The other two observers sitting across the dining room couldn't quite wrap their heads around the sight. They stared at the distant table with sharp, calculating eyes. One of them, as clear as day, was Sophia.
The other was Michael.
Over the past few weeks, a quiet, unspoken tension had been building between Michael and Sophia. Michael had been trying relentlessly to take Sophia out on a proper date, but Sophia had remained hesitant, holding back her feelings. After days of gentle persistence, Sophia had finally given in, realizing that stepping out with Michael was exactly what her heart wanted. Deep down, she had to admit she had developed a massive crush on the older man. Her friends hadn't just been teasing her after all; her feelings were entirely real.
That was how they had ended up on an intimate evening date at the exact same luxury restaurant.
Meanwhile, across the room, Ronan and Liora had temporarily lowered their masks to enjoy their food, completely unaware of their surroundings. But as fate would have it, Michael and Sophia accidentally locked onto the familiar pair across the floor. These two, whom had completely forgotten about their scheduled date night, watched Liora's and Ronan's behavior with a confused, protective frown.
Noticing how intensely Michael's attention had drifted also toward the far table, Sophia decided to break the silence, hoping to fish for answers about the mysterious dynamic between the billionaire and her younger sister.
"Mmm... Sir? Isn't that Mr. Brown over there?" Sophia asked softly, gesturing slightly. "I heard he's your best friend."
Sophia's voice snapped Michael out of his trance. "A-Ah? Oh, yeah. That's him. He's my friend. But Sophia, I told you before, stop calling me 'sir.' Just call me Michael."
Sophia offered a shy, breathless smile. "I-I'm just not used to it yet." She paused, her eyes flitting back to the distant table before she asked casually, "Is that girl her boyfriend?"
Michael's sharp gaze anchored back onto the secluded table at the far end of the room. "I honestly don't know. He never told me he was seeing anyone."
"Oh, really? Is that so?"
"Hmm..." Michael turned his eyes back to Sophia, raising an eyebrow. "Why do you ask?"
"Oh, no reason, just curious." Sophia lied smoothly, flashing a polite, fake smile. "I am a reporter, remember? Whenever I see something unique like that, my professional instincts just kick in."
Michael's expression turned dead serious, his protective instincts for his best friend instantly flaring up. "Just promise me you won't let anyone else know what you're seeing right now, okay?"
Sophia nodded quickly, fully aware of how fiercely loyal Michael was to Ronan.
From their distant vantage point, both Michael and Sophia continued to watch Ronan, who was still talking animatedly, a bright, carefree smile lighting up his face. There was absolutely no doubt about it, anyone looking at the two of them could see they were sharing a rare, effortless peace. They looked exactly like two true lovers lost in their own world.
Seeing Ronan's genuine boxy smile for the very first time, Michael felt a profound wave of surprise mixed with quiet happiness. His best friend, a man who had spent years hiding behind a cold, mechanical mask, was finally smiling from the depths of his soul. That smile was entirely real, completely devoid of the superficial corporate mask he wore for the public. But the realization that the sole reason for this beautiful transformation was the pretty girl sitting across from him sent a chilling jolt of reality through Michael's chest.
But this can't happen, Ronan. I'm so sorry. Michael thought heavily to himself, his gaze darkening. You can't belong to her. You don't belong in this world either.
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
"Well, Mr. Brown, thank you so much for the food. I'll head inside now." Liora said, offering a polite, respectful bow as they stood on the pavement in front of her apartment building. They had both just stepped out of the luxury sedan, the cool evening air swirling around them.
Liora gave Ronan one last warm smile and turned on her heel to head toward the entrance, but Ronan's voice abruptly cut through the quiet.
"Oh, Liora, wait a second. Before I forget again..."
Ronan reached into his pockets, his movements visibly nervous and tentative. When he finally pulled his hand out and revealed what he was holding, warm tears instantly well up in Liora's eyes.
"M-My necklace...!!" Liora choked out, her voice trembling violently. She instinctively reached out to grab the silver chain from Ronan's hand, but the older man gently pulled back.
