CHAPTER 2: Broken Heart
No one’s POV:
After doing it, Heart’s hair became so messy. So she put her hair into a bun style, put her eye glasses on and fixed herself. They got dressed and Dimitri was really happy because he finally did it with Heart.
Dimitri sent Heart to her work with his car. When Heart was about to get out of the car, Dimitri grabbed her arm. Heart stopped and twisted her neck to look at her boyfriend. “What is it, darling?” She asked. Dimitri just smiled.
“Thanks again, Heart. See you later! I love you.” Dimitri said with a happy face. Heart nodded and smiled. “I trust you, thank you so much too and I love you more.” Heart replied and then got out of Dimitri’s car.
She entered the Department Store through the main entrance where she works, everyone was already in their designated position, they were lined up on the side to bow to the chairman of the department store everyday. Heart slowly went to her position and stood up there. Her co-worker who was standing next to her, saw her. “Hey, Heartcille, you are late again. Where have you been?” She asked with a low tone of voice to Heart.
Heart looked at her co-worker. “Ah, sorry I just overslept last night, Annie.” Heart lied. But Annie, her co-worker, squinted and noticed Heart’s hickey on her neck. She then chuckled. “I think I know now.” Annie said and then looked at her with a teasing face. Heart gasped and looked away. “What are you talking about? Hmm.” Heart was feeling nervous and did not want Annie to find out that she did it with her boyfriend that was why she was late.
Annie sighed. “Oh well. Georgia is late again today. She must be very busy being a stripper at night.” Annie mumbled but Heart heard it. Her eyes widened. “A stripper?” She gaped and murmured to herself.
After a few minutes, the chairman arrived at the department and everyone bowed at him. When the chairman passed the main hall, he took the elevator and went to his office. The department store is the biggest department store, the executives’ offices were also located there but at the very top floor of the building. Heart and every employee went back to their designated posts and waited for the official start of the business hours. Heart was standing to her post but she kept on thinking about something.
‘Georgia is a stripper? Why is she doing that though? Does it really pay high?’ Heart thought and was into her own world. Annie was so bored at her post and then noticed Heart being so serious. She approached Heart and tapped her shoulder. It made Heart startle. “Hey, Annie! Why did you do that?” Heart asked. Annie then grinned and looked at her hickey on her neck. “Ah, nothing. You look so serious, hmm is that because of your love bite on your neck?” Annie teased Heart. Heart’s eyes widened and then turned around. She held her neck. ‘Oh no, I did not notice this. I must wear a scarf, this is so embarrassing.’ Heart thought.
Annie just chuckled and then turned around to go back to her post. But Heart turned to her and grabbed her arm. “Hey, Annie. I am going to ask something.” Heart asked. Annie then turned around to look at Heart. “What is it?”
Heart then removed her hand from Annie and put her head down. “Is Georgia really a stripper at night?” Heart curiously asked and then slowly looked at Annie’s face. Annie nodded. “Yes, I am the only one who knows it. She told me because I caught her from the dressing room with a guy then that’s it, she spilled the beans.” Annie said.
Heart was surprised and did not expect it. She gasped. “Oh, maybe she has her reasons.” Heart reacted. Annie just nodded. “Yes, she told me it really pays high and she needs it for her family expenses.”
After the discussion, the business hours started and all of the sales ladies were so busy. Georgia arrived and she was wearing a very thick lipstick. Heart was looking at her secretly. ‘Alright, I must not mind other people's business though.’ She thought and continued working.
But then, after a few minutes, the people from the top floor went down and everyone bowed at them. Heart who was spacing out bowed late. The chairman squinted and caught her but she immediately bowed so that her face wouldn't be seen by the chairman. ‘Aish, what am I doing? Why am I so bothered about that stripper thingy? I have my own job okay?’ Heart thought and tried to concentrate as she was caught by the chairman.
The chairman of their company was already an old man, he then cleared his throat standing next to his executives, secretaries, etc. Someone also was holding the microphone for him.
