Just a moment ago, Khai Howell's phone lit up with persistent calls from his grandfather, Jovanni Shaw. After sending it to voicemail for the eighth time, a barrage of WhatsApp messages appeared on his screen.
"Kid, the girl from the West family is your childhood friend. It's already 7:30 PM, and you still haven't shown up. Are you trying to drive me to an early grave?"
"Reach out to her immediately. If you miss this meeting again, I'll make sure your entire company feels it!"
"You have exactly 10 minutes to message her. If you don't, I'll jump out the window, and you'll be the one burying me!"
"Only 8 minutes left!"
[Coffin emoji]
Jovanni sent a coffin emoji, a not-so-subtle reminder that if Khai stood up Miss West again tonight, he'd be pushing his grandfather closer to the grave.
Khai sighed deeply, sliding his phone into his suit pocket.
The Miss West his grandfather mentioned was Zara West, the cherished youngest of the West family, who had been doted on by her five older brothers all her life. The Wests were nearly as prominent in London as the Howells were.
Even before their children were born, the families had arranged their engagement. Only after five sons did the Wests finally have their treasured daughter.
Khai had met Zara a few times during their childhood, remembering her as the little girl who liked to cling to him, calling him "brother." She was absolutely adorable, with a gentle voice and a sweet disposition.
When Zara was five, she disappeared. A decade later, she returned to the West family, and Khai couldn't shake the feeling that the Zara he knew as a child was different from the grown-up version standing before him.
Zara, however, remained fond of Khai and openly expressed her affections when they reunited, despite Khai seeing her only as a sister. He had made this clear countless times, emphasizing that he didn't share her romantic feelings.
Yet, Zara persisted, sending countless letters each year filled with dreams of their future together.
To Khai, Zara was the only "sister" he had truly cared for. Because of this bond, he didn't want to hurt her more than necessary. However, if he didn't clarify their relationship during this visit, Zara might end up being hurt the most.
So, he decided—
"Maeve Riley, I need you to come with me tonight."
Maeve stopped in her tracks, turning around with a puzzled look. "Hang on, mister, I'm not that kind of girl!"
Khai chuckled, "What are you thinking? Do you really believe I'd be interested in someone as short as you?"
"I'm short?!" Maeve rolled her eyes in disdain. "I'm at least 5'3", and with the right guy, it's a perfect height difference. Unlike you, who's so tall all you can see is dandruff!"
Khai had never met someone who disliked tall people before, and her words brought a rare amused smile to his usually stoic face.
"You mentioned you only offer your talents. What talents do you have?"
Maeve straightened up confidently, "Talents? I've got plenty—singing, dancing, handling kids, self-defense, English, Japanese, Korean, French, advanced English, computer skills, public speaking perfection, pastry chef, accounting, firefighter certification, childcare expertise, and a five-star household management credential. If I listed them all, it would take ages."
Khai was impressed by her capabilities and felt a pang of guilt. If he had kept her by his side after their past encounter, would she have had to work so hard?
Khai's long lashes lowered slightly, and he pressed his lips into a firm line. "Alright, I'll pay for your time."
Khai elegantly tore a check from his book and handed it to her. "I only need you for ten minutes tonight to help me record a video. Once we're finished, the check is yours, with no limit on the amount."
He figured she had pursued all those certifications due to financial necessity, so he concocted this opportunity to give her money without hurting her pride.
He expected Maeve to politely refuse, but to his surprise—
"Sorry, mister, I must’ve been sleepwalking. Let me rephrase that." She cleared her throat and then flashed a dazzling smile. "Sure thing, mister. What kind of video do you need? As long as it’s not anything dodgy, I'm in."
Her coy, sweet voice made Khai's self-control falter.
He frowned slightly, trying to dispel inappropriate thoughts from his mind. "Don't worry, I only need a shot of your back."
The task seemed simple enough, and with such a lucrative offer, Maeve had no inclination to question why Khai needed this unusual video.
Regardless of the reason, she was only interested in the money.
"Alright, where should we go to film?"
Felipe Lewis, who had been observing the conversation nearby like an audience at a live drama, finally snapped out of his stupor to fulfill his duties.
"Khai, I studied cinematography in college. Let me handle it!"
