Rima’s POVEvery word was a self-condemnation, a bitter pill that I forced myself to swallow. A reminder of my gullibility, my foolishness, and the bitter taste of betrayal that still lingered.“You’ve been wronged, Rima, and it’s natural to feel anger, even towards yourself. But remember, you’re not to blame. You’re a victim of their malicious games” Tony continued, his voice firm yet gentle.“You’ve got a big heart, Rima, and it’s one of the things I admire about you. You’re not the fool here, they are. They failed to appreciate the person you are, they misused your trust. That’s on them, not you”“Right now, it’s important to focus on healing, on moving forward. You’re stronger than you think, Rima. You’ve survived this, and you will thrive too. Don’t let them define you. You are so much more than what they made you believe”I let To
Rima’s POVI nodded at Mr. Snow’s words, appreciating the sentiment even though I had no intention of revealing any more of my vulnerability to him “Thank you, Mr. Snow” I said quietly “Shall we continue with the presentation?”Instead of agreeing, he shook his head “Rima, you’re excused for today. We can continue working tomorrow”I stiffened at his words. I didn’t want his pity, nor did I want his judgment of my ability to work based on what he’d witnessed. The idea of being alone with my thoughts was daunting. The work was a distraction, something I needed now more than ever “I’m fine, Mr. Snow” I retorted stubbornly “Let’s finish this”He regarded me silently for a moment, his gaze probing as if searching for something. Whatever he found in my determined expression seemed to convince him that I needed this. With a mild nod, he finally agreed “Al
Jacob’s POVThe day at the office was bustling with activity, a whirlwind of meetings and decision-making. Rima was at the center of it all, managing the chaos with an admirable level of competence. I couldn’t help but notice how bright her eyes were today compared to yesterday. She was alert, more determined, and less tense. The day ended with a sense of accomplishment, and we both knew it was time to shift gears – from the day’s work to the impending presentation.Day one of our practice sessions was in the confines of my personal office, an intimate space that was designed to inspire confidence and comfort. The city lights painted a captivating backdrop, as if the city itself was playing a part in this pivotal moment. The day's work had culminated to this moment - coaching Rima for a critical client presentation that lay two days ahead. And it was not just a part of it, she was to carry the entire presentation on her shoulders.The mom
Rima’s POVAs I sat at my desk, the humdrum tasks that usually consumed my attention seemed to fade into the background, replaced by a vivid and unshakeable replay of last night. It was as if my brain had suddenly been hijacked, stubbornly looping the same scenes like a glitching software refusing to load the next task.The moment Mr. Snow stepped away from his desk and closed the distance between us was etched into my mind with startling clarity. I could still feel the electric charge that crackled in the air, the anticipation that made my heart flutter wildly against my ribs. And his words, oh his words, they echoed in my mind, a silent mantra that transformed my fears into something more tangible, more conquerable.“Your stance,” he had said, his fingers feather-light on my shoulders “It should echo your confidence. Shoulders back, chin up, eyes steady”I remembered how my breath hitched when he traced a path from my shoul
Rima’s POVThe room was silent, save for the sharp echo of Mr. Snow's final threat. Mr. Demir rose from his chair, his smirk still in place.As he collected his things, he paused, a calculating look in his eyes. He turned to Mr. Snow, his smirk still firmly in place.“Jacob,” he drawled, a hint of mockery in his tone “You’ve always been good at playing the respectable businessman. But we both know the truth, don’t we?” His eyes flicked to me, then back to Mr. Snow, the insinuation clear.“Your past… it always has a way of catching up, doesn’t it? It’s a shame your assistant had to find out this way. But we can’t all keep our skeletons as well hidden as we think, can we?”With that, he shrugged, as if the words he’d just dropped were nothing more than casual conversation. He strolled towards the door, but paused at the threshold, throwing a final glance over his sho
Rima’s POVI took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the decision hanging over me like a storm cloud. I knew the risks, I knew the dangers that came with his family name, but I also knew what I had found in this job - a spark of purpose, a sense of belonging, a place where I was growing and evolving.I thought about leaving, starting fresh, finding a new job. But the idea of abandoning all that I had built, all that I had achieved; as little as it might seem given it’s barely been a week, felt like leaving a piece of myself behind. It was more than just a job - it was a part of me now.His world was a place I had promised myself I would avoid at all costs. But leaving now would mean giving into fear, letting it dictate my decisions, my life….all over again.I was stronger than that. I had faced adversity before, had overcome hurdles greater than this. I could handle it. More than that, I wanted to handle it. I wanted to face the chall
Jacob’s POVI considered reaching out to my brother, seeking his advice on how to handle Demir. Perhaps I could simply pass Demir's number onto Alex, allowing him to deal with the situation and rid me of this nuisance. Yet, Demir's veiled threat - the insinuation that he would do something undesirable if I didn't comply - kept me from giving in to that decision right away. His words echoed ominously in my mind, a dark reminder of the potential storm brewing on the horizon.The question weighed heavily on my mind, a pendulum suspended in the eerie silence of indecision. There were multiple paths to consider, each with its own set of consequences.One option was to confront Demir, to tell him to go to hell and refuse making the introduction. But that could potentially escalate the situation, drawing Rima further into the vortex of danger. The thought was unacceptable, an outcome I wouldn't permit under any circumstances.Another possibility was to inv
Rima’s POVBy the time it was our rehearse for presentation in his home office, it was around six in the evening.My mind was still entangled in the web of today's shocking revelations. I was seething, simmering with a fury that threatened to scorch my sanity.He, the man I had begun to trust, had revealed his ties to the very entity I abhorred to my core - the mafia. Perhaps, he was still knee-deep in the underworld for all I knew. His vague responses neither confirmed nor denied the extent of his involvement with his notorious family.A bitter question gnawed at my heart. How had I fallen into this abyss once more? What cosmic jest was this, God? I tasted bitterness, acrid and potent, as if I had bitten into the most bitter fruit imaginable.This bitterness permeated my demeanor, rendering my interactions with him as dry and rigid as autumn leaves. The words between us, once flowing freely, were now as scarce as raindrops in a desert.