"Hold on. Let me put it on for you." Ronan murmured softly.
Smiling through a blur of tears, Liora nodded silently. She turned around, lifting her blonde hair out of the way as Ronan stepped closer. With incredible gentleness, Ronan wrapped the chain around Liora's neck, carefully fastening the clasp. The moment it was secure, Liora's fingers flew to the familiar pendant, clutching it tightly against her chest like a lifeline.
"I've never seen a necklace quite like that before." Ronan noted quietly, stepping back.
"Hmm... This is the only piece of my mother I have left. The only thing I remember." Liora whispered, bringing the pendant to her lips and pressing a reverent, loving kiss against it. "This is my mom. Thank you... thank you so much for bringing her back to me."
"I'm sorry," Ronan replied, his deep voice laced with genuine regret. "I should have given it back to you much sooner."
Liora looked up, offering a deeply comforting smile, and Ronan couldn't help but let out a soft laugh in return. Liora found herself utterly captivated by the billionaire's unusual behavior today; the ruthless CEO had been replaced by someone profoundly gentle and sweet.
As Liora turned to leave for a second time, Ronan stopped her again.
"Wait, just a minute!"
Liora turned back, thoroughly confused. Her brow furrowed as she watched the older man shift his weight nervously, furtively glancing at the ground like a little kid who had just been caught doing something wrong.
"Mr. Brown? Is there something else you wanted to tell me?"
"N-No, nothing. Go on inside." Ronan stammered.
In reality, his entire soul was screaming to pull Liora back into his arms. He craved it more than anything, that unexplainable cosmic warmth, that absolute sense of comfort. But he rigidly held himself back, terrified that pushing his boundaries would make the girl uncomfortable.
But in the very next heartbeat, Ronan's eyes widened in sheer shock as Liora stepped across the distance and threw her arms tightly around his neck. Without a single word, Ronan instantly melted into the embrace, wrapping his powerful arms around Liora's waist, closing his eyes as he soaked in the intoxicating feeling of having the girl against his chest.
After a long, quiet moment, they slowly pulled apart.
"Was this what you were waiting for?" Liora asked, a cute, incredibly teasing smile dancing on her lips.
Ronan gasped softly, utterly bewildered. "W-How did you-"
"I don't know," Liora interrupted softly, her cheeks flushing a bright pink. "Maybe it's just because the two of us are special."
Before Ronan could even process the words, Liora leaned in, pressed a swift, feather-light kiss onto Ronan's cheek, and bolted toward the apartment entrance. She disappeared inside without looking back, leaving the billionaire standing frozen on the sidewalk, completely breathless.
That night, sleep eluded both of them. They spent the endless hours tossing and turning in their respective beds, their minds completely consumed by thoughts of each other and the extraordinary, supernatural events of the day.
Lying in the dark, Liora aimlessly rolled the silver pendant between her fingers.
"Mom..." Liora whispered into the quiet room, a sudden, embarrassed laugh escaping her lips as she buried her burning face deep into her pillow. "I think... I think I really like him."
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Two days passed in a peaceful, quiet blur. Liora assumed that the men who had ambushed her at the shed were simply part of Samuel's toxic circle of friends, since no one else on campus had any reason to cause her harm. Fortunately, she hadn't seen a single trace of them over the past forty-eight hours, and the lingering anxiety had finally begun to fade.
Currently, Liora was sitting in a packed lecture hall, diligently taking notes.
"Class, please settle down. I have a major announcement to make." the lecturer called out from the podium, instantly drawing everyone's attention.
"As you all remember, during the grand opening ceremony of the Management Building a few days ago, Mr. Brown had an unexpected family emergency and had to abruptly leave the campus grounds."
At the mention of that chaotic day, Liora's cheeks flushed a bright pink. A vivid montage of the icy shed, the bare chest, and the breathtaking boxy smile flashed through her mind in rapid succession.
"To formally apologize for the sudden disruption, Vante Group has generously extended an exclusive, highly prestigious offer to our department." the professor continued.
The lecture hall instantly erupted into excited whispers.
