The smartest thing I ever did at 22 was make the bold move of getting into Julian Davies’s bed. From then on, I became his most unremarkable yet longest-staying mistress. In our fifth year together, he handed me a card, his expression indifferent. “Chloe, we’re done. Don’t be clingy.” I took the card, a smile playing on my lips. “Understood, Mr. Davies.” Two years later, I married someone else, and his hair had turned stark white. The company chat group was buzzing with talk of Julian Davies’s wedding, while I was busy picking out candy for the celebration. It was supposed to be a task for him and the esteemed Seraphina Hayes, but with both of them so swamped, these trivial matters fell to me. “Is CEO Davies really tying the knot with Ms. Hayes from the A Group? They’re a perfect power couple!” “Congratulations! CEO Davies must be nearly thirty now, it’s about time he settled down. I heard Seraphina was his first love.” “First love? She’s the one that got away, his pure love. I heard they were childhood sweethearts.” I glanced at the bustling chat, said nothing, then opened my laptop and started printing my resignation letter. Julian was half a perfectionist. Before his grand wedding with Seraphina, he’d clean up all the messy women around him. And I was the last loose end he needed to snip. I’d been with Julian since I was 22, sticking around until 27. Now, I was not only his personal indulgence but also his competent assistant. A good assistant and compliant mistress knows how to anticipate her boss’s needs. So, before Julian even had to ask, I had my resignation letter printed and placed it on his desk. Right next to it was the list of recommended wedding candy brands. Julian walked into his office precisely at 9:30 AM every day. He saw me standing by the CEO’s office door and called out, “Chloe, come in for a moment.” I nodded obediently, my face serene, and followed him inside. “Mr. Davies, this is my resignation. And these are the wedding candies and recommended brands you asked me to select yesterday.” Julian’s sharp eyes narrowed slightly as he scanned the resignation letter. Without a hint of hesitation, he pulled out a pen and swiftly signed his name. “Chloe, these two apartments will be under your name. This card has five million. And the car I bought a while ago, that’s yours too. Are these terms acceptable?” I sat across from Julian, looking up at his serious, focused face. My eyes curved into a smile. “Perfectly acceptable, Mr. Davies.” A flicker of surprise crossed his face, but he quickly returned to normal. “Chloe, I hope you remember I don’t like clingy women.” I reached out to take the card he offered, my smile still flawless. “I wouldn’t dream of it, Mr. Davies. If there’s nothing else, I’ll be going now.” “Hm.” Julian said no more, immediately looking down at the documents in his hands. I stood there quietly for a moment, wanting to use these last few seconds to etch his image into my mind. Julian was a generous patron. His compensation packages when ending relationships were always lavish, and mine was the most substantial. So, I had no reason to be dissatisfied with this ending. Leaving the company and settling into a taxi heading back to my downtown apartment, I felt all the strength drain out of me. I leaned back against the seat, silently gazing out the window. Julian had many mistresses, but I was the most obedient and sensible one, the one he trusted most. Even his friends couldn’t help but marvel, asking where he’d found such a dutiful, considerate mistress who never took advantage of his affections. Back then, Julian’s eyes would always hold a hint of tenderness. When our fingers interlaced, he’d gently knead the soft flesh on the back of my hand. “Maybe it’s fate.” But he probably never imagined that his most obedient mistress had already fallen for him, and that love had lasted five years.
