SIN"With the recent arrest of your father and the apology video, I believe it's fair to say that your company is still facing some backlash and this might affect my business if I choose to work with you," Mr. Saviano says leaning back into his seat. I was surprised when they told me Mr. Saviano had come with his assistant for the briefing. He was known to come only for the actual meeting and most times he didn't even bother coming for any of them."I understand your worries Mr. Saviano but I can reassure you that all issues related to that incident have been resolved," I say. "Right now we should concentrate on building our partnership for the progress of both companies.""I'm not saying I don't believe you, but actions speak louder than words. Your company's reputation has been tarnished and that's a fact," Mr. Saviano says. "I'm not sure if I can afford to risk my company's image by associating with yours.""I assure you that we are taking every step possible to repair our reputat
SIN"I suspect Mia, from the freelance team," Ryder replies immediately. "Mia, Mia who?" Being the CEO doesn't exactly come with the skill of remembering everyone's name, I always commend Ryder for his ability to remember their names and sometimes a bit about their background. "Mia Thompson," Ryder clarifies. "She's been with us for about six months now, mostly handling our social media content and campaigns.I nod, "Handle it, Ryder. I want a report on my desk by tomorrow morning. And make it clear to everyone that this is a lesson."Ryder nods, his expression serious. "Understood, I'll take care of it."I put my hand over my lips thinking about Mae working here, it won't be long before I will have to face more people like Mr. Saviano who won't accept Mae working here. I will have to figure out a way to keep her reputation intact and not associated with Lily. Ryder's phone suddenly rings, he reaches into his pocket and brings it out to check the caller ID. "It's Miss Evelyn Scott,
THIRD PERSON'S POV"Is he dead?" Jason panicked as he stared at Sin's lifeless body in the back of Evelyn's car. When Evelyn called him to meet up at a restaurant, he was not pleased by the idea because he assumed Evelyn was up to no good but this was far worse than he imagined. "Can't you see he is breathing?" Evelyn questioned, she rolled her eyes at Jason's behavior and closed the back door of the car. "What the hell were you thinking?" Jason asked running his finger through his hair. He knew that involving Evelyn was risky but this just proved how risky it was to have gotten her involved. "Could you stop overacting?" "Overacting? Did you just say overreacting? You have a half-dead Sin in the back of your car and I am the one overacting?" Jason yelled. "What if he dies? Do you know what that means for you?" "Us, you mean us because we are in this together," Evelyn reminded him. "My plan wasn't to kill him," Jason countered still in disbelief. "I only drugged him, okay? He is
MAERyder leaves the office for a few minutes and comes back to check on me after Sin leaves. Despite telling him I am alright and just need to finish my notes on the Saviano's project he remains by the door on high alert. Once I am done, he shows me a private elevator only used by Sin and his family to get directly to the parking lot away from prying eyes. "Thank you," I say to Ryder as he helps me open the door to the car once we get to the parking lot."Welcome Ma'am, I hope you took everything but in case you forgot anything I can always come back and get it for you," he replies. "I have everything, thank you," I nod. I made sure to double-check before leaving the office.Ryder closes the door and gets into the driver's seat. As the sleek car pulls away from the skyscraper, I realize that Sin didn't tag along. "And Sin?" I ask, meeting Ryder's gaze in the rearview mirror. "He had some urgent business to attend to but he should be home soon or maybe he already is," Ryder repli
MAE"He is burning up Ryder.""He's running a fever," Ryder replies, his voice laced with concern. "But I'm sure the doctor will be able to help."I nod nervously, my gaze fixed on Sin's unconscious face. He looks so vulnerable lying there, so far from the powerful and commanding man I know."What happened to him?" I ask again, my voice barely above a whisper.Ryder hesitates for a moment, his expression unreadable. "He was drugged," he finally says. "But he's going to be okay.""Drugged?" I repeat, my heart sinking. "Who drugged him?""I don't know, Ma'am," Ryder replies. "He wasn't able to tell me before he passed out."I frown, my mind racing. Who would have done something like this to him? And why?"I'm going to stay here with him," I say, taking Sin's hand in mine. "You should go and check that lip of yours," I add staring at his bleeding lips."I will, Ma'am," Ryder nods and leaves the room, closing the door behind him.I sit down on the edge of the bed and stare at Sin's face.
MAEThe stinging sensation on my cheek jolts me back to reality. I stare at Mrs. Hayes in shock, my hand instinctively flying to my face."How could you do this to him?" she screams, her voice filled with rage. "You've ruined his life! This is all your fault."I open my mouth to defend myself, but no words come out. I'm too stunned to speak. I ruin his life? Me? How? What did Ryder tell her? Or is she just assuming things?"I warned him to stay away from you," she continues, her voice breaking. "But he refuses to listen to me, now see what you have done to him now.""I didn't do anything," I finally managed to say. "This isn't my fault, Ryder found -""Oh shut up," she yells at him cutting me off. "Your parents didn't teach you any manners before they died, right? When I am speaking you keep shut young lady.""I-I am sorry," I find myself apologizing even though I know it's not my fault. "The sooner you leave my son, the better for all of us," she adds before turning away from me, he
MAERyder exits the room quickly, still looking confused. The door clicks shut behind him, leaving just Sin and me in the quiet room.Sin squeezes my hand gently, a small smile playing on his lips despite the obvious fatigue shadowing his features. "I know it's a lot to ask, especially now. But I wouldn't ask if I wasn't sure you could handle it."I sit down on the edge of his bed, feeling the weight of the responsibility he's placed on my shoulders. The project with Mr. Saviano is not just another business deal—it could define the future of Hayes Tech, and now, seemingly, my future with the company. If I ruin this deal, it could affect not only my new job at the company but my relationship with Sin. His parents already despise me, they won't hesitate to have Sin stay away from me completely. I placed my hand on his cheek managing to smile at him, "You should get some rest, the doctor said you will have to stay in the hospital for some days," I informed him. "I will have Ryder talk
MAE6:30 AMThe sharp trill of the alarm slices through my dreams, dragging me back to reality with a jolt. Just as Ryder had said last night to set the alarm, I was too drowsy, I should have told him not to.I hate mornings! I groan stretching my hand blindly at the nightstand, my fingers clumsy and uncoordinated, fumbling to silence the darn alarm. I press the button as hard as I can silencing it as the room falls quiet again, I lie back, hoping to get just a little bit of sleep. Even if it's just for ten minutes, I feel so drained but my desire is cut short when my room door opens."Good morning Ma'am," Victoria greets standing by the door. "Victoria," I groan my voice heavy with sleep, "what time is it?""It's 6:32 AM, Ma'am," she replies. Her voice is gentle, but there's an underlying firmness that suggests it's time for me to get my ass out of the bed. I rub my eyes, trying to get the sleep off my eyes. I know there's no going back to sleep now. I turn on the bed to glance a