A week had passed and the Butera family were hell bent to know how their golden boy—Milo had been, the anticipation in their eyes, curiosity bewildered them.

Milo was sitting in front of his study desk with his tab on the table.

“So Milo, how’s your new job, how’s the city? Your office? Selena asked inquisitively with excitement.

“Oh please” Valentina cut in with a soft tone.

“I’m his mother, I need to know”

Selena rolled her eyes with exasperation.

Giorgio was confident that Milo would answer his unheard questions.

Milo was adorably smiling at his screen,he could sit all day watching them be drowned in curiosity.

“So Milo, how’s it going?” Selena asked with a child like tone.

Milo beamed at his screen after hearing Selena’s question.

“Hillsburgh’s good, a great city.”

“That’s it?, Milo we need more details! What you mean with those words?” Selena asked with exasperation.

Valentina tuned into her soft motherly voice.

“Milo honey, are you happy in Hillsburgh? You can always come back home if you hate your job”

Milo shortly interrupted “Mom, everything’s good and amazing.”

Giorgio was silent the whole time, the company Milo worked for was a high value one, he was eager to know what Milo had been putting up as the new asset manager.

“How’s the South?” he asked with a playful stern voice.

“Work is great. I like the environment, it’s always busy, it reminds me of New York, I like my new office and I think i like my new colleagues, I like being an asset manager. I’ve been tasked

to present a pitch to English investors, it’s a big real estate company based in the U.K.

“Oh that’s great son” Giorgio sounding like the proud father he is.

“Thanks Dad”

“That’s beautiful my precious boy, all that smartness wasn’t for nothing” Valentina said lightly.

“You are just what The South needed, we are proud of you” Giorgio said sharply.

“Thank you, I love and miss you guys” Milo said wholeheartedly while beaming at his screen.

“We love and miss you too” Giorgio, Valentina and Selena said in chorus like little kids.

The atmosphere was warm and filled with love. The unwavering support, the curiosity of Milo’s wellbeing ,and the love was something he had and cherished.

But someone was not satisfied with Milo’s answer about his new job—Selena of course; she felt that Milo was hiding something. Curiosity killed not the cat, but Selena. She knew her brother had a charm that can sweep any woman off her feet, she was wondering, it’s never too early for a woman to be charmed by Milo — I mean he’s Milo. But who could that lady be? A female receptionist? A series of female colleagues or Milo’s new female friends?

She couldn’t let her curiosity sink in, she had to let those thoughts out.

“Milo how’s your boss?!” She quickly rushed in.

“She’s okay, I guess” Milo replied it.

“So your boss is a female”she replied with smirk of satisfaction on her face like she knew what she didn’t know.

“Yes she is” Milo replied sheepishly.

Milo’s sheepish reply made Selena wonder, Milo must have gotten a crush.

“So what’s her name? Is she pretty? She questioned like a 5 year old child.

Milo was shy— he’s instantly attracted to Soraya, how can a woman be beautiful and divine? His thoughts whenever he thinks about her.

His response was like a junior high school boy who had a crush on his extremely hot senior—totally normal.

“She’s beautiful, that’s all” he cleared his throat.

Selena wasn’t satisfied with Milo’s answer, she needed to hear more than just “she’s beautiful”

“Something’s fishy” she uttered suspiciously.

“Nothing is going on Lena, she’s my boss, that’s it.

Selena knew that Milo may secretly have a crush on crush on his new boss, she wouldn’t stop asking.

“Where’s she from? How old is she? What’s her instagram handle?”

Selena was prying on Milo’s new crush, he couldn’t stay confident around her, he stutters whenever he wants to talk to her, and he gasps for air at the sight of her.

Milo was exhausted from Selena’s interrogations.

“Lena I don’t know her social handles, I was employed to work and not stalk people” he voiced tirelessly.

“Okay” she uttered.

“I’d get to the bottom of it.” She said to herself quietly.

Valentina and Giorgio were busy watching the question and answer session between their kids.

“Give Milo a break.” Giorgio voiced out.

“Stop bothering Milo with your questions” Valentina softly insisted.

“Okay Mr and Mrs Butera” she rolled her eyes like a stubborn teenage girl.

“I miss Italy. I’ll come one day” Milo proclaimed softly.

“You’re more than welcome our Dear Milo.” Valentina said softly.

“You can come home whenever you want” Giorgio said proudly.

“You’re not welcome” Selena admitted like a rebellious teenager.

“Yeah whatever” Milo responded matching her energy.

“Break a leg at the pitch presentation.” Selena said confidently.

“I don’t mean it” Selena mentioned with a sassy attitude.

“Whatever” Milo responded rolling his eyes, “Anyways I’ve got to go now, I’ve got work to do, I love and miss you guys”

“We love and miss you too” they replied in a playful chorus manner.

