Chapter 1: The Stand-in Girlfriend

Beth witnessed Louis's thoughtfulness for the first time in a long while at the party hall of the Tony Hader, although she wasn't the recipent of the kindness.

After the company meeting ended, Louis gave her instructions to come to the Brian Manor hall to pick him up. She genuinely wondered why Louis instructed her to pick him up, she is not the company's driver but his secretary.

Entering the party hall, people were gathered around the dining table, with silverware meticulously arranged.

Men held high glasses, elegantly swaying, the deep red liquid swirling gracefully along the cup's edge.

Someone joked, "Louis, when did you change your taste?"

As the conversation fell, everyone's gaze landed on a very beautiful girl sitting next to Louis.

This girl had big round eyes, a pure appearance, and being the center of attention made her cheeks flush with shyness, appearing charming and lovely. The same guy who joked earlier comforted her, "Don't be afraid, we don't bite"

The girl nodded timidly and said, "Okay," her cheeks reddening even more, looking adorable and obedient.

Another of Louis's friend, Amos said bluntly, "Now, this is a girl. Unlike Beth, as cold as ice."

Beth didn't feel anything about the disparaging words about herself; she was just an insignificant person anyway.

As for Louis not defending her, Beth was used to it, she had experiencd it times without number.

But the young girl was indeed very likable. Beth couldn't help but feel sorry for her, especially considering those men around were monitoring her every move like vultures.

Beth remembered that the young girl was a new intern at the company, named Lauren. But she didn't quite understand why Lauren was at the event with Louis.

At this moment, Lauren's eyes met Beth's. Lauren leaned on the table and stood up, offering a curt greeting to her.

Beth had a striking appearance, a rare beauty, but she had a flaw - she rarely smiled, this created a sense of distance between her and majority of people.

She didn't know why Lauren was so afraid of her, nor did she intend to ask. She looked at Louis, "Sir, I'm here to pick you up."

Louis was sitting in his seat, his black shirt collar slightly open, his sleeves rolled up to his forearms, revealing perfect arm lines.

He exuded a natural noble aura, even though all the men present came from high society, none of them could match his appearance and temperament.

He didn't respond to Beth, but under everyone's gaze, he got up and pulled out a chair behind Lauren, offering her a seat beside saying, "Don't be afraid, sit properly."

Beth watched, her heart tightening for a moment in jealousy. She had known Louis for many years, and she has almost never seen him like this with any woman.

Over the years, whenever Louis was with her, he always had the attitude of a superior not to talk of pulling out a chair for her.

Beth felt a sense of loss she had never felt before, but she never showed her emotions, so others couldn't tell.

Louis comforted Lauren the young intern, then turned to Beth, his tone extremely cold "You're not picking me up, you're taking Lauren to her house."

Beth, extremely irritated, wanted to ask Louis why he didn't let the driver drop Lauren at home but she ultimately didn't ask, just replied."Yes sir."

After the party ended, Beth drove Lauren home. Louis didn't get in the car with them, just reminded Beth, "North District City Apartments, make sure to get there safely."

Beth nodded silently, her intuition telling her that Louis was putting up an attitude.

On the way, Lauren saw Beth silent and took the initiative to explain, "Ms Beth, don't misunderstand what happened today. Mr. Louis took me along with him because I'm new in the company."

Beth did not see the need for an explanation and insisted that the young intern need not explain herself.

When Beth first met these young masters, they were very hostile to her. They all gave her the cold shoulder, looked down on her, and both directly and indirectly mocked her for climbing the social ladder and not being worthy to work for Louis.

This wasn't surprising. Many wealthy young masters actually looked down on ordinary people. But she and Lauren both came from ordinary families. If it weren't for Louis's care, those young masters wouldn't have recognized Lauren like this.

Beth wanted to laugh. She did not understand why Lauren appeared at the Tony Hader's party with Louis . She really laughed and said lightly, "Mr. Louis's actions don't need explanation. He is the boss, he can do and undo. It's a long journey,Lauren. I suggest you take a nap."

After saying that, Beth didn't intend to speak again. She had just returned from a business trip from another city today, and she had been driving for a long time.

Now she had to drive from the south district to the north district to take Lauren home and then back to the central district, which was extremely exhausting.

Beth returned to the upscale residential area in the central district late at night. When she entered the door, she found that Louis was here.