"However, this specialized opportunity is strictly reserved for the top ten students who achieved the highest marks on the previous examination."
Hearing the strict criteria, a wave of disappointed groans rippled through the majority of the classroom, but the faces of the top ten students, including Liora, instantly lit up with pure excitement.
"Vante Group is giving these ten individuals the chance to undergo an intensive, ten-day corporate training program directly at their headquarters. This is an unparalleled opportunity, class. You will be learning the practical, real-world dynamics of international business while being temporarily hired as corporate assistants for the duration of the ten days."
"Wow!! That is incredible!" one student whispered loudly.
"Those guys are so unbelievably lucky." another muttered enviously. "At least they'll get to see a man like Ronan Brown up close every single day."
The lecturer, misinterpreting the crowd's disappointment as academic frustration rather than a longing to see the billionaire CEO, offered a reassuring smile. "Don't be discouraged, everyone. Work hard, raise your marks for the next exam, and opportunities like this will surely come around again."
The professor cleared his throat, his expression turning even more animated. "Now, for the most extraordinary part of Vante's offer. As some of you may know from the financial news, Mr. Brown's permanent executive secretary was terminated a few weeks ago, and the position remains vacant. Vante has decided to use this ten-day training phase to evaluate the ten of you. The student who demonstrates the highest competence and work ethic will be offered a permanent, full-time position as Mr. Brown's personal secretary upon graduation."
The entire room practically screamed in absolute shock, the magnitude of the prize hitting them like a tidal wave.
Liora's eyes sparkled with sheer, unadulterated happiness. This was the universe handing her the perfect solution to her financial crisis. I have to secure this position no matter what. she thought determinately. If I become Mr. Brown's secretary, I can easily pay off this month's rent. But deep down, beneath the practical financial relief, her heart harbored a completely different, thrilling hope.
Suddenly, a shadow fell over her desk. Liora looked up to find Mia staring down at her, a sharp, venomous smirk twisting her features.
"Don't even bother dreaming about that secretary position, Liora." she sneered maliciously, leaning in close. "I don't care what kind of games you play here at university. No matter what you try, that job is mine. You don't stand a chance against me... because I happen to possess things that a charity case like you could never dream of having."
Liora silently lowered her gaze, refusing to engage or invite unnecessary conflict.
By the time the afternoon rolled around, the upcoming Vante internship was the exclusive topic of conversation across the entire Management faculty. The cutthroat training was officially scheduled to begin the following Monday.
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
"What did you just say?!" Sophia's voice echoed loudly through the room, her eyes wide with shock.
Liora let out a soft laugh, adjusting her backpack. "Yes, Sophie. It's completely official. The training starts first thing next week."
Instead of matching her excitement, Sophia's face visibly darkened, a heavy cloud of anxiety passing over her features.
Noticing the abrupt shift in energy, Liora's smile faded. "What's wrong, Sophie? You don't look happy for me."
"N-No, it's not that at all," Sophia stammered, forced a small, strained smile onto her face. "I am incredibly happy for you, Lio. Truly. I was just... wondering about your university lectures? Won't you fall behind if you miss ten whole days of classes?"
"Ah, the faculty already cleared that up." Liora explained cheerfully. "They're going to arrange separate makeup lectures for the ten of us after the internship concludes."
Sophia nodded slowly, but her mind was clearly miles away. Ethan... I guess I'm going to have to hurry up with our plan. Sophia thought frantically to herself, her chest tightening with urgency.
Sunday arrived in the blink of an eye, the final day before the ten selected students were required to report to Vante Headquarters.
Inside her cramped apartment, Liora sat on the edge of her bed, her arms tightly folded across her chest and her face buried deeply in her hands. Panic was slowly setting in. She had spent the last hour tearing through her meager wardrobe, only to realize she didn't own a single piece of professional, corporate attire appropriate for a high-end conglomerate. Worse, her bank account was practically empty; she didn't have enough money to purchase a new outfit.
"What am I supposed to do now?" she muttered miserably into her palms.
She sat in silence for a few minutes until a sudden stroke of genius illuminated her face.
