Nothing will change if Erin sheds tears. She must take action. Unemployed for a month, she needed to seize any opportunity, no matter how small. When her phone rang, she organized her list of expenses in the penthouse on the center table.
Her friend Zacharia Lopez's name lit up the screen.
"Hey, Zach!"
"I just arrived from Singapore. I went to your office to surprise you with gifts but was shocked to hear you're no longer there. Where are you? Who's the owner that got ousted from his own company?"
Erin couldn't hold back her tears upon hearing her friend's voice. She needed someone to reassure her that everything would be okay—an ally. They first met during their modeling days, and their bond strengthened as she often encountered disturbing situations involving other female models. After what happened with Jenna, she found it hard to trust women. Zach was currently the only friend she relied on.
"Erin..." concern resonated in Zach's voice.
"They... They kicked me out. A lot has happened in the past year since I left the agency, Zach. I... I don't have money," her voice trembled as she explained.
"Where are you? I'll come to you!" Zach exclaimed.
Currently, she stays at her father's penthouse in Green Garden, but her overall well-being is far from satisfactory. In light of the challenges she faced, her mental health significantly deteriorated over the past year. Adding to her troubles, a credible threat to her life exists.
Within half an hour, Zach arrived at her doorstep. Despite the awkwardness of her home lacking electricity, she graciously invited him inside. Zach brought along paper bags, and he embraced her tightly upon their meeting. Overwhelmed with emotion, she couldn't suppress her tears.
"Erin…" Zach kissed her forehead and gently caressed her back. "What happened to you?"
He ushered her inside, helping her settle comfortably on the sofa. Several windows in her residence were ajar, and Zach observed the absence of electricity. On the center table lay envelopes, housing bills she had been organizing before his arrival.
To evade the scrutinizing gaze of her friend, she hugged her knees.
Zach grasped the stack of bills, which included charges for electricity, association dues, and her credit card statement with persistent notices resulting from past transactions. Additionally, there was the bill for her car, which was currently undergoing repairs.
"I'll cover these expenses. By the way, your car is in the repair shop? What happened?" Zach inquired.
It felt awkward to accept Zach's offer, but at that moment, she knew she had to steel herself. Despite her reluctance, tears welled up in her eyes. Zach sat beside her, offering comfort with a gentle stroke on her back.
"It might be better if you stay in a hotel for now. This place lacks proper ventilation; you could suffocate here," he suggested, surveying the surroundings.
"No, please! I-I don't want to stay at a hotel!" She had encountered dangerous situations before and was not secure in public places.
However, she refrained from disclosing this to Zach to avoid causing him undue worry. On the other hand, she had already left the office, hoping her Uncle Roger and Jenna would cease troubling her now.
"What's going on, Erin?" Zach's voice softened.
"I've exhausted my savings, Zach. You know how I've handled my finances in the past."
She couldn't point fingers at anyone but herself because she had been overly confident that she wouldn't find herself in a situation where fate would strip everything away. Spending had become her coping mechanism since her mother's death, a way to feel human. The money she spent was hard-earned, not handed to her by anyone.
"I attempted to retire from the agency, but they denied my request. I clashed with my manager. I have two more years before they might release me, so I can't explore other opportunities."
Jenna played a role in the turmoil at her workplace.
"What about your dad's office? What happened there?"
"Well, I haven't explored opportunities with other modeling agencies over the past year. I must make my presence known at Yurich; the people there must recognize me as Rod Lawrence's child. Now, I face the added pressure of marrying Orion Arvesso within the next year. Yurich has been withholding my dad's shares since last year."
"What if they refuse to return the shares to you?" inquired Zach.
"Mr. Niel Arvesso signed the will and the contract, specifying that he will only own the shares for two years. The clause dictates that the shares will transfer to me or the company itself after this period—meaning Uncle Roger and Jenna."
She elaborated on additional details to help her friend understand. Despite the challenges, she clung to the hope that circumstances would change, allowing her to reclaim her rightful place in the office.
"Come with me!" Zach exclaimed, rising from his seat and leading her to her room. He headed straight for the closet, selecting a few casual pieces of attire.
"Where are we going?" Erin asked.
"Come to my house for now until they restore your electricity. Erin, you don't need to endure staying here like this. It will only deepen your sense of despair," he said.
Although she wanted to argue, the solace of having a friend at that moment prevailed. A year of enduring isolation had left its mark, and she yearned for companionship.
"I've returned to this country to launch an advertising agency. If you're interested, you can also join my family's company. You're the runway queen and shouldn't be going through this."
His words brought tears to her eyes. "You are my angel."
That night, Erin accompanied Zach to his house. He set up a spare room and advised her to rest for the night, promising they would discuss the job the next day.
As she lay on a clean and fragrant bed, a message from an unknown number appeared on her phone.
Unknown: We need to talk again.
She suspected it might be Orion who sent that message because he was the last person she spoke to.
Erin: Who is this?
Unknown: Orion.
After instructing her to undress and receiving only coldness in response to her pleading, he is now requesting a meeting.
What does he want from her now? Is this a sequel to their previous encounter?
She swallowed hard, recalling how she felt under Orion's gaze, experiencing his slow and hard breaths. It was the same intense look and energy from him that she had dreamt about.
Erin: There won't be a sequel to the naked session.
Orion: Too bad. That's what I was anticipating.
Erin: That's not a conversation. We didn't talk; I pleaded!
'Arsehole!'
Orion: There will be an organizational restructuring next Monday at Yurich. I thought you might be interested.
It piqued Erin's curiosity. Why was he sharing this information with her?
Erin: And we need to talk because you want me there?
Orion: Yes, with a TWIST.
Twist? What is he planning? It's probably better for her to find out during their conversation.
