°I¡¯m quite certain. I heard it from my friend that¡¯s working in the nning department. Apparently, Kyle invited some of his colleagues and also his boss to his wedding as well. There¡¯s no mistake about it, he is definitely getting married this weekend,¡± the woman replied with certainty.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Cheater

    My head felt light, and it felt like I was ready to faint right there at that moment. I told myself over and over again that Kyle broke up with me for his own personal reason. That was the lie that I had been telling myself so that I could get through the pain of our breakup. My heart was still far from healed and I couldn¡¯t say for certain that I waspletely over him. Afterall, it had only been a few days since we broke up, how was I supposed to erase all memories of the two years that we shared together?

    Even thought, Kyle never got around to telling me the real reason why he decided to end our rtionship, I never expected that it would be because he was going to get married to someone else. I mean, people don¡¯t break up with their girlfriend to get another girlfriend and then marry her within a week¡¯s time, right?

    That only left one possibility and it was the one that I dreaded the most: All this time that we were together, Kyle had been cheating on me with another woman. Judging from the situation, I wasn¡¯t sure if he was cheating on me with her or cheating on her with me. Does it even matter?? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

    Both alternatives were just as bad as the other. If the rumors that these wonderful counter-productivedies were discussing were true, then he had decided to choose her over me. Hence, he dumped me so that he could marry her with a peace of mind. Who cares what Karina would think and feel anyways, right?

    Thankfully, the elevator arrived so that I could snap out of my ominous thoughts. After I quickly stepped in, the elevator door slid closed. I closed my eyes and let out a huge sigh. I was shocked beyond words and my chest still felt tight. Without knowing the exact reason why, I started praying for the rumors to be false.

    Deep down, I probably still wanted to believe that Kyle truly loved me and that our rtionship was real. I wanted to believe that what we had was real even if it didn¡¯tst. Since the CEO¡¯s office was located at the top floor of the building, the elevator made many stops on my way up. Once again, the elevator¡¯s door opened at a floor. And someone needed to step out so I took a step away from the door and then I stepped deeper into the elevator so that other people coulde in.

    I wasn¡¯t paying attention and didn¡¯t realize that this floor was the nning department floor. It was already toote by the time that I realized it. The person standing in front of the elevator, along with his colleagues was none other than Kyle. If he was shocked to see me, he didn¡¯t show it at all. He acted so natural that it made me feel like I didn¡¯t exist.

    Of course, we were not supposed to know each other at work or be close enough to exchange words of greeting. Although, I knew that I couldn¡¯t stop the piercing pain that shot through my chest. Without a word of greeting to me, he stepped inside the elevator with his colleagues.

    ¡°Thanks for inviting us to your wedding this weekend,¡± one of his colleagues spoke up in a cheerful voice.

    ¡°You¡¯re like one of my best friends, so of course you¡¯re invited,¡± Kyle replied casually as his friend patted his shoulder in congrattion.

    ¡°I¡¯m so d that you and Emily are finally getting hitched. You¡¯ve been dating for many years now since university, right?¡± His other colleague asked.

    ¡°That¡¯s right. I think it¡¯s finally time that we make things formal,¡± Kyle replied with a bright smile.

    Since university?!

    But I met and started dating Kyle when we started working. This is the worst; he was already with her when he started hitting on me. An unbearable pain shot through my chest, and it started to feel harder to breathe as I realized that I was never his only one right from the start. He always had someone else that he cared about more than me, and in the end, he had chosen that person over me. He was two-timing me right from the start and I waspletely fooled by his perfect-guy act.

    Their conversation went on as if I didn¡¯t exist in that small elevator. Each of their passing word made me feel small and insignificant as I tried to hide in the corner of that elevator. I wondered when they would just get out.

    ¡°Let us treat you to dinner to celebrate your uing wedding,¡± his friends suggested.

    ¡°Yeah, man, we¡¯re so happy for you,¡± his other friend chimed in.

    Finally, the elevator came to a stop at their designated floor and the three men got out. It was as if everything moved in slow motion as I watched Kyle and his friends exit the elevator. Through the entire elevator ride, not once did Kyle nce my way. Then the elevator door slowly closed and I was the only one left in the elevator.

    I was too shocked that I didn¡¯t know how to feel anymore at that point. The elevator arrived at the topmost floor of the building, where the CEO¡¯s office was located, and I stepped out. The sound of the elevator door closing behind me filled my ears but my legs refused to move. I don¡¯t know how long I stood there with that random box of my random stuff in my arms right in front of the elevator.

    In that moment, I just felt so empty inside like I didn¡¯t know why I existed. I just felt so lost. I didn¡¯t know why I came here in the first ce, and I had no idea what I¡¯d wanted to do next. At that moment, the man that I least wanted to see appeared right in front of me.

    ¡°How long you nning to stand there?¡± he asked coldly.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 The Deviléˆ¥æªš Comfort

    I heard him, but I couldn¡¯t bring myself to answer. Before I knew it, my lips were quivering uncontrobly and then warm, wet tears spilled over my eyes and rolled down both my cheeks. I have never felt like this before, and I didn¡¯t even realize that I had started crying until the tears streamed down my face. At first, I thought I was simply sad and upset; however, those emotions didn¡¯t adequately exin what I was feeling.

    The heart burning sensation inside my chest resembled more of anger and the tight knot in my stomach felt like a grudge that would never fade. I felt like I was ready to explode from the inside out. I felt Ace¡¯s eyes on me as he looked at me curiously. I watched as he cocked his head slightly to one side in wonder.

    I must have looked like such a mess. It was my first day working for him and here I am, standing right in front of him in tears. Thankfully, he didn¡¯t ask me what was wrong because I didn¡¯t know what I would have told him if he did. Slowly, he approached me until he stood directly in front of me. My unfocused eyes watched through my own tears as his hand slowly approach my face. Then I felt the warm heat of the pad of his thumb as he slowly wiped away the tears from my left cheek and then my right.

    ¡°Stop crying ande with me,¡± he said tly.

    I looked up at his face, blurred through my tears, as I wondered how the touch of someone so cold could feel so warm and gentle like this. Although I knew that he had ordered me to follow him, my feet felt like they had grown roots and were glued to the spot. Ace¡¯s hand left my face before he sighed once again. Then I felt the warmth of his hand as he took my hand into his and held it firmly. Before I could protest or say anything, he had turned around and began walking away while pulling me along with him.

    The movement snapped me out of my misery a little and I was reminded once again that I was crying in front of the CEO like a dumb fool who couldn¡¯t control herself and her emotions, and perhaps, at that moment that was exactly what I was. I wiped the tears from my eyes with the back of my hand before my eyes fell to where are hands were connected while my mind wondered what kind of man Ace Hill was really like.

    A part of me still felt that I shouldn¡¯t get any closer to him but another part of me couldn¡¯t stop my own curiosity from running wild.

    Fly too close to the sun and you¡¯ll get burnt, Karina¡­

    I was conscious of Ace¡¯s hand holding mine as I followed obediently behind him. He half-led and half-dragged me along a very long hallway that I knew led to his personal office. Luck was on my side because we didn¡¯t run into anyone on the way there. This was Ace¡¯s private floor, so it wasn¡¯t surprising that not a lot of people passed by here. No one should be here except for people working in his team and those that had meetings with him. My eyes travelled along the hallway decorated in the modern luxury style before my eyes quickly went to the broad back of the man walking right in front of me.

    Ace opened the door to his office and pulled me in after him without saying a word.

    ¡°Do you need to cry some more?¡± he asked emotionlessly.

    ¡°Umm¡­no¡­that¡¯s ok¡­¡± I replied hesitantly, my voiceing out so small and squeaky.Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.

    Surprisingly, Ace didn¡¯t ask me why I was crying. If he was someone else, I would probably have thought that he was just being considerate by not prying into my personal life. However, because he had witnessed that unsightly scene of Kyle dumping me on the building¡¯s rooftop, he probably had a very good guess of why I was so upset. It wasn¡¯t like he knew all of it. I doubted that he knew about Kyle two-timing me and the fact that he was about to marry another girl very soon.

    ¡°Take a seat¡­¡± Ace said as he gestured for me to take a seat on the dark grey leather sofa that was in his office.

    Ace¡¯s office was huge now that I had time to pay attention to it. It was clearly designed so that he could host business meetings in various forms. There was the standardrge working desk that made him look like a royal king inmand when he sat on his chair. Then there was the sofa set that I was currently sitting on that could seat around ten people with a coffee table in the middle. To the other end of the room was a meeting room separated by a ss partition. I was certain that there were more rooms but that was all that I could see from where I was seated.

    Ace plopped down onto the sofa opposite me and he seemed very rxed and at home while I started to feel nervous in his presence. To my utmost surprise, I hadpletely stopped crying. Although I was extremely upset until just now, my tears have all but dried up. As I became more aware of the fact that I was alone with Ace in his office and how unusual this setting was, the feeling of nervousness quickly reced the sorrow that I felt.

    ¡°I¡¯m not going to ask if you¡¯re ok or not because you¡¯re obviously not ok, but I can¡¯t have my personal secretary crying on her first day of work either¡­¡± Ace said with a lop-sided grin as his hazel eyes fell on my face.

    Right, I¡¯m supposed to be working and this is working hours. It was entirely my fault for failing to control my emotions like this. For the first time, I personally understood from first-hand experience why thepany put the ¡®no dating between employee¡¯ rule in ce. It was to avoid shitty messes like these that would harm productivity.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 A Second Chance

    ¡°I¡¯m very sorry about this. This will never happen again¡­I promise¡­¡± I apologized desperately.

    Not only did I break the rule of dating another colleague, but the CEO caught me and now I was an emotional mess right in front of him. How did the career that I tried so hard to build lead me here?

    Ace looked at me with passive eyes as if my apology did not reach him at all. His hazel brown eyes were cold, and he looked unimpressed and unmoved by my apology. He probably didn¡¯t believe a single word that I had just said, and I couldn¡¯t find it in me to me him either.

    I never thought that I would have to ever ask something like this, but it was better to get this over and done with directly¡­

    ¡°Sorry but¡­am I going to be fired?¡± I asked directly while I dreaded his answer.

    Unlike my apology from earlier, my question got his attention immediately and Ace¡¯s eyes widened at me. He was probably shocked at the directness of my question. His brown eyes stared at me, and it took a lot of courage from my courage bank to keep myself from averting my gaze.

    It was probably just a few second that his eyes held mine, but it felt like a long year had passed by the time that Ace¡¯s lips curved into a little smile that quickly widened before he began chuckling. Apparently, Ace found something about this situation very funny while I couldn¡¯t even begin to imagine what it could be.

    ¡°Umm¡­I¡¯m not sure¡­what you find so funny¡­¡± I mumbled as felt heat rush to my cheek.

    ¡°You. You and your thoughts are funny,¡± Ace said as he tried desperately to hold in hisughter.

    I had to admire his efforts, but I had to say that he wasn¡¯t very sessful about it. After a moment of trying to hold it in, Ace gave uppletely and he beganughing loudly as a result. I stared at him with mixed emotions as he continued tough.

    ¡°Honestly, I haven¡¯tughed like that in a very long time¡­¡± Ace said after he somehow managed to return to his calm self again.

    ¡°Aha¡­¡± I mumbled as I waited for him to exin himself.

    I was still amazed by how much his face seemed to change when heughed. It never failed to intrigue and captivate me every time that the cold emotionless mask that he had on would transform into another expression.

    ¡°I¡¯ve been offering you a new role as my personal secretary and here you are asking if I¡¯m going to fire you. How does that even line up?¡± he said as he looked pointedly at me.

    Now that he put it that way, I guess it really didn¡¯t make any sense. Wait, then that means that he still wants me to work here, right?

    ¡°Are you sure? I mean, what about the rule against workce rtionships?¡± I asked, still shocked at where this was going.

    He¡¯s supposed to be the Devil CEO so why is he offering me a chance like this?This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Oh, that rule? Well, quite honestly, I never gave two fucks about that. That¡¯s just a rule that my father made up which I never really understood in the first ce. When I turned up here people were so strung up on it that I thought that it would be amusing to keep this stupid traditional rule in ce,¡± Ace said as it if was all just a big joke to him.

    Did he just say ¡®fuck¡¯ just now? And with such a straight face? Is this how he normally is?

    Thenguage aside, he just told me that he didn¡¯t care at all about that rule, right?

    ¡°But¡­¡± I murmured as another wave of shock washed over me.

    For a moment, I had no idea who or what I was dealing with anymore. No matter what, I couldn¡¯t seem to wrap my head around him. Ace continued staring at my face and it made me feel more anxious under his gaze.

    Why did he have to be so attractive? The longshes framing his hazel brown eyes as he stared at me made my heart skip a few beats. I should wrap up this conversation so that I can get my ass out of here.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about breaking that rule so much. No one knows about it apart from you and him, right?¡± Ace asked casually.

    Well, actually, Ace technically knew about it too but perhaps it wasn¡¯t a wise move to remind him of that fact right now.

    ¡°Oh, I guess I do know about it too¡­having been there when it ended¡­¡± Ace said with a merciless chuckle.

    I winced visibly at his words. The funny thing was I wasn¡¯t sure if I winced because he had stepped on my old wound or if I was getting slightly pissed off at this overly handsome and sexy man sitting right opposite me.

    ¡°Right¡­¡± I muttered, not knowing what else to say.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry too much about it. By the way, I have a secret to tell you. I promise that it¡¯ll make you feel better about this whole shitty situation that you¡¯re in,¡± Ace drawled seductively as he leaned towards me from across the table.

    My entire instinct told me that I shouldn¡¯t hear what he was about to tell me; however, the way that he looked at me made it hard for me to look away. Did he have this effect on everyone or was it just me?

    ¡°Don¡¯t scoot over,¡± Ace said as he got up from his seat and approached where I was sitting on the sofa.

    Did he just tell me not to scoot over? Like stay where I am now even when he¡¯s so close?

    While my body froze in ce, Ace sat down next to me on the leather sofa. He was so close that our thighs were basically touching. I tried my best to angle my body away so that my shoulder wouldn¡¯t touch him but that only result in Ace cing an arm around my shoulder. I gasped as he pulled me closer against his body.

    ¡°If you move too far away, how am I supposed to whisper my top secret into your little ear?¡± Ace asked teasingly.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Be His Girlfriend

    No¡­he¡¯s¡­too close¡­

    His arm around my shoulder tightened around me as he pulled my body against his. My eyes widened in shock when I felt the warmth of his breath against my cheek. I didn¡¯t even dare turn my face around to face him, knowing full well how close he was to me right now.

    ¡°You see¡­I¡¯ve broken that golden rule before too¡­¡± he whispered directly into my ear.

    His lips were so close to my ear that I could almost feel them brushing against my ear lobe. My body froze, I waspletely stunned at his words.

    Ace broke that rule too?!

    I scooted away from him, and his arm willingly let me go. After putting enough space between us on the sofa, I turned to face him with my eyes still widened in shock. The way he said those words did not at all imply that he was engaged or is currently engaged in a proper rtionship with simply one employee. Just how many girls has he been fooling around with in thispany since he took over as CEO¡­or even before that?

    ¡°I thought letting you know my little dirty secret would make you feel better. They say that you¡¯ll feel better if you know that you¡¯re not the only one going through something, you know¡­like you feel like you can share the suffering with someone else. Did I get that wrong?¡± Ace said, clearly intrigued.

    I waspletely speechless as I stared at Ace¡¯s slightly curious face. Did he honestly think that telling me that would make me feel better about the fact that I broke the rule? Because he broke it too? What kind of logic was that?

    ¡°No¡­please¡­¡± I said as I shook my head at him.

    I didn¡¯t want him to tell me anymore. I absolutely did not want any more details and I definitely did not need to know who that lucky or unlucky girl or girls was that he was involved with.

    ¡°You look even more panicked and upset than before. I guess what they say isn¡¯t true then¡­¡± Ace said with a ¡®oh that¡¯s too bad¡¯ look on his face.

    After recovering from my shock, my thoughts were on the future of my career. Losing my job wasn¡¯t an option that was on my table. I thought of my mother and how devastated she would be if she learnt that I was fired, worse, if she learnt about the true reason behind it. Then there was that sensitive issue of money and providing for my family. I gulped. The solution to this whole problem was clear and I just needed to stomach it and face it straight on: I need to be this man¡¯s personal secretary.

    ¡°So, what should I do with that Kyle guy?¡± Ace asked as he looked at me with a devilish grin on his face.

    Oh no¡­

    ¡°Please don¡¯t fire him!¡± I cried out so loudly that I was shocked by my own actions.

    ¡°Why not?¡± Ace said with an amused grin on his face.

    ¡°Kyle¡­he¡¯s high dedicated to his job. He works hard and his colleagues love him. He¡¯s very good at what he does¡­honestly!¡± I pleaded desperately.

    I didn¡¯t realize it until those words had escaped my lips in my desperate attempt to persuade Ace from firing Kyle from his job. I gasped before I bit on my lower lip when I realized that I had automatically defended Kyle even after all the cruel things that he did to me.

    ¡°I have to say¡­you¡¯re one peculiar girl¡­¡± Ace said, and I had to agree that he was at least partly right.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.

    ¡°That¡¯s¡­¡± I opened my mouth to try to exin but then closed it again when I realized that I didn¡¯t have much to say for myself.

    ¡°So, what do you want to do about this guy?¡± Ace asked curiously.

    What I wanted to do? Well, honestly¡­

    ¡°I¡¯m going to ask him to tell me the truth to my face and then I¡¯m going to give him a piece of my mind¡­¡± I stated heatedly as my emotions started taking over again.

    ¡°And then?¡± Ace urged with interest.

    ¡°¡­I don¡¯t know. It¡¯s over between us anyways. He broke up with me, you know that. You were there¡­and¡­he¡¯s getting married this weekend,¡± I said before pursing my lips into a thin line.

    Somehow, I found myself telling Ace everything so easily as if he was my trusted confidant. Voicing it out loud didn¡¯t hurt me as much as I thought that it would, in fact, it made me feel slightly better.

    ¡°Do you still love him?¡± Ace asked as his eyes stared deeply into mine.

    He¡¯s so handsome and his eyes feel like they¡¯re hiding so many mysteries.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know¡­¡± I admitted truthfully.

    I would be lying if I said that I hadpletely gotten over Kyle, but it wasn¡¯t like I felt the same before I learnt that he had been lying to me all along either.

    ¡°Don¡¯t waste another tear on a bastard like him, Karina,¡± Ace said, and his tone was serious.

    ¡°I know that but¡­¡± I replied softly¡­but it wasn¡¯t that easy to do, otherwise, I would have just forgotten about him and all the time that we shared already.

    Moving on is something that I had to do and fast.

    ¡°I have the perfect proposal for you,¡± Ace said as his face lit up like a great idea had sudden entered his head.

    ¡°¡­and what would that be?¡± I asked although I tried to pretend that I wasn¡¯t that curious.

    Something told me that he was up to no good and so was his idea¡­

    ¡°Be my girlfriend,¡± Ace said as his hands grabbed my shoulder and turned my upper body to face him directly.

    His hands held my shoulders very firmly and I found myself staring deeply into his eyes as my mouth hung open. Did I hear him right just now?

    He just asked me to be his personal secretary and now he¡¯s asking me to be his girlfriend? What is wrong with this man¡­

    ¡°¡­huh?¡± was all that I managed to say.

    ¡°Why do you look so shocked?¡± Ace asked before his lips curled up into a very charming smile that showed me his perfect and white teeth.

    He¡¯s got a very captivating smile for sure, and his white teeth contrasted so well with his tan skin.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 The Truth About that Night

    ¡°Well¡­you just asked me to be your girlfriend¡­¡± I replied, stillpletely confused.

    I bet my life that he isn¡¯t being serious with any of this. He¡¯s just ying me and I¡¯m letting him y me¡­like a fool once again¡­

    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t you be jumping up and down with joy?¡± Ace asked as if he truly expected me to do exactly that.

    ¡°Umm¡­no?¡± I replied as I red back at him.

    ¡°You¡¯re a funny girl,¡± hements while I already lost count how many times he¡¯s told me that today.

    ¡°What?¡± I said, still in disbelief.

    ¡°Were youte to work yesterday morning?¡± he asked sternly.

    I cocked my head to the side in wonder. Why is he asking me that? Is he trying to get me into trouble¡­doesn¡¯t seem likely¡­

    ¡°No¡­I was on time¡­¡± I replied while wondering why he was asking me this now.

    ¡°I see. So, you managed to make it on time. I had my doubts, seeing that you were sleeping very soundly¡­¡± Ace said as he seemed to recall something from his memories.

    Wait!

    He saw me sleeping. What does that mean? How is that even possible?

    ¡°Excuse me?¡± I said in pure confusion.Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.

    What did he say just now? I must have misheard or misunderstood.

    Ace cocked his head to the side in wonder as if he was mocking me. Then his hazel eyes narrowed at me dangerously. It was like what I said made him slightly angry, but I couldn¡¯t understand why.

    ¡°Do you really don¡¯t remember or are you pretending not to?¡± he asked with a hint of annoyance as his eyes captured mine and held it.

    I found myself staring deeply into his eyes as if captivated by what I saw in them. He¡¯s so handsome and very attractive¡­and¡­

    ¡°I have no idea what you could be referring to¡­¡± I replied honestly.

    ¡°I see. If that¡¯s the case then, I have no choice but to remind you¡­¡± Ace said in a seductive drawl.

    ¡°Remind me? Of what¡­exactly?¡± I mumbled softly as I started to get a bad feeling about all this.

    ¡°Of what happened that night¡­¡± Ace whispered mysteriously.

    ¡°That night¡­?¡± I murmured nkly.

    I was more confused than before and while I was trying to dig up memories of what he could possibly be talking about, Ace had gotten close to me again on the sofa. I could feel his eyes on my face as if he was wishing that I would remember.

    ¡°Do you remember?¡± Ace asked again and his voice was low and so seductive.

    My eyes flew to my hand when I felt the heat of his hand taking mine into his. I watched as if under some spell as he slowly lifted my hand to his lips. My body froze in ce as my breath caught in my throat. Instead of kissing my hand, the wet warmth of his mouth engulfed my ring finger before he started sucking softly on it teasingly.

    ¡°Sir¡­¡± I cried out, but my voice sounded like a sweet purr instead.

    ¡°Call me Ace when we¡¯re alone¡­¡± Ace demanded before my finger disappeared into his warm and wet mouth again.

    Shocked, at both what he was doing and how I was reacting to him, I tried to pull my hand away, but it was no use. His grip around my hand only tightened as he began licking my fingertip with the tip of his wet tongue. His mouth felt so warm and the sensations of his tongue stroking my fingertips felt¡­strangely pleasurable¡­

    ¡°Do you remember¡­what happened that night¡­between us?¡± he asked as his hazel eyes stared at from face.

    ¡°Between us¡­?¡± I said as my mind tried to deny the only possibility that I coulde up with.

    It can¡¯t be¡­can it?

    I slept with a man that I didn¡¯t know, and I didn¡¯t remember. Then I woke up the hotel room, my body a mess¡­

    ¡°Yes, allow me to fill you in about what really happened that night. I¡¯ll make you remember so that you¡¯ll never forget it ever again¡­¡± Ace whispered seductively.

    With one final flick of his tongue along the length of my finger, Ace removed my finger from his mouth. Before I could react, he yanked on my hand hard, pulling my entire body towards him. It all happened so fast and before I could understand what was truly going on, his warm lips were against mine. Ace crushed his lips against mine in a very passionate and demanding kiss.

    My eyes widened in shock as he continued to kiss me. I made protesting sounds against his kiss that sounded more than moans even to my own ears. Then I felt it, the wet and warm sensation of the tip of his tongue probing my lips open. His smell of his perfume overwhelmed my senses as he wrapped his arms around my body and held me against his hard andrge frame.

    Slowly, my eyes drifted close as my lips parted slightly for him. Ace¡¯s tongue plunge into the depth of my mouth with hesitation. I moaned as a sense of bliss filled my mind. Ace¡¯s tongue found mine and started teasing it expertly. His kiss felt so good, and soon, I was responding to his kiss.

    What is wrong with me? Even though, I knew that this was so wrong, I just couldn¡¯t stop myself. His kiss tasted and felt familiar, and my body responded quickly to him like it knew what it was supposed to do.

    Ace grinded his tongue against mine as he savored my taste. I felt my entire body going weak in his arms before I began moaning again into our wet and hot kiss. He sucked on my lips before changing the angle of our kiss to kiss me even deeper than before. My body started to feel hot as his hand began stroking the curve of my back and waist.

    ¡°That night, you were so drunk that I had to take you to a hotel room. You were alone and I had no idea where you lived¡­¡± Ace said after he broke our kiss.

    My mind was in a daze from the pleasure of the kisses that we had just shared. I wasn¡¯t even sure what he was talking about. Ace shot me a slightly disapproving look like a parent scolding their naughty child.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Reliving a Steamy Memory

    ¡°When we entered the room, you wouldn¡¯t let go of me. You begged me to stay and when you thought that I wouldn¡¯t, you started kissing me¡­¡± Ace said before he smirked at me.

    I did¡­that? Really?

    ¡°When I kissed you back, you melted in my arms and begged me to touch you¡­¡± Ace continued as his eyes looked at me with intense desire.

    Was that the way he looked at me that night as well?

    As if to illustrate what happened that night, his hands stroked its way from my waist up to my chest. I held my breath in anticipation until hisrge manly hands cupped my breasts firmly and began groping it.

    ¡°When I massaged your breasts, you cried out as you begged for me to touch you more¡­¡± Ace continued with his story of that night.

    ¡°Ahhh¡­¡± I moaned loudly when his hand began massaging my breasts through my clothes.

    My nipples felt tight, and I knew that they must be as hard as rocks from his caresses. He¡¯s driving me crazy already and all he¡¯s doing is grope me on top of my clothes. I couldn¡¯t even begin to imagine the pleasure from his touch if he were to touch my breasts and my nipples directly.

    ¡°Yes¡­just like that¡­¡± Ace said with satisfaction as he looked down at my face.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.

    Did I really do everything like he said? I couldn¡¯t remember anything, but his touch truly turned me on and the more he touched me, the louder that I moaned, the more I started to believe in his words about that night.

    His fingers expertly unbuttoned the small buttons of my shirt before his hand slipped inside. I moaned his name when his hand reached behind me to unhook my bra. The cups fell away and my breasts spilled out into his awaiting hands. The heat from his hand seeped into my cool skin as hisrge hand cupped my breasts directly.

    I whimpered weakly as my body started writhing from the seductive pleasure of his touch. Ace massaged my breasts a little rougher than before and I moaned like I was going mad from lust. I closed my eyes and bit on my lower lip before another lewd moan escaped from me. His fingers captured my swollen nipples and began tugging on them before his lips captured mine in a wet and deep kiss.

    His tongue probed my mouth invitingly and I parted my lips without hesitation to grant him ess. My tongue danced wildly with his as I moaned passionately into our wet kiss. Ace¡¯s fingertips rolled my nipples between then before squeezing on the sensitive peaks. He was so good at what he was doing, and I was practically melting at his touch. My body craved for more pleasure, and I began thrusting my breasts against his hands as if begging for him to touch me more.

    By the time that Ace broke our fervent kiss, my mind was intoxicated by my need and desire for him. I have never felt like this before. The pleasure that he made me feel was so intense that I felt like I was going to cry from it. Ace looked down at my erotic face as he watched my every reaction to his lewd touches. I panted and moaned his name, and he smiled adoringly down at me as he enjoyed my reactions.

    ¡°I touched you like this, and you cried out from the pleasure. Your breasts and nipples truly are sensitive,¡± Ace said as his fingers pinched my nipples roughly and repeatedly.

    ¡°Ahh! Ahh! Ahhh! Ace¡­¡± I cried out exactly as he had predicted as his fingers worked their magic on my erect nipples.

    Ace pulled my body back against his before burying his face in the side of my neck. He inhaled deeply as if taking in my scent before he sighed in bliss. His lips started kissing the sensitive skin on the side of my neck softly before he started nibbling on it. All the while his hand busily kneaded my breasts, making me cry out from the mix of slight pain and immense pleasure. I looked down to see hisrge hand squeezing my soft womanly flesh as my breasts changed shape in his hands.

    One of his hands slid down from my breasts along the in of my stomach before proceeded down even further to my waist. I sucked in a breath and held it in anticipation of where his hand was headed. His hand moved too slow for my preference but soon I felt his hand on my thigh.

    ¡°You begged for me to touch you¡­everywhere. You were so desperate that you started undressing yourself. You pulled your skirt up like this¡­¡± Ace said with a hint of amusement in his voice.

    His hand stroked my thigh for a moment longer before he started pulling up my skirt. Slowly, inch by inch, he revealed my thighs until my entire lower body was exposed. He pulled my skirt up all the way and pooled it around my waist. I blushed in embarrassment when I felt his eyes on my pussy that was now covered only in thin light pinkcy underwear.

    Hisrge hand cupped my pussy through my panties and my hips bucked, thrusting my pussy upwards into his hand. I cried out when his fingers pressed up against my opening through the thin fabric of my panties.

    ¡°It¡¯spletely soaked through, just like that night¡­¡± Ace said teasingly into my ear as his fingers started pushing and stroking my wet open through my panties.

    ¡°Ahhh¡­Ace¡­¡± I moaned and called out his name as my head thrashed from side to side against his hard and muscr chest.

    I knew that he wasn¡¯t lying to me right now. My core throbbed with desire and my pussy clenched wildly in anticipation of his direct touch. The pleasurable ache in my lower abdomen that had been developing for a while now, told me that my pussy was already wet. The more he stroked me there, the wetter I got. When his skillful fingers found the and twirled the sensitive little seed in between my legs, I cried out at the same time that hot wetness gushed out of my pussy hole.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Lusty Affair in His Office

    ¡°When I touched you here¡­you were so wet. Your pussy dripping with your juices¡­¡± Ace continued with his story of that night.

    By that time, I didn¡¯t care anymore if his words were true or not and I wasn¡¯t interested in knowing more about that night. All I cared about was the pleasure that he was making me feel right now and how I could possibly make him give more to me. My hips moved against his hand invitingly, grinding my pussy against his hand and fingers.

    I wanted nothing more than to have him touch me there directly and soon my wish was fulfilled. Ace pulled the fabric covering my hole to the side before running his fingers along the length of my wet slit. I moaned so loudly as I lifted my hips upwards. Ace began stroking my wet pussy folds and I cried out his name.

    ¡°You¡¯re so wet, maybe even wetter than that night,¡± Ace teased.

    ¡°Don¡¯t tease me¡­anymore¡­¡± I pleaded softly before more lewd moans escaped my lips.

    Ace chuckled next to my ear before his fingers plunged firmly inside my hole, stretching me and then filling me up deep inside.

    ¡°Ahhhh! Ahhhhh!¡± I cried out as Ace continued ramming his fingers inside of my wet hole.

    His fingers are so long and so thick and they were stretching my insides. Ace moved his fingers around inside of me and I felt the pleasure of his touch all along my pussy walls. My legs went weak as he felt inside of me as if searching for my pleasure spot.

    ¡°When I thrust against your sensitive spot here, your pussy clenches so tightly around my fingers¡­¡± Ace said knowingly.

    His fingers thrusted sharply against my sensitive spot, and I screamed. I hoped that no one was here to hear me because I could no longer hold in my voice. Ace was driving me crazy with need and the proof of my lust was pouring out in streams in between my legs, wetting my thighs in the process as he started fingering my pussy fast and hard.

    ¡°Your hips wouldn¡¯t stop moving against my hand. Your pussy clenched around my fingers as you begged me to finger you faster and harder¡­¡± Ace recounted the event from his memories.

    His hand moved roughly against my pussy, shoving his thick and long fingers in and out of my hole. His fingers beat inside of me repeatedly and my hips moved wildly, riding his fingers for more pleasure. My pussy clenched non-stop around his fingers as it tried to suck his fingers in even deeper inside of me.

    ¡°Ahh¡­Ahhh!¡± I moaned loudly.

    ¡°You¡¯re so loud even though you¡¯re in your boss¡¯s office¡­¡± Ace whispered into my ear before his tongue snaked out to lick my earlobe.

    His fingers continued fucking my love hole relentlessly. It didn¡¯t seem like he was going to stop, and I didn¡¯t want him to. However, my body was almost at its limit. His fingers rammed against my pleasure spot driving me closer and closer to the edge. I could feel my orgasm fast approaching. I wanted to cum. I wanted him to make me cum.

    ¡°Oh¡­Ace¡­¡± I moaned and whimpered.

    ¡°About to cum already?¡± Ace asked knowingly.

    I couldn¡¯t speak anymore so I just nodded my head against his chest before I buried my face there in embarrassment. He¡¯s going to make me cum¡­

    ¡°Don¡¯t hide your face. I want to see your face when you cum from my fingers¡­¡± Ace demanded strictly.

    I came crying out his name before my mind wentpletely nk. My orgasm shook my entire body as it writhed from pure pleasure on Ace¡¯sp. He held me and kissed my hair as I tried to deal with the devastating effects of my orgasm. It felt unbelievably good. It made me forget all my troubles and stress just like a potent and addictive drug.

    **Knock Knock Knock**

    Suddenly, someone knocked on the door to Ace¡¯s room. My body froze as I started to panic. I opened my eyes, and I was greeted with the sight of Ace¡¯s office. That¡¯s right, we were in his office, and I let him do all that to me while we were still in his office!

    The realization made me want to die from shame. Ace, on the other hand, seemed rxed as his fingers slowly slid out of my wet pussy hole.

    ¡°What is it?¡± Ace called loudly to whoever was on the other side of the door.

    ¡°Sir, you have a meeting with the CEO of Quantflex in five minutes,¡± the man politely informed.

    Quantflex must be one of thepany¡¯s top clients. They are one of the biggest techpanies dealing with ounting and financial services.

    ¡°I¡¯ll be right there,¡± Ace replied calmly.

    Ace reached out for some tissue from the coffee table before he started leisurely wiping my juices off of his hand and finger.

    I was too embarrassed about what had happened between us for me to say anything. It wasn¡¯t just about today, if Ace wasn¡¯t lying, then I went all the way with him when I was drunk too. I could still recall the marks on my body and the ache in my pussy when I woke up in that hotel room.

    The man I had sex with that night, was Ace¡­

    I still didn¡¯t want to believe it.

    ¡°Sorry, sweetie, but as you just heard, I have a meeting to go to. I would love if you could apany me but, I don¡¯t think that you¡¯re quite ready for that right now¡­¡± Ace said as he stared down at the disarray state that my clothes were in.

    My hand quickly flew to cover my naked breasts while I pulled down my skirt with the other. Aceughed softly at my overly dyed reaction to cover myself before he stood up from the sofa.? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

    ¡°There¡¯s no need to rush, I¡¯ll make sure that you remember everything that happened between us that night. Have a good day at work, Karina. I look forward to hearing some good news from you,¡± Ace said with mocking politeness.

    His hand reached out to ruffle my hair yfully before he walked past me and out of the room. I squeezed my eyes closed tightly as I felt head rush to my cheeks. Aceughed a little before I heard the door opening and then closing after him.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Once in a Lifetime Opportunity

    It came as no surprise to me that I couldn¡¯t go to sleep at all that night and that was because I couldn¡¯t stop thinking about Ace and what he did to me. I had no idea how long I had been standing here under the shower as warm water sshed on my body from above. Although it had been many hours since then, I could still feel his touch on every single part of my body that he had caressed. My eyes closed blissfully before a soft sigh escaped my lips as I recalled both his tender and his rough touches.

    I can¡¯t believe I let him touch me like that. He¡¯s the CEO of thepany that I work for, so it was still hard for me to imagine that we did that and we also did it in his office of all ces. He made me cum so hard¡­it felt too good¡­This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    I covered my face with my hands as embarrassment washed over me in waves and I knew that I was blushing. Although there was clearly no one else there to witness my embarrassed reaction, I felt shy towards myself. If what Ace said was true, then the things that he did to me today didn¡¯t evenpare to what we did together that night at the hotel.

    ¡°Arghhhhhh!¡± I let out a frustrated scream as my hands pulled on my hair.

    Of all the men in this world, why did I have to have a one-night stand with my CEO?!

    After another long while of standing under the warm water, I realized that nothing good woulde of me just wasting my time and standing there. I better get out before my skin starts to shrivel off of my meat and bones.

    ¡®Project Alpha Kick-off¡¯

    That was the message that popped up on the notification on my phone. It was already evening but someone was still busy at work and had sent a meeting appointment in my calendar for a meeting right at the start of tomorrow¡¯s working day.

    ¡®Alpha project¡¯

    What on earth is that? Regardless, it sounded very important. While drying my hair with a towel with one hand, I used my other hand to click and scroll into the content of the meeting invitation. I gasped in shock when my eyesnded on the list of meeting attendees.

    ¡°Oh My God¡­¡± I whispered more in amazement than in shock.

    Ace was the chairperson of the meeting but that wasn¡¯t what I was gawking at. The other meeting participants were the top talents that I have always dreamt of working with. This is Jeremy, the rising star of the creative department. Many of hismercials were nominated for awards and he¡¯s still so young too. He must be around my age or even younger!

    Richard is rumored to be the next head of nning. Another genius in thepany that I have always admired for his spot-on and cost-efficient nning for production and marketing. He¡¯s also rumored to be a mathematical genius. If that was the case, I was sure that he must be the best looking one out there. He was tall and super-hot. It ismon knowledge that many women in thepany have their sights set on him despite the ¡®no dating¡¯ rule. Julianna, the star of the marketing team that works more closely with Ace than the current head of marketing. She was hand-picked by Ace himself and then he somehow snatched her from one of ourpetitorpanies.

    My eyes must have been as wide and round as saucers as I stared at the list. There were other famous people in thepany in the list. This really was the dream teamprising of the top talent just like my manager had told me. She wasn¡¯t lying at all. It had always been a distant dream of mine to work with some of these amazing people so I couldn¡¯t quite believe it that I would get the chance to work with all of them all at once on this project.

    Is this even real?

    I pped my cheek so hard that it stung. Although it was painful, a wide smile formed on my lips when I got the confirmation that this must be reality.

    ¡®If you work as my secretary, I¡¯ll put you on all those projects so that you can learn. You can flourish while you watch and learn with the best of the best,¡¯

    Ace¡¯s convincing words came back to me, and I could hear his voice bouncing around in my mind. I guess he wasn¡¯t lying at all when he said that I would learn from the best of the best. The names of the people on this list were truly the ¡®best of the best¡¯ not just in thispany but probably in the entire industry as well.

    My heart was beating so fast as I clutched my phone tightly in my hand with a mix of nervousness and excitement. This was a rare opportunity that I would probably stumble upon once in a lifetime; however, it didn¡¯t take me long to realize that it was an opportunity that I shouldn¡¯t take. I plopped down weakly on my bed as I stared regretfully at the meeting invitation on my phone screen.

    The timing of everything was just too perfect that it was suspicious. After I supposedly had a one-night stand with Ace, I was invited to join the CEO office where only the most talented are picked out to join. Then I was invited to Ace¡¯s office where he offered me a new role as his personal secretary.

    I rolled onto my back and stared up at the in white ceiling above my head before my brows knitted into a frown. No matter how or no matter who looked at this, it was obvious that I only got this position because I slept with the CEO. If I didn¡¯t have sex with him that night none of these opportunities would have been showered on me and I would be stuck working in my old role, which wasn¡¯t acking opportunity at all. I was proud of my role and what I was doing as well as the colleagues that I worked with.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Sleeping My Way Up

    Even if everyone else doesn¡¯t know that I slept with Ace, the fact that I knew was bad enough for me. I knew that there were people who took these shortcuts in life to climb up the corporatedder but ¡®sleeping my way¡¯ up wasn¡¯t how I wanted to progress in my career. I wanted to get up there with my own merits and achievements. I threw my phone onto the bed before I sighed loudly.

    The reason that I wanted to make it up there wasn¡¯t that I could be up there, but it was because I wanted to have the skills and the opportunity to put my creative ideas out there to touch the hearts of people with my work in various forms of media. Sleeping my way up wouldn¡¯t give me the skills required to achieve my dreams even if I ended up making it up there.

    Plus, without the real skills, how long can I keep fooling geniuses like Jeremy, Richard, Julianna and the other on the team for?

    I closed my eyes and turned onto my stomach before burying my face into my pillow. The answer to that was simple: I can¡¯t fool them when I can¡¯t even fool myself.

    When tomorrowes, I¡¯ll find a chance to tell Ace that I¡¯ve decided to turn down the role of his personal secretary and all that came with it. Come what may. Even if I have to lose my job, I¡¯ll take it that I¡¯m just paying for all the sins that I¡¯ve umted for the past two years of secretly dating Kyle.

    Kyle¡­that rtionship was aplete and utter failure as well¡­

    ¡­

    Unfortunately, I wasn¡¯t able to get a hold of Ace before the meeting in the morning started for Project Alpha. Catching him after the meeting seemed like the only sure way for me to get to meet him so I decided to join the meeting. The meeting was held in one of therge meeting rooms on Ace¡¯s floor on the other side of the floor, away from where his office was.Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.

    When I walked in, everyone was already seated. Although I was five minutes early, the other people were already seated at the meeting table. Ace was nowhere in sight, though. The other people had their eyes on me while no one said anything. Jeremy was the only one who nodded at me in slight acknowledgement that I was present in the room. Despite their slightly cold attitude towards me, none of them look surprised that I was joining.

    ¡°Excuse me¡­¡± I whispered softly as I sat down on an empty seat.

    The atmosphere was full of tension, and it felt very suffocating to me as I nced around at all the superstars seated at the table. I felt like a fangirl stuck in the presence of her favorite celebrities. My chest felt so tight, and I didn¡¯t know how to react at all. The other¡¯s stared at theirptop screen,pletely absorbed in their work.

    The sound of the meeting room door opening broke the silence. Every got up from their seat and started greeting Ace as he strode confidently into the room.

    ¡°Morning, everyone. I apologize for the early morning meeting¡­¡± Ace said before he took his seat at the head of the table.

    Ace nced over at me, and a small smile curved his beautiful lips. He didn¡¯t say anything to me, and the meeting started immediately.

    ¡°We¡¯ve got a new project on our hands. Project Alpha is just a simple code name that I came up with. We¡¯ll stick with that unless anyone has a sexier name because it doesn¡¯t really matter. Jumping in, Julianna will take us through the requirements as this is a project that came in through our marketing team,¡± Ace said as he gestured with his hand for Julianna to take the center stage.

    ¡°Yes, Sir!¡± Julianna said enthusiastically as she stood up from her seat.

    Everyone¡¯s eyes, including mine, were on therge presentation screen as Julianna stood next to it and began walking us through the details of the project.

    ¡°Once again, this year, the Ashford Creativepetition is upon us. As all of you are probably already aware, the Ashford Award is awarded to the best advertisement that will be used to support a non-profit organization of the Ashford Foundation¡¯s choice. Although the non-profit organization that the foundation chooses to support changes every year, the theme of thepetition remains the same. The Ashford Award will be rewarded to themercial that best represents the goal of the foundation and the non-profit organization and attracts the most PR and attention from the general public to support the cause,¡± Julianna exined in her clear voice as she flipped through the slides of her presentation.

    Everyone nodded along with her in understanding. She was right, everyone in the industry and also some out of it, knows about the Ashford Foundation and thepetition that they hold every year. However, probably only those involved in the industry and its clients will know the true meaning behind thepetition and what it really means in the business world.

    ¡°Thispetition isn¡¯t just about supporting a good cause. For advertising and mediapanies like ours, it is thepetition that decides who will dominate the market this year. Every year since the founding of thispany, we have participated in thepetition with the intent to win. It ismon for the winner of thispetition to be referred to as the best advertisingpany. Of course, that also means that clients will flock to us if we win this. After all, our clients are following very closely on the progress and result of thispetition,¡± Julianna went on to exin the true meaning behind thispetition.

    I¡¯ve heard of thispetition before and the fact that Jesses & Hills participates every year. Of course, thepany has managed to win thepetition for most of the years since its founding and that is partly how thepany has cemented its position as the best advertisingpany. I have never been involved in a project of this scale that has the pride of thepany riding on it before. This was just huge¡­

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Project Alpha

    Note: None of thepanies and organizations in this novel are real and does not intend to refer or reference any real existing organizations. This is purely a work of fiction.

    It goes without saying that if we were to lose thispetition, then our market share will probably be eaten up by ourpetitors, especially whoever happens to emerge as the winner. This was the unspoken truth that everyone in the room understood including myself.

    ¡°Now, this is what you¡¯ve all been waiting for. The theme and the non-profit organization that we¡¯re supposed to be creating ourmercial for,¡± Julianna said before she paused for effect.

    When she pressed the clicker button to go to the next slide, people gasped before low murmurs started filling up the room. I had a very simr reaction to the other people in the room. This is just¡­brutal¡­

    I winced and closed my eyes for a moment to collect myself before I gather my strength to look up at the screen again. Julianna had started ying a video clip that showcased dogs in very poorly managed and unhygienic cages before the clip quickly went on to show dogs being butchered with a knife. Then scene that proceeded to show the skinning process and then how the meat was then disyed and sold in wet markets.

    ¡°Dog meat trade¡­¡± I whispered to myself in shock.

    ¡°Just as you¡¯ve probably surmised from the video just now, the theme for this year¡¯spetition is raising awareness to end the dog meat trade globally. The non-profit organization that the foundation has chosen to support is W. R. E, which is the leading organization advocating for animal rights. In recent years, this organization has been focused on leading efforts to end the dog meat trade and the one of the key levers that they have identified as important to the cause is to raise public awareness regarding the issue and that is where wee in,¡± Julianna exined smoothly and wlessly.

    Even her presentation skills were wless, no wonder she is the star from the marketing department. After that Julianna went through the expected output which was amercial that would help raise awareness regarding the issue as well as raise donations to support the cause. Once Julianna returned to her seat after wrapping up her presentation, everyone¡¯s attention turned to Ace to see what he had to say.

    ¡°It¡¯s an interesting theme for sure and it¡¯s going to be a challenging one with public opinion on both sides of the fence and a bunch of people who are just sitting on the fence. Plus, I don¡¯t think that we can achieve anything without interacting with the dogs, so that¡¯s going to be fun for sure. Needless to say, we¡¯re going to have to do everything to win this¡­without fail¡­¡± Ace said determinedly as he stared at his fellow colleagues.

    I gulped at the intensity of his re and the fire of determination that burned within them. He¡¯s so serious, passionate, and motivated about this that it made me start to feel the same way. I felt his energy and his feelings in every cell of my body, and I was certain that the other people seated at the meeting table felt the same way.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.

    ¡°Some tasks have been assigned as disyed on the screen. Just think about how you would approach this and give it your best¡­¡± Ace said very calmly yet encouragingly before the meeting came to an official close.

    Still slightly stunned from the unexpected weight of the project just now, the real purpose of me being here almost slipped my mine. Ace was already making his way out of the door. If I don¡¯t follow him now, I¡¯m going to lose him¡­

    Quickly, I got out of my seat and ran out of the door. I could feel the eyes of the other people on my back, but I didn¡¯t have the time to care much about that right now. I need to catch up to Ace no matter what.

    ¡°Excuse me!¡± I called after him in the hallway.

    Judging from the direction that he was headed; I could guess that he was making his way back to his office on the other side of the floor. At the sound of my voice, Ace halted in his steps before he turned around to face me.

    ¡°Rina¡­¡± Ace said my name softly with a curious look on his face.

    The way my nickname rolled of his tongue sounded so seductive. Wait¡­

    I shook my head slightly to clear my head while Ace continued to look at me curiously. I had so many things that I wanted to talk to him about.

    ¡°We¡¯re in public¡­please don¡¯t call my name like that¡­¡± I mumbled aint.

    ¡°Why not? Other people can call you by your pet name but I can¡¯t?¡± Ace said with a hint of irritation in his voice.

    This isn¡¯t what I needed to talk to him about at all. What am I doing?

    ¡°Umm¡­never mind that for now. I need to talk to you¡­¡± I said before I got sidetracked again.

    ¡°For now¡­huh?¡± Ace said before he chuckled at me.

    Shit. If I don¡¯t concentrate, I¡¯ll get throw off topic again. I didn¡¯te here to talk to him about his usage of my nickname while we are in public.

    ¡°Sir, I really need to talk to you¡­¡± I began again.

    ¡°I get it. Come with me to my office, I don¡¯t like talking in the hallway¡­¡± Ace said curtly.

    Without another word, he turned on his heels and continued walking down the hallway. Why is he walking so fast? My heels cked against the floor as I tried my best to keep up with him.

    ¡­

    Once we were inside his office, Ace gestured for me to take the seat opposite his at his worktable before he locked the door behind us. The clicking sound of the lock made me feel slightly panicked but Ace seemed as calm and collected as ever as he took his seat behind his table and rested his chin on his fist.

    His hazel eyes narrowed slightly as he stared at me from across the table. For a moment, I wondered what he saw when he looked at me.

    ¡°The thing is¡­¡± I began saying.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Turning Him Down

    ¡°Have you decided?¡± Ace asked before I could even finish my sentence.

    I guess I didn¡¯t even need to say it. Ace already knew what I was here to talk about.

    I couldn¡¯t help but wonder which part of his request was referring to? The bing his secretary part of bing his girlfriend part?

    Regardless of which part he was referring to, my answer was the same.

    ¡°I¡¯m very sorry but I can¡¯t ept the role of being your personal secretary nor taking a ce in the CEO¡¯s Office team,¡± I stated firmly.

    ¡°¡­and why is that?¡± Ace asked as he lifted his brows at me in wonder.

    Because I got this opportunity because I slept with you and if I continue being around you then I¡¯ll probably¡­

    I didn¡¯t let myself finish that thought, fully aware that we were in the same room that we got extremely intimate very recently. Honestly, I didn¡¯t even dare let my eyes travel to the sofa where he yed with me until I cried out loudly from the pleasure. My body trembled slightly at the thought before Ipletely shut it away.

    ¡°Well¡­I¡­¡± I said in a small voice before I hesitated to go on.

    How do I tell him that I didn¡¯t want to sleep my way up?

    ¡°What is it?¡± Ace asked, urging me to go on with a hint of impatience in his voice.

    He¡¯s the CEO so he probably doesn¡¯t have all day to spend with me here while I struggled to get my words out.

    ¡°The thing is¡­I¡­¡± I began again but couldn¡¯t quite go on.

    Ace cocked his head to the side as his eyes narrowed dangerously at me. I had a feeling that he would kill me if I failed the third time at spitting it out. The so-called three strike rule or something¡­

    ¡°Well, this might sound very strange but, I can¡¯t ept this position because I don¡¯t want to sleep my way up the corporatedder. I really want this position, but it doesn¡¯t mean anything to me if I didn¡¯t rightfully earn it,¡± I said in one breath before I lost my nerve again.

    After spitting that out, I felt a brief moment of relief. However, that didn¡¯tst long. One look at Ace and I regretted the things that I had just said. It was clear from the way he looked at me that he didn¡¯t like what he had just heard, and he seemed more disappointed than angry. After a few seconds of staring at me, he heaved a loud and long sigh.

    ¡°What makes you think that?¡± he asked calmly as he leaned back in his chair.

    His eyes never left my face and I felt small and extremely intimidated by his unwavering stare. My throat felt so dry, and I wasn¡¯t sure how to answer his question.

    ¡°Well, you offered me this job because we had that one-night stand¡­that night at the hotel¡­right?¡± I asked in return.

    Ace did not immediately deny it but neither did he confirm my doubt. He just stared at me with a look ofplete disbelief on his face before he shook his head from side to side slowly.

    ¡°What a ridiculous thing to say about yourself¡­¡± Ace said, and he clearly sounded extremely disappointed.

    ¡°Excuse me?¡± I asked, confused at what he was getting at.

    ¡°How can you say something like that about yourself? How much do you have to look down on yourself and your self-worth for you to say something like that, Rina?¡± Ace asked before he grinned disapprovingly at me.

    Me? Look down on myself?

    What does he even mean by that? It¡¯s precisely because I don¡¯t want to look down on myself or have anyone else look down on me that I¡¯m refusing his offer. Which part of that doesn¡¯t he understand?

    ¡°I don¡¯t get what you¡¯re saying at all¡­I¡¯m sorry¡­¡± I said while trying to sound polite.

    ¡°Don¡¯t sell yourself short, Karina,¡± Ace said curtly.

    ¡°I¡¯m turning this position down precisely because I don¡¯t want to do that. I don¡¯t people to misunderstand that I got to join the team because I spent the night with you¡­¡± I tried desperately to exin.

    ¡°And who told you that that was the reason why you were chosen to join the team?¡± Ace asked with an amused look on his face.

    The way he was looking at me made me feel like a young child who doesn¡¯t understand the way of the world. I may be younger but I¡¯m not dumb¡­

    ¡°No one did but I heard about the new role after I spent the night with you so¡­¡± I mumbled softly.

    ¡°So, you assumed that I offered you this position simply because I slept with you once?¡± Ace asked as if what I said was the most ridiculous thing on earth.

    Not sure what else to say, I just nodded my head once. Ace stared at me before his lips curved into a smile that soon turned intoughter. I watched in confusion as Ace startedughing louder and louder as if I had just told him the best joke ever.

    ¡°You think¡­excuse me¡­you think that I gave you this important job because I slept with you once? Really? You know, I told you not to look down on yourself, but do you honestly think that your sex was good enough to make me enlist you into thispany¡¯s dream team?¡± Ace asked as he shook his head.

    I stared at Ace nkly as he continued tough some more at me.

    ¡°Such confidence¡­¡± he scoffed at me beforeughing some more.Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.

    ¡°Then¡­you didn¡¯t offer me the role because¡­of that?¡± I asked in a soft whisper.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know what you take me for but, there¡¯s no way I would do something like that¡­¡± Ace said before he turned around in his chair and opened a drawer.

    I watched as he pulled out a folder and began flipping through it as if looking for something. When he found what he was looking for, he turned around to face me once again before cing a piece of paper on the table.

    ¡°What is this?¡± I asked softly.

    ¡°If you don¡¯t believe me, then why don¡¯t you take a look at this¡± Ace replied calmly.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Good Sex Isnéˆ¥æª› Enough

    Ace pushed over the piece of paper across the table my way. I picked the paper up and began reading it.

    ¡°Actually, I¡¯m not supposed to show you this. It¡¯s supposed to be kept confidential, especially from you, but I¡¯ll make an exception this once,¡± Ace exined sternly.

    ¡®I would like to kindly request for your consideration to promote Miss Karina Miller to join the CEO¡¯s office as a representative of the Design Department. Despite having only a few years of experience with the firm, Karina has shown outstanding dedication and talent in her job¡­¡¯

    I felt tears form in my eyes as I continued reading the one-page letter of rmendation that Ace had given to me. Honestly, I had no idea that my manager would do something like this for me. When she told me about the opportunity, she never said anything about the fact that she rmended me.

    ¡°Lauren has a keen eye for talent, and she is a very honest and straightforward colleague of mine. If she wasn¡¯t truly convinced of your talent and capabilities, she would never have rmended you for this role,¡± Ace said sternly after he had surmised that I had finished reading the letter.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t know anything about this¡­¡± I admitted in a whisper while still in shock.

    ¡°I guessed as much. Lauren doesn¡¯t like to take much credit, so she probably told you that I demanded to have you as my secretary or something along those lines. It¡¯s not entirely untrue, though. Although I assigned you to this role based partly on her rmendation, I was the one who made the final decision,¡± Ace exined honestly.

    I was stunned speechless. Never did I think that Lauren would request for Ace to promote me like this. She never mentioned anything to me, and I didn¡¯t think I qualified to join the CEO¡¯s office either. Suddenly, I started feeling extremely guilty for using Ace. It was all a misunderstanding that I arrived to all alone in my own head. I blinked rapidly as I tried to take in deep breaths to calm myself and to prevent my tears from falling.

    ¡°Here is the boring paperwork that I filled out to request for your transfer from Lauren¡¯s department to the CEO¡¯s office. In case you still don¡¯t believe me, you can see the date of the document here,¡± Ace said as he slid over another piece of paper my way.

    It wasn¡¯t like I didn¡¯t believe him at that point. I could feel that Ace probably didn¡¯t have any real reason to lie to me. My eyes fell down to the date on the document that he showed me before my eyes widened in surprise. The date on the document was a few days before the night that I slept with Ace. So that means¡­

    ¡°It¡¯s true that I enjoyed sleeping with you more than enough to make me want to do it again, but I would never choose someone for such an important job simply because I wanted to fuck her,¡± Ace said before he smiled charmingly at me.

    ¡°I¡­¡± I murmured before I realized that I didn¡¯t have anything more to say.

    ¡°That is not how things work at thispany and that is definitely not how I operated. I am extremely disappointed that you did not know that. Not only did you underestimate your own abilities and your worth, you offended Lauren¡¯s judge of talent, and you insulted my leadership and my professionalism,¡± Ace reprimanded me sternly.

    He really was the CEO. I felt so scared of him, but I knew that what he said was spot on true.

    ¡°I¡¯m very sorry, Sir¡­¡± I apologized as I tried to keep myself from crying from the shame.

    ¡°I despise cocky and arrogant people, but you should never be too humble either,¡± Ace said as if he was teaching me an important lesson.

    ¡°I will remember that¡­¡± I mumbled softly in response.

    I stared into the face of the man who was probably the most cocky and arrogant person that I knew. What he said to me felt quite ironicing out of his mouth.

    ¡°The day when you¡¯re as good as me, you can start getting all cocky,¡± Ace said as if he could tell what I was thinking with ease.

    ¡°Yes, Sir¡­¡± I replied.

    ¡°Well, now that that is out of the way. Do you still have any reason to refuse the position?¡± Ace asked with a bright smile on his lips.

    Suddenly, it felt like all that difficult talk between us never happened and I found myself feeling extremely relief about it.

    Well¡­

    ¡°No, Sir¡­¡± I replied in defeat.

    In the end, I couldn¡¯te up with another reason to turn down the opportunity. If I had to bepletely honest, I probably wanted to take this leap of faith and embark on a challenging journey just to see where it would lead me. Hopefully, it would lead me closer to achieving my dream. After suddenly being dumped by Kyle, all my dreams of sharing a loving future with him was shattered into countless pieces. If I didn¡¯t have anything left, then I had to hang on to my dream and my career tightly with both hands even if it meant that I had to deal with this wicked yet charming devil in front of me.

    ¡°Excellent. I look forward to working with you, Karina¡­¡± Ace said with utmost satisfaction.

    That being all said and done, I had somehow epted to work as Ace¡¯s secretary. However, I didn¡¯t have any experience at working a job like this and I didn¡¯t quite understand what the role entailed. I¡¯ve only seen other secretaries do basic tasks to support their boss, but it was clear that Ace seemed to have something at least slightly different in mind.

    ¡°To be honest, I¡¯m not quite sure what I have to do as your secretary¡­¡± I admitted quite shyly.

    ¡°It¡¯s simple. You¡¯ll do everything that I ask you to. You¡¯ll go everywhere that I go. Just stay by my side and learn¡­¡± Ace said like it was supposed to be obvious.Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.

    He doesn¡¯t mean that literally, right?

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Sealed with a Kiss

    ¡°I see¡­¡± I mumbled with a small nod of my head.

    ¡°Any other questions?¡± Ace asked.

    ¡°About project Alpha, what are your expectations of me?¡± I asked.

    I would be a big liar if I said that I didn¡¯t want to work on such an important and challenging project like this one. It was a well-known honor to be staffed on this project and the final of thepetition is live broadcasted on television. It became a tradition for employees of thepany to stay upte at night on that day to watch thepetition live together at the office while cheering ourpany on. If we won, then everyone would drink together to celebrate until sunrise. If we loss, people drank the night away anyways as a way to deal with their disappointment.

    ¡°Help me, Karina. Give it your best shot and do what you¡¯re best at. ording to Lauren, you¡¯re supposed to be talented in design, right? Imagine, think and create¡­¡± Ace said before he smiled brightly at me.

    His smile felt mysterious, charming, and extremely arrogant at the same time. Ace always brimmed with confidence, and he seemed to have everything under control all the time. I began wondering what it would be like to work closely with him. One thing was for sure, if all those geniuses in the meeting room looked up to him and was eager to work for him, then Ace must be the real deal.

    I wasn¡¯t sure what was in store for me in the future, but I knew one thing for certain: I didn¡¯t want to let Lauren down. I wanted to show Ace and the world that the faith that Lauren ced in me wasn¡¯t misced.

    ¡°Thank you for choosing me. I¡¯ll work hard and I¡¯ll try my best not to disappoint you,¡± I said with renewed determination.

    ¡°Excellent. We¡¯ll start right away,¡± Ace said without bothering to hide his excitement.

    Ace jumped out of his seat energetically before rounding the table to stand right at my side. I stood up from my seat when he extended his hand towards me for a professional handshake. Since we¡¯ll be working together from now on, I hoped that we would get along and I look forward to learning so much from him. Slowly, I reached out my hand and ced it in his. His muchrger hand grasped mine firmly as he shook it while his captivating eyes smiled at me along with his beautiful lips.

    A few seconds past, was it just me or was he holding onto my hand a little too long? I tried to pull my hand back while keeping a polite smile stered on my face but that only made Ace gripped my hand tighter. My eyes widened in shock when I realized that he wasn¡¯t willing to let go of my hand.

    ¡°Umm¡­Sir¡­¡± I murmured as I tried to pull my hand back again.

    Instead of letting go, Ace pulled on my hand, and I soon found my body pressed up against his from the force of his pull. Instinctively, I looked up at his face in astonishment. Ace smirked down at me before I felt the heat of his lips crushing down against mine. His arm wrapped around my body before hisrge hand held the back of my head to keep me from escaping from his demanding kiss. His warm and soft lips kissed me seductively and I was overwhelmed by his presence, the heat of his body against mine, and his intoxicating smell.

    His kiss felt so pleasurable and slowly, my eyes drifted closed. Ace probed my lips open with the wet tip of his teasing tongue before he thrusted his tongue deeply into the depth of my mouth. He let out a low groan as our kiss deepened while I moaned softly into our kiss. His tongue sought out mine and engaged it in a fervent dance. I could taste him as he tasted and began devouring my mouth. His arm tightened around my body and pulled me closer, pressing the length of our bodies tightly together.

    He¡¯s so warm. I can feel his body heat seeping into my skin through my clothes. Ace kissed me from another angle, and I found myself moaning even more into our heated kiss. I need to stop this. I need to stop him, but my body and my will felt so weak. My body wouldn¡¯t listen to me as my lips and tongue began kissing him back in abandon.

    This is so wrong¡­

    When Ace finally broke our kiss, I was panting for air from the intensity of our steamy kiss. My mind was a chaotic daze and I had to blink rapidly to clear my mind and return to the reality in front of me. Ace still held me against him as he looked down into my face. The raw desire swimming in his eyes scared me but the excitement that I felt when he held and kissed me scared me even more.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯m not really insulted. You see¡­I¡¯m not that professional on matters not strictly rted to work¡­¡± Ace said with a smallugh.

    His head dipped down again, and I turned my face to the side before he could capture my lips in another wild series of kisses.