Realizing that filming single-handedly would be awkward, Khai agreed. "Alright." With that single word, he acknowledged Felipe's usefulness.
Felipe felt an exhilarating thrill. How lucky was he to get to shoot a romantic video for the typically aloof Khai Howell?
"The video should keep her identity under wraps. I don't want the Wests to find out and cause her trouble," Khai instructed.
Felipe understood immediately—this was all to make Zara reconsider her pursuit.
"Got it. Please, Khai, and Miss Riley, head to the lounge. It's quieter, making it easier to pose."
"Pose?" Maeve asked, puzzled.
Felipe quickly explained, "Miss Riley, this video aims to deter a persistent admirer. So, you need to make it look like you and Khai are close."
Felipe gestured, instructing them, "You're supposed to be a couple, so standing so far apart won't work. Yes, get closer, wrap your arms around his waist, and lean into him..."
Maeve hesitated, "Isn't that too intimate?"
Felipe swiftly drew Maeve aside, painting Khai as the victim of an overly obsessed admirer. As an executive assistant, Felipe's persuasive storytelling quickly swayed Maeve to sympathize with Khai.
Outraged, she exclaimed, "Seriously? People do that?"
"Yes, absolutely shameless. So, to make her give up, you need to act close to Khai, maybe even make her jealous enough to walk away."
"Got it, leave it to me!"
Revitalized, Maeve returned to Khai's side, slipping effortlessly into her role.
"Ready when you are," she announced.
Felipe signaled with an "ok" gesture and hit record on his phone, saying, "Action."
At his cue, Maeve threw her arms around Khai, laughing playfully as she nestled into his embrace.
Her height was just right for pressing against the warmth of his chest. He smelled incredible, an intoxicating scent. She tried to calm her racing heart as her soft hands encircled his waist, feeling his toned abs beneath her touch.
The intense male presence almost took her breath away, but Khai seemed even more affected.
As she pressed herself to him, he felt a softness he had never known.
Maeve's fragrance was like a potent allure, making his dark eyes deepen, almost spilling over like ink.
He reflexively wrapped his arm around her slim waist. His white shirt absorbed her warm breath, heating his skin beneath it...
Felipe worked diligently behind the camera, capturing a cinematic scene with precision. The couple, both strikingly attractive, appeared as though they had stepped straight out of a film, guided by his professional direction. In his quest for perfection, he called out excitedly, "Khai, you're supposed to be a couple! Holding her isn't enough—try to show some emotion."
"Maybe you don't know this since you've never dated," he added, "but why don't you take my direction? Lean in closer, and let me capture a few angles. I promise it'll turn out intimate and thrilling."
Khai Howell, inexperienced in romance, followed the advice. His lips grazed dangerously close to Maeve Riley's ear before landing on her neck. She felt his breath against her skin, making her shoulders tingle and her cheeks flush.
"Hey, that tickles," Maeve giggled nervously, shifting slightly, which sparked a reaction from Khai, already at his limit. His gaze clouded with desire as he softly whispered, "Stay still."
As he spoke, his lips barely brushed her smooth shoulder, sending shivers through her. "Alright, alright, I won't move," she relented, "but can we hurry this up? I'm on a tight schedule."
Her urgency grated on Khai slightly. How could she think of anything else while he was holding her, even if it was only for show? As a mild reprimand, he playfully nipped at her exposed shoulder—not enough to hurt, but enough to feel like a soft kiss.
Maeve squirmed, trying to push him away, but he held her tighter. One arm wrapped around her waist, while the other gently cupped her head. "Behave," he murmured, "we haven't hit the ten-minute mark yet."
She suspected he was using this as a pretext to misbehave. Enveloped in his embrace, her mind was racing, and her face felt hot against his chest. She anxiously counted down the seconds.
As soon as the time was up, she lightly punched his shoulder, exclaiming, "Time's up! Let go!"
Khai had never imagined that holding a woman could feel like this. The experience was so alluring that he hesitated to release her. If this woman indeed entered his life for good, he wouldn't mind making her a significant part of it.
Seeing his reluctance to let go, Maeve sprang away in frustration, "You liar! You promised ten minutes, and you overdid it!"
Faced with her indignant accusation, Khai watched her animated expression with a faint smile. His throat moved involuntarily, wanting to say something, but his usually sharp mind was in disarray.
