---

"Go away and never return!" Lavender’s voice cut through the air, her face twisted in a fury that made Ximena’s stomach churn.

Ximena’s lips parted, but the apology caught in her throat. Her mother’s eyes, cold and unrelenting, pinned her to the spot. She felt the weight of Lavender’s anger like a physical blow. Without another word, Ximena turned on her heel, her footsteps heavy as she made her way out of the house. Her heart pounded as she yanked open the car door and sped down the street, her knuckles white against the steering wheel.

---

Willow’s fingers hovered over her phone, the live feed paused, while her eyes flicked to the glowing alarm clock in the next room. "Seriously?" she muttered, pushing herself off the bed. Her feet slapped against the hardwood floor as she rushed into Rex’s room. The alarm blared on his nightstand, but Rex lay sprawled across the bed, oblivious. With an exasperated sigh, she grabbed the clock and shoved it close to his ear.

He jerked awake, blinking rapidly. “Oh, Willow…”

Willow folded her arms, her foot tapping impatiently. “That’s what you get for ruining my live stream,” she said, her voice dry as she turned and left the room.

Rex rubbed his eyes, the events of the day slowly filtering back into his mind. “Today is—Oh, no!” He shot out of bed, his bare feet sliding across the floor as he dashed into the bathroom. The sound of rushing water was followed by his frantic footsteps as he tore through the closet, throwing on a suit, barely glancing in the mirror. He grabbed his briefcase and keys before bolting out the door.

Stopping by his favorite coffee shop, Rex ordered his usual, but his mind was elsewhere. As he rounded the corner, he barely registered the black Rolls-Royce Phantom before it scraped the side of his car with a screech.

“Hey! Watch it!” Rex shouted, leaning out the window. The driver, a woman with sunglasses and a smirk, rolled down her window, raised her hand, and flipped him off before speeding away.

Rex’s jaw tightened as he stared at the disappearing car, the coffee sloshing over his lap. He cursed under his breath, grabbing a handful of napkins to clean the mess. The sting of the hot liquid against his skin was nothing compared to the heat of his growing frustration.

His phone buzzed on the dashboard.

“Sir, the meeting is in ten minutes,” his assistant reminded him, her voice clipped.

Rex ground his teeth. “I know,” he muttered. With a huff, he restarted the car and sped toward JSK.

---

Ximena’s car slid smoothly into the parking lot of JSK. She stepped out, her eyes lifting to the towering glass building that gleamed in the morning sun. Even after all these years, the sheer size of the place left her feeling small. The faint scent of fresh paint lingered in the air, a sign of the company’s constant growth and changes under her father’s care.

A sharp honk behind her pulled her attention away. She glanced back and rolled her eyes—it was the same Rolls-Royce from earlier. She turned away, swiping her card at the entrance as the gate slid open, and stepped inside without sparing the car another glance.

In the office, her father was hunched over a sea of papers, the lines on his face deeper than she remembered. His tired eyes lifted when she entered, softening slightly at the sight of her.

“Hey, Dad,” she greeted, her voice quiet.

“Ximena,” he said with a weary smile, “I didn’t expect you.”

“I wanted to help with work,” she offered, her gaze shifting to the disorganized mess of files and documents. Without waiting for a reply, she moved toward the desk, rolling up her sleeves. Her father gestured toward the door.

“There’s a meeting now. We’ll talk later.”

---

Rex’s car rolled to a stop at the entrance of JSK, his jaw clenched as the security scanner read his license plate. The barrier lifted, but his mood didn’t. He was still fuming about the Rolls-Royce incident, his suit still damp from the spilled coffee.

His phone buzzed again.

“The meeting is about to begin,” his assistant’s voice cut through the speaker.

“I’m here,” he snapped, stepping out of the car, adjusting his jacket, and heading inside. His footsteps echoed through the marble halls as he approached the meeting room. The CEO was waiting with an outstretched hand, but just as Rex moved to shake it, the CEO’s assistant whispered something in his ear, and the CEO hurried off. Rex’s hand hung in the air for a moment before the manager stepped in, giving him a firm shake and a knowing smile.

“You know, Mr. Williams,” the manager said, clapping him on the shoulder, “there’s a shop nearby that does wonders for coffee stains.” The chuckle that followed set Rex’s teeth on edge, but he forced a smile. He couldn’t afford to lose his cool—not here.

---

Ximena’s fingers flew over her phone screen as she walked down the hallway, barely paying attention to where she was going. She was lost in thought when a figure appeared in front of her, and before she could stop herself, she collided into a hard chest. Her phone slipped from her hand as she stumbled, her fingers instinctively grabbing the man’s arm for balance.