“In the next few days, my grandson will be the CEO of this department store, he is stricter than me, so you better be professional all the time! Soon, I will hold the official ceremony for that. That’s all. I have to leave for now.” The chairman announced and they left the department store altogether.
Heart, being so embarrassed, was thinking about what the chairman said. ‘So, the grandson will take over this department store, huh? I wonder what he looks like. This grandpa's chairman is always having a grumpy face, so probably the new boss will look like an angry lion or dinosaur.’ Heart thought and imagined what the new CEO will look like.
After working, she was in the staff room to change her outfit. She changed her uniform to an outdated outfit, a long dress with sleeves. She also put a scarf around her neck to hide her hickey. She just remained her hairstyle into a bun, without makeup on, showing her freckles and wearing her eyeglasses. Before she left, she went back in front of the mirror to put lipstick on. She put on a red one. ‘Yes, I must do this though. This is so unusual but this is for our special date. Hihi.’ Heartcille giggled. She then smiled at the mirror and thought about Dimitri. “Oh, I must send him a text message that I am done for today!” She said to herself and giggled again. She grabbed her phone from her sling bag and sent him a text message.
She went out of the department store, Dimitri was there, waiting for her. It was winter in Tokyo, Japan. The weather was chilly and it barely snowed there. “Darling!” Heart screamed for his name to call him. Dimitri turned around and waved his hand while looking at her. ‘My girlfriend is really beautiful.’ Dimitri thought.
Heart ran happily towards him and then hugged him. They hugged each other and then after the hug, they held each other’s hands.
Their first stop was at the Shibuya Sky, an observatory building. Heart was very excited to celebrate their first anniversary that was why they went to Shibuya, Tokyo together. At the escalator going up, they were there looking outside as the glass was transparent. The view was really magnificent as the city lights were really beautiful to look at from their view. “Wow! This is so amazing, Dimitri!” Heart reacted as she was so amazed at what she was seeing. Dimitri was just smiling at her.
“Beautiful, right?” Dimitri asked Heart while grinning at her. Heart looked at her boyfriend and then blushed. “Hey, why are you looking at me?” She asked while slowly looking away. “Because you are beautiful, my girlfriend.” Dimitri said sincerely. Heart bit her lip because of being so shy. ‘I know I am not beautiful but for him, I am the most beautiful woman.’ Heart thought.
When they reached the deck, no one was there. Heart ran around and went to the edge. She gasped and screamed that she was so happy. Dimitri slowly approached her and poked her back. Heart then turned around while smiling. “What is it?” She asked. Dimitri then grabbed something from his pocket. It was a box. Heart saw it and she cupped her mouth. ‘Is he going to propose to me?!’ Heart thought and felt excited. But, the moment Dimitri opened the box, it was a necklace with a heart pendant filled with diamonds.
Dimitri then leaned closer to put the necklace around her neck. Heart was stunned and she was not reacting at all. She did not expect something expensive from Dimitri. When Dimitri locked the necklace around her neck, he moved backwards and looked at Heart’s eyes.
“This is a gift, happy anniversary, my darling.” Dimitri said sincerely. Heart’s eyes started to water, her tears rolled down on her cheeks but she was smiling. It was tears of joy. “Thank you, Dimitri. Happy anniversary too, my darling.” She replied with her voice vibrating because she was also sobbing. Dimitri chuckled. “Hey, don’t cry! You are supposed to be happy! Don’t cry, my darling!” Dimitri stopped her from crying by wiping her tears away with his hands. Heart chuckled but eventually laughed. She then looked at his face. “Aish, I am such a cry baby! Hahaha!” She laughed. They both laughed and Dimitri helped her to wipe her tears away.
After that moment, they decided to eat somewhere. They ate American beefsteak in a mall and they enjoyed it so much. They even ate cake together as a celebration. After eating, they left the mall and walked to the Shibuya Crossing area. Both of them were standing in the Shibuya Crossing. There were no people in front of their pedestrian lane. But suddenly, it snowed. “Wow, it finally snowed, Dimitri!” Heart said happily and felt so excited. Because of that, she ran through the pedestrian lane and stood in the middle. She then looked at Dimitri, one meter away from him, waving her hands, smiling at him. “Dimitri, take a photo of me, please?” She screamed and requested for a photo of her since that area is a popular tourist spot and it rarely snows in Tokyo. Dimitri smiled and then took a photo of her using his smartphone. Heart was smiling and both of them were so happy. After taking two photos of her, Heart waved her right hand. “Let’s go now, darling!” She shouted. Dimitri smiled and nodded.
