I sit in the car, staring out the window.
The city stretches endlessly—modern, sleek, shining like something out of a dream.
I can't believe it.
I'm living the author's imagination. Every character, every building, every corner of this world… it's all her creation. A perfect, beautiful design she built with her words.
But I have one complaint.
Why did she make the villain's life so cruel?
Why make him so heartless, so rude, so utterly incapable of shame?
Couldn't she give him a little sense? A spark of guilt? A chance to do something right?
Couldn't she give him a better ending—maybe let him live in regret instead of dying so horribly?
A shiver runs down my spine.
The author must hate this villain personally.
The luxurious car slows, stopping in front of a massive building.
Kael Holdings.
The guard snaps the door open.
I step out, nervous and trembling.
Business? Boards? I know nothing about this world, nothing about these meetings, nothing about this empire.
I straighten my coat, smooth down the expensive fabric, and step forward. Confident on the outside… a trapped Neon on the inside.
"Good morning, sir," a voice says beside me.
I glance up.
A tall, handsome man stands perfectly dressed. Calm, collected, flawless. His eyes are lowered.
I take a slow, deliberate look from head to toe.
Black hair, eye color black.
He's Deniz.
The side character from the book. Zyren Kael's secretary. A beta. Loyal. Careful. Meticulous. Perfect in every way.
And my eyes refuse to leave him.
God… he's so beautiful. Every detail, every subtle movement. How could Zyren ignore someone like this? The author described him perfectly—big, dark eyes, sharp jawline, calm composure that commands attention without demanding it. Every glance he gives feels deliberate, graceful, magnetic.
And the scent.
Betas usually have nothing. No pheromones, no allure. But Deniz… a faint, lingering red rose scent clings to him. Subtle, elegant, impossible to ignore. It sets him apart, makes him unforgettable. Makes him… different.
Zyren should've noticed. Zyren should've appreciated him. Zyren should've married him. Not die in some cruel, miserable end because of his own arrogance.
Stupid. Stupid. Cruel. My chest tightens with a mix of anger and disbelief.
But it's okay. I'll fix this.
I'll take him.
I'll respect him. I'll cherish him.
Because I… will marry him. And we will live peacefully, far from the chaos Zyren used to create.
I smile softly, quietly.
"Morning," I say.
His eyes widen for just a heartbeat—shock, subtle but there. Then he steadies himself. Of course he would. He's polite. Professional. Careful. He knows the villain he serves doesn't smile. Doesn't greet gently.
But I'm not Zyren.
I'm Neon.
And I… respect beauty.
Especially him.
Deniz adjusts his glasses, voice calm, careful. "Sir… you're going to be late for the meeting. Please…"
I nod, trying to steady the nervous flutter in my chest, and walk forward.
He follows silently behind me.
Every step feels surreal. Every breath in this borrowed body reminds me how fragile this second chance is.
I can't fail.
Not this time.
Deniz opens the office door.
I step inside Zyren's office.
God… it's enormous.
Floor-to-ceiling windows stretch along one side, revealing the city far below. The streets and cars look like toys, tiny dots, even the people seem like ants scurrying about. Everything about this place screams wealth, power, and control.
I step forward slowly, my polished shoes clicking on the marble floor. Each sound echoes, loud and sharp in the quiet, cavernous room. I walk to the chair behind the massive desk and sink into it, letting myself relax a little, though my heart pounds.
Deniz stands in front of me, impeccable posture, waiting.
"Deniz," I say, my voice calm but firm, "give me the board meeting file."
His eyes flick to me, and he quickly nods.
I remind myself to act normal—like Zyren, but not the cruel, villainous Zyren. Gentle. Controlled. Composed.
Deniz carefully sets the file in front of me.
I pick it up and flip through the pages. Numbers, graphs, projections… my eyes widen. What the hell is this?
I glance at him. He's still standing there, expression blank, robotically attentive.
"Sit," I command softly.
He obeys immediately. I slide the file toward him. "Guide me through this."
He blinks, surprised. "Sir…?"
I hesitate. How do I tell him I'm a 19-year-old high school student? How do I explain that I have no idea about business, corporate strategy, or financial reports?
I cover myself, trying to sound confident. "I just want to see how you explain this."
He nods, regaining his composure, and opens the file.
I watch him intently, every movement, every gesture, absorbing everything.
If I'm going to survive as Zyren Kael… I need to learn. Fast.
I sit in the car, backseat sinking into the soft leather, and let out a long, weary sigh.
Business… is really tough.
I thought rich people lived peacefully, heavenly lives.
Turns out… handling this much responsibility is exhausting.
I glance at Deniz, sitting perfectly upright in the passenger seat. How can he stay so emotionless? So composed? Doesn't he ever get tired?
I rub my temple and murmur, almost to myself, "I'm so tired…"
Deniz notices immediately. His dark eyes flick to me, sharp and concerned. "Sir… are you okay? Should we go to a hospital?"
I shake my head gently. "I'm fine. Just… tired."
He nods, silent again, like a statue molded for obedience.
I turn my gaze back to the street. The city lights blur past the tinted windows, red and yellow bleeding into streaks of color as the car slows for a traffic signal.
I shift in my seat, restless. Something catches my attention. Something… interesting. Something I like.
Without thinking, I fling the door open and step out.
Deniz immediately mirrors me, opening his door. His voice is calm but edged with concern.
"Sir… what happened?"
I take a deep breath of the cool night air, letting the city sounds wash over me.
For the first time today… I feel a spark of freedom.