My story with Julian began with a setup. After graduation, I worked diligently, hoping to make a living in the big city through my own efforts. But life wasn’t a fairy tale where dreams came true. When I was 22, my boss, to shift blame onto me, accused me of leaking company secrets, causing significant losses, and facing ten years in prison plus a hefty fine. I’d just been at Davies Corp. with my team leader, discussing a collaboration, when I heard the news. I don’t know how I ended up stumbling into Julian’s lounge, curled up in a corner, crying and begging any god to help me. In the lounge, Julian’s face clearly showed his annoyance at being woken. He stared at me blankly. Perhaps seeing my ugly-crying, Julian tossed a pack of tissues my way. “Wipe your face. Stop begging gods, beg me. I’m far more useful than any deity.” Julian’s face was fierce, a clearly menacing expression, yet I felt strangely at ease. He was like a hero swooping in to save me. I swallowed my tears and obediently walked over to him, pleading, “Sir, can you really help me? I was truly framed. I didn’t leak any company secrets.” Julian stroked my head, his voice surprisingly soft. “This little thing? Of course, I can help you. But I’m a businessman, so what can you offer me?” Thinking back to that day, I always felt Julian had peculiar tastes. I was crying so ugly, and he still thought of making me his mistress. His taste must be truly extraordinary. Later, I asked Julian why he wanted me to be his mistress. He said, “You were crying like a messy kettle, quite amusing. Besides, weren’t you the one who asked for my help first?” Once I realized it wasn’t my face that had caught Julian’s interest, I began to diligently learn how to be a good mistress. I put away all my petty schemes, listened to my patron, avoided causing him trouble, never took advantage of his affections, and worked hard to improve myself so I could contribute to his success. Countless times during boring flower arranging classes, I’d reflect on what good any of this was. Was I going to perform flower arranging while in bed with Julian? In fact, my choices were correct. The more I learned, the more presentable I became. I helped Julian close one tough contract after another and accompanied him to high-stakes meetings with powerful figures, never once embarrassing him. Julian was very satisfied. He spent more and more time with me, showered me with more and more affection, even dragging me along to his gatherings with friends. But I never played games. I just diligently did whatever Julian asked. I witnessed Julian’s cold indifference firsthand at an exclusive club. A popular actress, soaked in liquor, lay sprawled on the carpet, frantically reaching for Julian’s pant leg, only to be kicked away by a bodyguard. Julian stood holding a glass of hard liquor, staring emotionlessly at the woman on the floor. “My girlfriend? Do you really think you’re worthy?” The actress, who had claimed to be Julian’s girlfriend, frantically kowtowed, her body trembling. “Mr. Davies, I was wrong! Mr. Davies, it was a moment of madness, I spoke out of turn! I know I’m not worthy of being your girlfriend, I misspoke. Mr. Davies, please be magnanimous, don’t hold it against me!” Julian said nothing, letting his bodyguards hold the actress down and watch her struggle. His peripheral vision caught me, and he waved me over. He gently rubbed my face, which the actress had slapped, sighing softly. “Why are you so bad at protecting yourself? You let someone slap you? You’re my competent assistant. How could you let someone bully you without saying a word?”
Julian’s eyes were filled with pity and sympathy, his words of affection like tiny needles, tugging at my heartstrings. My heart stirred. The sting of the actress’s slap was replaced by Julian’s tenderness. I instinctively brushed my hand against his palm. “Because I trust you, Mr. Davies. I knew you wouldn’t let me be wronged.” Julian raised an eyebrow, playfully squeezing my neck, then lowered his head to kiss me near my lips. “You trust your Mr. Davies that much?” “Mm-hmm.” I reached up and wrapped my arms around his neck, looking at him with devotion. “Mr. Davies is the only one who will protect me. I’ve always trusted you.” Julian was completely taken by my sincerity, by the way I trusted him implicitly. That night, he was rough with me, a flurry of intense kisses raining down on my forehead, neck, and back. Finally, he paused over my heart. I heard him murmur, “Chloe, you’re a true gem. I really can’t bear to let you go.” Unfortunately, the lighting was dim, and his captivating eyes were too distracting. I didn’t pay much attention to that remark. It was much later that I learned Julian had intended to hand me over to a business partner that day, but my trust in him had made him reluctant. And he hadn’t stood up for me because of *me* then; it was because the actress had used his girlfriend’s identity to act arrogant toward Davies Corp. employees. Soon after, the actress was embroiled in a sex scandal that utterly destroyed her reputation. “Chloe, I’m serious, you’ve got Julian Davies wrapped around your finger. Do you think there’s a chance you’ll become Mrs. Davies?” When