In the dark sky, the moon cast its gentle glow over the earth, silently bearing witness to the tragedy unfolding below. It was an unforgettable night. People rushed frantically as an ambulance arrived in the neighborhood, its sirens piercing the silence. The vehicle came to a halt, and its doors swung open. The paramedics hurried into the house. A seven-year-old girl stood nearby, her gaze fixed on her slippers, her hands clasped behind her back. Slowly, she lifted her head and stole a glance at her home. This was the moment that changed everything. This night would remain etched into her soul forever.

The police officer tapped his pen against his notebook as he surveyed the neighborhood before turning his attention to the man standing before him. Clearing his throat, he asked, "Sir, could you describe the situation in more detail?"

"At approximately 9:30 p.m., I was about to park my car in the garage when I heard a loud crash from my neighbour's house. At first, I didn't think much of it. But moments later, I heard another noise—a man's scream this time. I parked my car and went over to check on them. The front door was open, and the house was dark. I knocked several times, but no one answered. I turned on my phone's flashlight and went inside. A man was lying on the floor. Rivulets of blood streamed across the floor, and I saw the lady of the house standing there, holding a knife. I panicked, ran outside immediately, and called the police."

"Hmm... I see." The officer jotted down a few notes before looking toward the little girl. "Who is that child?"

"She's their daughter," the man replied, pointing toward the house.

"Was she inside the house when it happened?"

Before the man could answer, his wife stepped forward. "No, Officer. She was with our daughter at that time."

The officer shifted his gaze to the little girl for a brief moment before turning back to the couple. "Is that so?"

"Yes," the man confirmed with a nod.

The police officer held the woman's arm and hauled her out of the house. The woman was covered with blood, her hair tangled. The girl didn't show any emotion when her mother came out of the house.

"How dare he? Ha ha ha..." she grinned. Everyone looked at the woman with mixed expressions. The girl bit her lips, turning into a thin line.

"I feel sorry for the girl," a woman said. "Poor girl." There were many whispers surrounding the girl.

A hand fell on the girl's shoulder. She turned and looked up. The man gave a bogus smile at her. The man was her so-called maternal uncle, her mother's younger brother. She took a step back from him, Memories of countless nightmares flooded her mind. She hugged herself, her small body began to shiver at the sight of her uncle.She slowly stepped backward as her uncle approached, the little girl knew that even if she ran away from him, he would surely capture her. Still, she turned and began to take large steps. Her uncle smirked at her.

~

Present

DAVID POV

I look at my wristwatch as I enter the building. I shift the coffee carrier to my left hand. I take my ID card out of my shirt pocket and I tap it against the scanner. I take my ID back once the green light flashes.

I glance towards the elevator. I go wide-eyed. “Wait!!!!” I shout—the moment when I reach the elevator. The door of the elevator shuts.

“ Shit!shit!” I exclaim. I stamp my foot on the floor in anger. I turn and smile at the people in the lobby. I look at other elevators.

I glance at my wristwatch again. Before I open the emergency door and climb the staircase.

“ Fuck! Why does my office have to be on the 10th floor?” I pant.

I lean on the wall. I open the emergency door and take my steps toward my department. I swipe my card against the attendance scanner. I take a deep breath and open the door.

“ Good morning everyone. I brought some coffee for you guys!” I say.

Some just look at me and some just greet me without looking at me.

I hand out the coffee to my colleagues before taking a seat.

Luke pushes his rolling chair back and looks at me.

“ Good morning, David,” Luke says with a smile.

“ Good morning.” I look at him and his smile. I smile back. Luke rolls his chair back to his desk and returns to work. I remove my bag and place it on the table. I arrange the files and sit in my chair.

“DAVID, IN MY OFFICE.” The manager shouts. I jerk. I look back. No one is to be found. I sigh. I get up from my seat.

“David, you are late again,” the manager taps his pen on the table. “I was only five minutes late,” David replies sheepishly.

“ Late means late.”