He stood on the balcony, tall and slim, with a charming temperament, leaning against the railing and smoking. The cigarette flickered between his fingers, rendering a hint of wildness, different from his usual self.

For the sake of convenience, Louis bought this large flat in the same neighborhood as Beth's. He would come here only when he needed to solve his physiological needs.

She understood why he came here, her heart tightened, she walked over, took the initiative to hug him, and asked, "Do you like Lauren?"

Louis extinguished the cigarette, hugged her and kissed her, his lips and tongue tainted with the taste of nicotine. It seemed he had no intention of answering her question at this moment. She responded to his kiss, her kissing skills were not bad, all taught by him.

At the same time, he pushed her inside, pressed her onto the sofa, lifted her skirt, took off her panties skillfully, unbuttoned her belt, took off her pants, and released the trapped beast under him, ready for a satisfying release.

Gradually, the man's breath became heavy. With the last muffled groan, the affair came to an end. He went to the bathroom to take a shower, and when he came back, he was dressed neatly, preparing for take his leave.

Beth grabbed him, lazily squinting her eyes, "After doing this with me, will you spend the night with her?"

Her in this context referred to the new young and extremely beautiful intern, Lauren .

She remembered, Louis had never spent the night here. But what if he was headed to Lauren's apartment? She needed to know the answer.

Louis looked indifferent, as if nothing had happened just now, and calmly said, "She's too young, not suitable for such things."

Beth's eyes slowly grew cold, stiffly letting go of his hand. She did not believe Louis to say the least, but she wasn't willing to argue especially not today.

Chapter 2: Back In Time

Twenty years ago

“Father, father. I’d save you. I promise, I will” the ten year old Beth said while running around frantically.

She ran to a random man on the beach and pleaded saying, “please, my Dad is drowning. Please, help him”

Both the man and Beth ran to the water to save Beth’s father but he was gone very deep.

The man threw his phone to the young Beth and instructed her, “Call 911 now!” “Be fast about it!” He reiterated.

He dived into the water, hoping to see if he could find the little girl’s father.

Beth was scared and utterly devastated, her fingers fumbled while she managed to dial the emergency hotline.

“Hello, my dad is drowning at the Stone beach” she said to whoever was on the other line.

Few minutes later, the emergency team arrived with their ambulance and tried to rescue young Beth’s dad but all their efforts went down the drain.

“No, Dad.” She screamed with so much agony.

Now.

She woke up restless after the dream and kept repeating “it was a dream” over and over again

Beth broke down in tears remembering the death of her father all over again.

Ever since the incident happened, she always struggled with nightmares.

Her father was her hero, he loved her dearly and she loved him even dearly. She wished she could meet her father at least once for the last time and tell him how much she misses him.

“Is it possible to get over the death of Daddy?” She said out loud while she sobbed.

She missed her Dad so much, and again blamed herself for the death of her father.

“Maybe I shouldn’t have pressured him to take me to the beach that day.”

She remembered how she loved to go to the beach when she was younger and how she always went with her dad.

When they were returning from their trip to the beach, she would often tell her Dad, “Daddy, you owe me a treat”, with a pout.

“I know, my darling. What do you want this time?” Her father would ask while tickling her.

“No, Daddy. Don’t tickle me. I’m a big girl now” She would always reply.

"But, you would always be my baby girl, Beth" Her Dad would say while ruffling her hair.

She remembered how her father used to stroke her long hair and tell her “You are a strong woman, Beth.”

She was in dire need of one of those moments.

Beth’s mom was an hard worker, her work rarely allowed her to have time for her family.

She worked as a maid for Louis’ family. She had been doing that before Beth was born.

Whenever she was free from work, she would often join Beth and her father, but her relationship with Beth wasn’t as solid as that of Beth’s and her dad.

After Beth’s father passed away, the family was devastated.

Life was not the same for Beth anymore, there were no trip to the beach neither were there special treats.

After school, she had to revert to Louis' family house where her mother served as a maid.

The first time she saw Louis was on his thirteenth birthday, he looked genuinely happy with his cake, he had the brightest eyes she had ever seen.

Just watching him smile for pictures, made her crack a smile herself.

He noticed Beth standing by the corner and invited her to join his picture. 'Come and take a picture with me."

