People often say, "If you invite the devil in, the devil will come." This turned out to be true for her because she was the one who let the devil into her life and home. As she looked at her reflection in a broken mirror on the ground, she laughed at herself. She saw a monster staring back—a pale, sickly figure with bloodied scars on her forehead. Her face was ghostly thin, her lips cracked and bleeding, and her hair greasy and unkempt. She looked like death itself, and yet, she laughed at the horrifying sight of what she had become.

  She turned and stepped onto the balcony on the third floor, gazing up at the night sky. And there, she saw it—the brightest star of all. It shone so brightly, so close, that when she closed her eyes, she felt like she could almost reach out and touch it. But when she opened her eyes again, the star was gone. It had drifted far away, farther than she could ever reach. She knew, deep down, she would never find it again.

  She woke up in a panic, startled by the sound of her alarm. Sweat covered her forehead, and with shaky hands, she wiped it away. For months, she hadn’t been able to sleep properly. Her mind was filled with racing thoughts and fears—how could she have killed someone? Still half-asleep, she stumbled toward the bathroom, limping as she dragged her sore and tired body. When she looked in the mirror, her dark eyes stared back at her. Her face was injured and bloody, just like in her dreams. Her black hair was messy and covered in dust. Without hesitation, she stepped into the shower, bracing herself as the cold water hit her. Though it was a shock at first, it left her feeling more awake and alive.

  With every passing second, she grew more aware of her surroundings. The sharp pain faded into a dull ache, but a wave of nausea hit her, making her feel as if her body was being ripped apart. Visions of lifeless bodies flashed in her mind, but she quickly pushed them away. She focused on washing her hair and scrubbing her body hard, trying to erase the memory of her nightmare. Slowly, her heart rate calmed down. But as the water ran over her, the images returned. The screams, the cries, and the chaos around her seemed to fade into the distance, leaving only the sight of her hands. Suddenly, a small scream escaped her lips as she watched her skin change—turning paler, darker, and more twisted, like something out of a nightmare.

  Blood seemed to drip everywhere as the scene shifted to a familiar room. The bed was empty, and a large mirror hung on the wall, reflecting the dark night sky. Moonlight spilled in, lighting up part of the room. In the far corner, a bloodied figure lay motionless. A strong, metallic smell filled the air, making her stomach churn. Her vision blurred as darkness closed in around her. Her heart raced, and her breathing became heavy and uneven. She clutched her chest, struggling to breathe, as sweat rolled down her temples. Leaning forward, she gripped the shower head tightly, trying to steady herself, but fear overwhelmed her. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t control her breathing. Each breath felt more painful than the last, leaving her gasping and desperate for air.

  She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to block out the chaos, but it was no use. The bathroom seemed to spin around her as she clung to the shower curtain, desperate for something to hold onto. But even with all her strength, she started to slip. Her grip faltered, and she slid over the edge of the bathtub, tumbling into the icy water below. For a moment, she lay there, stunned, before quickly sitting up, coughing and gasping as the cold water hit her face. She struggled to catch her breath, the freezing spray numbing her thoughts and washing away the haunting memories.

  Once she regained her composure, she washed the blood from her face and carefully cleaned her scars. She changed into a crisp white shirt and beige pants, making sure to cover her scars so no one would notice or ask questions. Truthfully, she didn’t even know how they got there. As she left the room, the sound of clattering dishes and the warm, inviting smell of food greeted her, pulling her into the bustling world downstairs.

  "Good morning, Mum!" Blair greeted as she walked into the kitchen. Her mother, Ms. Elizabeth, turned to her with a smile and kissed her cheek.

  "Happy birthday, Blair," she said warmly. Blair paused, surprised—she had completely forgotten that today was her 26th birthday.

  "Thank you, Mom," she replied, quickly grabbing her favorite Americano coffee and taking a sip. She was already running late for work, but the rich flavor of the coffee gave her a moment of calm. After finishing her coffee, she set the mug down and glanced at her mother, who was rummaging through the fridge. Ms. Elizabeth seemed to be searching for something specific. Finally, she found it—a small cupcake with a single pink candle on top.

  Blair watched her mom with eager eyes, a smile spreading across her face as Ms. Elizabeth carefully placed the cupcake on a small plate. Even in the morning rush, her mom had remembered—she always had a way of making even the simplest moments feel special.

  "Mum, I’m really running late today. Ms. Charlotte, our company’s president, is coming, and I can’t afford to be late," Blair said, glancing at the clock.

  "Ms. Charlotte? Why is she coming?" Ms. Elizabeth asked, looking surprised. Blair was taken aback—she had told her mom just last night how important today was at work.

  "Because today Mr. Ethan is taking over as the new CEO of Lopez Food Company," Blair explained.

  "Well, being five minutes late won’t change much," Ms. Elizabeth said with a warm smile as she lit the candle on the cupcake. "I just wanted to make sure your day started with a little celebration."

