Prologue: "Some rejections don't end things—they begin obsessions!
Zaden sped through the city in his red car, chasing after Lara, his eyes scanning every corner of the road, but she was nowhere to be seen. His grip tightened on the steering wheel, frustration building—no, not just frustration… his ego was burning.
Lara had already taken a shortcut through Oshmir Hills and reached home. She sat quietly, thinking—should she take the job… or leave? She turned to the old man and told him to leave first.
The old man frowned and asked what was wrong, reminding her that the plan was to reject the offer and move to another city together. Lara replied that she didn't want to lose this opportunity, that the CEO himself said he was expecting someone like her, so maybe the salary would be high. She told him to go ahead and move first while she thought again, and if she changed her mind, she would come by evening. The old man nodded and left.
Zaden was stuck in traffic, his anger rising like a storm. Horns blared as he forced his way through, his thoughts chaotic. He wasn't used to this. No one ignored him. No one refused him. And yet—she did. He finally reached Oshmir Hills, his car stopping abruptly.
There she was. Sitting under a tree, lost in thought.
"Lara!" he shouted.
She flinched and stood up. "Sir… what are you doing here?"
"I should be the one asking that," Zaden snapped, stepping toward her. "I told you to join immediately, didn't I?"
"Sir, I was going to—"
"Enough!"
His voice echoed, making her tense. Zaden slammed his hand against the wooden support near the tree, his anger spilling out, demanding if this was how she responded, accusing her of having no manners, reminding her that he told her to join and yet she left, questioning what she thought she was doing.
Lara's eyes hardened, irritation replacing fear. She shot back, asking what he was even saying, telling him she had her own life there and was planning to leave the hills with her guardian, adding that he told her to stay but there was no internet or call facility there, so how was she supposed to inform her guardian. She said that was why she came back and told him first.
Zaden froze. No one had ever shouted at him like that. Ever.
He didn't speak. He just stared at her, confused.
Lara continued, saying she was thinking about the offer, that she needed money but couldn't live in the hills forever as it was uncomfortable. She paced slightly, then suddenly stopped, turned toward him, and stepped closer.
Zaden stood still as she came right in front of him, so close her face nearly reached his chin. Her eyes met his directly—no fear, no hesitation.
"I don't think I can take your job," she said calmly. "I'd rather leave this place and start fresh somewhere else with my guardian… and that's my decision."
Zaden was stunned. Not just because she rejected him—but because she stood so close and still wasn't afraid.
For the first time in his life, someone challenged him.
He stepped back slightly, forcing himself to calm down. He asked why she would go to another city searching for a job when she already had one in her hands and told her to move near his office in the well-developed city center.
Lara let out a small breath and replied that if she could afford that, she wouldn't be living in the hills in the cold. She added that the place she chose was an average city where she could manage at least something.... while she is explaining,
Zaden's ego snapped. He stepped closer and placed his finger against her lips, stopping her, telling her he would pay her salary in advance and give her one week to use the money, move near his office, and settle everything. He added that she could bring her guardian if she wanted and that this was his final decision.
Without waiting, he turned and left, his mind full of thoughts.
Lara stood there, stunned. She couldn't deny it—the offer tempted her. She called her guardian and explained everything, and the old man gently told her to go while he stayed back, suggesting they both live their own lives for some time. Moments later, her phone buzzed, a message showing money credited to her account from Zaden. It was the advance. She was shocked, happy, and couldn't believe it.
Zaden drove back to the office, his mind restless, filled with thoughts about her boldness, her reactions, and the way she looked at him without fear. He couldn't ignore it.
As he entered the office, everyone stared and whispered. Already irritated, he shouted at them, making silence fall instantly. The manager and Sam grew anxious. The manager slowly approached him and asked what had happened, and Zaden exploded again, saying Lara acted like she was something, that she left without informing him and gave a nonsense reason. The manager told him to calm down and went to get coffee.
Zaden couldn't focus. All he could think about was her—how she shouted back and stood close without fear. He called her and asked if she received the money.
"Yes, sir," she replied.
He expected a thank you—something to place him above her—but she didn't. Instead, she said she would look for a house tomorrow and inform him of her decision again, then cut the call.
Zaden froze.
How dare she?
Anger and shock mixed inside him.
Outside, Sam watched everything quietly, his curiosity about Zaden growing stronger.