CHAPTER THREE
THE BEGINNING OF US
Lyla's POV
After dinner, I slipped away to my room, making sure to lock the door behind me. The last thing I wanted was Myra barging in unannounced. Tonight, I needed time to myself, to think, and most importantly—to reach out to Jeremy.
I picked up my phone and scrolled straight to WhatsApp. My heart beat a little faster as I searched for his contact. When I finally found the number, I typed a short greeting, holding my breath as I hit send. To my relief, he replied quickly, polite and easygoing. The conversation flowed, and for a while, I allowed myself to believe that this was the beginning of something.
Encouraged, I snapped a quick picture of myself and sent it, waiting eagerly for his response. But his reply cut through my excitement like a blade. He wrote that he had never seen me before, that he had no idea who I was.
Confused, I asked him to send me a picture in return. The moment his snap appeared on my screen, my stomach dropped. He wasn't the Jeremy I had met yesterday. This was a complete stranger.
He explained that it must have been a mistake, a wrong number, but since we were already talking, we agreed to keep in touch. Still, my heart wasn't satisfied. This wasn't the man I wanted. My Jeremy—the real Jeremy—was the one I had laid eyes on at the beach.
That was when it dawned on me. The card I had stolen from Myra's bag—the one I thought belonged to Jeremy—must have been someone else's. If only I hadn't been so reckless, throwing it away before double-checking the name.
But why would he give her someone else's card in the first place? Was it an accident? Or was he playing games? For a moment, I thought of confessing everything to Myra, but reality struck me immediately. If I told her, she would ask how I even saw the card in the first place, where it was now, and why I had decided to message the number behind her back.
I couldn't expose myself. She didn't need to know that I had secretly gone into her bag and taken it because I liked him. Now my little act of curiosity had backfired, leaving me stuck with a stranger instead of the man I wanted.
So I buried the truth deep inside me. Only I knew what I had done, and only I carried the disappointment of it all.
Jeremy's POV
Back in my office, I couldn't concentrate. I kept glancing at my phone, unlocking it over and over, hoping to see a message from her—Myra. But there was nothing. No call, no text, no sign that she had even thought about me since the day we met.
Why hadn't she reached out? Was she too busy? Did she misplace my card? Or worse, was she simply uninterested? The thought stung more than I wanted to admit. I regretted not asking for her number directly. I had been too shy, too cautious, thinking my card would be enough. Now here I was, waiting like a fool.
Bruno, my assistant and one of the few people I trusted, walked in just then. "Good day, boss," he greeted, eyeing me carefully. "Why the gloomy face? You look like a man searching for something he's lost."
I sighed, leaning back in my chair. "I met two ladies at the beach on Friday. One of them… she caught my attention more than anyone has in years. I gave her my complimentary card, hoping she would call. But since then, nothing. No call, no message. And the worst part is, I think I'm already falling for her."
Bruno raised his brows in disbelief. "You? Falling for a woman? That's something I haven't seen in ages. But if it's real, maybe it's worth it. So tell me, did you get her social media or her address at least?"
I shook my head helplessly. "No. We chatted briefly, but I didn't ask for anything else. I thought giving her my card would be enough."
Bruno let out a short laugh. "Then your only chance is luck. If fate wants it, you'll meet her again. If not…" He let the rest of the sentence trail off.
His words felt like a door slamming shut, but I forced myself to nod. "Forget it then. Let's talk business. How's the company doing? Are the workers performing well?"
He reported everything was on track and handed me a contract from King the Land. I signed it absentmindedly, my thoughts still lingering on Myra. By the time I finished, my body was heavy with exhaustion. "Bruno, I'm heading home. My neck feels stiff—I need rest."
"You really should, boss. You've been pushing yourself too hard," he said with concern.
I left the office, rode the elevator down, and got into my car. Halfway home, my stomach growled loudly. I hadn't eaten since breakfast. With no cook waiting at home, I decided to stop by a small eatery for takeout.
I picked up my food and was about to leave when I bumped into someone at the exit. She stumbled, nearly falling, and my heart jumped. "Are you alright, ma'am? I'm so sorry! Did I hurt you?" I kept asking, panic rising in my chest.
She straightened, brushed herself off, and looked up. The moment our eyes met, my heart stopped.