    ¡°Wait, Sir!¡± I protested as I tried to push against his hard chest. He¡¯s so muscr¡­

    ¡°Call me Ace when we¡¯re alone¡­¡± Ace whispered in a seductive drawl.

    ¡°Umm¡­¡± I murmured, not sure how I was supposed to react to that.

    ¡°And I¡¯ll call you Rina,¡± Ace readily suggested.

    ¡°Karina is fine¡­¡± I said firmly.

    ¡°Why are you acting so distant? You did tell me to call you Rina before¡­¡± Ace said with a mocking smile.

    ¡°When?¡± I asked in a stunned whisper.This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°¡­that night,¡± Ace said before he smiled mischievously at me.

    I hated the fact that he seemed to remember everything so clearly from that night while I couldn¡¯t remember anything but vague fragments that were so scattered and disconnected. I felt heat rise from my neck up to my cheeks and then all over my face as I blushed madly. Did I really tell him that when we spent the night together?

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 A Demanding Devil

    ¡°What about being my girlfriend? Have you decided on that yet?¡± Ace asked with me still locked in his arms.

    ¡°I am definitely not taking that position!¡± I refused loudly as I pushed hard against his chest in an attempt to free myself.

    Ace looked at me with widened eyes in surprise before his expression quickly turned into a sorrowful sulking one.

    ¡°Why would you turn me down? I really can¡¯t understand a girl like you,¡± Ace said with genuine confusion.

    He¡¯s the CEO and my boss, of course, I would turn him down. There¡¯s also a ¡®no dating¡¯ policy in thispany. Plus, I wasn¡¯t in love with him¡­or anything¡­

    What makes him think that I¡¯ll say yes just like that?

    ¡°You¡¯re my boss¡­¡± I mumbled to remind both him and myself.

    ¡°You¡¯re right about that but I¡¯m absolutely certain that you¡¯ll fall in love with me very soon¡­if you haven¡¯t already¡­¡± Ace said as he stared deeply into my eyes.

    Where does this man get his confidence from?

    I just sighed in defeat. Not wanting to discuss this topic any further, I decided to change the flow of our conversation by asking him a question that had been on my mind for a while.

    ¡°I thought that you already had a secretary¡­¡± I said questioningly.

    My mind quickly recalled the beautiful blonde woman who I had seen walking around thepany very often. The first time that I saw her was when I first joined thepany and was waiting for Ace. I found outter that that gorgeousdy in the red dress was actually his secretary. Did she quit already?

    ¡°Oh, you mean udia? She had to quit recently due to health issues. It really was quite unfortunate. I really enjoyed working with her and we got along very well with each other,¡± Ace exined with some regret in his voice.

    ¡°I see. I hope she gets better soon,¡± I replied.

    So, she quite because of¡­health issues¡­

    ¡°I hope so too,¡± Ace replied casually.

    Seeing that it wasn¡¯t my ce to really ask anymore questions, I decided to drop that topic there.

    ¡°I¡¯ve synced your calendar up with mine so you can see my calendar. What is on my calendar is basically what should be on yours as well because you¡¯re supposed to be with me always,¡± Ace exined professionally.

    I took out my phone and saw that he was right. My work calendar had been synced with his and I could see his schedule. Now, let me see his schedule for today¡­

    My eyes widened at the endless list of meetings that seemed to run on well into the night. Is this what the CEO calendar looks like?

    Oh my¡­

    ¡°Let¡¯s go. There¡¯s a meeting in that room over there in less than five minutes¡­¡± Ace said before he headed straight for our next destination.

    ¡­

    I spent the day following Ace around like a little puppy at his heels. True to his words from before, wherever he went, I followed. Ace had many back-to-back meetings and all of them were grueling, stressful and demanding. At least, that was clearly the case for the other people who attended the meeting with him. As for Ace, he treated every meeting like a walk in the park with a warm and weing breeze. I learnt first-handed how Ace earned the title of the ¡®Devil CEO¡¯.

    ¡°Why?¡± Ace asked from where he was seated at the head of the long meeting table.

    I sat on a chair to the side as I looked on at Ace before my gaze shifted to the thin middle-aged man who was visibly shaking where he stood in front of the presentation screen. This was the third time that Ace had asked the same question to the man. His question was simple, but it demanded so much.

    ¡°The client was unsatisfied with the shooting location, so we had to make somest-minute changes,¡± the man replied softly.

    Ace¡¯s eyes narrowed at the man, and I held my breath because I had a very good guess of what he was about to ask next.

    ¡°Why?¡± Ace asked again with his eyes glued menacingly at the man.Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.

    I winced when Ace spoke that word. Now was the third time that he had asked the same question and it seemed like no matter what the answer was, Ace was going to ask that same question over and over again. I felt so lucky that I wasn¡¯t that man right now. No one should have to go something so mentally stressful as this. The atmosphere in the room was stifling and no dared to speak a word or make a sound.

    ¡°Perhaps the client changed their mind or¡­we didn¡¯t present the right options for them to choose from at the start¡­¡± the man said admittingly.

    There was a pause, and I held my breath while I prayed that this grilling session woulde to an end soon before the poor man peed his pants. He was a senior project lead, and it was clear that his project was struggling badly. After shooting the entiremercial, the client rejected the first demo and demanded for an entire revamp by changing the location which meant that everything had to be redone. Changing the location didn¡¯t just mean re-filming the whole thing, it meant tweaking the design, story boards and everything else. It was an unfortunate and a massive and costly mess.

    ¡°Why?¡± Ace asked, his eyes never leaving the man.

    I bit my lower lip and winced as if in pain along with the other people seated at the table. We all tried to hide our reactions and silenced our depressing sighs. This time the man seemed to run out answers, either that or he figured out that none of his answers would satisfy Ace. I could understand himpletely, if I were in his position¡­I shivered just at the thought of it and didn¡¯t dare to imagine that scenario any further.

    Ace flipped over some papers in the file that was in front of him before dumping it down with hard smack back onto the table. Apparently, he wasn¡¯t pleased with what he had seen on the pages.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Everywhere With Him

    ¡°Send this project over to the CEO¡¯s office. The team will fix it. You see, apart from dealing with key projects we also fix the shitty messes when other teams can¡¯t even deal with their regr projects,¡± Ace spat without hiding his utter disappointment.

    He shook his head like he deserved to see and hear something better than the presentation just now. Without another word, he got up from his seat and the others quickly did the same. Ace walked out of the room without looking back while the others bowed respectfully. With that, the meeting came to a close. Ace didn¡¯t even wait for me, so it was my responsibility to try to keep up with him. When we were outside in the hallway, I kept my distance from him because I was simply scared and extremely intimidated by him.

    The Devil CEO¡­

    After a few meetings that went exactly like that and ended in a very simr fashion, I finally understood why he had that title. I knew that Ace was scary when he got serious, but I never knew that he was this scary. Ace still seemed like he was in a bad mood which wasn¡¯t good news for me because I sort of have to talk to him right now.

    ¡°Umm¡­next up is dinner with a client at the Everly Pavilion hotel. Finally, it¡¯s thest thing on today¡¯s schedule,¡± I told him in a small voice.

    Ace sighed as he stopped walking, and I took that as a sign that he was waiting for me to catch up to his side.

    ¡°Thanks,¡± he said, surprisingly calmly when I stood at his side.

    ¡°Should I get you a drink?¡± I offered.

    ¡°No need,¡± he declined immediately.

    Finally, the day is over for me. I¡¯ll send Ace off to have dinner with the client and then I can head back to my apartment for some much-needed rest. Today had been such a long day and my feet are killing me already. Why did I have to wear these heels today of all days? I bet there are blisters on the back of my heels and I didn¡¯t even walk that much. I walked Ace to the front of the building where his driver was waiting for him along with the usual ck Bentley that he uses.

    ¡°Enjoy dinner,¡± I said politely as I waved to him.

    ¡°What are you doing?¡± Ace asked in a low voice as his eyes narrowed suspiciously at me.

    My body froze at this gaze. Did I do something wrong just now?

    ¡°Umm¡­sending you off to dinner with the client?¡± I responded.

    ¡°I can see that. I¡¯m asking because it doesn¡¯t make sense for you to send me off when you¡¯re supposed to join me for dinner,¡± Ace said pointedly.

    ¡°Me? I have to go to dinner with you as well?¡± I asked, surprised at this sudden turn of events.This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    Ace looked at me like I was dumb and blind before he shook his head and sighed.

    ¡°You will do everything that I say and go wherever I go. Work doesn¡¯t end straight on the clock if you¡¯re my secretary. What kind of secretary goes off to rest while her boss is still working?¡± Aceined before he grabbed my wrist.

    Before I could apologize or make any excuse for myself, Ace had dragged me with him into the back seat of the huge ck Bentley.

    Cleary, as far as Ace was concerned, work was still far from over.

    ¡­

    Luckily, I read up on the client¡¯s profile a little, so I had a pretty decent idea of who we were meeting. The client and hispany were also famous so it wasn¡¯t a surprise that he could book a dinner time with Ace. Jim Langley, current CEO of one of thergest fashion outlets on the continent. Hispany specializes in running outlet for designer products across manyrge outlets in various countries on this continent. Hispany experienced rapid growth as a result of one of the marketing campaigns that ourpany helped him with in the past. Since then, he¡¯s been one of our loyal clients.

    ¡°Ace! So happy that you could make it,¡± Jim said with a beaming smile as he stood up from his seat and shook Ace¡¯s hand firmly.

    ¡°Happy to meet you. It¡¯s been too long,¡± Ace said warmly.

    ¡°And this beautifuldy with you is?¡± Jim asked as his eyes fell on me.

    ¡°This is Karina, she¡¯s my personal secretary,¡± Ace replied as he introduced me.

    ¡°A pleasure to meet you. I¡¯m Karina,¡± I introduced myself politely.

    ¡°I see. Wee. I¡¯m sure Ace can take on more projects now with you helping him out,¡± Jim said followed by augh before he gestured with his hand for us to take a seat.

    Soon a man joined us, and Jim quickly introduced him as the new head of marketing for hispany. The man was probably in histe forties.

    ¡°This is Johnny. He just joined us as head of marketing. I wanted to introduce him to you so that we can work together more in the future. We are thinking of rebranding the look and feel of our outlets very soon, and of course, we would like to work with Jesses and Hill¡¯s on that,¡± Jim said.

    ¡°Sounds like an interesting project. Rebranding is one of the things that we do best. As always, I¡¯ll be happy to help out and I¡¯m always thankful for the trust that you ce in us,¡± Ace said politely but I could tell that he meant every word that he said as well.

    ¡°Excellent. Well, we don¡¯t need to discuss the details now, but Johnny here will definitely be in touch with yourpany soon to work on this,¡± Jim said with a satisfied smile.

    The meeting that followed was more rxed and it seemed more like a catch up between friends rather than a serious business talk. Of course, business was discussed, and some thoughts were suggested by both sides on what the project could mean and the various directions that the project could take.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Driving Me Home

    ¡°At first, I thought the luxurious branding of the outlet worked well but now we¡¯re not so sure. After adding in more trendy brands that cater to the younger adult poption, we fear the current branding might seem too old fashioned for the younger generation,¡± Johnny chimed in with his view.

    The conversation went on as we switched from food to drinking some wine. Of course, I drank very moderately to make sure that I didn¡¯t get anywhere near drunk or even tipsy. Just staring at alcohol nowadays gave me a bad feeling and I couldn¡¯t help but recall the disaster that had just taken ce when I overdrank that one night. It was just that one night, but I ended up sleeping with Ace. No more drinking for tonight!

    I ced my wine ss down firmly and pushed it out of the way. Ace was sitting right next to me and it would be another disaster if I added alcohol into my blood stream. I should never mix the ingredients of disaster together to create another disaster again.

    By the time that the dinner with the client finally came to an end, it was already quitete in the evening. The driver drove us back to the office just as Ace instructed.

    ¡°How are you getting home?¡± Ace asked once we arrived at the office.

    ¡°Oh, I¡¯ll take the train,¡± I replied with a small smile.

    ¡°Thiste?¡± Ace asked as his eyes widened at me.

    I take the train even when it¡¯ste at night all the time. It wasn¡¯t like I had much of a choice because I didn¡¯t have a car and taxis were expensive and may potentially be more dangerous than the train for a woman travelling alone.

    ¡°It¡¯s pretty safe¡­¡± I said before smiling a little at him.

    ¡°I¡¯ll drive you,¡± Ace stated decisively without asking for my preference.

    ¡°There¡¯s no need for you to do that¡­¡± I quickly countered.

    ¡°Come along,¡± Ace said casually as he took my hand in his and held it firmly.

    ¡°Wait¡­Sir¡­¡± I said but Ace didn¡¯t listen.

    ¡°Call me Ace. There¡¯s no one else here,¡± he reminded me as he dragged me along after him.

    ¡°I can go back by myself. There¡¯s no need for you to drive me back,¡± I repeated once again.

    ¡°I want to drive you back,¡± Ace said as if that reason alone should suffice.

    Right¡­

    Not knowing what else to say to change his mind, I just nodded my head once in acknowledgement. The next thing I knew, Ace had dragged me to the parking lot where his car was parked. The parking lot was empty since everyone had left the office already at this time of night. The wind blew and my hair fluttered all around my face.

    It was a little surprising at first when I found out that Ace drove himself instead of having a driver to drive for him all the time both during work and off of work but when I saw his car, Ipletely understood why having a driver wouldn¡¯t work out.

    Ace¡¯s car was one of those fancy and ultra-expensive Ferrari supercars. Thankfully it wasn¡¯t bright red because that wouldn¡¯t suit his image at all. Instead, Ace had opted for a metallic gunmetal color which I thought suited his devilish self perfectly. The devil could substitute his chariot for this Ferrari in the modern day, easy.

    ¡°What¡¯s your address?¡± he asked casually.

    I told him my address and he inputted it in the GPS navigator while I buckled my seatbelt. When he saw that I was done we were on our way. It waste and the traffic was light around the business district where our office was, but I felt that that wasn¡¯t enough reason to justify the high speed at which Ace was speeding.

    ¡°Umm¡­do you always drive this fast?¡± I asked to soften myint.

    ¡°Too fast for you?¡± he asked as he turned to smile devilishly my way.

    My heart skipped a beat, and it wasn¡¯t from the fear of speeding along an empty road.

    ¡°Maybe you should keep your eyes on the road¡­¡± I managed to say to cover up my own embarrassment.

    Despite the high price tag of the car, the car¡¯s interior was small and that made me even more conscious of how close Ace is to me right now. I took in a deep breath and turned to look out the window just so that I could keep my eyes off Ace.

    ¡°How was your first day as my secretary?¡± he asked.

    Although he did not stress on the word, I felt a strange yet pleasant feeling when he called me his secretary. Karina, get a hold of yourself please or you¡¯re going to end up in a bigger mess than the one you got into with Kyle, I warned myself over and over again.

    ¡°I think I¡¯m still not great at the job but I¡¯m starting to understand what I have to do. Hopefully, I¡¯ll be more useful to you soon and I think it¡¯s good that I¡¯m learning and getting to see many new things,¡± I replied humbly.

    ¡°Interesting. I think you¡¯re doing well,¡± Ace replied.

    ¡°Really?¡± I said excitedly, before I could stop myself.? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

    Suddenly, I found myself smiling just at that slightpliment that he offered. Why do I feel like a puppy waiting for my master to pet my head afterpleting a good deed?

    ¡°Yup. I like having you around,¡± Ace replied with a smallugh before he turned to smile charmingly my way.

    The effect that his smile had on my poor heart made me look away instantly before he could see the blush creeping up my cheeks. Unfortunately, the car had to make a stop at a red light and that meant that Ace had a moment of free time from driving.

    ¡°Do you have a fever; your face is all red¡­¡± Ace said with clear concern in his voice as he leaned from his seat over towards me.

    ¡°Umm¡­¡± I murmured in a panic.

    He¡¯s so close and the car is so small that I can¡¯t evade him.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Teasing Words and a Goodnight Kiss

    ¡°I think you might have a fever¡­¡± Ace said.

    I felt my face turning beet red when I felt the gentleness of his palm against my forehead. Ace¡¯s face was directly in front of mine as he stared into my eyes with concern. He ced his other hand on his forehead as if topare our temperature. My heart had started beating much faster than before and the sound of my thundering heart beat felt deafening to my own ears. My heart was beating so fast and loud that I was scared that Ace would hear it.

    ¡°I¡­I¡¯m ok. I don¡¯t feel sick at all¡­¡± I said as I tried to remove his hand from my forehead.

    He¡¯s too close and he¡¯s touching me¡­

    I felt even more blood rush to my face and my head started to feel dizzy. Ace hazel eyes stared closely at my face. When will the light turn green?

    ¡°Let me know if you¡¯re sick. I can drive you to the hospital,¡± Ace said before he retreated back to his seat.

    That was so not good for my poor heart.

    ¡°Ok¡­¡± I murmured in reply.

    Thankfully, we arrived at my apartment building without further incidents. Ace parked his car right in front of the building.

    ¡°Thank you for driving me¡­¡± I thanked him politely.

    I wanted to add that there was no need for him to do this next time, but I knew that he wouldn¡¯t listen to my objections anyways.

    ¡°No problem at all. I¡¯m happy to drive you,¡± he replied with a cheerful smile.

    It was amazing how he seemed to have so much energy after such a long day. Ace didn¡¯t seem tired, and he didn¡¯t seem stressed out at all. Perhaps for him, working like this was normal. I returned his smile before getting out of the car.

    To my surprise, when I got out of the car, Ace also got out with me.

    ¡°I¡¯ll walk you,¡± he offered like it was supposed to be the norm.

    He¡¯s going to walk me to my room?

    ¡°Umm¡­¡± I mumbled as I thought of a polite way to get him back in his car.

    ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± Ace said as he ced hisrge hand at the small of my back and began pushing me forward.

    I found myself being swept up with the flow and once again, I was doing everything that Ace wanted me to do. Confused and without a better idea of what I should do, I ended up walking with Ace all the way to the door of my room.

    ¡°I should go inside now¡­¡± I said softly as if to remind myself that I should quickly retreat to the safety of my own room.

    ¡°Do you live alone?¡± Ace asked casually.

    ¡°Yes¡­¡± I replied honestly.

    Back when Kyle and I were still together, he woulde over sometimes to spend the night, but we never got anywhere close to moving in together. Now that I think of it, Kyle would onlye over after our dates or after work to have sex and sleep over on some nights during the weekdays. It was rare for him toe over during weekends. He cited his family for his reasons, but based on my new discovery, he probably had other reasons as well.

    Ace is going to be so shocked when he sees the state of my apartment. Although I made more money now than when I first started working, I never moved out of the same apartment that Kyle had helped me pick out. The ce was just convenient, and I had gotten used to living there. Plus, thendy was nice and helpful to me. Most importantly, I hated packing and moving the most. It was just too much of a pain. For all of those reasons or valid excuses, I never moved out to get a nicer orrger apartment.

    Wait! What am I thinking¡­it¡¯s not like I¡¯m going to invite him inside and it¡¯s also not like he¡¯s going to force himself in either, right?

    ¡°I know that it¡¯s already quitete but, you should go to sleep as early as you can. The schedule is very packed tomorrow in case you haven¡¯t realized,¡± Ace said with a slight warning before he grinned at me.

    ¡°I guess you¡¯re busy everyday¡­¡± I replied while feeling a little shy.

    ¡°I don¡¯t mind. Work is fun¡­and it¡¯s more fun now that you¡¯re with me,¡± Ace said with a smile before winking at me.

    My eyes widened in amazement when Ace admitted that he enjoyed his work. Just like before I could feel his determination andmitment to his work. I stared at his face in admiration before he stared back at me.

    ¡°Oh¡­¡± I murmured, stunned at his words and his overly attractive face.

    ¡°Goodnight,¡± Ace said before turning to leave.

    Although I was partly relieved that he was finally leaving, a small part of me felt a little depressed and a tightness pulled at my chest. It was a feeling that I couldn¡¯t quite understand.

    ¡°Good¡­¡± I started to say goodnight, but I never got topletely the word.

    I felt the hardness of the door to my room against my back as he backed me into it with hisrge frame, trapping me between him and the door. His lips were on mine as his hand cupped the side of my face. His heated kiss swallowed all the words that I wanted to say as his soft lips began seducing mine. Stunned by the suddenness of his pleasurable attack, my body froze in ce as his lips continued to explore mine.

    The tip of his wet tongue probed my lips, seeking for entry into the depths of my mouth. I found myself moaning softly into his seductive kiss as my lips slowly parted to wee the invasion of his exploring tongue. Ace thrusted his tongue firmly into my mouth as he groaned softly into our kiss. His tongue found mine immediately and began grinding against it.

    His fingers slipped from my cheek down to hold my chin to angle my face where he wanted it as he changed the angle of our kiss to kiss me even deeper than before.This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 If He Got Serious

    His tongue swirled in my mouth as he seemed to explore every nook and cranny. I could taste him and a bit of the wine that we had at dinner. It was such a sweet taste that I couldn¡¯t get enough of.

    My tongue moved against his fervently as I started moaning louder. I kissed him back as I felt the heat of my own desire flooding and clouding my mind. Ace is such a skillful kisser. His kisses felt so satisfying and so blissful. His hand slipped in between us and began caressing the side of my waist before he sucked on my lower lip.

    ¡°Ace¡­¡± I called his name to stop him, but my voice came out in a small breathless whimper as I panted.

    ¡°Don¡¯t say my name like that. You¡¯re such a mean girl¡­¡± Ace said mockingly but he did back away a little to give me some room.

    Is he holding back for my sake?

    ¡°This is a strange condition that you have. When I kiss you and touch you, your face gets redder and hotter¡­¡± Ace said teasingly as he reached a hand towards my face.

    He tranced two fingers along my cheek, and I felt even more heat rush to my face at his touch. My face felt like it was on fire, and I knew that my face was red.

    ¡°Don¡¯t y around with me¡­¡± I whispered as I averted my eyes from his.

    ¡°Hmm? Then you wouldn¡¯t mind if I got serious about you, right?¡± Ace asked but I felt like it wasn¡¯t truly a question.

    What does he even mean by that? Get serious with me¡­

    What would I do if he got serious¡­?

    With that he ced hisrge hand on top of my head and patted it softly a few times as he smiled down at me. He¡¯s so tall and his smile is so captivating. How can someone like him really be interested in me?

    The answer was simple: he probably wasn¡¯t interested, and he was just toying with me at his own convenience.

    ¡°You should head back,¡± I said curtly as I looked away and pressed my back harder against the door to my room.

    ¡°I¡¯ll see you tomorrow at work,¡± Ace said passively.

    Then he was gone. I watched his back as he walked away before I closed my eyes and let out a sigh. Why do I have a feeling that dealing with him would be more difficult than any challenges that I may have to face at work?

    After entering my room, I leaned my back against the closed door as I closed my eyes and concentrated on steadying my breathing and my rapid heart rate.

    I knew that I needed to keep my distance from him but in the end, we still ended up kissing. The heat of his lips on mine, the taste of his tongue inside my mouth, and the warmth of his hand on my body, I could still feel all of those sensations even though he was no longer here. I should have known that of all the transportation options that I had at my disposal; a ride alone with Ace in his car must have been the most dangerous option.

    After calming myself, I sat myself down onto the sofa to rest a little before I took a shower. My eyes scanned the small room of my apartment before focusing on a few items that belonged to Kyle. Since I had been busy and too emotionally devastated since he dumped me, I haven¡¯t gotten around to sorting and dealing with the various things that Kyle left behind in my room.

    Even though, I knew that it would serve him right if I just threw everything out, I couldn¡¯t help but think that he may need some of the things that he left in my room.? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

    Arghhh! Why am I still being so nice to him after all of the cruel things that he did to me?

    He might never contact me again and he might nevere to pick up his things, but it still felt wrong for me to simply throw all his stuff away. I got up from the sofa and wandered around only to find that there were a lot of Kyle¡¯s belongings in my room. Everything from daily essentials to clothes and electronic gadgets. All of them strewn around the room in random ces. Over the two years that we¡¯ve been together, I guess I shouldn¡¯t be too surprised that his stuff in my room had umted.

    With a silent sigh, I took out arge cardboard box and began cing some of Kyle¡¯s things into the box, starting with random things that I could find. It¡¯s going to take time topletely find and stuff all his things into the box but better to start now thanter. I took a marker and wrote his name inrge bold text on the box.

    Picking up each item made me think of Kyle and the associated memory that we had with that item. Even though, I knew that it wasn¡¯t the object¡¯s fault, I began hating each object that I picked up. After cing a couple of things in the box, I was too emotionally exhausted to continued. I bit on my lower lip to keep my tears from spilling over. It hasn¡¯t been that long since we broke up and my wounds were still quite fresh that a little stimtion left it bleeding all over again. I shoved the box in a corner and decided to leave it at this for tonight.

    Tomorrow is going to be a better day, Karina.

    ¡­

    I woke up on Saturday morning feeling very empty inside. The first few days working as Ace secretary passed by smoothly and I had been assigned the task of preparing reports to summarize on the topics rted to the dog meat trade. The purpose was for me to share in next week¡¯s meeting more information about the topic so that the entire team would have a better understanding before proceeding to work on their respective parts. I was so invested in the project that I nned to work the weekend on the research as well.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 In for a Surprise

    That was the main objective but the hidden agenda that I tried to keep suppressed and hidden away in the corner of my mind was because I needed something to keep my mind off the fact that Kyle is supposed to be getting married today. Of course, I wasn¡¯t invited to his wedding, and I had no idea where he was getting married. Not that it mattered, I wouldn¡¯t turn up anyways even if he did invite me. We were not supposed to have a close rtionship at all in the eyes of others who knew us.

    That was the curse of our forbidden and secret rtionship.

    In an attempt to avoid thinking of that any further, I focused on my research as I sat in front of myptop and typed away. Collecting information about what the dog meat trade was and how it worked wasn¡¯t difficult. What was more challenging was looking into the various viewpoints that people had regarding the controversial topic. Of course, people in the west were clearly opposed to it because dogs were considered ¡®a man¡¯s best friend¡¯. The idea of consuming dogs as food was just unthinkable to many people and I had to say that that applied to me also. To me, dogs were pets to be taken care of and loved. Dog wasn¡¯t food for me.

    However, there were still many people who did not share this belief which is probably why the trade still exists to this day in many countries around the world. There are many cultures where dogs are considered as a normal source of meat for consumption simr to pigs, chickens and cows. Simr to how there are chicken and other livestock farms, there are farms that raise dogs for meat. However, the conditions of those farms and some shady activities associated to the sources of the dogs still exists.

    After more reading, I became genuinely interested in the topic and I could see even clearer why many people and foundations are working to put a stop to this meat trade. That doesn¡¯t mean that the line was simple to draw, and the topic was definitely a wild mix of various shades of grey rather than just ck and white.

    So how are we supposed to get people to support ending this trade?

    I paused to stretch my arms above my head before leaning by head back on the headrest of my seat. My eyes stared up nkly at the white ceiling of my room.

    Kyle is probably getting married in some church right now¡­

    I closed my eyes to rest them. Staring at theputer for a few hours was starting to take a toll on my eyes already. When I closed my eyes, my mind automatically conjured up a beautiful and romantic scene of Kyle exchanging marriage vow with a beautiful woman that I have never seen before. They both smiled at each other before leaning in for a kiss. Kyle wore a formal white tuxedo that perfectlyplimented the white dress worn by his happy bride.

    They look so happy and so well-suited to each other¡­

    **ring ring ring**

    Huh?

    My eyes snapped open, and that image was gone when the sound of my phone ringing brought me back quickly to reality. Who could it be?

    Maybe it¡¯s mum. She might be wondering if I¡¯m going back home to see her this weekend. My hand grabbed my phone and connected the line without bothering to check who was the caller. It was probably my mum or some telesale spam because there was on one else now that I have broken up with Kyle.

    ¡°Hello¡­¡± I saidzily.

    ¡°Sorry to call you on a weekend but¡­I sort of need your help right now¡­¡± a man¡¯s voice said in a seductive drawl.

    Ace?!

    My eyes widened in shock as a hand flew to cover my open mouth. I removed my phone from my ear and checked the caller ID. It really is Ace¡­

    He needs help?

    ¡°It¡¯s not a problem. What do you need help with?¡± I asked in a panic, sensing that it was urgent.

    Did something happen to him or something?

    I stood up from my seat in a panic as I gripped my phone tighter in my hand.

    ¡°Where are you right now?¡± Ace asked through the phone.

    ¡°I¡¯m at my ce¡­¡± I replied.

    ¡°That¡¯s great. Perfect timing! Can youe out to your balcony for a bit?¡± Ace asked and I could feel his relief.

    ¡°Sure¡­but¡­why?¡± I asked in slight confusion as I slowly approached the exit to my balcony.

    Do I need to be on the balcony to help him with whatever he needed help with?

    I stepped out onto the balcony of my room while still confused with what Ace really wanted. He seemed troubled and whatever problem he was encountering must be quite serious for him to call me on a Saturday like this. He must have felt guilty for it too because he did apologize first thing in our call.

    ¡°Rina!¡±

    That¡¯ can¡¯t be¡­

    ¡°Ace¡­?¡± I gasped in surprise when I looked down from my balcony towards the front of the building.

    What is Ace doing here?!

    Ace was standing there in front of yet another eye-catching sportscar as he waved a hand at me. He seemed perfectly fine, and he was even smiling so¡­All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.

    ¡°Why are you here?¡± I asked through the phone as I took a step by from the balcony railing.

    ¡°I already told you. I need your help¡­¡± he replied casually.

    ¡°What do you need help with?¡± I asked, suspiciously.

    ¡°Why don¡¯t youe and meet me down here first? Or are you still in your pajamas?¡± Ace asked teasingly.

    No, I wasn¡¯t in my pajamas but that didn¡¯t mean that I was in my office clothes either. I was in a simple t-shirt and jeans because it was a Saturday. Ace wasn¡¯t in his suit either and I guess this might be the first time that I saw him in casual clothes in real life. The loose white shirt that he had on along with his light blue jeansplimented his tan skin quite well.

    ¡°Umm¡­ok¡­¡± I mumbled, too confused that I didn¡¯t quite know what to react.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Sweet for the Heart

    The line clicked dead and that was when reality sank in that Ace was standing right in front of my building and I¡¯m supposed to go see him.

    Oh, my goodness! Where is my lipstick?!

    Before I realized how illogical and crazy my actions were, I was already in front of the mirror in the entry way of my room with a lipstick in my hand. Why did I have to look so pale today of all days?This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    Because I had nned to stay in all day, I didn¡¯t have a trace of make up on and with the many things that had happened over the course of a few days, my skin didn¡¯t retain any of its usual healthy glow. I applied some pink tone lipstick to my lips before reaching for my blush powder.

    I don¡¯t have time for this. Ace is waiting downstairs!

    After checking that I no longer looked like a corpse, I headed out of my room and down to where Ace was waiting. I cursed myself silently at how much I cared about what he thought about appearance. It¡¯s supposed to be normal for me to want to look at least presentable in front of my boss, right?

    ¡°Ace¡­umm¡­sorry for the wait,¡± I said.

    Great, I had gotten used to calling him Ace already. I¡¯m such a well-disciplined littledy.

    ¡°No worries,¡± Ace replied with a rxed smile as he approached me.

    ¡°Umm¡­what can I help you with?¡± I asked with worry as I looked up at his face.

    ¡°Oh that. You see¡­I identally ended up buying too many doughnuts so I thought that you could help me eat some?¡± Ace said as he thrusted arge box of doughnuts my way.

    My eyes nced down at the colorful and veryrge box of doughnuts in his hands. How can someone make a mistake of buying this many?

    ¡°What?¡± I said in disbelief.

    Ace smiled at me innocently like he couldn¡¯t understand why I was looking so confused.

    ¡°I¡¯m on a diet. Sorry that I can¡¯t help you out with this. Have a good weekend,¡± I said before smiling tightly at him.

    Enough with the jokes already. I wasn¡¯t in the best of moods. I had a lot of work to do to prove myself to the superstar colleagues on my new team. Today was a Saturday and Kyle is getting married to the woman of his dreams right now while I¡¯m standing here with barely any make up on because my boss mistakenly bought too many doughnuts and decided to turn up to my ce so that I could help him eat it!!!

    What is wrong with my life right now?!

    I shook my head at the ridiculousness of everything that had happened to me over the past week before I turned on my heels and started heading back into the building.

    ¡°Wait, Rina!¡± Ace called after me.

    ¡°Please¡­just go home¡­¡± I said, sounding tired and depressed.

    Ace seemed surprised at my sudden change in mood but that didn¡¯t make him back down at all.

    ¡°You¡¯re working now, right? I have some work to do on the project too. Want to work on it together?¡± he suggested brightly.

    What are we now? Study buddies?

    ¡°How did you know that I was working?¡± I asked, curiously.

    ¡°It was a guess, but I wouldn¡¯t be surprised if someone as hardworking as you would work the weekends at a project this big,¡± Ace said with a smile.

    ¡°You should go home. I can work just fine by myself, and you shouldn¡¯t have said that you needed help. I was honestly worried¡­¡± I mumbled myints.

    ¡°I wasn¡¯t lying. I really do need your help. If you let me help you with your work, you¡¯ll end up helping me because it¡¯s my project, right?¡± Ace said as he tried to convince me.

    ¡°The work will turn out fine so you can head back,¡± I said, standing my ground.

    My room is small and although it wasn¡¯t in a messy state, I didn¡¯t feel like inviting Ace in no matter what he says. I had made up my mind and my decision was firm¡­or so I thought¡­

    Ace looked down at me with sorrowful expression as his eyes pleaded with me. What kind of trick is this?

    ¡°Ace¡­¡± I whispered his name as he continued to stare at me with those hazel puppy eyes.

    After a while, Ace beganughing softly to himself while I didn¡¯t quite understand what he wasughing about. He did seem really relieved about something, though.

    ¡°You look quite fine now,¡± Ace said before he reached out and stroked my hair.

    ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± I reaffirmed, although I didn¡¯t know what he was talking about.

    Was it because I looked unwell before?

    ¡°This is for you. They say sweet stuff helps¡­¡± Ace said as he thrusted therge box of doughnuts into my hands.

    After shing me one of his super attractive smiles, Ace turned to leave which just left me even more confused than before. Sweet stuff helps with what¡­?

    ¡°Are you leaving now?¡± I asked before I wanted to kick myself for sounding so disappointed.

    ¡°Unless you would like me to stay¡­¡± Ace said teasingly.

    ¡°Umm¡­no. I¡¯ll see you at the office on Monday. Don¡¯t worry about the work, I¡¯ll get it done on time for sure,¡± I replied with some confidence.

    ¡°d to hear that,¡± Ace said before he turned to leave.

    I watched as Ace nimbly got into this sportscar and then drove off. My eyes stared down at therge box of doughnuts in my hand before quickly realizing that I could never finish it off my myself. Since I just got dumped getting back into shape by going on a diet and working out was what I should do. I also had to try to stay healthy, so I don¡¯t get sick. There was so much to be done at work that it would be bad if I had to miss days at work.

    I cocked my head to the side in wonder. Now, what was that all about?

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Harsh Gossip and Moving On

    Maybe it was because of Ace¡¯s unexpected visit to my apartment that made me forget all about Kyle and his wedding that weekend. After Ace left, I ended up chewing on one of the doughnuts that he bought while continuing with my research on the topic of dog meat trade. By the end of the day, I hadpiled a very good list of resources regarding the facts about the trade as well as many angles of the public¡¯s opinion of it.

    Although I wasn¡¯t sure if Ace did that intentionally or not, but his visit did provide enough distraction for me to stop thinking about Kyle and his betrayal. After spending the whole of Sunday submerging myself in my research, I hadpletelye to terms with Kyle moving on and realized that I should be doing the same. Kyle probably didn¡¯t need my well wishes but I decided to wish him the best with his new phase in life with his wife.

    That night I slept deeply and without dreams as I prepared myself for some grueling work on Monday. Kyle had clearly moved on and although I haven¡¯t made any real progress in my love life, I was determined to get a move on with my professional career. I¡¯m going to show everyone what I can do on this project.

    Monday arrived and soon after I stepped into the lobby of the office building, I quickly found that Ace¡¯s unintentional efforts in diverting my attention from Kyle¡¯s wedding didn¡¯t truly work. Despite the many great things that I admired about thispany, there were some cultural things that truly got on my nerves. One of those things was the exceptional talent of many employees of thispany in gossiping about everything especially their colleagues.

    ¡°You know that Kyle from nning got married the past weekend, right?¡±

    ¡°Of course. I stalked all social media channels just to get a glimpse at some photos from his wedding¡­¡±

    ¡°I heard his bride is a real beauty. I bet her family is rich,¡±

    ¡°Kyle¡¯s family is well-off too. They¡¯re probably a match made in heaven,¡±

    ¡°Look at this photo here! I got my friend from the nning department to send it over. He was there at the wedding,¡±

    I never realized until we broke up that Kyle was such a celebrity figure in our office. Perhaps, I did realize it, but I just ignored it while thinking that it was nothing but a burden to our secret rtionship. The more that people paid attention to Kyle and the more that they swarmed around him, the more we had to be careful to keep our rtionship hidden. I sighed and closed my eyes momentarily to calm my muddled mind.

    There¡¯s nothing for you to hide anymore, Karina. Well, perhaps the fact that you had a one-night stand with the Devil CEO¡­

    Just imagine if that were to get out.

    I stepped into the elevator while I prayed that I wouldn¡¯t run into Kyle. One of these days, I¡¯m going to bepletely fine about running into him and facing him; however, that day wasn¡¯t going to be today. I moved deeper inside the elevator as more people came in while trying to make myself as small as possible. Despite my efforts to keep Kyle and his wedding off my mind, I kept on thinking of the reason why he had to lie to me.

    How much of our rtionship was a lie? Was everything simply just a lie?

    All those times when he was kind to me. All those times that he supported me when I was going through a hard time whether in life or at work. Was everything just lies?

    When he held me and told me that he loved me. Was that just a convenient lie that he told just so that he could use me and sleep with me?

    He¡¯s so popr, though. Wouldn¡¯t it be easier for him to grab one-night stand lovers with the other girls?

    Just like always, by the time that the elevator arrived at the CEO¡¯s floor, I was the only one left standing all alone and extremely confused in the elevator. The sound of the elevator¡¯s arrival and the door sliding open snapped me out of my dark thoughts along with a sting of a headache.

    Enough of this, Karina.

    There¡¯s so much work for you to do and you¡¯re going to have to do extremely well to earn and keep your ce on this team of crazy genius A-listers!

    ¡­

    ¡°Start¡­¡± Ace said dispassionately from his seat at the head of the meeting table.

    This is it. I stood in front of therge projector screen with everyone¡¯s eyes on me as I was about to deliver my first ever presentation as a member of the CEO¡¯s office. After wrecking my brain and sacrificing sleep over the weekend, my presentation was ready¡­hopefully.

    ¡°Hello everyone. In my presentation, I will provide some contextual information on the dog meat trade as well as highlight somemon public opinions of the trade. First of all, what exactly is the dog meat trade and how does it work?¡± I began my presentation while trying my best to keep my voice from shaking from my nervousness.

    I haven¡¯t worked for that long but over the years that I¡¯ve been at Jesses and Hill¡¯s, I¡¯ve had the opportunity to present in various business meetings and also in front of clients. However, the tension and pressure of this meeting was on an entirely different level all together and it was just an internal meeting without external stakeholders involved. I didn¡¯t dare think of how stressful this project would be at the pitching stage and when the clients got involved.

    My past experiences and learning saved me, and I was somehow able to push to the end of my presentation while maintaining the attention and focus of my audiences. I thanked Lauren and her training and guidance silently in my head when my presentation came to a close. There was a brief moment of silence as everyone seemed to absorb in the information.? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

    Suddenly, a hand shot up into the air.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Complete Disaster

    Jeremy had his hand in the air and a small smile on his lips. I don¡¯t know why but I felt slightly relieved that it was Jeremy who had his hand up. He seemed kind and still young so perhaps I thought that he would go easy on me.

    ¡°Yes?¡± I said to wee his question.

    ¡°I think your presentation overall isn¡¯t bad but it¡¯s not very useful especially for me on the creative side. I understand the various public opinions as you¡¯ve factually presented it but there seems to be no information on the implications of those opinions or the degree of how strong each belief is which just makes it hard for us to figure out which opinion, we should be catering to in our advertisement¡­¡± Jeremy stated with a slight frown between his brows.

    I¡­

    Frankly, I was shocked by his words. He just told me that my presentation wasn¡¯t really useful to him, and it made me wonder if the other people thought the same. Did I just waste my time on this and also waste everyone¡¯s time?

    ¡°I understand. Let me do more research and add that part in,¡± I quickly said.

    ¡°Thanks. That would be very helpful,¡± Jeremy said before returning his attention to hisptop screen.

    At least, I had to appreciate the fact that he was being honest with his opinion of my work. I should take it as an opportunity for me to learn and improve myself even further.

    ¡°There¡¯s not enough math and statistics in there which is also probably what Jeremy was getting at as well. Not that I expected someone from design to shove in some numbers into their presentation. We¡¯ll deal with that on our side to get a better view of the problem quantitatively. Is that fine with you, Mr. Hill?¡± Richard spoke up emotionlessly.

    Did he just say ¡®someone from design¡¯?

    Sure, at the design department we rarely deal withrge data sets, and we don¡¯t delve intoplicated modelling of numbers to form scenarios but that doesn¡¯t mean that we don¡¯t look at numbers at all. When we try to understand the market or the problem to assist with our design decisions, we do research and look at statistics too.

    I stered a professional smile on my face as I tried to tell myself that it was my fault for not adding in the elements that Richard mentioned and that he probably didn¡¯t mean it as a disrespectful personal attack against me or the design department.

    ¡°Agreed. Anyone else have any questions?¡± Ace asked curtly.

    His hazel eyes felt cold and extremely frightening as he looked around the room before his eyes rested on me. I recalled how he smiled and looked at me when he turned up in front of my apartment building on the weekend with arge box of doughnuts that he had ¡®mistakenly¡¯ bought and I just couldn¡¯t believe that that man was the same one as the one staring at me right now.

    ¡°I have a question. From the various public opinions that you¡¯ve presented about, which one do you think we should consider using for our project?¡± Ace asked as his eyes seemed to pierce me.

    That¡­ is a very good question and one that I didn¡¯t have an answer to. What am I supposed to say to that? The opinions were very different and very split on this very controversial topic. Personally, I didn¡¯t know what I believed, and I wasn¡¯t sure which angle would be more interesting or appealing for the advertisement.

    ¡°I-I¡¯m not¡­so sure¡­¡± I replied softly.

    I could feel everyone¡¯s eyes on me as they looked at me with a mix of surprise and then disappointment. Ace on the other hand showed no emotions at all as he continued to stare at me. His attitude felt so cold.

    ¡°You haven¡¯t thought about it, or do you normally don¡¯t think when you work?¡± Ace asked monotonously.

    My mouth dropped open in shock at his words as my body froze in ce. I bit on my lower lip hard as my frustration and embarrassment started taking over. What did he just say? Did he just use me of not using my brain?

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Sir. I will think about it,¡± I managed to say after recovering from my shock.

    ¡°Next¡­¡± Ace said with a dismissal wave of his hand.

    Richard got up from his seat to present his part of the project. With a cold re from Richard, I returned to my seat at the table. The rest of the meeting felt like a blur to me as I sat there while feelingpletely out of ce.

    ¡­

    ¡°Sir, you have a meeting with the head of the nning and the head of the ounting department now,¡± I informed Ace softly after the meeting had ended.

    The meeting for project Alpha turned out to be a disaster for me. I would be lying if I said that I didn¡¯t feel defeated and very lost inside as I stered on a professional smile to inform Ace of his next meeting for the day. On top of trying to y a role in project Alpha, I also needed to work at Ace¡¯s personal secretary.? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

    Ace stopped in the hallway before he turned to face me. He stilled looked as stern and serious as he did during the meeting, and it made me feel uneasy to be alone with him.

    ¡°You don¡¯t have to follow me around today. Please concentrate on improving the quality of your work based on the feedback that you received from the meeting. Come to my office at the end of the day and I¡¯ll help to review your progress,¡± Ace said tly before he turned and walked away.

    ¡°Yes, Sir¡­¡± I whispered after him although he probably didn¡¯t hear me.

    I headed to my work desk in the CEO¡¯s office where the other team members were already hard at work. No one paid me any attention and I thought that that was for the best. Everyone paid attention to their work and was undoubtedly producing some amazing results. I sat down in my chair at my desk before pulling up my presentation deck on myptop screen.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 The CEOéˆ¥æªš Favorite

    ¡°I don¡¯t particrly care if the CEO favors her or not as long as she can do her job properly!¡± Richard¡¯s loud voice sounded in the office.

    ¡°Shhhh¡­don¡¯t be so loud. She¡¯s going to hear you,¡± another member of the team hissed.

    ¡°What? I¡¯m saying thing as it is. What is the problem? I don¡¯t care about any rumors. If her work is good enough to meet the team¡¯s standards then it doesn¡¯t matter what kind of rtionship she has with the boss,¡± Richard said as loudly as before.

    ¡°Rumors are just rumors. Now stop it, both of you!¡± Julianna snapped loudly.

    There are rumors¡­

    The three of them turned to look awkwardly around the room before their eyes rested on me. Then as if they had seen a ghost, they quickly looked away before pretending that nothing ever happened.

    I see, so they were talking about me. Who else could it be? I¡¯m probably the only one whose work doesn¡¯t yet meet the standard of this A-list Team. Although what they said was technically true, it still hurt me to hear it said like that. The implication that they thought that I got to join this team because the CEO ¡®favors¡¯ me was also clear. I didn¡¯t have to ask for more details on what they meant by the CEO¡¯s ¡®favor¡¯.This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    My fingers continued typing at the keyboard, but my mind was far from focused on the work in front of me. I knew that a day like this woulde; however, I never thought that it woulde so soon. Anticipating this, I even told Ace before that I didn¡¯t want to take this role because I didn¡¯t want to sleep my way up. I don¡¯t think Ace has ever shown any action that would make people think that he favors me apart from appointing me to be his secretary. It¡¯s normal for the CEO and senior managers to have a secretary so I didn¡¯t see anything wrong with that.

    I can¡¯t concentrate and I¡¯m supposed to fix this before the end of the day so that I would have something that was at least passable to show Ace. I licked my dry lips as the tension in the room started to get to me. The sound of the other people typing on their keyboard, the sounds of people talking to each other in hushed whispers, the sound of someone stirring tea in their cup with a small metal spoon. Everything felt so loud, and it was driving me crazy.

    Suddenly, I shot up from my seat and people turned to look my way at the loud sound that I had made. It was probably my own imagination, but I had never felt this alienated before.

    ¡°Excuse me¡­¡± I whispered before quickly walking out of the room.

    ¡°I told you to keep it down¡­¡± someone hissed behind my back.

    ¡°It¡¯s not my fault. If she can¡¯t take it, she can just leave¡­¡± someone else replied. I thought that it must have been Richard.

    ¡°We already have someone to do design anyways¡­¡± a woman spoke up without a care.

    ¡°Dating between employees is strictly forbidden¡­¡± another voice stated while sounding very bored.

    ¡°Stop it. The CEO isn¡¯t dating her. Why would he date her of all people?¡± another woman snapped, clearly annoyed.

    I made my way away from the door before I would pick up more of what they were saying about me. If that was their idea of whispering, then I had to say that we had very different understanding of the meaning of the word.

    Thinking that drinking something sweet could help with my depressed feelings, I headed for the vending machine. After buying a can of drink, I stood in front of the machine in a daze. I had no idea how long I stood there for. It was like everything had gone nk and I felt very empty inside. The sound of people talking made me realize that someone wasing this way and that meant that this resting area wouldn¡¯t be so private anymore. With a resigned sigh, I left the break area and headed where I thought that I could be alone.

    This ce didn¡¯t hold any dear memories for me at all but regardless of that I had somehow ended up here. I looked at the view of the city from high up on the roof top opening of the building. Thest time I was here, I walked up those stairs thinking that I had a loving boyfriend, a perfect rtionship, and the prospect of getting married in the near future. A short whileter, I walked down the same flight of stairs as a single and heart broken woman with her entire career at risk.

    I tipped the can back and felt the sweetness of the drink fill my mouth. It was windy and my hair pped wildly around my face. Surprisingly, this ce helped me to calm down and I could be alone. The view was amazing too. I closed my eyes for a moment as I took in deep breaths.

    ¡°Enjoying yourself?¡±

    I jumped and almost screamed in shock at the sound of someone speaking very close to me.

    ¡°Why are you here?¡±

    My eyes widened when I turned to see Ace just standing there casually. He looked at me and began stretching as I stared back at him in pure shock.

    When did he get here? Why is he here?

    ¡°Ace? Why are you here?¡± I asked in surprise.

    Ace looked like he had just woken up. Oh¡­please don¡¯t tell me¡­

    ¡°Wait¡­¡± I said as I tried to wrap my head around what was going on.

    He¡¯s not supposed to be here. I know that he¡¯s not supposed to be here.

    I took out my phone and opened Ace¡¯s calendar that was synced to my phone. If I¡¯m not wrong, which I didn¡¯t think that I was, Ace is supposed to be in a meeting right now. So, why is he here?

    ¡°You¡¯re supposed to be in a meeting right now!¡± I eximed in shock as I pointed to the meeting slot on my phone screen and showed it to him.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Sweet Punishment

    Ace didn¡¯t even take a nce at it, and it was as if he already knew what I was talking about.

    ¡°You¡¯re skipping out on the meeting? Why? You¡¯re fifteen minuteste but¡­please go now. It¡¯s better than not turning up at all!¡± I urged him loudly as I reached out for his arm and began pulling on it.

    ¡°I¡¯m not going. Don¡¯t you have work to do? Leave me alone¡­¡± Ace said gruffly.

    ¡°What were you doing here?¡± I asked to confirm my suspicion.

    ¡°I was taking a nap¡­¡± Ace confessed without any sign of guilt.

    The Devil CEO was skipping out on his meetings and napping here?!

    What am I dealing with¡­?

    ¡°You can¡¯t just take a nap here!¡± I snapped.

    Why is he taking a nap here of all ces?

    Come to think of it, when I met him here on the day that Kyle broke up with me, Ace was also taking a nap here¡­

    ¡°Nevermind me. Why are you here? I¡¯m sure that you have work to do, or did you manage to finish that presentation already?¡± Ace asked as he arched a brow at me.

    ¡°Well¡­¡± I murmured while trying to avoid his inquisitive gaze.

    Ace gave me a look that told me that he knew that something was wrong. I bit my lower lip as I feared that he would ask me about it.

    ¡°Do you remember what I told you thest time that you came here?¡± Ace asked as his eyes narrowed slightly at me.

    What he said¡­

    ¡®Don¡¯te up here ever again. This is my space. If you do, you might have to pay with something more than a kiss next time,¡¯

    Oh no¡­why didn¡¯t I remember his warning until just now.

    ¡°Wait!¡± I cried out but it was toote.

    I gasped when I felt Ace¡¯s grip on my wrist before he pulled me against him. His hazel eyes looked down at me with unmistakable desire. I¡¯ve seen that look in his eyes before when he touched and kissed me in his office. The mes of desire burning in the depth of his eyes was unmistakable.

    ¡°Ace¡­¡± I whimpered his name.

    His arm snaked around my waist, pulling me even closer to him. As if that was even possible, my body was already pressed up tightly against his and I could feel his body heat on mine. I knew that I should apologize for invading his space, but my lips wouldn¡¯t move, and I couldn¡¯t make a sound.

    ¡°Should I show you my nap room?¡± Ace proposed cheerfully.

    ¡°Ahh! Ace¡­¡± I let out a yelp when he suddenly lifted me up into his arms with ease.

    I wasn¡¯t that light but the way he carried me made me feel like I was weightless. After recovering from the shock of him suddenly lifting me up into his arms, it struck me that he mentioned something about his ¡®nap room¡¯? What was that?All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.

    My body tensed in his arms when I thought that I wasn¡¯t sure if I wanted to find out. Ace strode with firm steps leading us away from the railing of the rooftop.

    ¡°There¡¯s a room here?¡± I said in surprise.

    To the side of the rooftop was a wall and after rounding the corner of that wall there was a door. I never knew that there was a room here but then again, this was my second time up here on the rooftop. Apparently, this was Ace¡¯s favorite spot and he seemed toe here often for his naps.

    ¡°When I don¡¯t want to work, Ie and hide here,¡± Ace confessed without any guilt.

    I looked up at his face in surprise. Frankly, I was shocked. What he was telling me and what I was seeing absolutely did not match with his image of being the Devil CEO at all. What kind of CEO hides away from his work here?

    Ace opened the door and carried me into the room before closing and locking the door behind us. The room was small, and I figured that it must have been designed to be a storage room. Based on what I saw inside the room, it was clear that the room had been transformed from a storage room into Ace¡¯s nap room for real. There was a small table and a chair in the room along with a long sofa with a pillow on it.

    Aceid me down on the sofa and I was suddenly enveloped by his smell. I took in a deep breath and the smell of Ace¡¯s perfume filled my senses. Ace definitely took his nap here on his sofa because it smelled so much of him. I had no idea why I was thinking of that rather than focusing on the fact that Ace had gotten on top of me.

    ¡°Ace¡­¡± I whispered his name as I felt his body weight on me.

    Ace looked down at me like he was eying his pray from above as he straddled my hips. He¡¯s going to eat me¡­

    ¡°You¡¯ve gotten quite good at calling my name,¡± Aceplimented me with a satisfied grin.

    I let out a cry when he leaned down and buried his face in the side of my neck. His warm breath tickled the sensitive skin on the side of my neck before he kissed me there. His lips trailed soft kisses along my tender skin while I moaned and arched my neck to the side.

    I knew that we shouldn¡¯t be doing this, but his seductive kisses felt so good. His kisses became bolder before his lips started sucking on my neck. The sound of him sucking my neck filled the room along with my soft moans and whimpers of pleasure. When I tried to struggle, he captured my wrists in hisrge hand and pinned them above my head with ease.

    ¡°Stay still¡­I¡¯ll take you on a trip to heaven¡­¡± Ace whispered as his light brown eyes captured mine.

    His lips returned to the side of my neck and this time he licked me there. The hot wetness of his tongue sliding up and down the length of my neck made my body tremble and shiver all over. He groaned softly right into my ear and the sound of his lust turned me on even more.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Drowning in Desire

    I moaned when he slipped his tongue into my ear and began licking it. Lewd wet sounds echoed loudly in my ear while his hand started roving along my body.This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Ahhhh¡­¡± I moaned even louder at the sensation of hisrge manly hand on my breasts.

    Ace groped my breasts and massaged them over my clothes as he continued to lick and suck on my earlobe. I quickly felt my legs going weak at his passionate attack. By that time, I had lost myself in my own desires and had forgot all about struggling against him. It was amazing how he could seduce me so easily like this and I found myself giving in to him without any restraints.

    Ace sat up and looked down at me as I struggled to catch my breath. His hands were on the button at the front of my white shirt as he began unbuttoning them without any rush at all. His eyes watched me before he smiled at me. His smile looked so sexy, and I felt myself drawn to his smile. Ace bent down above me before he fitted his lips to mine. His lips crushed down quite roughly on mine before his tongue probed my lips opened. I moaned into his mouth after he thrusted his tongue firmly deep into my mouth.

    His taste filled my mouth as his tongue grinded hungrily against mine. I closed my eyes in bliss as I began kissing him back with urgency. His hands caressed my breasts before I felt him peeling my shirt away from my chest. Ace broke our kiss so that he could stare down at my breasts as his hands peeled away the cups of my bra.

    He took in a sharp breath at the sight of my naked breasts, and I knew that he liked what he was seeing. Ace caressed my breasts yfully with his fingers before hisrge palms cupped them. I cried out when his manly hands squeezed my breasts a little roughly. It felt so good, I nced down to watch his hands on my soft womanly flesh. The stimtion of his hands made my nipple stand up and harden.

    My breathing came in short bursts as I panted from the heat that was quickly building up inside of me. My lower abdomen throbbed with heat as desire swirled in my tummy.

    Ace captured the peaks of my breasts in between his fingertips. I cried out when he began rolling my nipples in between his fingertips. Then he tugged on them roughly, making me scream at the intense pleasure coursing through my body from the tips of my erect nipple.

    ¡°Your breasts are so beautiful, Rina. They¡¯re so soft but your nipples are so hard¡­¡± Ace whispered lustily with his eyes on my breasts as his hands continued to toy with my hardened nipples.

    As if he could tell from my reaction that I was enjoying his attention, his fingers pinched my nipples faster and harder while I cried out in ecstasy and shook my head from side to side.

    ¡°Ace! Ahhh¡­Ahhh¡­¡± I cried out his name before all I could do was moan.

    My body felt like it was in heat and the burning ache in my lower abdomen quickly melted as hot wetness that seeped out from the wet slit in between my thighs. My pussy throbbed with a need that I knew that only Ace could fulfil. The pleasure that he gave me further intensified when he dipped his head down towards my chest. I felt a hot and wet sensation engulf my nipple and realized that Ace had begun sucking and teasing on my nipple with his skillful mouth and tongue.

    ¡°It tastes good too¡­¡± Ace said before my nipple disappeared into his mouth again.

    The tip of his tonguepped at my hardened peak while my body squirmed beneath him. Lust and desire clouded my brain as I whimpered his name repeatedly as if I was begging him for more pleasure. I wanted to feel him touch me more. I felt another rush of hot wetness gush out from between my legs as my pussy clenched and quivered with desperate need.

    Ace finally let go out my nipple. His eyes locked with mine as his hands slowly travelled down my body. His hands tugged up my skirt to reveal my thighs as he bit his lower lip in such a sexy way that swayed my heart.

    ¡°Lift your hips¡­that¡¯s it. Spread your legs for me, Rina,¡± Ace urged in a voice so warm and gentle that it made me feel like I was under his spell.

    After pulling up my skirt to expose my lower body to him, Ace¡¯s hands began caressing my thighs. His touch felt amazing on my bare skin. My body trembled in anticipation as his hands caressed their way up my inner thighs.

    ¡°Ace¡­¡± I whimpered his name.

    My voice sounded full of yearning as if I couldn¡¯t wait for him to have his way with me. I moaned softly when his hands finally cupped the mold of my pussy through my panties. Heat rushed to my face when I realized that I must have soaked my panties all the way with my love juices. I was so turned on at that point that my pussy was flooded with my love honey, and I was certain that Ace could feel the wet heat of my desire against the palm of his hand as well.

    ¡°You get wet very fast¡­¡± Ace said with a smallugh after he took in a sharp breath.

    His hand pressed up against my wet opening through the thin fabric of my panties and I cried out. My hips began thrusting upwards against his hand, as I offered him my pussy. I wanted him to touch me there so badly that I wanted to cry out for him to quickly touch me. My body clearly remembered the pleasure of his touch when he made me cum so hard in his office.

    Ace hooked a finger under the waistband of my panties before slowly pulling the unnecessary garment down my legs. His eyes locked with mine and I found myself staring back at him as I bit my lower lip and moaned seductively. It wasn¡¯t long before my panties werepletely removed from my legs and Ace¡¯s hands were parting my thighs firmly wide open.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 A Glimpse of Heaven

    ¡°Ahh¡­¡± I moaned as I felt my pussy opening being stretched open.

    Ace bent my legs and spread them widely apart. Unlike when we were in his office, he could see everything in this position as he sat in between my legs. Suddenly, a huge wave of embarrassment overcame me, and I couldn¡¯t take it anymore.? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

    ¡°Please don¡¯t look!¡± I cried out at the same time that I reached my hands down to cover my pussy to shield it from his intense gaze.

    ¡°Why? Your pussy is so attractive. Let me see it, Rina¡­¡± Ace coaxed as his hand gently started peeling my hand away from my love opening.

    ¡°No¡­please. It¡¯s so¡­embarrassing¡­¡± I pleaded in a small voice.

    ¡°There¡¯s nothing to be embarrassed about. I know, what about I show you my cock. Will that make you feel less embarrassed?¡± Ace suggested with a yful smile.

    His cock?

    I blushed a deeper shade of red as my face became unbearably hot. Now that he had said it, I couldn¡¯t stop myself from picturing his cock and how massive it must be. This is not good, now I¡¯m yearning for his cock more than anything.

    ¡°No¡­please¡­¡± I pleaded again.

    ¡°You don¡¯t want to see it? I¡¯m always told that my size is very impressive by thedies¡­¡± Ace said with a smallugh.

    I knew that he was teasing me, and he seemed to be enjoying himself so much at my expense. His hand pulled my hands away from my pussy and soon my hands were reced by his. A lustful moan of pleasure escaped my lips as I threw my head back and enjoyed the sensation of his fingers running up and down the length of my flooded slit.

    ¡°You¡¯re flooded down here, Rina,¡± Ace teased as he stroked his fingers along my pussy folds faster.

    The way he said my name turned me on so much more than he would ever know. My pussy clenched greedily as he continued to stroke me there. When his fingers brushed slightly against my ultra-sensitive little nub, I cried out like I was possessed. Ace applied more pleasure as his fingertips swirled around my clit faster and faster while I moaned louder than before.

    ¡°You taste so sweet¡­¡± Ace said.

    I watched as Ace seductively licked my juices from his fingers before his fingers disappeared into his mouth. He sucked on his fingers as he stared deeply into my eyes. I couldn¡¯t believe what I was seeing. Ace is¡­eating my juices¡­

    ¡°I need more,¡± Ace groaned.

    He gripped my thighs with his hand and parted them further apart before he buried his face in between my legs. I screamed when I felt his tongue on my clit. He flicked my sensitive nub with the tip of his tongue and I gripped his hair tightly in my hands as ecstasy flooded my body in endless waves. Just when I thought that things couldn¡¯t heat up anymore than this, I felt a sudden piercing sensation in my love tunnel.

    ¡°Ace! Ahhh! Ahhhh!¡± I screamed as my hips bucked upwards.

    Ace had thrusted his fingers into my hole while his tongue continued to pleasure my swollen clit. I pulled on his hair as a way for me to deal with the lust and pleasure that he was making me feel. His thick and long fingers stretched and filled my hole before he began moving them in and out of my hole. The powerful thrusts of his fingers deep inside of my hole felt so good and it made feel like I was about to lose my mind.

    ¡°Please¡­Ace¡­¡± I pleaded in a choked-up voice.

    I wasn¡¯t sure if I was begging for him to stop or for him to finger me faster. The double pleasure from him sucking on my clit and fingering my hole was almost too much for me to handle. I¡¯m going to cum. He¡¯s going to make me cum very very soon. I closed my eyes as my body writhed, thrusting my hips up and down towards his hand and face.

    Loud wet lewd sounds echoed in the room along with my cries of pleasure as his fingers delved in and out of my wet hole. My insides got stirred up by his fingers fast and hard as he screwed his fingers faster and harder into me. When his fingers curled up and felt along the upper walls of my pussy, I knew that he would soon find my pleasure spot.

    I cried out his name loudly when his fingers began thrusting against my G-spot. Ace sucked on my clit harder, and I felt my entire body unravelling at his lewd stimtions. My pussy got wetter as my pussy walls clenched tightly around his fingers.

    ¡°I¡¯m¡­going to¡­¡± I whimpered as I felt my orgasm fast approaching.

