ssa'

a ten-billion-dollar deal locked in stability for the next decade," I explained to our latest clien

y wouldn't admit it, this is one thing I'll always be

ith a respectful nod. "Everyone in this field knows

come routine, almost mechanical, from first-time clients. Still, they meant some

a document, and then afterwards

e. One glance at the screen, and my chest tig

e last time I missed his call during a signing, he'd accused me of "flirting with clients." I

er lis

phone to my

"King's Presidential Villa! Get your wor

nces, and I forced a smile that didn't reach my eyes.

e shake. "I'm in the middle of an important sig

ouder, venom seeping through every word. "If you're

dead before I

mind scrambled to make sense of it-why he'd called, what could possibly be so urgent b

wishful thinking. Still, I couldn't risk testing his patience now. The contract of all of these had a clause that has

fear. Just three more days, I reminded myself. Three more d

g me back. One of the clients shifted in

lifting into a tight smile. "Yes, of c

er asked, politely but wit

ng through traffic routes, calculating time. From here to the villa was a

ummed again

nt of me. "Something unexpected came up. We'll need to

d as I gathered my files and phone, whispering a quick "thank you" before hurrying o

ated to myself. Ju

y grip on the steering wheel was tight and my knuckles pale from the pres

econd, I imagined what his face would look like, which

cognized the car immediately and wave

the sound of faint music floated through the hall. I followed the noise quietly, my heels clicking

mother treats her like royalty. But deep down, she knows everything she has is bec

a typical Tony-bragging, drunk on attention and self-

ound. But instead, I

uit, laughing too loud, tossing bundles of money into the air like confet

hy he'd called me here-so I

eep my tone calm. "I'm here," I sa

ht maybe-just maybe-he'd say something civil. Bu

self against the edge of a wall. The crowd went quiet, their laughter

ted. I wasn't even sure if it was from pai

disdain. "Took you long enough. Did y

for a moment, but I forced myself to stand tall. I'd been through wo

, my voice trembling just a li

arkened. "Four m

happened, leaving me standing there with my cheeks burni

warmth of the slap seep into my skin. Inside, my tho

ree more days, and you'll finally