Rebirth: Love me Again

[IRAYA]

I had planned to spend Christmas with my family, but it seemed like fate had other ideas—thanks to Leander.

I wasn't planning on going back home either. My parents were off somewhere on a combined honeymoon and business trip, a strange fusion of love and work that only they could pull off.

Meanwhile, my brothers? They were off celebrating the holidays with their girlfriends' families. Everyone had their own lives now, their own traditions, and their own plans that didn't include us being together.

Maybe next year we'd gather again, laughing around a table, trading gifts like we used to. Maybe next year things would go back to normal. But not this year. This year, I was on my way to Jason's birthday party.

Not that he'd invited me.

I knew full well he hadn't expected me to show up. He'd already planned a quiet celebration with his friends—and with Kylie. He had even sent me a message the other day, saying he'd miss me on his birthday, assuming I'd be heading home for the holidays.

It was eight in the evening, and I was prepared—ready to be the showstopper of the night.

I slipped into a red bodycon dress that hugged my curves perfectly, daring but elegant. My long hair fell effortlessly over my shoulders, adding to the sultry appeal I aimed for. Bold. Confident. Unapologetically seductive.

A final touch of crimson lipstick completed the look. I pouted slightly, checking my reflection in the mirror before smirking. Perfect.

The party was being held at a bar, and I wanted to make a statement. If I wasn't going to own the night, I'd at least steal everyone's attention for a while.

It wasn't just vanity—there was a purpose behind it. Jason and Kylie needed their moment, and I was going to be generous enough to make sure they had it. Selfless of me, really. I thought of that as I gave myself one last approving glance.

Just as I reached for my bag, my phone rang, and the devil's tune echoed through the room. I groaned in frustration, already knowing who it was—Leander. Because, of course, it had to be him. He always had impeccable timing when it came to ruining my mood.

"What now?" I snapped through clenched teeth, pressing the phone to my ear. "It's the middle of the night! Don't tell me you need help bandaging your wounds again."

"Middle of the night? It's only eight, woman," he drawled in that maddeningly calm tone, like he had all the time in the world to mess with me.

I rolled my eyes. "Whatever. If it's nothing urgent, I have important business to take care of."

"Important business?" His voice took on an edge of suspicion.

"Yes. Urgent business," I repeated, already impatient. "If you're calling just to waste my time, I'll hang up."

There was a pause, and then his voice dipped, lower, more dangerous. "Be careful of the tone you're using with me, woman."

I shivered involuntarily at the intensity in his voice. Right. I had momentarily forgotten that Leander wasn't someone I could afford to be careless with.

Clearing my throat, I tried to sound more neutral, less combative. "Uhm . . . if it's not something urgent, can I go now? I really have something important to attend to."

"What kind of urgent thing?" he pressed.

"It's . . . private." Get a clue, dumbass!

"Woman," he warned, "you'd better tell me, or I'll find out myself. And trust me, you won't like the latter."

I bit my lip in frustration, my mood officially ruined. There was no point arguing with him. Leander always got what he wanted one way or another. "Fine. I'm just going to attend my boyfriend's birthday party. That's all."

Silence.

For a moment, I thought he had hung up, and I was ready to breathe a sigh of relief when his voice cut through again, sharp and cold. Enjoy exclusive chapters from My Virtual Library Empire

"You're going to that cheating boy's birthday party? You really are an idiot."

I clenched my fist, resisting the urge to snap back. "Please, don't act like you've never cheated in your entire life. I've seen you with different women all the time."

There was a pause, the silence stretching long enough to make me regret my words.

"What did you just say?"

"Nothing," I said quickly, not in the mood for another argument. "Anyway, I'm going now. Whatever it is you called me for, it can wait until tomorrow."

Before he could say another word, I hung up, tossing my phone onto the seat beside me as I got into my car. I didn't have the energy to deal with Leander right now, especially at night, when memories I'd rather forget came creeping back.

That one time . . . when I was foolish enough to go to his hotel. I could still feel the ghost of his lips on my neck, that dangerous mix of desire and threat lingering far too vividly in my mind.

The mere thought sent a shiver down my spine. He was unpredictable, dangerous. And yet, I couldn't seem to escape him.

I had been his errand girl for nearly a week now, doing his bidding without complaint, but I was growing tired of it.

When would this end?

With a sigh, I adjusted my mirror and started the car.

Tonight wasn't about him. Tonight, I had a different goal in mind—helping Jason and Kylie find their moment.

I arrived at the upscale bar where Jason's birthday party was in full swing. Of course, it wasn't just any bar—it was Heaven's Bar, one of those high-end places with a waiting list that could stretch for months.

And knowing Jason, he wasn't going to miss the chance to make me foot the bill for his grand celebration.

Sure enough, a message popped up on my phone, one I hadn't bothered to check until now.

[Jason: Babe, we're at a Bar. I'm treating my friends right now, so if you can just send the cash to my account, that'd be great. You can consider it my birthday gift. Just send $100,000. Me and the boys are gonna party all night, and later I'll treat them to a five-star hotel.]