CHAPTER 1 : HIS GHOST
Hotel Hallway, Late Night
The dim hotel hallway echoed with the sound of their hurried steps, punctuated by the occasional breathless laugh. Shau's arm was slung around Jenny's waist, pulling her close as they stumbled out of the elevator. The alcohol in their system made the world spin slightly, but it only heightened the raw, urgent desire between them.
Without a word, Jenny pushed Shau against the wall, her lips crashing onto his with an almost feral hunger. His hands gripped her hips, pulling her even closer as they kissed deeply, tongues tangling in a heated dance. The taste of whiskey and something sweeter passed between them, driving them wild.
Shau fumbled in his pocket, pulling out the key card as Jenny's hands roamed his chest, fingers deftly working on the buttons of his shirt. "Hurry," she whispered, her breath hot against his ear, sending shivers down his spine.
The door to room 304 finally beeped open, and they tumbled inside, lips never leaving each other. Clothes were pulled off with a sense of urgency, articles of clothing left in a trail leading to the bed. Jenny's dress slid to the floor as Shau's hands found the bare skin of her back, the sensation sending a jolt of electricity through her.
He pushed her against the wall, his mouth trailing down her neck, sucking and biting with just enough force to leave a mark. Jenny moaned softly, her nails digging into his shoulders as she pulled him closer, their bodies flush against each other. Every touch, every kiss was charged with a desperate need, as if they couldn't get enough of each other.
Shau lifted her effortlessly, and she wrapped her legs around his waist, feeling the hard press of him against her. The tension between them was almost unbearable as he carried her to the bed, their mouths reconnecting in a searing kiss that left them both gasping for breath.
They fell onto the bed in a tangle of limbs, the softness of the sheets a stark contrast to the roughness of their kisses. Shau's hands roamed her body, memorizing every curve, every dip, as Jenny arched into his touch, her own hands exploring the hard lines of his muscles.
Their movements became frantic, a blur of passion and need, as they sought to consume each other completely. The bed creaked beneath them, but the sound was drowned out by their heavy breaths, their low moans, and the primal connection between them.
In that moment, the world outside ceased to exist.
There was only the heat of their bodies, the fire in their veins, and the intoxicating rush of pleasure as they lost themselves in each other, utterly and completely.
The night was beautiful like their very first met. The moon shine like the sun, and flower dances. The flowers bloom even in midnight.
After some tic tac tos, the room was bathed in the soft glow of a bedside lamp, casting gentle shadows on the walls. Jenny and Shau lay entwined under the sheets, their breaths slowly returning to normal after an intense and passionate encounter. The silence between them was comfortable but laden with unspoken thoughts of Jenny.
Jenny propped herself up on one elbow, her eyes studying Shau’s profile as he stared up at the ceiling. The weight of their recent intimacy made her feel both close and conflicted. She needed to address something that had been on her mind for a while.
“Daddy,” Jenny began softly, her voice almost a whisper.
Shau turned his head to look at her. "Yes baby?"
Jenny hesitated for a moment, searching for the right words. “We’ve been seeing each other for a while now, and we keep ending up here, in bed. But I’m starting to wonder where this is all leading to.”
Shau raised an eyebrow, his gaze steady as he took in her words. “What do you mean?”
“I mean,” Jenny said, her voice steady but laced with emotion, “we have these moments, these great nights together, but we haven’t really talked about what we’re doing. I need to know if this is going anywhere, or if we’re just… in this for the moment.”
Shau’s brow furrowed as he considered her words. “I thought we were just enjoying each other’s company. I didn’t realize you were looking for more.”
Jenny nodded, her fingers tracing patterns on his chest. “I am. I want to understand where we stand. Are we just having fun, or do you see us as something more serious?”
Shau sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I didn’t know you felt this way. I’ve been really happy with how things are, but I guess I didn’t think about what it means for us long-term.”
Jenny’s eyes searched his face, hoping for clarity. “I care about you, 'dy. I really do. But I need to know if you see us having a future, or if we’re just here for the good times without any real commitment.”
Shau looked down. “I like it being with you, baby. But didn't I told you the first time? I broke up with my fiancee because I want to be free. I want to do everything I want to do. Besides, I'm so busy at work for any commitment. I could only meet you like... this."
