Chapter 15: "Breaking Down"

Inside Liya’s office, the air was thick with tension. She reached for the small bell on her desk, the sound echoing in the otherwise silent room. Each chime felt like a countdown, amplifying the urgency of her thoughts.

After a few moments, Ashia entered, a look of confusion written across her face.

“Yes, Miss?” Ashia asked, her voice steady despite the uncertainty in her eyes.

“Get a restraining order against Mr. Zack De Rossoé.” Liya’s tone was sharp, cutting through the air like a knife.

“Bbbut why, Miss…?” Ashia faltered, her brows knitting together in concern.

“Just do as I said, Miss Roy. Your job isn’t to question my orders.” The coldness in Liya’s voice left no room for argument. Her heart raced, not from fear, but from a simmering anger that had taken root since her confrontation with Zack.

“Yes, Miss.” Ashia straightened, composed herself, and left the office, though the uncertainty still lingered in the air like a thick fog.

Liya’s POV

She leaned back in her chair, exhaling a shaky breath. I need to get my head straight. Glancing at the clock, she noted it was only 4 PM. It felt too early to be trapped in her office, a cage of memories and unwanted thoughts. Today had been overwhelming; she needed fresh air.

After a moment of deliberation, she called Ashia to inform her she was leaving early. Packing up her work felt almost therapeutic, each item she placed in her bag a step away from the chaos of the day.

Once outside the SL building, she slid into her car and drove off, the city’s noise fading into the background. As she turned on her favorite song, "Breaking Down" by Ailee, the lyrics resonated with her turbulent emotions:

“I'm breaking down, only darkness shines.”

She sang along, pouring her heart into each note, allowing the music to envelop her like a comforting blanket. The repetition of the song was cathartic, a reminder that she could not let Zack come back into her life. I CAN NOT LET HIM COME BACK.

She soon pulled over to the beach, the sound of waves crashing against the shore echoing her internal struggle. With the sun setting, the sky transitioned from a vibrant blue to deep shades of purple and orange. She closed her eyes, letting the music wash over her while taking in the beauty around her.

As she sang, she felt a mixture of empowerment and sorrow. Each lyric resonated with the weight of her experiences, the struggles she had faced, and the barriers she had built to keep her past at bay.

LATER…

The hours slipped by unnoticed, and when she finally opened her eyes, the sky had darkened. It was 9 PM, and the stars twinkled overhead like distant promises. Reluctantly, she climbed back into her car, the drive home feeling heavier now, laden with the remnants of the day.

Once she arrived at her villa, she parked and stepped inside. The familiar surroundings felt both comforting and suffocating. As she walked through the dimly lit space, she noticed something on the table, covered with a cloth.

Curiosity piqued, she uncovered it, and the fragrance that wafted up was undeniably comforting—fried rice. A wave of nostalgia hit her, mingling with warmth as she recognized the dish her cousin often prepared.

Next to the food lay a note:

“You can do it, you’re our SASSY ADULT KID.”

From yours, loving cousin and sexy secretary, MISS ROY as in Ash 😉

A smile tugged at the corners of Liya's mouth, breaking through the cloud of stress. “Idiot,” she murmured, her heart swelling with gratitude for Ashia’s support.

After savoring the meal, she cleaned up and headed to her room. Freshening up, she tried to settle into sleep, but the events of the day replayed in her mind like a relentless loop. She tossed and turned, frustration mounting.

Why can’t I just forget?

Every time she closed her eyes, Zack’s face appeared, their heated argument flooding her thoughts. This is not who I am, she reminded herself. I’m stronger than this.

Liya lay awake, grappling with her emotions, knowing tomorrow would bring more challenges. But for now, she clung to the hope that she could carve out her own path, free from the shadows of her past.

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This is your author, Lavv. After this chapter, a new story will begin. The content leading up to this chapter has been rewritten and properly edited by . A new chapter will be released soon.

...With love,...

...Lavv...

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