Antecedently, Ciara who was already worn out from a long day at work was unfortunate enough to squeeze herself into an overcrowded commercial bus. With no empty seats in sight, she stood, gripping the metal handles above her to keep from falling.
Take your flat ass away from my face," an old woman, easily in her eighties, snapped sharply.
Ciara whipped her head around. "You better watch your mouth, old woman. It's not like I planned to stand right in front of you."
She hadn't even finished speaking before her eyes landed on the woman's wrinkled face and crooked nose. Ciara nearly recoiled.
"Auntie Slim, don't mind her," a middle-aged woman said from the side. "She just likes irritating people. Ciara blinked.
"Auntie… slim?" she muttered to herself, confused. Then she made a face and almost laughed. Of all the names… that's the best she could come up with?
Before she could respond, the bus jerked to a stop. Ciara stepped down lazily, feeling as if the world had drained her last ounce of energy.
She dragged her feet all the way home, mumbling complaints under her breath.
As soon as she stepped into the hall, Lucas burst out laughing.
"Who changed this pretty face of yours, sister?" he teased.
Ciara retold the entire ordeal, acting out the old woman's words. The more she talked, the harder Lucas and the others laughed at her misery.
Ciara rolled her eyes at Lucas as he continued laughing, slapping his thigh like it was the funniest thing he had heard all year.
"You're all heartless," she muttered, dropping her bag onto the couch. "The least you could do is console me."
"We will," Lucas said, wiping a tear of laughter from his eye. "Just as soon as we stop imagining your face when that grandma attacked you."
"Lucas!" she yelled, but even she couldn't hold back a tired chuckle.
Ciara yawned loudly. "I'm going to my hometown for the break. I need fresh air, proper sleep, and food made with love. Not this city stress."
Lucas nodded. "Good idea. You look like one more insult from an old lady might finish you." She threw a pillow at him.
The next morning, Lucas helped her load her bags into the car. Ciara stood by the door, wrapped in a warm coat, shivering slightly.
"You sure you'll be fine?" Lucas asked.
"I'll be better than fine," she said confidently. "I need this."
He smiled and closed the trunk. "Alright then. Let's hit the road." Lucas drove her all the way to the station. For some reason one he couldn't explain he didn't return home after dropping her off. Instead, he stared at the road ahead, his fingers tapping the steering wheel thoughtfully.
"Why do I feel like something big is about to happen?" he whispered to himself.
But he brushed the feeling away and drove off.
It was the final hour before the Christmas break, and everyone in HAG was in a festive mood. Decorations filled the halls, music played softly in the background, and employees were talking about their holiday plans.
Sunshine finally got the chance to leave the house since Hansen had gone on a business trip with a few CEOs from another company.
She jolted awake to the sound of voices outside her door. She sat up quickly, heart thumping. She slipped out of the room wearing a hoodie and sunglasses, her hair tied up. She moved quietly down the hallway, praying Lettie wasn t around.
She reached the staircase but nearly jumped when she heard her name.
"Ma'am?" She turned sharply. Lettie stood at the bottom of the stairs, arms crossed, eyebrows raised.
"Going somewhere ma'am?" Lettie asked, suspicious and curious at the same time.
Sunshine opened her mouth-but no sound came out.
Lettie's eyes narrowed. "You re hiding something."
Sunshine swallowed hard.
"Lettie. I just need to check something. Please don t tell Hansen."
Lettie stared at her for a long moment.
Then she stepped aside silently and whispered.
"Go. But come before he does else I'll be in a big trouble ma'am."
Sunshine nodded gratefully and slipped past her, her heart pounding as she walked out the front door.
Today. she would find the truth about Ivan Del.
When she stepped onto the street, she paused and looked back.
From the edge of the rocky hill, Hansen's mansion towered above all the other houses grand, isolated, almost unreal.
"How did he even manage to build a house up here?" she muttered, shaking her head.
She continued her walk, letting the wind brush against her face. But as the massive HAG building came into view, she stopped.
A strange feeling settled in her chest.
"Hmm… have I been here before?" She frowned.
"What for?"
She searched her memory… but nothing came.
"I must be overthinking," she whispered and walked on.
Just as she crossed the road to the opposite side, a small figure darted toward her and wrapped tiny arms around her waist.
Sunshine staggered a bit, startled.
"Auntie! You're so beautiful!" the little girl exclaimed, beaming up at her.
"Auntie, can I take a picture with you on my phone?" the little girl asked, eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Sure, pretty girl. I'd be glad to," Sunshine replied warmly.
She crouched to the child's height, and the girl eagerly held up her phone. Click.. the photo was taken.
"What's your name…?" Sunshine began to ask.
But the girl was already gone, sprinting back to her friends who were playing in a circle, proudly waving the phone like a trophy.
Sunshine chuckled softly, but before she could stand fully, her bag vibrated.
Buzz… Buzz…
She reached for her phone, expecting Hansen's name to flash across the screen.
But it wasn't him.
It was Ciara, video calling.
Sunshine hesitated, knowing Ciara's dramatic tendencies, then reluctantly answered.
"Hey! Missed you already," Ciara squealed. She was lying on her stomach, swinging her legs like a teenager in love.
Sunshine giggled. "Same here, Ciara. I just stepped out for a stroll. I was getting tired and bored of staying indoors."
"Woaaah," Ciara wiggled her eyebrows.
"So the cat finally escaped the cage, huh?"
"Hahaha, don't be silly," Sunshine said, looking away shyly.
Suddenly Ciara shouted, "Moooommmy! Come quickly and see your future daughter-in-law!"
Sunshine's eyes widened.
"Oh no, not again!"
Her cheeks heated up instantly, and before Ciara could cause a full-blown scene, she quickly hit the red button and ended the call.
Buzz… buzz…
Hansen's video call came immediately after she ended Ciara's.
"Hi, babe… how are you doing? I miss you," he said, his voice warm and calm.
"I miss you more, Han," Sunshine replied with a smile. "I just ended a call with Ciara."
Hansen raised a brow playfully. "What are you doing out there in that zone anyway?"
"Just enjoying the environment, Han," she said, smiling again, letting the breeze and the freedom sink in.
"Okay… I've got a meeting to attend. Don't overstay, alright? By the way, where's Lettie?"
"She's out getting me some ice cream. I love you… Bye!" Sunshine waved at the phone and hung up as quickly as she could.
"Phewww," she breathed, letting herself relax.
Later, Sunshine returned home without any clue, exhausted but content. Dinner was already prepared, and after eating, she retired to her room, sinking into bed. For the first time in a while, she slept peacefully, free from worry and chaos.