    After a few hard and rough strokes of his fingers inside of my love hole, I climax spectacrly. I cried out Ace¡¯s name as my body spasmed uncontrobly from the pure bliss of my orgasm. I¡¯ve never felt this good before and we haven¡¯t even gone all the way yet. While Iy there trying to catch my breath, Ace slowly slid his fingers out of me and then I felt his weight close to me.

    Slowly, I opened my eyes to see his hazel brown eyes watching me closely as he leaned his head in his hand. He watched me with a smug smile on his face and I started to blush from embarrassment. My throat had already started to hurt, a great reminder of how loud he made me scream in my ecstasy.

    ¡°Did you catch a glimpse of heaven?¡± Ace asked mockingly as he whispered in my ear.

    I felt my face burn hotter at his words, but I did end up nodding my head a little in response to his question.

    ¡­

    ¡°Grab your things ande to my office, I¡¯ll help you out with your work¡­¡± Ace said as he shrugged on his suit.

    My eyes widened in surprise. Ace is going to help me?

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Tender Kisses and Confused Emotions

    I could barely sit up on the long sofa, but Ace was already on his feet. My hands quickly moved to put back on my scattered pieces of clothing. Starting off with pulling my bra down to cover my breasts and buttoning my shirt. Then I reached for my panties and began pulling it on.

    ¡°Thank you¡­¡± I thanked him softly.

    Ace was already heading for the door, but he did stop in his tracks at my words.

    ¡°I don¡¯t work for free,¡± Ace said before he turned back and winked at me.

    While I followed Ace back to his office, I wondered how he could find the time to help me out with my work. Isn¡¯t he supposed to have back-to-back meetings in the afternoon as well?

    I pulled out my phone and checked his calendar and wasn¡¯t surprised that he had so many meetings lined up. Don¡¯t tell me that he¡¯s nning to skip out on all of these meetings just to help me out with my work. This is going to be a big disaster and a huge inconvenience for so many people.

    ¡°Ace, I think you should go to your meetings as nned,¡± I quickly suggested before I lost my nerve.

    ¡°Why?¡± Ace asked like he had no clue what I was talking about.

    ¡°You can¡¯t skip out on so many meetings. There are people waiting for you. They need your help and your guidance, so you need to turn up,¡± I exined as I tried to keep up with his long strides.

    Suddenly, Ace¡¯s phone started vibrating. He looked at his phone screen before clicking his tongue in clear annoyance. Despite his attitude, he still decided to answer the call.

    ¡°Yes, it¡¯s me¡­No, I won¡¯t be attending today. I¡¯m sick¡­¡± Ace said before coughing the fakest cough I had ever heard in my life.

    After that he just hung up casually before he turned and offered me his hand. I stared back at him with my mouth hanging open.

    ¡°W-Why did you do that?¡± I asked in shock.

    ¡°Do what?¡± he asked,pletely guiltless.

    ¡°Lie and tell them that you¡¯re sick¡­¡± I replied, still stunned.

    ¡°I wasn¡¯t lying. I¡¯m sick, you just have no idea¡­¡± he replied before waving for me to follow him.

    He¡¯s not sick. He¡¯s so healthy that it¡¯s starting to bother me.

    Time flew by so fast when I was working with Ace. Before I knew it, it was already dark outside when I looked out the window of his office. Because his office was high up in the building, the view that I could see of the outside world looked spectacr. Especially now that it was dark, the lights in the city were on which just made view look that much more magical. The mix of various shining lights in the distance made me feel like I was gazing out into a field of stars.

    ¡°Like the view?¡± Ace asked when he caught me admiring the view beyond his window.

    ¡°Yeah. It¡¯s beautiful¡­¡± I replied before turning around to smile at him.

    ¡°I guess I¡¯m too used to seeing it that I don¡¯t realize how beautiful it really is anymore,¡± Ace said dryly.

    ¡°That sounds a little depressing,¡± I mumbled, and he smiled back at me.Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.

    ¡°Should we call it a day?¡± Ace suggested.

    We worked for many hours already. After Ace reviewed my work and gave me guidance here and there, I had a much better picture of what I needed to achieve and what exactly I needed to do to get there. That alone was much more helpful than I ever imagined. I quickly found out that Ace was a very good coach and although he was extremely strict and demanding, I knew that he was doing it all for my own good. The instructions that he gave were clear and how he exined things made it easier for me to understand.

    ¡°I guess so. I¡¯m almost done so I can easily wrap this up when I get home,¡± I replied with a cheerful smile.

    ¡°Close your eyes¡­¡± Ace said as he came to stand right next to me.

    I looked up from where I was sitting to stare at his face in confusion. Why does he want me to close my eyes?

    ¡°Why?¡± I asked in wonder.

    ¡°Well, I don¡¯t mind if you keep them open,¡± Ace said carefreely.

    My body froze when I felt his hand on my shoulders before his face came extremely close. My eyes widened more in disbelief when I felt his warm lips on mine. I could see his longshes very close to my face. His kiss was soft and very gentle. It was very different from the way that he had kissed me before or when he kissed me while we were¡­doing it.

    Slowly, my eyes drifted closed just like he had wanted. His kiss was patient and even bordered loving. It was a kiss that left me feeling every confused and conflicted inside. My emotions became a big mess as he began kissing me softly from various angles. It was a while before his tongue probed my mouth so softly before I naturally parted my lips to wee his entry into the depth of my mouth. I moaned softly into our sweet kiss and Ace cupped the side of my face with hisrge and warm hand as our kiss deepened. Just like all the times that he touched me before, I found myself yearning greedily for more of him.

    The sound of Ace¡¯s mobile phone ringing interrupted our series of fervent and longing kisses. I hated how disappointed I was when his lips left mine before Ace took out his phone and quickly excused himself. The call must be very important for him to react the way that he did.

    I was tired and my brain was quite fried, but I felt very fulfilled. Unlike my presentation from before, I felt like I had a lot more meaningful information packed in along with my thoughts on the issues. Just when Ace disappeared into a meeting room, my phone started vibrating. I nce down to see that I had received messages from my colleague back at the design department.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Emotional Misunderstanding

    We had a chat group that I shared with various other girl friends in the office. Usually, we never discussed anything serious, so the group was filled with gossip and girl talk. I found reading through it a good way to relieve stress whenever I¡¯m going through a tough patch at work. I never paid serious attention to what went on in the group but the notification that appeared on my phone screen caught my attention.

    ¡®Girls! I got some super rare photos from Kyle¡¯s wedding!¡¯

    ¡®I¡¯m so jealous of his bride! I want a husband like Kyle too¡­¡¯

    ¡®We can all dream on. Let¡¯s go drinking soon,¡¯

    ¡®Work has been so busy these days. Binge on these photos first,¡¯

    ¡®Yeah. We can dream of our dream wedding¡­¡¯

    My phone vibrated in session as the girls typed in their responses in the chat group. Then my phone continued to vibrate as various photos of Kyle¡¯s wedding were sent into the chat. The steamy session that I had with Ace in his ¡®nap room¡¯ helped me forget all about Kyle and his betrayal but this little reminder brought back all the negative emotions that I had been desperately holding back. I stared down at my phone as I debated with myself about what I should do.

    Seeing the photos wasn¡¯t going to make me feel any better but if I didn¡¯t face it head on, then it¡¯s probably going to take a very long time for me to move on andpletely let go and forget Kyle and the rtionship that we had. What should I do?

    I was munching on my lower lip as my mind debated with my heart on what to do next. One thing was clear to me, I can¡¯t keep relying on Ace¡¯sfort as a way for me to escape reality anymore. Although it wasn¡¯t nned or intentional, I had sex with Ace to forget about Kyle. Then I ended up letting him do all those lewd things to me simply because I enjoyed and couldn¡¯t resist his touch. In the end, I¡¯m probably no better than Kyle. Just like he was using me all along, I¡¯m using Ace and the pleasure that he can give me to help make me forget. I¡¯m so disgusting¡­

    If I can¡¯t forget about Kyle, I¡¯ll just keep on using Ace. That is just not eptable to me¡­

    Before I could change my mind, my finger tapped on the notification to open it. An image of Kyle standing next to his bride showed up on my screen. For a moment, I was stunned. It just felt so unreal to me. Hearing people gossiping about it and seeing a photo of him at his wedding felt extremely very different. The photo rammed home the message that Kyle had indeed moved on to marry someone else.

    Because our rtionship had to be kept a secret from everyone, even my closest friends at work doesn¡¯t know that I used to date Kyle. She even sent me photos of Kyle and his bride smiling together in their wedding attires. He sure looked very happy smiling in the photo so brightly with his new bride. I wondered if he ever smiled like that when he was with me.

    He looked extremely happy in the photo and so did his bride. My chest started feeling slightly tight and it felt a little harder to breath. There was a slight stinging sensation at the back of my eyes, but my lips curved into a slight smile as I reminisce on the first time that we met and thest time that we spoke as a couple.

    It was good while itsted, right¡­Kyle?

    The future will be very different for us now. Kyle has moved on to his new phase in life without me in it while I¡­

    Suddenly, when I thought about my future the first thought that came to me wasn¡¯t thoughts of my career, my new role, or achieving my dreams. The first thing that entered my head was an image of Ace¡¯s attractive face as he stared down at me with the fire of desire smoldering intensely in the depths of his amber eyes.

    Ace. Whenever I thought of him, I feel a feeling that I don¡¯t quite understand. Undeniably, I realized that I was drawn to him; however, he also scared me but even then, I just didn¡¯t want to run away from him.

    I shook my head in my confusion. This is ridiculous, I don¡¯t even know what I¡¯m feeling anymore¡­

    Focus on your work, Karina!

    It was clear at that point that I hadpletely underestimated the standard and expectation of working as part of the CEO¡¯s office. Ace probably knew this and was trying to help me out, yet I¡¯m thinking of irrelevant things. I should focus more on my work.

    ¡°Something wrong?¡±

    I was too wrapped up in my thoughts to realize that Ace had returned from his phone call and was now standing right behind me.This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Umm¡­it¡¯s nothing¡­¡± I mumbled as I quickly put my phone away when I realized that the screen still showed a picture of Kyle and his bride.

    Ace, didn¡¯t see that just now, right?

    I watched his face to gauge his reaction, but he seemed the same as always. Relieved that I must be over thinking things, I returned my focus to the work that was in front of me. So far, I was making very good progress thanks to Ace¡¯s guidance.

    ¡°Really?¡± Ace asked as he stared down at me.

    Suddenly, my throat felt very dry, and I wasn¡¯t sure if I could answer him. Ace¡¯s eyes held mine and I started shrinking back. Once again, I found his presence intimidating and right now the air around him had changed. It was like he had just transformed into his devil form right in front of my eyes although nothing about this appearance had visibly changed apart from the merciless look in his eyes.

    I nodded to signal that I was really fine. Ace didn¡¯t say anything, but I winced and looked away when he ced his hands t on the desk before leaning down until his face was at my level, capturing me between his arms and the table behind me.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Undressing Him

    Suddenly, I felt very cornered, and I was forced to stare deeply into his amber eyes. After a moment of staring deeply into each other¡¯s eyes, Ace was the one who looked away first while letting out a long sigh of disappointment.

    ¡°I thought you got over him already. I feel like all my efforts have been wasted after I spent the entire nightforting you, and then some more on the following days,¡± Ace said with a mix of disappointment and concern.

    ¡°I¡­it¡¯s not what you think!¡± I quickly denied.

    So, he did see the photo on my phone just now. I didn¡¯t know why I felt that way but suddenly, I felt extremely guilty for looking at Kyle¡¯s photo and it didn¡¯t help that Ace also had to see it.

    ¡°What am I thinking?¡± Ace asked as he cocked his head to the side.

    Ace waited patiently as his eyes narrowed at me while I struggled toe up with an answer.

    ¡°That I¡¯m still not over Kyle¡­¡± I mumbled softly.

    ¡°So, are you? Over him¡­¡± Ace asked softly as his face moved even closer to mine.

    He¡¯s so close that we might as well be kissing right now. I couldn¡¯t bear to meet his eyes anymore, so I had to look away. The truth was that I wasn¡¯t sure if I waspletely over Kyle. I didn¡¯t feel the same way about him anymore and I probably had started to get over him, but I couldn¡¯t justpletely forget about him immediately.

    ¡°I¡­¡± I started saying before I realized that it would sound so ridiculous if I said that I¡¯m working on getting over Kyle.

    I looked up from the floor to see a clear look of disappointment and displeasure on Ace¡¯s face. My face felt numb as I started feeling guilty for how I was feeling. Why did things have to turn out this way? I wished I didn¡¯t decide to open up that photo.

    Why is Ace mad and why do I feel so hurt seeing him like this?

    ¡°Ace¡­¡± I whispered his name in a small voice.

    I wanted to apologize but I wasn¡¯t sure what I would be apologizing for, and I was certain that he didn¡¯t want to hear an apology from me either.

    I didn¡¯t have to think or worry for much longer because when Ace lifted my chin with his fingers and crushed his lips against mine, I closed my eyes and concentrated purely on the bliss of his kiss. His warm and soft lips molded against mine as he pressed his lips roughly against my lips. He kissed me over and over from various angles before the wet tip of his tongue snaked out to lick and tease my lips.

    ¡°Open your mouth for me, Rina,¡± Acemanded in a voice thick with desire.

    I did exactly as he instructed, and Ace thrusted his tongue deftly into my mouth. A soft moan escaped me as his tongue grinded against mine in a passionate dance. Just like before, Ace ignited a fire inside of me that burned so hot in my core. I began kissing him back fervently, grinding my tongue against his to taste even more of him.This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    Ace¡¯srge hand cupped the side of my face as he deepened our kiss. By the time that he removed his tongue from my mouth, I was a panting mess.

    ¡°I guess that one night wasn¡¯t enough. Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll fuck you as many times as it takes for you to forget all about him¡­¡± Ace whispered seductively into my ear before I felt the hot and wet heat of his mouth sucking and licking on my earlobe.

    ¡°Ahhh¡­¡± I moaned at the lewd and wet sounds that filled my ear and invaded my senses.

    Ace nibbled on my ear before he pulled me up by my arms and I found myself up on my unsteady feet. The look of pure desire in his eyes shocked and excited me at the same time as his arms circled my body and he began lifting me up. I felt the hardness of the tabletop against my ass when he sat me down on top of the table.

    Hisrge hands nudged my knees apart and soon he was standing in between my spread legs. Ace bent his head down and captured my lips in a heated kiss as if to continue from where we just left off. I kissed him back as my body felt like it was burning from his kiss. My core throbbed with need and desire. Just like before, I forgot about everything when I was kissing Ace and he was touching me. I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him closer so that I could kiss him even deeper than before.

    Ace is such a good kisser. I felt like my entire body was melting from his kisses and it was such an addictive feeling.

    It wasn¡¯t long before just kissing wasn¡¯t enough for both of us, and we started to explore each other¡¯s bodies with our hands. Frantically, we began stripping each other of our clothes. My hands pulled desperately at Ace¡¯s suit before he helped me shrug it off. Ace buried his face in the side of my neck as his hand expertly unbuttoned the small buttons in front of my shirt. I moaned as he kissed and sucked on the side of my neck.

    I ran my hands along the front of his hard chest, feeling his rip muscles against the palm of my hands through his shirt. Ace parted my shirt to the side to reveal my body to him as he lifted his head to stare down at my heaving chest. His heated gaze on my body turned me on even more and I wanted to remove his shirt so that I could touch his torso directly. Boldly, I pulled him closer before my hands busied itself with hastily unbuttoning his shirt. Ace watched my desperate struggle with a small smile on his lips.

    ¡°Ahhhh¡­¡± I moaned in satisfaction as I pressed my hands t against the muscles of his chest.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Teasing the Beast

    Finally, I had Ace¡¯s shirt open at the front and I could feel him directly with my hands. His body felt much warmer to the touch now that I could touch his bare skin directly. I closed my eyes and relished in the feel of his muscles moving under the palm of my hands as he breathed in and out. Slowly, I traced my hand down from his chest to the beautifully formed muscles of his stomach. His six pack is so beautiful, I thought to myself as I admired his beautiful body as if it was a rare sculpture of art.

    ¡°If you stare too much, I¡¯m going to start feeling shy¡­¡± Ace said teasingly.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.

    ¡°You? Shy?¡± I replied in pure disbelief before I smiled up teasingly at him.

    I could never imagine someone like Ace feeling shy about anything at all. Why would he have to feel shy about this body? It¡¯s so beautiful¡­

    Ace took in a sharp breath as my hand progressed further down his abdominals. My eyes were already on my nned next destination as my hand slipped even further down.

    ¡°My turn,¡± Ace said as he grabbed my exploring hands in his.

    ¡°Ahh!¡± I let out a cry when he pinned me beneath him on the table.

    I stared up into his captivating eyes as he pinned my body beneath him. Without waiting for me to recover from my surprise, Ace¡¯s hands were already on my breasts, squeezing and teasing them through the cups of my bra. Loud lewd moans escaped my lips as the pleasure of his touch made my mind feel numb with desire. I felt the slightly cold air on the bare skin of my breasts after Ace peeled away the cups of my bra to reveal my soft flesh. His gaze burned into my tits before his hand cupped them.

    ¡°Ahhh¡­hmmm¡­¡± I moaned and whimpered as his hands began moving against my soft womanly flesh.

    ¡°I love ying with your tits,¡± Ace groaned as his hand massaged my breasts rougher than before.

    I cried out at the intense pleasure of his touch as my hardened nipples pushed against the palm of his hands. My body writhed on the table, thrusting my chest shamelessly upward to invite him to touch and y with my breasts more.

    ¡°Ahh! Ace¡­¡± I cried out before I ce the back of my hand against my mouth to block out the loud lewd sounds that I was making.

    Ace buried his face in between my breasts and breathed in my scent deeply. His hand continued to pump one of my breasts as he dipped his head low to take my erect nipple into his mouth. The warm and wet sensation around my nipple as he sucked hard on it drove me crazy with lust. I ran my fingers through his hair as I lifted my chest off the table, thrusting my breasts towards his face. Ace sucked me harder, and I cried out his name passionately before trying to moan in my lusty moans.

    ¡°Don¡¯t hold your moans in. I want to hear them¡­¡± Acemanded.

    My core felt so hot as it throbbed with my desire for him as my pussy clenched desperately. Ace sucked on my nipple loudly as his fingers teased and pinched my other peak. The pleasure that surged through my body made my pussy quiver with desire as it got wetter and wetter for him. My voice started to sound hoarse from all the moaning and screaming that I had been doing.

    Ace lifted his head and stared down at me with intense desire. I knew that we had the same thought in our minds. We couldn¡¯t get enough of each other and the way his hands moved desperately as he pushed me up further onto the desk and grabbed my knees to spread my legs told me beyond words how much he desired me. His desire only worked to turn me on even more and I knew that I had soaked my panties again with my love juices. It was unbelievable how much I wanted him even after he made me cum earlier in the day.

    ¡°I¡¯m going to fuck you now. Are you ready?¡± Ace asked needlessly.

    I was too embarrassed to say anything, so I just nodded at him. In reality, I couldn¡¯t wait to feel him inside of me either. Ace pulled my skirt up before roughly pulling down my panties and swiftly removing it from my legs. The unwanted little piece of garment fell on the floor before Ace¡¯s hands quickly went to his belt. I bit my lower lip in anticipation as my eyes were glued to his crotch and therge bulge that had formed there.

    Just like Ace had offered before, I wanted to see his cock. So badly.

    ¡°Want to undress me?¡± Ace offered as he grinned down at me.

    He looked so mischievous, and I knew that I was ying with a very hot and dangerous fire, but I just couldn¡¯t resist him.

    Ace reached out a hand towards me and I willingly ced my hand into his. He pulled me up into a sitting position so that I could work on freeing his virile cock. Since we¡¯vee this far, there was no need to hide away my desire for him any longer. My hands hurriedly unbuckled his belt before zipping the zipper of his pants.

    ¡°You¡¯re very efficient at this¡­¡± Aceplimented teasingly.

    I gasped when I finally freed his cock from its restraint. His cock was much bigger, longer and thicker than I had ever imagined. I gulped, shocked and very amazed at the size and dimension of his cock. Ace¡¯s thick rod stood up proudly in between his legs and I couldn¡¯t take my eyes off of it. It looks so thick and so hard.

    ¡°Want to touch it?¡± Ace asked invitingly when he caught me staring at his cock.

    I looked up at his face briefly before I nodded my head slowly. Yes, I wanted to touch it. The veins on the surface of his cock bulged clearly and his cock twitched a little under my gaze as if it also wanted me to touch it. Slowly, I reached out my hand towards his cock. The heat of his hard love stick grazed my fingertip as I slowly stroked my fingertips along his massive length. I heard Ace take in a sharp breath before he moaned softly as I continued to softly stroke his gigantic member.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Heéˆ¥æªš an XXL

    Ace closed his eyes as if in bliss and I knew that I was doing him right. Feeling a little bolder than before, I wrapped my fingers around the thick girth of his hot rod. His cock felt hot in my hand. I began stroking his cock up and down slowly yet firmly while I looked up at Ace to gauge his reaction. Ace stared down at me with intense desire in his eyes as I continued to pump his cock in my hand.

    ¡°Rina¡­¡± Ace groaned my name softly as his hips began moving, thrusting his cock into my hand.

    I felt so proud that I could make him feel good too. The look of lust on his face turned me on and I began pumping my hand faster up and down his cock. His cock felt hotter in my hand, and I could feel him getting even bigger than longer than before. Just how big can his cock get?

    If I tried to put this massive beast inside me, will it even fit?

    ¡°Stop, Rina¡­¡± Acemanded suddenly as he grabbed my wrist.

    I looked up at him in surprise as I wondered if I had done something wrong to displease him. That shouldn¡¯t be the case, though. From what I could see, he seemed to be enjoying my loving attention.

    ¡°Did I¡­do something wrong?¡± I asked in a small voice as worry flooded my mind.

    ¡°Not at all. It felt too good¡­¡± Ace replied with a gentle smile.

    I stared at him as my heart skipped a few beats. His gentle voice and how he just smiled at me, it was all very new to me. It was like I was seeing another side of Ace that I had never seen before, and I found myself even more attracted to him. If we spend more time together, would he show me his other expressions like just now?

    ¡°Can you put this on me?¡± Ace requested as he handed me a condom.

    Oh¡­right. We should put this on before we¡­

    In the heat of the moment, I had to admit that I hadpletely forgotten about protection. I blushed slightly before I nodded. My hand reached for the condom and took it from his hand before my eyes stared at therge XXL text on the package of the condom that he handed me before I smiled weakly up at him. Is this thing really going to fit inside of my dear littly pussy hole?

    I truly appreciated the care that he put into making sure that our sex would be safe. It would be a problem if I got pregnant now and I wasn¡¯t on the pills either. However, it felt a little strange that he was asking me to put it on his cock. I didn¡¯t have a lot of experience putting a condom on a man because most of my lovers would do it themselves, but we can all learn, right?

    Ace watched as I tore open the condom back before positioning it over the engorge head of his cock. I knew that he was very big but to have to use XXL sized condom is just on another level entirely. Carefully, I rolled the rubber down the long length of his cock.

    ¡°Good girl,¡± Aceplimented in a deeply satisfied voice.

    Before I could respond to him, Ace pushed me down onto the table and got on top of me. The gentle and smiling Ace was gone now and in his ce was a version of Ace that raging with lust and desire. He kissed my lips roughly as his hand rove all over my body, squeezing my breasts, caressing the curves of my waist and hips before settling on caressing my inner thighs.

    ¡°I¡¯m going to fuck you now. Are you ready, Rina?¡± Ace asked needlessly.

    Ace quickly lifted my legs up and parted them widely apart. I moaned softly when I felt my pussy being stretched before my love juices started leaking out of my hole.

    ¡°Rina¡­¡± he called my name as if he wanted my full and undivided attention.

    ¡°Ace¡­¡± I whispered his name as I stared back deeply into his amber eyes.

    The thick head of his cock lodged itself between my trembling pussy lips and I knew that Ace was ready to take me. He was massive and I knew that it would hurt even though I was nowhere near being a virgin anymore. I took in a deep breath before breathing out slowly while I tried to rx my pussy to amodate his entry.

    Ace reared his hips back and then his thick and hot cock stretched my opening before prating deeply into my wet hole. I cried out at the pain of his entry. Although I had prepared myself for this, it still hurt. He¡¯s so big and so hard. Ace must have sensed my difort because he stilled above me as he looked down at my face.? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

    ¡°You¡¯re very tight¡­Rina¡­¡± Ace groaned.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­¡± I whimpered.

    Ace stroked my hair before he smiled down encouragingly at me. His cock twitched inside of me, and my pussy clenched harder around his enormous shaft as the pain slowly started to subside. I don¡¯t think my pussy was extra tight, but his cock was just abnormallyrge.

    ¡°You¡¯re¡­very big¡­¡± I mumbled softly with a hint ofint in my voice.

    ¡°Your body will get used to it after I do you a few times,¡± Ace said with a devilish smirk.

    His mischievous expression made my heart skip a beat again. It was just so like him to be thinking of the next time even though we¡¯re still in the middle of doing it. It was clear that Ace didn¡¯t intend for this to be ourst time indulging in this lusty pleasure between us while I wasn¡¯t sure what I wanted for the future.

    I nodded my head slowly at him to tell him that I felt fine now. It didn¡¯t hurt anymore, and it seemed like my pussy had somehow adjusted to his massive thickness. However, the problem wasn¡¯t over yet. Ace was only halfway in and there was so much more of his cock that I still had to take inside of me. Ace reared back his hips and his cock slid out of my hole a little before he thrusted sharply forward.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Height of Passion

    ¡°Ahhh!¡± I cried out loudly at the mix of pain and pleasure.

    His gigantic member pounded deeply into my hole until he managed to bury his entire length into my wet pussy hole. He stretched and filled me uppletely. I felt so full of Ace. Soon the pain faded, and I felt so much pleasure that I thought that I would climax on the spot. My pussy walls wrapped around his thick girth in deep satisfaction.

    ¡°Are you ok?¡± Ace asked with concern.

    ¡°Yes. I¡¯m fine¡­so¡­¡± I said before trailing off.

    I wanted him to start moving. I wanted him to fuck my hole with his thick cock.

    Ace¡¯s hands gripped my thighs and then parted them wider. He moved his hips closer to mine, screwing his cock even deeper inside of me while I moaned my pleasure. Ace then gripped the sides of my hips, and I knew that he was ready to give it to me fast and hard.

    ¡°Ahh! Ahh! Ahh! Ahhh!¡± I cried out loudly at the intense pleasure of his thick cock pumping wildly in and out of my hole.This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    My pussy clenched hungrily around his thick grith as if it couldn¡¯t get enough of him pounding against my pleasure spots.

    ¡°Seems like your pussy still remembers my cock very well from that night,¡± Ace groaned before he smirked down at me.

    That night¡­

    ¡­

    **That Night** Ace¡¯s point of view.

    When I left the office to attend aunch party at one of the new luxury hotels that had just opened in the city, I never imagined that I would run into her there and definitely not in the state that she was in. At first, I told myself that it wasn¡¯t my problem and that I should just leave her there. Since she was seated at a table for four, I knew that she wasn¡¯t out drinking and getting drunk all alone. She probably had some friends with her, but I couldn¡¯t see them around anymore.

    ¡°Ace!¡±

    I turned at the call of my name to see an old friend heading my way. The moment that I took my eyes off of her, I realized just how worried about her I really was. After putting on a presentable smile, I chatted casually with my friend. We shared small talk that had no significance and I nodded along to his story while my eyes wandered to the young woman sitting alone with a shot ss in her hand. She tipped her head back and gulped down another shot and I found myself wincing.

    ¡°Thanks, I¡¯ll see you around for sure,¡± I said as I patted my friend¡¯s shoulder.

    It was time that our nonconsequential conversation came to an end. I looked around as I wondered where all her friends had gone off to. While I hesitated about what to do if anything, my choice was robbed from me when the girl somehow lost her bnce. I watched in shock as her body slowly slipped from the chair that she was sitting on.

    ¡°Karina¡­¡± I called her name close to her ear.

    I was surprised at how close we were until I realized that I was holding her body in my arms to break her fall. A loud sigh escaped my lips as I closed my eyes in defeat. I had no idea why I should help her, but somehow, I did. Maybe it was because I knew why she was out drinking tonight or maybe it was because I sympathized with her, honestly, I didn¡¯t know, and I didn¡¯t understand myself. While cursing at something as ridiculous as fate, I found myself lifting her body up into my arms with ease.

    Surprisingly, her body felt light in my arms. Karina had her eyes closed when I looked down at her face but the fact that she was murmuring something told me that she wasn¡¯t sleeping. I need to get her home¡­somehow¡­

    ¡°Karina. Karina¡­where do you live?¡± I asked her after calling her name a couple of times.

    She might as well be dead with how unresponsive she was at that moment. I rolled my eyes as I carried her away from all the prying eyes looking at us. A staff member was helpful enough when I asked him for a private room at the bar for her to rest to sober up a bit while I try to figure out where she lived so that I could send her home.

    After cing her on a sofa, I took out her phone thinking that I could call her friend or anyone on her recently called list. There¡¯s got to be someone who can tell me where she lives or someone besides her rotten ex-boyfriend who cane and pick her up. I picked up her phone and cursed loudly when I couldn¡¯t unlock it. I even tried scanning her thumb but apparently, she didn¡¯t set up that biometric function. How am I supposed to know how to unlock her phone?

    ¡°Karina! Ka¡­ri¡­na!¡± I called her name loudly.

    She was as silent and as lifeless as a doll. Well, she can sort herself out when she wakes up. It was all her fault anyways that she ended up like this. I was about to walk out the door but a loud thumping sound of something hitting the floor made me turn around.

    I reached a hand up to scratch my head in a mix of confusion and amazement at the sight of Karinaying on the floor next to the sofa. How did she manage to roll off? Karina stirred and wailed like she was in pain before quieting down.

    ¡°Hell¡­¡± I cursed underneath my breath.

    The next thing I knew, her body was in my arms again and I was walking out of the door.

    ¡­

    After checking into one of the suite rooms of the hotel, I carried Karina into the room. The door closed behind us and locked automatically. Karina still had her eyes closed and seemed unconscious, so it came as a rather big surprise when she refused to let go of my suit when I tried to puty her down on the bed.

    ¡°My name is Karina¡­¡± Karina slurred before smiling at me.

    Oh, please¡­

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Seducing the Devil

    ¡°I know who you are. Stop it, you¡¯re so drunk so just go to sleep,¡± I said curtly as I tried to pry her hands from his chest.

    ¡°You can¡­call me Rina,¡± Karina purred before pulling at the front of my shirt with her hands.

    It seemed that the effects of the alcohol in her bloodstream made her unusually bold. Karina¡¯s hands started caressing my chest before moving upwards until she had her arm hooked around my neck. I stared at her in dismay and disbelief at the wanton act that she could put on while drunk.

    ¡°Kiss¡­¡± Karina whispered as she pulled me down towards her while puckering her lips up for a kiss.

    At first, I thought that she was unconscious but apparently that was no longer the case. I stared down at her face to see that her eyes were opened, and she was staring up right at my face. She parted her lips and licked her lower lip seductively before biting on it teasingly. Is she really¡­that drunk?

    Karina continued pleading for me to kiss her as her arms tried to pull me down on top of her. When that didn¡¯t seem to work in her favor, she lifted her body up and boldly pressed her lips against mine. Her kiss was a chaste one and that confused me a little. Curious, I waited to see what she would do next while I ced a silent wager in my head that she would drop dead and fall asleep.

    My bet was off. Way off.

    I felt her fingers running through my hair as the tip of her tongue snaked out to lick my lips teasingly. Her eyes were still opened, and I didn¡¯t hesitate to keep mine opened as I watched her kiss and lick my lips. She tasted of alcohol, but I didn¡¯t mind.

    I was too curious to see what she was going to do. Although I knew that I should push her away and leave her to sleep until morning, I couldn¡¯t push her away. Maybe that was where I started to lose my good judgement or my self-control¡­or both.

    ¡°Ahhh¡­Mhhmmm¡­¡± she moaned softly against my lips before she slipped the tip of her wet tongue between my lips.

    I parted my lips and her tongue thrusted right into my mouth and met mine. She tasted of sweet cocktail. Her hands moved from my hair to cup the side of my face as she boldly deepened our kiss. I let her explore my mouth with her tongue as she grinded her tongue against mine.

    She was not bad at this at all. Throughout it all, her eyes remained opened as she watched me intently and I did the same. I wondered if she would remember anything when morning came.

    ¡°Mhhmmm¡­¡± she moaned louder when I began kissing her back.This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    She reacted to my kiss by kissing me back more fervently. Our tongues dancing wildly together before I changed the angle of our kiss over and over again until she was breathless. I broke our kiss to let her get enough oxygen. Her lips were swollen a beautiful pink from the passionate kisses that we shared. While watching her pant with her lips swollen and parted, I realized that she is indeed very attractive in her own way.

    ¡°Karina¡­¡± I called her name again to see if she would snap out of it.

    ¡°Call me Rina¡­¡± she slurred before smiling so carefreely at me that my heart skipped a beat all on its own.

    She looked even younger when she smiled, and she was already very young. She started giggling as if someone had told her one of the funniest jokes and then her hands started stripping off her zer before she began unbuttoning the buttons of her shirt. She was quite good at autopiloting and I watched in amusement as her fingers expertly unbuttoned her shirt. She was fast.

    ¡°Ahhh¡­¡± she let out of sigh of relief as she stripped her zer and shirt right off.

    My eyes widened before I started chuckling. Things no longer seemed that amusing to me when my eyesnded on her breasts that were covered in just her bra. Karinaid on the white sheet of the bed with her eyes closed. I breathed a sigh of relief. Finally, she¡¯d fallen asleep just like she was supposed to.

    Once again, I was very wrong. Karina sat up and quickly unhooked her bra and removed it from her arms. Frankly, I was stunned at how fast she moved and then her bra went flying to the other side of the room. I couldn¡¯t hold in myugh when I saw her throw her bra away. When I looked back at her, I caught her leaning closer to me on the bed. My eyes drifted downwards from her face to her now naked breasts. Her breasts were very shapely, they looked soft, and her nipples had hardened.

    She was undoubtedly very aroused.

    ¡°Karina¡­what are you doing?¡± I asked calmly when she reached for my hand and entwined her fingers with mine seductively.

    She stared deeply into my eyes before she smiled a little shyly. My lips curved into a little smile on its own, and I couldn¡¯t resist wanting to see what she was going to do next. Unlike her shy smile, her next move was bold. I sucked in a breath when I felt the softness of her womanly flesh fill the palm of my hand after she had guided my hand to her breast. Her hand ovepped mine and urged for me to squeeze and fondle her soft breast as she began moaning from pleasure.

    Her breasts were the exact sized that I liked and soon I found myself groping and massaging both her breasts with my hands while she moaned and cried out. Her reactions were sexy and adorable at the same time. It was clear that she was enjoying the attention that I was giving her. Her body writhed as she thrusted her chest upwards invitingly. Naturally, her lewd moans and the feel of her breasts filling my hands turned me on as well.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Partners in Desire

    I squeezed her breasts a little faster and rougher and she cried out louder. My loins throbbed with desire as my cock got hard. I could feel my member growing harder and bigger in my pants as I continued to pleasure her breasts before pinching and ying with her hardened nipples.

    ¡°Ahhh! Yes!¡± she cried out when I pinched her nipples hard.

    She was enjoying herself a little too much for someone who was supposed to be drunk. Although I knew that she was reacting like this because she had lost all control over her body and her desires, I couldn¡¯t resist giving her what she so badly wanted. Then there was also the fact that she was currently heartbroken. This was probably the way that she wanted and needed to beforted right now, I thought as I watched her bite on lower lip before letting out another lewd moan.

    Her hands started caressing my arms before she lowered her hand to pull up her skirt. She lifted her hips off the bed and in one swift moment, she pulled up her skirt to reveal her thighs and hercy panties. My body froze in shock while Karina swiftly removed her panties from her legs. Then she spread her legs and my eyes were naturally drawn to her pussy like moths to a me.

    My loins tightened and my cock throbbed with even more desire for her as my eyes stared at her pussy. Karina moaned softly and I immediately imagined her moaning and crying out my name as her body writhed under mine, thrusting her hips wantonly against mine as I thrusted my hard cock fast and hard into her wet hole.

    That thought was extremely dangerous and so were my undeniable desire for her. When I carried her to this room, I never thought that we would get this far. Neither did I imagine that Karina would be this sexy in bed. She really was a temptation that was hard to deny.

    I took in a deep breath as I fought with my internal demons for self-control. I¡¯m an experienced man with excellent self-control, I told myself as I tore my eyes from the cleft in between her legs and forced myself to stand up from the bed.

    ¡°Stay¡­don¡¯t go¡­¡± she whimpered pleadingly.

    I nced down in disbelief to find her arms around my waist. The slight pressure of her head against my back made me notice just how tightly she was hugging me from behind as she begged repeatedly for me to stay. What am I supposed to do?

    Slowly, I turned around in her arms and she stared up at me. I could see desire and longing swimming in the depths of her eyes as her eyes met mine. Suddenly, nothing mattered anymore. Everything will sort itself out when morning came.

    ¡°Ahhhhh¡­¡± Karina moaned in extreme satisfaction as I climbed onto the bed and got on top of her.

    I kissed her and she kissed me back in wild abandon. Her lips tasted so sweet and my desire for her intoxicated my mind. I kissed her over and over again like it would never be enough as my hands pumped her breasts roughly. She moaned her desire into my mouth as I traced my hands along the curves of her body. When my hands reached the hot wet mess in between her legs, she cried out and thrusted her hips upwards invitingly, pushing her flooded pussy against my fingers.

    ¡°You¡¯re so wet, Rina¡­¡± I whispered seductively into her ear while using the nickname that she had begged me to call her by.? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

    I stroked her opening a couple of times, feeling her juices coat my fingers. Her juices were warm and very slippery. I thrusted my middle finger inside of her hole and that made her moan loudly. Her hips instinctively began thrusting up and down as her pussy clenched around my finger. I could tell that she felt good, and I started thrusting my finger in and out of her hole. My finger slipped in and out of her easily thanks to her slimy juices.

    ¡°Let¡¯s see if I can add another finger inside¡­¡± I muttered to myself before thrusting another finger into her.

    ¡°Ahhh! So¡­good¡­¡± she murmured as her hips bucked.

    Her pussy clenched tightly around my fingers before she began spreading her legs even wider apart. Her insides felt very wet and so warm that it almost felt hot. I began fingering her harder and faster as I enjoyed the sight of her body going wild from the pleasure that I was giving her. Her reactions were extremely sexy and beautiful at the same time. I never thought that she would be such a passionate girl.

    I crooked my finger and felt around the top of her pussy walls and soon found her g-spot. When I thrusted my fingers against it she cried out loudly. Her pussy immediately got wetter, and I felt the wetness gushing out to wet my fingers. She should be more than ready for my cock now.

    Slowly, I slip my fingers out of her love hole before I pulled off my suit and shirt. Then my hands worked hastily to remove my belt and my pants until my thick and erect cock was freed. ying around with her aroused me and my cock was already so hard that it was getting a little painful. Just like her, I also needed my pleasure and my satisfaction.

    I tore opened a condom and rolled it swiftly down the length of my shaft. Of course, I wouldn¡¯t burden her with anything like unwanted pregnancy and other risks that coulde from unprotected sex. She would probably be surprised enough already when she wakes up tomorrow morning. If she woke up early enough, I¡¯ll be here tofort and exin things to her but if not¡­then¡­

    ¡°Rina¡­I¡¯m going to fuck you now. Are you ready?¡± I asked in case she would jump up and deny my advances.

    Obviously, that didn¡¯t happen.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Just Canéˆ¥æª› Get Enough

    I parted her thighs apart with my hands as I positioned myself in between her legs. Karina moaned softly as I caressed her thighs. My cock twitched with excitement, and I realized that I couldn¡¯t wait to bury my entire length into her wet pussy. I grabbed my cock and positioned its thick head at her wet opening. She¡¯s so small and her pussy felt so tight when I fingered her earlier and all I did was insert in two fingers. Although she was very wet, it would probably hurt her to take in a man of my size.

    I thrusted my hips forward and the tip of my cock plunged into her hole. She whimpered softly as her pussy tensed around my intruding cock. I stopped as I waited for her to rx and get used to my size. The heat of her pussy around the head of my cock felt so pleasurable and I couldn¡¯t wait to be inside her. I reared my hips back a little and thrusted harder into her, burying my cock even deeper into her hole. She cried out as she spread her legs even wider. Her hips began moving desperately, grinding her opening against my cock. It seemed like I wasn¡¯t the only one who wanted to fully enjoy this.

    ¡°Rina¡­Rina¡­¡± I groaned her name as I thrusted my cock deeper and deeper into her tight hole.This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    She was small and very tight. I had a hard time pushing my huge and thick cock inside of her but inch by inch she took my cock in until I was buried inside her to the hilt. Her pussy quivered and clenched around my cock. It felt good to be inside her and I couldn¡¯t wait to move; however, I waited until her pussy walls rxed around my cock.

    ¡°Ahh! Ahhh! Ahhhh!¡± Rina cried out each time that I rammed my cock inside of her wet hole.

    I groaned as I began thrusting harder and faster into her tight cunt. Her pussy clenched and I felt her pussy walls rubbing along the entire length of my shaft as I continued to pound into her small body. It didn¡¯t take long for our body to move perfectly in sync to one another.

    I moaned her name when I noticed howpatible our bodies were as we enjoyed each other. Her hips lifted off the bed to meet my thrusts halfway, burying my cock even deeper into her hole with each thrust. The head of my cock thrusted against her womb, making her cry out.

    Her erotic face and lewd moans turned me on even more and I felt my cock growing bigger inside of her hole. I fucked her faster and harder. Her pussy felt amazing around my cock as she insides got wetter and hotter.

    My hips jerked my cock in and out of her hole. Her moans got wilder and louder and I knew that she was fast approaching her climax. I pounded my cock harder inside of her and she came screaming loudly, her pussy spasming wildly around my member. Her erotic face when she orgasmed captivated my attention and my cock stirred with an even more intense desire than before.

    I screwed my cock deeply into her hole as I lifted her ass off the bed so that I could pound my cock deeper into her tight hole. She started moaning again as I gave it to her faster and harder. The heat of her wetness surrounded my cock and that drove me closer and closer to my release.

    ¡°Rina¡­¡± I groaned her name when I finally came.

    It was a good thing that I had a condom on. After relishing in the pleasure of my orgasm, I slowly withdrew my hard cock from her hole. Rina came a lot too; I could see the milky release from her climax on the tip of the condom that I had on. I removed the condom from my cock and waited for my little friend to calm down.

    Rina had a satisfied smile on her lips as she was undoubtedly floating around in the joy of her intense orgasm from just now. After a short while, my cock only got harder. I looked at Rina before cing my hand in between her legs. Rina moaned with need when my fingers petted her swollen clit. She cried out when I pinched that little sensitive nub, and her hips began thrusting upwards. My lips curved into smirk.

    She wanted more and I was more than willing to give it to her. I¡¯ll make love to her andfort her until she falls asleep from exhaustion and then when she wakes up, she can start fresh and new.

    Carefully, I flipped her body onto her stomach and lifted her hips upwards, thrusting her ass towards me. My fingers parted her pussy lips as I admired the beautiful color of her pussy folds. Thankfully, I had many condoms on me. Better be prepared. I tore open one and slid it onto my rock-hard dick.

    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, Rina¡­but once isn¡¯t enough for me¡­¡± I apologized to her half teasingly as I lodged the head of my cock at her opening.

    Rina moaned softly when she felt my cock press up against her pussy and her hips began moving, rotating her pussy, and grinding it against the head of my cock. I couldn¡¯t wait longer. I reared my hips back and screwed my cock hard and deep into her hole from behind while she cried out at the intensity of my thrust and my thickness suddenly stretching her love hole.

    Her pussy immediately clenched around my cock as if to wee me. Her pussy was flooded, and her juices had started leaking out of her hole and onto her inner thighs. I found that to be such a turn on. My lips called her name while she moaned her lust as our body mated wildly. That night, I made her cum over and over again from my cock in various positions until she fell asleep in my arms.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Irresistible Possessiveness

    ¡°Karina¡­Karina, if you don¡¯t wake up, you¡¯re going to bete for work¡­¡± I called out to her.

    I walked out of the shower and headed for the bed. Reaching my hand down, I shook her naked shoulder. She didn¡¯t even stir. This is what happens when you go out drinking on a weekday and you can¡¯t hold your drink properly. Just as I had decidedst night, if she didn¡¯t wake up early then she¡¯s going to have to wake up all alone.

    After silently getting dress, I looked down at her sleeping face onest time. The next time we meet, you¡¯re going to be my personal secretary. I hope that you¡¯ll behave and be a good and sexy girl. Without saying anything else to her, I bent down and ced a soft kiss on her forehead.

    I could forgive her if she turns upte for work today¡­

    ¡­

    **Back to the present**

    Ace reared his hip back, withdrawing his entire cock out of me just to plunge it in over and over again. Each thrust was harder and deeper than thest and I cried out as ecstasy robbed me from my ability to think about anything but the man who was giving me so much pleasure.

    ¡°Your pussy is so tight¡­¡± Ace groaned before ramming his cock all the way into me again.

    ¡°Your cock¡­is so big¡­Ahhh! Ace¡­it¡¯s so deep¡­¡± I cried out in between my lewd moans.

    His thick cock stimted the walls of my pussy as he thrusted in and out of my hole. My pussy got so wet and lewd wet sounds of his cock beating into the wetness in between my legs echoed all around his office. The loud squelching sounds that erupted from my pussy along with our moans and groans of pleasure turned me on even more.

    My hips thrusted wantonly upwards to meet his wild thrusts halfway, making his cock hit me even harder and deeper inside. Ace groaned as he exerted himself while I tried my best to keep my body from breaking from his intense thrusting. His cock hit against my womb with each thrust that made my legs feel weak.

    ¡°Your pussy is clenching hard around my cock. Do you like it here?¡± Ace asked seductively.

    His cock hit the pleasure spot deep inside of my love tunnel and my pussy automatically clenched hard around his cock. It felt so good that I can¡¯t even begin to describe the lustful pleasure washing over my entire body in waves in rhythm to his cock thrusting deeply into my cunt. My pussy spasmed around his cock as it greedily tried to suck his thick rod in further into my hole.

    ¡°It¡¯s¡­so deep¡­so good¡­¡± I whimpered weakly.

    I let go of all control as I moaned like I was in heat. Sex with Ace felt so good. I never knew that being filled by him could feel so satisfying. It was as if my words turned him on even more than before, his movements became rougher and more demanding.

    ¡°No¡­don¡¯t¡­Ahh¡­I¡¯m¡­I¡¯m gonna cum!¡± I cried out as I lost myself to the pleasure of his hard and fast thrusts.

    I cried out his name as my climax took over mepletely. My mind felt like it had shattered into a million tiny shards as my body spasmed uncontrobly. Ace continued pumping his cock wildly into my cunt and I knew that he was also close to his limit.

    ¡°Rina!¡± Ace yelled my name in a low animalistic growl when his climax hit him.

    I felt his cock thrust one final deep thrust into my cunt before he stilled above me. Ace threw his head back and let out another growl as his cock twitched wildly inside of me. Hey down on top of me as he stroked the side of my face lovingly with hisrge hand. He ced a soft kiss on my temple before he hugged me tightly in his arms. After catching our breath, Ace got up and slowly withdrew his cock from my pussy. I moaned softly at the feel of his cock sliding out of my quivering hole. His exit was apanied by my own wetness leaking out of my love hole. He made me cum so much¡­? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

    Slowly, I opened my eyeszily to see Ace looking intently at my face. While I felt heat rush to my cheek in embarrassment at what we had just done, Ace had an unreadable look in his eyes. For the life of me, I couldn¡¯t tell what he was thinking, and it seemed like he was at least slightly conflicted with himself. Hisrge hand approached me before stroking my hair softly and tenderly. I closed my eyes again and enjoyed thefort of his loving gesture. Although I couldn¡¯t see him, I knew that his eyes were on my face as he continued observing me.

    ¡°No one is allowed to break your heart, except for me¡­¡± Ace whispered possessively into my ear.

    The warmth of his breath tickled my ear just like the possessiveness behind his words affected my heart. My eyes opened and met his before he smiled down at me. I didn¡¯t know what to say in response to his words, so I was thankful that he started kissing me. Unable to fully understand or voice my own mixed feelings, I kissed him back instead.

    I knew that I¡¯ve just crossed the line and did something that I truly shouldn¡¯t have. This was different from when we did it back in the hotel because back then we were both probably drunk to a certain degree. This time, I was absolutely sober, and I couldn¡¯t use intoxication as a convenient excuse. It never ceased to amaze me how I didn¡¯t feel an ounce of regret for my actions. Instead, I enjoyed the safety of his strong arms around me as I let himfort me and my tired and slightly broken spirit.

    I never truly understood until the moment that I felt his thick cock inside of me why people say that the most irresistible things are exactly the things that you can¡¯t truly have.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Insecurities and Surprises

    Ace drove me back to my ce again that night and he insisted on walking me right to my door. I was slightly worried about him demanding that I let him into my room; however, that didn¡¯t happen. Surprisingly, Ace offered me a smile and a small peck on my cheek before he was on his way. It might have been my own imagination, but it seemed like he was in a hurry to leave. Given that it was alreadyte at night, it wouldn¡¯t be surprising if he was tired or if he still had something to clear up for the day. The work of a CEO still amazed me. Despite how he acts around me, Ace had a lot of responsibilities on his shoulders.

    ¡°Ahhh¡­¡± I moaned softly in the warm shower.

    Standing under the warm shower felt rxing and it was just what I needed. Because Ace went to the trouble of reminding me of the pleasure that we shared that night at the hotel, I found myself remembering the shower that I had the morning after. My body still felt sensitive from his wild lovemaking. My pussy throbbed and my insides felt slightly sore. Hopefully, the tenderness would subside when I wake up tomorrow morning.

    I let out another moan when I pressed my fingers against my opening, still wet and slimy from the juices of my release. My fingers stroked my pussy lips and I thought of Ace touching me there and then inserting his thick and longer fingers inside of my hole. My nipples hardened immediately at the thought.

    What is wrong with me? We just did it¡­and I¡¯m already thinking of him¡­

    Forcing my mind away from Ace and his seductively teasing smile, I quickly cleaned myself and got out of the shower. There is so much work that I have to do and so many things that I needed to improve on in time for my next presentation to the team. Thankfully, I managed to make a lot of progress before being distracted by photos from Kyle¡¯s wedding and then¡­

    My body shivered from the thought, and it wasn¡¯t from fear. I should go to bed before my own thoughts drive me crazy. Sleep didn¡¯te as easy as I had hoped. Even after a long while of having the lights off and my eyes closed, I still tossed and turned in bed restlessly. I could see Ace and I could hear his voice whispering to me like he was a ghost that had decided to haunt me and my dreams.

    I covered my face with my hands as if that would help me to hide away. Things between Ace and I didn¡¯t start normally, and it was moving way too fast. I think I probably made the same mistake with Kyle as well when we first started dating. Looking back maybe everything about us was wrong from the start right until the end, except for the good sex.

    Perhaps I was just trying to fool myself that we were a loving couple even when we rarely did anything together because we were too worried about our rtionship being exposed. For me, I was scared because I was afraid of losing my job if anyone from our workce found out. For him, he was probably more afraid of his real girlfriend finding out. Looking back, our rtionship was nothing more than meeting up for heated sex and going out on secret dates that ended up in very steamy sessions at random hotels.

    ¡®Fuck buddies¡¯ is what they call something like that, right?

    That¡¯s it. We were probably just fuck buddies. The fact that he already had a girlfriend that he intended to marry only made it worst.

    Ace¡­are we just ¡®fuck buddies¡¯ too now?

    That night I fell asleep with very mixed and troubling thoughts in my mind. I ended up getting some sleep sometimete into the night purely thanks to exhaustion.

    ¡­? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

    The rm went off and I was thankful to wake up because my dreams were dark and haunting at best. They were the exact representation of my insecurities, and I hated what I saw in my slumber. After turning off my rm, I instantly got out of bed and headed for the shower. I stared at the dark circles under my eyes before sighing loudly. It was quite obvious what I needed to do so why was I so hesitant to do it?

    After getting dressed, I started with my make up while making sure to apply abundant concealer to hide the dark circles under my eyes. I didn¡¯t want to look outstandingly beautiful, I just wanted to look presentable. After applying some lipstick on my lips, I sighed once again.

    ¡°Rtionships based on sex don¡¯tst. You know that¡­Karina¡­¡± I reminded myself as I stared at my own reflection in the mirror.

    The girl that stared back at me looked too stubborn for her own good. I knew that I had to stop giving in to Ace¡¯s advances and that nothing good would evere from me sleeping with him. My resolve felt firm, and it felt like I had everything figured out for now, but I truly doubt if the same would apply when I felt his tempting caresses on my body and the warmth of his seductive kisses on my lips.

    I need to stay away from Ace¡­but how do I do that?

    ¡°Arghhhh¡­¡± I growled from my own frustration.

    Why did the bad have to feel so good?

    My hand covered my lips as if to shield them from Ace¡¯s lips¡­or my own desires¡­

    **Ring Ring Ring**

    The doorbell?

    Suddenly, the doorbell rang and that meant that someone was standing right in front of my door. It was unusual for anyone to turn up to my ce. I didn¡¯t have that many friends living in the city to start off with and I couldn¡¯t think of anyone who would turn up this early in the morning.

    My tummy did a tiny flip and that told me that something was not right. While I was hesitating about what to do in front of my mirror, the doorbell rang again.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 First Trip with Him

    ¡°Coming!¡± I called out before getting up from my seat.

    This better be something good and productive¡­

    It wasn¡¯t like I had any mortal enemies that were out to get me but I was still very cautious of opening my doors to strangers, so I decided to check through the peephole first.

    I gasped before I ced both my hands over my mouth to stop myself from screaming from shock as my body froze right in front of the door. After closing my eyes and quickly counting to three, I opened them again and peeped through the hole just to make sure that I wasn¡¯t dreaming or hallucinating.

    ¡°Rina!¡±

    His familiar voice called my name quite loudly and that alone was enough proof that I wasn¡¯t dreaming up this whole thing.

    Ace is really standing right outside my door. Why is he here? It¡¯s so early in the morning?

    I don¡¯t have enough make up on and I have dark circles under my eyes. What am I going to do?!

    ¡°I know that you¡¯re in there¡­¡± Ace said, sounding very impatient.

    This is my room, and he is the one intruding so why do I feel like I¡¯m in the wrong here? Plus, why does he sound like a debt collector?

    Everything is fine, I have concealers under my eyes. I sighed when I realized that I did care what I looked like in front of Ace after all¡­

    ¡°Good morning. No, that¡¯s not what I meant. Why are you here?¡± I asked after quickly correcting myself.

    ¡°Picking you up. Why else?¡± Ace replied like it was supposed to be obvious.

    He¡¯s escorted me back to my ce a couple of times before, but this was the first time that he¡¯s picking me up. He never mentioned anything about thisst night when he dropped me off, though.

    ¡°Umm¡­I can go to the office by myself. There¡¯s no need for you to pick me up. I already feel bad that you have to drive me back here almost every night after work¡­¡± I said while still feeling very confused.

    ¡°I feel like we¡¯ve had this conversation before and I dislike repetitions of boring things. Are you ready to leave?¡± Ace asked afterining.

    ¡°¡­Yes,¡± I replied after recovering from my slight astonishment.

    ¡°Good,¡± He said with satisfaction.

    ¡°Wait! Let me grab my handbag and my phone!¡± I cried out before quickly heading back inside.

    ¡°Quickly¡­¡± Ace said sternly.

    I felt his eyes following my every moment as I moved around my small apartment to grab my phone before stuffing it into my handbag. Ace pulled on my arm, and I was out of the room so fast that I was confused once again as to what was going on. Ace didn¡¯t say anything or exined anything even when we had gotten into his car.

    ¡°Hold on! Weren¡¯t we supposed to take a turn there to head to the office?¡± I asked as my eyes widened and stared down the road that we should have taken.

    Ace kept on driving as hepletely ignored my question and panic. In fact, he really stepped on it, and it felt like we were going faster than before.

    ¡°Ace? This isn¡¯t the way to the office¡­¡± I pointed out.

    ¡°Who says we¡¯re going to the office?¡± Ace asked like I was the one who had it all wrong.This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    We¡¯re not¡­

    ¡°We¡¯re not going to the office?! Then¡­where are we going?¡± I asked in a loud cry.

    ¡°You¡¯ll see soon. Can you just rx a little, please?¡± Ace said with a mocking pleading voice before he started chuckling at me.

    ¡­

    The moment that Ace started driving us out of the city center, I knew that it was strange, but I never thought that we would end up at this ce of all ces. The nes looked quite big now that they were flying low. For some reason that I couldn¡¯tprehend, we ended up at the airport together bright and early in the morning.

    Some staff were there to greet Ace and take care of his car when we arrived. It still felt like everything wasn¡¯t real even when I had gotten out of Ace¡¯s car.

    ¡°Let¡¯s go. What are you spacing out for?¡± Ace asked with a smallugh as he took my hand into his again.

    ¡°Are we here to pick up someone? Is someonending here soon?¡± I asked, daring to have hope that this wasn¡¯t what I thought it was.

    ¡°Are you stupid or are you just ying with me?¡± Ace asked with slightly narrowed eyes.

    Neither.

    ¡°It¡¯s an honor to assist your today, Mr. Hill. Please follow me this way. Your flight is waiting for you,¡± a man in a ck suit said politely before gesturing for us to follow him.

    ¡°We¡¯re flying?¡± I asked in whisper.

    ¡°You just figured it out?¡± Ace replied sarcastically before he started tough softly to himself.

    His hand around me tightened as if he thought that I would turn and run away. Honesty, that thought did enter my mind for a split of a second, so he wasn¡¯t entirely wrong.

    Where are we going and so suddenly?

    Now that I knew that we were flying, so many worries filled my mind. He didn¡¯t tell me anything about this beforehand and because of that I didn¡¯t prepare anything.

    ¡°Wait¡­Ace¡­¡± I said in a small voice as I tried to get his attention.

    ¡°Keep walking. Let¡¯s not bete,¡± Ace said sternly as he continued to pull me after him.

    It wasn¡¯t long before we arrived at our flight. My eyes lingered over the private ne. Why am I even surprised?

    CEO or not, Ace is extremely wealthy, so I guess he doesn¡¯t fly on normal economy ss flights like I normally do. However, now isn¡¯t the time to be amazed at the little luxurious spin on our surprise trip. There was a slight issue¡­

    ¡°Wait! I don¡¯t have my passport with me,¡± I voiced my concern as I tugged on Ace¡¯s hand in mine.

    Ace turned and smiled charmingly at me.

    ¡°I have your passport with me,¡± he announced proudly.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Somewhere Only He Knows

    ¡°Huh? How can you have something like that?¡± I asked in shock.

    What amazed me more than the private jet was the fact that Ace never failed to amaze and surprise me over and over again.

    ¡°The office got one made for you for business purposes, right? Remember?¡± Ace asked as he waved a passport book in front of me.

    Shit. I totally forgot about that. How loosely does thepany manage these documents? Ace can get his hands on anything so easily¡­

    ¡°Where are we going?¡± I asked once again.

    ¡°Get on and I¡¯ll tell you,¡± Ace said teasingly before winking at me.

    ¡°What if I told you that I don¡¯t want to go?¡± I asked as I refused to follow him.

    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t believe you even if you did. Get on, you¡¯ll want to go where I¡¯m about to take you,¡± Ace said with certainty.

    Where is he going to take me? Just where is this flight bound for?

    While I was still debating my very limited options to myself, Ace heaved an impatient sigh before turning to face me directly.

    ¡°Rina, if you don¡¯t get on the ne on the count of three, I¡¯m going to carry you¡­¡± Ace said slowly and very clearly.

    ¡°You¡¯re kidding¡­¡± I muttered although I knew that he was far from joking.

    ¡°Three¡­¡± Ace started counting.

    My eyes widened in shock as his light hazel brown eyes stared down at my face. Shit, I really don¡¯t have a choice about this do I?

    ¡°Two¡­¡± Ace counted down again.

    ¡°Arghhh! Ok¡­¡± I cried out in defeat.

    Once again, I found myself dancing to Ace¡¯s tune like his favorite little puppet.

    ¡­

    After getting on the ne, I sat in a veryfortable leather seat next to Ace and we were on our way somewhere I didn¡¯t know.Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.

    ¡°So¡­can you please tell me where we¡¯re going now?¡± I asked.

    ¡°Sure, since the ne has taken off, I can tell you where we¡¯re going,¡± Ace replied teasingly.

    I arched a brow at him in disbelief. Was he that scared that I would get off if the ne was still on the ground?

    ¡°Where are we going?¡± I demanded for an answer.

    ¡°The country with the biggest dog meat trade,¡± Ace stated with a serious face.

    Oh¡­wow¡­

    ¡°Wow¡­really?!¡± I eximed in excitement as the reality of this sunk in.

    ¡°Yes, really. How else are we going toe up with anything real if we haven¡¯t seen, felt, or experienced anything real?¡± Ace said before turning to grin at me.

    ¡°So, this is a business trip¡­¡± I mumbled.

    ¡°Are you disappointed, Rina? Did you think that perhaps this was a date or a honeymoon trip for us?¡± Ace asked teasingly before he chuckled.

    No, I¡­did not think that¡­

    ¡°You should have told me in advance. You nned this ahead, right? You could have told me¡­¡± Iined as I pouted.

    Aceughed a little at my reaction.

    ¡°If I told you then it wouldn¡¯t be a surprise¡­¡± Ace replied casually.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t pack anything at all. Also, I¡¯m your secretary so if you wanted to arrange a trip, you should have told me. I could have done it¡­¡± I continued toin while Ace continued tough at me.

    He seemed to be in a good mood and although he had literally just hijacked me on a ne to a foreign country, I still couldn¡¯t truly find it in me to be mad at him. The way heughed made him look younger and the sound of hisughter tugged at my heart. Soon, I felt warm and strange inside like I was feeling happy for no reason at all. Before I knew it, I was smiling a little. Maybe I was happy that he decided to take me along on this trip with him.

    ¡°It¡¯s going to be so fun. Let¡¯s learn a lot of new things together. I want us to have some solid ideas on how to approach the storyline by the end of the trip. We can¡¯t afford to lose to the other teams,¡± Ace said before smiling brightly at me.

    ¡°Lose to the other team? What do you mean?¡± I asked, confused.

    ¡°Oh, right. I guess I haven¡¯t told you about this either,¡± Ace said in sudden realization.

    He never tells me any of the important things. I just wanted to roll my eyes at him.

    ¡°Care to exin, please?¡± I demanded before pursing my lips into a thin line.

    ¡°This is something we do very often when we start on a new project in the CEO¡¯s office. We form small teams of 2-3 people, and wepete toe up with the best idea for the storyline. Of course, it doesn¡¯t have to be the whole story line and it doesn¡¯t have to be anywhere as detailed as the final version, but it must be good enough to lead the direction of the work going forward,¡± Ace exined.