“Bye” Milo smiled softly while blowing kisses to his screen.

The call ended, Milo was filled with warmth,

Being the asset manager in one of the biggest real estate company was a big responsibility, from property performance and value optimization, financial oversight, coordination management and strategic planning— it was a lot, the pitch presentation was in two weeks, and he had gone far with everything on his plate.

There was a laptop beside Milo’s phone.

He quickly turned it on, waited for it to boot and continued writing and editing his pitch. He needed more for his work to be 100% done.

He had been working for hours, proofreading every single word. The evening was colder than the usual hours. He turned to his Patek Calatrava Gold wall clock, that was hanging at the left side of his study room, it was 10:55pm, he needed sleep to be energized for the next day, he saved the file and turned off his system. Milo needed nothing but a cool shower and a good night rest.

Milo’s study room was modern, minimalist, with soft lights. As he came out of his study room. The soft lights automatically came on as he walked into his bathroom through.

He ran a hand through his hair, the desk lamp was still on, papers and notes from earlier spread across the surface. He glanced at them for a moment, he’d done enough for one day.

He headed straight for the bathroom.

Serenity wrapped around him. He took off his navy blue T-shirt, his matching blue pants and his reading glasses, placing them carefully on the drawer beside his bed. He walked towards the bathroom.

Reaching for the tap, he turned it on, and the sound of rushing water filled the air—steady and soothing. He let the cool flow send shivers to his spine.

For a moment, he stood there, breathing in the cold air. The day’s weight slowly began to lift from his mind. He stepped closer to the shower, ready to let the water wash away the work he had done.

The sound of running water filled the air. The cold hit his skin instantly washing away the hours of focus.

He stepped out, a cool breeze from the half-open window brushed against his damp skin. He toweled off, sprayed on a clean burst of deodorant, and pulled on his comfortable gray pajamas.

He walked into his bedroom, hair damp. For a moment, he stood by the window, hands in his pockets, staring out at the skyline.

“Rest,” he said slowly to himself.

.

Milo turned off the bedside lamp, letting the soft darkness settle around him.

Sleep came quietly.

The next day, a warm Saturday. Sunlight poured through the sheer curtains of Soraya’s penthouse, washing the room in a soft golden glow.

Soraya stirred beneath her sheets. Her hair was tousled and beautifully messy, falling over her shoulders in soft waves. She stretched sluggishly, the silk of her matching pink Louis Vuitton pajamas gliding against her skin. Even half-asleep, she carried that effortless kind of elegance— composed, but pukka.

Before she could fully gather herself, a familiar voice echoed from the living room.

“Rise and shine, CEO!”

Soraya squinted, already smiling. “Black Madonna!”

“Who else?” came the playful reply.

Dana Tran swept into the bedroom like a burst of sunlight herself. She was stunning—a beautiful young Black woman with caramel skin, jet-black hair pulled into a sleek ponytail, a sharp jawline that framed her full, doll-like face. Her brown eyes sparkled, her petite nose and full lips giving captivating grace. She was dressed in a satin black top, white pants, adorned in gold jewelry and her black heels made a mark that says—Dee Tran is here. Her confidence was effortless, the kind that came from success. The founder, CEO and creative director of Tran Couture, a multi million dollar fashion brand, popular in North and South America, Europe, Africa and Asia.

“Don’t tell me you still on that bed,” Dana teased, her African- American accent was amazing.

Soraya yawned, propping herself up against the headboard. “It’s Saturday. Even CEOs needs sleep ”

“Ughhh, Please,” Dana said with a soft laugh.

“You prolly went to bed thinkin’ bout quarterly reports.”

Soraya smiled, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “Maybe I did. But at least I dream in profit margins.”

Dana rolled her eyes. “You need more than profit margins, Soso. You need life. Love. Something that isn’t wrapped in glass walls and power suits.”

Soraya raised a brow. “Love? Well I like something being wrapped in glass walls and you know I love my power suits”

“Girl you need sum loveeee in your life ,” Dana said, leaning forward with mock seriousness. “You know—romance, the whole thing. You’ve been single for too long. You need a shot at love again.”

Soraya laughed softly, shaking her head. “Dee,I barely have time to think about someone, Love doesn’t fit into my calendar.”

Dana gave her that look.

“Maybe that’s the problem. You keep scheduling everything but the things that actually make you feel alive.”

Soraya paused, her smile faltering just a bit before she masked it with ease. “I feel alive babe. Trust me, I’m fine. Love is… complicated. And I’m not interested in complicated right now.”

Dana sighed dramatically “One day, Soraya Reigns, someone’s going to knock that logic right out of you.”