His intense gaze made her even more flustered. "I'm leaving, Khai Howell!" Maeve declared, her voice holding a hint of a warning, "If you follow me, I'll bite you every time I see you!"
Her fierce demeanor reminded Khai of a feisty, ruffled kitten. Maeve stormed off without a backward glance. It wasn't until she'd slammed the door that she realized she had forgotten the check!
This oversight almost made her explode with frustration.
Just then, her phone rang.
"Maeve! Are you coming to work or not?"
"Mr. Lewis, I'm stuck in traffic, but I'll be there soon!" Maeve quickly assured, apologizing profusely until her boss's anger subsided.
With her mind focused on making money, she dashed into the subway station, hurrying to her next engagement.
In a dimly lit bar, Khai stood elegantly, wiping his lips with his thumb, still feeling the lingering essence of her presence. Everything that had happened tonight felt surreal, like an untouchable dream to him.
Each encounter with her left him feeling both exasperated and captivated. He found himself wanting to win this wildcat and understand her.
Nearby, Felipe had quickly edited the footage into a short video. Even without music, it was the kind of clip that could easily go viral. He handed the phone to Khai, apologizing, "I haven't filmed in a while, so I'm a bit rusty. I could have focused more on capturing Maeve's hand around your waist to enhance the emotional depth."
Khai glanced at the video, feeling a rush of heat. He wanted to watch it again but restrained himself, maintaining his composure as he casually said, "It's fine. You've done well. Your salary will double next month."
Felipe was moved almost to tears. "Thank you, Khai! I promise to work even harder and meet your expectations in every way."
Khai, slightly irked by his emotional outburst, commanded, "That's enough! Find out everything about Maeve Riley and have it in my inbox by tonight."
Felipe suppressed a groan and went back to his task, knowing he had to quickly gather all the details about Maeve Riley.
After Felipe left, Khai captured a screenshot from the video—one of him nuzzled against her neck—and sent it to someone named Harper. Although he intended to send the full video, he held back. Such a suggestive clip was for his eyes only.
Having sent the image, he blocked Harper, deciding not to waste any more time on another woman.
In an upscale lounge, a woman in an elegant Victorian-style dress was adjusting her appearance in the mirror. Her poised and graceful demeanor was that of a refined young lady. However, when her phone buzzed, her gentle facade was replaced by jealousy and rage.
In her chat with Khai, an intimate photo of him with a woman captured her attention. She recognized him instantly—it was Khai Howell, the man she had admired for years. They were supposed to discuss the next steps in their engagement today.
So what was this? Sending her a picture of himself with someone else? What did this mean?
Was there some femme fatale who dared to challenge her?
Her left hand gripped the small mirror so tightly that the intricate designs on it cut into her fingertips, drawing blood. Yet, her heart ached even more. Khai Howell was hers, Maeve thought. He was the most exceptional man in the world, and he belonged to her!
"Khai, did you make a mistake?" She restrained her emotions and sent him a voice message, only to be met with an automated response: "You are not friends with this user." Her emotions shattered completely.
With a loud crash, she hurled her phone to the floor, creating a dent in the wall.
A waiter burst into the exclusive private coffee room, eyes wide with concern. "Miss Maeve, are you alright? Is everything okay?"
The Coffee & Roses Lounge catered exclusively to the elite. Each waiter was trained to recognize the faces of every distinguished guest so they could serve them better in the future.
Maeve’s face was twisted with anger, but her refined upbringing reminded her to maintain her composure in public. She discreetly pinched the edge of the table, then shook her head with a soft smile. "Sorry for alarming you. I just spotted a cockroach and got so startled that I threw my phone. Could you please pick it up for me?"
Ah, so that was it, the waiter thought, silently applauding their establishment's cleanliness. Someone like Miss Maeve certainly wouldn't lie.
Returning the phone to Maeve, she apologized, "Miss Maeve, the screen is cracked. It was our oversight that startled you. How about I arrange for a replacement phone?"
Maeve declined. "No need, it was my fault. You can leave now."
The waiter complimented Maeve for her beauty and kind nature before closing the door behind her.
