"Miss Smith, you've got to wake up! The board is here," Arisa's voice jolted Bella awake with a firm shake.
Suddenly, reality slammed into her like a tidal wave. Her eyes snapped open, and she sat upright instantly. A sharp, throbbing headache pulsed behind her temples.
I'm not going to drink again, she thought, grimacing as she wiped the drool off the side of her face with the jacket draped on her lap.
A familiar scent hit her—one she once loved but now despised—Josef's cologne. Her stomach twisted.
Was he here last night? she wondered, a shiver running down her spine.
Arisa made a small cough, breaking her train of thought, and Bella turned to look at her.
A look of disgust was plastered across Arisa's face.
"You look terrible, Miss. You better fix yourself—like, now! They're already here," Arisa urged.
Without waiting, Bella bolted to the restroom, panic evident in her hurried steps.
Outside, Arisa was frantically rummaging through her bag.
"Miss, I found your suitcase with your clothes here. And I brought my makeup. You have to at least look—um, presentable. I'm nervous enough as it is," she called through the door.
Bella, still groggy and reluctant, groaned.
"Makeup? I don't do makeup!" she snapped, voice rough from sleep.
Arisa peeked her head inside the restroom, eyes wide with urgency.
"Well, we have one job today, and that's to convince the board we're doing fine. We don't need them dropping by every damn day!"
Another head peeked into her office—a quick glance from the hallway.
"We gotta go now!"
With no real choice, Bella dragged herself into action. She pulled on a clean shirt, slipped into her jeans and sneakers, and hastily tied her hair into a bun.
She splashed cold water on her face, scrubbed her teeth, then slid her eyeglasses up her nose.
Finally, she grabbed her lab coat, wrapping it around herself.
Nothing a white lab coat can hide, she said with a faint smirk, trying to muster confidence.
Arisa, still fussing, leaned in.
"Seriously? You look as pale as a ghost. At least put on some lipstick," she suggested, her eyes worried.
Bella straightened her shoulders and looked at herself in the mirror—disheveled but determined.
The team filed into the conference room, each member dressed impeccably—ironed blouses, crisp linen shirts, tailored slacks.
Bella, by contrast, looked like she'd been through the wringer—a tired, overworked lab assistant trying to keep it together.
But she squared her shoulders and stepped forward, ready to face whatever the board had in store.
---
The members of the board sat poised and polished—suits impeccably tailored, expressions calculating and confident. Bella subtly studied each face, noting the subtle smirks, the slight nods, the poised confidence that radiated authority. Her eyes lingered on Josef for a moment, watching him as he scanned the room, his gaze drifting past her, as if they'd never met before.
His presence seemed to command the entire room, silencing even the most confident executives. It was as if Josef's silent authority held the space in a tight grip, making everyone else subordinate to his unspoken power.
Suddenly, the door swung open with a professional flourish, and in strode Elena Monteverde—elegant, sharp, dressed in a striking red business suit that clung to her like armor. Her entrance instantly shifted the room's energy.
All eyes turned to her, and a strange silence fell, as if a new command had been issued. Josef rose instinctively, stepping aside to escort her to her seat with a respectful nod.
Josef's gaze lingered on Elena with a mixture of admiration and reverence—an almost worshipful look that seemed to momentarily suspend everything else.
The room seemed to hold its breath as Elena took her place beside Josef.
"Good morning, everyone," Elena announced, her voice smooth and confident. "I am here to represent my father, as a member of the board."
Josef stepped back gracefully, signaling her to sit, and a subtle wave of applause—or perhaps a silent acknowledgment—passed through the room.
Bella's eyes flicked to Arisa, who leaned in whispering softly, her voice tinged with awe.
"Isn't she Elena Monteverde? The heiress of Monteverde's Media Corp?"
A pang of jealousy and insecurity clenched Bella's chest. She felt her stomach tighten—could she ever command that same respect?
She remembered how she had sacrificed everything—her dignity, her independence—just to keep herself afloat, to evade a lifetime of debt and imprisonment. She had pretended, manipulated, giving herself to a man who dismissed her the very next day.
When her gaze met Elena's condescending stare, a spark of fierce determination ignited within her. Bella refused to be trampled beneath someone else's heel.
