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The world had always revolved around people—their thoughts, opinions, decisions, and actions.

You could spend hours unraveling the reasons behind them, chasing meaning in tangled conversations or sleepless nights, only to be left with more questions than you started with.

That was exactly why Lilith Hawthorne chose psychology.

She had always been the one to wonder, to observe, to analyze.

Now, slumped at the back of a dimly lit lecture hall, her long blonde hair tied in a messy bun and dark circles bruising the skin beneath her eyes, she could barely keep her focus.

The professor's voice droned on about abnormal psychology—something to do with personality disorders and case studies she'd meant to review the night before.

It was almost ironic, really. She herself struggled with more than a few things but she hadn't chosen psychology to fix herself.

She never believed she could be fixed. If anything, she had already made peace with the fact that maybe no one could understand her, not fully.

And maybe that was okay.

Maybe the point wasn't to be understood, but to understand others better.

The blonde girl sighed and lifted her head with a quiet whine, she tilted her head and let it rest gently on the shoulder next to her.

Gabrielle didn't flinch. Her short brown hair brushed against her cheek as she turned slightly, still scribbling notes in the margins of her notebook.

Without looking, she raised a hand and patted the top of her friend's head, fingers warm and familiar.

"Tired?" she murmured, a soft grin on her face.

"Don't tell me you're skipping tonight.''

They both knew what "tonight" meant—cheap drinks, blurry lights, a mix of bad decisions and shared laughter that tasted like freedom.

They loved their evenings like that. Maybe it was part of turning twenty, of being stuck somewhere between recklessness and trying to hold it together.

In those moments, she could forget about the constant swirl of thoughts and anxieties that followed her every day.

The alcohol helped silence the noise, and it felt like a small escape.

Some might say she had a problem with substances, but she never felt it was that simple.

It wasn't about getting drunk or taking anything.

It was about finding a moment where she didn't have to feel every emotion so deeply. She could just be.

But even though Lilith enjoyed those nights, there was something she loved more—routine.

There was comfort in knowing what came next, in having a plan and sticking to it.

The unknown made her anxious. Last-minute changes, unpredictable people, conversations that went too fast—it all made her stomach twist in quiet panic.

She was the kind of girl who worried. A lot. About everything, to be exact.

The blonde girl sighed and lifted her head just enough to look at Gabrielle, her expression apologetic. "I can't," she said softly. "Dinner with Oscar. And I promised I'd meet him at his company before that so we can go together."

Even though he had been working there for over a year, Lilith had never gotten the chance to see it herself.

She had heard so many stories from him—about the sleek design and the huge glass windows—but the idea of seeing it for herself was intriguing.

It wasn't that she had any interest in the company itself, but there was something about being inside the world that her brother lived in.

Her dinner plans didn't sound too exciting, though.

It would be with her father, Oscar, and his girlfriend.

Her father had always been loving and caring but strict in his own way.

He wanted the best for both her and Oscar, which was why Lilith had ended up at a private university.

He believed in discipline and hard work.

It was always hard for him to be exactly what they needed, after all he couldn't replace a mother—someone who was supposed to give warmth and comfort instead of logical and at times harsh thinking.

Her mother had always been a distant figure in their lives.

They didn't really have contact outside of chaotic, emotional calls and texts.

It was just a constant cycle of anger and guilt.

Even though its been years since the divorce and their mom leaving them the blonde haired girl still felt the void that she never knew how to fill.

With a sigh, Lilith stood, grabbing her things. Gabrielle followed her to the door, pulling her into a quick hug. ''Good luck'' she whispered teasingly.

Lilith giggled softly, returning the hug. "I'll try to survive."

?

Later, she found herself in the back of an Uber, exhausted from the day's lectures.

Sleepiness tugged at her, and she almost dozed off in the back seat, the hum of the car making her drowsy.

She didn't have time to smoke a cigarette before rushing out.

She pouted, irritated by how she had missed that moment of peace she usually craved.

With a sigh, she fixed her appearance, letting her long blonde hair loose and smoothing it down with her fingers. No matter how put together she tried to looked, she never shook the anxiety of being perceived.