  "Mum, thank you," Blair said with a smile, quickly blowing out the candle, cutting a slice of the cupcake, and offering a bite to her mother. She then grabbed the rest of the cake and hurried outside, savoring each bite as she walked. The sweet frosting and soft cake brought back warm memories of past birthdays and the joy her mother always brought to those moments.

  The streets were alive with the usual morning rush—cars honking, people chatting, and the city buzzing with energy. When Blair finally reached the office, she could feel the tension in the air. Everyone was moving quickly, clearly on edge. In her hurry, she accidentally bumped into someone but quickly apologized and made her way to her desk. She sat down, organizing her bag and gathering the scattered papers until everything was neat and in order.

  Just as she settled in, her phone buzzed in her pocket. She pulled it out and saw another text message from Masson.

  "Why did you arrive so late, Blair?" Evelyn's voice interrupted her thoughts as she tucked her phone away.

  "Yeah, I overslept today. For some reason, my eyes just didn’t want to open this morning," Blair replied with a playful grin.

  "Well, now the boss will make sure your eyes stay wide open," Evelyn said, her tone firm but teasing.

  Evelyn had been a close friend since they met four years ago. In her late twenties, she had bright brown eyes and dark hair styled in soft curls that framed her face. Her smile was always warm and welcoming. From the moment they met, they had clicked instantly. They shared more than just a great sense of humor—their personalities complemented each other perfectly. Blair often talked about her latest baking experiments, while Evelyn listened with a gentle smile. They had similar tastes in music and movies, though Blair leaned more toward indie while Evelyn preferred pop and hip-hop. They both loved books, and Evelyn would often share stories about her family’s love for reading, even though she admitted she hadn’t read much herself.

  This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  "Why? What’s going on? Where’s the boss?" Blair asked, a hint of worry creeping into her voice.

  "In her office," Evelyn replied, subtly nodding her head in that direction.

  Blair glanced over at the glass door and saw her boss, Ms. Charlotte, in a heated argument with William. Ms. Charlotte was dressed sharply in a tight black pencil skirt, black silk stockings, and matching high heels. Her crimson blouse, adorned with sparkling diamond embellishments, caught the light as she gestured angrily. When their eyes met through the glass, Blair could see the frustration etched on her boss’s face.

  A cold knot formed in Blair’s stomach as she watched the scene. It was rare for Ms. Charlotte to reprimand William, especially this early in the day—he was usually one of her favorite employees. Quickly, Blair set her things down on her desk and made her way to her own office, moving carefully to avoid drawing any attention. She didn’t want to risk getting scolded this early in the morning.

  As Blair stepped into the office, she could feel the thick tension in the air. William stood there, visibly shaken and filled with regret. Behind her desk, Ms. Dorothy, their boss, looked both disappointed and furious.

  "How could you be so careless? Your mistake has cost us a major client in Singapore, resulting in billions of dollars in losses," Ms. Dorothy shouted, her voice sharp and cutting.

  Blair’s stomach tightened as she processed the situation. William was one of the most talented and hardworking employees in the company. If he was being scolded like this, his mistake must have been huge. It was unlike him to slip up, and Blair couldn’t help but wonder what had gone wrong.

  "I understand, but—" William started, trying to explain.

  "I don’t want to hear any excuses, William! This was an important account, and you were in charge of it. Now, we’ve lost not only a valuable client but also a significant amount of money," Ms. Dorothy interrupted, her voice booming.

  Blair flinched at the intensity of her boss’s anger. The room felt suffocating, and she couldn’t help but feel a pang of sympathy for William, even as she braced herself for the fallout.

  Ms. Dorothy motioned for William to leave, her sharp gaze shifting to Blair. She looked at her with clear disdain. "Why on earth are you just standing there like an utter moron?"

  Blair sat down quietly, offering a sheepish smile. "Sorry," she said softly.

  "It's not about apologies," Ms. Dorothy snapped. "You were supposed to be here at 7:30 am. You're late for your shift!"

  "Oh, right..." Blair mumbled, scratching the back of her neck nervously. She glanced at her watch and her eyes widened—it was already 8:45 am. Panic set in as she scrambled to come up with an excuse.

  "I... I must have overslept," she stammered, her smile fading as the lie slipped out.

  Ms. Dorothy crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes. "Overslept? That’s not an excuse. Punctuality is crucial here, and it disrupts the entire team when you’re late."

  Blair nodded, feeling the weight of her guilt. "I understand, and I’m really sorry. It won’t happen again."

  Ms. Dorothy let out a frustrated sigh, clearly unconvinced. "It won’t happen again? Do you think I’m a fool? Do you realize Ms. Chairman is arriving today? Get everything ready—now!"

  "Yes, boss, I’m almost ready," Blair replied quickly, though Ms. Dorothy rolled her eyes in response.

  "Call the media and make sure they’re lined up in the hall," Ms. Dorothy ordered sharply.

  "Is there anything else you need me to do, boss?" Blair asked, hoping to shift the focus away from her lateness.

  Ms. Dorothy let out another exasperated sigh, clearly annoyed. "Of course," she snapped. "Make sure the decorations are flawless, the refreshments are set up properly, and everything is prepared exactly to Ms. Chairman’s preferences."