Ever since Louis’ birthday, Beth was curious and secretly wondered what type of person Louis was.

One day, in a room bathed in sunlight, she found Louis, the young heir, sprawled on a plush armchair, engrossed in a book. Fear turned to awe as their eyes met. Louis, unlike the adults who saw only the maid's daughter, saw a curious, bright spark in Beth. He offered her a shared cookie, a gesture that bloomed into a forbidden friendship.

“Hi, I’m Louis. We took pictures together on my birthday” he said with a smile on.

Beth was feeling very nervous because if her mother found her anywhere outside the maid room, she was going to be scolded.

Deciding whether to go back or not before her Mother found out was a really hard decision. She wanted to stay in the room and also talk to the boy in the room.

Louis noticed her dilemma and said “It’s alright, you can stay.”

“I’m Beth Copper” She said shyly.

Beth was not a shy girl so she didn’t understand why suddenly being with Louis made her shy.

“Hi, Beth. It’s a pleasure to meet you” Louis said. “I’m sorry about your Dad’s death. We can be friends if that would make you happy” Louis continued.

Beth was reminded of her daddy, and for a quick moment, she wanted to cry.

She didn’t think she could ever get used to not having her father around.

With a tear clogged voice she replied,

“Yes. I would like that.”

Day after day, Louis and Beth would play together. Beth would always sneak out of the maid’s room under the guise of doing her assignment in the garden and returned just in time before her Mother suspected anything.

On Beth’s thirteenth birthday, Louis gifted her a necklace with the letter “B” engraved in it.

“Awww, it’s very beautiful” Beth cried.

“I’m glad you like it, whenever you wear it, I want you to always remember me” Louis told her.

“I will, Louis. Thank you so much”

“You are welcome, Beth. You are the only true friend I have and I don't wanna leave you”

Beth and Louis' friendship began to blossom into something more serious. However, that fragile hope was crushed when Louis' mother intervened. She issued a strict directive to Amelia, Beth’s mother, forbidding her from bringing Beth to the Willers’ house ever again. Louis' mother made it abundantly clear that she would not tolerate any kind of relationship between her son and the daughter of the maid.

The weight of Louis' mother disapproval hung heavy. Amelia, Beth's mother, heartbroken explained the situation to Beth, her voice thick with tears. Beth though devastated had no choice to accept the situation, given that Louis' mother threatened to cut Amelia's employment if Beth didn't desist from being friends with Louis.

This greatly severed the relationship between Louis and Beth. At some point, they felt they wouldn't be friends anymore.

Years after, Beth went to college, where she majored in Business Administration and minored in Law and Music. She graduated as the second-best student.

Beth, with a newfound confidence, sought employment at Hallow Enterprises. It was a bold step, a deliberate intrusion into the world that had overshadowed her life. Louis, now a young executive, was surprised but ecstatic. He championed her talent, promoting her to his assistant, a decision met with raised eyebrows from the old guard.

Chapter 3: The Pawn

In the opulent skyscraper that served as the headquarters of Louis Willer vast corporate empire, a whirlwind of ambition and intrigue swirled amidst the corridors of power.

Louis, CEO of Hallow Enterprises, was a man of immense wealth and influence. His piercing gaze and commanding presence held sway over the boardrooms of multinational corporations, while his philanthropic ventures earned him accolades in the society. But, behind the polished exterior, was a vulnerable young man.

Louis' brother, Marcus’ had been the CEO of the company until he met with an accident two years back.

It was Louis’ birthday that day and of course like their usual ritual, Louis convinced Marcus to accompany him to the club.

Marcus has always being the reserved one wanting nothing to do with the extravagant lifestyle.

Louis walked into Marcus’ office that faithful day, he met Marcus buried deep behind his computer sorting out some company issues.

“Big brother, it’s my birthday today. You should come out with me.” Louis pleaded.

“I really would have loved to, Louis. But I’m very busy with work.” Marcus replied.

“You are always busy with work, brother” Louis fired.

“Of course, what would you rather I’d be busy with?” He asked his brother rolling his eyes.

“All work and no play makes Marcus a really dull boy”

“I’m sure the quote says Jack not Marcus”

Marcus retorted while laughing.

“You get the gist now. Please just come with me to the club today” Louis said with a pout.

