Prologue: He ruled everything with control until she became the one thing he couldn't handle.
Lara sat in a quiet cafeteria, her eyes fixed on the entrance as she waited. The moment she saw him walk in, her face lit up. She immediately stood up.
"Hi, Brian," she said, and ran towards him and hugged him.
Brian didn't hug her back, but he smiled. They pulled away and sat down, starting to chat casually.
He looked at her and asked, "Why did you ask for me? Did something happen?"
Lara sighed softly. "I don't know… I felt uneasy and depressed. I just felt like talking to you, or at least seeing you for some time."
Brian hesitated and glanced outside. "We should have met tomorrow. It's already dark… how will you travel back home? It's in the hills, right?"
She chuckled lightly. "I live here… for three days already."
He looked surprised. "How?"
She explained everything in small details—about her job, shifting here, renting a house, and starting to live here.
"Which company?" he asked.
"Yaren."
He was shocked. "Really? You work there?"
"Yes… why?"
"That's one of the most successful companies, and they're very restricted when selecting candidates."
She smiled slightly. "They selected me anyway… I think I'm just lucky."
He nodded, still impressed. "I heard his son is the new CEO. It was all over the news."
"Yes," she said. "His name is Zaden."
Brian smirked. "I heard he's very arrogant, impulsive… such a nuisance. Full of himself. Treats everybody like trash."
Lara rolled her eyes immediately. "Exactly! Too much attitude."
Brian laughed. "Woah, woah… just two days and you already know him so well?"
She said casually, "I'm his PA."
Brian was stunned. "What?"
"I know him very well. He is no good."
"Why?" he asked.
"Because of his attitude. And every woman falls for him so easily. I've never seen him before, but I heard rumors that he is very handsome." She scoffed. "Shit… he looks terrible. These are just exaggerations. I think those women are the reason he behaves like a saint… or a beauty king. Too much confidence, uff."
Brian laughed out loud at that.
After a moment, he leaned slightly forward. "So… are you seeing anyone?"
She looked at him. "Don't you know me?"
He chuckled teasingly. "What… you're still not over me?"
She answered without hesitation. "Yes. I can never get over you."
The moment turned awkward. Silence filled the space between them. Her honesty was too direct.
After a few seconds, she asked softly, "What about you?"
He shook his head. "No… I don't really love someone. You know me. I don't think I'll ever fall in love with anyone."
"Hmm… what about simple dating?" she asked.
"No," he said.
"You?"
"No."
They continued chatting about random things, keeping it light after that. Finally, they stood up.
"Goodbye," he said.
"See you later," she replied.
He left, and Lara walked back happily. Brian was her first love. He never loved her, but they had lived together in the past. As she walked, some of their past moments flashed in her mind—only the good ones. She was smiling, almost jumping on the road out of joy, and reached home.
At the same time, Zaden was at home, frustrated. He couldn't eat or sleep, restless without knowing the reason.
The next day, Zaden stood in front of the mirror, adjusting his tie. Simon walked in.
"What happened to you yesterday?" Simon asked.
Zaden replied coldly, "Lara pissed me off."
Simon laughed.
Zaden got irritated. "Something funny?"
Simon shook his head. "No… I just feel like you're losing control and swallowing your pride when it comes to her. I don't know the reason."
He left after saying that.
Those words stayed with Zaden. Losing control… swallowing his pride… because of her.
He started thinking. They argued every time. She snapped back every time. Yet, he never stopped her.
He thought about how he lost control when he got near her. He also remembered how he lied about Jeylin—that he was going to marry her—even though he wasn't, just for his pride.
Lost in thoughts, he left for the company.
As he parked his car and turned around, he saw Lara walking towards the elevator. They both entered together.
"Good morning, sir," she said with a robotic face.
He didn't respond. He just stared at her.
Silence filled the lift.
The door opened. She immediately walked ahead, overtook him, and went straight into her cabin. He watched her, then called the manager on his way.
The manager came. "Sir?"
"Get all the undone work and put it on Lara's table. Make her finish everything today."
The manager was shocked. "All of them, sir?"
"Yes. ALL OF THEM."
The manager informed every department. Soon, Lara's table was filled with unfinished files.
She stared at them, confused and irritated. "What are these?"
"CEO told to give all the files, ma'am."
Frustrated, she went straight to Zaden's cabin.
"Sir, I can't finish this much in one day. Give me some time."
He looked at her calmly. "Why should I?"
"I'm already working on strategic planning. I can take more work, but I can't manage all this today. If you give me some time—"
He cut her off. "Uff… just leave."
She got pissed and turned back. Just then, a guard approached.
"Ma'am, someone named Brian is here to see you."
She paused, then looked at Zaden. "Someone really close to me is here. I have to see him."
Zaden said nothing, but followed her.
They reached the lobby.
Brian handed her purse. "You left this at the cafeteria yesterday."
Her face immediately brightened. "Thank you!"
She smiled widely and pinched his cheeks affectionately with her hands.
Zaden stood there, watching. His expression slowly darkened. Something inside him tightened, but he didn't understand why.
Brian smiled. "Let's meet today again."
Lara's face lit up even more. "Of course!" she said excitedly.
Zaden watched them, his palm slowly curling into a tight fist.