"Whoa," the man muttered, catching her by the shoulders.

Ximena’s breath caught in her throat as she looked up, her eyes locking with the man’s. His dark eyes studied her face for a moment, and for a brief second, neither of them moved.

“Sorry,” Ximena whispered, taking a step back.

Rex blinked, the recognition dawning on his face. His gaze flicked to the Rolls-Royce keys in her hand, and a slow smirk spread across his lips.

"You..." he started, pointing to the keys, "You’re the one with the Phantom?"

Ximena stiffened, her face flushing as she remembered the morning’s incident. “Look, I—”

“Don’t worry,” Rex interrupted, his smirk widening. “Mirrors can’t laugh. Lucky for you.”

Ximena glared at him, her fists clenching at her sides. “You’re lucky they can’t run.”

---

The tension between them was thick as they glared at each other, the silence only broken by the sound of heels clicking against the floor.

“Ximena!” a cheerful voice called from behind.

Ximena turned, her heart lifting at the sight of Valerie, who rushed toward her with open arms. She barely noticed Rex as she hugged her sister tightly, the weight of the day’s frustrations melting away in that one moment.

Rex watched them for a second before turning on his heel and walking in the opposite direction, the smile fading from his face.

---

At the Jones family dinner, the clinking of cutlery against plates filled the air. Ximena sat quietly across from her sister, her appetite long gone. The faint sound of footsteps caught her attention, and she looked up just in time to see her mother entering the room.

Lavender's hair was loose, cascading down her shoulders as she moved with a grace that seemed almost unnatural. Her eyes skimmed over Ximena, her lips curling into a sneer.

"You don’t belong here," Lavender said, her voice cold as ice.

Ximena’s stomach twisted, the words sinking deep. She pushed back her chair, the screech of wood against tile loud in the silent room, and walked out without another word.

---

At the party later that night, the air buzzed with excitement. Laughter and music filled the grand ballroom as the city’s elite mingled under the soft glow of chandeliers. Rex, nursing a drink at the bar, glanced around with mild disinterest. He wasn’t one for these gatherings, but his friend had insisted he attend.

Suddenly, the energy in the room shifted. A hush fell over the crowd as two women entered the room, their presence commanding attention. Rex’s eyes followed them, but it was the brunette that caught his gaze. Her confidence, the way she carried herself—it was impossible not to notice.

As she made her way through the crowd, her heel caught on the edge of the carpet. Her arms flailed for balance, but before she could fall, Rex stepped forward, catching her around the waist.

Their eyes met, and the faintest smile tugged at his lips.

“Well, if it isn’t the rich kid,” he murmured, his grip tightening slightly as he steadied her.

Ximena’s heart skipped a beat as she looked up at him, the recognition hitting her like a wave.

Her cologne filled his nostrils, and he instantly remembered her. THE RICH KID

Ximena's face flushed red, and her breath came out like fire. She pushed him, and though there was a crowd, Mumur was among them. He grabbed her waist firmly, and she fell on him.

His lips came close to her ear. "Push and I will pull, pull and I will push." His words were cold, his aura frozen.

Her gaze fell to his lips, and an unnoticed spark flared within her.

She jerked away from his body. Her face turned tomato-red, and her hair was slightly disheveled. His fingers reached up to smooth it.

Rex smirked, winked at the ladies, and the club continued its pulse. He moved towards another woman and danced with her.

Ximena stormed out of the club, opting to sleep in her car until the night ended.

The clock ticked loudly. Alarms blared as groans escaped lips. Lazy legs remained tangled in sheets. "Dad!... You can't be serious, can you?" Ximena trailed behind her father. Mr. Jones halted and turned.

She bumped into him, but he caught her hands. "Since you were born, I've prepared you for the responsibilities ahead. Just handle this one."

He bent to her level and hugged her. "I'll miss you, Dad," she said softly.

Valerie sat on the couch, munching cheese from her fingers. Several men came in and carried her father's bags outside. "Bye, Dad!" they chorused, waving.

"Come on, Ximie, this is your chance to make Dad proud."

"What do you mean?"

"You studied business, right? You can manage the company’s activities and show Dad that..."

"No, it's too much..."

"Problem? You're the bravest person I know..."

"You know how Mom can be."

"Besides, you’ve got me here!" The sisters turned to see her. "AUNTY MAGGIE!!" They ran into her embrace. Laughter bubbled up, eyes shining with excitement.

"It's all good. I'm here now."

"Who was that girl?" Rex wondered aloud, opening his laptop. "She smelled of such a strong cologne."

He placed the laptop on the desk, standing as he studied the screen. XIMENA JONES (AMETHYST)

"She's a billionaire, an online manager, and a celebrity?"

