Country D
In a luxurious hotel room, filled with the soft scent of vanilla, a young man lay on a large bed, the blanket half covering his athletic body. His face was strikingly handsome, with a strong jawline and thick eyebrows that made it hard for anyone to look away. He looked like someone who had just come through a long—and perhaps passionate—night.
From the bathroom, the sound of running water echoed. It was clear someone was showering inside.
Ring... ring...
The sharp sound of a phone made the man slowly open his eyes. Lazily, he reached for the phone on the nightstand and pressed the answer button.
"Hello…"
His voice was deep, typical of someone who had just woken up.
"Alex!! Where are you right now?!"
The panicked voice from the other end was unmistakable. It was Erik, Alex's manager, who had been with him since the start of his career.
"What's up?"
Alex responded casually, yawning and revealing a perfect set of teeth.
"Did you forget?! You have a photoshoot for Brand X in one hour!"
Alex blinked a few times, realization dawning on him. Brand X wasn't just any brand. It was an international name with massive influence in the world of fashion and entertainment. Anyone who got to work with them was certainly at the peak of popularity.
Though only 28 and just a few years into his entertainment career, Alex had already captured a lot of attention—especially from women. With his good looks, proportional physique, and charming personality, offers kept pouring in.
"Ah… yeah, sorry, Rik. I forgot,"
Alex replied in the same relaxed tone as he slowly sat up.
The blanket slipped off his body, revealing his naked form without a hint of embarrassment.
"Where are you now? I'll come pick you up!"
Erik's voice sounded annoyed, yet resigned. He knew Alex all too well.
Click...
The bathroom door opened. A woman stepped out with nothing but a towel wrapped around her damp body. Her skin glistened with the remnants of water and steam. Her long hair flowed freely, and her steps were graceful.
"I'll send you the address via chat,"
Alex said before ending the call.
He then walked toward the woman with a flirtatious smile.
"Morning, Megan," he said softly, kissing her lips.
"Hm." Megan's reply was short and somewhat cold.
Alex didn't mind. He knew the nature of their relationship well. Megan's attitude wasn't a problem as long as he got what he wanted—pleasure and generous compensation. Megan, a mature woman in her early fifties, looked no older than thirty. Her maintenance was impeccable, and Alex had to admit—of all the women he had slept with, Megan was the most addictive.
Megan sat on the sofa, her gaze fixed on Alex's still-naked body.
The heat from last night still lingered vividly in her mind.
"Send me a text later—whatever it is you want,"
Megan finally said.
Alex's smile widened. He sat beside her, his left hand gently stroking her thigh.
"You really are the best,"
he praised her sweetly, kissing her cheek.
Megan looked into Alex's eyes, deep and sharp.
"As long as you keep satisfying me, I'll make sure you never lose out,"
she replied, half-teasing.
Alex chuckled lightly.
"Sounds like a tempting deal."
He truly enjoyed his relationship with Megan. Not just the pleasure, but the rewards she gave never failed to satisfy him.
Knock... knock...
A knock on the door interrupted their moment. Alex stood, grabbed a towel from the wardrobe, wrapped it around his waist, and opened the door.
Standing there was a young woman, probably in her thirties, dressed neatly and professionally. Alex recognized her. She was Megan's personal assistant.
"What is it?" Megan called out from inside.
"Madam, Mr. Kale is looking for you,"
the assistant replied.
Megan, who had looked relaxed just a moment ago, suddenly froze. Her eyes lit up with an unmistakable spark at the mention of her husband's name.
"Alright,"
she said simply.
She then began dressing and, in no time, left the room with her assistant, without a trace of regret on her face.
Alex simply watched them leave with a calm expression before laughing aloud.
"Women really are complicated creatures," he muttered.
He knew well that Megan loved her husband. But for almost a year now, she had also been involved with him in this secret affair.
An irony that never failed to amuse him.
Now he was curious—what kind of man could make Megan's eyes sparkle just by hearing his name?
A few minutes later, another knock sounded. Alex knew it had to be Erik this time.
As soon as the door opened, Erik stepped in with a scowl.
"Why aren't you ready yet?!"
Instead of answering, Alex asked,
"Do you know Megan's husband's name?"
Erik paused for a moment, his expression serious.
"Yes," he finally answered.
"Who is it?" Alex asked, intrigued.
"Brian Kale."
Alex raised his eyebrows. The name sounded familiar—too familiar.
---
Elsewhere, Ren sat in the lobby of a five-star hotel. His usually calm face lit up as he read an incoming message on his phone. A smile spread across his lips—a smile that only appeared when he was talking to one person: Serena.
Beside him, Rendy, his personal secretary, stayed silent. He knew this was a sacred moment. Ren was not to be disturbed while texting Serena. One interruption, and he could lose his job.
But today was different. As his eyes caught the elevator doors opening, Rendy squinted.
"Sir…"
Rendy called.
Ren narrowed his eyes, clearly displeased at being interrupted. His cold gaze made Rendy flinch slightly, but he knew he had to speak.
"Over there... if I'm not mistaken, that's Mrs. Megan Kale. Miss Serena's mother."
Ren froze for a second upon hearing that. He immediately turned in the direction Rendy had pointed. And sure enough—a graceful woman with a confident stride exited the elevator with her assistant.
Ren frowned. As far as he knew, Serena's parents didn't live in Country D. They moved around often, were hard to track, and almost never visited Serena, who had been living alone in Country A all this time.
'What is she doing here?'
Ren wondered silently.
But he held himself back. He knew Serena rarely talked about her parents.
They hardly featured in her stories, as if their existence meant little to her.
Ren clenched his fists. He didn't want to meddle, but if Serena's parents brought trouble or disrupted her peace, Ren wouldn't stay silent.
He would do anything... for Serena.