  "I’ll make sure it’s done," Blair replied calmly, her voice steady despite the tension.

  "Faster," Ms. Dorothy snapped, storming out of the office and slamming the door so hard the glass rattled.

  Blair let out a deep sigh and rubbed her face, reminding herself that today was supposed to be her birthday. She straightened up, her heels clicking sharply against the marble floor as she headed to the elevator. Determined to prove she was capable of handling this responsibility, despite Ms. Dorothy’s harsh words, Blair focused on taking charge of the arrangements. The pressure was mounting, but she refused to let it break her. She wouldn’t fail.

  "Is Kaylee here yet?" Blair asked Evelyn as she stepped out of the office. Kaylee, the new CEO’s personal secretary, was supposed to oversee today’s preparations.

  "Yes, she’s here, but she’s with the boss right now, inspecting the arrangements in the hall downstairs," Evelyn replied, already hurrying toward the main entrance to greet the press.

  After a quick glance over her shoulder, Blair walked into the hall, curious to see how the preparations were coming along.

  Near the entrance, Kaylee and Ms. Dorothy were deep in conversation. Blair couldn’t help but feel a pang of envy as she watched them interact so effortlessly. Kaylee seemed to have the boss’s approval without even trying, something Blair had always struggled to achieve. She shook her head, pushing away the negative thoughts as she approached them.

  "I hoped you disappeared, Kaylee," Blair muttered under her breath, unsure if it was envy or frustration driving her words. She had always wanted to be the one standing by Ms. Dorothy’s side, supporting her and earning her trust.

  "Hey, Kaylee," Blair said, forcing a smile. "How’s everything going?"

  Kaylee turned, her face lighting up. "Almost ready! Just a few last-minute adjustments, and we’ll be set for Ms. Charlotte’s arrival."

  Blair nodded, trying to hide her nerves. "Do you need help? I can assist with the decorations or refreshments."

  "That would be great," Kaylee said, glancing at Ms. Dorothy. "She’s a bit stressed and could use another set of hands."

  Blair felt a wave of relief. Maybe this was her chance to prove herself. She followed everyone to the refreshment table, quickly taking note of what needed to be done. "Do you know what Ms. Charlotte likes?" Blair asked, trying to sound casual.

  Kaylee shrugged, her attention mostly on the pastries. "She likes everything perfect. Presentation is key. If it doesn’t look good enough, she’ll criticize it."

  Blair’s stomach twisted at the thought. The pressure was mounting, and the idea of failing in front of the new CEO was overwhelming. She took a deep breath, reminding herself that she could handle this.

  The tension in the room was thick as everyone rushed to finish their tasks. Employees darted around, and the faint sound of camera clicks outside grew louder as the press began to gather. Blair could see Evelyn already handling questions from reporters, her bright smile cutting through the chaos.

  "Let’s make sure everything is set before they start streaming in," Kaylee said, pulling Blair back to the present.

  "Right, let’s finish up," Blair replied, refocusing on the task at hand. She needed today to be memorable—not just for Ms. Charlotte, but for herself as well. This was her chance to shine under pressure. They were just putting the final touches in place when Ms. Dorothy emerged from her office, still looking tense but slightly more composed.

  "Is everything ready?" Ms. Dorothy called out, her sharp gaze sweeping across the room.

  "Almost done, boss," Kaylee replied, standing up straight.

  Blair’s heart raced as Ms. Dorothy approached them. "Make sure it’s perfect," she said, her voice low but firm. "We can’t afford any mistakes today."

  Blair nodded, determination surging through her. She wasn’t going to let Ms. Dorothy down—or herself. As the final minutes ticked by, she felt the weight of expectation settle on her shoulders. Everything had to go perfectly. But deep down, she knew she was capable of handling this. Today had to be flawless.

  At exactly 11 o’clock, Ethan Lopez walked into the corridor. Every camera in the room immediately turned toward him. He was the only child of Ms. Charlotte Lopez, the company’s president, and the sole heir to Lopez Food Company. Fresh out of university in Australia, he carried an air of confidence and authority as he stepped into the spotlight.

  Amidst the crowd, the sound of Ethan Lopez’s footsteps went unnoticed. He carried a striking, almost elusive charm—his slim frame, dark, wavy light brown hair, and pale blue eyes hidden behind thick glasses gave him an air of mystery. Dressed in a sleek black tuxedo with a gray tie, he exuded casual sophistication. His tan added to his polished appearance, giving him an undeniable aura of cool confidence. As he walked down the aisle of the hall, where guests sat on rows of red velvet chairs, he smiled warmly at everyone he passed, his presence commanding attention without effort.

  Blair couldn’t help but feel like Ethan’s life was something out of a fairy tale. Just then, her phone buzzed, pulling her attention away. She glanced down and saw a message from Masson lighting up the screen. She blinked, quickly tapping the screen to read it:

  'Opulent Heights'

  'Luxor Lodgings Hotel'

  'Meeting'

  '10:30 pm'