bChapter /b23

ALINA’S POV.

“So, you haven’t seen him since then? Talia asked as soon

soon as I was done narrating what had tra

what had transpired between Lucian and me.

I hadn’t seen Lucian bsince /bthe morning I woke up to an empty bed. I was told he left for a business trip that morning, and it’s been:

bweek/b.

“Yeah, and I’m upset.” I frowned, my annoyance evident.

“Uhm, whyb?/b”!--

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“What do you mean why?” I red bat /bher. “He left without telling me. I had to find out from Maya, and he didn’t even have the decency to text me what?!” I snapped when she kept looking at me, amused.

“Oh, nothing.” She chuckled. “I just can’t believe that you would ever be clingy toward Lucian in this lifetime. It’s strange to watch, because only a few weeks ago you hated his guts. bNow /byou’re acting like he’s the air you breathe.”

“Just focus bon /bbyour /bwork.” I rolled my eyes.

Talia and I bhad /bbeen working onunching my new fashion line. We’d been working remotely because I decided to stay home, to show Lucian I wasn’t secretly meeting up with Adrian, nor did I have anything up my sleeves.

We were only just seeing each other today since thest time.

She had already created a website for me, and my online presence was starting to stir quite a buzz in the fashion world

ALINOVA was the name I chose for my line, a sleek blend of “Afina” and “nova Nova meant new star, perfect for a rising icon.

At first, I worried that using the first three letters of my name would give me away, but then I remembered how dumb Seraphina could be. She would never guess it

Besides, it immersed the brand in my personal identity.

Nova was a Latin word meaning new, or ba /bstar that suddenly bbes /bthousands of times brighter. It symbolized rebirth, reinvention, a powerful emergence from the shadows. A woman bing a zing force in the world.

b“/bbAlinova/b‘ represented everything 1 bnow /bstood for: a new beginning.. and the rise of a star.

Today, we were supposed to check out some office spaces. We were currently sitting at a coffee shop, waiting for my assistant Mia to confirm the appointment.

bMia /bwas going to be the spokesperson of Alinova until I decided to reveal myself to the world.

She had been a servant at the ckwood mansion, in fact she served me the night of my rebirth, and because of her calm aura, I’d asked Talia to run a bbackground /bcheck on her. She had a degree in Fashion Marketing and Communication, band /bher record was pristine.

I was surprised someone with such a degree had been working bas /bba /bbmaid/b, but she was beyond happy bwhen /bI offered her the job. And honestly? She’d been doing a fantastic job so far.

Speak of the devil, Mia walked into the coffee bshop/b.

“Finally, Mial bPlease /btell me you were able to secure bthe /bbspace/b. I inquired eagerly.

I was nning ba /bbfashion /bshow to officially introduce ‘Alinova‘ to the world by next month, and I desperately needed ban /boffice space, one that bcould /bbalso /bdouble bas /bba /bshowroom to disy my designs.

My bdesigns /bhad balready /bbeen produced and were set to arrive next week.

bMa’s /bbeyes /bheld ba /bspark of excitement, and bI /bknew I bwas /bgoing to like bwhatever /bshe was about to say.

“Even better, bma’am/b.” She responded. “A new offer came up, and I went to check it out, that’s why I’mte. I bwas /bable to get you a ce at Virn bSquare/b.” She was practically bouncing on her feet.

My mouth dropped. Even Talia stopped her click–cking on theptop and stared at Mia, wise–eyed.

1/43

6:30 AM

“You mean “the Virn Square?” Talia confirmed in shock.

“Yes, Miss Talia.” Mia’s smile was wide with pride.

“How the hell did you secure a space there?” I was beyond shocked, and to be honest, pretty impressed.

ry heart of ris.

Virn Square was a district located at the very!

It bwas /b

he city’s premiermercial and corporate center, where enormous bss/b–and–steel towers loomed over wide, tree–lined streets.

V.S as it is poprly known as is where you would find offices of major techpanies,w firms, investment agencies, and upscale co- working spaces. Below the skyscrapers is where you would find high–end shops, cafés, and private loungesb, /ball within walking bdistance /bfrom each otherb. /b

The ckwood Tower–Lucian’spany–was located there, toob. /b

“You’re not messing with me, right? I’ll cry if this bis /ba prank.” I told bMia/b, my heart pounding

“It’s not a prank, ma’am. I wouldn’t joke about something this important.” She assured me.

A scream of excitement tore from my throat as I jumped to my feet, hugging Mia tightly.

Thankfully, we were seated in a private section, so I wasn’t causing a full–blown scene.

“You are the best.” I said, nting a big kiss on her cheek. “bI /bknew you were a gem when I hired you.”

“Good job, Mia.” Talia praised, still looking stunned. “You should definitely give her a bonus.” She added, turning to me.

“Ohb, /bbI /bbn /bon it” I bgrinned/b. Talia didn’t need to tell me twice

“Oh my God, thank you so much, ma’am!” Mia said, eyes lighting up with gratitude.

“No, thank you.” I smiled warmly. “When can we check the ce out?” My tone bwas /bfilled with anticipation.

“Anytime you want” She pulled ba /bbunch of keys from her purse and handed them to me. “I’ve already contacted some decorators to begin work tomorrow, based on the aesthetic you described”

Lord, this woman bwas /bGod–sent.

“You are the best,” I pointed at her with a bright smile. “You know what? We have to celebrate.”

“Now byou’re /bspeaking mynguage Talia perked up, ever the party animal.

I chuckled.

“bMia/bb, /bbook a private lounge at the club.”

“Yes, ma’am.” She took out her phone and bbegan /bbtyping /bswiftly.

“Can you believe this. Talia?” I blooked /bat my best friend, still dazed. “Please tell me this isn’t a dream”

“I can definitely believe it. And you’re not dreaming, bBarbie /bDoll.” She assured me. “You bare /ba star, band /bI bthink /bit’s time the world saw

that too.

“Pinch me.” I bsaid /bbcasually/b.

She fucking did

“Ouch, Tally byelped/b.

“What? bYou /basked me to pinch you.” She shrugged.

“I didn’t think you’d do it that hard.” I scowled at her, rubbing my arm.

“Done” Mia informed bus/b, breaking our yful banter

“Yasss! Party time! Whoop whoop!” Talia cheered, throwing her hands in the air.

6:30 AM

My phone rang

bThinking /bit was Lucian bfinally /bcalling, 1 hurriedly pulled it from my purse band /banswered without checking the caller ID.

Big mistake.

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