"Incredible! I can just ask Sophie to loan me some money for a proper suit. Once I secure the permanent position as Mr. Brown's secretary, I can easily pay her back with interest!" Liora laughed to herself, feeling a massive weight lift off her shoulders.
Without wasting another second, she left her apartment building and made her way toward the massive MYG corporate building where Sophia worked. What she remained entirely oblivious to, however, was the towering figure dressed in solid black stealthily tracking her every movement from the shadows behind her.
A few minutes later, the mysterious stalker pulled his black cap lower over his eyes, a deep frown marring his features as he watched Liora approach the main entrance of the MYG building. The man watched from across the street as Liora stood by the steps, clearly waiting for someone.
A moment later, the stalker's brow furrowed in deep confusion as Sophia emerged from the glass doors, rushing forward to wrap Liora in a tight, familiar hug. After a brief conversation, the two shook hands, and Liora turned to walk away. The mysterious figure cast one last lingering, suspicious glance at Sophia before turning on his heel to resume tracking Liora.
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Liora's POV
Armed with the emergency funds Sophie had graciously lent me, I immediately headed to the grand shopping mall, slipping into a high-end clothing boutique to select a proper outfit for tomorrow. The entire time I had been walking through the crowded corridors, an unsettling sensation had been scratching at the back of my neck, a persistent, suffocating feeling that someone was watching me. But I forced myself to shake it off, assuming I was just overly anxious about the internship.
Since the Vante training guidelines strictly required a crisp, professional black-and-white aesthetic, I began scanning the racks for a tailored pair of black trousers and a formal, white long-sleeved button-down shirt.
While sorting through the sizes, my eyes accidentally caught a reflection in the mirrors. A few feet away, a man dressed entirely in midnight black was standing by a pillar, his eyes locked dead onto me. He was wearing a dark face mask and a low-brimmed cap, completely concealing his identity. Feeling a sudden prickle of fear, I quickly looked away and forced myself to focus entirely on picking out my clothes.
But the moment I turned around to head toward the checkout counter, I slammed directly into a hard, solid chest. It was the exact same black-clad stranger.
The impact sent a sharp jolt through my body, causing my mother's silver necklace to accidentally slip out from beneath the collar of my t-shirt.
"Oh! I am so incredibly sorry, sir! I didn't see you there." I gasped out, instantly bowing my head in polite apology.
When I cautiously looked up to gauge his reaction, my breath hitched. The stranger wasn't looking at my face at all. His sharp, predatory eyes were drilling directly into my mother's silver pendant with an intensity that bordered on absolute madness.
Terrified by the sheer malice in his gaze, I frantically grabbed the pendant and tucked it safely back beneath my shirt. Without uttering a single word, the strange man tore his eyes away and walked out of the store.
Trying to calm my racing heart, I tried to get back to work. I carefully selected two of the most affordable options available, deeply determined not to waste a single won of Sophie's hard-earned money. Desperate to see if the trousers fit properly, I walked toward the boutique's fitting rooms, only to let out a defeated sigh upon realizing the line stretched entirely down the hallway.
Scanning the immediate area, I noticed a sign for the executive washrooms located down a secluded, quiet corridor a little further away. I peeked inside the door and let out a sigh of pure relief, the pristine restroom was completely deserted. It was the perfect place to quickly try on the clothes without waiting in line.
I stepped inside the quiet space, but before the heavy door could even click shut behind me, the air was violently ripped from my lungs.
A powerful, gloved hand forcefully gripped my shoulder, spinning me around and slamming my back brutally against the cold tile wall. The sheer force of the impact left me entirely breathless, terror instantly paralyzing my muscles.
"W-Who are you?!" I choked out, my voice barely a cracked whisper as I found myself completely pinned beneath his towering, imposing frame.
The man didn't answer right away. Slowly, deliberately, his fingers reached up, grabbing the edge of his black cap and tossing it to the floor before yanking the dark face mask down past his chin.
As his full features were finally exposed to the harsh fluorescent lights, my jaw dropped in absolute horror, my eyes widening to the size of saucers.
"Y-You?!"