    ¡°Really? So, the other people are also going on trips?¡± I asked curiously.

    ¡°Some of them are, I supposed. Not all of them. Everyone is either paired up or in a small group now and some of them are visiting some dog meat farms and markets. Others have other ways to get ideas, it¡¯s all up to what they decide as a team,¡± Ace replied casually.

    ¡°Are we going to visit the farms and the markets too?¡± I asked, my excitement truly taking over.

    After doing so much research on the topic, I was more than interested and invested. I was eager to learn more, and I had to agree with Ace that nothing would beat seeing and experiencing the real thing.

    ¡°Of course. Why else are we flying over there?¡± Ace replied before chuckling.

    He reached hisrge hand out and patted the top of my head before stroking my hair softly. In the short amount of time that I¡¯ve worked with him, he¡¯s done that quite a lot.

    ¡°I¡¯m not your dog¡­¡± I muttered softly.

    ¡°Who says that I think that you¡¯re my dog?¡± Ace asked teasingly.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Flying With Him

    His hand didn¡¯t stop caressing my hair yfully. Ace was really in a good mood and his positivity was starting to rub off on me. Suddenly, Ace took a lock of my hair and ced it against his lips. I watched as he kissed my hair tenderly as my heart skipped a beat and my chest clenched tightly.

    ¡°Ace¡­¡± I whispered his name softly.

    ¡°I don¡¯t do this to my dog¡­¡± Ace mumbled as his eyes lingered on the lock of my hair that he held between his fingers.

    ¡°Or this¡­¡± Ace whispered.This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    My body froze when I felt the heat his hand on the side of my neck before he started stroking the side of my neck tenderly with the tips of his fingers. His face came closer to mine, and I soon felt the heat of his lips on my cheek. His kiss was soft and more yful than demanding. I felt heat rush to my face, and I knew that I had started to blush wildly.

    ¡°Or this¡­¡± Ace whispered again.

    This time his lips approached mine. He¡¯s going to kiss me¡­

    ¡°Please¡­no more¡­¡± I protested in a breathless whisper as I tried my best to push him away.

    I can¡¯t do this anymore. Any more of his teasing attention and I¡¯m really going to lose control. I just decided this morning that I¡¯ll try to keep my distance from him and look where I ended up. Despite the difficulty that I had to go through to steel my resolve, I found myself on a private jet all alone with Ace on the way on a trip that had no one else but us.

    I must be going crazy¡­

    ¡°You¡¯re right. We can have some more funter on. After all, this trip is a whole three days!¡± Ace dered happily.

    ¡°Three days?!¡± I cried out in shock.

    ¡°Oh, I didn¡¯t tell you?¡± Ace said innocently before he smiled at me.

    ¡°You never tell me anything¡­¡± I muttered before sighing depressingly.

    ¡°Don¡¯t be like that. I¡¯ll make sure to tell you next time, ok?¡± Ace cooed like he was talking to a baby.

    I didn¡¯t know what to say to him anymore. Words won¡¯t change anything. Since I¡¯m on this trip with him anyways, I might as well make the most of it. Strictly speaking, there was nothing wrong with this trip. We are going there to get some work done so this is a business trip and nothing more.

    ¡°It¡¯s going to be quite a long flight. I suggest you get some sleep. Want a nket?¡± Ace asked with a caring smile.

    It¡¯s so unfair when he smiles and acts all caring like that. It makes me feel so confused inside.

    ¡°No, thank you¡­¡± I replied before turning the other way.

    ¡­

    The announcement from our pilot telling us that we are about tond woke me up from my sleep. I didn¡¯t even remember when I had fallen asleep. ncing over to where Ace was sitting, I found out that he was already awake and as alert as ever.

    ¡°Had a good rest?¡± Ace asked before smiling over at me.

    ¡°Yeah¡­¡± I murmured softly in reply.

    I did manage to catch some sleep during the flight. Itpensated very well for theck of good sleep from the night before. I still felt slightly sleeping and dizzy but the excitement that I felt as I looked forward to the trip made me feel so pumped up.

    ¡°You look so excited¡­¡± Ace stated his observation with a teasing smile.

    ¡°That¡¯s because I am,¡± I admitted honestly before returning his smile.

    ¡°I¡¯m excited too. This trip with you is going to be fun¡­¡± Ace stated with certainty.

    I wasn¡¯t sure if we were looking forward to the same type of fun, but I was willing to let that slide for now. Afternding at the airport, Ace rented a car so that we could drive around. To my surprise, Ace seemed to have everything nned out already.

    ¡°When did you have time to work on all this?¡± I asked in amazement after getting into the passenger seat of the car.

    Ace was driving and I was his only passenger. It was a pleasant surprise that Ace seemed to know where we were going and what we had to do right off the bat.

    ¡°I¡¯m efficient at my work,¡± he replied confidently.

    ¡°Aha¡­¡± I murmured without knowing what to say.

    Says the guy who sneaks off to take naps and skip out on meetings at work.

    ¡°Let¡¯s check in at the hotel first. We¡¯ll be meeting our local guide there. As you¡¯ve probably figured out already, most people don¡¯t speak English here so we¡¯re going to need a local guide who can take us around and also act as a trantor,¡± Ace exined wlessly.

    ¡°You¡¯re right about that. Wow, you really have everything thought out¡­¡± I said in admiration.

    I can¡¯t believe the CEO of such argepany actually went to all the trouble of nning and preparing all of this.

    ¡°The dog meat trade business is a very local business with many small operators and markets. To really get to know how it works, we need a local to take us there,¡± Ace continued to exin as he kept his eyes on the road.

    ¡°Umm¡­I might need to stop over to buy some things,¡± I said a little shyly.

    ¡°We can do that. That¡¯s not a problem. There are somethings that I got the hotel to prepare for you already, though. You can take a look at those first and then we can go buy whatever that you need,¡± Ace replied casually.

    ¡°Thank you for doing all this,¡± I thanked him wholeheartedly.

    ¡°No worries. Let¡¯s just enjoy the trip together,¡± Ace replied carefreely.

    It was quite a long ride to the hotel because the airport was located quite far from the city center. From the private jet to this overly luxurious hotel, I had a feeling that this trip was eating up quite a lot of thepany¡¯s budget. Ace looked extremely at home when we arrived at the hotel and the concierge politely greeted us. We arrived early in the afternoon so I hoped that we could get some work done today even if we didn¡¯t have the whole day.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 His Manipulative Scheme

    ¡°Let¡¯s check in first,¡± Ace said as he offered me his hand.

    I looked down at his open palmed as I hesitated. Since when did it be the norm for us to hold hands?

    Ace gave me a confused look and I found myself slipping my hand into his muchrger one. He gave my hand aforting little squeeze before he led me after him into the hotel lobby. My eyes fell on where our hands were joined as I wondered if he would hold my hand all the time during this trip, and perhaps, even after that? Do I want that?

    ¡°There¡¯s only one room?¡± I asked in total disbelief.

    ¡°Yes, there is no mistake. Only one suite room is booked,¡± the receptionist repeated before shing me a polite smile.

    Did thepany suddenly run out of budget or something?

    I looked usingly at Ace who just shrugged his shoulders before smiling sweetly and innocently my way.

    He nned all this. I should have known¡­

    ¡°Is there another room avable?¡± I asked hopefully.

    The beautiful woman just shook her head before apologizing in a soft voice. She¡¯s got to be kidding me!Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.

    ¡°It¡¯s ok. I guess I can stay in some random business hotel nearby¡­¡± I said as I started taking out my phone to find a hotel near here.

    ¡°We don¡¯t need another room. She¡¯ll sleep with me,¡± Ace told the receptionist before wrapping his arm around my shoulder.

    She woman looked at Ace and before her eyes shifted to me and then she smiled as if shepletely understood and was d that the issue had been resolved.

    ¡°No¡­this isn¡¯t¡­¡± I began correcting the misunderstanding immediately.

    He gave her the wrong idea about us. This is insane¡­

    ¡°Let¡¯s go, Rina¡­¡± Ace drawled seductively as he pulled me along towards the hotel elevators.

    My mind was a mess during the entire elevator ride as I tried to figure out my next move. Ace was just too maniptive for me to deal with. The way he manipted me so easily into doing things the way that he wanted was simply scaring me out of my wits.

    We arrived at the room and Ace tapped the keycard before pushing the door opened. I bit my lower lip as I tried toe up with some excuse that would get me out of this situation. I could imagine a long list of scenarios that might take ce if I slept in the same room as Ace and in none of those scenarios did I manage to make it through the night with my chastity intact.

    ¡°Come in,¡± Ace invited me into the room before him.

    I took a few steps into the room before I heard the door closing behind us. The suite was a very fancy one and must have costed a lot. The entire ce was decorated in various shades of blue that was pleasant to the eyes with modern luxurious furnishing.

    There was a living room with a sofa and a dining area. There was also a work desk and an adjoining bathroom. The other door was opened, and I could see the bedroom through there. Everything was great apart from the fact that there was only one bedroom.

    My eyes immediately zoomed in on the sofa and my mind was immediately made up. You, my dear sofa, will be my bed starting from tonight.

    ¡°The things that I ordered for you are in the bedroom. You should take a look so that we can buy the other things that you still need,¡± Ace said as he pointed towards the bedroom.

    ¡°Ok¡­thank you¡­¡± I replied softly.

    I entered the bedroom and while I was looking through the very extensive pile of things that Ace had prepared, I could hear him talking on the phone. From what he was saying, I figured out that he must be talking to our local guide. Overall, I was pleasantly surprised at how thoroughly Ace had gotten the hotel to prepare things for me. I lifted up a new set of underwear as I stared at it in awe.

    I had no idea if I should feel relieved or freaked out when I looked at the tag on the bra and found out that he had gotten even my bra size right. Did he figure that out when he touched my breasts? Is that amon skill for men?

    I didn¡¯t think so. I had to admit that having underwear was better than not having any.

    ¡°Rest and freshen up, Rina. We¡¯re meeting our guide in 15 minutes at the hotel lobby,¡± Ace called out to inform me.

    ¡°Alright!¡± I quickly replied.

    ¡­

    ¡°Hello. My name is Rung and I will be your guide for the next few days,¡± our local guide politely introduced himself.

    ¡°Nice to meet you, I¡¯m Karina and this is my boss, Ace¡­¡± I said professionally.

    ¡°Nice to meet you and thank you for agreeing to help us,¡± Ace said kindly.

    ¡°It¡¯s a pleasure. During our trip, I will try my best to exin everything and trante everything for you,¡± Rung told us reassuringly.

    Being always full of mysteries and secrets, Ace had not told me where exactly we were headed for today with our local guide. Now that the guide was here, he was the one who drove us around. ording to him some of the local roads could be tricky especially during peak hours, so he preferred to be the one driving. Ace and I sat at the back as Rung navigated the heavy traffic of the city center.

    ¡°Where are we headed?¡± I asked curiously.

    ¡°One of thergest wet markets in the city. Because we don¡¯t have much time today, all we can do is visit the market which is close to the city. The other ces that Ace wants to visit is quite far from here,¡± the guide exined.

    I nodded my head in understanding. It went without saying that the wet marketing that we were going to visit sold dog meat. The traffic was quite bad as the guide had anticipated but soon, we arrived at the market. My feelings about seeing the real selling and buying of dog meat was very mixed. On one hand, I wanted to see the real thing and experience the vibe of the market. On the other hand, I was simply frightened and slightly disturbed.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Down to Business

    ¡°I want to interview the sellers and some of the buyers as well, can you help me out with the trantions?¡± Ace inquired enthusiastically.

    ¡°Of course, it is my job to do so,¡± Rung replied followed by augh.

    ¡°Come this way. I will take you to the section that specializes in dog meat. I don¡¯t know what you¡¯ve heard but, dog meat isn¡¯t eaten by every single person in this country. I, personally, don¡¯t eat it but of course there are many that do. It¡¯s a matter of preference, you know¡­¡± Rung exined as he led the way through the throng of people.

    As it turned out, the wet market was very big and had many sections. ording to Rung¡¯s exnation, dog meat was sold in a small section in the market because of the niche market that it caters to. It wasn¡¯t asmon as poultry, pork, and beef.

    ¡°There are specialized restaurants that sells it. Usually, it isn¡¯t sold randomly or mixed with other meat¡­¡± Rung exined further when we arrived at the dedicated stores.

    ¡°So, all these stores here sell dog meat?¡± Ace asked to rify.

    ¡°Yes, all of them from here to over there¡­¡± Rung replied while pointing his index finger to the end of the area.

    ¡°That¡¯s more than I thought¡­¡± I mumbled to myself.

    ¡°The market is much livelier in the morning when there are more buyers buting now is also good because if the store is too busy the store owner will not have time to talk to you,¡± Rung said as he led us closer to one of thergest stores.

    ¡°Can we take photos?¡± Ace asked.

    ¡°Of course. Nothing to worry about,¡± Rung replied casually.

    I gulped when we got close enough for us to see the meat that was on disy. The meat that was chopped up resembled any other type of meat that I¡¯ve seen disyed in the meat sections of supermarkets. However, there were other more wholesome versions of the meat that basically looked like a dog that had just been skinned. I closed my eyes momentarily to collect myself. To me, it was a disturbing and difficult sight to take in.

    Rung began making small talk in the localnguage with the store owner while Ace and I just looked on. Both of us didn¡¯t speak the localnguage and had to rely heavily on Rung. After a short while of chatting, Rung gave up the thumb up sign that it was fine for us to interview the middle-ageddy who owned the store.

    ¡°Why do people eat dogs when there are other types of meat avable?¡± Ace began asking.

    Rung quickly tranted Ace¡¯s question into the localnguage to the shopkeeper. She nodded her head to show that she understood before she replied to Rung.

    ¡°She says that it¡¯s part of their culture. Many people believe that there are health benefits from eating dogs that other meat cannot provide. Some just prefer the taste,¡± Rung tranted smoothly.

    ¡°Is that beliefmon only for the older generations or for the newer generation as well? Is the demand for dog meat dropping over the years?¡± Ace asked.

    Once again, Rung tranted Ace¡¯s questions and the shopkeeper replied in their localnguage. I took out a voice recorder and a notepad and began taking notes so that I wouldn¡¯t forget even the smallest detail.

    ¡°She says that younger people don¡¯t eat dogs anymore because it doesn¡¯t conform with the culture from the West. Old traditions are starting to fade. She says that even her kids want her to stop selling dog meat. They want her to switch to sell other more normal types of meat or just quit and retire. She says that she doesn¡¯t want to do that because she still has old and long-standing customers to serve,¡± Rung tranted again.

    ¡°What does she think about people from the West or other cultures being very against the dog meat trade?¡± Ace asked curiously.

    ¡°She says that it¡¯s not her problem. She doesn¡¯t care what other people think. Cultures are different. There are things that she doesn¡¯t like about other countries¡¯ cultures too, but she tries to understand them. She thinks eating dog is the same as other cultural traditions, it should be preserved and passed on. She says the people who like it should get to eat it and people who don¡¯t like it can just eat something else,¡± Rung tranted bluntly.

    ¡°What are her thoughts on hical dog farms? Does she think that it ismon or if there¡¯s a solution for that?¡± I asked.

    ¡°She says that she doesn¡¯t source her product from those types of farms. There are many farms that operate professionally just like chicken farms, and she doesn¡¯t see any issues with that. Of course, she thinks that hical and illegal farms should be shut down. She thinks that those hical farms that people see in the news are overrepresented. Most dog meat farms don¡¯t look like that,¡± Rung tranted while listening to the shopkeeper¡¯s response.

    After a few more questions we moved on to another stall where we asked the shop owner simr questions and got very simr responses. After interviewing a handful of shop owners, we switched and started interviewing the buyers instead. It was clear that the buyers of dog meat were from the older generation. Most were probably around my mum¡¯s age, and we didn¡¯t find any young buyers in the teenage range at all.

    I had many pages filled with notes by the time that we decided to call it a day. Before we turned to leave Ace called my name to catch my attention.

    ¡°What is it?¡± I asked as I turned back to face him.

    ¡°Do you want to try eating it, Rina?¡± Ace asked quite seriously.This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    I blinked my eyes rapidly at his surprising and unexpected question. Since this project started, I had considered many things such as my point of view regarding the matter, but not once have I thought about trying dog meat.

    ¡°No. I¡¯m fine, thanks¡­¡± I quickly declined.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Like a Couple

    ¡°Really? We¡¯re here now so I¡¯m sure that Rung can take us to a restaurant that serves dog meat. Right, Rung?¡± Ace suggested with a smile.

    ¡°Yes, I can. It¡¯s not that hard to find to be honest,¡± Rung replied with a nod of his head.

    ¡°That¡¯s fine. I mean, if you want to you can go ahead and try it but I personally wouldn¡¯t¡­¡± I stood my ground.

    ¡°If you say so. Let¡¯s head back to the hotel then,¡± Ace said before he reached for my hand.

    Rung led the way out of the market to where he had parked the car. It was getting quite cold now that the sun had set. It was about time that we leave because most stalls in the market had already started packing up.

    ¡°Your hand is a little cold. Are you feeling cold?¡± Ace turned to ask me with concern in his voice.

    I did feel a little cold. This was my own fault for not checking the weather forecast and underestimating that this country could be so cold.

    ¡°A little¡­but I¡¯m fine¡­thanks,¡± I replied before smiling a little at him.

    Ace yanked softly on my hand before gently cing my hand into the pocket of his jacket along with his hand as his hand continued to hold mine. It felt very warm and the blush that inched up from my neck to my cheek also helped to warm me up.

    ¡°Let¡¯s hurry back to the car,¡± Ace told me casually before I could protest or pull my hand away.

    ¡­

    We made it back to the hotel and parted ways with Rung after thanking him. He would be here to pick us up in the morning. Tomorrow, we had ns to visit a few dog meat farms. Things were starting to get very real on this project and I found myself feeling excited although slightly scared. I was certain that seeing the poor animals in poor conditions in real life would have a bigger impact on me than seeing the same content in photos of videos.

    ¡°I¡¯m hungry. Let¡¯s have dinner¡­¡± Ace saidzily as we stood next to each other in the hotel¡¯s lobby.

    ¡°Sounds like a n,¡± I replied in agreement.

    ¡°Local food somewhere outside or hotel food? There¡¯s a roof top restaurant that¡¯s got a nice view,¡± Ace presented the options.

    ¡°Local food,¡± I replied without hesitation.

    ¡°Ok, My Lady,¡± Ace readily agreed.

    Despite my original worries of being alone with Ace on this trip, I found Ace surprisingly easy to be around. The Ace that was walking casually at my side on the side of the road as he held my hand in his felt like an entirely different person from the devil CEO that everyone was used to at the office. Perhaps the fact that he wasn¡¯t in his business suit helped with softening his image somewhat. However, the real change was his character and the air about him.This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    Ever since this trip started or even perhaps before that, whenever we were alone Ace would show me a different side to him. He was kinder, more cheerful, and more rxed. Of course, he still retained his slightly twisted sense of humor and his love of teasing me in both versions of himself. Everything about him was new, refreshing and it excited me to no end.

    Walking around the night street with Ace in the slightly cold weather made me feel like we were really a couple on a night stroll together through the busy street of the city. Many couples walked around holding hands with each other just like us. I couldn¡¯t help but wonder if that was how the other people saw us when they saw us together like this.

    ¡°Rina!¡± Ace yelled my name suddenly.

    I let out a small cry when I felt my body being yanked forcefully to the side before my bodynded against something hard yet very warm. Ace¡¯s chest was against the side of my face when I opened my eyes after recovering from the shock. I quickly realized that he had his arms around me and was hugging me tightly after pulling me into his warm embrace.

    ¡°Watch where you¡¯re going. A motorcycle almost hit you. Did you see that?¡± Aceined loudly with intense worry in his eyes.

    His brow furrowed into a frown as he stared down at me with worry. I did realize the motorcycle whizzing by after he had pulled me into his embrace. He was right, I was probably spacing out just thinking about him.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. Thank you for saving me¡­¡± I said in a small voice.

    ¡°Be more careful next time. What are you going to do if I¡¯m not here with you?¡± Ace continued to reprimand me.

    ¡°Well, you¡¯re here so¡­¡± I replied before smiling sheepishly at him.

    Ace just shook his head at me as if in disbelief. I wasn¡¯t sure if he was scared of me getting hit by a motorcycle or if he just wanted to hold me close, but I spent the rest of the walk being wrapped in Ace¡¯s strong arms as he hugged me close to him from behind. The position made walking feel quite strange but the warm of his body against my back more thanpensated for the additional difficulty.

    We chose a local restaurant that wasn¡¯t too far from the hotel and enjoyed a rxing meal of the local cuisine. Ace seemed wrap up in his own thoughts as we ate the food together in silence. I tried to read up on the notes that I had taken during our trip to the market, but it was a real challenge to keep my eyes from straying towards Ace¡¯s face.

    ¡°Umm¡­what are you thinking of?¡± I asked softly.

    Ace¡¯s hazel eyes shifted to look at me before he smiled. I admired the beauty of his teasing smile while I waited for him to answer my question.

    ¡°I was thinking about the various point of view that the sellers and buyers told us today,¡± Ace replied simply.

    ¡°Same here. Actually, I¡¯ve got many points down here in my notes,¡± I said as I gestured to my open notebook.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 His Mischievous Plan

    ¡°Don¡¯t just study the facts or people¡¯s opinions, try to form your own opinions and think of an angle that would be appealing to the audience too,¡± Ace advised sternly.

    ¡°You¡¯re right¡­¡± I whispered with a firm nod of my head.Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.

    He was probably right that I tend to get wrapped up in what other people thought rather than focusing on how I felt about things. We needed toe up with an angle and storyline from this trip, so I had to keep that in mind as well. It was clear that Ace was way more focused on the work than I was, and he probably had some ideas on the storyline proposal already. On the other hand, my mind was still pretty much nk.

    The only thing thatforted me was that the trip had just started. There are still a couple more days for me to put my thoughts together and hopefully by then, my creative juices would help my braine up with some unique and appealing ideas.

    ¡­

    When we made it back to the hotel, I was more determined to get some work done rather than tired. The warning that Ace gave me seemed to have triggered a boast of energy. However, the moment that we walked into the hotel and Ace gave my hand a slight squeeze, I was reminded that we would be spending the night together in the same room. Suddenly, I felt extremely uneasy.

    I¡¯m going to sleep on the sofa¡­no matter what he says¡­

    To my surprise, Ace tugged on my hand and led me in the opposite direction of where the elevators to our room were.

    ¡°Ace¡­where are we going?¡± I asked as I was dragged after him.

    ¡°A ce where we can rx and do some thinking,¡± Ace replied before he turned and winked at me.

    Starstruck by his superstar smile, I found myself following him without asking any questions. A ce where we can rx, and think must be some kind of business meeting room that the hotel had avable for private bookings. Ace must have nned ahead again and booked us one of those so that we could go through our notes for the day more seriously to wrap up the first day of our trip. He¡¯s such a hardworking man. There¡¯s so much that I still need to learn from him.

    ¡°We¡¯re here,¡± Ace announced proudly as he dragged me through a pair of double doors.

    The sign that greeted me was one that I definitely did not expect. My mouth dropped opened and for a moment, I was at a loss for words.

    Why did he bring us here?

    ¡°I thought you wanted to talk about work¡­?¡± I asked in pure confusion after I had managed to recover the usage of my tongue.

    ¡°We are going to talk about work¡­among other things¡­¡± Ace replied,pletely unfazed.

    I looked up at therge sign above our head again before I shook my head at the image that was immediately conjured up in my mind.

    No¡­there¡¯s no way that we¡¯re going in there.

    ¡®Private Jacuzzi and Sauna¡¯ read the sign above our head.

    I cocked my head to the side, still in disbelief. Was this what he had in mind all along? Of course, that was the case because he had a booking for it.

    ¡°I¡¯ll wait for you in the hotel room,¡± I quickly said as I began taking a step back in retreat.

    ¡°Where are you going? Come on in¡­¡± Ace encouraged invitingly as his hand tightened around mine and began pulling on my arm.

    ¡°This is crazy¡­I am not going in there!¡± I eximed in shock.

    ¡°Yes, you are. I¡¯ve got the ced booked out so there¡¯s no need for you to act so shy,¡± Ace said calmly.

    ¡°That¡¯s not the point!¡± I quickly countered.

    ¡°Stop struggling, or I¡¯ll just carry you, strip you, and dump you in,¡± Ace said as he smiled mischievously at me.

    I could tell that he was serious and that made me pull back harder against his hold on my hand.

    ¡°No¡­wait! Please let me go back to the hotel room¡­¡± I pleaded.

    ¡°If you¡¯re too loud the staff wille running,¡± Ace warned yfully.

    ¡°Ace¡­please¡­¡± I whimpered weakly.

    ¡°Sure, I¡¯ll carry you like a princess¡­¡± Ace suggested like that was the brightest idea in the world.

    Ace lifted me up into his arms with ease, and just like he had just stated so proudly, he carried me princess style deeper into the jacuzzi zone of the hotel. Now that we were inside, I was thankful that it truly seemed like we were the only ones there. Considering howte it was into the evening, that didn¡¯t reallye as a surprise to me. Ace ced me down on my feet in the dressing room and his hand were immediately on my clothes. My eyes widened in shock when I realized that he was going to strip me.

    ¡°No¡­don¡¯t¡­¡± I protested as his hands began stripping me of my clothes.

    ¡°I told you that if you¡¯re not going to take off your clothes yourself, then I¡¯m going to strip you. Would you rather go in with your clothes on? That would be an interesting sight to behold as well,¡± Ace mocked me mercilessly as hisrge hands continued to tug and pull on my clothes.

    He¡¯s just unbelievable. His hands were insistent and very impatient as he pulled each article of clothing off of my body. It wasn¡¯t like I could really struggle against him. His hand jerked and tore at my shirt as buttons went flying in his impatience to get me naked. How did things turn out this way?

    When Ace seeded in parting the fabric of my shirt from my body, he pulled me closer to him before he buried his face in the side of my neck. His warm lip kissed my sensitive skin before sucking softly on it while I tried to turn my face away to escape him. Ace wrapped an arm around my waist to prevent my escape as he began sucking harder on the side of my neck.

    ¡°Ace¡­¡± I whimpered his name in a breathless whisper.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Irresistible Seduction

    ¡°Hmm¡­¡± Ace moaned softly before the tip of his tongue began licking my neck.

    ¡°No¡­I¡¯m so¡­sweaty¡­¡± I protested as I tried to push him away from me.

    ¡°You always smell and taste good,¡± Ace whispered huskily when his lips left my neck for a moment.

    As if he wanted to get that point across, he boldly licked my neck before trailing small kisses down to my cor bone. When his tongue snaked out to lick and tease my corbone, I moaned as my breathing quickened. His hands reached behind my back to unsp my bra and his hands skillfully removed it from my arms and body.

    ¡°Ace¡­please¡­¡± I protested in a weak voice.

    I hated myself and how weak I was against his art of seduction. I hated how my voice came out sounding so sweet and breathless like I was begging him for more rather than pleading for him to stop what he was doing to me.

    ¡°No¡­please¡­I¡¯m so dirty right now¡­¡± I protested in embarrassment.

    Ace didn¡¯t heed my warning and buried his face in between my breasts before his hands cupped them and began massaging them. I threw my head back and moaned from the intense pleasure of his hot manly hands squeezing my naked breasts. The way he massaged them made my body writhed from unbelievable bliss. My nipples hardened immediately as he rubbed them against his palm while his hand continued to pump my breasts.

    ¡°I love ying with your tits. You smell good, Rina¡­¡± Ace coaxed seductively with his face buried in between my breasts.

    I felt the wet heat of his tongue run a line alone the sensitive skin in between my tits and I cried out. My cry echoed throughout the dressing room and my body froze in shock. I didn¡¯t think that I cried out that loudly, but the small, enclosed room made my cry that much more lewd and loud as it echoed back at me.

    ¡°Ace¡­Ahhh¡­¡± I moaned while I tried to lower my volume.

    It was extremely difficult considering that it was the only way that I could think of to keep myself sane amidst the pleasure that Ace was making me feel. When his fingertips pinched my hardened nipples at the same time, I cried out as I felt like I was going to lose my mindpletely.

    ¡°Your moans are so sexy. This feels good, doesn¡¯t it, Rina?¡± Ace teased me.

    I let out a choked-up cry when his mouth engulfed one of my nipples before the tip of his tongue beganpping against my swollen nipple. He twirled his tongue skillfully in circr motions against my nipple while I cradled his head and ran my fingers through his hair. My legs started to go weak from the stimtion as his hand continued to pump my other breast.

    ¡°Ahhh¡­oh¡­please¡­¡± I moaned even louder when he began sucking hard on my swollen nipple.

    The current of pure pleasure pulsating through my body from the perk that he was sucking felt unbearable. My body throbbed with need as my juices squirted out of my pussy hole onto my underwear. He¡¯s making me so wet for him again. I could no longer control the reactions of my body as it began writhing against hisrge and hard frame.

    ¡°Let¡¯s get you out of your clothes before you sink to your feet,¡± Ace said after his lips left my nipples.

    I was a panting mess by that time, and I was d that he realized that I could hardly stand up on my own two feet anymore. My breath came out in short gasped as I stared up at his handsome face. Ace looked down at me with desire clear in his eyes before his lips smirked mischievously at me.Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.

    ¡°You nned this¡­¡± I whispered usingly.

    ¡°I have no idea what you¡¯re talking about,¡± Ace replied lightly without a care as his hand dipped down and began unbuttoning my pants.

    ¡­

    ¡°Get in here, Rina¡­¡± Ace said before he grinned at me.

    Ace¡¯s hand approached me as he stretched his arm out to offer me his hand. I stared down at Ace from where I was standing next to the Jacuzzi while I hesitated to get in with him. After sucking and ying with my breasts until he was satisfied, Ace quickly stripped me and then himself before he dragged me after him to the private jacuzzi that he had booked in advance. I always admired Ace for how well prepared he was for everything, but this was just too much for me to take.

    What was running through his head when he nned this trip that made him include a dip in the jacuzzi with me as hispanion?

    I just had no idea what goes on in his head anymore, and as always, I had a very difficult time in dealing with him.

    Naked with nothing but a very small towel to cover the front of my body form my breasts down to the top of my thighs, I stood awkwardly on the side of the jacuzzi. Ace looked up at me invitingly as he waited for me to take his hand. Without hesitation, Ace got into the jacuzzi and began to rx. His wet dark hair only made him look sexier and so did the small beads of water that stuck onto his muscr arm and chest.

    ¡°Come, Rina¡­¡± Ace repeated, and I snapped out of my daze.

    ¡°I don¡¯t think¡­¡± I murmured as I averted my gaze from his intense gaze.

    ¡°Are you still shy?¡± Ace asked with an amused chuckle.

    Of course, I was, although I didn¡¯t want to openly admit it. The heat that rushed to my face although I wasn¡¯t yet in the warm water probably gave me away because Ace continued tough at me.

    ¡°Give me your hand, Rina. If you don¡¯t get in soon, we¡¯ll be here all night¡­¡± Ace said in such a gentle voice that I felt extremely swayed.

    It didn¡¯t seem like Ace would have it any other way. With a resigned sigh, I slowly ced my hand into his muchrger one and he helped me get into the jacuzzi with him.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Hot and Wet Pleasure

    The jacuzzi was quiterge and was probably made for a small group of people instead of just the two of us but that meant that we had more room to move around. I wished that I could say that that meant that I had private room to myself away from Ace because that wasn¡¯t the case at all.

    Naked and in the water, I tried to use the water to hide my nakedness from him while Ace kept staring at me with an amused look on his face. He probably thought that my reaction was funny or entertaining to watch. Although he¡¯s seen me naked before, I still didn¡¯t feelfortable to just hang around together with him in my naked form and the fact that he was also stark naked wasn¡¯t helping my poor little heart at all.

    ¡°Why are you hiding so far way over there?¡± Ace askedzily.

    His arms reached for me and soon I found myself settling back against him. The heat from his body along my back as he pressed my body back into his made me very aware of how close he was to me. I could feel his warm breath against the back and side of my neck as I sat with my back to him in between his legs. His arms wrapped around my waist as he whispered my name tenderly into my ear. My body trembled at the sweetness of his husky voice close to my ear.

    ¡°Ace¡­¡± I whispered his name although I wasn¡¯t sure what I wanted to say.

    ¡°Your skin is so soft and fine¡­I really like touching you¡­¡± Aceplimented my skin as his hands began stroking my arms.

    A soft whimpered escaped my lips when his hands changed its destination of his soft strokes to my waist and then the in of my stomach instead. I sucked in a breath as he caressed my tummy before his hand dipped lower and began stroking my thighs. My body started feeling hot and it wasn¡¯t because of the warm water that I was sitting in.

    ¡°Ace¡­please don¡¯t¡­¡± I protested softly before I moaned.

    Just as hisrge hands were teasing the soft skin of my thighs, his lips began kissing and teasing my earlobe. My body shivered at the sensation of his soft and warm lips yfully kissing and then nibbling on my earlobe. When his tongue snaked out and licked my ear, I let out a small cry that echoed loudly in the small room. My body writhed in his arms as his hands began its journey upwards along the insides of my thighs.

    ¡°Ace¡­¡± I whimpered.

    ¡°Shhh¡­just rx, Rina¡­¡± Ace coaxed seductively into my ear.

    ¡°Ahhh¡­please¡­¡± I moaned before pleading to him.

    My impassioned voice giving away the desire that I felt for him as my core burned with the heat of my own need. His fingers slowly stroked their way up my inner thigh as my hips began moving about under the warm water. The temperature of the water seemed to make me feel even more sensitive than usual and I could feel his touch so much more on my skin.

    ¡°Spread your legs for me, Rina¡­¡± Ace whispered lustily into my ear.

    Hisrge hand helped spread my thighs wide apart as I whimpered softly at the sensation of my pussy lips being stretched open wide. After spreading my legs his hands went back to resume their torturously pleasurable caresses against the sensitive flesh of my upper inner thighs. I moaned as I imagined the pleasure of his touch against my most sensitive feminine spot. Leaning back my head against his broad shoulder, I closed my eyes and moaned passionately.

    ¡°Ahh¡­Ahhh¡­¡± I moaned lewdly before I bit down hard on my lower lip to keep my moans to myself.

    Ace¡¯s fingers finally arrived at their destined destination and began stroking the heat between my widely spread legs. I was certain that my love opening was flooded with my juices as my pussy continued to clench and spasm non-stop. His fingers stroking the folds of my pussy felt so good and rxing.

    ¡°It¡¯s very slippery here. Did you get wet, Rina?¡± Ace asked before he started kissing the side of my neck.

    ¡°Ahhh! Not¡­there¡­¡± I moaned loudly when his fingers found the swollen sensitive seed in between my legs and began stroking it.

    His fingertips stroked my hardened clit in circr motions while I moaned my pleasure. My hips began moving lewdly as it thrusted up and down, pushing my pussy against his yful hand. I grinded my clit against his fingers harder and harder for more pleasure.

    ¡°Let¡¯s take it slow, Rina. We have the whole night¡­¡± Ace whispered suggestively as his fingers on my clit slowed.

    ¡°Ahhh¡­Ace¡­¡± I whimpered sweetly as the pleasure of his touch slowly flooded my entire being.

    His slow and gentle petting of my clit felt so delicious. It was like a pleasure that was soft and easy to handle; however, it soon became addictive to feel him softly caressing me there. My body slowly rxed against his as I let my body and mind enjoy the joy of his touch.

    ¡°What do you think are the most useful things that we learnt today that could be used for themercial storyboard?¡± Ace asked me as his fingers continued to move against my swollen clit.This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    My mind was in a haze and work was thest thing on my mind right now. I moaned as my mind struggled to focus on the question that he had just asked me. Unlike me, Ace seemed fully in control of his desire, and he didn¡¯t seem bothered about our intimacy at all. That¡¯s right, he did mention that we should discuss work when we came back to the hotel.

    Is this his idea of ate-night work meeting?

    ¡°I don¡¯t¡­know¡­¡± I managed to reply in a strangled voice.

    I could barely think straight let alone think of any ideas for the storyboard. What he was demanding of me felt so unreasonable. His fingers wouldn¡¯t stops stimting my clit. I could feel my pussy getting wetter and hotter from his seductive caresses. My hips began moving again, thrusting a little to rub my clit against his fingers.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Another Lusty Attempt

    ¡°Concentrate and think, Rina. Tell me something that you found interesting from today¡¯s interviews,¡± Ace prompted again, and I could tell that he was being serious about this.

    How does he expect me to be able to answer him while he¡¯s doing these lewd things to me?Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°I¡­I think¡­Ahh¡­¡± I began saying before passionate moans overtook my words.

    ¡°You¡¯re very sensitive¡­¡± Ace said with satisfaction.

    His other hand moved to cup and massage my breast as he continued to pet my clit with his other hand. I could feel his eyes staring down at my face as he watched my face contort into a mask of ecstasy.

    ¡°Let¡¯s try again, Rina. Tell me about what you thought of today¡¯s interviews,¡± Ace asked me again and he tried to get me to focus on his words.

    ¡°I¡­I think¡­that people value¡­culture¡­¡± I managed to spit out in between my wild pants.

    My body felt so unbearably hot, and it was a small miracle that I haven¡¯t fainted already. The way Ace touched my body made me feel too good that my mind could no longer function as lust and desire clouded my mind. I began moaning louder as my passion started to take over, my hips thrusting sharply upwards against his hand. I wanted to feel his fingers beating fast and hard into my wet hole until he made me cum from his fingers and then¡­

    ¡°The heat has probably gotten to you. Maybe I should get you out now,¡± Ace said with some concern in his voice.

    His hand left my pussy and I almost screamed out in frustration as my pleasure was robbed from me. I wanted him to continue touching me there. Actually, I wanted him to do more than touch my clit. As his hand withdrew from my pussy, the pleasure started to quickly recede as I whimpered from disappointment as if I was heartbroken.

    Ace¡¯s hands were on the side of my hips before he supported and lifted me up until I sat on the side of the jacuzzi with only my legs dipping into the water. It felt cooler to be up from the warm water but it wasn¡¯t too cold. My mind started to clear a little as I took in deep breaths. Maybe Ace was right, the heat may have gotten to me a little too much. That and the pleasure that he was making me experience from his seductive touches.

    ¡°Let¡¯s try again, shall we? You should feel better now. So, tell me, what caught your interest that may work as an angle for our storyboard¡­¡± Ace prompted once again as he stared up into my face.

    The sight of Ace¡¯s handsome face and captivating golden brown eyes staring up at me while he was still in the water of the jacuzzi looked so irresistibly sexy that for a moment I was lost in the depth of his amber eyes. I was even more speechless than before as I struggled to find the words.

    ¡°I¡­I think¡­showing different beliefs may not be a bad thing¡­¡± I managed to say in a whisper.

    ¡°Umm¡­what else?¡± Ace prompted further.

    I sucked in a rapid breath when I felt the heat of his hand on my knees and then he was slowly parting my legs. I moaned his name when I looked down to find him in between my widely spread legs.

    ¡°What else, Rina?¡± Ace repeated his question as he smirked up devilishly at me.

    Why did he have to be this hot and sexy?

    ¡°Umm¡­¡± I murmured as I tried to tear my eyes and my thoughts away from his sexy face.

    His teasing hands began stroking my inner thighs and that made it even harder for me to focus. By that time, I had already figured out that he was doing all of this intentionally to tease and torture me. I hated to admit it, but it was working extremely well. My pussy started to throb with my desire for him again as I felt myself getting wetter and wetter with each of his seductive caresses along the length of my inner thighs.

    ¡°Ahhh¡­Ace¡­¡± I whimpered before I had to throw my head back and moan.

    My fingers dug into the hard floor as I used my arm to support my body upright. The pleasure coursing through my body in waves drove me crazy. My pussy clenched at the sensation of Ace¡¯s sucking on my swollen clit. After crying out my pleasure, I managed to nce down to witness Ace burying his face in between my widely spread legs as he continued sucking on my hardened clit.

    ¡°Ahh! Ace¡­no¡­please¡­¡± I pleaded for him to stop.

    The pleasure of his lips sucking and licking on my sensitive seed felt overwhelming and it felt like I was ready to cum at any second. I was quickly losing control of my body and mind as my hips began thrusting upwards, shoving my pussy tantalizingly towards his lips. Hisrge hand caressed my waist before running down its curve to rest at the side of my hips.

    His tongue snaked out and licked my swollen bud in circr motions as I cried out his name loudly. My lewd panting and moans echoed all around us and it made me feel so naughty. His hand tightened against the side of my hips before he reached under my ass to cup my buttocks in hisrge hands.

    ¡°Ahhh! Ace¡­Ahhh¡­¡± I moaned even louder as desire corrupted my brain.

    My body heated up as the me of my desires burnt brightly in my throbbing core. The pleasurable ache in my lower abdomen intensified and I wanted him inside of me to satisfy my need. My pussy got wetter and wetter as he continued to lick and tease my clit.

    ¡°Your pussy got so wet. Do you like it when I lick you?¡± Ace asked seductively as his hazel eyes stared up at my face.

    I couldn¡¯t answer him even if I wanted to. So much pleasure flooded my body that I could no longer form coherent words. Only moans of pleasure left my lips as I begged him for even more pleasure. Ace smirked up at me before he buried his face in between my legs again.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Sweet Surrender

    This time, his skillful tonguepped at the juices that have leaked out of my love opening. He ran his tongue expertly along the wet slit in between my legs, making me moan even louder. I couldn¡¯t stand it anymore, I wanted more of him.

    My hands reached down and cupped his head before I tried to push him closer to me. My fingers ran through his dark and wet hair as I thrusted my pussy towards his face invitingly. Ace must have sensed that I needed more because in the next instance, I felt his hot and wet tongue thrusting boldly into my wet hole.

    ¡°Oh¡­Ahhh!¡± I cried out with a mix of surprise and pure bliss.

    I couldn¡¯t believe what was happening but the pleasure from his tongue wiggling inside of my love hole told me that Ace had really prated my cunt with his tongue. His tongue was inside of me¡­

    Before I could get over my shock, Ace¡¯s hands began lifting my hips up a little to angle my pussy the way that he wanted it. I felt the texture of his hot tongue rubbing against my pussy walls as he began thrusting his tongue in and out of my sopping wet hole. My hips jerked at the sensation of his tongue pleasuring my love hole. It felt so good and unlike anything that I had ever experienced before. The heat of his tongue inside of my hole turned me on so much.

    My legs felt weak, and it felt like my insides had melted and turned into much. I felt so weak and defenseless as Ipletely surrendered myself over to him. Ace had me in the palm of his hand and I didn¡¯t want to be anywhere else. When his tongue began thrusting faster in and out of my hole before wriggling around inside of me, I moaned louder than before. Then I had to throw my head back to cry out with my eyes squeezed tightly shut as I tried desperately to deal with the intense pleasure.

    ¡°I¡¯m going to¡­cum¡­¡± I managed to confess in between my ecstatic moans.

    Ace didn¡¯t respond to me in words because his tongue was busy fucking my wet hole while his lips were busy sucking on my love juices. However, I knew that he heard me when he pressed a finger firmly against my sensitive clit before he proceeded to stroke and then pinch on it. Thebination of pleasure sent me over the edge, and I came screaming his name as I dug my fingers into his hair.

    My entire body spasmed and trembled uncontrobly as my pussy clenched around his intruding tongue before I squirted my juices into his awaiting mouth. It was so hot and so sexy that I was turned on by what we were doing. I lost myselfpletely to my lust and desires as I whimpered like a bitch in heat. Ace sucked on my pussy before licking my juices with his enticing tongue.

    ¡°Ace¡­¡± I whimpered his name weakly when I felt his tongue gently sliding out of my hole.

    He lifted his face from my legs before he looked up at me as if to see how I was doing. I was still recovering from the aftermath of my extremely intense climax. My ragged breath made my chest rise up and down and my mind was still lost and unfocused. When I nced down at Ace, I found him staring up at me with a look of pure amusement on his face as he studied my reactions closely. His tongue slowly snaked out of his mouth to lick his lips and I blushed immediately when I recalled the pleasure that his tongue had just given me.

    I felt so embarrassed that I wasn¡¯t sure how to face him anymore. Although my legs felt weak, I tried my best to get up. It was frankly amazing that I could get up and stand on my own two feel. My wetness poured out of my hole and began trickling down my inner thighs when I stood up and a small moan left my lips. My pussy felt so sensitive from just having climaxed and every step that I took forward made my pussy quiver deep inside.

    ¡°Where are you going?¡± Ace asked leisurely from behind me.

    I heard the sound of sshing water and then footsteps which made me realized that Ace must have gotten out of the water. It wasn¡¯t long before I felt his presence close behind me, but I didn¡¯t dare turn to face him. Heat rose to my cheeks, and I began blushing wildly again. Although it wasn¡¯t my first time doing something like that, it was my first time doing it in a ce like that. Maybe it was because of that or maybe it was because it was Ace, but I just felt so embarrassed that I wanted to dig a hole and hide away somewhere.

    ¡°I¡¯m going back¡­¡± I muttered before quickly walking away.

    ¡°Wait¡­Rina¡­¡± Ace called after me gently.

    ¡°No¡­please¡­¡± I murmured as I continued walking.

    I felt Ace¡¯s presence next to me when he caught up with me, but I wouldn¡¯t meet his gaze even though I could tell that his magnificent hazel eyes were watching my face.

    ¡°Don¡¯t walk away from me, Rina,¡± Ace warned sternly.

    I looked up from the floor to find him standing right in front of me, blocking my escape with his body.

    ¡°I just want to go back to the room now¡­¡± I mumbled as I tried to walk past him.

    Not surprisingly, Ace wouldn¡¯t let me get away from him that easily. His hand reached out at astonishing speed to grab my wrist.This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°I¡¯ll take you there,¡± he said coldly before he began pulling me after him out of the room.

    ¡­

    I found myself sitting on the sofa back in our hotel suite room with nothing, but a white robe wrapped around my body. Ace had gone off somewhere after leading me there. My body and mind felt like a mess as I sat there absentmindedly just staring at the carpeted floor in between my feet.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Lost in Him

    ¡°This is for you¡­¡± I heard Ace¡¯s voice whispering softly as he crouched down in front of me.

    His face came into my field of vision before I felt something cold and wet against my cheek. ncing to the side, I could see that he had pressed a can of cold fruit juice against my cheek.Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.

    ¡°Thank you¡­¡± I murmured when he ced the cold can into my hands.

    ¡°Feeling better?¡± he asked in a voice so gentle that my heart clenched hard in my chest.

    I just nodded my head at him as I tried to avoid his gaze. What is wrong with me? I just¡­couldn¡¯t understand myself.

    ¡°No¡­I don¡¯t know¡­sorry¡­¡± I murmured as if close to tears.

    Why am I so confused?

    He was so rough with me and then he¡¯s so kind and gentle with me. It made me feel so confused and I didn¡¯t know how I should be feeling anymore. Ace¡­he¡¯s so hard for me to understand. He does all that to me and I melt just at his touch. He gave me so much pleasure that I cried out and begged him for more. He seduced me and I found myself willingly dancing to his tune. Then I get mad at him for reasons that I don¡¯t even understand. What do I want from him? What do I want from myself?

    When he smiles at me and when he apologizes, I can¡¯t find it in me to get mad at him at all. Perhaps, it was precisely because of that that I was upset and mad at myself instead.

    ¡°You should go to bed. It¡¯ste,¡± Ace said calmly.

    Before I could react, Ace had scooped me up into his arms again. It was amazing how he had so much energy to handle me so effortlessly. Without another word, Ace carried me into the bedroom and ced me gently onto the bed. My body froze when my back hit the bed as I thought of Ace getting into bed with me and what may follow.

    To my surprise, instead of getting on the bed with me, Ace just turned and headed for the bedroom door. I propped myself up into a sitting position on the bed as I stared at his back.

    ¡°Ace?¡± I called out his name questioningly before I could stop myself.

    ¡°Hmm¡­¡± Ace made a sound in response.

    ¡°Where are you going?¡± I asked softly.

    ¡°Nowhere. I¡¯m going to sleep on the couch outside. Good night,¡± Ace replied curtly.

    The door closed behind him, and I was the only one left in the bedroom. After blinking my eyes rapidly a few times in surprise at Ace¡¯s sudden departure, I began preparing for bed. It had been a long day and I could use some rest. Catching up on sleep was definitely one of the things on my top priority list of things to do. I switched off the lights andid on the king-sized bed with my eyes closed as I tried to rx and go to sleep.

    ¡­

    I must have fallen asleep sometime after turning off the lights because I found myself in dreand. It was strange how I knew that I was dreaming and how the body just goes along with the mind as it dreams about strange or random things. The dream that I was seeing was definitely one of those random dreams. Just like many dreams that I¡¯ve had recently, I saw Ace in my dream. I¡¯ve been seeing him so often in my dreams now that it no longer surprised me.

    Ace sat in the middle of a grass field, and it was bright and sunny. The weather seemed perfect for a pic, and for some reason, Ace had a puppy on hisp and he was ying with it. I watched from where I was standing as Ace began stroking the puppy¡¯s head as the puppy wagged its tail happily. I had no idea why I was dreaming about this but in my dream, I could feel my overwhelming happiness and joy.

    Suddenly, the sunny blue sky turned dark and rain clouds started taking over. It didn¡¯t take long for it to rain and then it poured. The wind turned harsh, and the roar of thunder resonated all around us. Huge raindrops fell onto me and soaked my clothes. The puppy started to panic from the loud sound of thunder. After struggling, the puppy freed itself and began running away. Ace got up and ran towards me with a worried look on his face. Suddenly, I could feel his panic and I got scared of losing the puppy.

    Although I knew that it was nothing more than a dream, the tightness in my chest felt real as I struggled to contain my worries. Ace began saying something, but the sound of the rain drowned out his voice and I couldn¡¯t hear what he was saying at all. Suddenly, pain shot through my head like I was starting to have a migraine.

    ¡°Ace¡­¡±

    The next thing I knew, my eyes had already sprung opened and I was staring into the darkness right in front of me. The bedroom was dark and silent. My eyes slowly adjusted to the darkness and soon I could make out some outlines. I sighed softly to myself when I realized that I must have had that dream because I was worrying about Ace. He gave up the bed so that I could get my rest which meant that he had to sleep on the sofa. I wonder how he¡¯s doing right now. Is he sleeping well?

    The digital clock next to the bed showed that it was around 3AM which meant that I didn¡¯t sleep for that long. It waste in the night but there were many hours left before morning would arrive. Although I knew that I should try my best to go to sleep, my worry for Ace took over and I had to admit that I probably won¡¯t be able to fall asleep.

    Karina¡­what are you doing? Why am I doing this?

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Me as His Body Pillow

    Regardless of what my mind thought, my body had already started moving on its own as my arms threw the nket off my body before I swung my legs off the side of the bed. I was on my feet and making my way towards the door in no time at all. I tiptoed towards the door, afraid to make any sound that might wake Ace up.

    He might be sleeping. Actually, I hoped that he was sound asleep. If I can just see that he¡¯s alright, then I can probably go back to sleep with a peace of mind.

    Careful not to make any loud noises, I slowly opened the bedroom door and made my way into the adjoining living room where Ace was sleeping on the sofa. Thankfully, the floor was carpeted and that helped to soften the sounds of my footsteps. It was quite dark in the living room but not as dark as in the bedroom thanks to some light shining in through the curtains to the side of the room.

    The room was so silent that all I could hear was the sound of my own heart racing inside my chest. I was so nervous, and my nerves were all on edge as I inched closer to the sofa where Ace was sleeping. My eyes had adjusted to the darkness, and I could make out the outlines of everything pretty well. The closer I got to the sofa, the louder my heartbeat rang in my ears. When I came to stand right beside the sofa, I could see Ace sleeping on it with a nket over his body.

    I couldn¡¯t really make out the details of his face because it was too dark for that but from how still and silent he was, I came to the conclusion that he must be sleeping. Relief flooded my body as I slowly breathed out a breath that I hadn¡¯t realized that I had been anxiously holding. Suddenly, I felt a little less guilty about taking up his offer to take the bed.

    Ace must have led a pampered and sheltered life as suited to someone born in such a wealthy family so I wasn¡¯t sure if he could fall asleep on a sofa like this. I guess I was worried for nothing. Unlike me, I can fall asleep anywhere at all. With the living standards that I had growing up, the less fussy I was, the better.

    Now that I¡¯ve seen for myself that Ace seems to be sleeping soundly, I was relieved and ready to make my way back to bed to get some sleep myself. Just when I turned around to leave, I felt something warm around my wrist.

    ¡°Ahhh!¡± I cried out quite loudly in my surprise and panic.

    Reflexively, I began yanking my wrist back as I tried to get free.

    ¡°You really love to invade my sleeping space, don¡¯t you?¡± Ace asked sleepily.

    Did I wake him?

    It was then that it registered on my brain that the warmth and pressure that I felt around my wrist must be Ace¡¯s hand gripping it.

    ¡°Ace¡­I¡¯m sorry¡­did I wake you?¡± I asked in a regrettable breathless whisper.

    Instead of replying to my question, Ace yanked on my arm, and I found myself losing my bnce before I fell onto him. Everything happened so fast, that I wasn¡¯t sure if I had fallen or if he had pulled me on top of him. Perhaps it was abination of both of those things. His strong arms wrapped around my body as I felt the heat of his body against the length of mine.

    I felt the hardness of his muscr body against mine as his arms hugged me tightly to him. My body stiffened in shock at the suddenness of his surprise attack. How did I end up sleeping on him again?

    ¡°Ace¡­¡± I called his name and was even more surprised when my voice came out as a soft whimper.

    ¡°You truly love to sneak up on me when I¡¯m sleeping, don¡¯t you?¡± Ace teased as his hands began stroking my back sensually.

    He was probably referring to the time when I invaded the rooftop which he considered his private sleeping space. This was very different, though. I just wanted to check that he was alright.

    ¡°It¡¯s not like that. I was just¡­¡± I began exining before I realized how ridiculous my reason would sound.

    ¡°You were just what?¡± he asked as his hands began stroking the side of my waist.Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.

    Surprisingly, I found his gentle caresses calming andforting rather than disturbing and my body slowly began to rx on top of him.

    ¡°I was afraid that you wouldn¡¯t be able to fall asleep on the couch like this¡­so¡­¡± I replied before trailing of shyly.

    ¡°So, you were worried about me. Is that it?¡± Ace asked as if he wanted to make sure that he understood me correctly.

    ¡°Well¡­I guess¡­¡± I was forced to admit in a small voice.

    I could sense Ace smiling although I couldn¡¯t see his face that clearly.

    ¡°I always sleep better with a body pillow. They don¡¯t seem to have one here so what do you say about being my body pillow for the night?¡± Ace suggested.

    ¡°Huh? What?¡± I said in disbelief.

    ¡°I¡¯ll sleep so much better if I can hold you like this,¡± Ace murmured in a seductive drawl.

    ¡°Ace¡­wait¡­¡± I mumbled.

    Ace shifted his body to the side slightly before he positioned me down onto the sofa next to him. He turned to his side and wrapped his arms around me. I felt his warm breath against my neck as he snuggled his face there and began breathing in my scent deeply. Ace moaned softly as his arms tightened around my body. My body froze at his sudden change in position and how tightly he was holding me. I could feel his body heat everywhere along the length of our touching bodies.

    As if we were not yet close enough with our bodies pressed up against each other, Ace lifted his leg and ced it over my hips to hug me even closer against him. My eyes widened when I realized that he truly intended to use me as his human body pillow for the night.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Inviting Him to Bed

    I blushed wildly in the darkness at my own thought that it felt sofortable to snuggle with him like this. Ace sighed softly and the way that his hand softly stroked the back of my head told me that he was enjoying this as well.

    After a while ofying like that silently, I felt like I was about to drift off into sleep. Won¡¯t we wake up with muscles aches or backpain if we slept the remaining of the night like this on the sofa in this position?

    It didn¡¯t seem like Ace was willing to let me go at all. A shameful thought urred me and I spent a few minutes debating to myself on what to do with it.

    If we¡¯re going to be sleeping pressed up against each other like this for the remining of the night anyways, we might as well¡­

    My train of thought was interrupted when Ace began cing small tender kisses against my neck before he trailed those kisses upwards to my cheek. His kisses were more yful than seductive, and I reacted by squirming in his arms.

    ¡°Can you really fall asleep like this?¡± I asked in wonder.

    ¡°I can¡­¡± Ace replied with certainty.

    If we¡¯re going to be sleeping together anyways then¡­I can¡¯t believe that I¡¯m really going to say this.

    ¡°Should we¡­go to the bed?¡± I asked very softly and very hesitantly.

    Ace¡¯s lips froze on my neck, and I could tell that he was surprised by my unexpected invitation. I wasn¡¯t sure if Ace was taking this the wrong way or not but just to make sure that he didn¡¯tpletely misunderstand my intention¡­

    ¡°No! I don¡¯t mean it like that¡­¡± I quickly rified before he got any funny ideas about my proposal.

    ¡°Like what?¡± Ace teased as if he had no idea what I was talking about.

    I sighed and decided to just shut up before I got myself into any more trouble. To my surprise, Ace let go of me and sat up on the sofa.

    ¡°Come, Rina¡­let¡¯s go to the bed,¡± Ace urged in a seductive drawl as he reached for my hands.

    Ace pulled me up to my feet with ease while I ended up slightly disorientated from being suddenly pulled to my feet. Without waiting any further, Ace led me back to the bedroom.

    ¡°Ace¡­¡± I called his name in slight protest.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I won¡¯t do anything to you¡­tonight¡­¡± Ace promised casually.Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.

    Everything would have worked out fine if he hadn¡¯t added the word ¡®tonight¡¯ to the end of that phrase.

    Ace snuggled closer to me on the bed, and I could feel his heat against my back along with his soft breath against my ear. His scent enveloped me along with his strong arms as he hugged me against is body. How our bodies fitted well together felt so natural andfortable and it wasn¡¯t long before my eyelids started to feel very heavy.

    True to his words of promise, Ace didn¡¯t try anything else with me that night and I ended up sleeping very well in his arms until morning came along with the start of another day with him.

    ¡­

    Rung was there to greet us at the hotel lobby at the appointed time. Ace chatted to him in such a friendly way that made it look like they had known each other for years instead of having met only yesterday. I was pleasantly surprised at how down-to-earth and casual Ace could be. It was a stark difference to the impression that I had of him before I got to spend time with him. He seemed cold, arrogant, and extremely distant when I knew him as just the CEO of thepany that I work for.

    Now that I see him chatting andughing along with Rung¡¯s jokes, he seemed so much more human. I couldn¡¯t keep my eyes off of him as his face transformed into various animated expressions. The way he was dressed also added to the casual feel about him that I wasn¡¯t at all used to. Instead of his formal business suit attire that he normally wore at the office, Ace had a simple white long-sleeve shirt on with a pair of basic light blue jeans. Despite the cold that usually set in closer to sunset, Ace didn¡¯t seem bothered by the cold and had the sleeves of his shirt rolled up around his elbow.

    ¡°Rina?¡± Ace called my name questioningly.

    I blinked my eyes rapidly when I realized that my name had been called. My mind snapped back to reality from spacing out and thinking too much about Ace. I offered him a small smile to show him that he had my attention now.

    ¡°We should be arriving soon. Don¡¯t forget anything in the car, ok? We might have to walk a little to the farm,¡± Ace informed me casually.

    ¡°Right¡­ok¡­¡± I replied.

    Quickly, I checked that I had everything that we would need. Ace and Rung had helped to provide most of everything including pens, notebook, a voice recorder, and other items that we may need to record our visit to the farm.

    I had to say that I walked in quite mentally prepared for what I was about to see. After watching multiple videos of dog meat farms in poor and unhygienic conditions, I thought that I had formted quite a clear picture of what we were about to see.

    After walking a couple of minutes down a slightly narrow road from where Rung had parked the car, we arrived at the front gates of what was supposed to be the first dog meat farm for our visit for the day. Rung told us that he had arranged for our visit beforehand, so the farm was expecting us. The farm didn¡¯t look big, and it was clear from how run-down the facility was that it was a locally run small business. Just standing in front of the gates, I could smell the animals and their excretion.

    ¡°You, ok?¡± Ace asked softly as he reached for my hand and held it softly in his.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Leaning On Him

    ¡°¡­Yes, of course,¡± I replied as I tried to keep my voice from shaking.

    We haven¡¯t even gone inside yet so I knew that this was nothing. Being a dog and animal lover did not work in my favor at all for this case because it made me feel more sensitive to what I was about to see than normal. However, this was work and don¡¯t people say that understanding the problem is the first step to solving it?

    Suddenly, a man with grey hair approached the gate. Rung quickly greeted the man in their localnguage and the manughed carefreely as he unlocked the gates for us and weed us in. Ace and I both smiled at the man in greeting before we were led inside. There was a small unkept yard between the gate and the main building. The ce seemed to resemble more of a single-story warehouse than a building and it was clear that that was where the dogs were being kept.Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.

    Rung continued conversing with the man who I assumed was the owner of the farm before he turned to smile at us reassuringly. We knew that he would soon trante things to us, so we spent the time just looking around the ce. The sounds of dogs barking filled our ears even before we entered the warehouse. I flinched at the thought of just imagining how many dogs were kept in there.

    The owner opened the door to the warehouse, and I found myself inside a dog meat farm for the first time of my life. The scene in front of me gave me goosebumps and a sense of depression like I have never felt before in my life. Countless dogs were locked up in crowded cages that seemed too small for them to share. Endless rows of cages lined the warehouse, and many were stacked on top of each other to ensure that the warehouse could fit as many cages and dogs as possible. The smell was something that I knew I would not forget for a long time even though I truly wanted to. There were many staff walking around the ce busy with their work of feeding, cleaning, and other activities that I couldn¡¯t quiteprehend.

    ¡°So, this is where they keep the dogs. I asked him and most of the dogs are captured and sold here while they also raise some just for sale. Every week or twice a week, an agent wille with a truck to pick up the dogs. They sell it live, none of the dogs are butchered here,¡± Rung exined as he waved with his hand for us to follow him deeper into the warehouse.

    I felt like I had seen more than enough from where I was standing and my feet felt rooted to the ground as I hesitated to take a single step forward. Ace must have sensed my extreme difort before he gave my hand aforting squeeze.

    ¡°Rina¡­you don¡¯t have to go in if you don¡¯t want to. Do you want to wait outside?¡± Ace asked as he bent down until his face was at my level.

    I could see the care in his hazel brown eyes as his brows drew together in concern for me. Honesty, I didn¡¯t want to take another step forward into that ce at all. However, I also knew that that was no good. I came all the way here, I can¡¯t exactly back out now just because I was taken aback by seeing the harsh reality in front of me.

    ¡°Can you wait a moment please, Rung. I¡¯ll take Rina back outside¡­¡± Ace turned to tell Rung.

    I probably looked like such a fool and a coward. This is for work. I came here exactly for this. If I don¡¯t do this, how are we going to produce an award-winningmercial. Pain shot through my lower lip, and I realized that I had started chewing hard on my lip.