"Wow, so powerful and commanding."

"And she's beautiful." Rex rolled his eyes at the comments. No matter how impressive she was, she didn’t have to be so arrogant. I'm a CEO too. He fell back onto the white couch, shutting his eyes.

Rex was still in his office when the door slipped open. "Boss!" His assistant, Chloe, burst in. "You’ve been awarded the contract!"

His face lit up. "You mean the contract? Wow, we’ve made it!"

"Yes, and you have a meeting with their CEO, but her daughter is taking over," she exhaled. "The famous Ximena Jones."

His eyes widened, and his jaw dropped. He took a deep breath. "Chloe, why do you think she’s handling the company?"

"To prove herself to her father, I guess."

"She needs me as much as I need her," he thought. "Reply to their email. Postpone the meeting to a later brunch; I won’t be coming."

"Yes, Boss!"

Elegant legs stepped out of the luxury car. She was dressed in a sleek black and beige outfit. Removing her sunglasses, she walked inside.

Strands of her hair framed her ears, the rest tied neatly in a ponytail. Her face was perfectly made up.

She moved in sync with the click of her heels. XIMENA JONES

Ximena entered the CEO's office, her assistant and secretary trailing behind. She touched the desk, inspecting her fingertips. "Get the cleaner."

Her secretary turned to leave, but Ximena looked at her assistant, and the assistant hurried off instead. "Mike, I need the company’s records from the past few months."

"Ma'am, that’s a lot."

"Be quick and efficient," she ordered. He bowed and left.

Mike returned with the records, placing them on the desk. She flipped through them. "Dad signed a new contract?"

"Yes, your father signed that before he..."

"And I’m just finding out about this now?"

"Ma'am, you have a meeting with their CEO," Mike reminded her. Ximena’s face turned red with frustration. "I’m sorry, ma'am. He’s usually punctual."

There was a knock on the door. Her assistant entered. "Ma'am, she’s here."

"She?" Ximena thought. "Let her in anyway."

---

Ximena stole one last glance at the mirror. She was stunning in her dress. With a deep breath, she walked to the car, and the driver sped off into the night.

"Here's the address," She said, handing him the paper.

Fidgeting with her phone felt like torture, but she'd do anything for his approval. When the car came to a stop, she took a moment, letting her heels connect with the earth as if gathering strength.

The coffee shop looked deserted, the lights off, but she pushed the door open anyway. The soft clink of a spoon against a teacup echoed in the darkness.

Suddenly, the lights flickered on. She shielded her eyes, blinking until they adjusted. And there he was—Rex Williams.

He stood there, effortlessly commanding the space. That smirk of his... it made her insides twist. Her eyes widened, betraying her nerves. He moved closer, and she could feel the heat radiating from his body.

Without warning, she dropped her ring. He inched forward until they were a breath apart. She swallowed hard, trying to keep it together.

"Hey, pretty," he whispered, his breath hot against her ear. "Why not pull... I wish to push."

She froze. Words stuck in her throat, her body stiff with tension. His gaze bore into hers, reading every flicker of uncertainty. Then, just as quickly, he turned away and sat down.

She didn’t wait. Her instincts screamed at her to leave. The feeling was foreign—unnerving—but she couldn’t explain it. She had to get out.

Back in the car, a few meters from home, she tried Valerie’s number again, but still no connection. The quiet gnawed at her as she stepped out, approaching the front door.

No one answered the bell. Stepping back, she spotted her mother—Lavender—holding a knife, her expression dark and unreadable.

Ximena’s heart raced. She ran toward her, grabbing the knife by the blade, blood staining her hand, but Lavender wouldn’t let go.

"Stay away from me, princess," Lavender warned, her voice cold.

Ximena’s eyes darted to the ground—scattered clothes, a basket of fruit. A picnic. Her breath caught in her throat as the pain in her palm sharpened.

"Evil princess, leave us alone!" Lavender’s voice rose, sending a chill through Ximena. Her face paled, her legs weak beneath her.

Margaret appeared from inside, holding a bowl of food and drinks, but Ximena turned and ran.

“Ximie…” Margaret’s voice trailed behind her.

Thunder rumbled, followed by the steady patter of rain. Ximena found herself on a bench by the roadside, her thoughts as heavy as the downpour around her.

The night was quiet, save for the rain. A figure approached, though she couldn’t make out the details.

"Beautiful night, isn’t it?" the stranger said, his voice soft but clear. The streetlights cast a warm glow, making the rain seem almost peaceful.

