Where Love Begins

the quiet corridor, echoing faintly against the polished marble floors and glass walls. The morning sun streamed through the windows, casting long shadows that seemed to stretch and twist arou

rowing playfully as she stepped closer. "Are you perhaps harboring special feelings for Mr. Witherson? Because let me tell you something, dear-men like him don't look at girls like us. They marry women like Caramel Montgomery-rich, beautiful, successful. Women who can help their careers, not hold them back." "No!" Mira shot back instantly, her voice louder than she intended, drawing the attention of a few passing employees who quickly looked away. "Not at all! I was just... surprised, that's all." Lucy waved a dismissive hand, clearly not believing her. "Well, don't just stand there looking like a deer in headlights. Hurry up and go. She's probably already complaining about the coffee or the chairs or something equally ridiculous." "Okay, ma'am," Mira replied quickly, turning toward the elevators before Lucy could see the tears stinging her eyes. She grabbed her notepad from her desk-her hands still shaking-and hurried away, her thoughts spiraling wildly. The boss's fiancée... and I slept with him. Heat rushed to her face as she mentally scolded herself, pressing the elevator button repeatedly as if that would make it arrive faster. How could you be so stupid, Mira? How could you not know he was seeing someone? How could you let yourself get into this situation? The elevator chimed, its doors sliding open slowly with a soft hiss. Inside stood a woman so stunning that Mira momentarily forgot how to breathe, her hand freezing mid-motion as she reached for the door frame. She was tall and elegant, with legs that seemed to go on forever, dressed in a fitted red silk gown that hugged every curve perfectly. Her dark hair was styled in loose waves that cascaded over one shoulder, diamond earrings the size of small birds' eggs sparkled against her skin, and a thick gold bracelet encrusted with rubies gleamed under the building's fluorescent lights. Every movement was graceful, every gesture deliberate, and she exuded the kind of confidence that came from knowing exactly how beautiful and powerful you were. Mira straightened immediately, forcing her professional smile into place as she stepped into the elevator. "Miss Caramel Montgomery, I presume?" she said politely, extending her hand with careful formality. "I'm Mira Sharma, Mr. Witherson's executive assistant. I'll be your escort for the day." Caramel looked at her then, her gaze slow and deliberate, as if she were examining a piece of furniture rather than a person. Her eyes were a striking shade of blue, but there was no warmth in them-only cold assessment and something that looked suspiciously like disdain. She moved from Mira's neatly tied hair... to her modest cream blouse... to her simple navy pencil skirt... and finally to her shoes-black leather pumps from Teddy's design collection two years ago, the ones she'd bought secondhand from a consignment shop after saving for months, telling herself they were an investment in her professional appearance. A faint chuckle escaped her lips, low and cold. But she ignored the outstretched hand completely, turning her attention back to her reflection in the elevator mirror as she adjusted her hair. Instead, she walked past Mira as if she didn't exist and sat down on one of the plush reception chairs just outside the elevator bay, crossing her legs elegantly as she pulled out her phone. "Get me a glass of water," she said coldly, not even looking up from her screen. "And make it quick-I don't have all day to wait for your incompetent service." Mira hesitated for only a second, her hand dropping to her side. She'd dealt with difficult clients before, but there was something about Caramel's tone-sharp, condescending, as if she were speaking to a servant rather than an employee-that made her skin crawl. "Yes, Miss Montgomery," she said quietly, turning quickly and walking toward the cafeteria dispenser at the end of the corridor. She filled a clean glass with fresh, cold water, her hands steady despite the anger simmering in her chest, and returned carefully, holding the glass out with both hands. "Miss Caramel, here is your water." Caramel took the glass without looking at her, her fingers brushing against Mira's briefly-cold, perfectly manicured nails against her warm skin. She stared at the clear liquid for a long moment, her brow furrowing slightly as if she'd found something offensive in its clarity. Then she gave a sharp hiss of annoyance, her eyes flashing with anger as she looked up at Mira. Without warning, she tilted the glass and poured the water directly onto Mira's shoes, the liquid spreading quickly across the leather and dripping onto the marble floor in dark puddles. Mira gasped softly, jumping back to avoid getting more water on her skirt. "Miss Montgomery-" "Didn't anyone tell you," Caramel said harshly, cutting her off, her eyes filled with disdain as she gestured toward Mira's feet, "that I only drink hydrogen-rich water? Imported from Japan. I have a special dispenser in my office at the hospital. I can't believe you'd offer me tap water like I'm some common person." "I'm... I'm so sorry," Mira stammered nervously, her cheeks burning with embarrassment as she look