    ¡°No! I¡¯m fine. I¡¯ll go in with you,¡± I told him while trying to keep my voice from shaking from fear.

    ¡°Are you sure?¡± Ace asked.

    ¡°Yes. Let¡¯s go¡­¡± I replied before I could change my mind.

    Ace seemed hesitant but decided to lead me inside after taking my hand into this. His warm hand around mine feltforting and I appreciated his presence close to me. Without realizing it at first, I had probably started relying on Ace as a source of emotional support. Rung was already in the center of the warehouse conversing animatedly with the farm¡¯s owner. He seemed to be enjoying this trip and this job of his a lot.

    ¡°This way guys!¡± Rung called out to us as he waved a hand above his head.

    ¡°Anything interesting?¡± Ace asked in wonder.

    I pressed my body close to Ace as I tried to control my own fears. This isn¡¯t the time to freak out, I told myself repeatedly. The dogs in the cages barked loudly at us as their eyes stared and red at us. It took a lot of self-control to keep my mind from wandering into the dark thoughts that these dogs will soon turn into meat. The thought made my body shiver. Ace must have sensed my fear because he wrapped an arm around my waist and started stroking the side of my waist.

    I turned to smile at him a little to ensure him that I was fine. Rung continued talking to the farm owner for a little while longer before turning to address us and I knew that our briefing was about to start.

    ¡°Alright. So, there are around 500-ish dogs kept here. Every week or so they sell around half of those. A trader wille to collect the dogs via trucks and then they will be led to a butchery sight where the animals are processed. The meat is then distributed to various local markets across the countries based on orders,¡± Rung exined without going into the gory details.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Controversial Feelings

    Ace followed up with many questions while I concentrated on operating the voice recorder. The dogs were barking loudly so I wasn¡¯t sure if we would be able to hear the words properly or not over the sound of the dogs barking. I felt extremely ufortable with the dogs staring at us and couldn¡¯t wait to get out of there.

    ¡°Follow us this way. He¡¯ll show us around the farm a little more,¡± Rung told us.

    We proceeded to follow the farm¡¯s owner out the door on the other side of the warehouse from where we had entered. The back door led out to a yard where they were muchrger cages that were now empty outside.

    ¡°These cages are for storing temporary stock before the traderse to pick them up,¡± Rung exined before going into more details of the pickup and delivery schedule.

    ¡°Can you ask him what the farm owner thinks of this business? Is the demand for dog meat growing or shrinking? What does he think of people¡¯s opinion of this business?¡± Ace asked curiously.

    Now that we were outside of the warehouse and I could no longer see the dogs, I felt slightly better. The fresh air outside really helped although the smell of the animals was still heavy in the air. Rung tranted Ace¡¯s questions for the farm owner. The man nodded before answering the questions.

    ¡°He says that he thinks that there is nothing wrong with what he is doing. He thinks that dog meat farms are normal just like chicken farms. There are many local chicken and pig farms that are run with simr standards to his farm so he doesn¡¯t understand the issues at all. Demand has been the same for him because his farm is small, so he doesn¡¯t have any problem selling all his dogs,¡± Rung tranted before continuing to listen a little more to the farm owner.

    ¡°What did he say just now?¡± Ace prompted.

    ¡°He says that he knows that younger generations that love dogs think that this is barbaric. He isn¡¯t bothered by that thought. He says that as long as there is demand for dog meat, someone has to provide it. If it isn¡¯t him, it¡¯ll end up being someone else in the business,¡± Rung replied with his trantion.

    ¡°Right. Thank you. Let¡¯s go on to the next farm,¡± Ace said before he turned to bow in thanks to the farm owner.

    I did the same to show my appreciation and the man smiled back at me kindly. After interacting with the farm owner, I had to say that he was kind and gentle just like any nice uncle that you would run into. Even though he is involved in a business that is viewed as cruel, he is still very much human. The picture of the people behind this trade being evil didn¡¯t quite fit what I was seeing for myself.

    After wrapping up our work at the first farm, we headed to the second farm for the day.

    ¡­

    In the end, we managed to visit 4 farms. The schedule was really packed but we somehow made it through. Ace was very strategic with the farms that he got Rung to contact and take us to. There was a good mix of various farm sizes ranging from small local farms ran by one sole owner and some staff such as the first one that we visited torger farms that resembled more or a formal industry with many employees and operating at much arger scale.

    It was amazing to see how big the dog meat trade really is in this country and how normal the people who worked in these farms thought that it was. It didn¡¯t seem like everyone who worked in these farms consumed dog meat, but they viewed it as normal for some people to have the preference. By the time we got back into the car to head back to the hotel, I had started developing very mixed feelings about the subjectpared to before.

    What I saw at the farms still felt as shocking as ever. As time passed by and we visited more farms, I got a little used to seeing the animals and how they were treated and kept in cages; however, that didn¡¯t mean that it became any easier for me to swallow. Sitting in the car next to Ace made me realize just how tired and drained I was from the trip, and it wasn¡¯t mainly physical, I felt drained emotionally.

    ¡°You look tired. Let¡¯s call it a day and rx back at the hotel,¡± Ace suggested as his fingers stroked the back of my hand gently.

    I watched absentmindedly as his beautiful fingers moved gently on the back of my hand. After looking up at this face, I could see him smiling at me warmly and my heart clenched tightly in my chest. On top of dealing with the work, I had to deal with this attractive man here as well. I need to find a way to get some proper rest, I felt so tired.

    ¡°That would be nice¡­¡± I replied in agreement.

    Rung quickly excused himself after dropping us off at the hotel lobby. I thanked him and waved as he drove away. I really liked Rung and how helpful he was to us on top of his positive attitude. I doubt that our interviews with the various people would have gone as smoothly as it did if we didn¡¯t have Rung. The topic and questions that we asked were quite controversial so it wouldn¡¯te as a surprise if people might find it offensive. Rung had a genius way ofughing his way through those awkward and difficult patches of conversations from my observations.This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Let¡¯s rest up a bit and order some room service food,¡± Ace suggested as he led me by the hand towards the elevators.

    I followed after him willingly without much energy to resist. Since the schedule was busy, we didn¡¯t have time to stop for a proper lunch. I didn¡¯t have any issues with the food that Rung got for us, though. However, after seeing what I had seen, I didn¡¯t have much of an appetite and pretty much ended up skipping on having lunch. My body was paying for skipping on a meal very dearly now because I felt so hungry and low on energy. My tummy wouldn¡¯t stop churning around and I prayed that it wouldn¡¯t growl so loud that Ace would hear it. That would be the most embarrassing thing ever.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 His Genius Idea

    ¡°Let¡¯s see what food they have on the menu. If there¡¯s nothing that you fancy, we can always go to one of the restaurants in the hotel,¡± Ace told me as he offered me the menu book.

    ¡°Thanks¡­¡± I thanked him softly as I took the menu from his hand.

    While I was sitting on the sofa in the living room of our hotel suite, Ace took out hisptop before sitting down close to me on the sofa. I nced over to find that he had already started working on something. Suddenly, I felt bad for leisurely choosing food for my dinner while he was busy working.

    ¡°Ace¡­is there something that I can help out with?¡± I asked.

    ¡°Yes, order some food for yourself and order some for me too,¡± Ace replied without shifting his eyes off theptop¡¯s screen.

    ¡°Umm¡­Ok¡­I¡¯ll do that¡­¡± I mumbled.

    After picking out a few items that should work, I dialed the operator via the hotel phone to ce my orders.

    ¡°Can you list out some insights and potential angles for the storyline please?¡± Ace told me while his eyes still stared at hisptop screen.

    ¡°Yes¡­I¡¯ll do that,¡± I replied.

    ¡°Let¡¯s discuss it in 15 minutes, I¡¯ve got some ideas too¡­¡± Ace said without looking my way.

    He seemed busy. I guess apart from this project it wasn¡¯t unusual for him to have other projects or work on hand. I stood up and took out my notebook and the voice recorder before taking a seat at the table. Soon enough Ace followed me and took the seat next to me before his attention returned to hisptop again.

    We worked side by side in silence. He sorted out his work while I listened through some of the interviews using headphones. It was hard for me to think of any creative angles for the storyboard. Honestly, every time I listened to the interview, I just felt depressed about the topic. Showing a very depressing story probably won¡¯t be good enough to get the message across. There¡¯s also the issue of preserving culture which gave me pause. If we support this cause and campaign for donations to end the dog meat trade, that will mean that we would be choosing to end some traditions and culture, right?

    The worst part was that that tradition and culture wasn¡¯t even ours in the first ce. Did we have the right to do such a thing? Is there a middle path solution somewhere that is eptable by both sides?

    If there is, how do we push for it, and would that lead to a weak messaging in the campaign?

    Let¡¯s say¡­

    ¡°I¡¯m done. Now, tell me your ideas,¡± Ace ordered as he turned to face me.

    That was fast. Time flew by much faster than I thought when I was deep in thought. Seemed like my time was up and now Ace wanted some answers.

    ¡°Umm¡­I don¡¯t have anything solid, but I do have some thoughts on this. I think that it might be good if we can find some middle ground¡­¡± I began exining.

    Ace gave me a curious look and I knew that he didn¡¯t fully understand.

    ¡°What kind of middle ground are you thinking of?¡± he asked.

    ¡°Well, it seemed like all the local people that we interviewed mentioned about traditions and culture, so I was thinking that if we campaign to end all dog meat trade then we would essentially be ending their traditional practices as well¡­¡± I voiced my concern.

    ¡°So, you¡¯re scared of killing some old customs and traditions?¡± Ace asked.

    ¡°Well, yes. The thing is, we¡¯ll be campaigning to kill customs and traditions that is not ours simply because our values are different. Dogs are purely pets for us but for people of other cultures, dogs can be food. After listening to them, it¡¯s hard to draw the line¡­I think¡­¡± I tried my best to exin.

    ¡°If we present a middle ground ofpromise, what would that be?¡± Ace asked with interest.

    ¡°I¡¯m not sure. Maybe something like raising money to improve the conditions and practices in the dog meat farms?¡± I voiced hesitantly.

    ¡°In other words, we¡¯re not campaigning for the end of the trade at all. We¡¯re saying it¡¯s eptable as long as the farms are clean, and the dogs are treated well in the farms?¡± Ace asked to make sure that he understood.

    ¡°Something like that. That¡¯s all that I can think of right now. I know that the message is weak and very confusing¡­¡± I admitted weakly.Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°I agree. It¡¯s very weak. If I find it confusing, the audience will too. I doubt a messaging as weak as this would lead anyone to donate money to the cause. Most donators will want to end the trade, they probably won¡¯t pay for anything else especially if it seems to suggest that their money will be used to support the continuation of the trade,¡± Ace pointed out sternly.

    Right¡­I had not really thought about that.

    ¡°I guess you¡¯re right. I¡¯m sorry¡­¡± I mumbled.

    ¡°Everyone that we interviewed seemed to think that the dog meat trade industry is in its sunset phase anyways. New generations are treating dogs as pets even in this country. The tradition of eating dogs hasn¡¯t been widely adopted by the younger generation. Over time, the practice will probably disappear along with the old tradition just like any other old traditions that has lost poprity as time went by,¡± Ace stated his point of view calmly.

    ¡°Do you have any ideas?¡± I asked.

    ¡°What about something that shoots down two birds with one stone?¡± Ace suggested with a smile.

    ¡°Like what?¡± I asked. He certainly had me interested in his proposal already and I haven¡¯t even heard it yet.

    ¡°Ending the dog meat trade and all the animal cruelty associated with it while showing cultural transition of the newer generation embracing change. The change in the role of dogs in society might be a nice note to end on. We can show the natural progression in terms of culture while still sticking to the cause of ending the dog meat trade,¡± Ace suggested before smiling confidently at me.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Seductive Invitation

    ¡°Sounds much better than my idea¡­¡± I admitted in awe.

    ¡°You like it? That¡¯s great¡­¡± Ace said with a grin my way.

    ¡°Yeah¡­I really like it¡­¡± I mumbled a little shyly.

    ¡°Can I bother you to draw up a strawman storyline and storyboard based on my idea just now?¡± Ace asked.

    ¡°Of course. I¡¯ll start working on it right away!¡± I agreed excitedly.

    We finally have a direction for this. I truly liked his idea and I bet that so will the audience and themittee. On top of that, I couldn¡¯t help but feel honored to be tasked with drafting a storyline based on his idea.Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°It¡¯ste. You can start tomorrow or something¡­¡± Ace told me calmly.

    ¡°No. I¡¯ll start right now¡­¡± I replied before getting up from my seat to grab myptop.

    Better strike the iron when it¡¯s hot.

    ¡­

    ¡°Come to bed¡­Rina¡­¡± Ace coaxed softly from behind me.

    I shifted in my seat and felt soreness shoot through my shoulders and then the muscles of my back. This must be the result of sitting in front of myptop for hours since my meeting with Ace ended. I felt his strong arms wrap around me from behind before I could turn to face him. He smelled of soap so he must have just showered.

    ¡°Ace¡­¡± I whispered his name in slight surprise at his closeness.

    I could feel his warm breath against my ear and the heat of his body against my back. His words reminded me of the events ofst night and how we spent the night together in bed. Although he didn¡¯t do anything naughty to mest night in bed, the thought still brought a rush of heat to my cheeks.

    ¡°Stop working already. Come to bed¡­¡± Ace repeated again invitingly.

    I nced at theptop screen in front of me as my iplete work greeted my sight. It wasn¡¯t like I had expected toplete everything tonight, but I had thought that I would make more progress than I did. Unfortunately, that wasn¡¯t the case. Ace¡¯s idea was brilliant, but it was alsoplex and hard for me to capture in a storyline. It required me to think and adapt his idea into a flow that would captivate and engage the audience. That was my job, and I wasn¡¯t sure if I was living up to his expectations of me or not. Without realizing it at first, this task brought with it a lot more pressure on me.

    ¡°I¡¯m nowhere near done, so maybe I should work on it a little more¡­¡± I said before I let out a small sigh.

    ¡°Why are you such a workaholic? Are you always like this?¡± Ace asked a little teasingly.

    ¡°Well¡­¡± I mumbled.

    ¡°No need to answer that. I bet you are. Enough working for tonight. This is a direct order from your CEO,¡± Ace ordered in his authoritative voice.

    He¡¯s my CEO alright¡­

    ¡°If you say so¡­¡± I replied hesitantly.

    I wasn¡¯t sure if he should be exerting his authority this way, but it still brought a little smile to my lips.

    ¡°Great. Bedtime!¡± Ace dered happily.

    I let out yelp as he spun my chair around. His hand grabbed mine at lightning speed and I found myself up on my feet in no time at all after he had pulled me up to my feet.

    ¡°Umm¡­¡± I mumbled.

    Since Ace took the sofast night, I thought that it would only be fair if I slept on the sofa tonight. I don¡¯t think that it would bother my sleep at all, so it wasn¡¯t a big deal for me.

    ¡°Let¡¯s go to bed already¡­¡± Ace said impatiently.

    ¡°Wait! Let me sleep on the sofa tonight. You can take the bed. There¡¯s no need to worry about me,¡± I quickly told him.

    Ace¡¯s hazel eyes narrowed at me dangerously. Did I say something wrong just now?

    Before I could ask him what I said wrong, Ace shook his head in clear disapproval. I let out another cry when Ace suddenly hoisted my body up into his arms with ease. My eyes widened as I stared up at Ace¡¯s attractive face in shock. He truly never listens to me or any of my protests.

    ¡°Ace¡­¡± I called his name pleadingly.

    ¡°We slept together in bed alreadyst night. Why can¡¯t we do the same tonight?¡± Ace asked but it didn¡¯t seemed like he was interested in an answer.

    ¡°That¡¯s¡­I was just scared that you wouldn¡¯t befortable on the sofa. If it¡¯s me, I¡¯ll have no problem sleeping there¡­¡± I tried my best to exin.

    ¡°Well, I¡¯m afraid you won¡¯t befortable on the sofa either. Plus, I like sleeping with you,¡± Ace said so casually.

    After walking from the living room into the bedroom and closing the door behind us, Ace ced me gently on the bed. I knew that sleep wasn¡¯t what he had in mind when he got on top of me.

    ¡°Ace!¡± I cried out his name in a panic.

    This is just¡­so sudden¡­

    ¡°Shhh¡­if you scream too loudly, they¡¯ll just think that I¡¯m showing you such a good time¡­¡± Ace teased before he smirked yfully at me.

    His face is so sexy and the desire dancing in the depth of his eyes looked so hot that I felt like he could melt me with his intense gaze. Ace¡¯s amber eyes seemed to shine like a predator¡¯s in the dim light of the bedroom.

    ¡°Ace¡­¡± I whispered his name before I moaned.

    Ace buried his face in the crook of my neck before his lips began nting small sensual kisses against my sensitive skin. It felt so exciting and so pleasurable that I felt goosebumps form all over my body just form his kiss. His wet tongue slipped out from between his lips andpped at my neck. The warm wetness of his tongue trialed a line down the side of my neck while I moaned his name.

    ¡°Just stay still, Rina. Good girl¡­I¡¯ll do the rest¡­¡± Ace whispered seductively into my ear, and I felt my restraints slipping another knot.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Canéˆ¥æª› Hold Back

    ¡°Mhmmm¡­¡± I moaned my protest into his kiss when his lips captured mine.

    He kissed me and my mind immediately grew hazy as desire started building up deep inside of my core. His lips teased mine before his wet tongue thrusted deftly into my mouth and began tasting me. His tongue explored my mouth before engaging my tongue in a passionate dance while I made small whimpering sounds. His hands began exploring the curves of my body starting from my waist before slipping upwards.

    My back arched upwards when hisrge hands found my breasts and began massaging them softly. His touch felt so pleasurable on my womanly flesh. My core started throbbing with need as a pleasurable ache began forming in the pit of my stomach. Once again, my body began reacting to him without reserve and it wasn¡¯t long before I began kissing him back hungrily. I loved the taste of his kisses and his scent as it filled my senses and made me desire him more.

    Ace broke our kiss just enough to pull the white robe that he had onpletely off his body. My eyes fell on his sexy naked form as my eyes took in his well-formed muscles. My hands itched with my desire to run my hands all along the muscles of his naked body. I wanted to touch him¡­This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Ahh¡­Ace¡­¡± I moaned when his hands began undressing me.

    His tugged and pulled on my clothes roughly and I could sense his impatience and desire for me. I helped him by lifting my arms and my hips off the bed in turn until he hadpletely stripped me. Things were moving fast to match the intense desire that was burning wildly inside us both. I tried to cover my naked breasts with my hands when Iypletely naked under his intense gaze on the bed.

    ¡°Remove your hands, Rina. Let me get my fill of you¡­¡± Ace urged seductively as his hands started to peel my hands away from my naked womanly mounds.

    ¡°Ace¡­¡± I whimpered his name weakly.

    My core throbbed with the heat of my desire, and I couldn¡¯t wait for him to touch my naked skin directly. Soon, I got my wish. Ace pressed his body on top of mine, and I moaned as I felt the pleasure of his heated skin against my own. His hard muscles pressed up against my softer body. I never knew that the weight of another person on top of me could feel this good. My lips moaned his name repeatedly as his hands began stroking my hips before moving up to cup and grope my breasts again.

    The twin perks of my breasts hardened to his touch. My nipples grew erect as it stood up to beg for his loving attention. Hisrge hands massaged my breasts while I whimpered and thrusted my chest up against his hands.

    ¡°Ace¡­Ahhhh!¡± I cried out loudly at the intense pleasure coursing through my body.

    His hot wet lips engulfed my nipple and began sucking hard on them whilepping at the hardened tip with his skillful tongue. I had never felt so much pleasure from my breasts being yed with before. It felt so good that I felt like I could really cum just from him pleasuring my breasts. His lips let go of my swollen nipple before paying the same loving attention to my other nipple while I moaned my lust.

    His hand quickly moved down my body until he began parting my legs wide apart for him. My legs felt weak, and my mind was consumed by lust. I did not hesitate to part my legs open widely for him before thrusting my hips upwards, shoving my pussy up wantonly from the bed invitingly.

    So much for wanting to sleep separately for the night¡­

    ¡°Sorry, Rina¡­but I can¡¯t hold back two nights in a row¡­¡± Ace whispered in a voice dripping with lust.

    ¡°Ahhh¡­¡± I moaned lewdly.

    His finger caressed up its way until they arrived at the wetness in between my legs. I closed my eyes and moaned as raw pleasure began taking over me at the sensation of his fingers stroking my flooded love entrance. Ace ran his fingertips up and down my wet slit before pinching my swollen and sensitive clit teasingly. He made my hips squirm from the tantalizing pleasure. I thrusted my hips wildly against his fingers as I attempted to rub my clit against his fingers for heightened pleasure.

    ¡°Ahhh¡­Ace¡­¡± I moaned his name again.

    His fingers thrusted suddenly and deeply into my wet cunt, and I screamed my pleasure. It felt so good for my pussy to be stretched and filled like this. So satisfying¡­

    ¡°You¡¯re flooded down here. I guess you can¡¯t hold yourself back either¡­¡± Ace teased with a chuckle.

    Without giving me any more pleasure from his fingers, he withdrew them out of my hole after making sure that I was adequately wet and ready for his thick cock. I didn¡¯t mind moving onto the main dish right way. I couldn¡¯t wait to feel his hard and gigantic cock ramming all the way into my hole either.

    ¡°Ace¡­please¡­¡± I pleaded for his cock to enter me.

    ¡°I¡¯ll make you cum till you can¡¯t cum anymore, don¡¯t you worry, Rina,¡± Ace continued teasing me in his deep seductive voice.

    Ace retreated from me, and I opened my eyes wide in confusion. I saw Ace take out a pack of condom and realized that I had forgotten all about that. Thankfully, Ace still had his wits about him because I didn¡¯t have any left on me.

    ¡°Put this on me,¡± Ace instructed as he tossed the condom pack towards me.

    Slowly, I sat up as my hands automatically started tearing at the pack. My eyes fell to the thick and long upstanding pole in between his legs, and I gulped. I can¡¯t believe something so enormous could fit inside of me. My hands shook slightly when I felt his eyes on me. Carefully, I ced the condom at his tip before slowly rolling it down the length of his hot cock.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Two Rounds of Pleasure

    Ace smiled at me with extreme satisfaction before he slowly lowered me back onto my back on the bed. Hisrge hands bent and then spread my legs wildly for him. I whimpered at the sensation of my pussy lips begin stretched opened so widely.

    ¡°Hold your legs open for me, Rina. That¡¯s it¡­good girl¡­¡± Ace instructed as he ced my hand on my thighs for me to hold my legs open wide for him.

    ¡°Ace¡­¡± I whimpered his name as embarrassment started taking over me.

    He could see my pussy very clearly in this position and that was exactly what he was staring at. Ace smirked at me before he guided the thick head of his swollen cock towards my dripping wet entrance. My pussy twitched in anticipation of taking him inside of me. I had gotten so wet that my love juices had begun leaking out of my love hole onto my inner thighs.

    ¡°Rina¡­¡± Ace called my name.

    I cried out the next moment when he suddenly thrusted his gigantic cock into my wet pussy. The wet sound of his abrupt entry echoed from between our body. My pussy clenched madly around his intruding cock as he filled me uppletely. Ace reared back his hip and pounded into my wetness again, making me cry out his name louder than before.

    It felt crazy good¡­I wanted him to move faster¡­

    ¡°Don¡¯t clench around my cock too much¡­¡± Ace teased from above me.

    My breathing was rough as my hip began thrusting up against his seductively. Ace¡¯s eyes narrowed at me knowingly before he reared his hips back again to thrust deeper and harder into my awaiting cunt. I cried out his name again as I ran my hand over the firm muscles of his back. Ace continued giving it to me fast and hard. His cock thrusting in and out of my hole as I moved my hips to meet his wild thrust halfway. His cock buried itself deeply into my wet hole and gave me so much pleasure. The thick head of his cock slid against my pussy walls as he thrusted his cock in and out of my cunt. I dug my nails into his back in my frenzy as I tried to deal with the mind-shattering pleasure that his cock was making me feel.

    When his cock rammed hard against my pleasure spot before ramming into my womb, I cried out and scratched his back. Ace chuckled above me at my reaction before he screwed his thick love stick deeper into me. My pussy made wet squelching sound as I squirted more of love juices onto his thick shaft. His cock felt so hot inside of me, and it made me feel so good. The sensation of his cock pounding deeply into my wet mess felt so addictive.

    ¡°More¡­Ace¡­¡± I begged him shamelessly.

    ¡°About to cum already?¡± Ace teased.

    I couldn¡¯t reply to him anymore at that point. His wild thrusts and deep thrusts soon sent me over the edge, and I came so hard while screaming his name. Ace continued pounding his cock against my womb as I orgasm spectacrly.Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.

    ¡°Can you take one more round?¡± Ace asked in wonder.

    I felt his cock sliding smoothly out of my hole, my wet juices acting as the perfect lubricant for his cock. My breath came out in short bursts, and I whimpered softly when he flipped my body onto my stomach. Hisrge hand grabbed my ass and positioned my hips upwards towards him. I felt his presence close behind me and I knew what he had in mind. My pussy was still extremely sensitive from my climax, but I also wanted to feel more pleasure from him and give him pleasure as well.

    I moaned when I felt his cock pounding its way back into my wet cunt. This time he took me from behind and the angle of his thrust felt so different from when he took me from the front. He hit a different pleasure spot and I cried out in ecstasy. Ace leaned over me until his face was close to mine. I could feel the heat of his body against my back as he began moving on top of me, ramming his cock in and out of my hole.

    ¡°So good¡­your pussy feels so good¡­¡± Ace murmured with utmost satisfaction.

    ¡°Ace! Ahhh! Ahhhh!¡± I cried out in shock at the raw pleasure erupting from my cunt and spreading all over my body like wildfire.

    ¡°I¡¯ll make you feel even better¡­¡± Ace whispered into my ear.

    His hand traced along my arm until his hand ovepped with mine before heced his fingers with mine. Although his thrusts were rough, I found this gesture so tender and loving that it pulled at my heart and made my chest felt tight. Ace reared back his hips and thrusted into me from a slightly different angle, making me scream out louder at the intensified pleasure. My pussy clenched hungrily around his cock to suck him in even deeper inside of me.

    With a few more deep thrusts against my womb, I came again while whimpering his name. This time Ace seemed to be at his limit as well. He whispered loving words into my ear before he bit down on my earlobe when he finally climaxed. His cock twitched wildly inside my flooded love hole before he stilled on top of me.

    I closed my eyes and floated in the peaceful afterglow of our loving making. It wasn¡¯t like I thought that what we had going on between us was righteous or healthy. However, for just now, please let me enjoy the pleasure of being held in his arms¡­

    ¡­

    **Ace¡¯s Point of View**

    My body woke up like clockwork. It had always been like that, and travelling didn¡¯t¡¯ seem to mess up my biological clock. After falling asleep for around 7-8 hours, my body would wake up automatically. I nced over at the woman sleeping close to me with her head pillowed on my shoulder. Unlike me, Rina was still fast asleep. I found myself debating whether I should leave her to sleep peacefully or¡­

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Burning Up

    The ways my hands and fingers were itching to touch and y with her told me that I was probably leaning towards the second option rather than the first. I must have been quite rough with herst night. After I took her from behind, Rina climaxed again and fell straight into a deep sleep shortly after.

    Before I knew what I was doing, my hand had started caressing her bare shoulder softly. From my experience with her, Rina was a deep sleeper. Perhaps a little too deep. Just like I had anticipated, my caresses drew no reactions from her whatsoever. Slowly, I ran my hand down from her shoulder along her arm. His skin felt quite warm to the touch, and I enjoyed ying with her fine and smooth skin.

    I kissed her cheek softly and she made a small whimpering sound. It was the same sound that I loved to hear. When I caressed her body, she would make a sound just like this. It was a sound that worked to turn me on, and that sound was having the exact same effect on me right now. I felt desire stirring in my loins as my body began pumping blood into my cock.

    My hands moved under the nket to stroke her waist. My caresses were soft and gentle at first before I began feeling bolder. Rina whimpered a little louder, but she did not open her eyes. I began stroking her waist more firmly than before and then I ran my hand down to the curve of her buttocks. My eyes continued observing Rina¡¯s face to gauge her reaction. Her face seemed more flushed than before. Her blush tinting her cheeks a beautiful shade of pink. Her lips seemed slightly swollen and pink as well and I wondered if they were still swollen from my kisses fromst night when I took her.

    I knew well by now that Rina¡¯s body was extremely sensitive and responsive. When I trialed my hands up the front of her body to her breasts, she moaned loudly. I thought that she would wake up at that instant, but she didn¡¯t. Her eyes lids moved a little, but she did not open her eyes. I sighed in satisfaction when my hand covered her breast. Her heart was beating fast, and I could tell that she was excited by my stimtions. Her turned on state worked to turn me on even more and I felt my cock getting harder and thicker for her.

    Her nipples were hard as I took them in between my fingertips and began ying with them in turn. Rina moaned and gasped as if she was having difficult breathing. Her pink parted lips looked so seductive that I couldn¡¯t resist kissing her. My lips captured hers in a passionate kiss. The heat of her lips surprised me, but it was nothingpared to the heat inside of her mouth when I thrusted my tongue firmly into her wet mouth.

    She¡¯s hot¡­too hot¡­

    ¡°Rina¡­¡± I called her name softly.

    She stirred a little but didn¡¯t wake up. Her breathing seemed unsteady, and her face had flushed a deeper shade of pink. That was probably when it dawned on me that something was wrong with her and that her reactions may not have been purely from my seductive touches. I ced my hand against her cheek and then her forehead. I didn¡¯t want to admit it, but it seemed like her body was burning up from fever.

    ¡°Rina! Rina!¡± I called her name louder this time as I shook her body slightly.

    ¡°Hmm¡­¡± Rina made a sound before turning her head to the other side.

    A frown formed in between her brows. My lust died a sudden death and in its ce was a sense of guilt like I had never felt before in my life.

    ¡°Call an ambnce please. It¡¯s urgent. I need to take someone to the hospital¡­¡± I called the lobby without hesitation.

    Rina had a high fever and no matter what I did, she wouldn¡¯t seem to wake up. I took her hand in mine and realized that I was doing it more tofort myself than tofort her. Rina probably didn¡¯t know what was going on anymore although I kept on whispering words offort to her.

    What have I done?

    She was sick and I didn¡¯t even realize it. How long had she been sick? Was it sincest night or even before that? Why didn¡¯t she tell me anything?

    ¡°Rina¡­¡± I whispered her name.

    For the first time in a very long while, I felt scared.

    ¡­

    My mind felt hazy. My head and my eyelids felt so heavy, and it felt like I couldn¡¯t lift them even if I tried. I felt very tired, but my mind wouldn¡¯t let me rest. Scenes from the past shed by in front of my eyes even though my eyes were tightly closed. Am I dreaming?

    I saw Ace in my dream but unlike other unrealistic dreams that I¡¯ve had of him in the past, the scene that I saw was one that actually happened in the past. It must have been a few years now since it happened, and it had slipped my mind. I saw Ace sitting on a bench in the park next to our office building. That was where I first met him. Ace didn¡¯t look much different now from what he looked like then. His arrogant and overly confident smile also hasn¡¯t changed.Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.

    Suddenly, he smiled at me, and I felt very funny inside just like I did back then. Then when I looked down at my hands, I found thick wads of bank notes in my hands. Shocked, I began telling him to take the money back, but Ace just smiled at me teasing while he shook his head.

    He got up from the bench and then he bent down and ced a kiss on my lips. That was the first time that we kissed. It didn¡¯t exactly happen like this, but then again, dreams could be random sometimes, right?

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 The Deviléˆ¥æªš Care

    Now that I think about it, I still have the money that he gave me saved away in a separate ount. How did that slip my mind? With starting a new job and dating Kyle along with other changes that came along with life, I never got around to talking to Ace and returning that money to him. I shamefully realized that I had been using the fact that he is the CEO as a convenient excuse to avoid him, thinking that he is too far away for me to reach.

    With the way things are now between us, Ace is more reachable than ever. I should find the right time to thank him properly for what he did for me and return the money back to him. After all, I never had any intention of using it and it wasn¡¯t a small amount either.

    Ace may not even remember all that happened between us before. To him, I was probably just some random girl that he ran into and took pity on. He teased me and yed around me with for a bit and then he moved on with his life. The money that he gave me was clearly an insignificant amount to him, so he probably doesn¡¯t remember that I still owed him that money. It wasn¡¯t like he expected to get that money back from me. In fact, he didn¡¯t want the money back.

    ¡°Ace¡­¡± I mumbled.

    I could see light through my eyelids and as my eyelids fluttered sparks of light leaked in. Slowly, I managed to open my eyes. The white ceiling that greeted me felt unfamiliar and so did the smell of the room. Where am I?

    My senses felt dull, and I had trouble moving my limbs the way that I wanted to. My body just felt heavy, and it took a lot of effort to turn my head to the side.

    ¡°Ace¡­¡± I whispered his name.

    I woke up to find Ace sleeping with his head resting on the side of my hospital bed with his hands holding mine. How long had he been sleeping there in such an ufortable-looking position?

    ¡°Why am I¡­in the hospital?¡± I mumbled to myself nkly.

    After scanning the hospital room with my eyes, I took in the IV drip attached to my arm and then my eyes fell to Ace¡¯s face. He looked tired and had dark circles under his eyes. Instinctively, I reached my hand toward his face to smooth over his hair.

    ¡°Rina¡­¡± Ace called my name when he stirred.

    ¡°Sorry, I didn¡¯t mean to wake you¡­¡± I apologized immediately.

    Ace woke up and blinked his eyes at me as if he couldn¡¯t believe that I was in front of him. He really does look tired.

    ¡°Rina. You¡¯re finally awake. How are you feeling? Does it hurt anywhere? Do you have a headache? Are you hungry?¡± Ace fired rapid questions at me one after another.

    He seemed so panic, and I had no idea what brought this on. I started giggling at his reaction and his bewildered face. Honestly, I never thought that there woulde a day that I would get to see the Devil CEO flustered this way.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about. I feel a little tired but apart from that I¡¯m fine,¡± I replied before smiling at him reassuringly.

    ¡°Really? I¡¯ll call for the doctor now. Wait a moment,¡± Ace said before quickly turning to press a button on the wall close to us.

    I still had no idea how I ended up in hospital. If I remembered correctly, Ace carried me to bed with himst night and then we ended up having some very rough and steamy sex. It felt good, I definitely remembered that much. After that, I guess I fell asleep, but I don¡¯t seem to remember anything else after that.

    ¡°Why am I in the hospital?¡± I asked, still very confused.

    ¡°You had a fever this morning¡­¡± Ace told me with a sorrowful look on his face.

    Oh, I had a fever?

    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry. I didn¡¯t mean to burden you like that. Sorry for making you worry but I¡¯m fine now. We can get back to work,¡± I quickly said.

    What time is it anyways? This isn¡¯t the time for me to beying in a hospital bed. I¡¯m sure that we had many things nned for today as part of our trip.

    ¡°No. You should rest and don¡¯t worry about working or anything else,¡± Ace replied with a deep frown in between his brows.

    ¡°But¡­don¡¯t we have so much to do for our research?¡± I quickly protested.

    My words earned me a disapproving re from Ace that effectively shut me up.

    ¡°You should rest. Just sleep in bed here for today and another night¡­or two¡­¡± he said sternly.

    ¡°That¡¯s not necessary. I¡¯m fine now, plus staying in hospital is expensive you know¡­¡± I shot back.

    We¡¯re also abroad, I had no idea if the insurance that thepany provided for me covered this.Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Stop worrying about trivial things like that. Just stay in bed until you feel better!¡± Ace yelled quite loudly at me.

    Why is he so mad? I just thought that we should go back to work.

    Frankly I was shocked at Ace¡¯s outburst, but I didn¡¯t have time to react to it before the door to my hospital room opened and a middle-aged doctor walked in followed by a nurse. After a while of inspecting me, the doctor seemed satisfied with the result.

    ¡°How is she?¡± Ace asked with worry.

    ¡°There¡¯s nothing seriously wrong. She probably had a fever because she was tired and didn¡¯t get enough rest for a couple of days. Is that right?¡± the doctor told Ace before turning to ask for my confirmation.

    I guess doctors were the most urate fortune tellers. He was right, I probably haven¡¯t had enough sleep for many nights now ever since before we left on this trip. The cause of my sleepless nights was none other than the hot and handsome man who was sitting next to my hospital bed.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 I Miss Him

    ¡°I guess¡­¡± I replied vaguely before smiling a little.

    ¡°What should we do? Should we let her rest up here for a couple of days?¡± Ace suggested.

    ¡°No, that¡¯s not necessary. I¡¯m fine now. I¡¯ve had enough rest,¡± I quickly replied before the doctor could.

    There is no way that I¡¯m going to be stuck in his hospital bed for the next couple of days. I didn¡¯t feel 100% fine, but I wasn¡¯t sick enough to be bedridden in the hospital for days either.

    ¡°I think she¡¯s fine. Maybe resting here for the day would be better just to be on the safe side,¡± the doctor said before smiling kindly at me.

    ¡°Are you sure about that? What if she gets sick again?¡± Ace asked the doctor.

    ¡°I¡¯m fine¡­¡± I repeated again.

    I appreciated that Ace was worried, but I really didn¡¯t want to spend the night at the hospital. The storyline was also iplete, and I wanted to work on that along with collecting more data on our trip.

    ¡°She should be able to leave the hospital without any issues. Of course, if she has a fever again or if she feels unwell, she can return here for treatment,¡± the doctor replied calmly.Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.

    ¡°You heard him. Stop trying to keep me here. We should be out collecting information to help with our project instead,¡± I suggested.

    The doctor smiled at us before the nurse told him that he was being called. With a polite farewell to us, the doctor left the room.

    ¡°Stop talking about work and focus on your recovery,¡± Ace snapped at me.

    ¡°Thanks for your concern but I¡¯m not as sick as you think I am,¡± I replied stubbornly.

    ¡°You had a high fever. You wouldn¡¯t even wake up no matter how many times I called your name. You have no idea¡­¡± Ace beganining before trailing off.

    I had no idea what?

    ¡°What were you going to say?¡± I asked in wonder.

    ¡°Nevermind¡­¡± Ace muttered before turning away from me.

    In the end, Ace didn¡¯t let me leave the hospital until the morning after. Despite the doctor¡¯s approval for me to leave, Ace kept me at the hospital for one more night to make sure that I was alright. Surprisingly, Ace refused to go back to the hotel and ended up sleeping on the sofa in my hospital room. That was how we spent a strange night at the hospital together on our trip.

    ¡­

    Right after returning from our trip, I focused all my efforts onpleting the storyboard based on Ace¡¯s idea. Tomorrow, we had a team meeting, and the various mini teams are going to present their own version of the storyline and draft storyboard. I had no idea if our storyboard would be chosen but I was sure that we had a good angle that would be beneficial to the team. Now all I had to do is focus on finishing this.

    Apparently, taking the trip with me took a toll on Ace when he came back. I should have known that he was pushing aside some of his other responsibilities to go on that trip with me. As a result, I have seen very little of Ace since we returned to the office. I could tell from his calendar that I had synced on my phone that he was swamped with meetings from early in the morning tote in the evening. Conference calls with business partners in other time zones did not help his case at all.

    Since I had work to work on as part of Project Alpha, I could no longer attend all his meetings with him. It came as a relief to me when Ace told me that I could skip on the meetings to focus onpleting the storyboard and sharpening up the message of our storyline. Apparently, Ace no longer had a lot of time to devote to project Alpha.

    After a few days of not seeing much of him since we came back, I began worrying and thinking of him more often. I would wonder what he was up to now and how he was doing. Although I knew exactly where he was having his meetings and who he was meeting with, I just couldn¡¯t help but worry about him. The rtionship between the new colleagues in my team and myself had not really improved. Thankfully, I still had friends from my own department who I could have lunch with.

    ¡°Thank you for inviting me out to lunch today, girls. It¡¯s great to catch up,¡± I thanked them wholeheartedly.

    We were walking back to the office building after eating at a nearby restaurant that was popr for their lunch set. The weather was nice, and I wished that I would get toe eat out more often. If only I could make friends with the other people in the CEO¡¯s office, life would be better and lunch breaks would be less lonely. I had not realized it, but I had gotten used to eating lunch and sometimes dinner with Ace. Now that he wasn¡¯t free to join me anymore, I felt quite lonely without him. Of course, I didn¡¯t want to admit this to anyone and not even to myself.

    ¡°Anytime. We thought you were too busy now after you¡¯ve moved over to the new team, so we were afraid to ask you out for lunch. It must be tough over there but do your best,¡± my college told me with a smile.

    ¡°Thanks¡­¡± I replied before returning her smile.

    She had no idea how tough it was on all fronts: work, colleagues, and most of all, dealing with Ace and our twisted rtionship. I didn¡¯t want to exin that to her or anyone else, though.

    We parted ways at the lobby of the office and just when I turned to head to the elevator, I ran into the one person that I dreaded seeing the most.

    ¡°Rina¡­¡±

    My body froze when I heard a familiar voice calling my name. Kyle stood right in front of me, and my body froze in ce.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 You of All People

    He¡¯s so close, if I just reach my hand out, I could touch him. However, not a single cell in my body wanted to do that at all. Since we broke up, he never got in touch with me and although I haven¡¯t been actively avoiding him, it was probably best for us not toe into contact again.

    Is this just some unlucky coincidence¡­or¡­?

    I used to love it when he said my name like that but now it just made my skin crawl in such an unpleasant way that I found myself flinching before I took a step back from him to put some distance between us. Funny enough, we weren¡¯t dating anymore so we didn¡¯t need to keep any of our interactions in public a secret from anyone.

    ¡°Is there something that I can help you with?¡± I replied politely.

    ¡°I don¡¯t want to say it here. Come over here with me for a second,¡± Kyle replied before turning and walking away from me.

    I stared at his back as I questioned why I should follow after him just because he told me to do so. One nce at the time and I found that I only had less than 10 minutes before I needed to head back.

    What does he want from me now of all times?

    It was curiosity and nothing else that made me follow him. Kyle stood to the side where there were fewer people walking around as he waited for me to catch up to him.

    ¡°What is it?¡± I asked immediately when I arrived at his side.

    ¡°Why are you involved with the CEO of all people?¡± he demanded to know.

    For some reason, I hated how he said the words ¡®of all people¡¯.

    Oh, the audacity of what he just said. Of all the people in thispany, I didn¡¯t want to ever hear this from him.

    ¡°I¡¯m his personal secretary. Of course, I¡¯m involved with him,¡± I replied without a care in the world.

    ¡°Does the secretary have to sleep with her boss? Is that how you operate now?¡± Kyle asked with a look of disgust on his face.

    ¡°At least, I¡¯m not cheating on him with someone else while I¡¯m doing it. Are we done here?¡± I snapped back.

    ¡°You better watch yourself around him,¡± Kyle warned sternly.

    As if I needed any advice from him¡­

    ¡°Thank you for your concern. Congrattions on your wedding. I hope your wife is well,¡± I replied with a polite smile.

    ¡°Rina¡­¡± Kyle murmured my name.

    ¡°My name is Karina. Have a nice day. Please don¡¯t ever approach me again¡­¡± I said to him in fake politeness before looking behind him exaggeratingly as if to check that no one saw us together.Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.

    Before he could say anything, I turned around to walk away from him. Instead of getting away, I walked right into someone. Shocked, I started apologizing immediately.

    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry¡­¡± I apologized even before looking at who I had ran into.

    ¡°Did you need something from my personal secretary?¡±

    I froze at the sound of that voice and the fact that he wasn¡¯t addressing me. My body froze and my heart started to race. Slowly, I looked up to confirm my suspicion. Although I knew that Ace was the one, I had just run into, I was still shocked to see his face when I looked up.

    How did he get here?

    His eyes were not focused on me, but a sense of dread welled up deep inside of my stomach. I closed my eyes as I cursed silently in my mind. I felt a pressure around my waist when Ace wrapped his arm around my body possessively. This is going to be a mini disaster at best. Why did he have to catch me talking to Kyle of all people?

    ¡°It¡¯s nothing. We¡¯re done talking now. I¡¯m sorry for taking up her time. Have a nice day, Karina,¡± Kyle replied smoothly.

    I turned to see Kyle smiling a little my way before he turned on his heels and left. Ace didn¡¯t say anything more but the way his arm tightened around my waist told me everything that I needed to know about what he was feeling.

    ¡°Ace¡­¡± I called his name softly while my mind raced to find a usible exnation for the situation that he had just witnessed.

    It wasn¡¯t like I could tell him outright that Kyle called me here to give me a lecture about our illicit rtionship. Just thinking about what Kyle said made my blood boil over in extreme anger. I might have been happy to listen to someone else warn me about Ace but not him. He, of all people, had no right to badmouth Ace or whatever rtionship that I may have with him. It also didn¡¯t bother me that he thought that we were sleeping together. It¡¯s none of his business who I happen to be sleeping with.

    Ace stared down at me with cold eyes before his hand grabbed my wrist tightly and pulled me after him. I looked down at where his hand was gripping me as I struggled to keep up with his long strides. People in the office lobby stared at us and I tried my best to keep my eyes casted down to avoid their judgmental gazes.

    ¡°Ace¡­¡± I called his name softly.

    If Ace was aware of the gazes of the other people on us, he didn¡¯t act like he cared at all. He never looked back and he never said a word to me until we were together in his private elevator. The silence in the elevator was killing me inside and I knew that I had to say something to exin to him what had just happened. In fact, the truth was, nothing really happened.

    ¡°Nothing happened. Kyle just¡­wanted to talk a little¡­¡± I mumbled softly.

    I hated how weak my voice sounded and how vague my words were. Ace didn¡¯t even look my way. I closed my eyes before letting out a sigh, this is going to be much harder than I thought. He¡¯s so mad¡­

    The elevator door opened when we finally arrived at his floor. Ace stepped out before me without looking back. Before I could stop myself, I reached out a hand towards him to stop him but before my hand reached his back, I pulled back. What am I going to say to him when he turns around?

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Late Night at the Office

    Not knowing what I should do, I left my hand fall back to my side. I stood in front of the elevator cluelessly as I watched Ace walk away from me. The air about him was cold and distant, it just made him feel so unapproachable.

    ¡°If you have time to flirt around with men, you should focus more on your work,¡± Ace spoke up without turning to face me.

    I bit my lower lip as guilt overwhelmed me. My hands clenched tightly at my side as my body trembled from anger. I wasn¡¯t angry at Kyle or Ace, I just angry at myself.

    ¡­

    The CEO¡¯s office was busy as everyone seemed to be working hard on their draft proposal of the storyboard. After going on their own expedition to seek for the truth, the various teams have gathered to produce their version of the storyboard. We would all present the storyboard together in our next meeting and one of the storylines would be selected. It did ur to me that it was supposed to be a brainstorming session, so there was also the possibility that the final idea would be abination of the ideas from various teams.

    No one spoke to me, and I was thankful for that because I wasn¡¯t in the mood to speak to anyone or deal with any drama. My eyes stared at theputer screen in front of me and the storyboard that was still more than half nk. If I don¡¯t get myself and my thoughts together, I¡¯m going to be here till morning. Even then, if I couldn¡¯t get my ideas together, I may not be done.

    My mind kept conjuring up the image of Ace¡¯s cold eyes and his distant attitude. Then I thought of Kyle and what he said. A loud pping round rang out and then pain shot through my cheeks. A few eyes strayed towards me, and I smiled a little awkwardly in return. I guess not everyone is used to seeing someone p themselves a little roughly on the cheeks before.

    Focus, Karina!

    It was hard for me to concentrate at first but as time went by, I managed to focus. After another hour, I was back in full work mode. After drafting some ideas and drawing sketches out on my notebook, I had a better idea of what scenes I was looking for each part of the storyboard. After finalizing my choices, I began creating a more detailed version on the presentation slides on myptop. Not everything went smoothly, and I had to change things around quite often for things to feel right. It was time consuming, but it felt like I was heading in the right direction.

    Although this was supposed to be nothing more than a draft to contribute our idea to the team, I still wanted to do my best. Partly, I wanted to redeem myself for my failure at the meeting before. This time, I will get this right and I will no longer be a burden to the team or treated like a free rider. With that thought in mind, I pushed through until I hadpleted the entire storyboard just like I had envisioned it in my head.

    When I looked up from myptop screen again, the entire office was quiet and there was no one around anymore. Did everyone leave already? I didn¡¯t even realize it until just now.

    The clock on the wall told me that it was close to midnight. No wonder no one else was around. I knew that I probably wasn¡¯t the only one who worked thiste given howmitted the other team members are to their job. They probably just chose to take the work home with them. I should have done that, but I was so focused on the work in front of me that I lost all sense of time.

    I absolutely had no regrets about that, though. Since I¡¯ve been here this long, I might as well do onest review to make sure that everything is right for the meeting tomorrow. It was such a shame that I finished sote and there was probably no time for Ace to help review this. That thought made me recall the look on his face when Ist saw him earlier today. Things are not going well at all between us. I sighed loudly when I realized that I¡¯ll have to speak to Ace soon orter and that meant that I had to think of a way to face him and straighten things out with him.

    What is Ace doing right now? He¡¯s probably gone home already.This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    I pulled up his calendar onto myptop screen and saw that hisst meeting was supposed to have ended since 9PM. He¡¯s probably home already. Maybe I should just send him an email. If luck is on my side, he might get a chance to take a look at my storyboard before the meeting starts tomorrow. I should have managed to finish this earlier¡­

    Suddenly, I heard the unexpected sound of the door opening. Shocked, I spun around in my seat, and I found myself faced with an even more shocking sight.

    ¡°Ace¡­?¡± I managed to whisper his name as my eyes widened in shock.

    I blinked my eyes rapidly while I was half convinced that if I blinked my eyes enough times, the Ace that I was seeing would disappear into thin air like a mirage that never existed. However, Ace did not disappear from my sight. Instead, he strode confidently into the office and approached me.

    Why is Ace here?

    ¡°Somehow, I figured that you would still be here,¡± Ace said confidently.

    ¡°Umm¡­¡± I murmured without knowing what to say.

    How did he know that I would be here?

    Ace was now standing right next to me behind my desk and without warning, he sat down on my desk and turned to grin at me.

    ¡°You didn¡¯t send me an email with the storyboard yet. So, I figured that you¡¯re probably still working your ass off at it,¡± Ace answered my unasked question with ease.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Pleasured by a Bad Guy

    ¡°Sorry that it took so long¡­¡± I apologized softly.

    ¡°I¡¯m not mad¡­about that¡­¡± he replied before he smiled a little coldly at me.Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.

    I see. So, he¡¯s mad about something else. I didn¡¯t have to be a genius to guess what he was mad about. It felt like my luck had suddenly run out when Ace caught me talking to Kyle. Honestly, I didn¡¯t think that I did anything wrong, but I felt more guilty than ever. I also never expected that Ace would openly admit that he was mad either.

    ¡°Actually, I just finished the storyboard. Do you want to take a look?¡± I asked, while trying to change the subject altogether.

    I moved myptop closer to Ace before opening up the file of my storyboard to show him. Hopefully, seeing the effort of my hard work would make him less angry with me. Just when I thought that Ace would take a look at my work, his hand reached for myptop and pushed the screen down firmly to close it. His hazel eyes stared intently at my face while my mouth dropped open in shock at this sudden action.

    I guess, he doesn¡¯t want to see the storyboard¡­

    ¡°Did you think that you would get off the hook simply because we¡¯re both busy for the day?¡± Ace asked in a low voice.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry about¡­before. It¡¯s really not what you think¡­¡± I mumbled softly.

    ¡°Then you won¡¯t hesitate to tell me what he said to you, right?¡± Ace asked as he leaned closer to me.

    Subconsciously, I bit down on my lower lip while I hesitated. Kyle didn¡¯t have great things to say about Ace and I was sure that he was just spouting nonsense. Regardless, it wasn¡¯t easy for me toe out and tell Ace to his face what that bastard had said. Meeting Kyle was such a big error on my part.

    ¡°Well?¡± Ace prompted.

    It didn¡¯t seem like he was willing to let this simply slide by. Guess, I no longer had a choice about this but to tell him.

    ¡°He told me that I shouldn¡¯t get involved with you¡­of all people. He also warned me to watch myself around you¡­¡± I confessed before pressing my lips into a thin line.

    I did feel slightly better now that I was able to tell Ace everything and be honest with him.

    ¡°He¡¯s not wrong. I¡¯m a very bad guy¡­¡± Ace admitted very casually.

    I had not expected this reaction or rather such ack of reaction from Ace. I also never expected him to admit being a bad guy so easily either.

    While still stunned by his words, Ace¡¯s hands reached out and captured my chin between his fingers. I had no time to react before his warm lips were crushing down aggressively on mine. He kissed me roughly, while I moaned in protest. His hand held my chin tighter as his lips began moving against mine. I felt the wetness of his tongue probing my mouth open before he thrusted his tongue firmly into the wet depths of my mouth.

    ¡°Mhhmmm¡­¡± I moaned into his kiss.

    Ace¡¯s lips continued moving against mine as he kissed me from various angles. His tongue slipping into my mouth to explore and taste me. He teased my tongue with his until I began grinding my tongue against his fervently as our kiss got wetter and deeper. I moaned softly into our kiss as his hand reached up to up my cheek. He bit on my lower lip, and I felt a slight stinging pain before he began sucking on it. His kisses felt so good that my mind was soon hazy with the desire that he had ignited deep inside of me.

    ¡°Ace¡­¡± I whimpered his name weakly when he finally broke our kiss.

    I was panting wildly, and it took a lot of effort for me to call out his name. The look of desire that Ace had in his hazel brown eyes as he stared down into my face told me that we were beyond the point of no return at that point. My body felt like it was already burning for him. My core throbbed with desire and my pussy had gotten wet just from his seductive kisses.

    Even though it¡¯ste at night we were still in the office and all the lights were still on.

    ¡°Ace¡­wait¡­¡± I whimpered when I felt the hardness of the table against my buttocks.

    ¡°For what?¡± Ace asked teasingly before he silenced me with another passionately wet kiss.

    His tongue entered my mouth again and began teasing mine. Pleasure and desire clouded my mind from his intoxicating kiss. Ace¡¯srge hand started groping and fondling my breasts on top of my clothes while I moaned sweetly into our kiss. As if turned on by my reactions, his caresses got rougher. I could feel his touch even through my shirt and bra.

    As I lost myself in his teasing kiss, his fingers started to undo the buttons in the front of my shirt. One by one, he undid them until I felt the slightly cold air in the office on my naked skin. Ace broke our kiss, and I got lost in his mesmerizing eyes as he stared deeply into mine. His hand pushed my bra upwards to expose my breasts to his exploring hands.

    ¡°Ahhh¡­Ace¡­¡± I moaned before I bit down on my lower lip seductively.

    The heat of his hands on my naked tits felt so blissful. I closed my eyes and moaned even louder when he massaged my breasts firmly. Pushing them and pumping them against each other. My nipples grew rock hard as my body began writhing from pleasure, thrusting my tits into hisrge hand as if begging for him to touch me more. The ces where he touched throbbed with desire and burned with need. I wanted him to touch me more. I wanted Ace to touch me everywhere.

    ¡°Ahh! Ahhh!¡± I cried out when his fingers started tugging on the sensitive perks of my erect nipples.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Hot Night at the Office

    I could feel Ace¡¯s hungry gaze on my tits as he yed with them mercilessly. My lewd moans got embarrassingly loud, and I tried to stifle them by cing my hand over my mouth while Ace continued to pinch and roll my nipples in between his skillful fingers.All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Ace¡­we¡¯re¡­in the office¡­¡± I murmured.

    We¡¯re not just in his office, we¡¯re in the CEO¡¯s office team room. Although it waste at night and no one else was here, all the lights are still on!

    Instead of responding to me, Ace buried his face into my breasts. I cried out when I felt something warm and wet running along the sensitive skin between my breasts. He¡¯s licking me¡­

    ¡°Naughty girls like you need to be disciplined thoroughly,¡± Ace whispered darkly.

    My legs immediately grew weak as my pussy began throbbing with need. His lips moved to trial soft and sucking kissing against my breasts. My entire body trembled when he took my nipple into the wet heat of his mouth. My fingers clutched desperately at his hair as he began sucking on my hardened peak. It felt so amazingly good. I cried out his name and threw my head back as I thrusted my chest outward towards his seductive mouth.

    Ace sucked harder on my nipple as his fingers kept ying with my other nipple. The pleasure was so intense that my pussy began clenching in rhythm to his sucking. It wasn¡¯t long before I felt my wetness gush out from the hole in between my legs. He made me so wet for him. I wanted him to touch me there¡­and then take me¡­

    ¡°Ace¡­¡± I whimpered his name sweetly.

    When Ace lifted his head from my chest and smirked dangerously at me. He stood up and pulled me up to my feet with ease and then his arms were around my hips. I felt the hardness of my own work desk against my buttocks after he had lifted me up to sit on it. Ace did not waste time before proceeding to the next step of pulling my skirt up. His hands caressed my naked thighs tantalizingly before lifting them up and spreading them widely apart while I whimpered softly.

    ¡°Ace¡­maybe¡­we should stop¡­¡± I suggested meekly.

    ¡°Even when you¡¯re this wet?¡± Ace asked with his hand pressed against my wetness.

    His manly hand cupped my pussy through my drenched panties as he smirked knowingly at me. I blushed immediately before quickly looking away from him. He chuckled softly at my reaction before his fingers deftly pulled my panties out of the way so that his fingers could caress my wetness directly.

    ¡°Ahhh¡­Ace¡­Ahhh¡­¡± I moaned and threw my head back in ecstasy.

    His fingers found my wet entrance and began stroking it teasingly. He ran his fingers up and down the length of my wet slit, making my pussy throb and clench uncontrobly. He had just started touching me, but my pussy was already getting wetter for him.

    ¡°Your pussy is fucking wet, Rina¡­¡± Ace teased me with a voice dripping with lust.

    His amber eyes stared right into my face before he smiled mockingly at me. He¡¯s so evil¡­but his touches feel so pleasurable¡­

    ¡°Ahhh¡­¡± I moaned again.

    My hips bucked upwards at the sudden entrance of Ace¡¯s thick and long fingers into my flooded cunt. Ace thrusted his fingers inside of me abruptly and I had to close my eyes to deal with the pleasure as my hands clutched at the side of my desk. His fingers began wriggling inside of me. It felt so strange yet so good as he yed around with my wet insides. I could feel his fingers everywhere inside of me as he felt around my wet hole from various angles. My pussy clenched and twitched around his fingers as it tried to feel more of him and suck his fingers in even deeper.

    ¡°You¡¯re twitching so much inside already. Does doing it in the office turn you on more than usual?¡± Ace continued taunting me with his dirty talk.

    He thrusted his fingers in and out of my love hole fast and hard. I lost all control and screamed loudly. At that moment, I forgot about everything including the fact that he was fingering me right on top of my work desk. I was just working here¡­not so long ago¡­and now¡­

    ¡°Ahhh! Ace¡­it¡¯s so good¡­¡± I cried out as lust flooded my brain and all my senses.

    His fingers moved even more roughly inside of me as he thrusted in and out of me. Dirty wet sounds echoed all around us as my pussy got wetter for him. The sounds of his fingers pounded into my wetnessbined with my lusty moans and whimpers echoed around in the office room.

    ¡°Ace¡­Ahhhh! Ohh¡­Ahhh!¡± I cried out even louder as I neared my release.

    He¡¯s going to make me cum from his fingers. I can¡¯t hold on anymore¡­

    ¡°Don¡¯t cum just yet¡­¡± Ace said with a disapproving shake of his head.

    I whimpered my disappointment when his thick fingers withdrew from my pussy. Ace¡¯s hands moved to pull my panties offpletely after instructing me to lift my ass off the table a little. His hand quickly moved to his own pants, and I watched as he efficiently stripped himself just enough to free his massive and hard cock from its restraints. His thick shaft stood up proudly in between his legs and I could tell that he was already very turned on.

    ¡°You really like to stare at my cock¡­¡± Ace murmured before he smirked at me.

    His dangerous eyes held mine as he tore at the pack of condom in his hands before quickly slipping it onto his cock.

    ¡°Ace¡­¡± I whispered his name in my need for him.

    ¡°I know you can¡¯t wait. I¡¯ll make you cum with my cock¡­¡± Ace offered smugly.

    Hisrge hands gripped my thighs and spread them further apart as he positioned himself in between my legs. My pussy quivered in anticipation of receiving his cock deep inside. The heat of his manhood lodge itself between my pussy lips before Ace thrusted his cock sharply into my wet cunt.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Unstoppable Desire

    I cried out loudly before I moaned at the pleasure of his massive thickness stretching my insides. His cock felt very hot inside of me, and my pussy fully enjoyed his presence deep inside.

    ¡°Your pussy feels extra tight today¡­¡± Ace groaned as he pulled his cock back.

    His cock slid along the sensitive walls of my pussy at his exit before he rammed his cock back all the way into my hole. His thrust was so intense that it left me reeling from the impact of his entry. Ace¡¯s hips began moving faster and harder, thrusting his cock in and out of my sopping wet hole while I moaned. My pussy clenched around his cock as I moved my hips up to wee his thrusts.

    ¡°Ahh! Ahhh! Ace¡­Ahhh¡­¡± I moaned heatedly as my body moved in rhythm to his movements.

    His cock hit me deep and hard with each firm stroke. The pleasurable ache in my abdomen became unbearable and so was the heat that burned deep inside of me. His cock hit my pleasure spot over and over again as it rammed against my womb. I couldn¡¯t focus on anything else but the pleasure of his cock beating hard and fast into my wet hole. I wanted more of him as my lust started to take over mepletely.

    ¡°Ace¡­so deep. Your cock¡­is so¡­big¡­¡± I manage to whimper.

    I spread my legs even wider and thrusted my pussy upwards to swallow his cock into me. His cock diving into my wetness made lewd wet sounds erupt from between our bodies. The lewdness of what we were doing turned me on and I was ashamed to admit that Ace was right, doing it here¡­with him¡­like this¡­really turns me on.

    ¡°You really know how to turn a man on¡­¡± Ace groaned seductively.

    As if he wanted to reward me, Ace¡¯s hands moved under my buttocks before he lifted my ass up from the table and held it steady. When he had me where he wanted me, his cock pounded faster and even deeper into me. The heightened pleasure almost made me lose my mind right then and there. His cock hit me faster, harder, and deeper inside with each thrust. It started to hurt but I didn¡¯t want him to stop pounding into me.

    ¡°Ace! I¡¯m cumming! Ahhh¡­I¡¯m cumming!¡± I screamed loudly when I finally climaxed.

    Ace continued giving it to me fast and hard while I rode out my intense orgasm. His cock felt so amazing inside of me.

    ¡°I love your face when you cum, Rina. Let me see it again¡­¡± Ace said in a sexy drawl.

    With his cock still buried deep inside my pussy hole, Ace lifted me off the table along with him before he sat down on my chair. His cock pushed all the way into me again when he made me straddle him. Was it just me, or did his cock get hotter and bigger?

    ¡°Don¡¯t hide your face away from me, Rina. Let me see you properly,¡± he whispered seductively to me when I tried to look away.

