Chapter One; We Meet Again
Aldora Favian let out a long sigh. She had just returned to the country, still struggling with jet lag. Her new colleagues at her new company had gone out today to welcome her, and they'd been out until now.
She glanced down at the refined wristwatch, contrasting with her simple sweater and jeans.
"Darn it!"
Thinking of her lovely pet at home, Aldora quickened her pace, heading towards her apartment building.
Upon entering the building, she didn’t hear the door close behind her.
Something was off. Aldora was about to turn around to look when suddenly, a shadowy figure lunged at her, cornering her against the wall.
"H...hel..."
Before she could fully scream for help, an icy pair of lips sealed her own.
Aldora was terrified, her limbs twitching in a futile struggle. The intruder was strong and tall, dwarfing Aldora who stood at 1.65 meters.
"What's this? A few years without seeing me, and you don't even recognize me? My dear... sister!"
After a while, he let go of Aldora.
The familiar voice felt like a backward rush of blood in Aldora's system, and her limbs started to go numb. Her lips that he had kissed were red and swollen, and she forgot to close her mouth.
Aldora composed herself, recovering from her initial shock and fear, and as a voice sounded, the sensor light in the corridor came on.
Even after six years, the features of the man in front of her were still as handsome as before, making it hard for her to look away. His eyes were like dark crystals, clearly reflecting Aldora's shocked, panicked, and slightly fearful expression.
"Afraid? Aldora, what do you have to fear?"
Before Favian Nigel could continue speaking, Aldora forcefully pushed him away. Due to the previous scare, her chest was heaving intensely.
"We happen to share the same surname, Favian, and I can't identify being your sister! Sorry, I have something going on at home, I'll be leaving first!"
With that, Aldora used her petite figure to dodge him and made a quick exit.
Nigel watched his empty embrace, reached out to smooth his disheveled hair, and sneered, "Aldora, you’re the same as you were! Heartless as always!"
Aldora stopped in her tracks, her back to Nigel. Her mouth moved but in the end, she said nothing.
Six years ago, Nigel was her brother.
Six years later, there was nothing between them.
Nigel huffed coldly, but he was filled with bitterness inside. He had thought that seeking her out of his own accord, though not returning to the past, would be better than her disappearance for six years!
If he had known it to be this way, he shouldn't have come today.
As soon as Aldora returned home, she quickly shut the door and leaned on it. She couldn't hold back the tears anymore and they freely descended.
"Mummy..."
A small hand reached Aldora's thigh. The adorable milky voice melted her heart.
"Mummy, did anyone bully you?"
Aldora hastily wiped her tears away and she lowered her reddened eyes to look at her little darling by her side.
She appeared to be four or five years old, with a fair complexion and eyes as black as grapes. Her hair was somewhat naturally wavy.
Dressed in an Iron Man onesie pajamas, with an iPad in one hand, the pale little feet stood on the floor. The speech was much slower than the average person, and the curling of the tongue was also quite noticeable.
"Nelda, you need to wear your shoes!"
Aldora squatted down, her hands gently pinching the cheeks of Nelda in front of her, her tone became a lot softer.
Aldora lifted Nelda. All her defenses from when she faced Nigel were instantly dropped, and warmth filled her eyes: "Mommy is not being bullied, it's windy outside!"
Being held by Aldora, Nelda rolled his round eyes, and made a childish humming sound: "Mommy's eyes are too fragile!"
Aldora was taken aback. Since Nelda came back home with her, he had started enjoying video games. This phrase most likely came from a game!
After placating Nelda into sleep, Aldora sat barefoot by the side of the bed. The room was dark, and she couldn't help but recall the appearance of Nigel from a short while ago.
Six years had passed. He seemed to have changed, yet a part of him remained the same.
A sleepless night.
Aldora, underlined with huge dark circles, was off to work. No matter what, she had already walked out from the Favian family. The life of hers and Nelda's from now on required her diligent work to maintain!
"Aldora, these are the new design drafts required by the Director. Please deliver them."
Just as she sat down, Lisa, the director's assistant, placed a stack of design drafts in front of Aldora.
Lisa scrutinized Aldora as if trying to discern something from her face.
The door to the director's office was slightly ajar. Just as Aldora reached the door, she heard the faint sound of moaning emanating from within, causing a blush to creep onto her face.
"Director Ashveille... Please...no..."
"Don't want it? Which part don't you want?"
...
...
Aldora stood at the door in extreme embarrassment, that pair of black-rimmed glasses on her bridge had also moved a tiny bit lower...
Listening to the voice, isn't that woman the model who had been recently hired in their office?
Should I....leave first? Aldora thought.
The moment her feet moved, she accidentally brushed against a trash can behind her.
As the trash can fell onto the floor with a loud bang, the entire world seemed to go silent, including the merry noises inside the room.
Aldora's mind was filled with only one thought: "It's over!"
"Come in!"
The office resonated with a wild, playful male voice.
Grinding her teeth, Aldora wished she could disappear from the doorway instantly. But the director had spoken. If she didn't go inside, being fired was a certain outcome!
Sitting behind his office desk, Asheville watched the closing door with amusement. His deep blue suit was iridescent, without a single wrinkle in sight.
"Aren't you leaving?"
His gaze glanced at the woman beside him. The deep blue dress highlighted every curve of her attractive figure—full chest, round buttocks, and slender waist.
Asheville looked at her with disdain. The solemn blue color seemed frivolous on this woman.
The woman, although dissatisfied, dared not say much more.
Asheville might be just the Director of the Design Department, but everyone in the company understood. The good relationship between Asheville and the big boss was evident. If it wasn't for the big boss, someone of Asheville's caliber wouldn't have come to their company to be the Design Department Director.
So, nobody in the entire firm could afford to offend Asheville!
"Are you not coming in?"
Despite his usual free-spirited tone, Asheville somehow managed to send Aldora's heart into a nervous flutter.
As soon as she pushed the door open, she was met with a woman's resentful gaze.
The woman's wide, corner-rolled eyes seemed like they wished to swallow Aldora alive.
"Director, here are the latest design drawings!"