She lifted her chin slightly, holding Elena's gaze with defiance, a silent vow echoing in her mind: No one will ever make me feel small again.
Her jaw tightened, and she responded with unwavering resolve, chin held high, refusing to let anyone see her tremble.
In that moment, Bella knew—she might be underestimated, but she was not defeated. Not yet.
----
"So, this is what we've been working on for the past month," Bella announced, her voice steady and commanding, instantly shedding any remnants of fatigue. She transformed before their eyes—becoming the cold, distant genius that no one dared question. Her eyes gleamed with confidence, a sharp edge of professionalism that cut through the room after her presentation on the large TV screen.
"Finally, we've achieved the results we aimed for," she continued, her tone precise and deliberate.
Arisa chimed in, her voice proud and warm. "Yes, and thanks to Dr. Smith's leadership, years of relentless effort have culminated in what might be the greatest breakthrough in sustainable energy humanity has seen in decades."
A ripple of applause erupted from the other executives, a few nodding in approval, but Elena and Josef remained unmoved.
Elena lifted an eyebrow, her gaze sharp and assessing. She turned slowly to face Bella, a faint, amused smirk curling her lips.
"As expected," Elena drawled, her voice dripping with condescension. "You're the highest-paid employee here, Dr. Smith. We expect nothing less."
Bella's jaw clenched, but her smile remained tight—an icy, calculated smirk that betrayed nothing. Instead, her eyes flashed with suppressed anger and quiet defiance.
The promising salary I've never truly seen, she thought bitterly, her gaze flickering to Josef.
Josef, sensing the tension crackling between them, interrupted smoothly, his voice even and measured.
"Still, congratulations," he said, a faint smile touching his lips. "It's good we've found you, Dr. Smith. Now, I want you to prepare everything for the public unveiling—scheduled for next month."
Bella's mind raced. Next month. The same month as her five-year anniversary with Josef.
The perfect timing for a new beginning, she mused inwardly, a flicker of hope flickering behind her eyes.
Or perhaps, the beginning of something else entirely.
She masked her thoughts behind a composed exterior, nodding quietly.
"Next month," she echoed softly, already planning her next move beneath the surface.
---
"We're going to a club. Want to come, Miss Smith?" Arisa asked casually as they finished packing up the laboratory. Her voice was light, but Bella hesitated, feeling a familiar twinge of reluctance.
She didn't want to feel sick again—she still had no place to go, no sanctuary to call her own. The weight of her loneliness pressed down on her, heavy and unrelenting.
"Oh, come on," Arisa pressed, sensing her hesitation. "Now that the project's finished, we can actually have some fun. Bring Benedict too. Speaking of him—" she paused, grinning mischievously—"he eerily resembles Mr. Harlington. It kind of gives me the creeps. But I was relieved to realize you'd never date the President. I mean—he's from a totally different world, and he's engaged," Arisa added, her tone teasing.
Bella was so lost in her own thoughts that she momentarily forgot she had introduced Josef to her coworkers. She exhaled slowly, a small wave of relief washing over her.
It's impossible to be with him, she told herself. Or so I thought.
Still, a pang of something else—regret, longing—lingered.
"What if—" Arisa chuckled, "—Benedict is Josef's long-lost twin? Does that mean you're secretly dating a billionaire? Can you imagine that?"
Bella's stomach clenched. The truth hovered at the tip of her tongue—I broke up with Benedict.
"I broke up with Benedict," she said sharply, cutting off Arisa's musings.
"Whaaaat??? Omg, but he was such a good guy," Arisa exclaimed, eyes wide with surprise.
"Well, it turns out he's a lying asshole," Bella replied, her voice cool but tinged with pain.
"Really? But he's so handsome…"
"Come on. Would you rather have a good face, or honesty?" Bella shot back softly, a faint smile touching her lips.
Arisa grinned, sensing the shift in mood.
"Honestly, with that kind of hotness? Maybe," Arisa teased, then her tone softened. "Wait—so that's why you had your suitcase with you? Did he kick you out?"
Bella's chest tightened. The words stung more than she expected.
Yeah, she thought bitterly. Instead, Bella replied feigning confidence, "No! I left him! Then, I realized I had nowhere else to go."
Arisa's face brightened with concern and curiosity.
