The morning after discovering the photograph felt like waking into a dream I didn't want to believe,, The world moved around me as usual—cars honking,, people bustling down the sidewalk,, my phone buzzing with reminders and emails—but I felt like I was floating just outside of it all...
Even coffee,, my most sacred morning ritual,, sat untouched on the windowsill beside me.. The steam curled upward,, disappearing like every clear thought I tried to hold onto.
I stared at the photo again—the one Luna had given me... My fingers trembled just slightly as I held it,, The boy in the image looked so much like Kai that it made my chest tighten every time I looked at him... But that boy was Adrian,, Or… was it??
I didn't know anymore.
I paced the length of my apartment in silence,, my silk robe trailing behind me like a shadow,, The questions pressed in harder with each step.
Was Adrian Kai??
If he was… why hadn't he told me??
And if he wasn't,, why did everything feel like it was being deliberately hidden from me??
My mind kept drifting back to the moment he had first held my face in his hands and whispered,, "You feel like home..."
The way he'd said it. The way he'd looked at me. It hadn't been empty sentiment... It had been truth.
And it terrified me.
I sat on the edge of the bed,, gripping the frame tightly.
What would I even say to him??
"Adrian,, were you once Kai,, the boy who died but didn't??"
It sounded insane. Like something out of a fever dream...
I couldn't just walk up to him and throw a name from the past like a dagger.
And yet... I needed answers.
I stared at myself in the mirror... My eyes were tired, rimmed with shadows of sleeplessness. My skin looked pale,, lips pressed in uncertainty.
I didn't recognize the woman in the reflection...
I needed to get out of this apartment.
I needed structure,, logic,, something to tether myself to...
I needed to go to the office.
The Mirain building greeted me with its familiar,, polished exterior—sleek lines,, glass walls,, and the quiet hum of ambition behind every closed door... Normally,, it was a space that made me feel powerful. Today,, it only made me feel fragile.
Luna stood by my office door with a tablet and coffee already waiting for me... She gave me a curious look as I approached.
"You're early,," she said cautiously.
"I couldn't sleep,," I replied,, brushing past her and into the office.
She followed behind me,, setting the tablet down on my desk. "Did you… look at the file again??"
I nodded slowly,, lowering myself into the chair. The moment I sat,, I felt everything catch up to me again... The weight. The confusion.
"I can't stop thinking about it,," I admitted. "The photograph. The eyes... The way he smiled."
Luna sat across from me and crossed her arms. "So,, what do you want to do about it??"
"I don't know,," I said. "That's the problem. I want to ask him. I want to scream... But I'm scared I'll regret it."
"Why??"
"Because if he is Kai… that changes everything. And if he's not,, then I've been building castles out of ghosts... And I don't think I can take that again."
Luna leaned forward. "What about the party tonight??"
I looked away. "I don't even know if I should go..." : )
"You have to go,, Rimi,," she said firmly. "Not just as a CEO,, but as a woman who deserves the truth..."
I sighed,, dragging my hands down my face. "I just… I can't do it alone."
There was a beat of silence.
Then,, Luna spoke. "Take me with you..."
My eyes met hers in surprise.
"I've been at your side for years,," she continued. "Let me be there for this,, too. I'll keep my eyes and ears open... You won't have to pretend with me there."
The lump in my throat grew. "Are you sure??"
She smiled softly. "I was sure the moment you walked in looking like you'd seen a ghost."
I chuckled weakly. "It feels exactly like that..."
She stood and tapped the tablet. "Then let's play this smart. You'll go in calm,, composed,, and powerful. If Adrian wants to play a game of secrets,, you'll match him move for move. And I'll be right there,, in your corner."
I rose from the chair and nodded... For the first time in days,, I felt like I had a plan.
By late afternoon,, Luna had arranged everything—her own invitation,, wardrobe,, transport. We sat in my office finalizing the last details,, a quiet tension settling between us.
I stared out the window again,, watching the rain begin to fall softly over the city.
"Do you think he knows I've found out??" I asked quietly.
Luna shook her head. "If he does,, he's not showing it. But people like Adrian… or Kai… they always sense when the storm is coming..."
I turned back to her. "And what if I confront him and he lies??"
"Then you'll know what kind of man he really is."
I paused, holding my breath. "And if he tells the truth??"
She stood and placed a gentle hand on my shoulder. "Then you'll know what kind of love you've been holding onto all this time..."
I closed my eyes,, letting her words sink in.
When I returned home,, the city was drenched in golden hour light. I walked straight to my closet,, bypassing everything pastel or feminine. I needed armor tonight...
Eventually, I pulled out a deep emerald green gown—sleek,, floor-length,, with a slit that danced just above the thigh... The fabric clung to me like confidence.
Luna arrived an hour later,, dressed in a black silk dress that shimmered when she moved. Her earrings sparkled,, but her expression was sharp.
"Ready??" she asked.
"No,," I said truthfully. "But I'm going anyway."
She gave me a knowing smile. "That's strength..."
We slipped into the car. The drive was mostly silent. I watched the buildings pass in a blur,, my thoughts circling like hawks.
"Do you think I'm crazy??" I asked suddenly.
Luna didn't even blink. "No... You're in love with a man who may or may not be your lost first love. That's not crazy... That's tragic and poetic and honestly… kind of legendary."
I laughed despite myself. "Legendary??"
She grinned. "If you were in a book,, I'd read the hell out of it."
I smiled,, heart heavier than it should've been.
The estate loomed ahead—large gates, towering lights,, polished marble. A place built for illusions and charm...
As we stepped out of the car,, flashes from photographers sparked across the entrance... I straightened my shoulders. Luna handed me my clutch.
"Remember,," she whispered,, "watch more than you speak. And don't let him see you're unraveling."
I nodded. Then whispered back,, "I've been unraveling since the day I met him..."
And with that,, we walked through the grand entrance,, side by side—two women braced for truth,, betrayal,, or something even more dangerous...
Hope...
To be continue...