The streets buzzed with the chaos of early morning. The city, draped in golden rays, had already begun its race—cars honking, shops opening, and people rushing, hoping today might be kinder than yesterday.
Among them, a girl ran.
Her slippers were worn, almost crying for mercy, and her bag hung crooked from one shoulder, stuffed with an apron, a notepad, and a half-empty bottle of water.
Her name was Aira.
She wasn't late. No—Aira had already finished one of her jobs. From 1 AM to 5 AM, she cleaned floors at the 24/7 city hospital. The scent of disinfectant still lingered on her uniform as she dashed to her next shift—a small bakery near the railway station.
Hurry, hurry... just one more hour… then break… then next shift...
Aira didn't complain. She had long forgotten what that word meant.
Her parents worked as cleaners too, barely earning enough to keep the roof from falling. She had once dreamed of becoming a teacher. A florist. Maybe even a dancer. Now, her only dream was to make sure her parents could eat something more than plain rice that night.
"Morning, Aira," called her bakery manager, half-smiling as he tossed her the apron.
"You're early again."
She gave a soft nod, not trusting her voice. Her lips curled into a polite smile, though her legs trembled slightly from exhaustion.
---
By noon, her apron was flour-stained, her hands smelled of sugar, and her feet cried for rest. But Aira had no time to listen to them. She slipped out quietly, heading for her next job.
Tonight was special.
She had been hired as an event waitress at one of the grandest parties in the city.
Hosted by Aiden Blackthorn, the richest man in the country. The youngest CEO of Blackthorn Industries. A man shrouded in mystery, whose eyes made boardrooms silent and hearts tremble.
Aira had never even seen such a man—except on TV.
---
By evening, she stood at the edge of the sparkling ballroom, a silver tray in hand, wearing a black-and-white waitress dress borrowed from the agency. Her hair was tied up in a neat bun. Her lips were bare, and her eyes flickered with wonder.
So many lights... so many beautiful people.
She tried not to feel out of place. But how could she not?
Every woman in the room shimmered in satin, velvet, and diamonds. She, on the other hand, had stitched her torn shoe with a safety pin that morning.
Still, Aira smiled.
Because tonight... she could at least see another world.
Even if it wasn't hers.
---
Little did she know…
Her world was about to collide with his.