Sitting at the table, Maeve clutched her phone tightly, her gaze piercing through the phone's screen at the woman's silhouette displayed there. No, she couldn't just sit idly by. Even if Khai refused to see her, she had to find a way to confront this woman luring her man away!
Khai was hers! No one else was going to take him from her!
---
At a five-star hotel.
In the early hours, Maeve Riley, exhausted from work, settled onto the temporary bed in the employees' dormitory.
She should have gone home after her shift, but she feared that Aliza George, that ticking time bomb, might have people waiting for her at her apartment. For her safety, Maeve decided to stay at the hotel for a couple of days.
Lying in bed, she checked the time and realized the results of the research report she submitted earlier would soon be announced. These results were crucial for her. If selected, she would receive a $10,000 grant and a scholarship to further her studies in the US next semester.
Since she wasn’t scheduled to work the next day, she planned to visit the school bulletin board to confirm the outcome.
As she closed her eyes and drifted into sleep, she unexpectedly dreamt of Khai. In the dream, Khai discovered Eli wasn’t his son. Enraged, he locked her in a dark basement and aimed a gun at her, ready to pull the trigger.
At the moment the bullet was fired, she awoke in terror, wiping the sweat off her brow, her chest rising and falling rapidly.
The dream felt all too real. Khai’s expression when he found out the truth—like he wanted to devour her—left her deeply unsettled.
No, she needed to earn the money to leave the country immediately, taking Eli far away!
---
The next day.
After a complimentary breakfast at the hotel, Maeve took the subway to her school.
Along the way, various young students cast curious looks her way, some even wearing smug smiles. Maeve remained unfazed; the school no longer matched her ambitions. Her aim was the stars and to conquer the world's most prestigious schools, so she had no intention of wasting time on trivialities that only annoyed her.
Cambridge University was one of the most prestigious institutions in the city.
The campus was vast, and Maeve walked quite a distance to reach the bulletin board. Shockingly, her name was absent from the list of award-winning research projects from their department!
What stunned her even more was seeing Aliza George’s name printed on the list!
Impossible!
That clueless girl lacked any significant proficiency in pharmaceutical research. She only got into Cambridge thanks to her father’s donation of a building. Aliza even managed to score zero on her Level 4 English exam. How could someone so academically inept produce a scholarly report in perfect English?
Something was definitely off!
Maeve tore the document down and stormed into the department head’s office, throwing open the door.
“Professor Johnson, I demand to know what research Aliza George submitted to win this award! Could I have the honor of reading it?”
She slammed the award list onto the desk.
Professor Johnson adjusted his glasses, as if fully expecting Maeve’s confrontation. He glanced at the printed name and said, "Maeve Riley, you should knock before entering. Didn’t your teachers teach you that?"
Maeve gritted her teeth, "Aren’t you my teacher? If you want my respect, you should act like a proper educator first!
All project submissions from our department passed through your hands, and there are only two pharmaceutical laboratories. I went hundreds of times and never saw Aliza’s face. So, tell me, what did she do to win this award?”
Professor Johnson chuckled coldly, rising to his feet. With no one else in the office, he dropped all pretense. "Maeve Riley, property here is extremely valuable. If you want to establish yourself in this bustling city, you must be pragmatic. Aliza, burdened by family obligations, is lacking in certain credits, which could affect her graduation. This international award can compensate for that. If you allow her to claim it, helping her graduate, I can arrange a high-paying position for you."
Maeve raised her eyebrows, "I don’t need it!”
Professor Johnson sighed, “You’re as stubborn as ever. Listen to your teacher’s advice. Don’t aim solely for Yale or Harvard. The cost of living abroad is high, and given your family’s situation, how could you afford it?
It’s better to stay in the country. By helping Aliza, she won’t treat you badly. Future opportunities at George Holdings would offer more than going abroad.”
“Professor Johnson, don’t take us for fools. Don’t think I don’t know how many benefits Aliza has offered you over the years! Look up at the plaque in your office, ‘Model Teacher’? Are you worthy? I spit on you!”
From Johnson's deceitful demeanor, Maeve could almost guarantee he and Aliza conspired to steal her work, crediting it under Aliza’s name, robbing Maeve of her rightful glory.
Did they take her for a pushover? Past minor annoyances could be tolerated, but not this time. She refused to stand down. Absolutely not!