Louis had a point. Marcus craved a distraction, a way to forget the hollowness that had settled in his chest lately. With a sigh, he agreed. “Alright. Just because it’s your birthday” Marcus said.

“Thank you, Big bro. I love you” Louis screamed like a little kid promised candy.

“I’d pick you up by 10pm”.

"Be prepared, bro".

“All right, brother and happy birthday!” Marcus wished him.

The club was a mixture of blinding lights and thumping music. Louis, clothed in a new shirt that screamed "birthday boy," dragged Marcus through the pulsating crowd. They downed shots, laughed at terrible jokes, and attempted terrible dance moves.

As the night wore on, it started to rain heavily. Marcus complained that he was tired and wanted to retire for the night, stepping out to hail a cab, the slick pavement betrayed them. The world tilted, the roar of the engine a terrifying sound before a crushing silence.

Louis woke to the rhythmic beep of a machine. Blurry white figures flitted in and out of his vision. A doctor's voice, laced with concern, spoke of a bad car accident, a severe head injury, and a coma. Where was Marcus? Panic clawed at him, but his body refused to respond.

Days bled into weeks. The sterile room became his world, the rhythmic beep his only companion. He yearned to know about Marcus, to tell him he was sorry for being a drag that night. Regret gnawed at him, a constant reminder of the birthday that turned into a nightmare.

One day, a hand familiar, squeezed his. A choked sob escaped as his Mom’s tear-streaked face swam into focus. "Louis you're awake! Don't worry, you'll be fine”

“Mum” Louis managed to croak out.

“Shhh, don’t try to talk” She comforted him.

“Where is Marcus?” Louis managed to get out with tears blurred eyes.

“Marcus is in coma” His Mom replied equally crying.

Louis does not respond but just began to cry even more, regret gnawing at his heart. He should have left Marcus alone, he really should have.

After few weeks, Louis got discharged from the hospital but there was still no improvement from Marcus.

One of the days when Louis was recuperating, his father, the formidable Robert Willer, stood at the foot of the bed in his room, a storm brewing in his steely gaze. "Louis. You are a damn fool." His voice was a low growl. “You are very reckless, stupid and irresponsible. You caused great harm to your brother and to the company at large”

He said in between grounded teeth and whitened knuckles which showed he was angry to say the least.

Robert stormed out of the room immediately after, not even waiting for a reply from Louis.

Over the next few days, the gravity of the situation settled on Louis.

There was not a single day that he didn’t think of Marcus and the accident they had which left him in a coma, the doctors unsure of when, or even if, he'd wake up.

Robert, the patriarch of the industry, was devastated about the state of the company.

Robert was forced to early retirement due to health issues and this was what led to handing over the reigns to Marcus.

Unfortunately, Marcus is in a coma and the board, vultures circling, demanded a leader.

With a heavy heart, Robert did the unthinkable. He placed Louis in charge.

Louis stepped into the void, ascending to the office his brother filled prior with a mix of determination and ruthlessness.

However, his life outside the office and in the office was wayward. Louis indulged in a spree of sexual escapades, seeking solace in the arms of countless women. However, his heart always yearned for one forbidden love: Beth, his secretary and their maid's daughter.

Louis harbored a secret passion for his secretary, Beth. Her intelligence, beauty, and quiet strength captivated him, but he dared not reveal his feelings, fearing it would jeopardize their professional relationship.

Instead, Louis devised a cunning plan. He lavished attention on a young intern, Lauren, a brilliant young executive newly hired by the company. Her wit and ambition caught his attention, he daily showered with praises, gifts, and invitations to exclusive events. His goal was to make Beth jealous, hoping it would force her to confront her own feelings for him.

However, Beth remained unmoved. She had always maintained a strictly professional demeanor with Louis, and she saw his flirtations with Lauren as nothing more than a harmless game.

However, as Louis' pursuit of Lauren intensified, a flicker of doubt began to creep into her heart.

Could Louis possibly have genuine feelings for this inexperienced intern? Or was he merely using her as a pawn in his elaborate scheme?

As the days turned into weeks, Beth's jealousy grew. She found herself scrutinizing every interaction between Louis and Lauren, her mind racing with suspicion and insecurity. Louis, sensing Beth's growing unease, played his cards even closer to his chest.