Heart turned around from him and ran towards the opposite side, while Dimitri, he was smiling walking in the pedestrian lane, but..
Heart’s eyes widened and her heart skipped a beat when she heard a car crash behind her and it hit someone. Her body started to tremble and slowly turned around. ‘It can’t be.’ She thought as she was feeling so scared to see if it was her boyfriend. The moment she saw the person who got hit by the car, her knees collapsed and her body dropped to the floor when she saw her boyfriend lying down on the ground with his eyes open, head was bleeding and was holding his phone. That was like a slow motion scene from her point of view.
“No! Dimitri!” Heart screamed in agony, sobbed and ran towards him.
CHAPTER 3: Scarlet HeartNo one’s POV:Heart held Dimitri, closed her own eyes and screamed loudly raising her head up. “Dimitri! No! No!” She was screaming in pain and her body was vibrating with sobs. She then looked at him and held his face. Dimitri’s lips were so pale and his eyes were still opened. “Please wake up, Dimitri!” She was shouting in agony and continued to sob so hard. The ambulances and police arrived. The nurses took Dimitri, while Heart was following them. The nurses were carrying Dimitri through a stretcher and put him on the bed inside the ambulance. Heart followed and was watching them while the nurses were trying to revive him. Luckily, there was a doctor there and Dimitri’s condition became stable but Heart could not stop from worrying.
CHAPTER 4: Cullen Lee Three months ago: Cullen’s POV: Ugh, I am still sleepy! I moaned and then stretched my arms as I slowly got up and sat down on my bed with my eyes closed. I then yawned and leaned backwards on the headboard. “I am still sleepy.” I murmured with my sleepy voice. I slowly opened my eyes and looked at the view in front of me. I looked around by rotating my neck and yes, I am still here in my big room wherein I can do anything I want. I am a professional online gamer. When I stopped looking around my room, I saw my photo next to my bed which was put on my side table. I stopped and stared at it, it was me when I was very young. I smirked while looking at my handsome face. “I have been so handsome since birth.” I mumbled to myself and then chuckled. When I was young my life was so carefree. I did not care about anything, my parents let me do whatever I wanted and it led me to become a professional online gamer. But now that I am 24 years old, my life has changed. My
CHAPTER 5: Stubborn Heir, Cullen LeeCullen’s POV:“Excuse me? Can I ask you a question?” That voice kept on lingering on me. I slowly twisted my neck to face that someone. My eyes were still widening because it was a girl. To be honest, I don’t want to see women because they keep on stalking and chasing me. They just want my money, handsome face and fame.Who is this person? Is she not embarrassed to talk to me?! Why is she so brave to talk to me? I am the almighty Cullen Lee! I am still staring at her with my eyes widened. She then looked away and stopped poking my arm.“U-um, are you Cullen Lee?” She asked me while not looking into my eyes. I am still wearing my hoodie and I turned around from her. I just coughed and decided not to talk or move. I can’t be recognized here. I just want to be alone and be free, but why is there a fangirl or someone here?!I then heard a chuckling voice. “I am so sorry. Maybe you are so shy but I am a fan that is why I can recognize you.” She said. I
CHAPTER 6: Love, But It Comes With A PriceCullen’s POV:This scenario reminded me of something that I don’t want to remember anymore. It was when my dad died in front of me. “Cullen! Cullen!” Charlotte was calling my name non stop but I can’t even move my body. She then grabbed my arms and made me face her. “Cullen! Are you okay? You are so pale!” She was panicking. My eyes widened and my body continued to tremble. I put my head down and did not look at her. “I am sorry, I can’t be with you tonight. I will call you later or tomorrow.” I uttered with my low tone of voice. She slowly removed her hands from my arms and I then walked out of the scene to return to my car. I did a U-Turn and left the area.[End of Cullen’s POV.]Charlotte just followed Cullen with her gaze. ‘He must not be feeling well.’ Charlotte thought. She then grabbed her phone and called the 911 emergency hotline. After a few minutes, The ambulances and police arrived. The police took the one who hit Dimitri. Cullen
