Chapter 4 Three

• **Aira Jen's P.O.V**
• "You've got plenty of time right now," Raven said as she entered my condo.
• Yes, ever since I left our mansion house, I've been living alone, feeling like a lost soul. No one notices me, no one talks to me. Maybe they don't even want to see me or acknowledge my presence.
• "I've got someone covering for me at work," I replied simply.
• "Why don't you go back to your mansion? Don't you miss them?" Raven asked, one question after another.
• "They forgot about me. Why should I remember them?" I replied, picking up my phone to check for updates.
• We spent the day hanging out at my condo.
• "Hey, Aira Jen!" Raven shouted, throwing a pillow at me.
• "What?" I replied irritably.
• "You're smiling while texting. Who's the lucky guy? Do you have a boyfriend?" she teased, approaching me.
• I quickly hid my phone away.
• "It's nothing. Don't overthink it. Just chatting with Yelo," I responded.
• "Yelo? Is that Ice? Who's that?" Raven asked, surprised.
• "He's the supervisor," I replied simply.
• "How long have you two been talking?" she asked, curious.
• "Quite a while. Three months? Two months? I don't really keep track," I admitted.
• "You're texting day and night? Outside of work hours?" she probed further.
• "Yeah," was all I said.
• "So, are you in love with him?" she asked next.
• "No, of course not!" I hastily defended.
• "Okay, okay. Got it," she replied simply.
• I resumed scrolling through social media, making the most of my free time.
• As for them?
• Dad called many times, but I wasn't ready to answer. Like my brother, I didn't crave the attention of social media, nor did I want to be compared to my siblings left and right.
• Raven hadn't mentioned when she'd return to the U.S., but I wasn't eager to find out either. Right now, I was focused on myself and the businesses I planned to build.
• "Done with work. Where are you?" I read the text from my supervisor.
• "At the condo with Raven," I replied briefly.
• Since Ice started at the company, life had become easier. I had more time for myself and other things. When I ran the company alone, stress came at me from every direction.
• I treated my employees equally. I had three staff members at the store and another manager who handled payroll and budgeting.
• "I need to go," Raven announced suddenly.
• I bid her goodbye and started tidying up and taking care of myself.
• *Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiing*
• My phone rang, interrupting my task. I answered without checking who was calling.
• "Yes?" I answered the call.
• "We were supposed to go out after work today, but you didn't reply. What's wrong?" the voice on the other end asked.
• "I'm sorry, I forgot. Give me 30 minutes to get ready, and I'll meet you at our favorite spot. Sorry, I love you," I rushed out, hanging up before waiting for a response.
• I knew him well.
• In a month of being together, I didn't feel weird anymore. He chose me despite our different backgrounds. That's also why I hesitated to go home; I hadn't told him about my family.
• I knew the day would come when I'd have to explain everything to him. I just needed some time.
• I took a taxi; I didn't bring a car anymore because when we met, I wasn't wealthy, and I certainly wasn't a CEO. It was with him that I experienced real life beyond the gilded walls of the mansion. This was the life I wanted, the life I dreamed of.
• No one really cared. There were no judgmental eyes on me. My mistakes were mine to handle, my solutions mine to find.
• I arrived at our favorite spot, but he wasn't there. I couldn't even see his shadow. No matter how long I waited, he didn't show.
• I tried calling him, but there was no answer. I sent texts, but received no reply. I waited a few more minutes.
• A thousand thoughts raced through my mind. There were countless reasons, but I tried to remain calm. I knew him, and I trusted that he had a good reason.
• But what if he found out about my entire family?
• What if he couldn't accept my past?
• What if—SHUT UP, SELF!
• I screamed inwardly, tears mixing with the rain drenching my body, feeling like it was washing away my very essence.