Lilly sat across from Joel, observing him curiously. There
was something different about him—something refreshing.
Unlike the usual celebrities she had seen, he didn't exude
arrogance or act superior. Instead, he seemed incredibly
simple, as if fame hadn't changed him at all.
"So, Joel," Lilly started, offering a small smile. "You're
really not what I expected."
Joel chuckled, stirring his coffee. "Let me guess. You
thought I'd be flashy, wearing designer sunglasses indoors,
maybe surrounded by a bodyguard or two?"
Lilly smirked. "Something like that. I mean, you're a
famous singer. Most people in your position love attention."Joel leaned back in his chair, his expression calm. "I
never cared much for the spotlight. Singing is my passion, but
I still prefer quiet places, good conversations, and a simple life.
Fame just happens to come with the job."
Lilly nodded, intrigued. "That's rare. Most people chase
fame. You're running from it?"
Joel laughed softly. "Not running, just… balancing. I
don't want to lose myself in all of it." He took a sip of his coffee
and glanced at her. "What about you? What do you do?"
"I own a boutique in London," Lilly said proudly.
"Fashion has always been my dream, and now I get to design
and sell clothes that make people feel confident."
Joel's eyes lit up with genuine interest. "That's amazing.
I really admire people who follow their dreams."
Lilly felt warmth spread through her chest at his words.
"Thanks. It's not easy, but it's worth it."
Their conversation continued effortlessly. Joel never
once mentioned his concerts, awards, or celebrity status.
Instead, he talked about simple things—his love for old songs,
and his favorite quiet café where he could sit alone without
being noticed.
Lilly found herself smiling more than she had in a long
time. There was something peaceful about Joel, something
real.As they finished their meals, Joel glanced at her with a
small, thoughtful smile. "I really enjoyed this. It's rare for me
to have a normal conversation without people treating me
differently because of who I am."
Lilly tilted her head. "You don't feel normal?"
"Sometimes," Joel admitted. "But today, I did."
Lilly hesitated for a second, then nodded. "Well… maybe
we can do this again?"
Joel's face lit up with a genuine smile. "I'd really like
that."
As he walked away, Lilly watched him, feeling
something stir inside her. Joel wasn't just another celebrity—
he was kind, humble, and surprisingly down-to-earth. And for
the first time in a long while, she felt like she had met someone
truly special.
I made your favorite veggie ramen," Jack said, passing
Eva a steaming bowl. "And some egg rolls on the side."
Eva's eyes widened in surprise. "Wow, this looks
amazing!" she exclaimed.
Jack chuckled, pleased with himself. "I'm glad you like it.
I've been practicing my cooking skills." As they ate, their conversation flowed easily, touching
on everything from their favorite books to their childhood
memories. Eva giggled at Jack's silly impressions, while Jack
found himself captivated by Eva's bright smile.
At one point, Eva's hair fell across her face, and Jack
reached out to gently correct it. "You have a stray strand," he
said, his voice low and husky.
Eva's cheeks flushed, but she smiled, her eyes sparkling
with amusement. "Thanks," she said, her voice barely above a
whisper.
As they neared the end of their meal, Jack leaned back in
his chair, feeling more relaxed than he had in weeks. Eva's
presence had a calming effect on him, and he found himself
enjoying her company more and more.
Just as the moment was becoming more intimate, Jack's
phone rang, shrill and insistent. He hesitated, then stood up
to answer the call.
"Sorry, Eva. I have to take this," he said, his expression
apologetic.As Jack walked out of the room, Eva couldn't help but
feel a pang of disappointment. She had been enjoying their
easy banter, the way their conversations flowed like a gentle
stream.
But as she listened to Jack's side of the conversation, his
tone growing more serious with each passing moment, Eva
realized that something was amiss.
"What's wrong?" she asked, as Jack returned to the
room, his expression grim.
"It's the office," he said, his voice tight with tension.
"There's been an emergency. I have to go."
Eva's eyes widened in concern. "Is everything okay?"
Jack nodded, his jaw clenched. "I'll take care of it. Don't
worry.
As Eva opened the door, Lilly's bright smile greeted her.
"Hey, girl! How was dinner?" Lilly asked, breezing into the
apartment. Eva let out a sigh, still feeling a bit concerned about
Jack's sudden departure. "It was good. We had veggie ramen
and egg rolls. But then Jack got an urgent call and had to
leave."
Lilly's expression turned sympathetic. "Don't worry, it's
probably just some office drama. He'll be fine."
Eva nodded, feeling a bit reassured. "Yeah, maybe you're
right."
Lilly plopped down on the couch, eyeing Eva's legs.
"How's the pain? Still bothering you?"
Eva shrugged. "A little. But it's manageable."
Lilly nodded. "Good. I was worried about you."
As they chatted, Lilly shared stories about her own
evening with Joel. "We had a great time," she said, giggling.
"He's such a goofball."
Eva smiled, happy to see her friend so carefree.Meanwhile, Jack arrived at the office, his mind still
reeling from the urgent call. As he stepped into the conference
room, his assistant, Pinky, greeted him with a worried
expression.
"Jack, I have some bad news," she said, her voice low.
"The papers for tomorrow's presentation are missing. I think
someone might have stolen them."
Jack's eyes narrowed. "What? That's impossible. Who
could have done this?"
Pinky shook her head. "I don't know, but I think it's
sabotage. Tomorrow's presentation is crucial, and someone
might be trying to ruin it."
Jack's jaw clenched, his mind racing with possibilities.
He knew he had to act fast to salvage the situation.
Jack's eyes scanned the office, his mind racing with
possibilities. He had to find out who had stolen the
presentation documents and why. He checked the security
cameras, but the footage revealed nothing suspicious. "Has anyone seen anything unusual?" Jack asked,
addressing the staff. "Anyone notice anyone lurking around
the office?"
The staff exchanged nervous glances, but no one spoke
up. Jack's frustration grew. Time was running out, and he still
had no leads.
"Alright, everyone," Jack said, his voice firm but urgent.
"We don't have much time. Tomorrow's meeting with the top
level executives is crucial, and we can't afford to go in
unprepared."
He paused, surveying the room. "I need everyone to
work overtime today. We need to recreate the documents, and
fast. Let's move, people!"
The staff scrambled to their stations, their faces set with
determination. Jack watched them, a sense of pride and
gratitude swelling in his chest. He knew he could count on his
team.
As the night wore on, the office hummed with activity.
Papers rustled, keyboards clacked, and the occasional burst oflaughter broke the tension. Jack moved among them, offering
words of encouragement and guidance.
But despite the chaos, Jack's mind kept drifting back to
the stolen documents. Who could have done this? And why?