I heard Liam laughingly bringing up these old stories, I just smiled and raised my glass, playing along with his probing. “No chance, Mr. Liam. You’re overthinking it.” Back at my downtown apartment, I walked barefoot on the cold floor, curled up on the sofa, watching the news channel extensively report on Julian Davies’s wedding to Seraphina Hayes. “Recently, Julian Davies, CEO of Davies Corp., announced his marriage to Seraphina Hayes, daughter of the Hayes Group. It’s understood the two have been childhood sweethearts…” I carefully watched every news segment about his impending marriage, seeing how perfectly matched he and Seraphina looked standing together. Seraphina was beautiful, raised in a privileged home, carrying herself with grace, confidence, and undisguised pride. I couldn’t understand why anyone would think Julian sought mistresses as replacements for Seraphina. Clearly… Seraphina was nothing like any of the women he had kept. I first met Seraphina at a party. That day, I didn’t know who Julian was going to meet, but I could see the anticipation in his eyes. He specifically hired a designer to pick out his outfit and even personally chose a gift, finally holding an amber-colored brooch and asking me to wrap it. At the party, I finally understood Julian’s unusual behavior was all for a young woman named Seraphina. Seraphina sat in the center of the ballroom, her fingers dancing across black and white keys, producing one beautiful melody after another. All the lights in the hall were focused on her; she was like a luminous fairy, captivating everyone’s attention, including Julian’s. After finishing her piece, Seraphina stood up and walked toward us. “Julian! I knew you’d come! Long time no see. And who is this?” “My secretary.” Julian gently took Seraphina’s hand, deftly changing the subject. “Want to play a duet together?” Seraphina smiled and nodded, her girlish shyness evident. That day, Julian and Seraphina performed perfectly together, earning a standing ovation and countless compliments. Amidst praises of “golden couple” and “perfect match,” I learned the identity of that young lady. Julian’s childhood sweetheart, the one he held dearest, his future wife.
The banquet was bustling, full of clinking glasses and lively chatter. I sat in the dessert area, watching Julian, with a faint smile, chat with the playful Seraphina and other guests. After watching for a while, I suddenly felt suffocated. I grabbed a glass of juice and went to the outdoor gazebo for some fresh air. Outside, the moonlight poured down like liquid silver, and a faint floral scent hung in the air. I leaned against a pillar, gazing up at the moon. The way Julian looked at Seraphina was ardent, a look none of his mistresses had ever received. It was almost time to leave. I turned my head to look at the wall. Through the wall, I saw Julian’s smiling face—a blessing I had never received. Suddenly, a man emerged from the shadows and stood before me. “Beautiful lady, all alone?” The man leaned in, his warm breath almost brushing my face. “May I buy you a drink?” I frowned, subtly stepping back two paces. “No, thank you. I don’t really drink.” “That’s odd,” the man scratched his head. “Aren’t you the one who’s always so good at drinking on behalf of Julian Davies? How can you not drink now? Are you refusing to give me face?” Hearing that he knew my background, I didn’t dare refuse outright. I simply raised my glass, my smile flawless. “It’s a special occasion, sir. I hope you understand. Perhaps another time?” “Alright,” the man stepped out of the shadows, revealing a face five parts similar to Seraphina’s. “You’re interesting, Chloe. Let’s arrange something for next time.” He pulled out his phone to open a QR code, casually bringing up another matter. “But I wonder, your boss wouldn’t be mad if I asked you out, would he? A man and a woman, alone together, it might not look good.” “He wouldn’t.” I obediently scanned his SnapChat code and explained softly, “Mr. Davies is just my boss. He doesn’t interfere with my private time.” Seeing the relaxed expression on his face, I knew my answer had satisfied them. I saw Seraphina in the distance, holding a drink and raising an eyebrow at me, her face exuding the air of a victor. Julian was draped his coat over Seraphina, adjusting her collar, without sparing me a glance. After the banquet, sitting in the car on the way back, Julian calmly said, “Well done.” “Mm.” I looked down at the back of my hand, silently calculating how much longer I could stay with Julian. “I’ll be careful to maintain my boundaries with you, Mr. Davies.” That night, he didn’t give me a farewell kiss, nor did he walk me up. He simply told me to start contacting wedding planners. Watching Julian’s car drive away, my knees buckled, and I crumpled to the ground. I stared blankly at the asphalt, not crying, not sad, just feeling all emotions stripped from my body, leaving only an empty shell. It took me a week to sell off all the jewelry, apartments, and the car Julian had given me. During that same week, the news of Davies Corp. and Hayes Group’s impending union spread like wildfire.
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