"Yeah, it is," she replied, wiping the rain from her face. Now she could see him. He wore a soldier’s uniform, his eyes kind but tired, with deep wrinkles etched into his skin. He looked like he had seen too much of the world.

"Days are gifts from destiny," he said thoughtfully. "How we live them determines their worth. So, how was your day?"

She let out a bitter laugh. "If being embarrassed and humiliated counts as a cool day, then yeah, it was just peachy." She sighed, her voice dropping. "Sometimes I think I’m cursed, like I can’t do anything right… always messing up."

"I get it," he said, his tone gentle. "But maybe you’d feel better if you knew someone else had it worse."

He paused, then began his story. "There was a man once. He had a beautiful family—a wife and two children. But life turned on him. He lost his job, and money got tight. He started digging into his savings, but it wasn’t enough.

"He loved his wife too much to tell her, so he began gambling, hoping to win it all back. But small, reckless choices have a way of spiraling.

"He lost everything. Gambled away the little they had left. Took loans from other gamblers. Then one day, he slept with one of the women who loaned him money—thinking he could charm his way out of his debt.

"His wife walked in on them. She ran out, into the street, and was hit by a car.

"His life crumbled after that. The gamblers came after him, his children ran away, and in desperation, he joined the military to escape it all."

A car's headlights pierced through the rain, breaking her focus. When she blinked, the old man was gone, disappearing as mysteriously as he had appeared.

The car stopped beside her, the window rolling down. Rex Williams. Again.

"Need a ride?" His voice cut through the rain, and she looked down at her bleeding palm, the pain more real than ever.

She hesitated, but eventually stood and climbed into the car. Her heart skipped when he handed her something—a ring.

"You left this," he said, his eyes glinting. "I’m Rex Williams, CEO of—"

"Ximena Jones," she interrupted, her voice steady this time.

"The foot we started on has been cut off," he said smoothly. "But can we be cool partners to achieve our business goals?"

"Sure," she replied, forcing a smile. "Nice to meet you. But did you, by any chance, see an old man with me earlier?"

He raised an eyebrow, confusion written on his face. "Old man? You were alone."

She shook her head, brushing it off. "Never mind. I was probably imagining things."

"Centuries ago, there was a powerful mystic queen who ruled Amethyst. The reign of evil Luna was dreadful and left a dark mark in history.

A sun child is born with a special ability. Some can talk to the water, command the soil, or even control the wind. These children were gifts of protection against external forces to Amethyst, but they became Luna's renewal sacrifices. Every hundred years, a sun child is born.

Luna killed her cousin, the rightful heir to the throne, while his wife and child labored in the dungeon. Even the boys of royal blood were enslaved.

The heir’s son married a farmer’s daughter, who gave birth to a sun child. As Luna’s renewal sacrifice approached, she summoned her priest.

Luna was bound to kill the child, but its father took it to the future, making it difficult for her to find it. He cursed the child to be free from its past, and that curse can only be broken by true love's kiss.

Luna grew old and ugly. She went down Pulla Mountain, between the cave and the water, where she now dwells, awaiting the curse’s breaking."

The day had dimmed, and the darkness cast strange shadows. The young ones of Amethyst gathered around the old fortune teller.

"The curse is two-sided. Luna can't harm the child, but the royal family can’t reach her either. Ximena is a child of destiny.

To lift the dark powers clouding Amethyst, three sun children have been trained, but Ximena’s powers are unique. She alone can complete the others.

We must be prepared, for when the curse is broken, Luna will return with powers greater than a thousand men."

The old fortune teller stood, leaving the children as she entered her small house. She glanced at her mirror, and the prophecy came again.

"Two feathers of different birds dance to merge. Fate strikes, walls fall. The feathers fade, and the walls stand. The queen of darkness roars like a hungry lion, but she is at the mercy of a feather. Prophecy!"

---

Ximena sat at her desk, staring at her laptop. Frustrated, she groaned and hit her head on the table. Her door creaked open, and Mike entered with a bouquet of white roses, a white note attached.

She blinked and smiled softly. They were beautiful. Taking them from him, she gestured for him to leave.

"Hey! Pretty eyes. Boring day, huh?" She dropped the note on her desk and shut her eyes, pressing the roses gently to her face.

"How about some fun later, charmie?" She smiled and picked up her phone.

"Mike, let's go home at four. It's time for some fun—cancel my other appointments." She stood and grabbed her bag.

---

"I’ll tell you what Dad told me when I was struggling to choose a career," Valerie said, and Ximena nodded. "Once, there was a boy who worked for a penny. He took the penny to his old, sick father and said, 'Look, I made a penny.' The old man nodded, and the boy saved it.