    This position was even worst. I sat facing him, so it was difficult to hide my face from him. His amber eyes stared directly into mine before he suddenly thrusted his hips upwards. His cock rammed upwards into my cunt, and I automatically cried out at the pleasure that surged through me. My heart was beating so fast, and my pussy felt so sensitive from my climax earlier.

    ¡°Ride my cock, Rina. Let me see your face¡­¡± Acemanded as his fingers stroked the side of my face.

    His words turned me on so much and I felt like such a naughty and wanton woman when I began riding on his cock just as he hadmanded. I lifted my hips up slowly as I enjoyed the sensation of his cock slowly sliding out of my hole. When his cock had almostpletely exited my wet love tunnel, I sat back down on his cock to draw him inside of me again. Over and over, I pumped my hips up and down the length of his enormous upstanding cock while I moaned heatedly.

    My breasts bounced around as I bounced my hips up and down his cock faster and faster. His hands reached out to y with my soft breasts. When he pinched my nipples, I cried out and my pussy clenched hard around his cock.

    ¡°That¡¯s it, Rina. Ride me faster. I want to cum inside you¡­¡± Ace urged me.All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.

    His hands continued to y with my breasts as I mmed my hips down onto hisp to take his cock into me faster and harder than before. I angled my body and hips so that his cock would pound against my pleasure spot. Each thrust felt so deliciously good and soon I was moving so wildly on top of him. Desire consumed me and I couldn¡¯t stop ramming my wet pussy down onto his hard cock. Ace watched me with intense satisfaction before his hand reached down to stroke my clit.

    ¡°Ace¡­no¡­I¡­¡± I moaned incoherent words.

    The pleasure was too much for me. He¡¯s going to make me cum again and he hasn¡¯t even moved his hips yet. I knew that he was teasing me and soon I would be showing him the face that he wanted to see when I reached my ultimate release.

    ¡°Let¡¯s cum together, Rina¡­¡± Ace suggested sweetly.

    His hands stroked the sides of my waist before moving downwards to cup the sides of my hips. I lifted my hips a little and he held me steady. Almost instantly, his hips thrusted upwards and rammed his cock all the way into my eagerlt awaiting pussy hole.

    ¡°Ahhh¡­¡± I moaned before I closed my eyes in bliss.

    His cock continued thrusting up into my hole as I threw my head back and moaned. Ace shook my body and my breasts and hips moved around. He fucked me faster and harder as he raced towards his own climax.

    ¡°I¡¯m about to cum inside you, Rina¡­¡± he groaned sexily.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Risky Move

    I wanted to tell him that I was also at my limit, but I couldn¡¯t form the words. After a short moment of feeling his cock pushing against my womb, I came again. I knew that Ace was watching my face as it contorted into a mask of pure ecstasy as my climax hit me, but I didn¡¯t care. Ace pounded his cock fast and hard into me as he sprinted towards his own release. He moaned my name when he finally came.

    ¡°Excuse me! Is someone still here?¡±

    My body froze as I lifted my head up to turn towards the source of the voice just now. Someone is here, I don¡¯t recognize that voice, though.

    ¡°Shh¡­must be security¡­¡± Ace whispered calmly.

    Security? As in a security guard?

    That made sense. Who else except for us would be here thiste at the office?

    What do we do now? The guard was right outside the door, and I was sure that the door wasn¡¯t locked.

    ¡°Can you get off my cock, Rina?¡± Ace asked teasingly.

    He didn¡¯t seem bothered by what was happening at all. Noticing that I was still sitting on top of him with his cock inside me, I blushed wildly before slowly lifting my hips off his cock.

    ¡°Excuse me! The lights are on¡­¡± the guards yelled again.

    Shit! He¡¯s probably going toe in here to kill the lights.

    ¡°The door isn¡¯t even locked. Did someone forget to lock it¡­?¡± the guard mumbled to himself, but I could hear him with how silent the office was.

    I heard rather than saw the door open. Ace smirked down at me from above as I hid under my own desk. This is crazy¡­why did things have to turn out like this?

    Because Ace messed up my clothes so much, there wasn¡¯t enough time for me to fix everything. That meant, that hiding here like this was the only option for me. Ace, on the other hand, just had to zip up his pants.

    Oh, how convenient it is to be a man¡­

    ¡°Oh, Mr. Hills. I¡¯m so sorry, I didn¡¯t know that you were still here¡­¡± the guard immediately apologized when he saw Ace.

    ¡°I forgot to grab some files off of my team member and didn¡¯t want to bother him thiste at night, so I decided toe here to sort it out myself. Sorry for making you worry, I¡¯ll be leaving soon,¡± Ace replied smoothly.

    I rolled my eyes at how professional and serious he sounded. The security guard seemed shocked to be having a direct conversation with the Devil CEO and after a few flustered apologies, he wished Ace a pleasant evening and quickly left the room. I heard the sound of the door closing behind him and then I was all alone with Ace once more.

    ¡°You¡­shouldn¡¯t have don¡¯t that¡­¡± I muttered darkly.

    ¡°Neither should have you¡­¡± Ace replied softly.

    The way his eyes looked a me a little sadly told me that he was referring to my meeting with Kyle earlier in the day. I bit on my lower lip. This is so unfair; he knew how to shut me up very well. I had no retort, and I didn¡¯t know how to respond to that.

    ¡°Come on out. No need for you to hide there anymore,¡± Ace said with clear amusement as he stepped away from my desk.

    I crawled out before letting out a sigh of relief. Somehow, we didn¡¯t get caught by the security guard.

    Talking about security¡­

    ¡°The security cameras¡­¡± I whispered to myself in shock.

    My eyes immediately scanned the room looking for a security camera. Why didn¡¯t I consider this before?

    There are security cameras almost everywhere in office areas and we just did that!

    ¡°We handle a lot of confidential and high-profile projects here in this room. So, you¡¯re very lucky that we don¡¯t have any security cameras here,¡± Ace whispered into my ear before he nibbled softly on my earlobe.

    Really?

    Although, I was relief of another worry, my heart wouldn¡¯t stop racing. Ace wrapped his arms around me from behind and he started chuckling in my ear. I heaved another sigh. Honesty, I really wanted to hit him.

    ¡­All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.

    The meeting for Project Alpha finally arrived and I had to say that I felt quite ready and proud for the storyboard that I managed to put together using Ace¡¯s idea as the base. Everyone filed into the meeting room in an orderly fashion and took their regr seats at the long meeting table. Ace seated himself at the head of the table and the meeting was ready to start.

    ¡°Any volunteers?¡± Ace asked.

    ¡°We¡¯ll go first,¡± one of the members stood up immediately along with his two other teammates.

    Wow, I guess shyness isn¡¯t a trait that people in this team possessed. Everyone was so bold and very proud of showcasing their work. I thoroughly enjoyed the presentations from the various teams, and I could tell from Ace¡¯s face that many themes presented caught his interest. Just like how we went on our own trip to visit the market and dog meat farms, the other teams had their own way to conduct their own research to gather both information and inspiration.

    Various storylines were presented in many differing ways in captivating storyboards. Although the storyboards were rough and no where as detailed as the final version, it already gave me a good idea of what the teams had in mind. As the presenter described each scene of the storyboard, I could picture a very vividmercial running through my head. It was an amazing experience.

    ¡°My turn now,¡± I said as I stood up from my seat when it was finally my turn.

    Unlike the other people, I didn¡¯t have any other colleagues in my team to help me with the presentation because the boss needed to be the one listening and not presenting in this case. I smiled politely at everyone as I stood in front of the projection screen before I started my presentation. Sweat and tears went into this, so I had to say that I was pretty confident.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 His Idea and My Efforts

    ¡°Thank you for your attention. After flying over to visit some wet markets that sell dog meat and visiting various dog meat farms of various sizes, this is the storyline and storyboard that we came up with. We were captivated by the idea of conflicting views of ourmon society to that of the local people, especially the older generation where eating dog meat is still a part of their tradition and culture,¡± I paused a little as I changed the slide.

    I could tell that I still had the attention of everyone in the room and that was a great step forwardpared to my first presentation in this room when I first joined the team. They could hack at my presentation with their killer questionster on, but for now, I wanted toplete telling them the entire story that I had in mind.Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°We still want to push for a clear message to ending the cruelty of the dog meat trade and farming while showing that we¡¯re not actively advocating for the destruction of cultures and traditions. We n to do this by incorporating the real trend that this activity is in fact losing its poprity especially among the younger generation. Naturally, we believe that this tradition would cease to exist anyways as dogs take on another role in society as people¡¯s pets and friends,¡± I exined patiently.

    My exnation earned few nods from the audience and that gave me more confidence to go on. It seemed like Ace¡¯s storyline was heading in the right direction and now I just need to make sure that the storyboard that I had on the slide portrays that storyline well.

    ¡°As for the storyboard that we have in mind, we¡¯ll start by showing footages around the theme of dogs as a man¡¯s best friend before shing to show the conditions in uncontrolled dog meat farms. We believe that the contrast would be quite disturbing and will help capture people¡¯s attention. We will then go on to show the tradition rted to this issue such as scenes from markets and local restaurants before transition to show the downfall of this trend over time by showcasing the newer and younger generation including people around our age, then teenagers and then children with their new rtionship with dogs as apanion rather than food. Then we¡¯ll end with introducing the foundation and instructions on how the viewers can make their donations while keeping that as subtle as possible,¡± I exined beforeing to the end of the storyboard on the presentation slide.

    There was a brief moment of silence as everyone seem to take in my presentation. Ace seemed quite satisfied with my presentation although he did notment on anything.

    ¡°Anyments?¡± Ace asked the other in the room.

    ¡°Is that your idea for the storyline? It¡¯s very like you,¡± Jeremy asked with a smile on his face.

    ¡°You can tell?¡± Ace replied lightly.

    ¡°Yeah¡­it¡¯s very¡­well positioned to resonate with many people,¡± Jeremymented openly.

    I guess after working with Ace for a while the team had gotten used to telling which was his work even without Ace standing up to take credit for it directly. Even I knew that all of Ace¡¯s work had a touch of him and was quite unique from the others. I bet all of his works were sessful because I have never heard of a project that Ace supervised that ended in failure or was not well received by the audience of the public before.

    ¡°That¡¯s my storyline that Karina adapted, and that storyboard is pretty much her independent work based on a few sentences of the storyline that I gave her. Not bad, right?¡± Ace said with a grin.

    ¡°Right¡­not bad at all,¡± Richard chimed in with a nod.

    I felt like praises were being rained on me from above and suddenly the sun was out and shining. For Richard to say that my story was ¡®not bad¡¯ felt like a hard-earnedpliment. I bit on my lower lip a little to keep myself from smiling like a fool right in front of everyone.

    ¡°Thank you,¡± I murmured as I headed back to my seat.

    ¡°Well, that is that. Do we have a consensus already on the storyboard or do we want to put it to the vote?¡± Ace asked as he leaned back casually in his seat.

    ¡°No need. We¡¯ll go ahead with what you and Karina had co-developed. We¡¯ll all do our part now for the detailed design, budgeting and all that. There are many technical things that needs to be sorted out for sure on the filming and production side,¡± Richard said sternly.

    ¡°Great. That¡¯s that then. I¡¯ll leave it up to Karina toe up with a more detailed storyboard. Of course, you¡¯re wee to mash in some other ideas from the other teams as well. I think they¡¯ve got some good ideas for more emotional scenes here and there,¡± Ace suggested before wrapping up the meeting.

    ¡°Ok. Thank you,¡± I replied determinedly.

    Suddenly, I had my work cut out as part of Project Alpha and it was a very big part as well. The storyboard will determine almost everything about this project. It would be a hit or miss and I was determined for thismercial to be a massive hit.

    ¡­

    I was in Ace¡¯s office when I received a call about his schedule from senior secretary. Every week or so she would give me a call to recap Ace¡¯s schedule especially the parts that required him to interact with external parties.

    ¡°A business trip? Aha¡­ok¡­¡± I said as my hand busily jotted down some notes about the uing business trip.

    The secretary gave me additional details about the trip including who Ace was expected to meet as well as some requirements that the client had slotted in.

    ¡°Chase Creatives will also be there?¡± I eximed in absolute surprise.

    Why would the client invite both Ace and someone from our biggestpetitor in the industry to go on the same trip? Is this some kind ofpetition or something?

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Separated by Duty

    ¡°I know. This isn¡¯t going to be easy which is why Ace will probably decide to go on this trip no matter what. We can¡¯t let ourpetitor get a big jump ahead of us, right?¡± the woman said knowingly.

    ¡°Right. I got it¡­¡± I spoke through the phone.

    ¡°The trip is expected tost a week. You might get even busier with him being away so don¡¯t expect that it¡¯s going to be easy on you,¡± the woman said with a smallugh.

    ¡°Excuse me? A week?¡± I said while unable to hide my shock.

    Ace is going to be gone for a whole week?Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°That¡¯s right. The client will send more details about the trip. I¡¯ll forward it to you right away when I get it so you can brief the CEO about it,¡± the woman instructed.

    ¡°Ok¡­thank you¡­¡± I managed to reply vague before the line disconnected.

    Ace¡­is going to be gone for a week?

    The sudden news left me feeling quite empty inside as I stared at my phone screen with conflicted feelings. It was at that exact moment that I heard the door to his office opened. I knew without seeing him that Ace had entered his office.

    Perfect timing. I need to tell him about this uing business trip.

    ¡°Ace¡­¡± I called his name.

    ¡°What is it?¡± he repliedzily.

    Ace seemed so rxed whenever he came into his office. It always amazed me how Ace could handle all his work with ease. He didn¡¯t seem stressed or disturbed by anything at all.

    ¡°Actually, you¡¯re supposed to be on a business trip for a week starting the day after tomorrow,¡± I told him with a small smile.

    ¡°I see¡­it is what it is,¡± Ace replied before sitting down on the sofa.

    ¡°Umm¡­the trip also involved Chase Creatives¡­¡± I told him a little reluctantly.

    Hisck of reaction surprised me. That made me think that perhaps he had heard about it already from another source. However, just like most things at work, he wasn¡¯t particrly excited about anything. The only thing that seemed to perk his interest was when he got involved in leading the design and production of amercial such as Project Alpha. Everything else he could handle wlessly but it was clear that hecked the passion behind it.

    I stood glued to where I was as I stared at Ace and waited for him to say something else or make anyment. Ace just stared at his phone like he was reading something and never said anything else about that business trip. A sinking feeling formed in the pit of my stomach, and I was shocked to realize that I felt disappointed.

    I guess, I can¡¯t tag along with him on this trip after all. Things will probably get busy here with him being away just like the senior secretary had told me. I needed to be here to help deal with that in his absence. Before I fully understood why I felt the way I did, I had started looking forward to going on the business trip with him just like our trip thest time. However, this trip didn¡¯t have anything to do with the project that I was working on, so there was no good reason for him to take me along.

    ¡°Is something wrong?¡± Ace asked casually and I felt his eyes on me.

    ¡°Oh, no. It¡¯s nothing,¡± I quickly denied.

    ¡°Do you want toe along?¡± Ace asked.

    My eyes widened at his words. Can I really go with him?

    ¡°I can?¡± I asked, as hope welled up in my chest.

    Ace grinned at me before looking a little apologetic. That confused me even more than before.

    ¡°Sorry, Rina. I wish that I could take you along with me as well, but I better go alone on this one,¡± Ace replied with an apologetic smile.

    Oh¡­

    ¡°Good luck for the trip. I¡¯ll send you more details and brief you on itter when I get the details,¡± I told him before quickly retreating out of the room.

    I cursed him silently after the door closed behind me. He was just ying with my mind just now, wasn¡¯t he?

    He¡¯s so evil. He probably knew that I wanted toe along with him, and he was just testing me. Arghh!

    I wanted to rip my hair out in frustration.

    ¡­

    It felt strange now that Ace was away on a business trip. At first, I didn¡¯t think too much of it and it didn¡¯t impact me in anyway. However, after an entire day went by without him contacting me in anyway, I found eyes shifting towards the screen of my phone more and more often. It got to the point where I could no longer concentrate at work by the end of the day.

    What is he doing right now? Why hasn¡¯t he contacted me at all?

    I stared intensely at the dark screen of my phone as willed for a message or call from Ace to grace the screen. Of course, that didn¡¯t happen, and I found myself feeling even more frustrated than before. On top of worrying about Ace, I had a mountain of work that I needed to do. When the senior secretary warned me about the fact that I might get busier with Ace being away, I didn¡¯t really take her warning to heart.

    Who would have thought that she was more than spot on. Ace being away meant that I had to deal with a bunch of his work as well. There were a bunch of documents that required his approval and signature. It wasn¡¯t like I had the authority to sign those documents in his ce, but it was my job to deliver them to the other managers who needed to sign them instead. That kept me busy for most mornings and after dealing with that I had to focus on grinding out the detailed storyboard for Project Alpha. That was the hardest and the most energy-consuming part.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Unexpected Guest

    It was early in the evening and past working hours already when I lifted my head up from myputer to look around. There were still some people in the office. Richard was still busy working at his desk and so was Julianna. One nce over at my phone and I sighed loudly. Ace had all but disappeared on me. He probably thought nothing of it, but I had developed a stupid stubbornness and had refused to text or call him unless he contacted me first. That decision was so stupid, and it left me feeling so regretful but too prideful to contact him.

    I¡¯m so stupid. What games am I even ying with myself? He¡¯s not even aware of my plight.

    I wanted to work a bit more at the office, but I could no longer concentrate. Quickly, I packed up my stuff and shoved myptop into myputer bag with the intention to pick up on the work when I got back to my apartment. It was quite dark by the time that I left the office.

    The few days after that, I followed the same routine and ended u finishing up my storyboard design work back at my apartment. I worked hardte into the night as I drew and then redrew the storyboard on paper before transferring only the ideas that seemed to work to the presentation on myputer. It was hard work, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. It made me feel like I was making progress on my career towards my dream. Although it was hard to keep my eyes from straying to my phone as thoughts of Ace entered my mind, I managed to focus enough on work to get somethings done.

    By the end of the third day, Ace had not contacted me. The only silver lining in all of this was that I had a very proud second draft of the storyline and storyboard. It may need some adjustments and I¡¯ll do that after I get some feedback from Ace when he got back. Apart from that, I just needed to touch things up here and there especially on the transition between the scenes. Overall, I was extremely proud of the work that I had achieved up to that point.

    Just like the days before this, it was dark by the time I arrived back at my apartment. When I arrived at the hallway leading to my apartment, I froze in my tracks. There was someone standing in front of my apartment door. It was a familiar sight that used to bring so much warmth to my chest especially after a long and tiring day at work. However, this sight had turned into somewhat of a source of horror for me now.Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°You came backte,¡± Kyle said as he turned to smile at me.

    I did not return his smile. There¡¯s no way that I could avoid him and why do I have to avoid him?

    He¡¯s the one standing in front of my door. This is my ce, so I had no reason to run and hide. Honestly, I never thought that he woulde back here. I better find a way for him to leave and nevere back. I let out a loud and unsuppressed sigh to show my annoyance. If he keeps turning up to this ce, I¡¯m going to have to find a new apartment and moving was a hassle that I didn¡¯t need right now.

    ¡°Why are you here? What do you want?¡± I asked when I came to stand right in front of my door.

    ¡°I¡¯m here to pick up my stuff¡­¡± Kyle replied

    ¡°Oh, after all this time?¡± I asked with raised eyebrows.

    ¡°I left many things here, you know that, right?¡± Kyle asked as he gestured with his eyes for me to open the door.

    I looked at him with unmasked distaste. However, he was right. He did leave a bunch of his stuff here and I was such an angel that I didn¡¯t throw it all away. In fact, I packed up most of it for him into neat boxes while I waited for this day toe.

    ¡°I packed up most of your stuff already. They¡¯re in the brown boxes next to the door,¡± I told him emotionlessly.

    ¡°Did you pack up everything?¡± Kyle asked.

    I wanted to roll my eyes at him and that was exactly what I did. Since this ce was like a second home to him up until recently, I thought that it would be better for him to get the packed boxes and whatever it was that he left here himself. I rather let him into my room alone rather than going in with him. It would probably make my skin crawl or worst for me to be in that same room as him considering the memories that we used to share.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know. I didn¡¯t bother to double check. You can go in to grab the boxes and look around for whatever it is that you¡¯re looking for,¡± I told him with a resigned sigh.

    The sooner that we get this done, the better. I wished that he would just leave along with all of his stuff. There were things that we bought together as well and if he wanted those too, I was more than happy for him to take them all away. I turned and unlocked the door to my apartment for him.

    ¡°Wee¡­¡± I said sarcastically as I gestured with my hand for him to head right inside.

    I kept my eyes down as Kyle walked past me into my apartment. He didn¡¯t ask me any questions about where anything was, and I was thankful for the fact that he also wanted to end this silently. I stood in the hallway with my eyes focused on an invisible spot on the ground as I waited for Kyle toe back out. Shortly after, he came back out with the brown boxes that I had packed up for him. Then he went back in again, probably to search for anything that I may have missed when packing up his stuff. There was a high probability that I missed out on a couple of things.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Crazy Men

    After a short while, Kyle emerged with a couple more little things in his hand which were his. It seemed like he was done. Just when I thought the storm had passed by peacefully, my phone started vibrating in my hand.

    Ace? Why did he have to call now of all times?

    ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to get that?¡± Kyle asked with fake concern.

    ¡°It¡¯s none of your business. You¡¯re done, right? You should leave¡­and please¡­nevere back here again. If you think you left anything else, I¡¯ll mail it to you¡­or something¡­¡± I told him before heading right into my apartment.

    ¡°You should stop dating him. He¡¯s nothing but trouble, Rina,¡± Kyle warned sternly.

    Even I could tell that he was genuinely concerned. However, maybe he was just acting. Nothing about our rtionship was sincere so I should probably doubt his words now too.

    ¡°We¡¯re not dating. Can you leave now?¡± I shot back without hesitation.

    ¡°So, you¡¯re just sleeping with him without even dating him? Don¡¯t you see how wrong that is? Aren¡¯t you just attracted to him because he¡¯s the CEO?¡± Kyle asked with a raise eyebrow.

    ¡°You dumped me to marry someone else. Don¡¯t you dare tell me what is right or wrong. Stop crossing the line, Kyle. Please don¡¯t evere near me again,¡± I said coldly.

    ¡°I¡¯m quitting,¡± Kyle said softly.

    ¡°What?¡± I asked in surprise.

    ¡°I¡¯m leaving thepany,¡± he repeated solemnly.

    I had no idea why Kyle was leaving thepany and it shocked me. He loves his job and his team so much that it was hard for me to believe that he was leaving; however, his reasons are not any business of mine any longer.

    ¡°Good luck. I hope we never meet again,¡± I told him honestly.

    Before he could say anything else on the subject, I closed the door firmly in his face and locked it. The hardness of the door against my back as I leaned on it brought me some sense offort. He¡¯s gone now, Karina. He¡¯s gone now¡­

    The phone in my hand was still ringing and I quickly answered Ace¡¯s call. This was the call that I had been waiting for for days but now that it was here, I didn¡¯t want to pick up. I also kept Ace waiting for so long on the line. This is all Kyle¡¯s fault!

    ¡°Ace?¡± I spoke through the phone.

    ¡°Rina¡­sorry, thing got a little too busy andplicated over here. Sorry for not keeping in touch,¡± Ace sounded so apologetic that I didn¡¯t know how to react.

    If I was mad at him all of that anger evaporated into thin air when I heard his voice. My heart skipped a beat as I gripped my mobile phone tighter in my hand. I had so many things that I wanted to tell him but now that the time came, I was just tongue tied.Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Rina?¡± Ace called my name questioningly when I didn¡¯t reply to him.

    ¡°It¡¯s ok. Everything is fine here,¡± I managed to say after recovering from my surprise.

    ¡°That¡¯s great. I¡¯m trying to make it back a few days earlier. Being away from you for a week is probably too long,¡± Ace said with a teasingugh.

    ¡°When will you be back?¡± I asked as my chest felt tighter.

    It would be great if Ace coulde back earlier. I had no idea why I felt that way, but I really wanted to see him.

    ¡°In two days probably. How¡¯s the storyboarding along?¡± he asked casually.

    ¡°I just finished it actually. If you don¡¯t mine, can I email it over to you?¡± I asked.

    ¡°That would be great. That way, I can give you feedback right away when I get back,¡± Ace readily agreed.

    I could tell that he was pleased. Whatever trouble that he faced over there must have been resolved because Ace sounded like he was in a good mood.

    ¡°Alright. I¡¯ll send you an email soon,¡± I said before a small smile formed on my lips.

    Talking to Ace made me feel at ease with myself once again. I guess I hadn¡¯t realized how shaken up I felt when Kyle turned up in front of my door out of the blue like that. Although nothing bad happened, it still left me feeling very ufortable.

    ¡°Do you miss me?¡± Ace asked after a pause.

    ¡°Of course, not¡­¡± I muttered as I felt my face heat up at his words.

    Aceughed at my response as if he had expected it. Even if I missed him and wanted to see him, I wouldn¡¯t tell him outright like that.

    ¡°I miss you. See you soon, Rina,¡± Ace said cheerfully.

    He sounded much younger when heughs like that. The line disconnected before I could say anything else. I spent the next couple of minutes just staring at my phone with widened eyes. He said that he misses me, right?

    It¡¯s probably not true and he was just saying it to keep on messing around with my head and my heart. Even though I knew this, I couldn¡¯t stop myself from smiling.

    Afterposing myself, I sent Ace an email with thetest storyboard. This better be good enough. I put so much effort into it. The words and illustrations on the storyboard might as well have been draw in my own blood.

    ¡­

    After calling me that day when Kyle came to pick up his things at my room, Ace disappeared into thin air again. I was left wondering if work got busy for him again on the trip. He did mention that he was working hard so that he could return early. In the end, he never told me when exactly he would be back.

    I sighed as I stared at my phone screen. On top of not giving me a call, he also didn¡¯t reply to my work email either. I wasn¡¯t sure if he had time to take a look at the new storyboard that I sent yet or not. As the hours ticked by, I grew more and more anxious. Without his feedback on the storyboard, I felt lost, and I didn¡¯t quite know how to proceed.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Desperate Need

    Finally, the end of the workday arrived. Once in a while, I could leave the office on time with the other employees. The elevator going down to the lobby was filled with people and it was an experience that I haven¡¯t felt for a while. The elevator used to be so empty when I went home in the evening. I arrived home feeling very empty inside.

    Although I didn¡¯t have any work to work on tonight, I still carried myptop back with me to my apartment just in case. My apartment felt too quiet for my taste when I finally made it back. The missing brown boxes close to the exit only reminded me that Kyle had been in here recently. That thought only worked to worsen my mood. At least, his things were gone from my room now. I walked around the room as I eyed some of the furniture pieces that we picked out together. There were some things that he bought for me and some that we both chipped in to buy.

    Maybe it¡¯s time that I throw those out or donate them. It¡¯s time that Iplete move on and start fresh with my love life. It would be a shame to part with some of the items that I had grown attached too but it was something that I had to do to move on. Buying the recements is going to require some money, though. Perhaps, I could go about it slowly, piece by piece.

    The end of the month was fast approaching, and I couldn¡¯t wait to get my paycheck. It had been a while since I¡¯vest visited my mother and I wondered how she was really doing. I tried my best to call her often but with the many crazy things that had been going on, I didn¡¯t get around to calling her daily like I used to when I first got this job. At least, I could send her some money after I get paid.

    Before I knew it, it had gotten quitete into the night. I quickly showered, washed my hair, and got ready for bed. It was the strangest thing to feel ufortable when work was light, and I had free time. Ironically, when I was swamped with work, I prayed for life to go easier on me. However, now that I didn¡¯t have much to do, I found myself stressing out about being unproductive.

    Thinking about it was going to make me even more depressed so I decided to get into bed so that I could catch up on some sleep. However, just when my assnded onto my bed, the doorbell rang.

    **Ring Ring Ring**

    Seriously, who¡¯s here thiste at night?

    I felt a shiver run through my body when I thought that it might be Kyle again. Coming back home to find him standing in front of my door waiting for me was something that was going to haunt me for a while. If we had broken up in an amicable way, perhaps we could have been friends. However, with how things ended between us, I sincerely wished that we wouldn¡¯t have to talk or interact with each other again.

    The doorbell rang again while I was lost in my thoughts. The sound of the doorbell snapped me back to reality and I got off the bed. Who could it be?

    ¡°Rina!¡±

    My heart skipped a beat, and I gasped in surprise at the sound of a familiar voice. For a moment, my body froze right in front of the door as I debated with myself whether I had just imagined hearing his voice just now. Perhaps, because I had been looking forward to seeing him and weing him back, my mind had started ying tricks on me.

    ¡°Rina¡­¡± Ace called my name again.

    ¡°Y-Yes?¡± I answered as I opened the door.

    If my ears and my eyes were not deceiving me then Ace was standing right in front of my door in the flesh.

    ¡°Ace¡­did you just get back? It¡¯s sote¡­¡± I said while still not quite convinced that he was really here.All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.

    Before I could finish what I wanted to say, Ace¡¯s lips were crushing forcefully onto mine and all my words were lost in his aggressive and desperate kiss. Stunned at the suddenness of his kiss, I forgot all that I wanted to say to him. Ace¡¯s arms pulled me hard against his body as his lips continued to kiss me hungrily. I could feel the intensity of his need through his demanding kiss. The wet tip of his tongue plunged in between my lips and into the depth of my mouth without hesitation. I whimpered softly as his tongue began engaging mine in a fervent dance.

    Ace kissed me so passionately that he took my breath away. He¡¯s never kissed me this intensely before. It felt like he couldn¡¯t wait to taste me and then it felt like he couldn¡¯t get enough. His hand captured the back of my head and held it in ce as he continued kissing me from various angles. His tongue thrusting firmly and deeply into my mouth to taste me. His other hand stroked my back before dipping down to stroke my waist and the small of my back seductively.

    By the time he broke our kiss, I was panting and struggling to catch my breath. My mind was lost in a daze for a moment before I came to my senses. That was when I realized that we had been kissing wildly in the middle of the hallway. Although it waste at night, it wasn¡¯t impossible for other people to see us. Ace stared at me, and I couldn¡¯t miss the fire of desire burning deep within his gaze. When Ace took a step towards me and his hand cupped the side of my face, I knew that he hasn¡¯t had enough of me yet.

    He needed more and I was starting to desire him as well. His intense desire for me only made me want him even more than before.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Accepting His Urgent Passion

    After making up my mind that I wanted this, I took a step backwards into my room. Ace followed after me without hesitation. His lips were hot against mine again and I quickly parted my lips invitation for his tongue to thrust into my mouth. I pulled Ace into my room while he continued kissing me. Ace kicked the door close behind him before his full attention returned to deepening our heated kiss.

    Our tongues mingled in an ardent dance as his hands began boldly caressing the curves of my body. I knew that it was the right decision to allow him into my room. Ace might not have hesitated to touch me like this even if we were still standing in the hallway. His hand caressed my waist before moving downwards to cup my buttocks directly. He moaned into our kiss as his hands began massaging and squeezing my ass.

    I moaned and whimpered into our wet kiss as I felt my legs grow weak beneath me. Ace¡¯s hands pulled my hips up against his. The hard outline of his erect cock brushed against my pussy through our clothes. Since I was in my short night gown, I didn¡¯t have that much on to begin with. Ace broke our kiss before his eyes travelled down my body to take in my curves. I felt heat rise to my cheeks as I blushed in response to his heated gaze.

    ¡°Ace¡­¡± I whispered his name softly.

    ¡°Don¡¯t say my name like that, I¡¯m more than turned on already¡­¡± Ace muttered before his hands pulled my hips against his again.

    His hardness grinded against my pussy through the thincy fabric of the underwear that I had on. I could feel his thick cock brushing against my clit and the pleasure made me moan loudly. My hips began moving to grind my pussy against the hard outline of his cock as my desire for him started to take over.

    ¡°I can¡¯t wait to fuck you, Rina¡­¡± Ace admitted boldly.

    With that said, he lifted me up into his arms princess-style while I let out a cry of surprise. Ace carried me to my bed and dumped me on there. I felt the softness of the mattress against my back and then Ace was on top of me.

    ¡°Ahhh!¡± I moaned loudly when he buried his face into the side of my neck and began sucking and kissing on my sensitive skin.Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.

    He sucked hard on my skin and the slight stinging sensation told me that he was going to leave a mark. The pleasure felt too amazing for me to care about any love marks that he would leave on my neck or anywhere else on my body. My hands moved to cradle his head before I ran my fingers through his soft dark hair.

    He sucked on my skin again and I whimpered. Ace¡¯s wet tongue traced a line down the side of my neck and my body trembled with pure pleasure. My core throbbed so hard that I thought that I was about to cum just from his seductive caresses. A pleasurable ache formed in my lower abdomen as my pussy quivered with desire.

    Ace lifted his face from my neck and sat up just enough for him to quickly unbutton his shirt and then swiftly removing it from his body. I stared in admiration at his well-built and muscr body. The way his muscles moved as he stripped off his shirt looked so sexy that it made my lower belly swirl with my lust for him.

    His hand quickly moved to unbuckle his belt before he quickly stripped the rest of his clothes and threw them down on the floor next to my bed. From his impatient actions and the wild desire in his eyes, I knew that Ace was truly at his limit. He needed to take me now.

    When his cock sprang free from his pants and boxers, I gasped at the sheer size and length of his erect cock. That was more than enough proof for me that Ace couldn¡¯t wait to move on to the next phase. My pussy twitched with my desire to feel his cock inside of me. By that time, my pussy was more than wet enough for him. My love juices had leaked out of my love hole to wet and soak my panties.

    ¡°I can¡¯t wait anymore, Rina. I need you now,¡± Ace said as his eyes stared down at me.

    I didn¡¯t know what to say to him, so I just nodded my head in eptance. Ace smiled a little at me and I could tell that he was pleased and then he was on top of me again. This time his hands quickly pulled up my night gown to expose my thighs and my waist to him. Suddenly, there was only my thincey underwear that separated us.

    Ace¡¯s hands grabbed my thighs before spreading them widely apart while I moaned softly. I could feel his eyes on my pussy before his hand peeled away the thin fabric covering my love entrance. I moaned softly as Ace quickly positioned his thick cock at my entrance.

    ¡°Ahh¡­Ace¡­¡± I moaned lustily.

    The heat of his massive cock at my opening made me want to feel him inside of me. I was so wet for him, and Ace was more than ready to take me. His cock twitched against my pussy lips, and I could sense his urgency.

    ¡°Bear with me, Rina¡­¡± Ace whispered.

    ¡°Ahhh! Ahhhh! Ace! Ahhh!¡± I screamed loudly as my hips bucked upwards.

    Ace thrusted his cock all the way into my wet cunt in one single thrust that made me cry out at thebination of pain and pleasure that surged through my body. His cock felt bigger and hotter than normal, and my pussy struggled to amodate his size and sudden entrance. Ace began moving his cock in and out of my hole immediately after burying himself all the way to the hilt at his first entrance. He reared his hips back to withdraw his cockpletely from my hole before thrusting forward to pound his hot rod back into my wet hole.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Stopping Halfway

    Over and over again, he thrusted his cock into my wet pussy while I cried out with every thrust that hit me deep inside. The pain quickly transformed into a mind-shattering pleasure that was hard for my body to control and deal with. I cried out and moaned in pure bliss and ecstasy as his cock continued to fuck my wet hole. It felt like his cock had gotten even thicker and longer inside of my love tunnel and suddenly, he was hitting a pleasure spot that was even deeper than thest time.

    I cried out his name as my hips began thrusting up from the bed to meet his wild thrusts halfway, ramming his cock even deeper and harder into my flooded love hole. Ace¡¯s movements were fast and merciless. He has never taken me this urgently before. His low growls and groans of pleasure echoed around my bedroom along with my cries of pleasure as he rode me.

    ¡°Your pussy is so tight, Rina¡­¡± Ace groan on top of me.

    His hips continued beating his cock into my hole while I cried out from the unbelievable pleasure. Ace lifted one of my legs upwards and ced it on his shoulder. My hips got lifted up from the bed and suddenly, Ace¡¯s thrust felt much deeper than before. The thick head of his cock rammed into my womb with each of his powerful thrust. Pleasure exploded inside of my body, and I felt my pussy squirt out more love juice onto his hard dick.

    ¡°Ace! It¡¯s so good¡­Ahhh!¡± I cried out before more lewd moans escaped my lips.

    Lewd wet sounds echoed all around us as his cock continued pounding into my wetness and messing up my insides. Each thrust felt so good that it made me feel like I was on the verge of cumming all the time.

    ¡°I¡¯m cumming! I¡¯m cumming, Ace!¡± I yelled loudly before my mind wentpletely white.

    I wasn¡¯t sure what happened while I rode out the effects of my mind-numbing orgasm. My body felt like it was floating. I never knew that it felt so glorious to climax like this. When my mind came to, everything felt very hazy. I saw Ace on top of me and he was still moving inside of me.

    ¡°Ahhh¡­¡± I moaned.

    The feelings came flooding back and I could feel the ecstatic bliss from his hard cock pounding against my womb and pleasure spot. Ace groaned on top of me, and I could tell that he was also close to his limit. I wrapped my legs around his hips and my arms around his back.

    Ace¡¯s cock twitched inside of me, and I knew that he was very close to his release. I smiled up at him as I waited for him to cum. Suddenly, Ace still on top of me while my eyes widened at him in confusion.

    Why did he stop?

    ¡°I¡¯m not wearing a condom¡­¡± Ace confessed as he stilled above me.

    Since we were so rushed earlier, I hadn¡¯t realized that we just did it raw. No wonder his cock felt hot inside of me. As for the condom, I didn¡¯t have one. Since breaking up with Kyle I had decided to throw everything away and I never got around to restocking on condoms because I didn¡¯t think that it would be necessary. Now that I thought of it, Ace always had a condom on him whenever we did it.

    ¡°It¡¯s ok¡­it¡¯s a safe day,¡± I told him reassuringly as I stroked my fingertips slowly along his muscr back before sliding lower to stroke his strong and muscr arms.

    ¡°We should stop here for today,¡± Ace said decisively as he started pulling back from me.

    ¡°Wait¡­I¡¯ll be ok¡­so¡­please¡­¡± I said softly as I pleaded to him with my eyes.

    It was true that it was a safe day, but most importantly, I wanted to make him cum just like he had made me feel so good. It felt like I would go insane if he wouldn¡¯t continue.

    ¡°We can¡¯t do it. It¡¯s too risky for you¡­¡± Ace muttered decisively as he shook his head from side to side.

    I knew that he was trying to control himself and I admired him so much for his ability to think so logically even at a time like this. Ace heaved a sigh and slowly disentangled my arms from his body. I let my arms fall to the side and then Ace slowly withdrew his cock from my pussy. I moaned softly as sadness filled me up inside when he removed his cock entirely from my wet cunt.

    ¡°Wait, Ace¡­¡± I called to him as I sat up.

    ¡°I¡¯m fine. It¡¯s better to stop here for today. I wanted to see you so much that I forgot to prepare things. It¡¯s my fault¡­¡± Ace said with a small smile.

    ¡°Ace¡­¡± I murmured his name.

    ¡°I just wanted to surprise you that I¡¯m back earlier. I didn¡¯t n on¡­you know¡­¡± Ace exined before trialing off.

    I knew exactly what he was trying to say. His words and his honestly tugged at my heart and that made me want to satisfy him even more. If he wouldn¡¯t cum inside of me then¡­what about¡­

    ¡°Can you¡­sit still for a bit?¡± I asked shyly.

    Ace cocked his head to the side as his hazel eyes watched me with a mix of confusion and curiosity. Regardless, Ace decided to do as I had requested.

    Slowly, Iy down a little on my stomach before bending my head down towards his cock. I was sure that Ace knew what I was going to do by that time, but if he hated it, he didn¡¯t quite have the time to stop me. I reached out my hand to hold his cock gently before I opened my mouth and engulfed the bulging head of his cock. His strong scent and manly taste filled my mouth.

    I ran my tongue around in circr motions on the head of his cock. His taste filled my mouth as Ipped further at the small hole at the tip of his cock while Ace moaned. I felt his hand at the back of my head and knew that he was enjoying the attention that I was paying to his swollen member.Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 For His Satisfaction

    ¡°Rina¡­¡± Ace moaned my name.This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    His cock twitched in my hand as I began sucking softly on the tip of his cock. My hand pumped up and down his length while my mouth sucked harder and faster on its thick head. Ace¡¯s hand pushed down on my head as he silently urged me to take more of him into my mouth. Slowly, I lowered my head down onto his enormous love stick. Inch by inch, his cock entered my mouth. Ace moaned my name as I started bobbing my head up and down. His cock slid in and out of my mouth.

    ¡°Rina¡­your mouth feels amazing¡­¡± Ace moaned in delight.

    His hands held my head in ce before his hips thrusted up from the bed, ramming his cock into my mouth. I moaned loudly as I closed my eyes tightly shut. Ace began thrusting his hips faster as he fucked my mouth with his thick cock. His moans got louder, and his hips began moving faster. The taste of his precum filled my mouth and I knew that it wouldn¡¯t be much longer before he would cum.

    I felt strangely excited at the thought of Ace shooting his load into my mouth. His cock twitched wildly inside of my mouth, and I knew that I wouldn¡¯t have to wait much longer before I could taste his cum.

    ¡°Rina¡­oh¡­Rina¡­¡± Ace moaned my name.

    His hips thrusted fast and hard into my mouth a couple more times and then I felt the heat of his release erupting into my mouth. Ace shot loads of his cum into my mouth as I whimpered and willingly took it all in. His male essence filled my mouth and my senses while I waited patiently for him to empty his load into me.

    Sensing that he was done, I slowly lifted my head up from his cock. His cock slolwy slid out of my mouth. I could feel Ace¡¯s eyes on my face. I smiled a little at him before I tipped my head back and swallowed his cum without hesitation. That was a lot of cum¡­

    ¡°You¡¯re so sexy, Rina. Did you just swallow my cum?¡± Ace said with clear surprise.

    I nodded.

    At least he seemed impress. I smiled a little proudly at him. After all, I couldn¡¯t let him go unsatisfied after he had given me so much pleasure. Plus, I knew that he worked very hard just to make it back earlier than nned. I was too shy to thank him directly with words, but at least, I could reward him with my actions.

    Honestly, I felt slightly guilty. I never ended up telling Ace that Kyle turned up to see me here at my ce. Although I knew that I didn¡¯t owe Ace an exnation for what happened, I still felt guilty about it. I also didn¡¯t know how to bring it up to him. He would probably feel angry just like the many times before whenever Kyle entered the picture. In the end, I decided against telling him.

    When Ace turned up at my door, I didn¡¯t hesitate to allow him inside. A part of me missed him so much and I was so excited that he had returned that I wanted to spend time with him. When he kissed me, I wanted more of him, and I couldn¡¯t wait to have him. However, there was also another hidden agenda. Since Kyle was in this room, I wanted to use Ace¡¯s presence to erase all traces of him from both this room and my mind. I didn¡¯t want to recall anymore loving or hateful memories that I shared with Kyle. I wanted Ace in this room with me more than anything.

    ¡°Umm¡­Ace¡­¡± I called his name hesitantly as weid on the bed side by side.

    ¡°What is it?¡± Ace asked as he stroked my hair absentmindedly.

    He might turn me down but¡­I decided to ask him anyways¡­

    ¡°My room is very small and a little messy but¡­would you¡­like to stay the night?¡± I asked in a small voice.

    ¡°May I?¡± Ace asked after looking at me with widened eyes.

    I guess my sudden invitation surprised him. Well, it surprised me as well. Truthfully, I didn¡¯t want Ace to leave. I didn¡¯t want to sleep alone tonight.

    ¡°¡­Yes,¡± I replied clearly.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know what bought about this sudden change of heart but I¡¯m thankful for it. You better not forget about tonight. You can¡¯t use alcohol as an excuse anymore,¡± Ace warned with mocking sternness.

    ¡°I won¡¯t¡­¡± I replied with a shy smile.

    ¡°I won¡¯t forgive you if you do,¡± Ace replied curtly but then he smiled at me.

    ¡­

    Morning came much faster than I would have liked. I spent the night in Ace¡¯s warm embrace. Everything felt so perfect that it felt unreal. I didn¡¯t want the night toe to an end. However, my wish wasn¡¯t granted, and soon enough, morning arrived to disturb our rest.

    ¡°I think this scene should go before this one. It¡¯s better to be sequential when showing age transition. On top of that, the message will be stronger if you portray the scenes as going through the life stages of one person rather than different people at each stage in life,¡± Acemented with his eyes focused on theputer screen.

    Iid in bed on my side next to Ace with myptop opened. Although his eyes were on the storyboard that I was showing him, his hand continued to stroke my naked back under the nket leisurely. The warmth of his hand on my naked skin felt soothing and it was a real struggle not to fall asleep while being petted this way. We were naked and, on the bed, and never in my wildest dreams did I imagine getting feedback on my work from Ace this way.

    ¡°I see. Instead of a different kid, teenager, adult, and an elderly person, if we portray the same person then we can better capture the flow of time¡­¡± I murmured in agreement.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Getting Real

    ¡°Yes, it¡¯s a choice you must make between showing one person through various stages of life or to show different people in each stage. The former, as you said, shows the flow of time much better. Thetter, provides a better sense of inclusivity because you can show people of different genders, race, and demographics,¡± Ace continued to exin.

    ¡°In this case, we should probably go with your suggestion to capture the flow of time,¡± I said decisively.

    ¡°Correct. If I were you, I¡¯d do that,¡± Ace replied without hesitation.

    ¡°Thank you, Ace. Oh¡­and wee back,¡± I said before showing him one of my best smiles.

    Ace smiled back as his hand reached out to pat the top of my head gently.

    ¡°It¡¯s good to be back¡­¡± Ace saidzily.

    ¡­

    Time surely flew by and the first pitch presentation where the contestingpanies would present their story board to themittee was already in two weeks¡¯ time. We had less than 10 working days to put everything together. Having a great storyline and an appealing storyboard was one thing. Having an outstanding pitch presentation to showcase those two elements was an entirely different matter altogether.

    ¡°Should we invest and have a samplemercial made just to give themittee members a taste of the real thing?¡± Jeremy suggested.

    ¡°It¡¯s not umon forpanies to do that. Ourpetitors may have something along those lines to show,¡± Richard quickly agreed.

    ¡°It¡¯s going to be difficult to arrange for something like that in two weeks¡¯ time but it¡¯s not entirely impossible,¡± Ace stated as his face looked thoughtful.

    Shooting a mockupmercial was difficult and also costs a lot of money. There were also risks associated with this investment. Just like most investments, it was high risk and high return. If we got it right and themittee members are impressed by it, then we¡¯re definitely going to score some bonus points. However, if they hated it then the damage might be beyond control.

    I nced over at Ace¡¯s thoughtful face as he seemed to be contemting the pros and cons of having the mockupmercial.

    ¡°Unless something is terribly wrong with our storyboard, I doubt we¡¯ll get knocked out from the first rounds of presentation. It¡¯s probably better to invest in the mockup for theter rounds when we¡¯re much surer on the storyboard and all the details. Presenting something half-ass might backfire especially right now when we don¡¯t have all the details of the scenes in ce,¡± Ace stated his decision with solid reasoning.

    Everyone, including myself, nodded in agreement and that was how the meeting came to an end. Everyone got up from their seat and headed for the door immediately. I could tell that the project had entered another phase and that demanded even more effort and concentration from all team members. I better work hard on my part too. We can¡¯t mess up this first pitch presentation no matter what.

    ¡°Rina¡­¡± Ace called my name.

    His voice snapped me out of my thoughts. I blinked my eyes rapidly to clear my mind before turning to smile a little at him.

    ¡°You looked so stressed just now. Is everything ok?¡± Ace asked with apparent concern.

    I guess I must have looked very worried as I thought about the work just now. There was certainly more pressure to get everything right now that the presentation was just around the corner. This was also my first time getting involved in a such an important project like this and the pressure was clearly getting to me.

    ¡°I¡¯m fine. I was just thinking about the uing presentation,¡± I replied.

    ¡°There¡¯s no need to stress about it. With the storyboard that we have, everything should be a breeze,¡± Ace said with confidence.

    I knew that the storyboard that we had was definitely above standard for sure. It was unique and had a message that should resonate with many people. However, something just made me feel uneasy about all this. Not knowing what it was, I decided that it must have just been my nerves.

    ¡°How about we go out for dinner? Just you and me¡­¡± Ace suggested invitingly.

    ¡°Umm¡­I have work to do so¡­¡± I mumbled hesitantly.

    ¡°You can save it for tomorrow. Juste along,¡± Ace said insistently.

    Dinner with Ace¡­

    I nodded my head a little in agreement and Ace rewarded me with such a charming smile that made me think that I definitely made the right decision.

    ¡­

    Ace surely picked the right day to invite me out for dinner with him. Today was one of those rare days when Ace¡¯s meetings don¡¯t runte into the night. However, Ace¡¯s final meeting of the day wasn¡¯t in the office. He had to attend a meeting at one of the client¡¯s headquarters and because of that, I was told to wait for him right at the building entrance for his return.Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.

    After clearing up my work for the day, I immediately headed to the spot where Ace was supposed to pick me up. I was anxious and I didn¡¯t want to keep him waiting. As a result of that, I arrived at our appointment ce early. I didn¡¯t mind getting there a little earlier, though.

    It was the end of the working day and many people walked by on their way home while I stood and waited for Ace¡¯s arrival. Without anything to do while I waited, my mind began to wander. Not surprisingly, my mind finally settled on thinking about Ace and the rtionship between us.

    The project was making good progress and that was definitely a plus. Everything seemed to be progressing well and that applied to my rtionship with Ace as well. Although he had asked me to be his ¡®girlfriend¡¯ multiple times, I had never said yes. Honestly, I was still confused about my feelings towards him. I did enjoy having sex with him, but I wasn¡¯t sure if I was in love with him. To make matters worse, I was quite certain that he wasn¡¯t in love with me.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 His Wife

    One of these days, he¡¯s going to get bored of me and then what we have woulde to an unsightly end. Before I knew it, my thoughts started getting dark and very insecure. When Ace first asked me to be his girlfriend, I thought that it was the most ridiculous thing ever and I hated the idea. However, now I wasn¡¯t sure what I wanted. Maybe there was a part of me that wanted something more with him. Do I want to be his girlfriend for real?

    I found my own feelings confusing but that wasn¡¯t the only problem. One of the main reasons that stopped me from epting his proposal to be his girlfriend was because I highly doubted that he was even serious about it. No matter how I looked at it, he was just ying around with my head and my heart.

    It¡¯s probably best for me not to get too attached to him or get too serious about this. It was an easy thing to think and say, however, the pain and tightness in my chest told me that it was something very hard to achieve action-wise.

    ¡°Excuse me¡­¡±

    The polite and sweet sound of a woman¡¯s voice spoke up from right in front of me. I must have been too absorbed in my thoughts of Ace that I hadn¡¯t realized her presence standing in front of me. My eyes immediately went to her face, and I was met with her polite smile. An ufortable nagging feeling at the back of my mind told me that I had seen her somewhere before, but I had no idea where. Her voice did not sound familiar at all.

    ¡°Hello. How can I help you?¡± I asked politely.

    She¡¯s here in front of our office building so perhaps she¡¯s a client or a potential client here to contact someone here. Her sophisticated and expensive-looking dress did not give the vibe of an officedy, but you never know¡­

    ¡°Are you Karina?¡± the woman asked.

    She knows my name?

    ¡°Yes, I¡¯m Karina. Karina Miller,¡± I replied while trying my best to sound polite.

    I was curious as to how she knew who I was and what she wanted from me. Something told me that she wasn¡¯t looking for me to make amercial for her.

    ¡°You don¡¯t look half bad¡­¡± the woman said as her eyes travelled slowly from my face down my body to my feet and then back again.

    Her words and the way that she looked at me shocked me beyond words. After confirming who I was, the polite mask that she was wearing immediately dispersed and in its ce was a look of pure disgust.

    Her eyes as she seemed to appraise everything about me from my looks to the clothes that I was wearing told me that she was far from impressed.

    Who is this woman?

    ¡°Excuse me?¡± I managed to say after recovering from my shock.

    ¡°I honestly don¡¯t know what Kyle saw in you, but I hope that you will stay away from him from now on¡­¡± the woman said without bothering to introduce herself.

    I was beginning to see what this was about, and I had a pretty good idea now who this woman is. No wonder she looked a little familiar. I haven¡¯t seen or met her in person before, but I had seen photos of her. That¡¯s right, her hair style might be different now and her make-up was lighter, but this woman is definitely the one I saw in Kyle¡¯s wedding photos.

    ¡°I see. You¡¯re Kyle¡¯s wife. What¡¯s your name again?¡± I asked before shing her an innocent smile.

    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter what my name is. I¡¯m not here to associate myself with you,¡± she spat with clear contempt.

    Well, I¡¯ve slept with her boyfriend and then her fiance more than a couple of times so I canpletely understand where she wasing from. I debated with myself if I should let her know that any offences were not intentional. Just like her, I had no idea that he was two-timing both of us. It felt very strange that I found everything so amusing now. Perhaps that was a solid proof that I was very over what had happened between Kyle and me.

    However, for this rudedy here, it seemed like she was far from getting over that. Honestly, I was surprised that she found out. Did Kyle confess¡­or¡­

    ¡°I see. So why are you here? You did trouble yourself to seek me out. You¡¯re not simply here to pick your husband up from work, right?¡± I asked without backing away.

    Kyle and I broke up already. He left me for her. The two of them got married. Everything is over and done with, so why is she even here?

    ¡°I am here to tell you that I know each and every little thing that you¡¯ve been doing behind my back. How dare you try to seduce my husband? He chose me and he married me. He used you, got bored of you, and then threw you away. You should learn your ce!¡± the nameless woman lectured me through gritted teeth.

    Her eyes stared daggers at me, and I could tell that she was beyond angry. Not knowing what to do, I just took in a deep breath and let out a sigh. I had no idea what she was going on about.

    ¡°You¡¯re right. In the end, he chose you. You two got married. Congrattions, by the way. It was a shame that I wasn¡¯t invite to your wedding. The photos turned out great. If you¡¯re worried about Kyle and me, you don¡¯t need to be. It¡¯s all over for us for real. If that is all then¡­¡± I exined as calmly as I could.

    Kyle and I didn¡¯t have a future together anymore. Neither did I want a future with him. It hurt so much at first that I thought that I wouldn¡¯t be able to recover. However, time did seem to heal everything. Time and¡­someone else to take up my attention.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

 Protective Intervention

    I wasn¡¯t the sore loser type. The desperate and insecure woman who seemed to be going through a fit in front of me was clearly worried about her husband. If I wanted to be a heartless bitch, I could have said some meaningful things to her; however, what good would that do me?

    Nothing. Absolutely nothing.

    ¡°Then why did he go to your room?¡± the woman asked usingly.

    Oh¡­was she spying on him or did she get someone to keep tabs on him.

    I didn¡¯t want to know. I really didn¡¯t want to know.

    I let out another sigh. Is it even possible to convince someone when their mind is so made-up like this?

    ¡°You¡¯repletely misunderstanding all of this. Kyle came to my room to pick up his things. That¡¯s all. There was probably something that he needed that he left behind in my room. After our¡­sudden break up, we didn¡¯t really talk or meet up¡­so¡­¡± I exined before trailing off with a shrug of my shoulders.

    If it had been up to me, I would have wished for him to never turn up at my door again. However, it seemed like not everything was entirely up to me or within my control. Unfortunately, so.

    ¡°Do you honestly think that I would believe such ame excuse as that? You¡¯re lying. You¡¯re just trying to seduce my husband! You shameless woman!¡± she screamed at me.

    Suddenly, I became aware that her outburst had attracted the attention of a few people that were walking by. I could see and feel their eyes on us as they seemed to wonder what was going on. If this goes on any longer or if she gets any louder than this, it will be an extremely difficult situation for me. She may not care about making a scene, but this was the front of my office building.

    ¡°Stop it. I already told you that I did no such thing,¡± I told her firmly.

    Her eyes bulged at me as she bit down hard on her lower lip that it turned white as she continued to re at me. People were staring now, and I had to turn to them to smile shyly while nodding and bowing. I mouthed a few apologies and the people started continuing on their way.

    I still had Kyle¡¯s number. Of course, I had no idea if he had changed his number, but I highly doubted it. He never called me, and I never thought of giving him a call either. However, at that moment, I started feeling like I was quickly running out of options.

    Maybe I should give Kyle a call toe here and take care of his wife before things got even more out of control.

    ¡°Elizabeth¡­¡±

    The woman¡¯s face transformed from her intense look of anger to a look of pure surprise. I turned when I heard the unexpected yet unfamiliar voice of the man behind me.

    ¡°Ace¡­¡± we both whispered his name at the same time.This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    I had no idea who was more surprised to see Ace at that moment. Me or her?

    He called her ¡®Elizabeth¡¯ just now. So, her name must be Elizabeth. I cocked my head a little to the side in curiosity and confusion. The two of them seemed to know each other.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t expect to meet you here,¡± Elizabeth said before shing Ace a slightly shy smile.

    Her temperamentpletely changed when her eyesid on Ace. It was amazing how fast the expression on her face could change. It was like all her anger towards me had evaporated into thin air, and suddenly, it seemed like she was in the best of moods. Thisdy, whoever she was, was extremely good at managing the people around her.

    ¡°You should have told me if you had decided to visit mypany,¡± Ace replied with a leveled gaze her way.

    It seemed like there was a hidden meaning in his words, one that I couldn¡¯t quite understand.

    ¡°I¡¯m not here for business so I didn¡¯t want to disturb you¡­¡± Elizabeth replied with an unshaken smile.

    ¡°So, you¡¯re here for personal reasons?¡± Ace asked although it didn¡¯t seem like a question.

    ¡°You could say that¡­¡± she murmured.

    I opened my mouth and then closed it again when I realized that I wasn¡¯t sure what to say. What was clear to me was that I didn¡¯t want Ace to find out why thisdy here was paying me a visit. I should have known that keeping Kyle¡¯s visit to my room from Ace was a bad idea. Since absolutely nothing happened between us, maybe I should have told Ace about it. Now that he might find out about Kyle¡¯s visit from someone else, I started to panic. That ¡®someone else¡¯ was none other than Kyle¡¯s wife. Since Ace seemed to know who this ¡®Elizabeth¡¯ person is, he probably knows that she is Kyle¡¯s wife too, right?

    Everything about the situation was driving me insane and I had no idea how to go about handling it. I just stood there with my mouth shut and my feet glued to the floor. When did Ace turn up? How much of our conversation did he overhear?

    When Elizabeth appeared, I forgot that I was supposed to be meeting up with Ace here. I closed my eyes briefly as I bit down on my lower lip in frustration.

    ¡°You don¡¯t have to worry about Karina. She¡¯s not the type of person that you¡¯re trying to make her out to be¡­¡± Ace said calmy yet extremely clearly.

    ¡°Ace¡­¡± I whispered his name in shock.

    Ace stood next to me and wrapped his arm around my shoulder before pulling me to his side. I was stunned by his protective actions and words. Did he just¡­stand up for me? Even when¡­he knew that I was involved with Kyle before?

    ¡°I do respect you and the work that you do, Ace. But this and that are totally different matters. Why are you trying to defend her?¡± Elizabeth said with clear distaste as she narrowed her eyes suspiciously at Ace and then at me.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Convenient Lie

    ¡°You¡¯re the one who is misunderstanding things. You see, Karina is my girlfriend now. She¡¯s no longer involved with your husband. I can personally guarantee that,¡± Ace stated as his arm tightened around my shoulders.

    What did he just say?!

    Elizabeth¡¯s eyes widened even further as she gasped and covered her open mouth with her hand. Her eyes travelled from Ace to me and then back to Ace again. It was clear that she was struggling to believe that we were dating.

    Well, I didn¡¯t me here. We¡¯re not really dating and I¡¯m not really his girlfriend. I had no idea why Ace said that, but it did seem to work in throwing herpletely off her game.

    ¡°If you don¡¯t have any more questions, then I guess we¡¯re done here. Karina and I have a dinner date together, so if you don¡¯t mind, we¡¯ll excuse ourselves now. Have a good evening,¡± Ace said as his arms dropped to circle my waist.

    With a slight push, he began leading me away with him.

    ¡°Wait!¡± Elizabeth called out quite loudly from behind us.

    We both paused in our steps, and I felt scared of what she was going to say next.

    ¡°I¡¯m expecting great things from you, Ace. I¡¯ll be seeing you soon¡­¡± Elizabeth directed her words at Ace.

    ¡°Same goes for me. See you soon, Elizabeth,¡± Ace replied after turning back to face her.

    Elizabeth didn¡¯t say anything more and Ace led me away in silence while I wondered what those parting words between the two of them meant. I nced up at Ace¡¯s stoic face as I pondered how those two knew each other.

    Thankfully, Ace did not mention the incident with Elizabeth at all during our time at dinner. I had so many questions that I wanted to ask him but after weighing out the benefits of fulfilling my curiosity and the risks that Ace might discover that Kyle came to my room, I decided that perhaps letting the whole thing slide by might be the best idea. Elizabeth is Kyle¡¯s wife now and so it didn¡¯t quite matter how she knew Ace. Ace probably knew a lot of people anyways.

    There was one thing that I should still ask him, though.

    ¡°Why did you lie to her?¡± I asked from across the table where we were seated.

    Ace¡¯s eyes continued looking at my face. The way that the candlelight casted shadow and orange warm light on his face made his nose and lips look even more alluring than usual. When his eyes met mine, I could see the sparkle of the candlelight reflected in them like a dancing me. It was a sight that left me momentarily speechless at how attractive he looked.

    ¡°About what?¡± Ace asked like he had no idea what I was talking about.This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°That we¡¯re dating. That¡­I¡¯m your girlfriend¡­¡± I replied in a soft mumble.

    ¡°It worked. She shut up and left,¡± Ace replied like it was nothing.

    I had no idea how to feel about his attitude and how easy-going he was about dering that I was his girlfriend. It was a big deal for me, but it seemed like something extremely casual for him.

    ¡°Still, you shouldn¡¯t have lied to her. This can lead to so many misunderstandings,¡± Iined at once.

    ¡°I have the perfect solution for that,¡± Ace said after a short while of thought.

    ¡°Really?¡± I asked hopefully.

    ¡°Date me,¡± Ace stated without hesitation.

    ¡°¡­What?¡± I eximed in disbelief.

    How can he say that so casually and with such as emotionless face?

    ¡°If you be my girlfriend for real, then I wouldn¡¯t be lying to her and there would be no misunderstandings¡­just the right understanding,¡± Ace exined like it was supposed to be a no-brainer solution.

    Me dating Ace for real would present a throng of other problems. He¡¯s my boss and we¡¯re not supposed to be dating!

    ¡­

    **Around Two Weeks Later **

    After that dinner, Ace and I both got extremely busy with work. In the end, I never got around to formally agreeing to be his girlfriend. I wasn¡¯t even sure if he was even serious about it when he suggested that I should just date him for real. It wasn¡¯t the first time that he asked me to be his girlfriend and it wasn¡¯t the first time that I thought that he was just toying with me.