CHAPTER 7: The First EncounterNo one’s POV:After the dinner, Cullen decided to bring Charlotte to a luxurious hotel owned by Lee corporation. When they arrived in the room, it was so big and that was Charlotte's first time to enter such a hotel room. She was so stunned, standing near the door step which was automatically locked. Cullen was just standing next to her and staring at her stunned facial reaction. He then smirked at her. “Charlotte..” Cullen mumbled.Charlotte then looked at Cullen and her eyes widened when Cullen kissed her lips roughly while his eyes were closed. Charlotte’s eyes were still open and she could not follow Cullen. She was too stunned to move or respond. Cullen then stopped kissing her and removed his lips as he pulled away a little bit. “Charlotte, this is my first time, how about you?” Cullen asked her. Charlotte just nodded at him while looking into his eyes. Cullen then carried Charlotte bridal style and brought her into the bed, he went on her top and
CHAPTER 8: That Familiar VoiceNo one’s POV:Heart did not notice that Dimitri’s finger moved. Dimitri was still unconscious while Heart was crying. She then stood up and looked at Dimitri’s face. “I miss you so much, Dimitri Kim, please wake up soon.” She said and wiped her tears away. Heart turned around from Dimitri and left.When she returned to her apartment unit, she went straight in her kitchen and opened the fridge. She took out all of the alcoholic beverages and put everything on the table in the living room, facing the television. She sat on the sofa and started drinking all night. She was watching the television as she turned on the television with the remote control next to her.From the television, Lee Department Store appeared. She just sighed while drinking. “So, I am seeing my company right now while I am breaking down huh. I really messed up earlier.” Heart murmured to herself and continued drinking. ‘What if the guy earlier did not arrive? Maybe that did not happen?’
Chapter 9: The Rich And The Poor No one’s POV: The next day, Cullen and Charlotte checked out from the hotel and he sent her home with his sports car. He went straight home after sending her home. When Cullen reached the living room, his mom was there, standing near the stairs. She was staring at him. “Cullen, I scheduled some meetings for you this afternoon. You better attend! Please don’t be a disgrace in our family!” Mrs. Lee scolded Cullen as she was so frustrated about Cullen not being serious in becoming the CEO. Every maid was bowing at Cullen when he arrived but the moment Mrs. Lee shouted, they left the scene to give them privacy. Cullen’s mood shifted into a bad one. “I don’t want to be a fucking CEO of that shitty company! I don’t want anything from Lee’s corporation, all I want is to become happy!” Cullen shouted and then walked away. He passed through his mom by running upstairs and went to his room. Mrs. Lee turned around to follow Cullen by her glares. ‘No, I won’t le
CHAPTER 10: The CEONo one’s POV:Charlotte then smiled and bowed her head. She then looked at Mrs. Lee. “I am Charlotte Takeda, Cullen’s girlfriend. Nice to meet you, Mrs. Lee.” She introduced herself. Mrs. Lee offered her hand. “It is nice to meet you. But, I have a request for you, my future daughter in law.” Mrs. Lee said. They shook hands and then after that their orders came in by the waiter who was putting those on their table.Charlotte nodded twice. “Sure, what is it, madam?” She asked. “I will let you marry my son, but as a future wife, you must convince him to be the CEO of Lee Department Store, if you will not be able to do that, I will not let him marry you, okay?” Mrs. Lee proposed and smiled at her. Charlotte was too stunned to speak. ‘Is this even true? She will let me marry her son!? But I understand that I must have those skills to handle Cullen.’ Charlotte thought and realized. She then looked at Mrs. Lee. “I will do that, Madam Lee. Thank you so much. This is my dr