There was something strangely humiliating about someone pointing out that she looked tired, or off, like they had caught a glimpse of something she hadn't meant to show.

Especially when it came from her brother or her dad.

She hated those small, well-meaning questions—Are you okay?

—because she never knew how to answer them.

As the car slowed to a stop, the crisp air hit her as she stepped out.

The season had already started to shift, the cool breeze carrying the scent of the approaching autumn.

She shivered slightly, feeling the cold wind brush against her bare legs.

Her pale full thighs, exposed by the hem of her skirt, felt the chill more than she liked, and she instinctively wrapped her arms around herself.

The building loomed in front of her—a tall, sleek structure in the middle of the busy city.

The glass fa?ade glimmered in the fading light of the evening, and the steel framework seemed to rise endlessly into the sky.

A large, polished sign hung above the entrance, boldly displaying "SALVARE'' in sleek, modern lettering, further asserting its prestigious presence.

It was much more elegant than your average corporate building, but that was to be expected.

After all, this was an architecture company. It had to look the part.

Lili stared up at it for a moment, feeling a mixture of awe and curiosity.

As she entered, she passed through the security desk, where a professional-looking woman sat behind the counter, eyes scanning her as she approached.

There was a brief pause before the woman asked for her details, confirming that she was indeed supposed to be there.

Lilith felt the woman's gaze linger as she scanned the list, and for just a moment, a doubt crept into her mind.

Once the security check was complete, Lilith made her way to the elevator.

She pressed the button for the highest floor, just as Oscar had guided her through a quick text.

He had told her to wait on that floor, where he'd meet her after finishing work.

The view from the glass walls of the elevator was impressive—she could see the city stretching out below her, the lights flickering as evening fell over the skyline.

The elevator doors slid open with a soft chime, and Lilith stepped onto the highest floor.

The space in front of her was nothing like the standard corporate offices she had visited before.

It was professional, modern—everything sleek lines, polished surfaces, and a minimalist design.

Yet, there was something surprisingly cozy about it.

The lighting was warm and soft, creating a welcoming atmosphere.

There were elegant sofas tucked into corners and soft rugs beneath low coffee tables.

The entire floor exuded a sense of calm, the kind of place that made you want to linger, not rush through.

Lilith yawned, her exhaustion from the long day still lingering, but as the cool air of the space surrounded her, she suddenly felt a burst of energy, a spark of curiosity that pushed away the tiredness.

The building intrigued her. The space felt fresh, clean, and inviting.

Something about it made her eager to explore.

Instead of sinking into one of the couches in the hallway, she wandered.

She studied the large paintings on the walls—minimalistic in style, each one primarily depicting women in various poses.

Her eyes followed the sweeping curves and bold angles in the artwork, intrigued by how each piece complemented the space.

Her curiosity only grew the further she wandered, her feet carrying her closer to the large glass windows. The view was stunning—city lights glittering below as the sun sank further beneath the horizon, casting a warm glow across the skyline.

Lost in her exploration, Lilith didn't hear the sound of high heels echoing through the quiet hall. The footsteps grew closer, but she remained oblivious, her attention fixed on the view. Then, just as the silence around her seemed to deepen, she heard a velvety voice that made her jump.

"Are you lost?"

Lilith turned quickly, her heart skipping a beat as she faced the woman who had spoken.

She wasn't sure when the woman had arrived, but there she was, standing in front of her.

Tall and composed, the woman exuded an aura of calm control.

Her dark brunette hair fell in sleek waves just below her breasts and her piercing green eyes regarded Lilith with an intensity that made her stomach flutter.

There was something about the way she carried herself, so effortlessly elegant, yet with an undeniable coldness that sent a slight chill down Lilith's spine.

Dressed in an all-black ensemble-a sleek pencil skirt hugging her hips, a silk blouse tucked in flawlessly, paired with sharp, expensive high heels that echoed authority with each step-she looked every bit the woman in charge.

