The kiss was gentle at first, a testing touch. Urgent yet careful, claiming the space I allowed him. My body betrayed me, leaning in before my mind could catch up, and I felt the warmth of him, the undeniable pull I had tried to hide for so long.

I closed my eyes, letting the moment hang between us—teetering on the edge of restraint and surrender. I was still in control, still cautious, but the truth was undeniable: I was drawn to him, and I had always loved him.

‎The quiet room was filled with the soft sound of wet kisses.

‎Alexander’s lips traveled down, to my chest I closed my eyes, instinctively arching my chest toward him, my hands buried in his hair.his kisses went down past my breasts, reaching the most intimate part of me.

‎I gasped softly, each breath sharp, like a fish stranded on land, struggling for air.suddenly My body trembled.

‎Alexander pulled back, wiping the moisture from his lips, ready to continue. But in that moment a sudden clarity hit me—

If i didn’t stop now... I wouldn’t be able to stop at all.

And I couldn’t afford to fall back into that place again.I suddenly pushed him away and yawned. "I’m tired. Let’s sleep."

Third person POV

‎

‎Alexander froze in place.

‎"Alicia."

‎She didn’t respond, just turned over and continued to sleep.

‎Was she playing with him?Before long, the sound of even breathing filled the space beside him.

‎Alexander: "..."

‎He lay there next to her, but sleep wouldn’t come. He felt restless, as if he were a prostitute who’d been used for free, and the person beside him was a scumbag who’d gotten dressed and turned his back without a word.

The next morning, Alicia woke up early and realized Alexander had already left for his morning workout. 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

She got out of bed, freshened up, and got ready quietly, already planning out her workday.

Her movements were calm, unhurried—deliberately so.

As if nothing had happened the night before.

She had just picked up her bag and was about to leave the room when the door suddenly opened.

Alexander walked in.

Their eyes met.

For a brief second, neither of them spoke.

"Morning," Alicia said casually.

"...Morning," Alexander replied, his voice quieter.

Alicia glanced at her watch and noticed the time. It was still early.

"You’re back earlier than usual?"

"Mm. I left earlier today."

"I see."

She didn’t linger on it. Slinging her bag over her shoulder, she walked past him and out of the room without another word, leaving Alexander standing there.

The truth was—he hadn’t slept at all.

That was why he had gone out so early.

...

By the time Alexander came downstairs, Alicia was already seated at the dining table, having breakfast.

She looked completely at ease.

Too at ease.

She ate calmly, even seeming to have more appetite than usual.

As though last night had never happened.

Alexander paused at the stairs, his gaze lingering on her.

Something about it felt... off.

Alicia noticed him standing there and looked up.

"Didn’t sleep well?" she asked casually.

Alexander froze for a split second.

His fingers tightened slightly.

Sleep well?

How could she ask that so naturally?

As if—

As if nothing had happened.

Seeing that he didn’t respond, Alicia tilted her head slightly.

"Is something wrong?"

"No," he said after a moment, shaking his head.

But his eyes remained on her, unreadable.

<<<<<>>>>

The new collection from Éclat Beauty was approaching a crucial stage.

Lilian’s advertising campaign had been divided into multiple series, each released in succession and pushed onto major platforms and social media front pages.

With the recent makeup scandal still fresh in the public’s memory, both the media and online users were watching this endorsement closely.

Alicia had already instructed her team to monitor public opinion in real time and step in to guide the narrative if necessary.

At the same time, offline promotions were in full swing.

Massive LED screens in the busiest commercial districts across the city displayed Lilian’s campaign visuals. From subways to bus stops, from airports to shopping centers—Éclat Beauty’s advertisements were everywhere.

When the photos were released, they quickly sparked discussion online.

Netizens flooded the comment sections, praising Lilian’s beauty and resharing the campaign enthusiastically—

As if they had completely forgotten how, just weeks ago, they had torn Alicia apart over the same issue.

...

Alicia had been so busy these past few days that she barely had time to rest.

Only when she finally paused did she find herself absentmindedly scrolling through Twitter, her eyes landing on a post about a TV show sponsored by their company, dated three days earlier.

Before she could think further—

"Director Alicia!"

Her assistant rushed in without knocking, clearly flustered.

"Miss Eva is sick. What should we do?"

Alicia immediately put down the documents in her hands, her expression turning serious.

"Miss Eva?" she repeated.

Eva was the official spokesperson for Éclat Beauty.

In just three days, the company would be hosting a live-streamed product launch—an event watched by millions every year.

And Eva had always been the one to take the stage.

She was the face of the brand.

If anything went wrong now...

Alicia stood up.

"What happened to her? Is it serious?"

"This morning, Miss Eva was rushed to the hospital with severe stomach pain," the assistant said anxiously. "It’s acute gastritis. The doctor says she needs surgery and will have to stay hospitalized for at least three days..."

She hesitated before adding, "But the launch event is in four days..."

Her voice trailed off, the implication clear.

Alicia didn’t respond immediately.

Her gaze lowered slightly, her mind already moving through possibilities.

Seeing her silence, the assistant grew more nervous.

"What should we do? Should we have Director Timothy stand in for her?"

Director Timothy was Éclat Beauty’s product manager, mainly responsible for overseeing the designers and production lines. He had experience—but not the presence Eva brought to the stage.

Alicia looked up.

"Go get Miss Eva’s script," she said calmly. "Then return to your work. Don’t worry."

Her tone was steady, leaving no room for panic.

The assistant blinked in surprise, then quickly nodded, visibly relieved.

"Understood, Director Alicia."

Moments later, the script was sent over in a PDF.

Alicia picked up her tablet, her eyes scanning the contents—

Her expression unreadable.If Eva couldn’t make it... someone else would have to take her place.

Before the assistant left, Alicia asked one last question:

"Has Miss Lilian been contacted in advance?"

"Yes, she has."

Alicia gave a small nod. "Alright. You can go."

...

September 7th—

The day of Éclat Beauty’s brand launch event.

It was a date many netizens had been eagerly anticipating—

And one that countless critics had been waiting for, ready with their sharp tongues and sarcastic remarks.

Online discussions had already exploded the day before.

"Is it true? Alicia Sinclair is really going to appear in person?"

"According to tradition, Alexander Blackwood will give the opening speech, and Lilian Summer, as the spokesperson, will definitely attend. If Alicia shows up too... this is going to be interesting."

"Interesting? More like a showdown."

"A meeting between the ’mistress’ and the rumored real girlfriend—this is going to be fun to watch."

Rumors spread like wildfire.It was said that Éclat Beauty’s spokesperson, Eva, had suddenly fallen ill.

And that this year’s product introduction—

Would be handled personally by the brand’s director, Alicia Sinclair.

Under normal circumstances, such a change wouldn’t have caused much of a stir.

But now?

With Alicia still at the center of recent controversies...

With Lilian’s scandal barely fading...

And with Alexander caught between the two—

This launch event had become more than just a product release.

It had turned into a stage.

A stage where all eyes would be watching.

Waiting.

For something to happen.