She nodded like she was not affected by what he said so honestly. "Okay." Jenny turned her head away, her eyes brimming with unshed tears but she didn't let Shau to notice.
Before 5AM, he drive her home to her apartment. He ask for a kiss before she step outside his car.
Every time they see each other, Jenny knew that he is the one. That she would risk everything for him, she would give everything to him because if it's not him, she doesn't want anyone else.
But... he is never sure of her.
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“What now? Did your daddy replied your messages?” Kier asked Jenny as he peeked into her cubicle.
It was already a week since Shau and Jenny last met. Kier is her colleague sitting next to her.
"No. But he will." She said in assurance.
He played his mustache. "But he never delayed his messages like this before, right?"
She stopped typing in her computer and glare at him. "Please go back to your work before I report you to our Mr. Duavis."
"You always ask for my advice, anyway. You don't want it this time?"
She just stayed silent and a flash of scene visit her memory.
It's how she met Shau.
The bar was bustling with activity, filled with the vibrant hum of conversation and the clinking of glasses. Jenny and her friends were seated at a high-top table near the center, celebrating the end of a long week and trying to distract their friend Anne from her recent heartbreak.
Jenny had just gotten up to grab another round of drinks for the table. As she made her way through the crowd, she carefully balanced a tray of drinks, her eyes focused on avoiding any spills.
Unfortunately, her path intersected with that of Shau, who was casually walking with a drink in hand. In a comical twist of fate, Jenny's tray wobbled precariously, and just as she turned to navigate around a group of people, she bumped into Shau.
The collision was almost in slow motion. The tray tipped, and Jenny’s drinks went flying, splashing onto Shau’s crisp white shirt and the floor.
“Oh my gosh!” Jenny exclaimed, her eyes widening in horror as she looked at the mess. “I’m so sorry!”
Shau, though initially taken aback, quickly composed himself. With a grin and a reassuring shrug, he wiped his shirt with a napkin he’d grabbed from the bar. “No worries. I’ve had worse things spilled on me. Are you alright?”
Jenny felt a mix of embarrassment and relief. “I’m fine, just mortified. I really didn’t mean to—”
Before she could finish, Shau reached out, gently taking her hand. “It’s alright. Why don’t we get you another drink, and I’ll help clean this up?”
Jenny blinked, a bit taken aback by his kindness. “You don’t have to—”
“I insist,” Shau said with a warm smile. “Consider it my good deed for the evening.”
As they approached the bar together, she couldn't help giving him glances. He exuded an effortless charm, with a strong, angular jawline and high cheekbones that framed his face with striking precision. His dark, almond-shaped eyes gleamed with a captivating intensity, drawing in anyone who met his gaze. His physique was lean yet well-toned, reflecting a disciplined dedication to fitness, while his elegant posture added to his overall allure. Dressed in a contemporary, stylish outfit, his appearance was both polished and modern, with neatly styled hair completing the picture of a truly compelling presence.
He's a total of a hot guy that she always wanted!
Shau ordered a fresh round of drinks for Jenny, all the while keeping the mood light with easy conversation. His presence was calming, and his playful attitude helped ease Jenny’s embarrassment.
“Thank you." She hope to meet him again.
Shau chuckled. “Hey, it’s not every day I get to meet someone who’s so genuinely sorry for a little mishap. I’m glad we met, anyway.”
When the drinks arrived, Shau handed Jenny a new cocktail with a wink. “Let’s make sure this one stays on the tray, shall we?”
Jenny laughed, feeling a genuine connection growing between them.
They returned to her table, where her friends gave Shau a warm welcome and excited look. As the night continued, Jenny and Shau found themselves drawn into each other’s company, their initial clumsiness giving way to a more natural and engaging conversation. The evening ended with a promise to meet up again, a new and unexpected connection having sparked from an accidental encounter.
***Jenny’s Apartment, Late Afternoon***
Jenny’s apartment was quiet except for the soft hum of her laptop. She sat on the couch, her phone clutched in one hand as she stared at the screen, scrolling through Shau’s social media posts for what felt like the hundredth time. Each new post, whether it was a picture of him out with friends or a casual update, felt like a punch to her gut.
