Sarah took a deep breath as she studied her reflection in the mirror. It had been a long time since she last wore a dress to dinner. Not because she didn't own one, but because she had stopped going anywhere that required effort. Somewhere along the way, she had learned that dressing up only led to disappointment because Keith had never actually praised her looks.
The dress hugged her frame more than she was comfortable with. It wasn't vulgar, but it was undeniably revealing. And it was the only decent one she owned. After much consideration, she finally picked up a blazer and slipped it on, covering the dress itself. The fabric felt stiff on her shoulders, but its weight steadied her.
She smiled and sighed in relief. "It's better," she murmured to herself.
Still, her fingers lingered on the fabric, tugging lightly at the hem of the dress. She didn't recognize the woman staring back at her. It wasn't because she looked different, but because, for the first time, she wasn't dressing to please anyone else. Not Keith or even the world.
Tonight, she reminded herself, she was stepping into something unknown. And there would be no turning back.
After all, she had no idea what awaited her tonight. Since the dinner was stated in her contract, she assumed she was expected to stay low-profile. There would be many people. Sarah assumed she would remain invisible, blend into the background, stand behind Jayden, smile when necessary, and then leave quietly. With enough people present, disappearing should be easy. That thought calmed her slightly.
Everything went smoothly until her phone rang. Julie's name flashed on the screen.
"What the hell," Sarah muttered under her breath.
She raised her hand to stop a cab, stepped inside, and only then answered the call.
"Hey! Where are you? I haven't seen you all day!" Julie slurred, her voice loose, careless.
A dull irritation stirred in Sarah's chest, heavier than anger, sharper than disappointment. She forced her tone steady. Julie couldn't know.
"I'm busy. Why are you asking?"
"Uh… nothing. You didn't call."
"So?" The word slipped out sharper than she intended.
"What's wrong with you? You sound weird."
Sarah swallowed. Ever since she found out about the betrayal, even Julie's voice felt like something rotten. Their friendship had already died, but Julie didn't know it yet. Charming, manipulative, smiling to her face while sleeping with Keith. The thought made her stomach twist.
"I'm fine," Sarah said flatly. "I'm in a hurry. We'll talk later."
She ended the call before her anger could spill out. Her chest rose and fell as she stared out the window, the city lights streaking past. Breathe, she told herself. Not tonight.
After several delays, she finally arrived at the address Jayden's secretary had sent earlier. The restaurant stood across the street, glowing under soft lights, elegant and distant — like a world she had only seen through glass.
Her feet wouldn't move at first. She stood there, clutching her bag, feeling small. Crossing that street felt like stepping into someone else's life, yet she did it anyway.
She lingered for a moment before forcing herself to move. Gathering what little confidence she had when crossing the street felt like jumping into someone else's life.
Although inside the lobby was quiet and polished, when the receptionist asked about her reservation, Sarah hesitated.
"I'm with Mr. Lin. Uh, Jayden Lin."
Recognition flashed in the woman's eyes.
"Ms. McKaley, you're here."
Jayden stood behind her, immaculate in a black tailored suit. He looked calm. Commanding and untouchable.
Sarah gasped softly, then exhaled in relief at the sound of Jayden's voice. He approached her, nodded to the staff, and gestured for them to follow. Without a word, Sarah walked behind him through a quiet hallway to a large wooden door.
"Thank you," Jayden said curtly to the staff before turning to Sarah.
His gaze travelled from her head to her toes. His lips pressed together slightly, as if assessing something, perhaps finding her lacking.
For a brief moment, Sarah wondered if he would change his mind. Suppose this was the point where she would be dismissed for not fitting into his world. The thought tightened her chest, but she held his gaze anyway, refusing to look away.
"We'll be dining inside," he said. "Stay close to me."
Sarah nodded, her nervousness growing. Jayden looked striking in his tailored black suit, exuding confidence and authority. Standing beside him, she suddenly felt underdressed in her unbranded outfit—something she had bought long ago without a second thought.
"If anyone asks, just say you're working for me," he added quietly.
"Okay."
Jayden knocked on the door. It opened immediately, and the doorman bowed respectfully. Jayden stepped inside, extending his hand toward Sarah, not to hold, but to guide her closer.
The room was breathtaking. She swallowed hard as she entered the lavish room—a private banquet hall with elegant, intimate, and large enough to host dozens of guests. Soft music hummed beneath polite conversation. This wasn't a public dinner. This was Jayden's family reunion.
The restaurant lights reflected on the glass doors, turning her faint reflection into someone she didn't recognize. Her palm had gone damp against her clutch. She wiped it on her dress, though it didn't help.
Dinner hadn't begun yet. Jayden moved toward a group of men, greeting them with firm handshakes. Meanwhile, Sarah's gaze wandered around the room, momentarily captivated by the sophisticated interior. But she didn't belong there. The feeling crept in obnoxiously, leaving her small and helpless.