He continued to shower Lauren with attention, but he also made subtle gestures towards Beth that hinted at his true feelings. A lingering gaze, a gentle touch, a whispered compliment—each action was carefully calculated to stir Beth's emotions.

Chapter 4: Entangled

Lauren was rudely awakened by her alarm clock.

“It’s Monday again,” She said while gritting her teeth.

She reluctantly stood up from the bed, mentally loathing the new week work load and having to put up with Louis insufferable attitude.

She dressed up in a hurry, downs a cup of coffee and leaves for work.

Lauren swiped her security card, the familiar beep even adding to the discontent brewing within her.

Another day at Hallow Enterprises.

She opened the elevator and is met with none other than Louis Willer himself.

“What a way to start your day”, the voice in her head whispered.

“Good morning, sir” Lauren greeted Louis with a fake smile plastered on her face.

“Oh, Lauren! Good morning, how did your weekend go?” Louis responded to her greetings.

Louis noticed she was dressed in an orange gown which brought out the color of her eyes perfectly.

“She really is a beauty to behold” he concludes in his head.

“Very well, thank you sir” Lauren responded curtly.

“We have a board meeting today by 10 and I think it’d be great if you join us” Louis offered.

“But sir, I’m just an intern” She stated with uncertainty lacing her voice.

“Nonsense!”Louis thunders. “You should be there”

“Alright sir, I will”

They come out of the elevator and meet Beth just about to enter the elevator.

“Good morning, Ms Beth” Lauren greeted her.

“Good morning, Lauren” Beth answered warmly.

A prickle of suspicion ran down Lauren's spine as Louis, her boss, invited her for the board meeting, she was just an ordinary intern who had no business whatsoever in the company’s board meeting. She noticed his usual arrogant demeanor was softened with a practiced charm, a flash of white teeth accompanying his praise for her latest report.

Louis' recent behavior was a confusing web. The unsolicited gifts, the frequent compliments, the lingering touches during meetings – they all felt calculated, a carefully crafted performance. Lauren wasn't naive. She knew Louis didn't genuinely like her. He was up to something, and she was the unwitting fly caught in his web.

The question gnawed at her. "What did he want?"

Lauren couldn't shake off the feeling that Louis was using her, her skills, her dedication, for some unknown purpose. The thought fueled a quiet fire within her. She wouldn't be a pawn. She'd play his game, yes, but on her own terms. She'd be vigilant, decode his maneuvers, and maybe, just maybe, turn the tables on him. Lauren, with a smile as sharp as her mind, was ready for a game of her own.

The board meeting was very uneventful. Lauren meticulously listened to Louis' latest presentation, silently correcting his grammar and outrageous boasts about the company's "unparalleled brilliance." Each change was a silent rebellion, a tiny act of defiance against Louis.

Lunch was a solitary affair. Lauren hunched over her salad at her desk, drowning out the distant sounds of Louis' boisterous lunch meeting with a well-worn audio book. His laughter, even muffled by the thin walls, annoyed her greatly.

Not long after lunch, a familiar figure materialized in her doorway. Louis, a frown creasing his perfectly sculpted brow. "Lauren," he began, his voice laced with something that almost resembled concern, "having some trouble with the Energy Saving campaign?"

Lauren took a deep breath, summoning every ounce of her self-control. "We're managing," she replied, her voice calm and professional.

Louis hovered for a moment, his eyes scanning the room. Perhaps he sensed the simmering tension, or perhaps Lauren's steely gaze finally pierced his self-absorption. Whatever the reason, he retreated with a muttered "good" and a curt nod.

As the clock struck five, Lauren packed her bag, a sweet satisfaction settling over her. She may have loathed Louis, but she had survived another day. The war might be a silent one, fought with meticulous reports and well-placed smile, but in this battlefield, Lauren was a warrior, and she wouldn't back down.

Leaving the office, she stepped into the cool evening air. The city lights shimmered below, a promise of a life beyond the confines of Hallow Empires. Lauren smiled, a genuine one this time.

Almost immediately, she received a call from her best friend, Layla.

“Hi, Layla. What’s up?” Lauren fired.

“Hi, Lauren. How are you? How was work?”

“Hmmm, where are you right now?” Lauren asked her friend, Layla, considering if she should meet up with her after the day’s works.

“I’m home. You know some of us actually work from home right” Layla joked.

