Chapter 3 Life’s Twist.

The memory of the previous night came flooding back rapidly in a frenzied rush of recollection beneath dark and murky shadows. Her gaze shifted rather abruptly just beside a man.

Liam lay on his back with one arm draped lazily over his chest, his other arm splayed out beside him sluggishly.

He looked different in the faint morning light, less guarded, almost peaceful somehow. Dark lashes sharply contrasted with sharp cheekbones surrounding a usually unreadable face that relaxed deeply in peaceful sleep.

Darkness gathered in her chest like an ominous foreboding. She doesn't belong in this place now.

She refused to be like the others, the women who lingered, who sought more than what he might be willing to give. This was a mistake. One she needed to leave behind.

She slipped quietly out of bed, gathering her dress, heels and purse in complete darkness. No note exists whatsoever.

Not a hint exists now. She moved silently toward the door, stealing one last fleeting glance at him before stepping softly out into the darkness.

Later that evening, Liam sat in his private lounge with city lights flickering wildly through floor-to-ceiling windows behind him.

The muted hum of jazz played softly in the background, blending quietly with the distant sounds of nightlife outside dark city streets.

A crystal glass of whiskey sat precariously between his fingers under dim lighting, with amber liquid swirling lazily as he tilted it.

Brian Luis leaned way back into the plush leather couch with one arm draped super casually over the backrest, smirking like a man who knew the answer.

"So, another night, another conquest?" Brian drawled, amusement laced in his tone.

Brian drawled with sly amusement, Another night brings another easy conquest. Liam exhaled slowly, bringing the glass close to his lips.

"Something like that."

Brian's smirk suddenly grew wider while he deftly spun the glass stem around his fingers. "Let me guess." He tilted his head, his tone dripping with mock predictability.

"She made you breakfast, begged for round two, then asked when she'd see you again?"

Liam set his glass down with deliberate ease, the soft clink against the marble table the only sound between them.

The whiskey burned smoothly down his throat but did little to ease the restless energy humming deep beneath his skin. "She didn't stay."

Brian's smirk faltered, the confident gleam in his eyes dimming for just a fraction of a second. "Wait."

He straightened slightly, eyebrows lifting. "She just… left? Brian's smirk grew ridiculously wide suddenly as he twirled the stem of his glass with his fingers.

"Exactly." His voice was calm, but there was something underneath it, something unsettled. "No trace.

He tilted his head slightly forward, his tone dripping with fairly obvious mock predictability. "Huh," he mused, tapping his fingers against his knee. "You look… intrigued."

Liam scoffed, a sharp breath of laughter escaping him as he leaned forward, reaching for his drink once more. She made you breakfast, begged for round two and then asked when she'd see you again.

Liam set his glass down slowly, his fingers releasing it above the marble table with a soft clink. "Well, better that way," he said smoothly as if the thought didn't bother him in the slightest. He leaned back, exuding effortless control with fingers steepled in front of him beneath an impassive mask.

"I don't chase," Brian said nothing, simply watching him with that same knowing glint in his eyes and Liam ignored the way it irritated him. He wasn't entirely sure he believed his own words for the first time in a while, now somehow.

Deep within her cramped living space, Chloe sits on a faded sofa surrounded by stacks of overdue notices scattered everywhere, slowly flipping through them.

Darkness descended upon her slowly, like ominous storm clouds gathering. Regret? No. She had no illusions about what last night had been. But that one night hadn't changed anything.

She had spent the past few months drowning in rejection, sending out resumes and sitting through interviews where they smiled politely before telling her she wasn't the right fit. Her savings were running dangerously low, and she refused to ask for help.

She exhaled, gripping her coffee mug. The reality was cruel and she was running out of time. On Thursday morning. Chloe groggily reached for her vibrating phone, blinking at the email notification.

Subject Line: "Interview Invitation for the Position of a Personnel Assistant." Her heart stopped. She didn't even remember applying for this one. Her eyes scanned the details: Company Name: Astor Industries. Interview Date: Friday. Something felt… off. But she didn't care then. It was a job and she needed this. She had no idea of who or what to meet.

Chloe's heart pounded fiercely as she stepped into Astor Industries' sleek glass building on Friday morning for her interview, polished marble floors reflecting nerves rattling deep within her being so fiercely it seemed her entire world spun wildly out of control now.

The receptionist gave her a brief nod and then swiftly directed her toward the HR department downstairs near the elevator.

Fortunately, luck shines brightly on her somehow and she lands the job on sheer merit. She was instructed to resume work on Monday morning. She was so happy about the job offer.

Even till Monday morning, she still couldn't believe she had landed the job on merit. Fierce competition notwithstanding, she landed a job as Astor Industries' newest personal assistant.

She tweaked her silky blouse rapidly and smoothed down her fitted skirt just as elevator doors swung open, revealing modern office space. Ambition and power lingered heavily in the air; she couldn't help but grow accustomed slowly over time.

She walked towards her new workspace, and her mind rapidly replayed a wildly frenzied series of events that brought her suddenly here.

Momentarily, her eyes lifted over the crowded space to meet a man standing awkwardly across the room; her breath hitched sharply. That infuriatingly arrogant man from the night in question still lingers. Liam Astor stands alone quietly.

Chloe's body stiffened completely in that instant. He wore a sharp navy suit, exuding authority and dominance with his piercing blue eyes scanning the office space as he spoke directly with executives.