“ Your duty will be at the godown.” The manager tosses a file on his desk.

“ Mr.Won, You know I have a presentation today.”

“ That's your problem. Complete your task before you enter the conference hall.”

“ I'm screwed. “ I murmur under my breath. I pick up the file and leave his office. My fingers run through my hair. I look at my wristwatch. I have to complete the entry work within three hours.

I look at my colleagues. I sigh. I head to the godown.

~

"Shit!" I rush to the conference room. I open the door. The meeting had already begun by the time I entered the conference room. Everyone in the conference room turns their head towards the door. A smug smile curled across the manager's lips. The look on the manager's face made me want to torture him.

I immediately bow in front of them. “ Sorry, Mr.Wood. Sorry, Ms.Hanover.”

I tilt my head and look at my front. My teammates looked at me sympathetically.

My mind and eyes immediately shift to the only woman in the hall, Ms. Hanover in the conference room.

My eyes landed on Ms. Hanover.

She was breathtaking.

The kind of woman who could silence an entire room with nothing more than her presence.

My gaze drifted to her lips.

Full.

Soft.

Irresistible.

For one reckless second, I imagined pinning her against the wall and kissing those lips until neither of us could breathe.

My gaze traveled lower, tracing the elegant curve of her neck to the delicate line of her collarbone.

I forced myself to stop.

What the hell was I thinking?

She wasn't just a beautiful woman.

She was the Chairwoman of FLAROSO. She casually chewed a piece of bubble gum.

The Chairwoman’s face turns away from her cell phone’s screen and looks at me.

She fidgets with her cell phone while maintaining eye contact with me.

“ Who the hell is disturbing the meeting?” The Chairwoman asks, her voice slicing the silence with authority.

“ A member of Team B.” The manager stands and replies.

She cracks a small laugh.

“ What a waste of time.” She stands up from her chair. She gazes at me. She leaves the conference room.

The vice president looks at me and asks, "Mr. David, you've arrived at the meeting to present the project much later than expected."

He glares at us before he leaves the room. My teammates tried to comfort me after the manager leaves with a mocking face.

I head out and go to my desk. Luke looks at me. “ Did that manager use your idea to impress that chairwoman?”

“ Don’t remind me. It's frustrating,” I say.

“ Ok.”

I look at the time.

"I didn't have my lunch. I will go out and grab my lunch," Luke nods his head.

I grab my cell phone and head out of the floor. I get off the elevator and pass through the waiting area. I look at the pictures that have been hung on the wall, especially at the article picture about my company's Chairwoman.

Ms. Rebecca, Ms. Rebecca Hanover, the Chairwoman of FLAROSO, was a college dropout. FLAROSO is the beauty company where I work, and it's been two years since I joined. Although she is married, she insists on being addressed as "Ms." in the workplace.

Very well! My name is David Brown, and I am 27 years old. I am the protagonist of my story and my life.

I head to my destination. I enter the restaurant and take my seat in the corner. I look at my cell phone after I give my order.

“ Why were you late?” The woman pouts.

I look away from my cellphone’s screen.

“It's none of your business, Ms. Clara.”

“ It’s my business, Babe.” Clara smiles at me. I sigh. Clara pulls the chair and sits across from me.

Clara, 25 years old, has been working in the design department at FLAROSO for three years. one of the few women who constantly pursues me, probably because of my appearance.

I finish my lunch and leave the area. However, Clara follows closely behind, undeterred by my attempts to ignore her.

"Clara, I understand how you feel." I say.

"Then accept my feelings and be my boyfriend," she responds.

I'm exhausted by this situation. Clara hugs my arm as we walk, and despite my attempts to remove it, she remains stubborn. I try to focus on the path ahead. Suddenly, The chairwoman glanced at us with an icy stare before walking past. I gulp and hold my breath until she exits the building.

After she leaves, I relax. Clara inquires, "What happened, babe?"

"I have work," I reply, quickly freeing myself from her grip. I head to the elevator and reach my floor.