“Yes, I know. I’d be at your doorstep very soon”

“All right, babe. I would be expecting you”

Lauren boarded a taxi to her friend’s apartment, feeling the need to relax after a very stressful day. She and Layla have been friends since elementary school at Leceister City.

She remembered the first day they met each other on the playground of Willow Creek Elementary.

Layla, with her infectious laughter and playful spirit, was the life of the class. Lauren, on the other hand, was shy and reserved, preferring the solace of books and her own imagination.

Despite their contrasting personalities, a spark of connection ignited between them that day. As they shared secrets on the swings and chased each other through the fields, they realized they had found a kindred spirit in each other.

Lauren reached Layla’s house and screamed her name “Layla” out loud.

“I’m coming. Calm your horses” Layla retorted while laughing.

Layla opened the door and Lauren comes in. Lauren noticed Layla’s apartment had been rearranged, her favorite blue couch had been moved out, the wallpaper formerly ivory colored was now pink.

She exclaimed suddenly.

“Oh my God, what did you do to your place?”

Lauren’s mouth still wide opened reeling from the shock that her best friend re-arranged her house and did not inform her.

“In my defense, I wanted it to be a surprise” Layla said with her hands up in the air signaling a posture of surrender.

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Like I said, I wanted it to be a surprise. I’m sorry, I should have told you” Layla apologized as she moved in to hug Lauren.

“I’m sorry, I have been distant for a while. Work has just been a lot” Lauren apologized too, genuinely feeling sorry.

“I understand, Laur” Layla assured her.

“Now, tell me what has been up?”

“My boss is acting a little suspicious” Lauren explained to Layla with a frown etched on her face.

"Suspicious? How? Do you think he likes you?" Layla asked genuinely curious.

" That is the thing, I do not know, but I don't think he genuinely likes me. He gets me gift, showers compliments, takes me to exquisite events and even invited me to join their board meeting this morning. I'm just an intern for crying out loud" Lauren narrates.

"So, why then are you agitated, Laur? I think he likes you, genuinely at that. How many men would do these for a woman they do not like?"

"Louis is a casanova, please." She responded dismissively, "he would do even more just to get what he wants"

"Or do you think he wants to sleep with you?" Layla asked looking shocked

" With men, you never can be too sure."

"Now, young woman, do you see yourself maybe...." Layla doesn't complete her statement but continues to wink seductively signalling if Lauren sees herself entangled with the boss.

Lauren picked up the pillow beisde her, hitting Layla gently, and saying "You are a fucking whore"

Both of them laughing and laughing hard.

Chapter 5 The Bitter-Sweet Experience

On Saturday morning, Beth awoke with a heavy heart to the sound of birds chirping on the tree outside her window.

It was her father’s anniversary.

She had always been very close to her father, and his absence left an unfillable void in her life.

Filled with nostalgia from memories shared with her father, her mother called her phone, interrupting her nostalgic moments.

“Good morning, Mom” She said as she answered the phone.

“Good morning, Beth. How are you?” Amelia inquired with a flat voice.

“How are you, Mom?” Beth questioned intentionally redirecting the question back to her mother.

Her mother on the other end of the line, heaved a sigh, “it’s today”

“I know, Mom.” Beth said.

She didn’t like when it was near her father’s anniversary, it was a period often characterized by panic attacks, anxiety and of course increased nightmares.

A flicker of surprise crossed Beth's face as Amelia spoke. "I, uh, was wondering if you'd like to go to the cemetery today," Amelia said hesitantly. "It's… well, it's been a while since we went together."

Their visits to the cemetery were usually solitary affairs. Beth, still struggling with the loss, preferred to grieve in private. Amelia, burdened by unspoken guilt, found solace in quiet reflection. This year, however, there was a different tone in her mother's voice, a vulnerability that tugged at Beth's heartstrings.

Without dwelling on the past awkwardness, Beth tilted her head in consideration. "Sure, Mom," she said gently. "That sounds… nice, actually. What time do you have in mind?"

“Let’s do 12pm” Amelia said.

“See you soon”.

The silence of the pre-dawn was broken only by the clinking of Beth's spoon against her cereal bowl. Today was different. Today, a forgotten memory stirred, a yearning she hadn't dared indulge in years. Today, she would go to the beach where her father died.

