Chapter 18: Zaylen and Shy?

LIANA

“Since I was so blind before,” I added, “I had decided to loan out some to James. I hope that clears everything out.”

Zaylen stayed quiet for a few seconds after my confession. Then he asked, “Then why are you working in this company? That too, at such an ordinary post?”

I had anticipated this question.

​​"I want to be independent," I confessed, the words spilling forth in a rush of honesty, "to prove to myself and to my dad that I'm capable of standing on my own two feet. I want to gain experience, to learn from the ground up, before I even think about stepping into his business."

There was a soft hum on the other end of the line, a sound that carried with it a depth of understanding I hadn't expected. "You're admirable, Liana," Zaylen said, his voice tinged with genuine respect, "I just joined the company as the CEO right after graduating. But you, you're choosing to carve your own path, to forge your own destiny. That takes real courage."

His words washed over me like a s