Rey's luxury vehicle came to a halt in a narrow alley that led to Sheira's house at the end.
"Please hold on a moment, sir," Sheira said, raising an eyebrow in curiosity. "I don't think I gave you my address, so how does Mr. Rey know where I live?" she asked, scrutinizing him.
Caught off guard by her question, Rey stammered, "Oh, I saw it on your CV."
"You, Mr. Rey, actually read my CV?" Sheira replied, disbelief evident in her voice.
"Yes, why? Is that a problem?" he asked, attempting to mask his anxiety.
"Are you still trying to dig into my life? Are you concerned about my marital status or did Mr. Arsen send you to spy on me?" she queried, her eyes narrowing. Rey shook his head firmly.
"I have a busy schedule. Why would I be interested in your personal life? It's not relevant to me at all."
"The only reason I looked at your CV was to ensure that those I work with are qualified and have clean backgrounds," he clarified.
"Really? Because it feels hard to believe. Last year, you kept trying to reach out to me even when I wasn't interested. I thought you were still the same geeky Rey," she retorted.
"Have you not seen the news? My face is everywhere—in newspapers, magazines, and on television," Rey replied, his gaze fixed on Sheira, who only smiled and shook her head.
"I'm too busy to pay attention to that. All I'm focused on is completing my studies and landing a good job," she said.
"After seeing me again, do you have feelings for me?" Rey asked, locking his eyes onto hers.
"What kind of question is that, Mr. Rey?" Sheira quickly attempted to divert the conversation.
"I need to get out now, thank you for the ride." As Sheira exited Rey's car, her heart raced, especially when he asked about her feelings while gazing at her intensely.
Meanwhile, Rey watched as Sheira walked away, disappearing from sight.
He breathed a sigh of relief, murmuring to himself, "Thank goodness Sheira doesn't remember what happened last night."
-//-
"How are you feeling about this agreement, Sheira?" Viren asked when they met at Sat Cafe to discuss their collaboration.
"You won't believe this, Viren, but Rey is actually an old friend from school. He's changed so much; I could hardly recognize him at the office! Back then, he was such a geek, and now he's incredibly handsome," Sheira praised Rey, eliciting a small laugh from Viren.
"Really? I must have picked the right person for you to meet; maybe it was destiny. And doesn't knowing Rey give you an advantage?" he suggested. Sheira eyed Viren suspiciously.
"I don't believe in fate. This has to be part of a larger plan. You've been gathering information about me from the start, right? Meeting me at that club was part of the plot?"
"What do you mean, Sheira?" Viren replied, surprised.
"You've been spying on me, haven't you?" she accused.
Viren chuckled at the accusation. "Why would I spy on you, Sheira?"
"Meeting you at the club and inviting you to collaborate was purely about your interest in me because I'm attractive? I don't fit the stereotype of a superficial woman," Sheira pointed out.
"But…" she added, looking down as she fidgeted with her fingers, "Rey's wife is pregnant."
"Sheira, listen carefully," Viren said, adjusting his position to exude seriousness. "You need to focus on your goals. If Rey's wife is having a baby, then my boss is likely to marry her and would ensure her future is secure." Sheira secretly agreed with Viren.
Her aim was to dismantle Rey's household, allowing the commendable CEO to distance himself from his wife and return to his true love.
"I want to show you something," Viren said, pulling out his smartphone.
"Yesterday, you mentioned needing 300 million, right?" he asked, to which Sheira nodded in response. Soon enough, Viren displayed the proof of funds transfer directed to Sheira's account. Her eyes widened with astonishment at the staggering amount that had just been sent.
"I've kept my promise, Sheira. Your father can be operated on immediately," he assured her.
Sheira let out a sigh of relief, her gaze filled with gratitude. "Thank you so much, Viren." She felt a weight lift off her shoulders knowing her father could soon recover and live a healthier life, giving her cherished time together.
"I hope you will dedicate yourself entirely to ending Rey's marriage. Mr. Arsen's happiness relies on your success, Sheira," Viren mentioned, invoking the name of his boss.
"I will do my best, all for my dad," Sheira replied with newfound determination. Viren smiled with approval, and Sheira returned the expression, grateful that her father's operation was finally confirmed.
Unbeknownst to them, their conversation was being overheard by someone nearby. It was Rey, who had come to meet his business associates but hadn't expected to encounter Sheira. Initially wanting to approach her, he chose to listen in instead, believing the man accompanying her was her partner.
"I thought you had feelings for me, Sheira," Rey mused, disappointment flooding his voice as he clenched his hands to suppress the emotions bubbling within.
-//-
After parting ways with Viren, Sheira stood beside her car, pondering their discussion.
"I'll head home now, Sheira. See you next time," Viren said as he got into his car.
"Alright, see you later," Sheira waved, offering a small smile.
As Viren drove away, her smile faded with his absence. While the opportunity with Viren appeared promising, she wished there were better alternatives. She didn't want to be the third party in Rey's life, especially when his wife was expecting. Yet, her circumstances forced her to prioritize her father's recovery above all else.
"Stay focused, Sheira. Papa will recover soon, and your sacrifices won't be in vain," she assured herself. She checked her phone and confirmed that the funds had arrived. However, it wouldn't stay in her account for long as it would soon be sent to the hospital for her father's surgery.
"I'm sorry, Papa. I know I'm taking the wrong path, but what choice do I have? You're my only family," Sheira whispered mournfully.
-//-
"Sheira, Mr. Rey wants to see you in his office." Sheira had just settled at her desk when her supervisor approached with the request. The sudden order made her uneasy.
"Is there a problem? Did I do something wrong?" she inquired, anxiety creeping in.
"I'm not sure; it's just what Mr. Rey asked," the supervisor replied. With no other option, Sheira reluctantly decided to face Rey. Delaying any further might only anger him.