Delicate gold jewelry shimmered subtly against her skin, including a few elegant rings that adorned her long fingers, catching the light as she shifted.

And then there was her scent—expensive oud and cashmere, warm yet sophisticated, lingering in the air like a whisper of something forbidden.

It suited her, deep and intoxicating, a contrast between luxury and restraint.

The fragrance wrapped around Lilith, adding to the quiet power this woman radiated.

The woman's presence was commanding, almost stoic, and though her expression didn't betray any emotion, there was something undeniably dominant in the way she stood.

Lilith quickly realized this wasn't someone who would be angered by small things, but someone who held authority in the subtlest of ways.

"Not really," Lilith replied casually, a small smile curling at the corner of her lips. She tilted her head cutely adding "I'm exploring."

The woman stared at her for a moment, eyes narrowing slightly as she tried to gauge the situation.

A flicker of surprise crossed her face, though she quickly masked it with a composed expression.

She had expected the girl to at least recognize her, or perhaps act with some level of formality, but instead, here she was—this young woman wandering around, completely unaware of who she was.

"Exploring?" The woman's voice broke the silence, her tone low with an intrigued edge.

She raised a dark, perfectly shaped eyebrow, her piercing green gaze focused on Lilith as she continued to wander aimlessly.

The woman's lips twitched with mild amusement, clearly surprised by the girl's carefree attitude.

She watched the much shorter girl curiously, taking in the way her blonde hair swayed with each step, her movements unburdened by the usual stiffness that came with corporate spaces.

Lilith, focused on the beauty of the building, didn't immediately acknowledge the question.

She moved further into the open area, her gaze catching sight of a set of large, wooden doors.

There was a small, polished sign near the edge of the door: "CEO's Office.

" Oscar had mentioned that the CEO was a very strict woman, one whose presence could command a room.

The door to the office was slightly open, a soft invitation.

With a curious look on her face, she stepped closer, peering at the room beyond.

It was hard to resist the temptation to see what it looked like, especially knowing how high-powered the CEO was.

She turned around, her blue eyes meeting the tall woman's, and without hesitation, asked, "Can I come inside? "

The woman's lips quirked into a smirk, her amusement becoming more evident.

She watched Lilith's nonchalant approach, almost impressed by how unbothered the girl seemed—her innocence was both refreshing and strange in a place like this.

She didn't answer immediately, letting the silence stretch for a moment longer than necessary before she simply nodded.

Lili stepped forward, pushing the door open as though she was completely unaware of the gravity of the situation.

Inside the CEO's office, the blonde haired girl was immediately struck by the warmth of the space.

It wasn't much different from the rest of the floor she had explored-sleek, modern, and minimalistic—but it had a personal touch to it that made the room feel more inviting.

The bookshelves along one wall were filled with an eclectic mix of titles, and a few paintings hung on the walls—subtle pieces that conveyed elegance.

A vinyl record player in one corner seemed almost out of place in such a polished environment, but it gave the room a cozy, lived-in feel.

Lilith's fingers grazed over the spines of the books absentmindedly, her curiosity pushing her to explore further.

She was the kind of person who couldn't sit still, especially when there was so much to see.

She loved discovering things, sometimes a bit too much, her carefree nature driving her to poke around in places she probably shouldn't.

It was this same sense of curiosity that often led her into unexpected situations and bad decisions.

She pulled one of the books off the shelf, flipping it open without much thought. It was only when her fingers brushed the pages that she realized the woman had remained in the doorway, still watching her.

The weight of the silent observation finally made Lilith glance back. "Won't the CEO be mad at you for letting me in?" she asked giggling softly.

The woman still leaning slightly against the frame of the door, watched the girl as though she were an interesting puzzle to solve.

She took a slow step forward, her voice colder now, but still controlled. "I don't think I'll be mad at myself, sweetheart."

Her eyes fixed on Lilith with a new intensity, a brief flicker of something unspoken flashing between them.

The weight of the words hit Lilith only a moment too late-suddenly, she realized just who she was talking to, and a rush of embarrassment swept over her.

The woman was none other than Valentina Salvatore.