"Myra!" I blurted, relief and joy flooding my voice.
She blinked in surprise. "Jeremy, right?"
"Yes! I've been waiting for your call, but it never came," I admitted, my voice betraying my desperation.
She bit her lip, guilt shadowing her features. "I'm so sorry. I actually lost the card before I even got home that day."
Understanding dawned, and I felt my smile return. "That explains everything. Here, let's do this properly. Give me your number."
She took my phone, typed in her digits, and within seconds, her phone rang. "There. Now no more missing cards," she said with a playful smile.
"You just made my day," I told her honestly. "But forgive me—I need to head home now. I've been starving all day."
"It's fine," she said warmly. "It's good seeing you again."
She left in a taxi, and I returned to my car, my heart lighter than it had been in days. Seeing her again, her modest beauty untouched by makeup, had melted something deep inside me. I couldn't stop smiling the entire drive home.
---
Myra's POV
In the taxi, I leaned back, still replaying Jeremy's face in my mind. He was so effortlessly charming, his words laced with sincerity that felt almost angelic.
"You must be thinking of someone special," the driver teased, catching my expression in the mirror.
I blushed. "Maybe," I murmured, unable to hide my smile.
It had been so long since a man stirred something inside me. Jeremy was different—his aura was unlike anyone else's.
"Ma'am, we're here," the driver said at last. I quickly paid him and stepped out.
Inside, I found Lyla curled up on the couch watching TV. "Sissy, guess who I met today?" I announced.
"You know I'm terrible at guessing. An old friend?" she asked.
"Better. Jeremy! We exchanged numbers today."
Her eyes lit up. "That's wonderful! So when's the date?"
I laughed. "Come on, Lyla. We just exchanged numbers today. Isn't it too soon to talk about a date?"
She pouted dramatically. "Fine, but at least keep me updated."
I teased her back, and soon we were laughing together. But inside, my heart was racing.
Later, after a bath and change of clothes, I was about to lie down when my phone rang. Jeremy.
His voice warmed me instantly. We exchanged greetings, and soon he had me laughing so hard my cheeks hurt. His charm was undeniable, and for the first time in years, I felt truly seen.
Then his tone shifted, more serious. "Myra, can I ask you for a favor? I know it might seem sudden, but my heart won't let me hold it in."
I swallowed nervously. "What is it?"
"I'd love to take you on a date."
My heart skipped. "A… date?"
"Yes. Anywhere you want. Just say yes."
I hesitated, then smiled softly. "Alright. Saturday evening. You won't be working then."
The relief in his voice was palpable. "Perfect. We'll talk before then."
When the call ended, I lay back, goosebumps spreading across my skin. I didn't know why he made me feel this way, but the truth was undeniable: Jeremy was already finding a place in my heart.
---
Saturday came faster than I expected. I woke early, nerves buzzing beneath my skin. After a shower and skincare routine, I tried to rest, but my eyes kept darting to the clock. Time moved painfully slow, every minute dragging.
Finally, at 3:06 p.m., my alarm went off. Excitement surged through me. I dressed carefully, slipping into the new blue Louis Vuitton gown I had bought just days ago. Modest, simple, yet elegant—it made me feel beautiful. A touch of lip gloss completed the look.
When I stepped out, Lyla gasped. "Sissy, you look stunning. He's going to fall even harder for you."
Her words gave me courage. I booked an Uber and headed to the restaurant.
Jeremy was already waiting. "Good evening, Myra. You're early—it's only 3:54," he teased when I apologized for making him wait. His kindness put me at ease.
We ordered—he chose basmati rice, I chose pasta—and the meal passed in a haze of laughter and soft glances. Everything about him drew me in: his eyes, his scent, his quiet confidence.
Afterward, he insisted on driving me home. On the way, he asked gently, "Myra, why do you always dress so modestly? Even tonight."
I hesitated. "I'm sorry if it bothers you, but this is how I like to dress. It makes me comfortable."
His answer was immediate. "No, don't apologize. I love it. You're beautiful this way. Graceful. Elegant."
His words made me blush. By the time we reached my house, I knew sleep wouldn't come easily. Jeremy's face, his voice, his presence—they occupied my every thought. That night, I realized something profound: my story with Jeremy had truly begun.