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Chapter 2 - chapter 2

Morning, 5 AM

The shrill alarm shattered the silence, yanking Stella from sleep. Her heart pounded as she leapt out of bed and hurried to the bathroom to freshen up. By 6 AM, still rattled from the previous night's strange encounter, she tiptoed downstairs and knocked on a room's door.

A woman in her mid-40s flung it open, her glare venomous. "You miserable girl!" she hissed. "I told you yesterday my daughter and I don't need food today. Why are you wrecking my sleep?" She marched to the kitchen and locked the door with a sharp snap.

Stella darted forward, seizing her arm. "Auntie, cut the drama. I've got college, and I'm short on time. I have to whip something up, please don't waste my morning." Her tone was edged with a warning, her patience fraying.

The woman wrenched her arm free, fled to her room, and slammed the door, the lock clicking loudly.

Stella stormed after her, hammering on the door. "Auntie, open this damn door! I don't even have water!" Her voice broke, tears pooling in her red, stinging eyes. Her chest heaved with rage and despair. Swallowing hard, she fought back the tears and trudged back to her room, each step heavy with resignation.

πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯

Morning, 8:30 AM

The scene shifts to Aidan's home, a stunning mansion with an interlocked courtyard lined with lush evergreen trees. Inside, the grand hall shimmers under two warm chandeliers, radiating opulence.

Christopher Raff and his 18-year-old daughter, Linta, sprawl on a plush sofa, chuckling and trading playful jabs like best friends. Jane Raff, around 45, saunters in with a mischievous smirk. "Oh, look at this father-daughter bonding session. When's the next showdown?"

Linta scoffs. "Showdown? Nice try, Mom. I'm done here!" She fakes a dramatic huff, shoots her father a mock glare, and flounces upstairs.

Christopher and Jane laugh, shaking their heads at her theatrics.

This is Aidan's family:

Father - Christopher Raff

Mother - Jane Raff

Younger sister - Linta Raff = heroine with equal importance as of stella

πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯

Stella readied herself for college, her stomach growling. She gulped the last drops of water from a bottle she'd saved from the night before, her eyes still swollen from tears. Standing before her mirror, she whispered, "No crying. Mom said my starry eyes should never lose their shine." She splashed cold water on her face, forced a smile, and nodded. "Better."

Then she froze, noticing a red mark on her cheek. "What the hell?" she muttered, brushing it lightly.

Flashback: The stranger's slap from last night, his cold wordsβ€”"Go ahead and die if you want"β€”rang in her ears. She shook her head, laughing shakily. "Just a dream, Stella." Her mind lingered on his piercing blue eyes, a faint smile tugging at her lips as she recalled his striking features.

But unease crept in. "Hold on… what if Auntie crept in and hit me while I was out? She's spiteful enough." Her jaw tightened, and she stormed out, heading to college, her thoughts a tangle of fury and doubt.

πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯

Tonight Enterprises, 9 AM

A sleek, four-story corporate tower rises sharply against the morning sky, its modern architecture gleaming. A charismatic young man strides in, sunglasses perched on his nose, light brown hair swaying in the breeze. His commanding presence draws every eye. Beside him walks a stunning woman in a chic, bold outfit, exuding confidence.

Employees murmur "Good morning" as the pair heads to the CEO's cabin. Once they're gone, the staff clusters, whispering. "Is Sir tying the knot with her, or is it just a fling?" Gossip hums through the air.

Inside the cabin, Valor settles into a leather chair and pulls the woman onto his lap. "Still sulking, madam?" he teases, his tone playful.

She stays silent, arms folded.

"Alright, fine. Tomorrow, I'll meet your dad. Happy now?"

Liza's eyes widen. "Valor, are you serious?"

"I'm a man of my word, Liza. And my word is you." His gaze softens, brimming with warmth. She flings her arms around him, grinning. "A hug's not enough," he murmurs with a sly smirk. She catches his hint, leans in, and they share a deep, passionate kiss.

Valor Ritch = hero with equal importance as Aidan

Liza = Valor's girlfriend

πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯

To be continued...

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