Chapter 2

Alvin’s phone rang. I glanced casually; the caller ID read: Isabel Rocha, secretary. When had he gotten a new secretary? It struck me that I hadn't visited Alvin's company in a long time.

Alvin's eyebrows furrowed, his lips pursed in a troubled expression as the person on the other end spoke. "I had my assistant handle it," he said into the phone. "Okay, then you wait for me there."

After hanging up, Alvin parked by the roadside. The company had an urgent matter. Ruth scolded him angrily. "I will accompany you next time," he mumbled before hurrying from the car.

I remained silent, driving down the mountain. Few signs of human life marked the mountain's base. The mountain's lush trees and birdsong grew increasingly clear, replacing the sounds of human voices and vehicles with a profound quiet.

A secluded mountain homestay, weathered by years, stood nearby. That evening, after showering and settling into bed, a strange premonition compelled me to check my social media followers. Among countless avatars, I instantly recognized a familiar silhouette.

The account's videos showed only the man's wristwatch, a clear indication of considerable wealth. I recognized the watch; I had bought it myself. After my promotion and team leadership, the successful completion of my first project yielded a generous bonus. I used it to buy gifts for the entire Horne family, using my entire salary.

The account updated a video that afternoon. The caption read: "The most handsome and considerate boss in history, driving fifty kilometers to help me with my scratched car. Pen hearts."

The comments below were overwhelmingly enthusiastic:

"Sister, you treated him as your boss, but he didn't treat you as his employee!"

"Keep watching, this is an idol drama coming to life, with a domineering CEO’s love."

"I envied my sisters, if he wasn’t interested in you, I would chop off my head and use it as a ball for you to kick."

"Help, just by looking at his hands, you can tell he is a handsome guy. The blogger is so lucky."

My stomach churned, a wave of nausea rising. Lying on the bed's edge, I retched, tears welling in my eyes. The mountain night was bitterly cold. Moonlight streamed in, illuminating the empty half of the bed. I couldn't sleep a wink.