Erin: Is this your way of settling things for what I did earlier?
Orion: That wasn't sufficient.
Erin: I informed you there wouldn't be a sequel in the naked session.
Orion: And I also stated that I anticipate that to happen precisely.
Erin's throat became dry from what she read. She'll contemplate the significant twist it alludes to.
Yurich Group. Merely a month ago, Erin was ousted by her manager and Uncle Roger from the office. However, today, she stood alongside Orion and Mr. Arvesso's assistant, Jorge, ready to make a bold return. Orion, pledging to assist her in securing the highest position within the Yurich company, had convinced her to take this audacious step—a decision aligned with her strategic move to marry him. "I'll inform you of my payment when the time comes. One thing is certain—I do not need money. The Yurich Company remains yours," she recalls Orion asserting. Jorge is there as a representative of the Arvesso Family, and Orion is acting as Erin's bodyguard. Orion explained his plan to Erin, assuring her that he wouldn't mess with how the Yurich Company ran. He believed getting involved in office matters was pointless because Erin would be in charge in the future. To ensure that Erin wouldn't be bothered by Jenna or Uncle Roger and to maintain Orion's constant presence, he decided to assu
This is absurd! Orion found himself on the verge of anger as he drove Erin to her penthouse. Getting close to Erin and spending every waking moment with her was not part of his plan. He couldn't understand why he had let himself get entangled in this situation. Frustration clenched his teeth, and anger surged through him, directed at himself,
Erin led Orion to a secluded room in her penthouse for a private conversation. Unfazed that her residence boasted four rooms, she was open to accommodate him. However, she wasn’t ready to live with Orion. "What do you mean you'll be staying here?" she questioned, a mix of surprise and concern evident in her voice. 'Now? Wait, I'm not ready yet!' "After you just kicked me out of your car?" she retorted. Orion is one big moody guy, even moodier than someone with PMS. "I have to pack my things; I'm sorry," he explained. "Erin, I've already laid out my reasons to you. We told your family we'd stay together; I'll act as your bodyguard. Besides, I'm aware that someone wants to harm you." Erin shuddered in fear, though Orion's eyes conveyed much more than his words. She could sense the unspoken desires he harbored. She recalled Jenna's messages to Daryl, whom she had thought Orion. Unfortunately, Orion wasn't the recipient of those texts back then. "That's why I'm taking the k
Erin's heart skipped a beat as Orion appeared at the open door, catching her off guard. She chided herself for not reminding him that the bathroom connected both rooms. A playful glint flickered in his eyes, causing her lips to tremble with surprise and anticipation. Erin closed her eyes briefly to conceal the emotions swelling within her chest. Undeterred by the water, Orion approached and claimed her lips, his hands exploring her body with an intensity that sent shivers down her spine.
Erin found herself immersed in a whirlwind of emotions reflected in Orion's eyes. Desiring to believe in his affection, she interpreted how he gazed at her, and the subtle cues conveyed by his body language.Unexpectedly, he lowered himself towards her, initiating a kiss that left Erin momentarily entranced. As the moment's intensity swept over her, she questioned its reality, wondering if it was a dream. Orion, however, pulled her even closer, heightening her yearning for him not to release her.
"You are too audacious to send those messages, Erin," Orion grinned. "I managed to get hold of Daryl's phone, and seeing your message exchange is quite apparent to me." Orion gently squeezed Erin's chin while she recalled Jenna's messages to Daryl on the last day she saw him. She refrained from disclosing the truth, avoiding the admission that she wasn't the one behind those text messages, out of concern that Orion might be disappointed in her. Having just discovered that Daryl owned that number, Erin had unwittingly communicated with him, thinking it was Orion on the other end. "No, I didn't send those! It was Jenna," Erin explained, although Orion already had the impression that she was flirting with his brother. Despite Erin's protest, Orion remained emotionless until he suggested they go grocery shopping before his friend arrived to change the locks. "Do we really need to do that?" Erin stammered. "Yes, Erin. You were the one who said you believed Zach wasn't that person. We d
Orion is bringing Erin to the Arvesso office for some necessary tasks, seeking to put behind them the embarrassing incident in the penthouse where his friend Marco inadvertently witnessed their intimate encounter the previous night. It's a good thing Orion efficiently extracted the necessary device, stopping the video. His friend playfully teased him until he departed, further coloring Erin's cheeks with embarrassment. In the car, Erin couldn't help but ask, "Was it really okay for me to come along?" "Yes," Orion reassured her. "After what happened last night, I can't leave you in the penthouse." His reassurance brought comfort to Erin. The notion that Orion was genuinely concerned about her well-being was comforting. Yet, she couldn't help but harbor a hope that his feelings for her were sincere. As they traveled the road, her phone suddenly rang, and the screen displayed an unfamiliar number. Erin furrowed her forehead, staring at it for a moment in contemplation. "Is the
Erin confidently strode into the office, her head held high, with Orion, Mike, and Assistant Jorge following closely, all donning serious expressions. A discreet glance at Orion revealed him in a simple polo shirt paired with a jacket, projecting the aura of a seasoned bodyguard with years of service to Drew Walton. The production manager guided them through the office, introducing Erin as Miss Villaverde, Mr. Lawrence's daughter. Some onlookers, who had perceived her solely as an employee for only a few months, were taken aback. The news of Erin assuming the chairman position had stirred the office, prompting the usual commotion. However, some managers couldn't help but harbor skepticism and wariness, not necessarily due to her uncle's influence but rather owing to her gender and perceived lack of business experience. As they made their way through the office, Erin caught wind of a group gossiping about her. "Do you know who the bodyguard is? That's Drew Walton's handsome protect