Clara's heart pounded with shock as she exhaled sharply, palming her face as she processed what Hayley had just told her. She knew she had heard that name somewhere before, but she couldn't quite place it in that moment. As Clara's mind swirled with past memories, Hayley continued to apologize, her voice remorseful. "I am so sorry, Clara. I never meant to keep this from you. I just..."Clara cut in, lifting her head to match Hayley's gaze as she finally remembered. She asked calmly, "Leonardo Anderson. Isn't he one of the famous CEOs in that city... Uh, Clasold?"Hayley's face twisted with anguish as she nodded, her voice trembling as she lowered her gaze pathetically. "Yes, he is."Her response wasn't funny, but Clara soon found herself laughing incredulously, although there wasn't any humor in her tone. "You're joking, right? Aren't you, Hayley?"Hayley bit her lip, her eyes already brimming with tears of anguish. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."But Clara's tone remained composed as she
*Five years ago*"He lied to me, Nina. He betrayed me. He betrayed my trust. Why does everyone keep lying to me?" Clara asked tearfully, her eyes stung with painful tears as she looked at Hayley. "I don't understand--" Her voice broke, rendering her speechless as she collapsed on Hayley's shoulder and began sobbing.Hayley felt a pang of sadness as she watched her new best friend cry over a man, just like she had done a year ago when Leonardo had broken her heart."It's okay, Clara. Everything's going to be fine. Please, stop crying," Hayley consoled her gently, rubbing Clara's back soothingly.But Clara resisted, continuing to lament again."Nothing is going to be fine, Nina! I'm broken. Martin broke me. I'm tired of people lying to my face and keeping secrets from me. I'm not a child, they should tell me the truth. I can handle it. He should be able to own up to what he did..." Clara sobbed relentlessly, despite Hayley's numerous attempts to pacify her with words.She continued, her
Clara snapped, her patience wearing thin. "What do you want? Why are you here? To feed me more lies like you've been doing for the past six years? Or are you here to beg for a chance to explain, so you can continue deceiving me for another ten or twenty years, or whenever you feel like it's enough?" "Clara, please..." Hayley tried to speak. But Clara cut in sharply. "Please what, Nina? Oh, that's right, your real name isn't Nina... it's...Hayley. Hayley or whatever the fuck your name is, I want you off my porch. Your presence makes me cringe, and you don't deserve to be here," Clara retorted coldly. Hayley felt a pang of sadness as she stared at Clara, but she quickly shook off her hurtful feelings. Ignoring Clara's harsh words, Hayley extended her hand, offering the package she had bought to her. "Here. I brought you these... Ams Chocolate, your favorite. And..." Clara snapped irritably. "And you think this will pacify me? Change how I feel about you? You're sorely mistaken, ma
"-Your new boss," Adrian announced."What?!" Hayley exclaimed in shock and bewilderment. She stared at Adrian, unable to fathom what he had just said. "What do you mean he is my new boss?"Adrian chuckled softly, a smile playing on his lips as he looked at Hayley. "I know you're surprised, baby... he-"Hayley asked impatiently, cutting him off. "Adrian, please tell me this is a joke. Please." She looked at him, hoping for some reassurance.Adrian paused for a moment, his expression turning neutral before he responded. "I'm sorry to crash your hopes, baby. But no, this is not a joke. He is now a new executive in the company, in charge of the marketing department at MF Arts. I need you to guide him through the company policies before he gets accustomed to them." Adrian instructed with a small smile.Hayley couldn't believe her ears as she stared at Adrian, dumbstruck. She felt her mind spinning with disbelief. What the fuck was wrong with Adrian? She had been doing everything she could
"What is it now?" Adrian asked sharply, slightly annoyed as he answered the call after moving to the next room, a distance from Leonardo and Hayley."Hey, big brother. That is no way to talk to your twin sissy, is it?" Cassidy's playful voice sailed into Adrian's ears through the phone, causing him to sigh wearily. She added genially, "How are you doing?"He replied curtly, "I'm good. Thanks." He paused, waiting for her to get to the point, but she remained quiet. "Can you cut to the chase already? I'm busy," Adrian prompted impatiently.Cassidy hesitated for a minute before speaking in a small voice, "I just called to check on your well-being..." She trailed off."Yeah, right. Adrian knew there was more to it than just a simple check-up. His family members never called him unless it was to discuss important matters. They all knew he was a busy man who didn't have time for chit-chats. Adrian sighed heavily, urging her, "Spit it out now, will you? What do you want?"Cassidy fumbled ov
Hayley's heart skipped a beat as she looked at Leonardo, feeling a mix of confusion and fear. But she quickly hid her emotions behind a hard gaze now fixed on him. She clenched her teeth and gritted in anger, "You wouldn't dare."Leonardo forced a smile before responding confidently, "I could, but I didn't..." His voice softened. "For you, mi reina... I see how he looks at you, and it makes me jealous. But I control myself each time because I don't want you to hate me or feel guilty about my blatant actions. You know what I can do if anyone makes me feel uneasy... I created a fake identity to align with yours, so there would be no suspicion, as you wanted. Why can't you see how I truly feel about you, and that I'm trying to make efforts here? I'm doing everything at your pace. I even took this job here, stooped so low, just so I could be close to you."Hayley snapped, interrupting him. "Well, I never asked you to. I don't want you here, Leonardo.""I wouldn't have come if you hadn't
Revenge. Revenge.These words echoed in Leonardo's mind like a mantra as he recalled the tone in which Hayley had said it to him three days ago, coupled with the cold expression that had been etched on her face that day. Something about her had not only petrified him that day, but it had plagued him up until now as he gazed in a faraway look, his heart still heavy with the weight of her words.Leonardo was settled behind the office desk in his home study at Kleeton City. Though the computer screen that sat in front of him was turned on, Leonardo could barely focus on or concentrate as he couldn't shake off the guilt and disheartened feeling he felt, that had now blurred his vision as he stared at the screen, thinking about Hayley. He couldn't help but replay their last conversation in his head, the one that had been interrupted by Adrian's intrusion, three days ago at the department hall. "... I have no choice, Leonardo. Revenge-" Hayley had said with a hard expression, her eyes pie
As soon as he stepped into the club, his eyes roved the place and the first thing that caught his attention was the solitary blonde sitting by the bar counter, with her back turned against Leonardo. Unaware of his presence. Leonardo had a thing for blondes, but that particular lady was the most enthralling one he had ever seen in his entire life. Her perfect figure was well accentuated by the dress she had on, even though she was seated. Leonardo soon found himself ogling the woman intently, unable to look away and he didn't even hear when Massimo had excused himself. Leonardo already liked the blonde. At that moment he told himself he wanted her and he must have her tonight in his arms, tonight. He concluded as he approached her with confident strides. Unknown to him, the blonde was the woman he was to marry in the next two days. Leonardo took a sit beside her by the counter, intending to flirt with her. But his intentions were halted when he noticed her drunken state and her tear