    Either he really was just ying around with me like he had probably yed around with his countless past lovers before or I was just being extremely paranoid and insecure. Regardless, I didn¡¯t dare ask him about it and I didn¡¯t dare get my hopes up that he would get serious about someone like me. Even if he did, there was no way that a longsting rtionship could ever bloom from something that started off as forbidden and wrong like what we had between us.

    Plus, a rtionship that started off with just good sex was bound to be¡­

    ¡°Karina¡­¡±

    I snapped out of my thought at the sound of my name being called. After turning around in my chair, I found Julianna standing right behind me. Did she catch me spacing out just now?

    ¡°Yes?¡± I replied before showing her one of my most polite smiles.

    ¡°The final run-through meeting will start soon. Are you prepared?¡± she asked as she stared down at me.

    I have to be. What other choices did I have?

    ¡°Yes, I am ready,¡± I replied determinedly.

    ¡°Good. I¡¯ll go check on other people. The meeting starts in 5 minutes. Don¡¯t bete,¡± she said before she turned on her heels and walked away.

    Julianna was as strict as always. Because this project was something that would directly impact the pride of thepany and the marketing team, I could understand why Julianna was so hung up on it.

    The past few days flew by in a blur ofte night working as a team to get everything together for the first pitch presentation for Project Alpha. Now we only had onest run-through meeting before the real presentation in front of the awardmittee tomorrow.

    Things better go well¡­

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 D-Day

    ¡°I think we are overall very ready for the presentation tomorrow. Just like the other years, we¡¯re given roughly 15 minute to present the storyline and the storyboard. The 15 minutes also includes a couple of minutes to address questions that themittee members may have,¡± Richard exined sternly.

    ¡°We should be fine with what we have. We¡¯ve reiterated on it so many times, I¡¯m honestly quite sick of it. Let¡¯s get tomorrow¡¯s presentation over and done with so we can move on to the next phase. The detailed nning should be exciting and so will the actual production,¡± Ace said with a nod of his head.

    It as true that we reiterated the storyboard many times. Since Ace provided his first round of feedback while we were in my bed together, the storyboard went through minor changes here and there based on his second round of feedbacks and suggestions from the other team members. Somehow, with

    Jeremy¡¯s help, we were able to get everything right at the end. Everyone worked extremely hard on their part.

    Richard was right. We were very ready for the presentation tomorrow.

    Come what may. I was certain that our storyboard would pass with flying colors.

    ¡°Before we end this meeting so we can all get some sleep for the night. Julianna has some updates onst minute logistics for tomorrow¡¯s event,¡± Ace said before gesturing with his hand towards where Julianna was seated.

    She cleared her throat as if she was about to make a very important announcement before she started speaking.

    ¡°The agenda for the meeting tomorrow is the same as always. There will be an opening speech from themittee¡¯s representative and then the presentations from the various contendingpanies will start immediately. For that, I am going to share on the screen the presentation sequence that has been decided for the meeting tomorrow,¡± Julianna announced.

    All eyes were on the screen and suddenly, it seemed like the pressure in the room had increased substantially. A few secondster, the empty presentation transformed into a table listingpany names in sequence for the presentation tomorrow.

    My eyes immediatelynded on ourpany¡¯s name, and I bet that the other team members did exact same thing. Out of around twentypanies, we were fifth. My eye widened when my eyes shifted to the name of our biggestpetitor in the market and for thispetition: Chase Creatives.

    The name of ourrgestpetitor was just above ourpany¡¯s name. It seemed like we were set to present right after them. I had no idea if this was intentional or not, but it seemed like our work will bepared side-by-side right off the bat.

    ¡°It is what it is¡­¡± Richer murmured darkly.

    It seemed like it wasn¡¯t just me that had realized that we were schedule to present right after Chase Creatives. I had no idea how much this would impact our presentation or if at all. However, the members in the room seemed to tense up a little at this new piece of information.

    ¡°Rx. The presentation order doesn¡¯t matter. What matters is the quality of what is going to be presented. Have a little more confidence in yourself and your work, will you?¡± Ace spoke up before he smiled with confidence.

    Ace¡¯s words truly felt motivating and reassuring at the same time. I could feel the tension leave my body and the atmosphere in the room lightened a little. It wouldn¡¯t be much longer before we got to see the result of our hard work.

    ¡°Jeremy, can you stay behind for a bit?¡± Ace asked.

    Jeremy didn¡¯t seem surprised to be requested to stay behind and he just nodded his head in acknowledgement. After that the meeting was dismissed and we were all told to call it a day so that we could get adequate rest for the presentation tomorrow.

    ¡­

    **First Pitch Presentation Day**

    The moment that we got off thepany¡¯s bus, I was awestruck by howrge the venue was. I¡¯ve seen this venue and the inside of it various times before on television, but I had never been here. The other team members did not seem surprised by the sheer size and luxurious feel of the ce. I guess that was to be expected, it wasn¡¯t their first time here at all.

    ¡°Focus¡­¡± Richard hissed from behind me.

    ¡°Sorry¡­¡± I whispered back.

    He must have sensed that I was focusing too much on our surroundings rather than the work at hand. It has been decided naturally that Ace would be the one presenting at this meeting. The man in question was nowhere to be seen and I wondered where he was. He¡¯s not going to bete on such an important day, is he?

    Suddenly, I started feeling extremely worried. Ace had insisted that I travel along with the other team members on thepany¡¯s bus after I met up with the other team member at thepany¡¯s headquarters. I¡¯m his secretary and I don¡¯t even know where he physically was right now. Does this mean that I just failed at my job?

    I nced at the watch on my wrist and found that the event was about to start. Even though, it wasn¡¯t our turn to present yet, we were expected to be there at the start of the event in the auditorium hall. Ace knew that, and yet, he¡¯s nowhere in sight.

    ¡°Let¡¯s go. Stop spacing out,¡± Julianna said as she walked on ahead.Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.

    Everyone started following her into the building before she led us to the auditorium where the meeting was scheduled to take ce. Although it was just the first round of presentations, I could feel the tension skyrocket in the air surrounding us when we entered the auditorium. Julianna seemed to know where our seats were, and she led us immediately to them.

    I stared at the sign that bore ourpany¡¯s name tobel the area of our seats while my mind wondered where Ace was?

    Maybe, I should give him a call. That was what I decided and what I did immediately after pulling out my phone.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Unbelievable

    I waited for the line to connect but it never did. After trying to call him a few more times, I gave up on it. The session was about to start and using the phone wasn¡¯t possible anymore unless I went outside the auditorium. The lights started dimming a little and I was force to send Ace a text message to ask him where he was instead.Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Do any of you know where Ace is? I can¡¯t get in touch with him¡­¡± I asked the other team members.

    They gave me nk looks that told me that they had no idea. I couldn¡¯t help but wonder why none of them were panicking right now just like I was.

    ¡°He¡¯ll be here in time for our turn to present. Don¡¯t worry,¡± Richard told me with confidence.

    ¡°Ok¡­¡± I mumbled in reply.

    If Richard who was usually overly strict said that it was fine, then I had to believe him and have fate that Ace would turn up on time. I knew that he was extremely busy as the CEO of thepany so maybe that was why he didn¡¯t have hours to spare to sit through this entire presentation.

    Suddenly, people started pping their hands as a lone figure walked onto the stage. ording to the program, that must be themittee¡¯s representative. The event formally started with his speech. While everyone¡¯s attention got sucked in by the representative¡¯s speech, I couldn¡¯t stop worrying about Ace.

    The presentations started right after the speech. Each presentation was capped at 15 minutes and the moderator did his job wlessly of facilitating the transition between the presentations. We were in the middle of the third presentation already which meant that there was around 20 minutes left until the start of our presentation. As far as I was aware, Ace had not yet arrived.

    ncing over at my team members, none of them seemed anxious about the fact that Ace had not arrived. The other people were very focused on the presentation, and some were actively taking notes. So far, themittee had not asked any surprising or challenging questions and their feedback had been nothing but encouraging and positive to all the teams. It seemed like everything was progressing well. Since this was just the first round, I guessed that themittee members were going easy on all the teams.

    I found the storyline and approach of the teams so far quite interesting although they were not very unique from other storylines on the topic that I have seen before from my studies. My attention shifted from my own thoughts to the stage again when the entire audience exploded into loud apud and cheering. It seemed like our biggestpetitor and contender for the year had just made their way up onto the stage.

    Chase Creatives¡­I wonder what they had in mind.

    ¡°How¡¯s it going?¡±

    ¡°Ace¡­thank heavens, you¡¯re finally here¡­I was so worried¡­¡± I said before letting out a long and relieved sigh.

    Ace casually appeared next to me and took the empty seat on my side that had been left free for him. I had so many things that I wanted to say to him, but I was just too relieved that he made it on time for me to say anything. Ace¡¯s attention wasn¡¯t really focused on me, and I quickly realized that, just like everyone else, his attention was glued to the presentation of Chase Creatives that was just about to start.

    I focused my attention on the presentation of our biggest rival as well. They say you better know your enemies as well as you know yourself and then there was something else about keeping your enemies close to you.

    ¡°Honorablemittee judges,dies, and gentlemen, it is a pleasure to be here today as a representative of Chase Creatives. My name is Elizabeth Chase, and I am the acting CEO of Chase Creatives. Today, I am proud to present to you our take on this campaign¡­¡± a female voice rang out loud and clear through the speakers.

    Elizabeth¡­

    It can¡¯t be the same Elizabeth!

    I leaned forward in my seat to get a closer look at her face. She was too far away for me to see clearly but her voice sounded familiar, and her name was exactly the same as the woman that paid me a visit very recently.

    ¡°She¡¯s really got her act together as always¡­¡± Acemented from next to me.

    ¡°It can¡¯t be¡­¡± I whispered in shock.

    Ace turned and shed me a smile that told me that he had known all along.

    But how could it possibly be?

    Is he telling me that Elizabeth, Kyle¡¯s wife, is the CEO of our biggest rival?

    ¡°Surprised?¡± Ace asked with a mocking smile with his eyes still looking straight forward at the presentation.

    My mouth hung open and I was speechless. When Kyle got married, I never dreamt that it was to the CEO of ourpany¡¯srgest rival. How small was the world?

    And¡­why was Kyle working at Jessen¡¯s and Hill¡¯s if he was dating Elizabeth? Wouldn¡¯t it make more sense for him to be working at herpany instead?

    So many questions rushed through my mind, and I had no way to find the answers to them. Ace didn¡¯t seem too concern about this fact and I wondered how long he¡¯d known this. I felt so stupid for not realizing this before when I saw their wedding photo. Maybe it was because I was too focused on Kyle to really focus on his bride or maybe because I didn¡¯t spend that much time looking at the photo simply because it hurt and made me furious at his betrayal. Most of all, I never imagined that there was the slightest possibility that Elizabeth of all people would be Kyle¡¯s bride. That fact, most of all, must have been the reason why I didn¡¯t recognize her.

    Elizabeth was dressed in a pristine and expensive-looking white suit with her hair neatly pulled back into an elegant bun at the back of her head. She looked way more mature than the woman I had met in front of thepany building. The way she was dressed was also extremely different from the princess-like look that she sported when she came to meet me.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Completely Stolen

    Why didn¡¯t I recognize that I had been talking to the CEO of Chase Creatives? Even after I found out her name, I never connected the dots.

    Did the other people know about this already?Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.

    But when my friends from my old department showed me their wedding photos, no one talked about the bride being the CEO of ourrgestpetitor. Did they not recognize her as well?

    Their wedding was probably a very private event, and it was not covered on the news; however, there is no mistake that the woman standing proudly on the stage right now is Kyle¡¯s wife.

    ¡°Don¡¯t look so troubled. Elizabeth just took over as CEO. It¡¯s like her trial period so it hasn¡¯t even been publicly announced yet. Just like me, she¡¯s following in her father¡¯s footsteps,¡± Ace exined as he secretly reached for my hand.

    She¡¯s not that much older than me and she¡¯s already the CEO. If what Ace said is true, then she¡¯s the only daughter of the pervious chairman of Chase Creatives. I stared at the woman who smiled confidently on the stage: Elizabeth Chase.

    Unlike the emotionally shaken woman that I encountered before, this version of Elizabeth truly lived up to her title of CEO. There was nothing that I could do but to control my shock at meeting her again like this. Just like my other team members, I strained my eyes and ears to focus on her presentation. This is the storyline and the storyboard that we¡¯re going up against.

    ¡°We are proud to present the concept of embracing natural changes and shifts in values rted to the dog meat trade as time progresses and newer generations rise up to take the ce of the old¡­¡± Elizabeth¡¯s voice rang out clearly.

    While providing more details of the key messages and describing each scene in the storyboard, Elizabeth flipped through the presentation slides. After a couple of scenes, a sickening knot formed in the base of my stomach and arge lump formed at the back of my throat as my mouth dropped opened at what I had just heard and seen.

    What is happening?

    Why is her storyboard almost exactly the same as mine? That aside, the storyline exactly matches with Ace¡¯s idea.

    To say that her storyboard was exactly the same would be a slight exaggeration but to say that Chase Creatives had somehow copied a version of my storyboard was not.

    ¡°We want to show people from various races and age generations and their rtionship with dogs¡­¡± Elizabeth continued with her presentation.

    Various scenes of people in different age groups and their rtionship with dogs were shed onto the screen as illustrations of the concept.

    My body froze in ce as many thoughts ran through my brain. How did they manage toe up with a storyboard like this?!

    ¡®¡­the message will be stronger if you portray the scenes as going through the life stages of one person rather than different people at each stage in life,¡¯

    That was Ace¡¯s advice and because of that I tweaked my first version of the storyboard from using different people at each stage in life to using only one person going through the various life stages instead.

    ¡°Interesting¡­¡± Ace murmured from close to me.

    I turned to see Ace with his eyes still on the presentation screen on the stage. Had he realized that their storyboard is basically the same one as my first version?

    If that is really the case, then everything that we had prepared for will turn out to be the same, all except for the scenes that I had edited based on Ace¡¯s rmendation. Just like me, the other team members had the same reaction and they had started murmuring to each other. The calm atmosphere around us began to turn into one of panic.

    ¡°With that, I would like to direct your attention to a mock-up version of themercial that we have prepared especially for today,¡± Elizabeth presented proudly.

    They even have a mock-up shot and ready to be yed for the audience already?!

    Just as that thought ran through my head, the lights dimmed and the mock-upmercial from Chase Creatives began ying on therge projector screen.

    No. This cannot be happening!

    ¡°Ace¡­¡± I turned to call him name.

    Ace had a thoughtful look on his face, and I knew that he was figuring out what we needed to do. What can we possibly do in this situation?

    ¡°Someone leaked our storyline and storyboard. This is a first¡­¡± Richard said as his eyes narrowed suspiciously at me.

    No. I did no such thing!

    I felt the eyes of many team members on me, and I knew that no one was on my side. It wasn¡¯t that surprising. I was the one responsible for the storyboard, so I was the one suspected of the leak. That coupled with the fact that I was the newest member to the team and the one that everyone trusted the least, made me the prime suspect in this case.

    At that time, I didn¡¯t have time to worry about myself. My mind was too preupied with the problem right in front of us. Our presentation starts right after Chase Creatives¡¯s. What are we going to do?

    The concern that was probably in everyone¡¯s mind, but no one was willing to voice out loud was voiced first by none other than Ace.

    ¡°Since our presentation starts after theirs, it doesn¡¯t even matter what the truth is. It will simply look like we¡¯ve copied their idea instead¡­¡± Ace stated before scoffing at the ridiculousness of the idea.

    ¡°Ace¡­¡± I whispered his name.

    His eyes shifted to mine in the dark and to my surprise, his hand reached for mine and gave it aforting squeeze. Unlike the rest of us, Ace seemed extremely calm and collected in this dire situation.

    ¡°We¡¯ll make it through. It¡¯s just the first round. We can¡¯t fail here,¡± Ace said reassuringly before he nodded at me and the rest of the team members.

    I had no idea what he had in mind, but the meeting was about to start in less than a few minutes.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Weathering the Storm

    ¡°Julianna, can you buy us some time?¡± Ace asked with a smile.

    ¡°Leave it to me. I don¡¯t work in marketing for nothing¡­¡± Julianna said as she got up from her seat.

    She seemed to believe that she could buy us some time and Ace seem confident enough to leave things on that end in her hands. It was clear by now that we can¡¯t go up there and present the storyboard that we had prepared for this meeting. However, we can¡¯t go up there without anything to present either.

    ¡°Jeremy, you got this, right?¡± Ace asked as he turned to Jeremy.

    That was when I realized that Jeremy had hisptop open and was busy working on something. From where I was seating, I couldn¡¯t see hisptop screen. Richard had his eyes on Jeremy¡¯sptop scream as he nodded his head. Jeremy started exchanging some words with Richard before he turned to Ace and smiled.

    ¡°We¡¯ve got this, Boss,¡± he said,pletely unfazed.

    Rounds of apud thundered all around us and that marked the end of Chase Creatives¡¯ presentation. Now it was our turn.

    ¡°Thank you for everyone¡¯s attention. We will be taking a short 10-minute break before proceeding with the next presentation. Thank you for your patience,¡± the host announced.

    ¡°Wow. She bought us 10 minutes. Julianna is amazing¡­¡± Ace said with a small chuckle.

    ¡°This way, Boss¡­¡± Jeremy called out for Ace to follow him.

    ¡­Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.

    The past ten minutes must have been the longest ten minutes in my entire life. After Ace and Jeremy disappeared, I was left with the rest of the team members. By that time, I had already figured that somehow this leak must have been my fault. The fact that the person who got her hands on my storyboard sequence was in fact Kyle¡¯s wife only made me feel even more convinced that I was the source of the leak.

    Unfortunately, everyone¡¯s thoughts were correct. Ever since breaking up with him, I wasn¡¯t in contact with Kyle, and I definitely did not talk to him about the work that I had been working on. Even when he talked to me and warned me about Ace, I never told him about Project Alpha. As an employee of thepany and someone working in this industry, he must have heard about thepetition.

    I couldn¡¯t think of a potential leak apart from one event. A loud sigh escaped my lips and I felt multiple pairs of piercing gazes on my face. If Kyle was responsible for the leak, then it must have happened that evening when he came to my ce. Thinking back, I was so rushed to get him to leave that I let him go into my room alone. I didn¡¯t remember things so clearly for that day, but was it possible for him to see my storyboard or get a hold of it somehow while he was acting like he was packing up his things?

    That had to be it because I couldn¡¯t think of anything else.

    A feeling of guilt like I had never felt before consumed me and suddenly, my entire body was trembling. My lower lip shook, and I had to bite down on it while my entire body started feeling very cold. This crisis that we were going through was all because of my carelessness. Ace and the entire team were suffering because of me. That wasn¡¯t the extent to the damage, if we don¡¯t get through this first round what would happen to the reputation of thepany that I admired so much that I wanted to work here no matter what.

    This is all my fault.

    It angered me that Kyle had somehow betrayed me a second time but the anger that I felt towards him paled inparison to the anger that I felt towards myself. How did I let something like this happen?

    All the while that I had been worried and feeling guilty about hiding Kyle¡¯s visit to my room from Ace, I should have been worried about our confidential data leak. I didn¡¯t dare face the people in my team anymore and I was thankful that they did not directly shout or yell at me right there in the auditorium. Although, if they did, I would dly take it. I truly deserved their wraith this time around without a doubt.

    I wanted to crawl into a hole to hide from all the shame so that I could cry in private. However, that wasn¡¯t a realistic option right now.

    ¡°What do you think will happen?¡± a team member spoke up.

    ¡°Ace, Jeremy, and Richard will figure out something for sure,¡± another member answered with confidence.

    Even at a time like this, it was amazing how the other team members had so much fate in Ace and the other members. Somehow, we¡¯re going to get through this, right?

    ¡°Shhh! It¡¯s starting¡­¡± another member hissed.

    He was right, Ace¡¯s presentation was about to start. Unlike what was nned, Ace took the stage with a smiling Jeremy at his side.

    The presentation progressed so smoothly that I bet that no one in themittee or the audience could tell that something extremely wrong had taken ce behind the scenes. When the first slide of the storyboard was projected, everyone in the team including myself, gasped out loud.

    The storyboard is entirely different¡­

    When did those two work on this?

    ¡°That¡¯s Ace for you. n B¡­¡± Julianna spoke up with clear admiration in her voice.

    ¡°Always have a n B¡­¡± Richard murmured in agreement with a nod of his head.

    Did these people know already that Ace had been working with Jeremy on another storyline and storyboard?

    He didn¡¯t even tell me about it¡­

    I recalled Ace telling Jeremy to stay behind after the meeting. Did they stay back to revies this backup storyboard together?

    Of course, I was relieved that there was another storyboard that could be used in our proposal that wasn¡¯t basically the same as the one stolen and presented beforehand by ourpetitor, but I just couldn¡¯t stop thinking of why Ace didn¡¯t mention this to me.

    Did he not¡­trust me?

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Entirely to Blame

    My eyes were glued to the presentation that was taking ce on the stage. Ace and Jeremy presented very well in sync with one another with Ace adding more vor and thoughts to Jeremy¡¯s description of his storyboard. I had no idea if those two practiced for this or not, but it truly looked like they had rehearsed this more than a handful of times. Either that, or the two of them could pull something like this off at a whim.

    Regardless of the unexpected turn of events, ourpany managed to pass the first round of thepetition and even receiving a fewpliments from some of themittee members. I guess it was a good idea that Ace split the team up into smaller teams to get different angles and to develop various storyline and storyboards for this project. As a result of that there were back up ns and back up storyboards that could be beefed up for the presentation.

    Even though everyone including myself was relief that the presentation went and ended well, we couldn¡¯t simply ignore the fact that Chase Creatives had stolen our original idea and storyboard. The worst part was that there wasn¡¯t any solid proof for us to take any further action with that. At least, that was how I viewed things. I bit on my lower lip as Jeremy and Ace walked off the stage as reality came flooding back to me.

    Now that the presentation was over, my attention reverted to focus on the fact that I was the one responsible for the leak. The result of that was detrimental for the course of this project. Because Ace and Jeremy had presented another storyboard entirely, the one that was stolen could no longer be used by ourpany. Instead, it would be used by Chase Creatives.

    I closed my eyes and let all the terrible feelings bubble to the surface. Ace and I worked so hard on getting the storyline and putting together the storyboard. I really put my sweat and tears into that and now it was all stolen and gone.

    ¡°Let¡¯s get out of here¡­¡± Julianna said dispassionately as she stood up from her seat.All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.

    The other team members did the same and began walking out. I could feel their intimidating and using stares as they walked past me. After they had gone ahead, I got up from my seat and heaved arge sigh before exiting the auditorium. The presentation was over but none of this was really over. The burning question on everyone¡¯s mind right now is probably who was responsible for the leak and how did it happen. Depending on the circumstances, I realize that this could be considered one of the worst possible crimes in our industry: corporate spying or espionage.

    ¡­

    When we all arrived back to the office after a silent and suffocating drive, Ace called for a team meeting immediately. It didn¡¯te as a surprise to me. There were matters about Project Alpha¡¯s direction and changes that probably needed to be discuss. On top of that, there was the issue of the confidential information leak.

    Everyone entered the meeting room, and I was among them. As usual, everyone took their seat at the meeting table. Ace and Jeremy were thest two to make it into the room. Ace took his usual seat at the table. Despite all that had taken ce, Ace seemed extremely calm as if it did not bother him at all.

    ¡°Well, some interesting things happened today¡­¡± Ace said when he sat down.

    ¡°Excuse me. Before we start the meeting, there is something that I would like to say,¡± Julianna spoke up quite loudly.

    ¡°Go ahead,¡± Ace said invitingly.

    ¡°Karina does not belong here in this meeting. Please excuse her from this meeting. Until we can clear her suspicion for the storyboard leak, I firmly believe that she should not participate in this meeting or be exposed to anymore confidential information. Please consider my request,¡± Julianna dered boldly as she pointed a finger my way.

    The way that the other team members looked my way with a look filled with contempt and disgust made me certain that everyone probably felt the same way. I guess it shouldn¡¯t surprise me. Julianna was bold and straightforward about it, but she was right. I should not be here until all suspicions around me are cleared.

    ¡°I agree. Karina, please leave the meeting for now,¡± Ace said without hesitation.

    ¡°One more thing,¡± Richard spoke up loudly.

    Ace nodded at Richard for him to go on and that was what he did.

    ¡°I request for a thorough investigation to get to the bottom about the source of the recent confidential information leak,¡± Richard stated sternly.

    ¡°Approved. I was nning to do exactly that without your request. Thispany does have protocols to deal with these matters and I believe that all of you are aware of that already,¡± Ace replied calmly and smoothly.

    All eyes were on me as I stood up from my seat. I nodded a little to excuse myself in silence. I could still feel everyone¡¯s re burning into my back as I walked out of the room and closed the meeting room door firmly behind me.

    Well, that was aplete disaster, wasn¡¯t it?

    Not knowing where to go and what to do, I decided to take a walk to clear my head a little. I knew that sooner orter, I had to talk to Ace directly about this to clear up all the misunderstandings and to also owe up to the mistake that I made. After all, intentional or not, I am the one responsible for this mess.

    Once again, I was forced to realize that my job and my entire career was at risk. I fully admit that it was my fault for being careless and that all of this happened because of me; however, for what it¡¯s worth, I just wanted Ace to know that it wasn¡¯t intentional. I didn¡¯t n any of this. Most of all, I would never betray him or thepany that I admire so much.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Time to Confess

    My brain was too consumed with my troubled thoughts that I didn¡¯t even pay attention to where I was going. When I realized it, my feet had somehow taken me to the park next to the office building. It has been years since I¡¯ve been to this park. In fact, now that I think about it, I probably never came back to this part intentionally after that day that I met Ace. I looked down at the same bench that I had been sitting on that fateful day that we first met.

    While feeling slightly confused as to how I ended up here, I sat down on the bench. It seemed liked I¡¯ve made so much progress in life since thest time that I sat down here with blisters on my feet from wearing shoes of the wrong size. Back then, I didn¡¯t have anything except for the love and support from my mother. I was hungry for life and desperate to get a job. From then till now, I got a job, I got a boyfriend, and I got to work on many projects that felt like a dreame true for me. My financial situation improved a little and my mother didn¡¯t have to work as hard as before.

    However, now that I was back here, I realized that I¡¯ve lost, or I was about to lose, the many things that I¡¯ve gained. Maybe after running in circles, I¡¯ve returned to the same ce as I was a few years ago. My boyfriend dumped me, and our rtionship wasn¡¯t even real or sincere to begin with. I still had a job but who knew if I would still have one after thepany exposes my rtion to the recent confidential information leakage.

    It would suck to lose my dream job now. I didn¡¯t have a lot of money saved up either. If I got fired, I guess finding another job in this industry would virtually be impossible. My mother would be so shocked, and I would feel so ashamed to tell her. I didn¡¯t even tell her about the mini scandal that happened between Kyle and me because I didn¡¯t want to worry her.

    Leaning back against the back of the bench, I tipped my head back and looked straight up at the sky. I¡¯m so troubled right now, so howe you¡¯re still so clear and blue?

    If I leave thispany, I probably won¡¯t get to see Ace anymore either¡­and I haven¡¯t even returned his money to him.

    Honestly, I had no idea how long I sat there while I wrestled with my thoughts on that bench in the park. It was early in the afternoon on a weekday, and no one walked by at all. That just made me feel like I was alone in the world more than ever before. By the time that my phone vibrated in my hands, I had already made up my mind on what I wanted and needed to do about this unfortunate situation that I had found myself in.

    ¡°Yes?¡± I said once the line connected.

    I knew without looking at the phone screen that the call was from Ace and that his meeting with the team must be over. Immediately, I got up from the bench and began my walk to the exit of the park.Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Where are you right now?¡± Ace asked and I could feel the worry in his tone.

    For him to be worried about me even after what I had done just made me feel even more guilty than before and my chest started to feel tight. I bit on my lower lip to keep my tears back.

    ¡°I¡¯m close to the office. I¡¯ll be back in a few minutes. Should I meet you in your office?¡± I asked while trying to sound normal.

    ¡°Yes,¡± Ace replied curtly.

    Before I could say anything else the line disconnected. I stopped in my tracks and looked up at the small little birds flying by, the tree branches swaying in the wind, and the clear and cloudless blue sky. The world is going to keep on turning regardless of what happens to me and maybe that was the way that it was supposed to be.

    ¡­

    Did I feel this nervous and scared the first time that I came to Ace¡¯s office?

    I stood in front of the door to Ace¡¯s office as I tried my best to gather my courage to face what was waiting for me beyond this door. Ace¡¯sck of reaction made it hard for me to gauge his feelings; however, my best guess was that he was extremely angry. I mean, what else could it be?

    ¡°Sorry that I¡¯mte¡­¡± I apologized softly when I entered his office.

    I had a feeling that I would be apologizing countless of times before this session between us came to an end. Ace was seated behind his desk, and I was reminded once again that he was in fact the CEO of thisrgepany. Without the need for him to tell me what to do, I took the seat opposite from his desk.

    ¡°Let¡¯s cut to the chase. Tell me exactly what happened, and don¡¯t you dare lie to me,¡± Ace said as his hazel brown eyes stared intently at me from across the table.

    Although I had chosen my words already for how I was going to confess this whole thing to him, when the time came, panic started to take over and a huge lump formed in my throat. My tongue was tied, and my mind became nk. For a moment, I struggled to find the words as my mind attempted to recall the words that I had prepared. Ace stared at me in silence as he waited for me to get it out.

    ¡°The truth is¡­I believe that I am the source of the leak. I didn¡¯t do it intentionally!¡± I burst out saying.

    Ace didn¡¯t seem surprised at my words and his eyes urged me to go on without him making any kind ofment.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Trust in Me

    ¡°When I figured out that Elizabeth, Kyle¡¯s wife, is in fact Elizabeth Chase of Chase Creatives, I realized that the leak must have been from me. You see¡­while you were away on your recent business trip, Kyle came to see me at my apartment. I didn¡¯t want him to be there but when I got home, he was already there right in front of my door waiting for me¡­¡± I confessed truthfully.

    ¡°And?¡± Ace prompted for me to go on.

    ¡°And¡­he told me that he was just there to pick up his stuff. I didn¡¯t think much of it at the time. Honesty, I was just too worried about being in the same room as him, so I just let him go in to grab the things that I¡¯ve packed for him. He wasn¡¯t in there for that long, but I guess during that time¡­he probably stole the idea that I had for the storyboard¡­¡± I continued with my spection.

    ¡°I see¡­¡± I muttered sternly.

    ¡°It is my fault. I¡¯m not here to make any excuses for myself. It¡¯s my fault for leaving papers with confidential informationying around like that. I should have been more careful, but I never thought that it would lead to something like this¡­¡± I said as guilt and regret flooded my chest.

    Ace looked at me with cold and emotionless eyes. The Devil CEO was back, and I couldn¡¯t read him at all. He was sitting so close to me, but he felt like he was so far away. Somewhere that I could no longer reach. It was then that I fully realized that I didn¡¯t quite care what other people thought of me as long as Ace would just believe me. I wanted him to believe that I didn¡¯t have any bad intentions and that I would never betray him or thepany that I work for.

    ¡°We¡¯re having this conversation because I am your direct supervisor right now; however, as per protocols, this will go to the disciplinary board of thepany. They¡¯ll decide how to handle this¡­¡± Ace stated matter-of-factly.

    I knew well that this issue was no small matter and so this piece of news did not surprise me at all. At first, I thought that I would be more scared of facing the disciplinary board. Among the staff and based on historical cases that were handled there, no one emerged without a job termination. Some even emerged with a fewwsuits attached to their name.

    I guess getting off with just losing my job is going to be the bare minimum¡­

    ¡°I¡¯m fine with that. I know the procedure quite well so I think I know what to expect in this case¡­¡± I said.

    ¡°Good then,¡± Ace replied with a tight smile.

    ¡°Ace¡­¡± I called his name softly to get his attention.All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.

    ¡°What is it?¡± he asked.

    ¡°I¡­I¡¯m very sorry. I just want you to believe me that I really didn¡¯t intend for something like this to happen. I¡¯m sorry that I kept Kyle¡¯s visit from you. I honestly just didn¡¯t want you to get mad at me and nothing happened between Kyle and me. I¡¯m extremely sorry for disappointing you¡­¡± I apologize as my voice shook with intense emotions.

    Ace was silent for a moment, but he kept his eyes on me. His intense gaze made me feel extremely exposed and vulnerable; however, I tried my best to hold his gaze to show him that I was being honest. I had never felt this guilty before in my life. I had never been this scared of disappointing someone and letting someone down. Ace gave me a once in a lifetime opportunity in my dream career, but I ruined it all and caused so much trouble for him, the team, and thepany.

    ¡°I believe you,¡± Ace said as he looked straight at me.

    I blinked my eyes rapidly as I failed to process his direct words. Of course, I heard what he had just said but¡­wasn¡¯t this a little too easy?

    ¡°¡­Really?¡± I asked in unfeigned surprised when I had recovered from my initial shock.

    Ace just nodded at me before he offered me a little smile. It might have just been me or the dire situation that I was in that made his little smile feel like it was filled with so much trust and so much warmth. I bit on my lower lip as tears stung the back of my eyes.

    Emotions so intense that it was hard to describe rushed into my chest as I felt extremely thankful for his kind words and the unshaken belief that he seemed to still have in me. It was beyond what I could have dared to hope for to still have him believe in me and that I didn¡¯t have a hand in selling out our secret.

    I didn¡¯t betray him or anyone. I never will.

    ¡°Thank you¡­for believing in me¡­¡± I said as my voice shook with emotion.

    I made the fatal mistaking of blinking my eyes which led torge drops of tears to roll down my cheeks. Ace just watched me in silence as I openly began to sob and cry right in front of him. I was thankful that he did not make an effort tofort me because that would have just made me feel even guiltier than I already felt. Instead, Ace gave me some time to cry and let it all out as he waited for me patiently to collect myself.

    When it seemed like I was emotionally stable enough, Ace smiled at me before he went on to tell me what was going to happen next. I had already braced myself for what was toe and so I was pleasantly surprised at theck of extremity of the changes that would be put in ce for the time being.

    ¡°I have no other choice but to take you off Project Alpha for now. Unless things change, you should consider this change permanent. That being said, until the disciplinary boardpletes their investigation on your case and a decision is made, you will continue to work as my secretary. That would be all. Any questions?¡± Ace exined formally.

    ¡°No. None at all. Thank you very much and I am extremely sorry for all the inconveniences and damage that I have caused,¡± I said politely.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Recovery Dinner

    ¡°Well, now that that is out of the way, want to go out for dinner with me tonight?¡± Ace asked in such a cheerful voice that my eyes snapped up from the tightly clenched hands on myp to his face.

    His sudden invitation caught me by surprise. It seemed like the formal part of this chat was over and now Ace had reverted into the version that he was usually like when we were alone.

    ¡°Umm¡­¡± I murmured hesitantly.

    I had no idea how to react to that.

    ¡°This is for you¡­¡± Ace said as he passed me a couple of tissue after pulling it out from the box on his desk.

    ¡°Thank you¡­¡± I thanked him while taking the tissues from his hand.

    Realizing that my face was probably still a mess, I quickly dabbed at the tears in my eyes and the tear stains on my cheeks. Ace watched me with a look of pure sympathy and a strong feeling of guilt flooded my chest again. Now that I was at it, I decided to blow my nose as well.

    The loud sound that my nose made brought out a chuckle from Ace. I nced over at his smiling andughing face and a small smile formed on my lips.

    Yes, the situation was detrimental, and I may not have this job for long; however, it wasn¡¯t the worst of the worst yet. After all, Ace seemed to believe in me, and he was still willing to stay by my side.

    ¡°Let¡¯s¡­go out for dinner¡­¡± I said softly yet decisively.

    ¡°Let¡¯s skip work and then go out for dinner,¡± Ace dered with a satisfied grin on his beautiful lips.

    Now it was my time to giggle a little. Overall, I felt extremely beaten, sorrowful, and remorseful. However, Ace¡¯s presence did cheer me up a little.

    ¡°Cheer up, Rina. It¡¯s very far from the end of the world. It¡¯s shit but these shitty things can happen to the best of us,¡± Ace saidfortingly.

    I looked down and nodded my head when I felt the warmth and weight of hisrge hand on the top of my head. There was no need for me to look at him to tell what kind of face Ace was making at that moment.

    Thank you, Ace¡­

    ¡­

    The private and well-hidden restaurant that Ace took me to was a very surprising change. Needless to say, I have never heard of or seen this restaurant before and I doubt that it was within the price range that my sry could afford. A middle-aged man who introduced himself as the manager of the ce greeted us warmly. The way that Ace chatted with the man told me that this wasn¡¯t his first time here.

    The restaurant resembled more of a house than a proper restaurant. After entering the house that was decorated in the cowboy theme, we were led to the second floor. I let him take my hand and lead me up the narrow flight of stairs that led to the second floor of the house. Unlike the first floor that had many tables and a bar, the second floor only had a single table. Clearly, privacy came at a cost.

    ¡°I likeing here. It¡¯s very peaceful and quiet¡­ on the second floor¡­¡± Ace said before shing a smile at me.

    I could see that. The second floor had a single private room and that was where we were. It was peaceful and very quiet with us being the only ones there. To match with the theme of the decoration, the ce served steak as the main dish.

    ¡°Some wine?¡± Ace asked.

    I smiled at him and nodded.

    Ace went ahead and ordered for us after asking me for my preferences. We were left alone once again and that was when I started asking Ace the questions that were on my mind.

    ¡°Honestly, I¡¯m impressed that you and Jeremy had a spare storyboard¡­¡± I said to start the conversation.

    ¡°We always have it. It¡¯s not everyday that ideas will get stolen in such a brazen manner like what happened today but there are other reasons why we may need a backup storyboard,¡± Ace replied smoothly.

    ¡°I see¡­¡± I mumbled.

    ¡°Themittee or the client may hate the storyboard that we presented so having a backup that is different can help save the day and turn the meeting around. Sometimes, it can y a big role in determining whether we get to keep the contract or not. Jeremy is a pro at creating storyboards in a short amount of time. It may not be 100% like the main one but it¡¯s definitely presentable,¡± Ace exined matter-of-factly.

    Having a n B is probably one of the reasons why Ace does so well in his career and his rtionship with his clients.

    ¡°It really did save the day today¡­¡± I said in agreement.

    I sipped the red wine in silence. Drinking wasn¡¯t really for me, and I had learnt that the hard way but a ss of wine shouldn¡¯t hurt. I really needed something to lift my spirits up after all that took ce today. For the life of me, I still couldn¡¯t believe that Elizabeth, the woman that Kyle married, is the brand-new CEO of Chase Creatives. If what Ace said about her family background is true then she¡¯s not just the CEO, she¡¯s the heir to Chase Creatives.

    ¡®I¡¯m quitting¡­I¡¯m leaving thepany,¡¯

    Kyle did tell me that he was leaving thepany when he came over to my ce. I cursed him silently as anger started to boil up inside of me again. He should have just told me that he had married the heir to our biggestpetitor and that was why he had to quit his job. Plus, he just couldn¡¯t quit without taking my idea over to sell it to the other side just to please his wife.

    ¡°Don¡¯t look so down or you¡¯re going to make the food taste bad,¡± Ace warned yfully.

    I was too wrapped up in my thoughts to realize that a waiter had turned up to the side of our table.All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Worries and Rain

    The waiter ced arge te of steak in front of me and I knew instinctively that Ace had over ordered for me. There was no way that I could eat this much meat all in one meal.

    ¡°Thank you¡­¡± I thanked the waiter politely and he offered me a friendly smile in return.

    We discontinued our conversation until we were left alone again. I didn¡¯t intend to look down, but I guess my efforts to look perky didn¡¯t lead to a sessful result.

    ¡°What are you worried about?¡± Ace asked.

    Everything. That was my honest answer. Everything from my own guilt to worrying about losing my job to not being able to send money home to my mother. I was worried about everything and from so many different angles. However, it wasn¡¯t like I could tell Ace all of that. I knew well enough that Ace was doing his best to help me. I mean, he could have fired on the spot after I outright confessed that I was the source of the leak, intentionally or not.

    ¡°Many things, but it is what it is. We all have to learn to live with reality, right?¡± I replied while trying to sound brave.

    When I put a small piece of steak into my mouth, I realized that the good and expensive meat was wasted on me. With my current state of mind, I could hardly taste anything at all.

    ¡°I¡¯m sure that you know this already but just be honest when you talk to the disciplinary board. They¡¯re a bunch of old people but they¡¯re not unfair,¡± Ace advised.

    ¡°I fully intend to. It¡¯s just as I told you before, I¡¯m not going to make any excuses for myself. It was my fault, and they have the right to punish me however they see fit¡­¡± I replied.

    Maybe moving back to live with my mother and finding a job nearby to home might not be too bad. With the experience that I have working at such arge and well-knownpany, some smallpany around there might take me in even if I had a tainted employment history. I could discount on my current sry if they couldn¡¯t afford to hire me. Living with my mother would help me save on the rent and it would probablypensate each other.

    ¡°What are you thinking about? It looks like your mind is everywhere but here,¡± Ace asked with an amused smile on his lips.

    ¡°Sorry. I¡¯m¡­very distracted with my own thoughts¡­¡± I replied truthfully.

    ¡°I think I know how you feel, and this might sound like I¡¯m not taking your side but¡­¡± Ace began saying before he paused to think of the right words.

    ¡°What?¡± I urged him as my curiosity started taking over.

    ¡°Never mind. It¡¯s nothing. I¡¯ll tell you when the timing is right¡­¡± Ace replied before attacking the steak in front of him.

    I let it slide by without asking him any further questions on that matter. There was probably a right time for everything.

    ¡­All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.

    Of all the days that it had to storm, it had to be today. After finishing our dinner, I took up Ace¡¯s offer to drive me back to my ce. I was too tired and too depressed to even protest or suggest that I take the cab. In the end, I just let him do whatever that he wanted to do.

    Luck was partly on our side in the sense that it didn¡¯t start raining before we got into the car. However, less than 5 minutes after we were on the road, it started to rain. The light shower of rain quickly turned into a full-on storm. The sound ofrge rain drops beating down on the car echoed quite loudly in the car. The wind and the rain made it hard to see as well.

    Does it usually rain this time of year? Is this an off-season typhoon?

    ¡°Guess this is what we get for not checking the weather forecast,¡± Ace said with a small chuckle.

    ¡°What¡¯s the point of checking it if we can¡¯t change the weather¡­¡± I muttered in response.

    The rain made me feel worst about my situation and, most of all, myself.

    ¡°Stop sounding so grumpy and sad,¡± Ace teased as he reached out his hand and patted the top of my head.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­¡± I whispered.

    ¡°There¡¯s nothing for you to be sorry for. I just don¡¯t want you to stress unnecessarily,¡± Ace replied lightly.

    ¡°Yeah¡­¡± I murmured.

    Although I tried my best to smile back at him, my inner thoughts were dark and disturbed. If Ace wasn¡¯t with me right now, I had no idea what I would be doing. Drinking alone at some random bar to drown my sorrows, probably. I felt even worst and more lost than when Kyle randomly dumped me out of nowhere. Nothing could everpare to the pain, anger, frustration, and guilt that I felt right at that moment.

    Because of the rain, it took much longer than normal for us to arrive at my apartment building. Thankfully, there were some free parking spaces in front of the building. However, that meant that we had to run into the building in the rain.

    ¡°You can send me off here. It¡¯s raining so¡­¡± I began saying.

    ¡°Why do you think I¡¯m scared of some rain? I¡¯m not a cat, you know¡­¡± Ace replied back teasingly.

    Before I could stop him, he opened the door and got out of the car.

    ¡°Ace¡­¡± I murmured his name as my eyes widened in shock.

    Ace quickly came to my side of the car and then the door at my side opened.

    ¡°Get out. Don¡¯t just sit there while I get wet¡­¡± Ace continued teasing me as he offered me hisrge hand.

    ¡°T-Thank you¡­¡± I managed to say before cing my hand in his.

    Together we ran into the building. With the heavy rain, our clothes were both quite wet by the time that we made it into the building. Ace shook his head from side to side and ran his fingers through his wet hair. He looks a little¡­like a dog¡­

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Impassioned Comforting

    ¡°Let¡¯s go¡­¡± Ace muttered impatiently as he tugged on my hand for me to follow after him.

    It felt strange for Ace to be the one leading me to my own room, but it felt strangely pleasant as well. His hand around mine felt warm and it reminded me of how much I didn¡¯t want to be alone right now.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t think that we would get this wet. You should take a warm bath and go to sleep. Don¡¯t over think things, ok?¡± Ace instructed as he smiled at me.

    Ace waited until I unlocked the door and opened it before he waved goodbye to me. I was a grown and independent woman, I told myself silently in my head as I watch Ace turn and walk away.

    ¡°Ace!¡± I called out to him quite loudly before I could stop myself.

    It was when I felt something warm and wet against my cheek did, I realize that I had wrapped my arms around him and had pressed the side of my face against his back.

    What did I¡­just do?

    ¡°Rina¡­¡± Ace whispered my name as he turned his head to look at me.

    Suddenly, I felt too embarrassed at my forward action that I didn¡¯t dare meet his eyes. Instead, I buried my face into his back and hugged him even tighter than before.

    ¡°Please¡­stay¡­¡± I murmured into his back.

    ¡­

    The door of my room closed behind us with a loud m. I didn¡¯t see the door close because all I could see was Ace¡¯s face right in front of mine. It wasn¡¯t long before I tasted his lips on mine again along with the warmth of his embrace. Ace¡¯s arms circled my waist and pulled me hard against his body as his lips sought for mine.

    ¡°Ahh¡­Ace¡­¡± I moaned in sweet surrender into our heated kiss.

    His lips captured mine and I parted my lips invitingly for his wet tongue to enter my mouth. I moaned softly at the feel of his tongue invading the depths of my mouth. His kiss melted me and made me feel so warm inside. His arms around my body as he stroked my backforted me and pushed all my fears back. I was such a fool not to know how much I didn¡¯t want to be alone tonight until I was hugging him to me and begging for him to stay the night with me with both my words and my actions.All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.

    Ace kissed me sweetly before his kiss got more demanding and aggressive. His tongue teased mine before engaging my tongue in a passionate dance that left me yearning for even more of him. I whimpered weakly into our kiss as he groaned with passion. His manly hands started exploring the curves of my body before he pushed me against the wall.

    His lips crushed down on top of mine in a kiss so rough and so desperate that it made my heart skip a beat. I parted my lips seductively before thrusting out my tongue to meet his. Ace¡¯s hands stroked the sides of my waist before slipping up to cup my breasts boldly and firmly. I moaned into our ardent kiss from the pleasure of his hands ying around with my sensitive tits.

    Although my clothes were wet, I didn¡¯t feel cold at all. Instead, my body felt so hot from my desire for him. My core throbbed and a pleasurable knot started forming in the pit of my stomach. Ace continued kissing me and I kissed him back as roughly as he was giving it to me. His hand squeezed my breasts firmly as my hands began tugging at his clothes. I wanted to run my hands along his naked body. I wanted to touch him directly.

    His clothes were also wet. Ace paused his attention on my breasts just long enough to partially grant my wish by shrugging off his suit. I pulled on his tie before offering up my lips to him seductively. Ace took my lips in another passionate kiss without hesitation. His kisses felt so good. He¡¯s such a good kisser.

    I could spend my entire life just kissing him and that would be satisfying enough for me.

    ¡°Your shirt is see-through¡­it¡¯s so sexy, Rina¡­¡± Ace said when he finally broke our kiss.

    I was panting by that time and my chest heaving up and down in my wet see-through white shirt must have been a sexy sight for Ace. His hazel eyes stared down at my chest before his hands pulled roughly at the front of my shirt.

    ¡°Ace¡­¡± I whispered his name as desire flooded my brain and senses.

    Ace¡¯s hands were impatient as he tugged and pulled on the front of my shirt. Some buttons were unbuttoned while some were sent flying. I didn¡¯t care about anything else anymore when I felt his heated breath against the naked skin of my chest.

    ¡°Ahhh¡­Ace¡­¡± I moaned as I cupped the back of his head with my hand.

    I thrusted my chest seductively towards his face as he buried his face in between my breasts. His warm breath tickled my sensitive skin but that was nothingpared to the wet heat of his tongue. Ace licked the skin in between my breasts and louder moans escaped from my lips. Trapping me between the wall and hisrge and tall frame, Ace continued to lick and kiss my breasts while I cried out louder and louder from the intense pleasure.

    His hand cupped my right breast and squeezed it roughly as his hot mouth moved to suck on my swollen nipple. I cried out his name as my fingers clenched around his dark hair. Ace sucked on my nipple mercilessly as his fingers started skillfully ying with the other one. My pussy throbbed with need as more love honey leaked out of my hole to wet my panties. My core pulsated with need as the heat building up inside of me became unbearable.

    ¡°Ace¡­please¡­¡± I pleaded him for more pleasure.

    When I wanted Ace to stay the night with me, I wasn¡¯t sure what I had in mind. However, the pleasure that he was making me feel proved to be a very effective cure to the stress and other horrible feelings that I had been feeling for the whole day.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Desperate Need for Him

    With each blissful caress, he slowly made me forget all my pain and suffering. As my desire and need for him flooded my brain and chased out other thoughts, I felt so alive and so free. I wanted him to make me his and I wanted to make him mine.

    ¡°Tell me what you want me to do to you, Rina¡­¡± Ace coaxed seductively close to my ear.

    ¡°I want to touch you¡­please¡­take off your shirt¡­¡± I pleaded in a small voice.

    Despite my shyness, my hands reached out boldly towards his chest and began unbuttoning the buttons of his shirt. Ace chuckled a little at me before his hands went to help me strip his upper body. His tie and his shirt quickly fell to the floor, and I had him in my arms again.

    I was so pleased that he was spoiling me. Ace probably knew that this was the way that I wanted and needed him tofort me. I couldn¡¯t wait for him to continueforting me all night long until I forgot everything even if it was just for tonight. I sighed with pure bliss as I ran my hands along his muscr back. The sensation of his muscles flexing and rxing against the palm of my hands felt wonderful. His skin was warm, and he felt so alive. I hugged him closer and pressed my breasts up against him.

    When I pressed my cheek against his chest, Ace¡¯srge hand stroked my hairfortingly. I closed my eyes in bliss and breathed in his familiar scent as the sound of his strong heartbeat filled my ears.

    ¡°Feeling better?¡± Ace asked needlessly.

    I nodded my head against his lips as a smile formed on my lips. It felt like an eternity had passed since thest time that I smiled from my heart like this.

    ¡°What else do you want, Rina?¡± Ace asked again.

    ¡°Touch me¡­¡± I begged in between I pants and lewd moans.

    I lifted my head and stared directly into his eyes. The desire that burnt in the depth of his eyes turned me on even more and I couldn¡¯t help but wonder if there was a simr fire burning in my eyes and if he could see it too when he stared into my eyes.

    ¡°Where? Where do you want me to touch you, Rina?¡± Ace asked in a voice so sexy that I wanted to scream for him to take me right then and there.

    ¡°Here¡­touch me¡­here¡­¡± I demanded.

    Boldly, I took his hand and guided it under my skirt and between my legs. Ace smiled at me, and I could tell that he was proud of my forwardness. His other hand helped pull my skirt up my thighs before his eyes rested on the deep redcey panties that I had on.

    ¡°Let me take this off¡­¡± Ace said as he hooked his fingers into the stic waistband of my panties.

    I nodded my head once in approval and soon my panties were off my legs. After kicking them stepping out of my panties and kicking it softly away, my attention returned to Ace just in time for me to receive his rough kiss. He crushed his lips firmly on top of mine and I began kissing him back with maddening passion. Our tongue entangled in a passionate dance as I boldly guided his hand back to the wetness in between my legs.

    I moaned into our wet kiss when I felt his fingers against my wet slit. Ace expertly found my swollen pleasure nub and began stroking and pushing against it with his fingertips. My hips began moving, thrusting my pussy greedily against his hand as I parted my legs even wider apart. My love juices squirted out of my pussy hole and wetted my thigh as his touch continued to turn me on. My core throbbed with need for him, and my pussy wouldn¡¯t stop quivering from his touch.

    ¡°Ahhh¡­Ace¡­¡± I moaned in pure bliss after breaking our kiss.

    Ace had thrusted his thick and long fingers into my pussy hole before he began wriggling them inside of me. Ace¡¯s fingers felt along my wet pussy walls as I clenched hard around him.

    ¡°Yes¡­so good¡­¡± I moaned my satisfaction.

    His thick and long fingers began pumping in and out of my hole as my pussy made wet lewd sounds. My wetness leaked out onto my inner thighs as he continued pounding his thick fingers into my hot wetness. The way his finger rammed against my pleasure spot made my entire lower body feel weak and I couldn¡¯t stop moaning and screaming his name loudly.

    ¡°Your neighbors are going to hear¡­¡± Ace teased.

    I knew that they would but there wasn¡¯t anything that I could do about it. Even if I tried to cover my mouth, I still ended up screaming quite loudly to deal with the maddening pleasure that was coursing through my body in endless waves.

    It wasn¡¯t long after he found my g-spot and began thrusting fast and hard against it that I climaxed intensely from his fingers. My pussy clenched around his intruding fingers so hard as it tried to feel even more of him. When Ace removed his fingers from my hole, my wet nectar dripped out onto my thighs while I panted and whimpered his name.

    My hands reached for his belt and began fumbling with it in my desperation to free his cock from its restraint. Ace chuckled at me from above and I could tell that he had his eyes on me.

    ¡°Can¡¯t wait?¡± Ace asked teasingly.

    I was panting hard as my fingers worked hard to unbuckle his belt before I began unzipping his pants. Ace removed my hand from the front of his pants before he began undressing himself. He must have thought that I was useless at what I was doing. I was thankful to Ace for stepping in to provide me some must-needed assistance. Now that Ace was on the job, I leaned my back against the slightly cold wall as I struggled to catch my breath.All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Rough and Raw Loving

    Ace took out a condom before he removed his clothespletely. It seemed like Ace came very prepared today; however, I was about to surprise him with hopefully some pleasing news.

    ¡°Ace¡­I¡¯m on the pills so¡­you don¡¯t have to use that¡­¡± I admitted to him shyly.

    What am I saying? When did I get so bold about this?

    Since we almost had to stop halfway before and I had to finish him off in my mouth, I felt a little guilty. Plus, I wanted to feel him¡­directly¡­

    ¡°Really? Thank you, Rina. I really can¡¯t wait to do you raw¡­¡± Ace thanked me after a moment of surprise.

    Me, too. I couldn¡¯t wait to feel his hot and raw cock inside of me.

    His fingers reached out and held my chin before he ced a soft and sweet kiss onto my lips as if to thank me for the favor that I had just done for him and for us. I whimpered as Ace back me up against the wall. His cock was thick and very erect, and I knew that he was ready take me already.

    Ace¡¯srge hand lifted my left thigh up and spread it to the side. I moaned as I felt my pussy hole stretch open. Ace positioned the thick head of his cock at my entrance, and I felt his heat against my wet slit for a moment before Ace firmly thrusted his cock deeply into my eager pussy hole.

    ¡°Ahhhh! Yes¡­¡± I cried out in pure bliss as the feel of his cock stretching my opening and filling up my wet insides.

    His hands were under my ass and soon he was lifting me up while I moaned softly in sweet surrender. Ace lifted me up with ease as I wrapped my arms around his neck for support.

    ¡°Wrap your legs around me¡­¡± Acemanded in a voice thick with lust.

    I did as I was told and wrapped my legs around his hips just like my arms were wrapped around his neck. Suddenly, it felt like his cock was even deeper inside of me and the angle of his pration felt so amazingly pleasurable. Ace¡¯srge hands grabbed my ass as he began thrusting his cock in and out of my wet pussy.Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Ahh! Ahh! Oh¡­Ahhh!¡± I moaned passionately with each of his deep and hard thrusts into me.

    Ace¡¯s cock pounded harder and faster into me as he shook my body to meet his thrusts. It felt so good that I had to dig my nails into his back in my desperate attempt to hang on as endless surges of pleasure flooded my entire body and robbed my mind of the ability to think. His cock felt so hot and hard inside of me and I could feel him so much more now that he wasn¡¯t wearing a condom.

    ¡°Your pussy feels so good, Rina¡­¡± Ace groaned before his hips began pumping his cock even faster into my wet tunnel.

    I cried out his name as I clenched my pussy hard around his thick manhood. Ace groaned my name passionately as we continued our wild mating. My pussy quivered around his cock as it seemed to hit me even deeper inside. His cock must have gotten thicker and longer again inside of me. When his cock pounded against my sensitive spot, I cried out loudly.

    ¡°Ace¡­I¡¯m cumming!¡± I cried out as my orgasm suddenly took over me.

    I could no longer handle the strong pleasure that invaded my body. It didn¡¯t take long for his thrusts to drive me over the edge, and I climaxed spectacrly. My body trembled as I hugged him close to me, pressing my heaving breasts against his chest. Ace¡¯s hand reached up to stroke my hair lovingly as I rode out the aftereffects of my mind-shattering climax.

    With his cock still buried deep inside of me, Ace walked us over to the bed. The sensation of his cock moving inside of my hole with each step that he took made me yearn for more of his wild loving. Ace slowly ced me onto my back on the bed as he got on top of me.

    ¡°I want to cum inside you, Rina¡­¡± Ace admitted as his hazel eyes stared down at me with untamed passion.

    I didn¡¯t know what to say so I just nodded my head at him. As if pleased that he had gotten my permission, Ace grabbed my thighs and spread them widely apart before he reared his hips back and pounded his gigantic cock back all the way into my wet pussy.

    ¡°Ahhh! Oh¡­it¡¯s so deep!¡± I cried out at his sudden and rough entrance.

    Ace growled loudly as he began thrusting his cock forcefully in and out of my hole. His cock hit my womb with each powerful stroke that left me reeling from the impact. I cried out his name until my voice sounded hoarse and I couldn¡¯t cry out anymore. He¡¯s going to make me cum again¡­and very soon¡­

    I could already feel my orgasm building up inside of me as it threatened to tear me apart from the inside out. Ace lifted my right leg up and ced it on his shoulder before he began pumping his cock faster and faster into my wet heat. I knew that he was already close to his release and so was I.

    ¡°Let¡¯s cum together, Rina¡­¡± Ace urged.

    ¡°Ahh! Ace¡­I¡¯m going to cum¡­already¡­¡± I confessed shamelessly.

    I could barely hang on anymore¡­

    ¡°Just cum, Rina¡­¡± Ace growled.

    After a few more hard thrusts against my womb, I climaxed again as my pussy clenched hard around the thick girth of his cock. Ace thrusted fast and hard into me as he sprinted towards his own release.

    ¡°Ahh! Rina¡­Rina!¡± he cried out my name when he finally came.

    The hot heat of his seed flooded my insides as his cock twitched around inside of my tight love hole. My pussy clenched around him as it worked hard to squeeze out his cum hungrily. I sighed in bliss as I felt his heat fill me up deep inside. It made me feel strangely happy as Ace hugged me and kissed my forehead softly. I closed my eyes as my lips curved up into a smile.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Loving Support

    ¡°Are you feeling better?¡± Ace asked as his brown eyes stared at my face with a worried look.

    Is it morning¡­already?

    I didn¡¯t remember much of what happenedst night after Ace made wild love to me. After dinner, I invited Ace to spend the night with me and he ended up making love to me as a way tofort me. A blush crept into my face as I thought of how I had begged him to love me. We also did it raw¡­

    It was great. Much better than I imagined possible.

    Although my body felt heavy and well-used and my mind was sleepy, overall, I felt much better than I did yesterday. My troubles were far from over and I knew that the worst was yet toe; however, the world looked a little more colorful than it did yesterday. I probably had Ace to thank for that.

    ¡°Yes, thank you¡­¡± I thanked him with all my heart.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry that I had to take you off Project Alpha for the time being,¡± Ace said with clear regret.

    ¡°Oh no, you don¡¯t have to be sorry for anything. If anyone has to be sorry, it should be me. After everything is over and done with, please give me the chance to properly apologize to everyone in the CEO¡¯s office,¡± I said softly before mustering a smile.

    ¡°Don¡¯t look so down. You¡¯re still my personal secretary,¡± Ace said before winking at me.

    That¡¯s true¡­but I wonder how long I can even keep that position. If the disciplinary board deems me as deceitful then I probably won¡¯t have a ce in thispany anymore, much less as Ace¡¯s secretary.

    ¡°Sorry¡­¡± I whispered.

    ¡°You just keep apologizing. What are you ¡®sorry¡¯ for this time?¡± Ace asked teasingly.

    ¡°For¡­using you¡­tofort me¡­¡± I mumbled.

    ¡°I¡¯ll do that for you anytime¡­¡± Ace said followed by a softugh.

    He wrapped his arms tighter around me before he ced aforting kiss on my forehead. His gentle and loving gesture brought a smile of my lips and a bit of optimism to my mind.

    I had never thought this way before, but at that moment, I was certain that I would be so sad when I finally have to say my final goodbye to him. Even though I knew that that day woulde sooner orter between us, I never thought that it woulde this soon or quite like this.

    ¡­

    Despite Ace¡¯s suggestion for me to take a few days off from work to let things cool off, I only took one day off work to get myself together. I knew well what Ace was worried about, but I didn¡¯t feel like running away from it was going to solve my problem or make me feel the slightest bit better about myself. I returned to work with the full expectation that the news and rumors surrounding the information leak and my involvement would have spread all around the office like wildfire.

    That was why it came as a surprise to me when everything seemed very normal at the office when I arrived there. Everyone seemed to be progressing with work normally. There were no groups of people gathered together to share gossip. It felt like no one knew about what had just happened yesterday and that felt like a small miracle for me.Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.

    The next surprise arrived when I got a simple text from Ace telling me that he would not be in the office for the entire morning. He didn¡¯t say where he was going or when he woulde back to the office, but I assumed that it would be early in the afternoon. I sent him a reply asking him where he was, but I never got a reply even after waiting for more than an hour.

    Since I was taken off Project Alpha and Ace wasn¡¯t in the office, I didn¡¯t have much to do with my time. I didn¡¯t have ess to the CEO¡¯s office where I used to work anymore, and I didn¡¯t feel like I would be weed there. As a result, I ended up grabbing a drink from the vending machine in the break area before I found myself in Ace¡¯s napping area. He might actually punish me again if he found out that I came up here. At least, I wasn¡¯t disturbing his nap since I knew that he wasn¡¯t even in this building.

    I wondered where he went off to as I tipped the can back and gulped down some sweet and fruity-tasting soda drink. The sugar made me feel better and I closed my eyes before letting out a sigh. Ace had some meetings scheduled for this morning, but he decided to skip out on all of those and went off somewhere instead.

    Where on earth did he go off to?

    The view from the top of the building was truly breathtaking. Even in the state of mind that I was in, I could still appreciate the beauty of the city¡¯s skyline. Perhaps, my depression wasn¡¯t as bad as I thought that it was. I took another sip of the drink from the can.

    I hoped that the disciplinary board would schedule a meeting with me soon. There probably won¡¯t be any good news there, but at least, it would give me some rity about my future. Regardless, I was prepared for the worst.