Her niece Ashley had come over to visit, sensing that Jenny had been distant lately. Ashley entered the living room with a cup of tea, setting it down on the coffee table before sitting beside Jenny. “You’ve been on your phone all day. Everything alright?” Ashley said noticing the tension in Jenny’s posture.
Jenny sighed, her eyes still fixed on the screen. “It’s just… Shau. He hasn’t replied to any of my messages, and I keep seeing him posting stuff. I don’t understand why he just disappeared.”
Ashley's expression softened with concern. “Oh! That one hot guy you've been telling me? The son of a businessman? What's their business anyway?"
"I... I don't know. He just told me that his family owned a big store in the City."
"Ow. My aunt is so inlobe with him, I guess."
Jenny didn't say anything.
"Well, I know it’s hard, but I think you need to stop checking his posts and sending him messages. It’s not doing you any good.”
Jenny looked at her nineteen years old niece, a mix of frustration and sadness in her eyes. “But I really thought we had something. I don’t get why he would just ghost me like this.”
Ashley took Jenny’s hand in hers, her tone earnest. “Sometimes, people disappear for reasons that have nothing to do with us. It’s not about you or what you did. He is the problem. Not you.”
Jenny’s eyes filled with tears as she shook her head. “I can’t help myself. I keep hoping he’ll reach out, that maybe he’ll explain everything.”
Ashley squeezed Jenny’s hand gently. “I get it. It’s really hard to let go of something you thought was meaningful. But you deserve someone who will give you the respect and attention you need. You deserve someone who won’t just vanish without a word.”
"Now, I feel how Anne felt that night." She said in teary eyes.
“It’s okay to grieve,” Ashley said softly. She picked up Jenny's phone and didn't hesitate deleting Shau’s contact information and the conversations and blocked him.
"Hey! Ashley NO!" But Jenny was too late.
"Move on girl. He is just hot and rich but he is a jerk. If I see him in person, I'd literally punch his face for hurting my pretty aunt, huh!"
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**Scene: Corporate Office, Late Morning**
The office was bustling with its usual activity—phones ringing, keyboards clacking, and quiet conversations happening at every corner. Jenny was at her desk, focused on her work, oblivious to the commotion that was about to unfold.
Suddenly, the door to the office swung open with a burst of energy, and Marjorie, one of Jenny’s coworkers, hurried inside, her face flushed with excitement and a hint of nervousness.
“Everyone, listen up!” Marjorie called out, quickly gathering the attention of the employees nearby. The room gradually fell silent as heads turned toward her, curious about the urgency in her voice.
Jenny glanced up from her screen, mildly interested in the sudden announcement but more focused on finishing her task.
Marjorie caught her breath before continuing, her voice a bit breathless. “The chairman’s son is coming to the office today—for the first time!”
A wave of murmurs swept through the room, a mixture of curiosity and anxiety. The chairman’s son had been a topic of speculation for weeks, but no one had expected him to actually show up in person.
“Is he coming here? To our floor?” someone asked, sounding both intrigued and worried.
“Yes, in about an hour,” Marjorie confirmed, her excitement barely contained. “So we need to make sure everything is perfect. You know how important this is—he’s the heir to the company!”
As Marjorie continued to give instructions on tidying up the workspace and making a good impression, Jenny remained at her desk, slightly amused by the sudden frenzy but still unaware of the significance this visit would have for her.
“What’s all the fuss about?” Jenny asked, turning to her colleague Kier at the next desk.
Kier raised an eyebrow. “Haven’t you heard? The chairman’s son is a big deal. Everyone’s been dying to know what he’s like. And if he’s anything like his father, he’ll be taking over the company someday.”
Jenny nodded, still not fully grasping the magnitude of the situation.
She returned to her work, unaware that this mysterious visitor was none other than Shau, the same man who had once captured her attention at the bar—and who had inexplicably disappeared from her life shortly after.
As the hour drew closer, the office hummed with a mix of anticipation and nervous energy. Desks were straightened, papers were neatly stacked, and employees exchanged hurried glances as they prepared for the arrival of the chairman’s son.
Meanwhile, Jenny remained in her own world, completely oblivious to the impending reunion that would soon turn her day—and perhaps her life—upside down.
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