Soraya chuckled, sliding out of bed. “If he can get past my security team, maybe.”

Dana laughed, watching her friend walk toward the door—strong, confident, beautiful. Yet beneath all that control, there was loneliness.

Soraya and Dana stepped into Soraya’s grand living room.

Her living room was a perfect reflection of Soraya herself—classy, grand, and effortlessly refined. Floor-to-ceiling windows framed a sweeping view of Hillsburgh’s skyline, sunlight spilling through sheer white curtains that danced lightly in the morning breeze. A plush cream sectional wrapped around a glass coffee table topped with neatly stacked design books, a vase of fresh white roses, and a flickering scented candle.

Gold accents glimmered subtly in the décor—picture frames, the edges of the coffee table, the art hanging above the fireplace, modern yet tasteful. The air smelled faintly of vanilla and sandalwood, calm and expensive.

Dana whistled under her breath. “Every time I walk in here, I feel like I need to apply for a visitor’s permit.”

Soraya chuckled, slipping off her sunglasses. “You say that every time, and yet, you never wait for an invitation.”

“Because I live here in spirit, Soso,” Dana teased, setting her purse on the couch before wandering toward the adjoining kitchen.

The kitchen was just as stunning—sleek and minimalistic, with a large marble island in the center, matte white cabinetry, and gold handles that caught the light. The espresso machine gleamed beneath the under-cabinet lighting, surrounded by neatly arranged mugs and jars.

Soraya moved with graceful ease, her bare feet quiet against the polished floor as she reached for two mugs. “Coffee?” she asked, already knowing the answer.

“You read my mind,” Dana said, hopping onto one of the high stools beside the island. “Make mine strong—like your denial of romance.”

Soraya rolled her eyes, though a small smirk tugged at her lips. She filled the espresso machine, the rich aroma of freshly ground beans filling the air. The soft hum of brewing coffee filled the quiet space between them.

She handed Dana her mug, steam curling lazily into the air. “Here. Black with a touch of cream. Just how you like it.”

Dana accepted it with a grin. “And you say you no good”

Soraya gave her a dry look, taking her own mug and sitting across from her. “I make coffee, not commitments.”

“How do you feel about everything, it’s been 4 years since the divorce.”

Soraya took a deep breath.

“Honestly, I feel good. It’s been a breathe of fresh air, I feel more confident than ever”

Dana laughed, shaking her head. “Still the Ice Queen, I see.”

Soraya smiled faintly, stirring her coffee. “You know it”

Dana took a sip, closing her eyes in appreciation. “You always gracefully confident. But the beautiful, smart, funny, authentic, sexy and confident Soraya Reigns Isabella Alvarez needs some love in her life”

Soraya laughed softly, shaking her head as Dana’s persistence continued. “You really don’t quit, do you? Why would I need some love when I have you”

“Riri you need a man, don’t you want to get? You know.” Giving a suspicious look.

Soraya raised a brow . “Naah I’m good.”

But when it comes to your love life, no. I’m the CEO of accountability, babe.” Dana said lightly.

Soraya smirked, leaning back in her chair. “And I’m the CEO of boundaries.”

Dana gasped dramatically, hand to her chest. “So it’s a battle of CEOs now?”

“Yes babe” Soraya said with a teasing smile. “Though we both know who’s got the stronger company.”

Dana chuckled, shaking her head. “Don’t test me, Miss Reigns. I could buy out your heart if I wanted to.”

“Oh please,” Soraya scoffed lightly, “you’d need to schedule a meeting first.”

They both burst into laughter, the kind that came easily—unfiltered, genuine, the kind only best friends could share.

The laughter faded into a comfortable silence. Dana looked at Soraya, eyes softening. “You know… I’m really proud of you. Everything you’ve built, everything you’ve become.”

Soraya’s expression softened too. “I could say the same for you, babe. You’ve created something beautiful—and you still show up at my place uninvited.”

Dana grinned. “Well, someone has to make sure you’re not turning into a robot.”

Soraya laughed again, reaching out to squeeze her friend’s hand. “Thank you… for always being here, Dee bear.”

“Always,” Dana said sincerely, before standing and opening her arms. “Now come here, my ray of sunshine.”

Soraya rose with a smile, stepping into Dana’s embrace. They hugged tight—two powerful women finding peace in each other’s warmth.

“Ugh, I love you,” Dana mumbled against her shoulder.

“I love you more,” Soraya replied, giving her a soft peck on the cheek.

Dana pulled back with a grin. “I’m still bringing the love talk, I am definitely bringing up love again.”

Soraya rolled her eyes playfully, slipping her coffee back on. “And I’ll be ready with my rebuttal, Ms. Tran.”

“CEO to CEO,” Dana teased.