Again, the boy worked for another penny, brought it to his father, and said, 'Look, I made another penny.' The old man nodded, but this time, the boy was sad. He could have played with his friends, but instead, he worked for a penny to impress his father, yet his father didn’t smile.

The old man finally said, 'We may never have enough perspective to see the image in another person’s mind, but we always have the lens to reflect on the image in our own. Don’t work to impress others, or you’ll grow their company, not yours. And when you fail to meet their expectations, you’ll lose sight of who you are.

Grow the company in you, and let this company learn from it.'"

Valerie smiled, then added, "You work too hard. You need to relax and be happy sometimes. Wrinkles are real, love."

"Yeah, you’re right," Ximena replied. "Rex is nice. I feel something weird about him." She lay on the bed as Valerie rested on the couch.

"I think you should tell him," Valerie said. They both turned as the door opened—Aunt Maggie entered.

"Awkward!" Valerie grabbed her bag and left. Margaret sat by Ximena’s side, and Ximena leaned her head on Maggie’s shoulder. Margaret gently stroked her hair.

"Feelings are powerful, Princess Ximena. How we handle them determines their value. They can push and pull—they’re double-edged swords."

"What should I do? I can’t even relax around him."

"Let it out. Don’t waste any moment of your feelings." Margaret stood. "Are you hungry?"

"No... I have a date..." Ximena headed to the bathroom.

Ximena descended the stairs in a black dress, her red shoes and bag complementing her crimson lips. Her hair was styled in a braid.

Rex stood in the living room, exuding a powerful aura. His cologne was refined. He turned and smiled at her beauty. His face warmed, his eyes sparkled, and his cheeks lifted as he walked toward her. Taking her hand, he kissed it and bowed.

"You look stunning."

"Hmm," Aunt Maggie said, holding a pancake. She snapped a photo of them as they left.

Ximena and Rex were outside when Lavender appeared. Lavender furrowed her brows at them until their smiles faded.

Rex turned to Ximena. "Two feathers of different birds dance to merge. Fate strikes, walls fall. The feathers fade, and the walls stand," Lavender said.

Ximena ran her fingers across her forehead, groaning. She wasn’t flushed; instead, her lips pressed together, her nostrils flared. Rex looked at her, their eyes meeting.

"Family, huh?"

"Yeah, she’s my mom," Ximena said. Rex’s eyes widened. "She’s Lavender Jones née Tottenham. She’s the family’s secret from the press. Welcome to the family."

"Her name and face seem familiar."

"She’s the founder and original developer of the most popular magazine, now managed by Valerie Jones. She’s been like this for as long as I’ve known her. It’s sad."

"I’m sorry," Rex said. "Lucas, take us out of here."

A romantic song played in the car, and Ximena shut her eyes. Rex couldn’t take his eyes off her.

"What’s your idea of the perfect date?" Rex asked.

Ximena blinked. "Taking a walk, visiting places, having fun."

The car stopped, and Rex unbuckled his seatbelt. He saw her struggling with hers and reached over, brushing her hand. Their eyes sparkled as the seatbelt clicked open. He chuckled as they stepped out.

The sight in front of them sent chills down Ximena’s spine. It was a dance. She bit her lower lip, while Rex’s dimples deepened.

Children, like prodigies, danced in neat costumes. Their parents cheered, and the evening felt peaceful.

Rex and Ximena sat in the back, wearing face masks. Ximena whispered in his ear, "What family secret will you share in exchange for the first?"

"It’s a beautiful night. My past is filled with bitter memories, so today’s not the day."

"The past isn’t past if it hasn’t passed. How you feel can help you move forward." She placed her fingers on the bench, and Rex rested his hand on hers, gently stroking it. She relaxed.

Time flew as the dance climaxed. They left, walking along the streets, savoring the moment. They visited a coffee shop, then a library, and finally, the farmer’s market.

"Ximena," Rex said, stopping in his tracks. "I want your consent to be in a relationship with me."

Ximena’s mind raced, chills running down her spine.

"Give me three weeks to think about it."

"Three weeks?"

"I could make it a month," she teased. Rex’s jaw dropped. "Expect an answer in three weeks."

They sat on a roadside bench, talking as time slowed. Ximena rubbed her arms. Rex draped his jacket over her, and she smiled.

They walked on until Ximena tripped. Rex quickly caught her, holding her waist. She opened her eyes, seeing only him. Her lips curved as she stood.

"Rex," Ximena whispered. He turned, and she leaned in, pressing her lips to his. Their faces were inches apart.

Rex clenched his jaw, stepping back. Ximena stumbled, falling. Cameras flashed around them, capturing the moment. Rex’s shoulders slumped, and Ximena quietly walked away.