/0/94598/coverbig.jpg?v=20251009202954&imageMogr2/format/webp)
At 23, Celine Johnson supports her family after her father vanished fourteen years ago. With her mother fighting ovarian cancer and debts piling up, she manages her job at a convenience store and dreams of working at Herbal Luxe, the city's top hair product company. Celine's life shifts when she has a misunderstanding with a stranger who turns out to be Wilfred, the CEO of Herbal Luxe. Angry, he vows revenge, but fate reunites them when Celine is hired as a janitor at his company. While working there, she discovers that Herbal Luxe's products may be linked to her mother's illness and her father's disappearance. As she pretends to get close to Wilfred for revenge, she realizes he is trapped by the corporation. Now, Celine faces a choice: destroy Wilfred or place her trust in him.
Chapter 1 Costly misunderstanding
"It's natural, it's silk, it's comforting, it's herbal luxe."
The small portable television was playing at the corner where Celine was, and she could clearly see the advertisement for the blue and pink color Herbal LUXE relaxer made for boys and girls.
"Looks like you're getting satisfied with an ordinary hair product advert." Mr Cole, Celine's boss said.
"It's not just ordinary, it's a zeal," Celine said smiling.
Her boss is one of the kindest bosses you'll pray to meet. He's old and treats Celine like his own daughter.
Sometimes he will help Celine with the little he has.
"I used to apply it as a kid. But now I can't even afford their hair shampoo." Celine added.
"Leave the hair product for the business class." Mr Cole muttered.
All her life she's always wanted to be rich. Rich enough to take care of her diagnosed mum and her sister in high school who is constantly being bullied because of her lack of resources.
"Celine, take care of the store." Mr Cole said before leaving the convenience store.
The whole afternoon was boring since Mr Cole left. Celine hasn't had any customers come by. It's as if the government placed a curfew she didn't know about.
Just as she lay her head asleep, someone came by with two men in suits.
"Kidnappers or criminals." She whispered to herself. She immediately felt scared.
One could guess from the way she speaks that she's having an overproduction of adrenaline.
"Where is the bottled water section?" one of the men in the suit asked her.
"Over there." She said, pointing in the direction, still feeling terrified, while her mouth shook like she was feeling cold.
"Hi, this is 911..." Celine had just started a call with the emergency center.
"Are you alright?? One of the men said. He collected the telephone from her and ended the call.
"Yes, I'm just fine," Celine muttered, terrified.
The man who entered with them was sitting down at the visitor's chair near the noodle chef.
Celine was confused at that point, and she now proceeded to call her boss instead.
"Hi, sir, please send help. Help, Help." She whispered, shaking.
The other guy in the suit overheard her.
"I told you to stop making stupid calls, we're not criminals," he said, collecting the telephone.
"How dare you?? The other man in the suit added.
They both dragged Celine to the Man who looked like their boss.
He was looking at a magazine and sat as if he were the owner of the store.
"Let go of me, you criminals," Celine shouted.
She pushed the two men and proceeded to bring arms like a can of soda.
"Celine calm down." Mr Cole entered.
"I'm so sorry Mr Wilfred. I think it's all a misunderstanding." Mr Cole said which left Celine mute.
"Who is she? Is she new here? Mr Wilfred said, looking neither angry nor happy. Just less concerned.
One could see through his eyes already that he's heartless.
"She's my sales attendant, she's not new, but she was part-time, now she's working full-time." Mr Cole replied to the man.
"Sir, please forgive her." Mr Cole said again.
"I won't forgive her. Do you know the gravity of what she did??? I can buy this entire store and feed the needy with it." Mr Wilfred bragged.
"You need to fire her! That's the only way to forgive you both." He said again.
"But... sir you can't fire me. You know this is the only way I survive.... please, sir, please, I'll take full responsibility for my actions, but please don't fire me, please." Celine begged Mr Cole.
"It's either you fire her or you pay me all the money you've ever owed me." Mr Wilfred said and left with his boys.
"Who is he?" Celine asked Mr Cole right after Mr Wilfred left.
"He's a very wealthy man. I don't know what he does for a living but he's a very frequent customer here. I borrowed money from him to pay my bank debts and I have been minusing the money from the things he buys here from time to time." Mr Cole answered.
"I'm so sorry, sir, I didn't know he was wealthy. I was thinking that he's a thief. Please, sir, you have to understand me, please." Celine pleaded but to no avail.
"I'm so sorry Celine. If I keep you he's going to take me to prison because I honestly don't have his money now. Maybe this is your opportunity to start looking for a job in your dream company." Mr Cole said.
Celine was speechless. Her mouth was shut but she had a lot to say. From the moment those guys came in to the moment when he commanded her immediate dismissal, down to the time Mr Cole eventually fired her.
"Humans are wicked. Why would someone that rich want me to feel miserable just because of a little misunderstanding?" Celine said to herself while heading home.
/0/72386/coverorgin.jpg?v=7b4e9f94ea6958f205248ec1450c94f2&imageMogr2/format/webp)
/1/106402/coverorgin.jpg?v=398292463ce44c7de54224c79be56fe0&imageMogr2/format/webp)
/0/70229/coverorgin.jpg?v=fcb5bb1aee3baa0a751a0ae14b9c28a2&imageMogr2/format/webp)
/0/78693/coverorgin.jpg?v=171b53b8e564db0848700ef09ea0a4a7&imageMogr2/format/webp)
/0/75796/coverorgin.jpg?v=7fa49608a32ed5c0cfde642b9545384e&imageMogr2/format/webp)
/1/102860/coverorgin.jpg?v=fd4279179a94dd229627ce7640bf190d&imageMogr2/format/webp)
Chapter 1 Costly misunderstanding
07/10/2025
Chapter 2 You're fired
07/10/2025
Chapter 3 The hug
07/10/2025
Chapter 4 Hospital emergency
07/10/2025
Chapter 5 Daddy was here
07/10/2025
Chapter 6 Father's file
07/10/2025
Chapter 7 Chemical report
07/10/2025
Chapter 8 Sinclair's taste
07/10/2025
Chapter 9 I love you
07/10/2025
Chapter 10 Dr Richard
07/10/2025
Chapter 11 An experience money cannot buy
07/10/2025