She studied the man as he approached her, his shoes clacking against the polished floor. He stood tall and imposing, with broad shoulders and chiseled features that would've been handsome if it wasn't for the dark glint in his eyes. He had a Breguet Classique wrist watch on him, which spoke of how rich he was. He wasn't a face Adira had seen before. Turning back to the waitress, Adira asked. "Has someone already paid for this?" Her voice echoed with disapproval. "Uh... not yet, ma'am. But he did ask me to reserve it for him." The waitress replied, a little nervous. At this time, the young man was already standing next to Adira. "So, he hasn't paid yet," Adira rose her brows. "That simply means the sandwich is free to be taken. So, I'm here to pay for it." "I'm afraid it doesn't work that way, Miss," the strange man scoffed. "You haven't paid either. "And since I made the reservation before you, I have every reason to believe it's mine." Adira pivots to face him. "To be frank, I dislike people like you who feel they can play smart. Why didn't you just pay if you were interested in it, huh? Why make a damn reservation and just walk away?" Facing him, her eyes got locked with his. His gaze was piercing, and his expression was one of cold indifference. She could feel the weight of his stare as he looked at her, sizing her up like a predator assessing its prey. "Sassy, huh?" He chuckled, a smile forming at the corners of his lips. "I like ladies like you." This gave Adira a kind of impression she didn't like. Swiftly, she broke eye contact. "Um, ma'am, would you perhaps like another sandwich? I could give you a discount." The waitress injected edgily. "I only came here for the pastrami sandwich. If I can't get it, then it's fine," she mumbled and tried leaving, but the strange man pulled her by the wrist. She flinched as she glared at him. What the hell? "Tell me your name, and I might let you have the sandwich," he tsked. Adira looked around and chuckled. "Thank you, but I've lost my appetite," she answered brusquely, wriggled her wrist from his hand, and walked away. ****†****†****† Kalina stood still in front of the window, a glass of wine in her hand. As she took a sip, the dim light shone on her face, revealing a hint of sadness in her eyes. She looked out of the window as if searching for something, lost in her thoughts. The silence in the room was only interrupted by the sound of her occasional sips from the glass. Shortly, the door opened and she knew who it was. Who else could it be?She listened to his steps as he walked up to her, enveloping her in an embrace from behind and pecking her neck. "Hey, babe. How're you doing?" He cooed. Kalina gave no response as she took another sip from her glass. The anger around her was beginning to get obvious. "Guess what?" He went on. "I sold about three footwears today. Isn't that awesome?" Finally, Kalina scoffed and turned to face him. Her eyes were rimmed with red. "You embarrass me, Mikhail," she upbraided. "Hell, how did I even end up with a man like you? You're happy because you sold three pairs of shoes? Really? Footwears?" She scoffed and emptied her glass into her mouth. Mikhail just stood there, bewildered. "Today, I was mocked because of you. My sister rubbed it in my face that I'm engaged to a man who makes cheap footwears. Think about it, Mikhail! I take care of the bills. I run the rent on this apartment, I feed you and clothe you," she said, shaking her head. "You're literally nothing without me. I don't even know how I got to fall for you." "Babe," Mikhail held her hands. "I... I know you've been there for me, but I'm trying my best now, right? I've... I've been settling the bills as well. Last month, I paid the rent, and I also gave you gifts. I took care of the food items last week, and..." "Can you even listen to yourself?" Kalina gave a scornful laugh, freeing her hands from his grasp. "What kind of a man keeps records of the times he's spent on his woman? Mikhail, you may think you're doing your best, but your best is clearly not enough! My friends out there are getting more from their partners. Why do I have to suffer this much?" "Kalina, please," his voice wavered. "I appreciate all you've been doing for me, but I want you to be more patient. My business is gradually growing and..." "You barely earn fifty bucks from that business in a week," she said, rolling her eyes. "Do you realize how shameful it is to tell people my man makes footwear? I honestly think you need to find another line of work. Unfortunately, you're not even qualified to work in my family's company." She huffed and tried walking away, but Mikhail went after her and held her waist. "Sweetheart, don't stay mad at me, please. I'm trying my best to make you proud here. Just tell me what to do to make you happy at the moment. Do you need a massage? Do you need me to make you some noodles? To clean something?" A scowl crept into Kalina's face as she cast a stern glare in his direction. She truly loved Jin, but at that point, his hovering around her seemed to irritate her. "I just want to be alone for now," she brusquely said and walked away. ****†****†****†****† Adira and Nikolai worked for the same company. But Yonder Dynamics was a towering structure with over forty floors and numerous departments. So, Adira was in charge of a different department; hence, she could go for weeks without coming across Nikolai. The company was that big. Adira went to work the following morning, feeling refreshed. She held a brief meeting with her staff before setting out to begin the day's activities. A few hours later, she got a call from her secretary saying that a woman was there to see her. "There's someone requesting to see you, ma'am. Her name is Jardine Belford." The receptionist said over the landline. Adira's eyes widened at the sound of the name. She felt as though a flame had been reignited inside her, a long-held desire that had been simmering just beneath the surface. Jardine was finally there to see her. The very woman who ruined her life and made mockery of her? Oh! how long she's waited. Did she have any idea how she prayed day and night for her arrival? She prayed day and night for Lancelot's recovery so they could return and have a taste of her revenge. And finally, her prayers have been answered. Her heart quickened with anticipation, and a small smile formed on her lips as she savored the thought of finally meeting her."Please, lead her to my office," she responded, dropping the call. She slouched back in her chair and interlocked her fingers. A year and seven months ago, she met Jardine as a nobody. She was ridiculed and insulted, but now, Jardine was coming to her as a client. How impressive. Jardine, on the other hand, waited patiently as the receptionist placed the call. She was robed in a black knee-length dress and had light makeup on her face. She looked richly beautiful and tried as much as she could to conceal the anxiety on her face. As she listened to the way the receptionist addressed Adira with so much respect, she couldn't help but feel more nervous. How did Adira get so lucky? That poor lady who couldn't even stand up for herself when her husband was snatched? Jardine regretted her actions. She didn't regret taking Lancelot from her; hell, she'd snatch him over again because she truly loved him. She was just sorry for treating Adira badly back then. If she could change the hands of time, perhaps she'd have taken Lancelot in a more amicable way. Now, she was seriously hoping Adira would put the past behind them and accept her family's company. "You can go on, ma'am." "Her office's on the twentieth floor," the receptionist reported. "Okay, thank you." Jardine smiled and headed for the elevator.