JASMINE WHITMORE
Jasmine Whitmore, 25 years old, is the only child of the once-prestigious Whitmore family.
The family's downfall began with her father whose reckless indulgence in gambling, alcohol, and women dragged them into bankruptcy.
After he died in a car accident while driving under the influence, Jasmine was left alone with her mother.
From that day on, she buried herself in her studies, determined to build a different life.
She never had much of a childhood, no carefree days, no laughter, no games in the yard like other children.
Quiet and distant by nature, Jasmine kept her circle small. Her only true friend was Rhea, her confidant since childhood.
They grew up together, from elementary school through college.... and after graduation, they built something of their own.
Their company, J&R Prestige Planners, specialized in event planning and had gradually earned a respectable name in the industry.
Jasmine had grown up watching her mother love a man who never deserved her, a man who brought chaos into their home and left her to pick up the pieces.
Her mother's blind devotion turned her into a shadow of herself. No matter how much he drank, gambled, or cheated, she stayed.
She stayed because she loved him.
And that was when Jasmine learned the most painful truth of all... Love could be the most destructive illusion.
She swore long ago that she would never be like her mother. If love meant losing herself, she would never let it consume her.
Even though Jasmine didn't believe in love, she was already engaged to Mark Harrison, heir to the Harrison family, a long-established name in real estate.
The engagement had been arranged between the two families since childhood.
It was made official after her graduation, though the marriage was postponed until Jasmine's company gained solid footing.
She wanted to be independent, to stand on her own two feet, not to live under anyone's shadow.
Jasmine had always been a workaholic, driven, relentless, and unwilling to slow down. But after years of nonstop effort, her mother and Rhea decided she needed a break.
They convinced her against her will to take a one-month vacation at the luxurious Paradise Island Resort.
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KAZAF KAHLO
Kazaf Kahlo, 27 years old, is the second child in a family of three.
The Kahlo family once known as The Kings of Mining had dominated the industry for decades until tragedy struck.
A mining explosion claimed the lives of dozens of workers, including Kazaf's father and his 19-year-old brother.
Kazaf was only ten at the time, and his little sister, Rue, was five.
The disaster tore the family apart. Kazaf's mother blamed Grandfather Kahlo for the tragedy, believing his negligence caused the deaths.
Unable to bear living under the same roof, she left with her two children, vowing never to return.
The heartbreak took a toll on her health, and she developed a serious heart condition that required lifelong medication.
To provide for her children, she worked tirelessly, often pushing herself beyond her limits.
Seeing her struggle, young Kazaf wanted to quit school and start working to help, but his mother refused.
"If you really want to help us," "then study hard. Make something of yourself."
He took those words to heart.
Years later, Kazaf became the head of the small family, taking care of his mother and his younger sister Rue, who is now in college.
He currently works at a marketing agency called AdMuse. It isn't his dream job, but it's stable enough to support his family and keep their lives comfortable.
His dedication and creativity eventually earned him the title of Employee of the Year, along with several prizes, one of which was a one-month vacation to the luxury Paradise Island Resort.
But for all his charm, intelligence, and loyalty to his family, Kazaf has one undeniable flaw—
He's a playboy.