"There's nothing troublesome about dressing up and feeling good about yourself," Tyler answered, offering Nina a comforting look through the rearview mirror. He could see the hesitation in her eyes and tried to instill confidence in her.
Nina shrugged, her eyes flickering down to her lap. “I just don’t want to deal with people's judgment.”
Kaylin leaned in closer, her voice gentle and kind. “Nina, you’re amazing just the way you are. You don’t have to prove anything to anyone.”
Nina smiled. She didn't respond, but Tyler and Kaylin's words of encouragement put her at ease.
---
The Imperial Club was one of the most sought-after bars in Spring City.
That evening, the students had reserved a private room for their welcome gathering. The space was dimly lit, and vibrant beams of colored light swayed across the walls. The pulsating rhythm filled the air, quickening the heartbeat of everyone present.
In one corner of the room, a bustl
The guards obeyed the instructions given to them. Mark took off his t-shirt and knelt on the sofa, pouncing at her.Suddenly, the entrance to the private room burst open with a bang. Several uniformed bodyguards stormed in at once and took control of the people inside the room.Among them, a man in a grey suit made his way inside from the doorway.The people who had been engrossed in watching the show were taken aback.Infuriated by the repeated interruption, Mark bellowed at the intruders angrily. “Who are you? How dare you barge into the private room?”Jayden’s face was devoid of any warmth. He ignored him and gestured to one of his men. Soon, a guard approached and mercilessly struck Mark’s face, disfiguring it completely.“Ow!”An icy, yet familiar, presence enveloped Nina. With her heart stuck in her throat, she found herself face-to-face with the last person she expected to see. Before she could fully comprehend the situation, Jayden draped his jacket around her and pulled her i
The world slumbered under the embrace of the silent night, its breaths harmonizing with the stillness. Outside, the moon hung brightly as darkness blanketed the landscapes.Jayden sat at the head of the bed; his back propped up against the pillows as he reviewed a document in his hand.The golden frame glasses rested on the bridge of his nose and the sound of flipping the pages could be heard in the serene night. As a workaholic, he couldn't sleep even though it was well past midnight.In his arms, Nina lay peacefully, her chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm. She had been exhausted after their round of passion earlier and hadn’t woken up. As he continued to work, Nina stirred in her sleep but didn’t wake up. Jayden wrapped his arms around her, feeling the softness of her body against his, and pulled her close so that she would stop moving. With his hand caressing her back lazily, he continued reading the document. Another few minutes had passed. Nina curled up even closer t
“You know,” she started, a mischievous smile playing on her lips, “we could make use of this private spot, too.” Jayden’s eyes glinted playfully as he looked forward to it. “Is that so?” he said, his voice low and husky. Nina leaned in and met his lips with eager enthusiasm. Their breaths mingled, creating a symphony of shared desire. Her lips were soft, and he could even taste the dessert she had eaten for breakfast. He took charge and deepened the kiss. Their tongues danced in sync, exploring the depths and every corner of their mouths.Nina slid her hand from his neck, down to his waist, reaching for his zipper, and pulling the latch down. She slowly crouched down and knelt in front of his muscular and long legs. She maintained her calm facade despite her thundering heart.Jayden felt his breath tighten and his throat rolled with intent. He looked at his woman kneeling in front of him and grabbed the crook of her neck. He stuck his tongue out, licking the dry parts on his lips, a
“Sorry, we’re late. Dad, Mom, this is Nina, my wife.” Jayden introduced. William nodded at them. “It’s all right. You’re just in time for the dinner.” On the other hand, Lilian didn't respond and headed straight to the dining hall. The luxurious dining room was adorned with opulence as the Luxton family gathered for dinner. A long table was set for the evening, meticulously arranged, with fine crystal glasses and elaborate floral centerpieces. William sat at the head of the table. On his right were Jayden and his wife, Nina, whereas Lilian sat on his left. As the dishes were served, Lilian cleared her throat. “So, Nina, can you tell us something about yourself? Aside from being Jayden’s partner, do you have any other qualifications? “I’m a student at IDU and currently interning at Elysium Couture,” Nina replied politely. Elysium Couture was one of the leading fashion houses in Country S. They held strict requirements for their employees and for Nina to intern at the company und
The number you have dialed is busy. Please try again later… The cold mechanic voice rang from the other end. “Why can’t I get through this damned man!?” Nina grumbled, running her fingers through her hair. She dialed his number in an attempt to get through one last time. Perhaps the heavens finally heard her plea, and the man answered her call. “Yes?” Jayden’s voice broke through. Nina swallowed, almost forgetting why she had called him. “Umm… are you busy? If not, I’ll call you later.” “It’s fine. What’s up?” “Elysium Couture has organized an event tonight, and it’s really important for me. Can you accompany me there?” “Tonight? I have important work to attend to later. I don’t think I’ll be able to make it,” he responded, his voice lacking any enthusiasm. Nina’s shoulders slumped and her grip on her cell phone subconsciously tightened. Though she had imagined his response, his words still shattered her hopes with disappointment. “Not even for half an hour?” “Nope.” “It’
Nina’s laughter rang through the air, her eyes sparkling with amusement at Victor’s persistent suggestion.Ever since he came across her and her work, he had been nagging her to walk the runway. She appreciated his recognition, but her aspirations lay elsewhere.“Thank you for the compliment,” she replied, her voice filled with genuine warmth. “But I’m more comfortable working behind the scenes. Being the center of attention is not my forte.”Victor’s disappointment was palpable in his expression. He had hoped to showcase her not just as a talented designer but also as an enchanting model, a combination that could elevate her presence in the fashion world.“I understand,” he conceded with a hint of remorse and shrugged. “Everyone has their path, and if yours is to weave magic through your designs, then I respect your choice.”Nina nodded appreciatively, a sense of gratitude filling her heart.“Thank you, Vic,” she said sincerely. “Rest assured, I will continue to pour my heart into my
Stunned by his words, Alyson’s mouth opened wide in shock, as she could not believe her ears.What?How could Nina be one of the chief designers at Elysium?She looked at them in disbelief.Due to Victor’s overpowering aura, she started to panic and murmured apologetically with her head lowered.“Mr. Lavigne, I apologize if I have offended you. It’s just that Nina hasn’t been home for the past year, and there have been rumors circulating about her becoming someone’s kept woman. I thought those rumors were true when I saw her at this event. Considering her circumstances, it seemed impossible for her to be here otherwise.”To salvage the situation, she looked at Mr. Johnson pleadingly.Victor looked at her coldly. “You should be ashamed of yourself for spreading unfounded rumors about someone’s character. Nina’s talent and dedication have earned her a place on this stage. Since you don’t know anything, it’s better to keep your mouth shut.”Mr. Johnson promptly approached Victor and Nina
Nina’s heart skipped a beat as she found herself pulled into a secluded corner. Her breath was caught in her throat when she realized that the person who had caught her off guard was none other than Jayden. Her beautiful amber eyes met his dark orbs, and for a moment, time seemed to stand still. The emotions that had been roiling inside her moments ago surged back with a vengeance. She swallowed the lump in her throat, gathering her thoughts and summoning her composure. As she met his dark and intense gaze, her eyes reflected a blend of emotions—surprise, hurt, and a lingering trace of defiance. She tried to pull her arm out of his grasp, but she was no match for him. “What are you doing here?” The man asked. His voice was low, almost a whisper, tinged with a hint of concern. His grip on her arm was firm but not forceful as if he wanted her attention. Nina took a deep breath, her voice steady despite the tumultuous whirlwind of emotions raging within her. “Why can’t I be here?