Beth drove, the rising sun painting the sky with streaks of orange and pink. The car finally came to a stop, the familiar scent of salt air and seaweed filling her lungs. It was the beach. The very same one where her world had fractured, leaving behind a jagged scar that time had never fully healed.

Taking a deep breath, Beth stepped onto the sand. It was cool and damp beneath her bare feet, the rhythmic crash of the waves a lullaby of grief long-suppressed. Memories flooded back – her father's booming laugh, calloused hands holding hers, the warmth of his smile as they built sandcastles together. Tears began to roll down in her cheeks.

This wasn't just sand and water; it was a battlefield of emotions. Here, she confronted the pain, the loss, the unanswered questions. This walk wasn't just a journey back in time, it was a step towards healing, a way to finally lay her father's memory to rest.

In the afternoon, Beth met up with her mother at the local cemetery, where her father was laid to rest.

Both Amelia and Beth hugged each other tightly basking in the embrace of words not said, crying and comforting each other .

“He’d be so proud of you, you know?” Beth’s mother said breaking the silence that enveloped them. She continued amidst tears filled eyes “He’d be so proud of you and all that you’ve become. He loved you so so much”

"Thank you so much, Mom. Thank you for the reassurance."

"You are welcome, Beth, and I'm sorry I wasn't there for you when you needed me. Amelia apologized to her daughter.

"It's all right, Mom. I understand perfectly, it was hard on us all."

"It really was Beth, it was. Let's go now, your father is definitely waiting for us." Amelia said in an attempt to lighten the mood.

Beth cried even more, wishing that the pain would go away, wishing she didn’t loose her dad.

Hand in hand they walked towards his tomb, Amelia handed over the fresh flowers she purchased to Beth.

Beth placed the bouquet of fresh flowers on her father's grave and sat for a long while, lost in contemplation. By her Dad’s grave side, she poured out her heart in tears saying:

“Dear, Daddy.

It’s been twenty years of loneliness and agony since you've left us, since you've left me most especially. I miss you so much.

Guess what? I went to the beach today, for the first time since you died, I gathered the strength and courage to go there today.

It felt liberating, Dad. I felt somewhat lighter.

One would think that with twenty years, the pain would go away but it’s still there.

The dull ache still lingers everytime I think of you.

I miss you so much, Daddy. I miss you so much, it hurts.

I am comforted by the fact that you are with me today and always.

I promise to live a life that would honour your legacy, I promise to be the girl you would be proud of.

I love you today, tomorrow, always and forever!!!

Later that day, Beth's boss, Louis, surprised her with a visit at her apartment.

“Hi. What do you want?” Beth asked Louis, genuinely surprised to see him on her porch.

“I know it’s your father’s anniversary today”

He had heard about her father's passing and wanted to offer his condolences.

Beth was initially hesitant to let him in, but something in his eyes convinced her to open the door.” Come in”. She moved from the door so he could come into the house.

As they sat down in her living room, Louis took Beth's hands in his and expressed his deepest sympathies. ”I remember how much your father meant to you, it would be totally insensitive for me not to express my sympathies".

“Thank you, Louis.” Beth responded feeling really grateful.

“I didn’t know your Dad personally, but you had many nice and lovely stories to say of him when we were growing up. I’m really sorry for your loss.”

“Thank you so much, Louis” Beth croaked out.

It meant a lot to her to know that Louis cared about her well-being.

As they talked, Beth found herself drawn to Louis' warmth and compassion. He listened intently to her stories about her father and offered words of comfort and encouragement.

Gradually, the atmosphere in the room shifted from one of sadness to one of intimacy.

Before Beth knew what was happening, Louis leaned in and kissed her. She was surprised at first, but she couldn't deny the attraction she felt towards him. They kissed again, this time with more passion.

As the kiss deepened, Beth felt a surge of desire coursing through her body. She had never felt this way about anyone before except Louis who was her boss, he was also a kind and caring man who had shown her a side of himself that she had never seen before.

In that moment, Beth decided to let go of her inhibitions. She reached up and unbuttoned Louis' shirt, her fingers trembling slightly. He returned her embrace, his hands gently exploring her body.

And so, on the anniversary of her father's passing, Beth found solace and passion in the arms of her boss. It was a bitter-sweet experience, but it was also a moment of profound connection and healing.