"Well, well," she said gently. "Why didn't you tell me? My aunt owns some apartments downtown—good neighborhood, quiet. Let me call her. Maybe you can move in by tomorrow."
Bella blinked, surprised by the sudden offer. Despite everything—the betrayals, the pain—she felt a flicker of hope.
Somehow, amid all the curses she'd endured, she was still being blessed. Or perhaps, just maybe, she was starting to find a way out.
---
Bella looked at the towering line stretching before the club, the throng of eager, stumbling bodies eager to get inside. Her stomach twisted. The neon lights flickered overhead, casting a shimmering glow over the sea of revelers.
"Isn't this a bit much?" Bella muttered, tugging down her glittery black dress, which clung dangerously close to revealing more than she intended. The fabric was tight, cut just inches above her buttocks, leaving little to the imagination. One wrong move, and she'd be completely exposed.
Arisa rolled her eyes, her own dress practically shouting for attention. "Seriously? Look at the other girls," she said, voice teasing. "You're still covered, Miss Bella. You're barely showing any skin."
Bella sighed, feeling out of place amidst the wild, scantily clad crowd. Her heart pounded—not from excitement, but from the nerves of being so exposed, so vulnerable in this sea of strangers.
Arisa, unfazed, strutted confidently to the bouncer, flashing her work ID. Her smile was bright and fearless.
In an instant, they were inside, swallowed by the pulsating beats of the music. The air was thick with sweat, alcohol, and the scent of perfume and smoke. Bodies moved in chaotic rhythm, bodies pressed against each other in a frenzy of dancing, drinking, and high energy.
"How?!" Bella shouted, her voice barely audible over the pounding EDM, her cheeks flushed with a mix of embarrassment and awe.
Arisa leaned in close, her breath warm. "This club's owned by the company," she shouted, her voice nearly lost in the noise. "All employees get in free every Friday. That's how."
Bella blinked, overwhelmed by the sudden rush of adrenaline and the wild atmosphere. Her eyes darted around, taking in the flashing lights, the neon glow, the sea of people lost in their own worlds.
Arisa, with infectious energy, grabbed Bella's hand and tugged her toward the center of the dance floor. The space was enormous—stretching as wide as half a football field—but it was packed wall to wall with bodies pulsating in unison, lost in the rhythm of the booming bass.
Arisa threw herself into the music, moving with a reckless abandon that made her look fearless. Her arms flailed, hips swayed, and her face lit up with pure joy.
Meanwhile, Bella stood frozen, stiff as a board, her body tense and awkward amidst the chaos. Her eyes darted around, unsure of herself, overwhelmed by the loud music and wild energy.
"Hey, Miss Bella," Arisa called out, her voice almost drowned by the music, but her grin was unmistakable. "Why aren't you dancing?" she asked, leaning in close to be heard. Then, with a teasing smile, she added, "I know what you need… drinks!"
Without waiting for a reply, Arisa grabbed Bella's arm and steered her toward the bar.
Bella's gaze drifted upward, catching a glimpse of the upper deck—less crowded, with tables and chairs, a quieter refuge from the chaos below. She noticed a few people ascending and descending stairs, their silhouettes flickering in the dim light.
Her eyes caught a particular table in the corner: men standing around it, engaged in conversation, their faces partially obscured. Something about that secluded spot intrigued her, a stark contrast to the wild, open chaos she was in.
Arisa returned with two drinks—one in her hand, a shot of vodka, and the other, a virgin mojito for Bella. She handed Bella the non-alcoholic drink, her expression curious.
"Here, your non-alcoholic drink," Arisa said softly. "Hope it tastes good and makes you feel better."
Bella took the glass, feeling the cool glass against her palms, and took a cautious sip, trying to steady her nerves.
Meanwhile, Arisa downed a few shots of vodka, her face flushed with excitement. She turned her head toward the terrace, her eyes flickering with curiosity.
"What's up there?" Bella asked, nodding toward the VIP section on the upper deck.
"That's the VIP area," Arisa replied, her voice slightly muffled by the music. "Never been up there myself. Never had the chance."
She looked back at Bella, her expression playful.
"Our goal tonight is to find men to buy us drinks," Arisa declared, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
Bella shook her head, a small smile curling at her lips despite herself. She took another sip of her virgin mojito.