After I

hapter 3

icolas and I only met after graduating from college.

d that time, we were both interning at the same company. He was in the project department, and I was in the marketing – lepartment. We get to know each other through work.

At that time. I took “becoming an independent and successful woman as my life creed, dedicating all my energy to my ob. To secure a permanent position, I worked late into the night every day.

began to develop feelings for Nicolas on a stormy night.

After working late until midnight, I was packing up to go home when the company’s electrical system was affected by the storm, causing a sudden power outage, plunging the entire floor into darkness.

Terrified. I crouched under my desk.

It was then that Nicolas appeared, holding his phone’s flashlight like a guardian angel.

“Don’t be afraid. The circuit is just down. It’s okay.”

I stared at him in shock. taking a moment to process his words.

“You are you working late too

Nicolas shook his head with a smile. “I was waiting for you to finish.”

I had often considered Nicolas just another typical guy at work, but when he spoke directly, his words carried the weight of a confession.

Despite the simplicity of his words, they were imbued with a depth that made my heart race uncontrollably.

After that. Nicolas held the flashlight with one hand and grasped mine firmly with the other as we left the company together.

The storm outside was torrential, flooding the city and making it impossible to catch a cab. We decided to spend the night at a nearby hotel.

For my safety. Nicolas carefully carried me through the water to the hotel lobby.

In that moment, resting on his strong back. I felt as if I had the entire world.

Our feelings aligned perfectly, and being together seemed like the most natural outcome.

However, the company prohibited office romances, so we had to keep our relationship a secret.

Eventually, our relationship was discovered by management, who insisted that we either end it or choose one of us to leave.

After discussing it, Nicolas and I decided to resign and start a business together.

Having known him for so long. I was well aware of his nature. Whatever he undertook was not a spur–of–the–moment decision: starting a business had been part of his plan since the beginning of his internship.

I fully supported his entrepreneurial endeavor, from applying for bank loans to selecting a company location, and tirelessly accompanied him throughout.

In the early stages, due to insufficient funds, we bought all our office equipment from second–hand markets.

To save on labor costs. I did everything myself, hauling desks and chairs up the stairs.

During that time. I wished I could split myself into ten people–handling HR, cleaning, and repairs–just to ensure Nicolas could focus on business development.

After two months, I felt as if my fbs were no longer my own, covered in wounds from head to toe.

Nicolas was deeply concerned. Int I felt a profound sense of accomplishment.

Chapter 3

“Look at how amazing your wife is. I’m like a warrior!”

Nicolas’s eyes softened as he held me close,

“Ella. I will succeed. I promise I’ll never make you work so hard again.”

One of his greatest qualities was his adherence to his promises. Despite the initial challenges of starting a business. we eventually succeeded.

As the company began to stabilize. I no longer had to perform the strenuous tasks and returned to my original role. continuing to assist him with marketing.

It was during this time that Lisbeth appeared.

She was the daughter of a close friend of Nicolas’s mother, and since her own mother had passed away. Nicolas and his mother had always cared for her.

Lisbeth claimed she was being pressured into marriage back home, so she left without a word to seek refuge with Nicolas.

To prove she wouldn’t rely on Nicolas financially, she volunteered to work at the company.

“Nicky. I’m not the type to live off my boyfriend. I studied financial management in college, so I can definitely contribute!”

At that time. Nicolas still respected me and consulted my opinions.

“Liz is just like a sister to me, but if you really mind. I can have her transferred to another company.”

Because of Nicolas’s honesty. I had no objections to letting Lisbeth stay.

I never doubled Nicolas’s sincerity toward me.

But Loverlooked the fact that sincerity can also be fleeting.

Just as he instinctively chose to save Lisbeth and left me in the water, he was merely following his truest inner voice.