"Jayden!"
A voice cut through the air, startling her. Instinctively, Sarah stepped back as a middle-aged man approached with a stiff smile on his face.
"I'm glad you finally came," the man said, gripping Jayden's hand stiffly.
"I had to," Jayden replied without emotion.
"Have you seen Keith?"
"No. We haven't spoken in months."
Sarah caught the name, and a sudden wrinkle appeared on her forehead. Keith? It couldn't possibly, right?
"You should talk to him soon," the man continued. "I heard he's trying to get into your company. Maybe you should give him a chance."
Jayden responded with nothing more than a faint, unreadable smirk.
Sarah felt a strange unease settle in her chest. The coincidence felt too sharp to ignore. Of all the places in New York, of all the nights she could have been here. Why did his name have to surface now? A quiet alarm rang in her mind, warning her that this dinner was never going to be as simple as she had hoped.
Hearing Keith's name here was unsettling. Still, she remained silent, staying close to Jayden. Only then did the man notice her.
"And who are you?" he asked, his tone sharp.
"She's my new assistant," Jayden answered without hesitation.
"Oh."
The man looked between them; his expression clearly unimpressed. Sarah offered a nervous smile, considering an introduction, but the man's cold stare discouraged her.
"We should take our seats. I think the dinner is ready." Jayden interjected, ending the exchange.
As the man walked away, Jayden glanced at Sarah. "Don't worry. He won't bother you." He half-whispered. His eyes held hers for a moment longer than necessary. His sharp gaze lingered on her eyes, sending a shiver down her spine. She almost forgot to breathe.
Sarah forced a small smile. "Let's find your seat."
Jayden pulled out a chair for her with practiced ease.
"You can take the blazer off. It's fine."
He removed it gently and handed it to a server. Warmth spread through Sarah's chest at the unexpected gesture. She sat down, cheeks flushing slightly. Despite being surrounded by strangers, she didn't feel out of place. Jayden treated her with quiet respect, and it unsettled her more than she expected.
Then a familiar voice shattered the moment, out of nowhere.
"Baby?!"
Sarah froze. She turned slowly and found Keith standing there, shock and anger flashing across his face as he stepped closer. His gaze was right at her, looking confused and suspicious.
"What are you doing here?" he demanded.
Jayden looked from Sarah to Keith, his expression darkening. Yet, he remained silent.
Sarah couldn't speak. Every ounce of courage drained from her body. Her heart pounded violently, each beat echoing the same question. How much of her past had already collided with her future? Standing beside Jayden now, she realized this wasn't just an accidental meeting.
This was the beginning of something far more dangerous.
"Keith," the middle-aged man interjected sharply, "she's your dad's new assistant. Do you know her?"
"What?!"
Keith's gaze snapped to Jayden, cold, furious, and restrained. Sarah felt it even without looking. The tension between them was thick, suffocating, like a wire pulled too tight.
"You'd better take your seat, Keith," Jayden said calmly, his eyes never leaving him. "Dinner is about to begin."
The authority in his voice left no room for argument.
Keith clenched his jaw. Whatever he wanted to say, whatever anger burned behind his eyes, he swallowed it down. Confronting Sarah here was impossible.
Reluctantly, he took his seat. Jayden turned to Sarah as if nothing had happened, his expression composed and unreadable.
"Enjoy your dinner," he murmured.
Sarah didn't answer. She didn't even lift her eyes. If she did, she feared she might shatter. Now her thoughts spun wildly. She did not mishear when the man said that Jayden and Keith were father and son.
The realization settled heavily in her chest that she was trapped right in the middle of it.
"Hey! Where are you? I haven't seen you all day!" Julie slurred, sounding as careless as ever.
Sarah exhaled sharply, annoyance bubbling beneath the surface, though she forced herself to stay composed. She didn't want Julie to sense anything was wrong.
"I'm busy. Why are you asking?" Sarah replied, her tone sharper than intended.
"Uh… nothing. You didn't call."
"So?" Sarah snapped before she could stop herself.
"What's wrong with you? You sound weird."
Sarah quickly steadied herself. Ever since she learned about Julie's betrayal, nothing felt the same. Their friendship was already dead. Julie had only used her—charming her, manipulating her, all while sleeping with Keith. It was disgusting.
"I'm fine," Sarah said flatly. "Look, I'm in a hurry right now. We'll talk later, okay?"
She ended the call before her anger spilled over. Her chest rose and fell as she stared out the window. Taking a few deep breaths, she reminded herself that Julie would eventually pay for what she had done.
After a few delays, Sarah finally arrived at the address Jayden's secretary had sent her two hours earlier. The restaurant stood across the street like something out of another world. Her nerves intensified as she stood across the street, staring at one of the finest restaurants in New York—far beyond anywhere she had ever been.
She lingered for a moment before forcing herself to move. Gathering what little confidence she had, Sarah crossed the street and entered the lobby. Crossing the street felt like crossing into someone else's life.
