The next morning before Adrian went to his company, he texted Chloe after much deliberation.
When he sent the message, it was already final in his mind.
Adrian: "You're coming as my plus one. Be prepared and be on your best behavior."
He didn't add greetings.
He didn't wait for approval.
He simply expected compliance.
Minutes later, Chloe replied.
Chloe: "Obviously🙄… I'd try not to embarrass his majesty 😏."
She replied almost immediately, as if she was waiting for the message.
She stared at her screen after sending it, lips slightly curved.
Not from only happiness.
Neither excitement.
Ownership.
That was what she felt.
Not about the invitation—
But about finally being chosen by Adrian.
That was one step.
Alen Corporation – Late Morning
The building moved like normal.
But attention always shifts when certain people enter a space.
Chloe.
She didn't knock. Didn't announce herself. Didn't slow down.
She walked into Alen Corporation like she had every right to be there.
People noticed, and heads turned immediately.
Chloe didn't care. She was beautiful and alluring, and she knew it.
She was a brunette with dark brown eyes, and hair so long it stopped at her mid-back. She was tall, with the physique of a model—and she carried herself like one.
Whispers followed her.
"She's back again… it's been a while."
"She acts like she owns the place."
"She's here for Mr. Adrian again… I heard she might be his fiancée."
Chloe heard all of it.
And didn't correct anyone.
Because she liked being talked about.
Even negatively.
Hallway – Executive Floor
Selena stepped out of the elevator holding a file against her chest.
She wasn't distracted, neither was she rushing. She simply moved with purpose, as she always does—with careful precision.
Then she saw Chloe coming from the opposite direction.
Neither slowed.
Neither adjusted—it happened too suddenly.
They collided slightly.
Not accidental enough to excuse.
Selena shifted back half a step.
Chloe didn't move at all.
She looked at Selena first, eyes scanning like she was judging something beneath her level.
Selena met her gaze calmly.
Chloe spoke first.
"You're in the way."
Selena replied immediately.
"You walked into me."
Chloe clicked her tongue softly.
"I don't move for people I don't need to move for. Besides, who the hell are you that I'd move for you?"
Selena remained quiet for a while, but didn't break eye contact.
Then she spoke up.
"Then don't complain when collisions happen."
That made Chloe pause—just briefly.
She was surprised, because no one had spoken to her that way before.
But she didn't let it show. She masked it quickly.
Then she smiled—but it wasn't warm.
It was sharp.
"You're one of the new employees here?"
"Yes."
"That explains the attitude," Chloe said, glancing at her like she was something replaceable.
Selena didn't react.
"I'm not interested in your opinion of me."
Chloe leaned slightly closer.
"You should be," she said. "It might help you avoid mistakes."
Selena's tone stayed even.
"I don't make mistakes based on strangers' moods."
That ended the exchange.
Chloe walked past her without another word and entered Adrian's office.
Selena continued down the hall like nothing happened.
Adrian's Office
Chloe entered without knocking.
Adrian didn't look up immediately.
"You don't wait anymore… the event isn't even today, Chloe," he said flatly.
"I don't need permission to see you," she replied, sitting down like she owned the chair.
Adrian finally glanced at her.
"You're not my assistant."
Chloe smiled slightly.
"No," she said. "I'm better."
That didn't get a reaction from him.
It never did.
She leaned forward slightly.
"So at the event," she said, "I assume I'll be expected to behave like I belong next to you."
"You'll behave appropriately," Adrian corrected.
Chloe laughed under her breath.
"That's not an answer."
"It is."
A pause.
Then she tilted her head.
"Who else did you consider that made you take a while before approving me?"
"No one."
That answer should have satisfied her.
It didn't.
But she didn't push further.
Instead, she leaned back slowly.
"I'll see you on the day of the event."
Adrian returned to his file.
He didn't reply.
Chloe walked out of the office with the same confidence she came in with.
Afternoon – School Pickup
The school gates opened.