    Now, how should I tell my mother that I lost the dream job that I had so desperately been chasing after for all these years?

    She would probably be disappointed in me. I¡¯m sorry, mum¡­

    Normally, I would have cried but no tears came to my eyes. I just felt a little numb inside and that was all.

    Karina, at least you¡¯re growing up a little¡­

    The sound of my phone vibrating snapped me out of my thoughts, and I answered the call without checking the caller ID. Something told me that it was Ace and that I wasn¡¯t wrong.

    ¡°Where are you?¡± Ace asked immediately once the line connected.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Party Invitation

    ¡°Sorry, I¡¯ve invaded your private napping space¡­¡± I admitted jokingly.

    ¡°You shall be thoroughly punished¡­¡± Ace teased darkly.

    Aceughed teasingly and I began smiling like a fool.

    ¡°Are you in your office?¡± I asked.

    ¡°Come,¡± Ace replied in short before the line disconnected.

    ¡­

    After spending hours bracing myself for the bad news that was toe, I found myself extremely surprised by the news that Ace brought to me.

    ¡°Where did you go off to all morning? You missed out on quite a few meetings¡­¡± I inquired.

    ¡°Nowhere¡­¡± Ace replied.

    In other words, it was none of my business. I pressed my lips into a thin line, but Ace didn¡¯t go on exin anything to me. Instead, he changed the topicpletely.

    ¡°There¡¯s a partying up that I want you to attend with me,¡± Ace informed me casually.

    ¡°A party?¡± I repeated curiously.

    ¡°There¡¯s a boring red-carpet eventing up at one of our client¡¯s productunch event. That being said, it¡¯s not a standard productunch event¡­¡± Ace exined a little.

    ¡°And¡­you want me toe along?¡± I asked to make sure that I understood this properly.

    Did my job as his secretary include this in the package as well?

    ¡°Of course. Why else would I bother inviting you if I didn¡¯t want you there with me?¡± Ace replied sarcastically.

    ¡°I don¡¯t think that it¡¯s a good idea¡­¡± I murmured.

    ¡°Why not?¡± Ace asked with an amuse smile on his lips.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know¡­it might be strange for your secretary to turn up¡­¡± I voiced my concern softly.

    ¡°It¡¯spletely fine,¡± Ace replied dismissively.

    ¡°People might get the wrong idea about us,¡± I continued protesting.

    He¡¯s got to see how strange this was, right?

    People don¡¯t really appear at public events escorted by their secretary, right?

    ¡°Or the right one,¡± Ace replied before shing me a charming smile.

    ¡°Can I not go?¡± I asked while still daring to harbor some hope.

    ¡°No. You¡¯reing along. This is the invitation,¡± Ace said as he handed over an boratevender-colored envelop to me.

    I opened the enveloped and pulled out the even more borately designed invitation card. After scanning the card with my eyes, I figured that it was theunch of a luxury jewelry line. I recognized the brand, and it was true that ourpany made theunchmercial for them as well as numerous other campaigns for other brands in their conglomerate in the past. My eyes zoomed in at the detail of the party set up and schedule before my eyes widened.

    ¡°We need to dance? Like ballroom dancing?¡± I asked in disbelief.

    ¡°Of course. It¡¯s even stated in the invitation¡­¡± Ace replied like he already knew.

    Did he invite me so that I would be his dance partner?

    Suddenly the task at hand became even moreplicated. On top of that¡­Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Don¡¯t tell me that you don¡¯t know how to dance¡­¡± Ace guessed as he arched a brow at me.

    Of course, I didn¡¯t know how to dance.

    ¡°Is it supposed to be amon skill in our line of work?¡± I retorted.

    Of course, I had no idea how to dance. Not surprisingly, with the way that we were struggling financially, I never had a chance to take any of those extra sses to learn fancy things like ballroom dancing. It also never crossed my mind that I would need to dance like that in my life.

    ¡°Maybe I shouldn¡¯t go after all,¡± I told him.

    ¡°Time to learn,¡± Ace interjected abruptly.

    ¡°Huh?¡± I gasped in disbelief.

    ¡°I¡¯ll get you a teacher so don¡¯t worry. I¡¯m sure that you¡¯ll get it down in no time at all,¡± Ace said encouragingly as he smiled a little mischievously at me.

    ¡°No, please. That is absolutely not necessary,¡± I stated firmly.

    With everything that was going on, I had to learn how to dance now of all times?

    ¡°So, you would prefer that I taught you myself?¡± Ace asked with an innocent smile on his lips.

    That is not what I meant. At all.

    ¡­

    A few days passed by as if I was living in a vacuum. Everything felt quite empty and pretty much nothing happened in my life. I didn¡¯t hear anything from Ace or the disciplinary board about the progress of the investigation rted to the information leak. Since Ace didn¡¯t say anything, I decided not to ask. I was sure that the disciplinary board would call for me soon. Right now, all I could do was wait patiently for my judgement.

    The only thing that seemed to be making progress was my enrollment at a prestigious dancing school. I stared up at the dance studio in front of me while I wondered just how far Ace was going to take this. Ace stood at my side before he took my hand and turned to offer me a gleeful smile. At that moment, I felt like a kid being dragged to ballet school against her will. It wasn¡¯t like my mother could afford something like that for me, so I didn¡¯t truly know what it felt like to go to ballet school but that was my best guess.

    ¡°Are you serious¡­?¡± I mumbled.

    ¡°Well, there¡¯s not much for you to do at work now so you might as well concentrate on this and count it as part of your work,¡± Ace replied smoothly.

    ¡°Aha¡­¡± I muttered without knowing what else to say in response to that.

    ¡°It¡¯s just a short course but the instructor is supposed to be very gifted at what she does. Good luck, Rina. I¡¯m sure that you¡¯ll do great!¡± Ace said encouragingly.

    ¡°Yeah¡­¡± I muttered.

    Ace dragged me after him into the dance studio without hesitation. I found out quickly from the dance instructor that Ace had enrolled me in a one-week intensive course that would ensure that I could dance presentably by the end of it. I had to say that I didn¡¯t have much talent when it came to dancing; however, this was somehow part of my job now.

    ¡°We¡¯ll start off with the basics today. Please rx and just follow my lead,¡± the instructor said with a smile.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 His Dance Partner

    ¡°Ok¡­¡± I replied softly.

    Everything about the ss was great and the instructor was very patient with me; however, I found it very hard to concentrate even though it was a private ss. The main reason behind that was the fact that Ace was also in the dance studio, and he had his eyes on me the entire time. My body stiffened and it was impossible for me to rx under his gaze. I was extremely conscious of his eyes on my body the entire time and that made me feel very distracted.

    ¡°Should we take a break?¡± the instructor suggested.

    I smiled at her apologetically before nodding my head. She didn¡¯t say it outright, but I could tell that the ss wasn¡¯t progressing well. My instructor could probably sense that I wasn¡¯t focused and had suggested the break. I should use this opportunity to tell Ace that it was fine for him to leave. The truth was, I believed that I could concentrate on the ss better if he was not around.

    Now how do I tell him this without causing a war to break out?

    ¡°How are you doing? Is it hard?¡± Ace asked with an amused chuckle.

    ¡°Well, the thing is¡­I think that you should go back to work. It must be boring for you to just wait here, right?¡± I suggested before smiling sweetly at him.

    Please get the clue and just¡­leave¡­

    ¡°Not at all. It¡¯s fun to watch you do your best,¡± Ace replied without hesitation.

    ¡°Well¡­umm¡­don¡¯t you have work to do? You know Project Alpha and all those management meetings?¡± I asked.

    ¡°Jeremy is doing great with Richard and the rest at managing the next steps for Project Alpha and I¡¯ve got other managers covering the meetings. There¡¯s nothing for you to be worried about. Just focus on your lessons,¡± Ace replied reassuringly.

    That was exactly what I intended to do but he was making that impossible for me.

    ¡°Ace¡­¡± I called his name as I strengthened my resolve.

    ¡°What is it?¡± he askedzily.

    ¡°The truth is, I can¡¯t concentrate with you here. You¡¯re staring at me¡­and that makes me feel¡­distracted and ufortable¡­¡± I managed to get the words out.

    Ace looked at me with surprise before he seemed thoughtful about my words. After a moment of silence, he heaved a loud sigh of resignation.

    ¡°Fine. I¡¯ll leave but I¡¯ll be back to pick you up, ok?¡± Ace finally relented.

    ¡°Yes, ok. Thank you¡­¡± I replied with full relief.

    The rest of the lesson progressed quiet smoothly considering myck of skill and natural gift on this particr subject. At least, with Ace gone, I could concentrate better and slowly but surely my dancing skills started to improve.

    ¡­

    **Around a weekter**

    With my daily dance sses keeping me busy, I hardly got a chance to go into the office. Looking back, I was thankful for Ace¡¯s effort in keeping me busy so that I wouldn¡¯t go crazy from my own insecurities and giving me an excuse to stay away from thepany. I had no idea how the Project Alpha was progressing but with Ace in the lead, I was sure that things were progressing smoothly onto the second phase. It was such a shame that the storyboard that we co-developed couldn¡¯t be used anymore but I had started to move on from that.

    Only my intensive dance sses kept me busy. The course truly lived up to its name and I had sore muscles for the first few days until my body started to adjust. My teacher was patient with me and truly encouraging and supportive. As a result, I would say that I could dance decently well enough at the end of the course.

    ¡°Today is the final day of the course so there¡¯s a little assessment test for you. Don¡¯t worry, it¡¯s not difficult at all. With all the practice that you¡¯ve done, this should be a breeze,¡± the instructor announced with a smile.

    ¡°Alright¡­¡± I said.

    ¡°Great. The test is simple. You will dance to a song with a partner while I will assess your dance moves. That¡¯s it,¡± the instructor exined.All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.

    Seemed simple enough. It didn¡¯t differ much from what I¡¯ve been doing during my practice sessions.

    ¡°Ok¡­¡± I replied with a nod of my head.

    ¡°Great then. We already have your partner here and ready to go,¡± the instructor said as she gestured towards the door of the studio.

    I started having a bad feeling when the door began opening and it didn¡¯t take long for my worst suspicion to take shape in reality.

    ¡°Good afternoon, Rina,¡± Ace said as he walked proudly into the dance studio.

    I should have known. Really, I should have known that something like this was bound to happen sooner orter.

    ¡°Ace¡­¡± I murmured his name.

    Ace shed me a sweet smile and I knew that he had nned this thing all right from the start. He probably found much pleasure in teasing me like this. If we were going to the party together then it probably made sense that we would be dancing together. However, was that really necessary. Can¡¯t I just¡­stand to the side?

    It seemed like it was already toote for that now. Ace approached me and his eyes swept down my body from my face down to my feet and then back again.

    ¡°Let¡¯s get you changed,¡± he said.

    ¡°Oh, right. It¡¯s always better to practice in the actual dress that you¡¯ll be wearing especially if you¡¯re new at this. Sometimes the length of the skirt and the weight of the dress can cause difficulties and unexpected situations on the day itself,¡± the instructor quickly agreed.

    ¡°But I don¡¯t have a dress¡­¡± I murmured.

    ¡°That¡¯s not a problem because I have it,¡± Ace stated before he beamed a smile at me.

    He has¡­what?

    ¡°I got a dress tailored especially for you for this party. I¡¯m sure that it would fit and look great on you,¡± Ace announced proudly.

    As if on cue, there was a knock on the studio¡¯s door and a slightly plump woman popped her head in. With a nod from Ace, she entered the studio and quickly delivered the dress that Ace had mentioned.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Following His Lead

    ¡°Here you go, this is for you,¡± Ace said as offered me the dress.

    ¡°Thank you¡­I guess¡­¡± I mumbled in thanks.

    The dress turned out to be a perfect fit. Too perfect that it was quite scary. I turned around to check out my own reflection in the mirror. The deep burgundy dress that Ace got tailored for me hugged my figure perfectly and outlines my curves. Thankfully, the skirt wasn¡¯t too long and moving about wasn¡¯t too difficult. Dancing in this might require some additional practice, though.

    ¡°You look good in the dress,¡± Acemented when I came to stand in front of him.

    ¡°You mean, the dress looks good on me?¡± I offered a correction.

    He shook his head and smiled at me.

    ¡°You look beautiful,¡± Ace replied as his brown eyes held mine.Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.

    The instructor cleared her throat to get our attention and I ended up blushing while Ace just offered her a smile.

    ¡°Let¡¯s start. We don¡¯t have all day¡­¡± my instructor said teasingly.

    ¡°May I have this dance?¡± Ace asked with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

    What else can I say?

    ¡°Yes¡­¡± I replied and ced my hand into his outstretched hand.

    The music yed and I suddenly began feeling very nervous. I¡¯m really going to dance with Ace.

    ¡°Don¡¯t kill me¡­¡± I whispered as I stared up at his face.

    ¡°What¡¯s that?¡± Ace whispered back teasingly.

    ¡°If I step on your feet, please don¡¯t kill me¡­¡± I pleaded with a shy smile.

    ¡°I have other ways to punish you, don¡¯t worry¡­¡± Ace whispered close to my ear so that is words were for me only.

    A tremor ran through my body at his seductive words while Ace smirked down at me. It didn¡¯t take me long to figure out that Ace was extremely skilled at dancing. Dancing with Ace turned out to be surprisingly easy. He took the lead and all I had to do was follow his lead. It was just as my instructor had told me before, if my partner was skilled, he would lead me.

    Ace twirled me around before pulling me back into his arms. His hand on the small of my back made me feel very close to him. The music continued ying and soon I found myself lost in the magic and the rhythm of his dance. I felt Ace¡¯s eyes on me and when I looked up, our eyes met. He offered me an encouraging smile that told me that I was doing well, and I found myself smiling back at him so naturally.

    The skirt of the dressplimented the dance quite well and because it wasn¡¯t too long, I managed to move around without any trouble.

    ¡°You¡¯re quite good at this,¡± Ace praised me openly.

    ¡°Thanks to your lead,¡± I replied humbly.

    The music came to an end and so did our dance. I survived to the end without stepping on Ace¡¯s foot. That achievement alone made me feel very proud of myself. My instructor pped loudly for us, and it was clear that I had passed my little test.

    ¡°That was amazing. You two look like a match made in heaven,¡± she said before smiling brightly at us.

    ¡°No, we¡¯re¡­¡± I began protesting but decided to m my mouth shut when Ace shot me a warning look.

    ¡°Thank you. It¡¯s all thanks to you for teaching Rina over this past week,¡± Ace thanked her politely.

    ¡°Not at all. She¡¯s a very good student. I hope you enjoy your party,¡± she replied.

    That marked the end of my intensive dance course. I wouldn¡¯t go as far as to say that dancing was for me, but I did enjoy my time at the dance school and picking up a new skill wasn¡¯t a bad thing.

    ¡­

    The day of the event had finally arrived. It was a Saturday with perfect weather. Ace picked me up at my ce at around 6PM because the event was scheduled to start at 7PM. Precisely because this party was also for business, I knew that Ace didn¡¯t want to turn upte. That meant that I couldn¡¯t cause any dys. I made sure that I was dressed and ready to go right on the dot.

    ¡°You look even prettier than usual today,¡± Aceplimented me as his eyes scanned my body.

    ¡°Thanks¡­¡± I replied with a shy smile.

    Thankfully my looks seemed to have passed Ace¡¯s standards. I spent hours in front of the mirror trying to get my make up right after turning down his suggestion to hire make up artists. The red lipstick that I had on went quite well with the color of the dress and I thought that I looked quite decent and presentable.

    ¡°What am I supposed to do during the event?¡± I asked when we were sitting together in the back of his long and ck limousine.

    ¡°Not much. Just stay by my side, dance with me, and keep me well entertained,¡± Ace replied cheerfully.

    He seemed to be in a very good mood despite the fact that he wasn¡¯t quite looking forward to this event.

    ¡°That doesn¡¯t sound like not much¡­¡± I mumbled.

    ¡°Comining already?¡± Ace asked teasingly.

    ¡°Umm¡­no¡­¡± I replied softly.

    It was nothing new for Ace to be demanding. I should have known that already from my past personal experience in dealing with him.

    Although I tried to not think about it, the fact that I had not heard anything about the investigation bothered me and it was always there at the back of my mind. I nced over at Ace as I debated with myself if I should ask him about it again or if I would get a different response from the times before.

    ¡°Ace, when will the disciplinary board call for me?¡± I asked.

    ¡°Are you that eager to talk to them?¡± Ace asked in return.

    ¡°It¡¯s not like that but¡­without any progress, it just keeps me hanging¡­and I get worried sometimes about what¡¯s going to happen,¡± I replied as I tried to find the best words to exin my thoughts.

    ¡°Who knows? Maybe nothing is going to happen¡­¡± Ace replied casually.

    ¡°What do you mean by that?¡± I asked.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Why He Invited Me

    ¡°Just like I said. Don¡¯t worry, they¡¯re working hard to investigate the issue,¡± Ace said before he took my hand in his.

    To my surprise, he kissed the back of my hand tenderly. The softness and warmth of his lips against the back of my hand made my heart skip a beat, and for a moment, I forgot what I wanted to say.

    ¡°But how can they investigate the issue without talking to me about it?¡± I asked in wonder.

    ¡°They¡¯ll call for you when they are ready. This is a sensitive issue so they¡¯re being extra careful and detailed about it,¡± Ace replied smoothly.

    ¡°I see¡­¡± I murmured.

    Shortly after, we arrived at the event and Ace helped me out of the car amidst therge crowd of reporters and cameramen that have gathered to greet us on the red carpet. Ace smiled and was very calm, probably because he was used to this. The same couldn¡¯t be said about how I was feeling inside. I stood next to Ace and stered a smile on my lips as we got our photos taken together. I wasn¡¯t even sure if it was fine for us to have our photos taken together like this.

    This is for work. I reminded myself repeatedly.

    Ace was immediately weed by the host of the event who was also one of our prominent clients. Since I¡¯ve never been to this kind of event before, I felt out of ce. I smiled politely at our client as the two men greeted each other warmly.

    ¡°This is my secretary, Karina,¡± Ace introduced me as he wrapped his arm around my waist.

    My body immediately stiffened but I managed to smile at our client. The middle-aged man with thinning light brown hair smiled at me.

    ¡°Wee to the party. d that you could make it,¡± he said.

    ¡°Thank you for inviting us. It¡¯s always an honor to be a part of your sess,¡± Ace replied professionally.

    ¡°Of course. I do look forward to working with yourpany again very soon in the future,¡± the client replied followed by a boomingugh.

    I soon found out after the host left us alone about the real reason why Ace had me escort him to this event. Ace kept his hand on the small of my back as he escorted me inside therge venue where the main event was taking ce. The event space inside was decorated with colorful flowers all around the open dance floor where many couples were already engaged in their dances. There was a band that yed many ssical waltzes. Big screens showed themercials that were produced by ourpany.

    ¡°They all look so good up on the big screen¡­¡± Imented in awe.

    Ace¡¯s eyes followed my gaze.All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.

    ¡°The color tone turned out much better than we had anticipated. Hopefully theunch of this brand does well,¡± Ace replied.

    Jewelry disy cases lined all around the side of the venue where attendees could take a look at them while on break from the dancing. Overall, I thought that it was a very spectacr set up; however, it really wasn¡¯t something for me.

    Since stepping in the main venue, I could feel many pairs of eyes on us and although I tried to ignore it at first, I began to feel a little nervous. It didn¡¯t take long for me to realize that we couldn¡¯t avoid those gazes forever and that the real deal was just about to start.

    ¡°Excuse me, Mr. Hills. I¡¯m risse, if case you don¡¯t recall¡­¡± a woman with very light wavy blond hair greeted Ace sweetly.

    She stood in front of us in her pale pink dress as she smiled beautifully at Ace. It was clear to me that in her line of vision, I didn¡¯t exist.

    ¡°Good evening to you,¡± Ace replied politely.

    ¡°I was wondering if¡­¡± risse began saying in her sweet voice.

    ¡°I am very sorry, but my partner isn¡¯t feeling so well. I¡¯ll have to stick to her side tonight,¡± Ace replied with regret in his voice.

    ¡°Oh, that¡¯s fine. I hope you have an enjoyable evening. I¡¯ll see you next time,¡± risse replied before shing Ace another smile.

    Around a minuteter, a very simr incident took ce with another woman. She came up to offer Ace her valuablepany and he turned her down citing that he was already with me. A couple of minutester, we were onto our third woman for the evening. This time Ace told her that he¡¯s here strictly for work and that I, as his secretary, was keeping an eye on him. After the fourth woman turned up, I stopped counting.

    ¡°Let¡¯s dance¡­¡± Ace said invitingly as he tugged on my hand.

    I let him lead me towards the dancefloor. ncing back, I could see many women with their eyes on us. Something tells me that this isn¡¯t going to end in a very pretty way.

    ¡°You just want to get away, don¡¯t you?¡± I asked knowingly.

    Ace wrapped his arm around my waist and took my hand as he waltzed me around to the music. Thanks to my instructor, I could manage my dance quite easily now even with the dress on and Ace was a magical dancing partner.

    ¡°Guess you¡¯ve already figured that out¡­¡± Ace admitted with a chuckle.

    ¡°Is that¡­you know¡­normal?¡± I asked curiously.

    I recalled the many gossips and news that I¡¯ve seen about him and his various affairs and I didn¡¯t know why I was still surprised that something like that happened.

    ¡°Unfortunately, it is. It really gets in the way of business¡­¡± Ace replied while sounding bored.

    ¡°Aha¡­¡± I murmured in reply.

    ¡°Thank you for saving me so many times so far tonight,¡± Ace thanked me with a charming smile.

    His smile made my heart skipped a beat and I had to look away so that he wouldn¡¯t catch me blushing at his words. Sometimes the things he says is really bad for my heart.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t do anything. You can thank yourself for saving yourself,¡± I replied.

    Ace justughed at myeback. I didn¡¯t find it very funny, though. Even though he told me right off the bat that this event was for work, I might have harbored some hope that he was inviting me because he wanted to. He even sent me to dance ss, and thanks to that, I could now dance decently well. I honestly never thought that Ace invited me here to use me as a shield against other women.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Shocking Truth

    ¡°Is this why you invited me here tonight?¡± the words slipped from my lips before I could hold them back.

    ¡°If I said yes, would you get mad?¡± he answered my question with one of his own.

    Good question. Maybe, I would feel slightly mad if I haven¡¯t started feeling exactly that already.

    ¡°Don¡¯t know¡­¡± I muttered.

    ¡°You¡¯re very funny,¡± Ace said before smiling a very wide smile at me.

    He startedughing and I found my anger quickly disappearing. It was probably impossible for me to get mad at Ace no matter what he does.

    ¡°The song just ended¡­¡± I told him when the song ended.

    The other couples bowed and curtsied politely to each other while Ace wouldn¡¯t let go of me.

    ¡°Ace?¡± I called his name softly and questioningly.

    ¡°Let¡¯s go for another song,¡± Ace suggested.

    ¡°Umm¡­¡± I murmured hesitantly.

    The next song started, and I found myself dancing with Ace again. He pulled me up closer to him as I pressed my hand against his chest. His arm circled my waist and kept me closer to him. I have never danced this close to any one before. Our body was basically pressed against each other.

    ¡°You¡¯re getting much better at this. I guess you really are a fast learner,¡± Aceplimented me.

    I blushed from his words and then he suddenly pressed his forehead to me. My body stiffened in surprise at his sudden action. Is he going to kiss me? Right here?

    There¡¯re so many people around and I was sure that many people were watching us. Ace chuckled at my reaction while I was thankful that he didn¡¯t kiss me here right in the middle of the dancefloor. The second song came to an end and this time, Ace let me go.

    ¡°Come with me for a bit,¡± Ace instructed as he led me by the hand off the dancefloor.

    Ace nced at his watch for a moment before leading me to the side of the venue. We approached a sealed off area, but the security guard seemed to recognize Ace immediately. The guard nodded politely to us before granting us ess.

    It seemed like there was a private party in the middle of the party that was going on. Ace seemed to already know where he wanted to go. I let him pull me after him and soon we arrived at a room tucked away that wasbelled simply as ¡°VVIP 3¡±.

    ¡°Why are we here?¡± I asked the burning question on my mind.

    Hopefully, he doesn¡¯t have that on his mind right now¡­

    I shook my head to clear my head of that thought. What am I even thinking? Of course, it¡¯s not going to be something like that. This is a business event of one of our prominent clients.

    ¡°Come in and you¡¯ll find out,¡± Ace replied with a hint of impatience in his voice.

    I didn¡¯t have to ask him any more questions before Ace pulled me into the room after him. The door closed firmly behind us and then Ace locked it.

    ¡°Wee. You¡¯re right on time,¡±

    A familiar voice spoke up and my eyes immediately flew to the woman sitting on the sofa. She grinned my way as she gestured for us to take a seat.

    ¡°Elizabeth¡­¡± I whispered her name in pure shock.

    Why is she here?

    Did Ace bring me here to see her? Why?

    Thest time that we met directly, she gave me a big piece of her mind about my affair with her fiance. Then when we met again indirectly at themittee meeting, she was presenting the storyboard that Kyle had stolen from me.

    How dare she appear in front of us like this?

    ¡°You would have been pissed if we turned upte, right?¡± Ace said teasingly as he sat down.

    I flopped down onto the sofa next to Ace as I stared at Elizabeth. How can she act so rxed like this after stealing our storyboard like that?Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.

    I nced over at Ace as I demanded with my eyes for him to exin to me what was really going on. Why are we here to meet with Elizabeth?

    ¡°Just listen to her for a bit. Listening doesn¡¯t hurt, right?¡± Ace said to me before hisrge hand patted my back.

    What could she possibly have to say? Is she just going to apologize for stealing our storyboard just like that?

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry for stealing your storyboard,¡± Elizabeth said without batting an eysh.

    ¡°Excuse me?!¡± I eximed immediately in my shock.

    ¡°Well, you might not believe me, but let me tell you the truth from my perspective,¡± Elizabeth said calmly before she took in a deep breath and paused.

    ¡°Aha¡­¡± I murmured as I waited for her to go on.

    This was just so unexpected, and I had to say that she was very good at attracting people¡¯s attention. She definitely captured my entire attention for sure.

    ¡°I was not aware that the storyboard that I presented to themittee was stolen. I¡¯m Elizabeth Chase, the sole heir to Chase Creatives. I would never steal anyone else¡¯s idea let alone present it in such a public domain. I truly apologize for the trouble that we¡¯ve caused to you and to Jessen¡¯s and Hill¡¯s,¡± Elizabeth apologized as her brows drew together.

    ¡°When you told me the truth, I asked to meet with Elizabeth to discuss this matter. She was shocked and did some real work on her end to investigate the truth from her side, especially from her husband,¡± Ace exined sternly.

    I see. So, Ace did all that¡­

    ¡°Honestly, I was shocked when Ace came to confront me about it. At first, I didn¡¯t want to believe Kyle would resort to something so low. In a way it is my fault that he had to resort to something as desperate as this. The truth is my father isn¡¯t a big fan of our marriage. In fact, my father had never been a big fan of my rtionship with Kyle from the start. In his eyes, Kyle wasn¡¯t good enough and he always had ns for me to marry someone else. Someone that he considered more worthy of me and of Chase Creatives. I was stubborn and ended up marrying Kyle anyways,¡± Elizabeth exined with a sad look on her face.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Our Resolution

    I could feel her pain and her stress; however, I couldn¡¯t truly say that I sympathized with her. Everyone had their own problems and mine happened toe with putting enough food on the table for me and my mother. So, I didn¡¯t really want to hear about the sorrowful story of a rich heiress and her struggle to marry the love of her life against all odds and all that.

    ¡°Did Kyle admit that he stole that storyboard from me? He came to my room saying that he wanted to pick up his things and then stole that storyboard,¡± I spat usingly.

    Then, this dear Elizabeth person came to me and screamed at me for seducing her husband because of that same incident.

    ¡°At first, I didn¡¯t want to believe it, but Ace presented some proof. On top of that, I felt like the storyline seemed to be something that Ace would havee up with. When I confronted Kyle about it, he finally admitted to it when he was faced with Ace¡¯s evidence. Once again, I am very sorry for everything that happened,¡± Elizabeth apologized regretfully.

    I was speechless. So now that she has apologized, what happens next?

    ¡°Kyle has been working very hard to please my father and our recent wedding just made him more desperate to do so. He thought thating up with a storyboard that would help us win thepetition would help. I never thought that the storyboard that he gave me was stolen,¡± Elizabeth exined.

    ¡°Well, that is that. So now what are we going to do?¡± Ace asked in a light tone.

    Although Ace seemed rxed about it, Elizabeth was tense as her brows drew together in a deep frown. After a pause, she sighed loudly as if she had made her final decision.

    ¡°Chase Creatives will issue a public and formal apology to Jessen¡¯s and Hill¡¯s regarding the truth behind this case. In addition, we will withdraw from the Ashfordpetition this year. Hopefully that will be enough for you, Ace,¡± Elizabeth said in resignation.

    Really? She would do all that, really?

    ¡°I¡¯m fine with it but I¡¯m not the one who needs to decide. Rina, what do you think?¡± Ace asked me.

    ¡°I¡­¡± I began saying before I realized that I was still finding it hard to take in all that was going on and its implications.

    Chase Creatives publicly apologizing is going to be a very big deal and it would probably be a news that would shake up the industry. The same could be said about withdrawing from thepetition. If they really withdrew then it would be almost like an automatic win for ourpany. Elizabeth was really sacrificing a lot to apologize for Kyle¡¯s mistakes.

    ¡°I¡¯m fine with your proposal. However, I want you to return the storyboard that Ace and I worked on. If possible, I would like ourpany to use that storyboard in thepetition,¡± I stated my preferences firmly.

    Ace¡¯s eyes widened at my proposal, and I could tell that he was at least slightly surprised by my demand. The reason for it was very simple, Ace and I worked so hard together on that storyboard. It¡¯s the first work that Ace and I produced together, and I didn¡¯t want it to go to waste because of something stupid that Kyle did.

    ¡°I understand. I will rify to themittee that the storyboard belongs to Jessen¡¯s and Hill¡¯s. Whether yourpany decides to use that storyboard going forward or not will depend on Ace¡¯s decision,¡± Elizabeth said seriously.

    ¡°We¡¯ll use it. It¡¯s a very good storyboard,¡± Ace said decisively.

    ¡°Thank you, Ace¡­¡± I quickly thanked him.

    ¡°It is a good storyboard,¡± Elizabeth agreed readily.

    ¡°Send my regards to your father,¡± Ace told her with a slight smile.

    ¡°I will. Have a great evening,¡± Elizabeth said before she got up from her seat.

    Ace and I got up from our seat as well and then we watched silently as Elizabeth exited the room. My legs lost its strength the moment that she disappeared from sight and the door closed behind her. I flopped back down onto my seat.

    Did that really happen just now? I didn¡¯t just dream that all up, right?

    ¡°Ace¡­is this real?¡± I asked in a breathless whisper.

    That was probably a very stupid question, but I just had to ask it.

    ¡°Yes, it¡¯s real. That¡¯s Elizabeth for you. She¡¯s always been as straight as an arrow. I can¡¯t say that she¡¯s got great tastes in guys, though,¡± Ace said with a smallugh.

    I had thought this from the first time that Elizabeth showed up. It seemed that Ace and Elizabeth knew each other quite well. I could feel it in the way that they talked and interacted with each other.

    ¡°You seem to know her quite well¡­¡± I murmured.

    ¡°I do. I know Elizabeth very well, actually,¡± Ace replied casually.

    ¡®Well¡¯ as in how well?

    ¡°She¡¯s your¡­friend?¡± I took a guess.

    Ace smiled at me before he startedughing softly. I watched him shake his head from side to side.

    ¡°She¡¯s my ex-fiancee,¡± Ace replied with a smallugh.This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    Ex¡­fiancee¡­

    Ex-fiancee?!

    It was like time stopped. That was just how stunned I was at his words. Did he just say what I think he said? Does he mean what I think he means?

    ¡°What? Really?!¡± I eximed in pure shock.

    ¡°Really¡­¡± Ace confirmed.

    ¡°You two were dating?¡± I asked in shock.

    ¡°Not quite. Our fathers wanted us to get married. It was Elizabeth¡¯s father that proposed the idea because he wanted to merge ourpanies. I¡¯m not even sure if that would work given the anti-trustws but he was convinced that it would work out,¡± Ace exined in a very rxed manner.

    It felt like he was talking about someone else and that the matter never involved him.

    ¡°Aha¡­¡± I mumbled.

    ¡°Basically, it¡¯s more of a business deal than an engagement. We were both against it from the start. She was still young and then she got into a rtionship with someone else and I¡­I was just loving my freedom too much to settle down anywhere or with anyone,¡± Ace exined with a carefree shrug.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Truth Comes to Light

    ¡°I see¡­¡± I mumbled, although I couldn¡¯t quite see anything in that situation.

    ¡°In the end, as you can see, the engagement was dissolved and ourpanies are still rivals with me as the CEO and Elizabeth as the new CEO of herpany,¡± Ace concluded before he smiled at me.

    ¡°Right¡­¡± I said with a nod of my head.

    ¡°Why are you so speechless? Don¡¯t worry too much. Elizabeth and I have nothing but respect for each other because we work in the same field. She¡¯s still young and has many things to learn, though¡­¡± Ace said teasingly.

    ¡°Sorry, I honestly never expected this kind of oue. You know, both for Project Alpha and also your rtionship history with her¡­¡± I admitted honestly.

    ¡°That just sounds very misleading. I never had a rtionship with her,¡± Ace corrected me with an amused smile.

    ¡°Right. Ok¡­¡± I whispered.

    ¡°You¡¯re clearly still confused. Sleep over it. Let¡¯s head back, I¡¯m bored out of my mind,¡± Ace said.

    He got up from his seat before turning and offering me a hand.

    ¡°Ok¡­¡± I replied while still in a daze.

    I slipped my hand into his and the warmth of his hand enveloped mine reassuringly before he pulled me up to my feet.

    ¡­

    **A few dayster**

    ¡°You¡¯re going to bete to work, Rina¡­¡± Ace whispered close to me.

    ¡°Hmm¡­¡± I made a sleepy sound.

    ¡°Rina¡­¡± Ace drawled seductively.

    ¡°Mhhmmm¡­¡± I moaned in response as I felt his lips against my cheek.

    ¡°You¡¯re going to miss Elizabeth¡¯s press conference¡­¡± Ace said followed by a slightly amused chuckle.

    ¡°Press¡­¡± I murmured with my eyes still closed.

    The press conference!This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    My eyes snapped open then I bolted upright in bed. That¡¯s right, today¡¯s the day that Elizabeth will publicly apologize to ourpany. She told Ace in advance, and I was determined to watch the news live on television.

    I nced over at Ace and cocked my head to side in confusion. I see¡­he spent the night here with mest night. I was still having a hard time getting used to waking up with Ace in my bed, but I had to say that it wasn¡¯t an unpleasant sight or feeling. I offered him a sleepy smile before I stretched.

    ¡°Are you sure that you don¡¯t want to go there in person?¡± Ace asked.

    ¡°Yes, I could use some peace. Just seeing it on TV is already good enough for me,¡± I replied decisively.

    ¡°If you say so¡­¡± Ace replied.

    Although Elizabeth and herpany had agreed to take responsibility for their part of the mistake, I wasn¡¯t vain enough to think that I was void of all fault. Deep down, I knew that the leak wouldn¡¯t have been possible if I was more careful in taking care of confidential documents and information. I could have prevented the leak regardless of what Kyle¡¯s intentions were if I had paid more attention to the security measures.

    I was careless. It was as simple as that.

    Now that Elizabeth was doing everything to show that she was responsible for her mistakes, I knew that I had to do the same.

    ¡­

    When we arrived at the office, it was evident that every employee must have heard about Chase Creative¡¯s press conference already although they probably did not know what Elizabeth would announce.

    ¡°Are you sure that this is a good idea?¡± I asked Ace again.

    ¡°Yes. If you¡¯re ready to face things head on, then this will be the best way,¡± Ace replied with confidence.

    Ace had suggested that we watch the press conference live with the other team members of Project Alpha. That way, the truth would be revealed to all at the same time.

    ¡°Ok¡­if you say so¡­¡± I replied in a small voice.

    Everyone had their eyes on me when I entered the room. Ace¡¯s presence next to me was the only thing that gave me the strength to stand with my head held high. We arrived at the meeting room just in time. Elizabeth¡¯s press conference was about to start in less than 5 minutes. Therge projector screen was already showing the live broadcast from the venue where Elizabeth was scheduled to make her appearance.

    Ace took his seat and gestured for me to take the seat next to him. I willingly did that before everyone¡¯s gaze moved to therge projector screen where Elizabeth had just walked in. She approached the podium with her head held high. She appeared proud and prideful in her pristine cream-colored dress and matching zer. She smiled confidently and beautifully at the camera. No one could have guessed from how she appeared that she was about to deliver a message that would harm the prospect of herpany, at least for a while.

    At that moment, I truly admired her just nature and proud attitude. Elizabeth smiled for the camera for a while before clearing her throat to signal that she was about to start her speech.

    ¡°As all of you are aware, the Ashford Creativepetition is underway again this year. Chase Creatives along with many otherpanies in our industry ispeting in this prestigiouspetition. Something unfortunate has taken ce very recently in this year¡¯spetition that I would like to bring to the public¡¯s attention. In the first round, the storyline and storyboard presented to themittee by Chase Creatives was unfortunately something that was giarized and stolen from anotherpany,¡± Elizabeth said before she paused for impact.

    Everyone in the room gasped in shock as Elizabeth went on to reveal about the information leak and how the original owner of the storyboard was from Jessen¡¯s and Hill¡¯s. I could feel people¡¯s gazing our way before the volume of their murmurs raised.

    ¡°giarism is a serious crime in our industry. It undermines the creative process and the intellectual property rights on which we base our business. In order to take adequate responsibility for our shameful actions, Chase Creatives will withdrawpletely from thepetition. In addition, we will return the storyline and the storyboard to its rightful owner. I, personally, look forward to what Jessen¡¯s and Hill¡¯s will make out of their interesting and engaging storyboard,¡± Elizabeth said calmly.

    The reporters on the scene started to yell out questions towards Elizabeth as she smiled calmly back at them. Things got quite loud and busy where Elizabeth was. Ace switched off the projector after it was clear that Elizabeth was done saying everything that she had intended to say.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Facing the Consequences

    ¡°Well, as you have just heard, that is how it is¡­¡± Ace said without much interest.

    ¡°If they truly withdraw, then it wouldn¡¯t be a stretch for us to win thepetition,¡± Richard voiced with certainty.

    ¡°I agree. Plus, we can revert back to using our original storyboard as well,¡± Julianna chimed in.

    Suddenly, the atmosphere in the room had rxed. Things were finally looking up for the team again and the prospect of ourpany winning thepetition seemed realistic.

    ¡°Karina has something to say. Please listen to her,¡± Ace said sternly.

    Everyone quietened down as they waited for me to speak. After Elizabeth¡¯s announcement, it seemed like they were less hostile towards me, but things were very far from normal or how it used to be before this all started. I stood up from my seat as I tried to keep my knees from giving out from under me.

    ¡°First of all, I would like to apologize. I am in fact the source of the leak. However, I would like everyone to know that the leak was never intentional on my part. I understand that that doesn¡¯t make me less guilty or void of responsibility for what has happened. Due to my carelessness, the information regarding our storyboard was leaked to thepetitor and that ced us in an extremely precarious situation. I caused so much damage to this project, this team, and thispany as a whole. For that, I don¡¯t have any excuses for myself,¡± I said as calmly as I could.

    My little speech didn¡¯t go as smoothly as Elizabeth¡¯s, but I was sure that my honesty and the feelings behind my words were as strong if not stronger.This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Karina is scheduled to meet with the disciplinary boardter this afternoon,¡± Ace informed the team.

    I nodded along with his words. At least, I wanted everyone to know that I did not intend for this to happen and that I was willing to bear the consequences.

    ¡°You shouldn¡¯t have been careless¡­¡± Richard muttered.

    ¡°I am so very sorry for the trouble that I¡¯ve caused to all of you¡­¡± I apologized again.

    ¡°Somehow you helped us get rid of our mainpetitor, so it¡¯s not all bad, right?¡± Jeremy spoke up optimistically.

    It really was like something that Jeremy would say. The others didn¡¯t seem to share in his optimism, though.

    ¡°Not really. I would have preferred to win thispetition with Chase Creatives still in it. Then we can im that we really won,¡± Juliannamented before she heaved a sigh.

    ¡­

    A few hours after the meeting with other team members, it was time for me to finally face the disciplinarymittee. I gripped my mobile phone tightly in my hand as I tried to brace myself mentally for what was toe. The hardest part would be to break this sad and sudden news to my mother. I had to prepare something to say to ease her worries. I even thought as far as hunting for another job first before telling her that I got fired. Maybe that way I didn¡¯t have to tell her that I lost my job, and I could perhaps phrased it as I got a new job instead.

    The other hard part would be leaving Ace. If I left thispany and no longer worked as his secretary, then that would probably be the end of our rtionship as well. I wouldn¡¯t see him anymore and everything that we had would probably disappear into thin air as well. Perhaps, that was for the best for me and both of us. I closed my eyes tightly before taking in a deep breath before slowly letting it out.

    I would be dreaming if I thought that whatever rtionship I had with Ace wouldst.

    I opened my eyes again and firmly pushed opened the door that would bring me in front of the entire disciplinarymittee. When I started working, I never dreamt that a day woulde when I would have to face them to receive my punishment like this. Life is truly full of unexpected twists and turns.

    ¡°Wee Karina. Please take a seat,¡± a woman who was probably in herte fifties said as she gestured with her think hand for me to a seat.

    There was a single chair positioned in the center of the room facing the panel of the disciplinary board members. I sat down while keeping my eyes casted down humbly.

    ¡°Please tell us exactly what happened,¡± the woman instructed.

    I looked up at the disciplinary board member and I also gasped in surprise when my eyesnded on Ace. He never told me that he was part of the board!

    His hazel eyes were on me, and his lips curved into a small encouraging smile. When our eyes met, I quickly recalled the advice that he gave me on top of telling me to be honest with the board members.

    ¡°Although I told you to bepletely honest with them, you don¡¯t have to tell them every single thing,¡± Ace advised sternly.

    ¡°What do you mean exactly?¡± I asked as my brows drew together.

    ¡°You do realize that if you tell them everything, they¡¯ll find out about your past rtionship with Kyle, right?¡± Ace pointed out as he looked pointedly at me.

    Oh, I didn¡¯t even think of that. With the severity of the situation surrounding the leak of the storyboard, it didn¡¯t immediately dawn on me that if I told the whole story then I would have to expose the fact that Kyle and I were in a rtionship. I mean, why else would he turn up to my apartment room to get his things otherwise?

    Why didn¡¯t I realize this earlier?

    On top of being fired for leaking the information, I could be fired and punished again for having a romantic rtionship with a colleague from the samepany. Suddenly, I felt like I had seriously turned into a criminal.

    ¡°You¡¯re right. Why didn¡¯t I think of this earlier¡­¡± I mumbled in reply.

    ¡°You can be truthful without telling them everything. If I were you, I¡¯ll leave out the part about him visiting your room. Better yet, you can leave out the whole part about Kyle¡¯s involvement,¡± Ace suggested calmly.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Trial and Verdict

    ¡°How do I do that?¡± I asked.

    ¡°I don¡¯t think Elizabeth is willing to publicize the fact that her husband was directly involved in stealing confidential information and she would probably appreciate it if you didn¡¯t mention it to anyone. I guess keeping it vague would be better¡­¡± Ace advised.

    Oh, right. I did not anticipate how Elizabeth wanted this all to y out.

    This case was aplex one. It was the prime example of how one mistake led to another. How one lie also led to another.

    I stared at Ace and nodded my head softly. Ace was right. During the entire press conference, Elizabeth never mentioned Kyle as the culprit. She just said that herpany was guilty but never highlighted her husband¡¯s involvement. I was starting to wonder what Kyle did that made him deserve a woman like Elizabeth and then I hoped that he would suffer severely for the problems that he¡¯s caused all of us.

    After snapping out of my thoughts, I looked straight at the panel of board members who were eagerly waiting for me to start telling my tale.

    ¡°This all happened because of my negligence to safeguard thepany¡¯s confidential information. As a result of my carelessness, Chase Creatives managed to get their hands on a version of my storyboard that I was working on as part of Project Alpha. My first version of the storyboard was stolen and used in Chase Creatives presentation at the first round of thepetition. Although we had an updated version of the storyboard that we were certain was better than the first iteration, there were too many simrities between the two for us to present the storyboard as nned. That put ourpany at a disadvantage, and we ended up presenting the backup storyboard instead,¡± I summarized what happened.

    ¡°So, you admit that it is your fault that this whole trouble ensued?¡± a man from the panel asked.

    ¡°Yes, Sir. I don¡¯t have any excuse for myself, and I am willing to take on any punishment as you see fit. I am sincerely sorry for all the trouble that I have caused to my colleagues, the project, and thepany,¡± I apologized directly from my heart.

    ¡°It seems like Chase Creatives just hosted a press conference to address this issue. They seemed to have admitted to their wrongdoings in stealing the storyboard and have withdraw from thepetitionpletely. What do you think of this?¡± a woman asked.

    ¡°After finding out that our storyboard had been stolen, our CEO who also leads Project Alpha got in touch with the CEO of Chase Creatives to address the issue. Due to her proud sense of ethics, Elizabeth Chase did some investigation and found out that the story presented to her was indeed stolen from ourpany. I truly appreciate the fact that she owed up to herpany¡¯s mistake and I am thankful that ourpany can revert back to using our original storyboard. However, that doesn¡¯t mean that I think that I should be cleared of all faults,¡± I replied truthfully.

    ¡°I see. That is all the questions that I have,¡± the woman said.

    The man who asked the first question just nodded. He too seemed to be satisfied without the need to ask any more questions. The other board members also nodded to signal that they didn¡¯t have anything else to ask.

    ¡°Are you saying that you had no ill intentions of leaking the confidential information to ourpetitors and that everything was just an ident?¡± Ace asked.

    His sharp gaze fell on me, and my body froze in ce. I could tell that Ace was serious and his question demanded for the truth.

    ¡°Yes. I swear that I did not intent to leak any information. I am loyal to thispany. It had always been my dream to work here, and it hurts me so much that I have caused damage to thispany¡¯s work and reputation. Everything that happened was an ident based on my poor judgement and negligence,¡± I replied firmly.This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°I see. That is all,¡± Ace replied dismissively.

    ¡°Please give us a few minutes to discuss amongst ourselves. Please wait in front of the room. We will call you in when we have reached a decision,¡± the woman informed me politely.

    ¡°Thank you very much,¡± I said just as politely before excusing myself and exiting the room.

    ¡­

    The next ¡®few minutes¡¯ that the disciplinary board needed to reach a verdict on my case felt like an eternity for me as I stood in front of the door and waited. There was nothing that I could do but wait. I didn¡¯t even dare pray for a miracle because I believed that no such thing existed, and even if it did, I didn¡¯t want it to be wasted on someone like me. I truly deserved what wasing my way. That was what I truly believed.

    Suddenly, the door opened and the woman from before smiled at me politely before inviting me back into the room. It seemed like the disciplinary board had arrived at a decision and I was also ready to hear it. This is it. My future at thispany rests on this moment and their decision.

    ¡°Miss Miller, a decision has been made on your case,¡± the woman began saying.

    I took in a breath and held it as I pursed my lips tightly into a thin line. I did promise myself that I wouldn¡¯t pray for myself. My heartbeat so loudly in my chest and I wondered if the other people in the room could hear it as well. Instead of going on with the verdict, the woman gestured for Ace to take over.

    Ace is going to delivery the verdict for my case?

    ¡°For this case, the disciplinary board has decided that Miss Mir is in fact at fault for the leak of thepany¡¯s confidential information. However, with evidence and admittance of foul y from thepetingpany, it is believed that Miss Miller did not have any intention of disclosing the confidential information. However, Miss Miller is still guilty of neglecting her duty to dutifully protect thepany¡¯s intellectual property¡­¡± Ace said as he read from the paper in front of him.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 To the Rescue

    It seemed like I was going to lose my job after all. Surprisingly, I didn¡¯t feel devastated. Instead, there was a sense of calm like I could ept it all with wide open arms. I could embrace it¡­

    ¡°As a result of the above ruling, the board has decided to implement the following disciplinary measures. First, Miss Miller¡¯s promotion will be frozen for one year. Second, she will not be rewarded any bonus for this year end. Third, she will work under strict supervision of her supervisor from now on until she can improve on her duties. Lastly, thepany retains the right to terminate Miss Miller¡¯s employment immediately for any suspect of foul y. That is all,¡± Ace stated firmly.

    ¡­That¡¯s it?

    I blinked my eyes rapidly as Ace¡¯s words began to sink it. Where is the part about my immediate job termination?

    ¡°If you fine with those terms, then please sign your name here and then you are free to go,¡± the woman instructed as she presented to me a document along with a pen.

    Of course, I was more than fine with the terms. I could still continue working here. That alone was more than enough for me. How did this happen?

    I quickly signed my name at the bottom of the paper before the board would have a chance to change their minds. It was still hard for me to fully grasps the sudden turn in the situation. How did things turn out this way?

    My mind was still in a daze as the woman removed the document away from me. I stared at the faces of the board members who had already started standing up from their seats. It really seemed like everything hade to an end and some board members were already walking out of the door. I bowed respectfully to them while I thanked them silently in my head for their mercy.

    ¡°Ace will work her to death, there¡¯s nothing for us to worry about¡­¡± a man said to another as they walked past me.

    He said¡­what?

    ¡°Don¡¯t you just love the third term of the conditions? I personal put that one in and convinced them to let you stay,¡± Ace whispered to me as he came to stand at my side.

    I turned to him, and my mouth dropped opened. We were the only ones left in the room now and Ace had a very amused and entertained look on his face. I was stunned and speechless as I stared up into his attractive yet mischievous face.

    Oh, right. When the term states ¡®supervisor¡¯, my supervisor is none other than Ace himself.

    ¡°What did you tell them to convince them to keep me here?¡± I asked in a breathless whisper when I finally found my tongue again.

    ¡°Nothing much. I just told them that I¡¯m partially responsible for the situation that you¡¯re in and if they don¡¯t want me to resign as CEO as well then¡­¡± Ace said before winking at me.

    ¡°You really said that?!¡± I eximed in pure shock.

    ¡°Yup¡­it¡¯s not easy to find a CEO as good as me it seems¡­¡± Ace said lightly with a shrug of his shoulders.

    ¡°You¡¯re not serious¡­¡± I muttered underneath my breath.

    ¡°It¡¯s not hard to get people to forget about irrelevant things, I guess¡­¡± Ace said carefreely.

    ¡°Should I be thanking you?¡± I asked as if I was talking to myself more than to him.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know. That¡¯s entirely up to you. Let¡¯s go find something to eat. I¡¯m hungry and I¡¯m bored¡­¡± Ace said sounding very bored indeed.

    ¡°Aha¡­¡± I mumbled.

    My mind was still in a mess, and I had difficult believing that this was actually happening. Ace grabbed my hand just like he had done so many times before and dragged me after him and out of the room.

    ¡°Can you cook?¡± he asked as he dragged me along the hallway towards the elevator.

    ¡°No¡­¡± I replied without hesitation.

    ¡°Boo¡­¡± Ace said while sounding very depressed.

    ¡°My mother is the one who usually cooks so I never got around to learning how to¡­¡± I admitted quite frankly.

    Just thinking about my mother made me feel relieved that I didn¡¯t have to break it to her that I lost my job. I breathed out another sigh of relief.

    ¡°Your mother cooks¡­hmm¡­¡± Ace mumbled as if he was thinking of something.

    Suddenly I had a very bad feeling about the directions that his thoughts were probably headed.

    ¡°I want to see your mother and eat her homecooked food,¡± Ace demanded.

    ¡°¡­What?!¡± I eximed in shock.

    How many times will I be shocked by all these sudden developments today?Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Is she home today? Can we drop by?¡± Ace demanded as he tugged on my hand to get my attention.

    ¡°No. As in, you can¡¯t drop by. Why do you want to see my mother anyways?¡± I asked in sheer disbelief.

    He¡¯s crazy. I should have figured this out a long time ago, but the extent of his craziness still amazed me sometimes.

    ¡°Why not?¡± he asked as he turned to face me.

    Stopping so abruptly in this tracks and turning around made me almost bump into him. I stared up into his face as I tried to figure him out. What is he even thinking?

    First off, my house was far. Secondly¡­arghhh!

    ¡°My house is far from here. My mother doesn¡¯t live in the city. Most of all, there¡¯s no need for you to see her, you know¡­¡± I replied defiantly.

    ¡°I thought maybe she might want to thank me for saving her daughter¡¯s job¡­¡± Ace said before grinning wickedly at me.

    What did he just say?

    ¡°No. You¡¯re not going to see her. That would just be¡­weird¡­¡± I refused adamantly.

    The biggest issue was that I wouldn¡¯t even know how to introduce him to my mother. Maybe I can just tell her that he¡¯s my boss, which isn¡¯t a lie at all. However, why would I bring my boss all the way out of the city just to have dinner at my house with my mother? It just doesn¡¯t make any sense. At all.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 Another Storm

    Finally, we decided to settle for a safer choice of going out to a newly opened fusion restaurant that I wanted to try. I was relieved that in the end, Ace decided to drop his idea of visiting my mother, at least, for now.

    It would hurt me financial to not get my bonus and promotion, but it was definitely better than losing my job. In a way, I had Ace to really thank for that. I doubted that he would be wiling to take much credit for it, so I didn¡¯t verbalize to him over and over again how thankful I was that he saved my ass this time around. However, I did make a mental note to do something for him in return. As he liked to say, there was a right time for everything.

    That night after dinner, Ace drove me back to my ce. It felt like the calm after a storm had just past. After the dust had settled somewhat about the information leakage, I felt like we had some down time before we needed to jump into working on Project Alpha in full force. Now that we got our storyboard back too, it felt like we were really on track to win thepetition. Everything seemed to be looking up and I bet that even Ace did not foresee what was waiting to greet us right at my apartment.

    Just when one storm had past another one arrived right at my door. Literally.

    ¡°Is something going on?¡± I asked when we arrived close to my apartment building.

    We got close but there was no way for us to get any closer to it. My eyes took in therge crowd of people surrounding my apartment building along with their cars. Who are these people and why are they gathered here?

    ¡°Good question¡­¡± Ace muttered.

    On closer inspection, I could tell that these people were reporters and cameramen. A sinking feeling filled my stomach. Did something bad happen to something or someone in my building?

    ¡°Did someone¡­get hurt or something?¡± I asked.

    ¡°Only one way to find out,¡± Ace replied.

    ¡°You stay here in the car; I¡¯ll step out for a bit to ask them. They can¡¯t just block the entire building entrance like this. I mean, they¡¯re not the police or anything. They¡¯re causing the residents so much trouble¡­¡± Iined heatedly.

    These people really should learn to respect the other residents living in the building. They had nothing to do with anything, yet they had to suffer. It¡¯s just so unfair!

    ¡°What is going on? I live here and I need to park the car and get to my apartment,¡± I demanded to know.

    The man turned around to see me and then his eyes widened.

    ¡°It¡¯s her! She¡¯s the one in the photos!¡± the man shouted.

    His loud voice quickly caught the attention of the other people gather in front of the building. When they turned around to face me, I realized that they were no normal people. These people had microphones in their hands while some had cameras and video recorders.

    They¡¯re reporters for sure.

    But¡­why are so many of them here?

    What¡¯s that about me being in the photos? What photos?

    ¡°Miss Karina Miller, please exin what is going on in these photos?¡±

    ¡°Are you and Mr. Hills dating?¡±

    ¡°We heard that you are supposed to just be his secretary so can you please exin these photos?¡±

    The reporters started ganging up on me while they fired their questions at me in rapid session. It was too much for me to handle and frankly, I had no idea what on earth they were talking about. A woman shoved a printed photo into my face and my eyes widened.

    The photo was taken from the recent party that I attended with Ace. For some reason, it looked like Ace held me tightly in his arms while he was kissing me. Did something like that happen?

    Regardless of the truth, the photo made us look extremely like lovers in the middle of a passionate and loving moment. Too shocked to respond to their questions or wrap my mind around what was truly going on, I stood therepletely speechless.

    Suddenly, I felt someone grabbing my wrist and then I was pulled backwards.

    ¡°Ace¡­¡± I whispered his name as I nced up to see his face behind me.

    The reporters went wild when they spotted that Ace was with me. The shes from the cameras were blinding as the cameramen took countless photos of us. Without saying a word to me, Ace pulled me back towards the car. That made me snap out of my shock and quickly followed him back into the car.

    Ace drove the car away from my apartment building while I looked back in disbelief at therge crowd of reporters.

    It became clear that going back to my ce wasn¡¯t a viable option for us with all the reporters there waiting for us. While Ace continued driving, I realized that I didn¡¯t know where we were headed. However, there were more important and pressing questions that I needed to ask him.

    ¡°What was that all about just now?¡± I asked, still confused.

    ¡°Reporters and the paparazzi,¡± Ace replied without looking my way.

    His eyes were focused on the road and that made sense considering the speed at which he was driving.All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.

    ¡°They showed me a photo¡­¡± I began saying but Ace cut in before I couldplete my sentence.

    ¡°Don¡¯t over think it¡­¡± Ace warned lightly.

    ¡°But¡­we look like we were kissing in the photo. It was probably taken during our dance at the party¡­¡± I said softly as my voice shook slightly.

    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter¡­¡± Ace said dismissively.

    ¡°But it does matter! If that gets out¡­¡± I eximed before trailing off.

    I didn¡¯t even want to imagine what would happen to us if those photos leaked out. Perhaps it was already toote to be worried about that. Just when I thought that life could return back to its usual peace, this just had to explode right in our faces.

    This is all my fault. I should have been more careful when we are together in a public event like that. Why did I let my guard down?

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

 End of Secrets

    It¡¯s going to be extremely difficult to exin our way out of those photos. Although we didn¡¯t kiss while we dance, the truth probably doesn¡¯t matter. We looked too close and familiar with each other and that wasn¡¯t going to support our case. I should have kept my distance from him. After all, I¡¯m nothing more than his secretary.

    ¡°Spend the night at my ce, Rina,¡± Ace said casually.

    ¡°What?¡± I said in disbelief.

    With everything that was going on, he still wanted to bring me to his ce?

    ¡°No, I can¡¯t do that. Everything is already such a big mess the way that it is,¡± I declined immediately.

    ¡°You can¡¯t go back to your ce tonight. Those reporters are going to be swarming around your ce for a few days if not for weeks,¡± Ace pointed out.

    He¡¯s right. However¡­

    ¡°That doesn¡¯t mean that I have to spend the night at your ce. Just drop me off somewhere and I¡¯ll find a hotel,¡± I muttered before sighing.

    ¡°I can¡¯t let you do that. I¡¯m partially responsible for this so you¡¯reing home with me,¡± Ace said decisively.

    His tone told me that I shouldn¡¯t argue with him; however, I didn¡¯t feel like I had much to lose in that situation. I¡¯ve just survived losing my job over the information leak scandal and now I was under threat of losing my job again for being romantically involved with my boss.

    Oh, my dear life¡­

    ¡°How do you know that the reporters are not at your ce?¡± I asked curiously.

    ¡°Because I have a few hideouts and they can¡¯t exactly predict where I¡¯ll spend the night,¡± Ace replied before he turned to grin at me.

    ¡°You sound like a thief on the run¡­¡± I mumbled.

    When Ace startedughing at myment, I realized that I had spoken my thought out loud. This situation didn¡¯t seem to bother Ace at all and that was probably because he was used to something like this. He must be given all the times that his affairs were captured and disyed for the public to see in gossip news and tabloids.

    ¡°This is crazy. I¡¯m going to end up losing my job for real this time¡­¡± I muttered, this time intentionally voicing my thoughts.

    ¡°Don¡¯t jump to conclusions. The board will probably demand for some exnations but it¡¯s not like we were caught having sex¡­¡± Ace replied without much care.

    How can he say something like that so casually?!

    ¡°I don¡¯t want to talk to you anymore. This is just insane. Pull over please,¡± I said.

    My voice sounded dead tired and that was precisely how I felt.

    ¡°I already told you that we¡¯re going to my ce,¡± Ace responded without stopping the car.

    I felt like I was on the verge of a huge emotional breakdown. This was just all too much. One mess after another. The results of all my mistakes were just catching up to me one after another. It felt endless.

    Suddenly, my phone started ringing. I usually felt overjoyed when my mother gave me a call; however, a tight knot formed in the pit of my belly when I saw her name on my phone screen. A sick feeling in my gut told me that she wasn¡¯t calling about anything good.

    ¡°Mum?¡± I said when the line connected.

    ¡°Where are you right now? Have you seen the news? That¡¯s not really you, is it?¡± my mother asked with clear panic in her voice.

    What on earth is she talking about?

    ¡°I have no idea what you¡¯re talking about. What news?¡± I asked in confusion.

    A split secondter, my entire body felt numb, and my face and hands felt cold. Please, don¡¯t tell me that those photos were already on the news along with misleading information.

    ¡°Please tell me that this isn¡¯t what I think it is. Photos and videos of you are all over the news. They¡¯re saying that you¡¯re having an affair with your CEO which is against thepany¡¯s policy and all that¡­¡± my mother replied as her voice shook.

    ¡°I¡¯ll call you back,¡± I said before immediately hanging up.

    ¡°It¡¯s all over the news already? That¡¯s fast. They¡¯re getting much better at this¡­¡± Ace said before he chuckled.

    ¡°There is nothing funny about this! It may be funny for you, but my life is on the verge of ruin here!¡± I yelled at him.

    ¡°Calm down, Rina¡­¡± Ace said calmly.

    ¡°How am I supposed to be calm? You know, my mother just called to ask if I¡¯m having an affair with my boss!¡± I ended up yelling again.

    Hell, this is such a mess.

    I covered my face with my hands as I prayed for all of this to be just a nightmare. My phone started ringing again and I knew that it must be my mother calling. A sense of shame washed over me when I thought of how I was being such a burden to her by making her worry. Of all the things that she had to find out, she had to learn about my affair with my boss.Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.

    If I was destined to lose my job anyways, then I would have preferred to lose it from allowing Kyle to steal my storyboard. That would have been much easier to exinpared to my affair with Ace. The phone just wouldn¡¯t stop ringing as I tried to figure out how to handle my own mother.

    ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to get that?¡± Ace asked without looking my way.

    ¡°Mum¡­¡± I said when I answered the call.

    ¡°Karina! Don¡¯t just hang up on me like that. Where are you right now? I am so worried about you!¡± my mother shouted quite loudly in her panic.

    The apparent fear and concern in her voice only made me more guilty about everything. I should have put a stop to the rtionship between Ace and me. I knew that it was just all wrong. Why didn¡¯t I do it?!

    ¡°Mum, I¡¯ll exin about itter¡­ok?¡± I said in a small voice.

    ¡°So, it¡¯s true? It¡¯s really you in these photos?¡± my mother asked although I guessed that she probably already knew the answer.

    ¨CTo be continued¡­

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    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!