Inside, the lobby was quiet and polished. When the receptionist asked about her reservation, Sarah hesitated.
"I'm with Mr. Lin. Uh, Jayden Lin."
Recognition flashed in the woman's eyes.
"Ms. McKaley, you're here."
Jayden stood behind her, immaculate in a black tailored suit. He looked calm. Commanding and untouchable.
Sarah gasped softly, then exhaled in relief at the sound of Jayden's voice. He approached her, nodded to the staff, and gestured for them to follow. Without a word, Sarah walked behind him through a quiet hallway to a large wooden door.
"Thank you," Jayden said curtly to the staff before turning to Sarah.
His gaze travelled from her head to her toes. His lips pressed together slightly, as if assessing something, perhaps finding her lacking.
For a brief moment, Sarah wondered if he would change his mind. Suppose this was the point where she would be dismissed for not fitting into his world. The thought tightened her chest, but she held his gaze anyway, refusing to look away.
"We'll be dining inside," he said. "Stay close to me."
Sarah nodded, her nervousness growing. Jayden looked striking in his tailored black suit, exuding confidence and authority. Standing beside him, she suddenly felt underdressed in her unbranded dress—something she had bought long ago without a second thought.
"If anyone asks, just say you're working for me," he added quietly.
"Yes, Sir."
Jayden knocked on the door. It opened immediately, and the doorman bowed respectfully. Jayden stepped inside, extending his hand toward Sarah—not to hold, but to guide her closer.
The room was breathtaking. She swallowed hard as she entered the lavish room—a private banquet hall—elegant, intimate, large enough to host dozens of guests. Soft music hummed beneath polite conversation. This wasn't a public dinner. This was Jayden's family reunion.
The restaurant lights reflected on the glass doors, turning her faint reflection into someone she didn't recognize. Her palm had gone damp against her clutch. She wiped it on her dress, though it didn't help.
Dinner hadn't begun yet. Jayden moved toward a group of men, greeting them with firm handshakes. Meanwhile, Sarah's gaze wandered around the room, momentarily captivated by the sophisticated interior. But she didn't belong there. The feeling crept in obnoxiously, leaving her small and helpless.
"Jayden!"
A voice cut through the air, startling her. Instinctively, Sarah stepped back as a middle-aged man approached, a stiff smile on in face.
"I'm glad you finally came," the man said, gripping Jayden's hand stiffly.
"I had to," Jayden replied coolly.
"Have you seen Keith?"
"No. We haven't spoken in months."
Sarah caught the name and felt irritation flare inside her. Keith? It couldn't possibly, right?
"You should talk to him soon," the man continued. "I heard he's trying to get into your company. Maybe you should give him a chance."
Jayden responded with nothing more than a faint, unreadable smirk.
Sarah felt a strange unease settle in her chest. The coincidence felt too sharp to ignore. Of all the places in New York, of all the nights she could have been here. Why did his name have to surface now? A quiet alarm rang in her mind, warning her that this dinner was never going to be as simple as she had hoped.
Hearing Keith's name here was unsettling. Still, she remained silent, staying close to Jayden. Only then did the man notice her.
"And who are you?" he asked, his tone sharp.
"She's my new assistant," Jayden answered without hesitation.
"Oh."
The man looked between them; his expression clearly unimpressed. Sarah offered a nervous smile, considering an introduction, but the man's cold stare discouraged her.
"We should take our seats. I think the dinner is ready." Jayden interjected, ending the exchange.
As the man walked away, Jayden glanced at Sarah. "Don't worry. He won't bother you." He half-whispered. His eyes held hers for a moment longer than necessary. His sharp gaze lingered on her eyes, sending a shiver down her spine. She almost forgot to breathe.
Sarah forced a small smile. "Let's find your seat."
Jayden pulled out a chair for her with practiced ease.
"You can take the blazer off. It's fine."
He removed it gently and handed it to a server. Warmth spread through Sarah's chest at the unexpected gesture. She sat down, cheeks flushing slightly. Despite being surrounded by strangers, she didn't feel out of place. Jayden treated her with quiet respect, and it unsettled her more than she expected.
Then a familiar voice shattered the moment, out of nowhere.
"Baby?!"
Sarah froze. She turned slowly and found Keith standing there, shock and anger flashing across his face as he stepped closer. His gaze was right at her, looking confused and suspicious.
"What are you doing here?" he demanded.
Jayden looked from Sarah to Keith, his expression darkening. Yet, he remained silent.
Sarah couldn't speak. Every ounce of courage drained from her body. Her heart pounded violently, each beat echoing the same question. How much of her past had already collided with her future? Standing beside Jayden now, she realized this wasn't just an accidental meeting. This was the beginning of something far more dangerous.
"Keith," the middle-aged man interjected sharply, "she's your dad's new assistant. Do you know her?"
"What?!"