Noise. Movement. Small chaos.
Leo ran out first.
"Mommy!"
He almost collided into her before stopping himself.
"I remembered everything I learned today. I even behaved for like… five minutes straight."
"That's impressive," Selena replied.
Lila walked out behind him more slowly.
Calm as always.
"Hi, mommy," she said softly.
Selena took her hand immediately.
"Hi."
Leo kept talking.
"There was this boy who said he could run faster than me, but I told him that's impossible because I already ran faster than him yesterday, even though I didn't actually race him yet."
Selena blinked once.
"So you won imaginary races now."
"Yes," Leo said proudly.
Lila looked at him.
"That's not how winning works."
"It is in my version," Leo replied, sticking out his tongue at her.
Selena exhaled lightly.
"Let's go," she said. "We're stopping at the mall."
Leo immediately lit up.
"Yes!"
Lila didn't react much.
But she didn't object either, even though deep down she was excited.
Shopping Mall – Evening
The mall was busy.
Bright lights. Constant movement. Conversations overlapping everywhere.
Selena walked with the kids between stores.
Leo pointed at everything.
Lila stayed close to Selena's side.
Then,
A voice cut through.
"Well, this is interesting."
Selena turned.
Chloe.
Standing with two friends.
Dressed like she came to be noticed.
And expecting to be and she always ends up being noticed.
Her eyes moved over Selena slowly.
Then the kids.
"You again," Chloe said. "Didn't imagine I'd see you here?"
Selena replied calmly.
"It's a public space."
Chloe smirked.
"I didn't say it wasn't."
Her friend leaned slightly forward.
"These stores are expensive though."
Leo frowned and was about to step forward, but Selena restrained him.
"Don't," she cautioned him.
Chloe looked at Leo.
Then Lila.
Then back at Selena.
"You really brought children here… didn't know you had kids," she said. "Let me guess—single mom?"
Chloe and her friends laughed mockingly.
"None of your damn business," Selena said, her patience thinning. "You can insult me, but don't bring my kids into it."
Chloe laughed softly.
"Interesting."
Selena looked at her and was about to walk away with her kids when one of Chloe's friends stopped her.
"You can't just walk out on me," Chloe said, her smile tightening slightly.
One of her friends whispered something and laughed.
Chloe stepped closer to a display rack, running her fingers over clothing without care.
"You should be careful," she said casually. "Some people like to pretend they can afford things they can't."
Selena didn't look away.
"I only buy what I choose."
Chloe turned slightly.
"And what do you choose exactly?"
"Not your concern."
That answer was simple. Final.
Leo stepped forward slightly.
"I don't like her," he said bluntly.
One of Chloe's friends laughed.
"He talks too much for a kid… not surprised though."
Selena responded immediately, already frustrated.
"He talks when he wants."
Chloe looked at Leo.
Then smiled.
"You'll learn manners later."
Selena's voice dropped slightly.
"He has manners. He just doesn't waste them on disrespectful people."
Silence.
Not loud.
But sharp.
Chloe's expression changed for a second.
Just a flicker.
Then she laughed lightly.
"You're bold for someone in your position."
Selena tilted her head slightly.
"And you're loud for someone who wasn't asked to speak."
That landed.
Chloe's smile faded slightly.
But she recovered quickly.
"Enjoy your shopping," she said, and added, "while it lasts."
Then she turned away with her friends.
But she didn't look as satisfied walking away as she usually did.
Outside the Store,
Leo looked up.
"Mommy, why is she like that?"
Selena adjusted Lila's sleeve.
"Some people think being rude is a personality."
Lila spoke softly.
"She doesn't seem happy."
Selena glanced down at her.
"People like that usually aren't."
Leo crossed his arms.
"I still don't like her."
Selena nodded.
"That's fine."
Lila tightened her grip slightly.
"She will come again."
Selena didn't deny it.
She just said quietly,
"Yes. She will."
And they kept walking to the car where her new driver was waiting.