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cocobeanncteez · 6 months ago

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The CEO Collision - Part Three

Pairing: CEO!Seonghwa x CEO!reader (f)

Warnings / content for Part Three: alcohol consumption, profanities, seonghwa is involved in a scandal, this part contains smut (mdni / 18+), oral (f and m receiving), penetration / piv, protected sex (pill). Please note that other than Ateez, all other character names used are fictional.

Word Count: 11.2k

Masterlist for The CEO Collision

The next few weeks flew by in a whirlwind of work. Your schedule was packed from morning to night with meetings, strategy sessions, and overseeing new developments at your company. The company was preparing for the launch of its newest diagnostic imaging device, and every detail required your attention. From approving marketing materials to meeting with engineers to ensure production timelines were met, you barely had time to breathe.

Meanwhile, Seonghwa was in Daegu for a business trip, overseeing a major expansion project for his own company. He was working closely with new suppliers and negotiating contracts, ensuring the company’s foothold in the region remained strong. The two of you were only able to meet twice these past few weeks with the presence of your families. But you stayed in touch through texts, though the messages were often brief—updates on your respective schedules, quick remarks about your days, and the occasional playful teasing.

It was a Thursday morning at work, and you knew you were going to have to work over the weekend too as you had to attend Yunho’s father’s retirement party tomorrow night. You dearly missed Seonghwa, and as if on cue, he messaged you.

Seonghwa: How’s the launch prep going? Still sane? You: Barely. If I see another typo in these reports, I might scream Seonghwa: You’re the CEO. Just yell. It’s therapeutic You: Sure, and scare my staff half to death? Seonghwa: Consider it a bonding exercise

You chuckled at his last message before putting your phone aside and getting back to work. Despite the distance, the tension from the last time you saw him didn’t dissipate. If anything, the brief moments of flirtation over text seemed to stoke the flames. You’d catch yourself rereading his messages, biting your lip as you thought about his smirk, his touch, the way he’d kissed you against your car and in his library.

But the busyness of your days left little time for daydreams.

A knock at your door was heard before Nari walked in, an anxious look on her face that immediately made you alert.

“What’s wrong?” you asked, worried. “Please don’t tell me we lost data or something.”

“Oh, Ms. Y/N,” she cried, “Yunho said he wants to introduce me to his parents tomorrow night at his father’s retirement party! What should I do?!”

You blinked, processing Nari’s sudden outburst before letting out a small laugh of relief. “That’s it? Nari, you scared me half to death!”

“I’m sorry!” she wailed, clutching her phone tightly. “But this is serious! His parents! What if they don’t like me? What if I mess up? What if—”

“Nari,” you interrupted, standing up and walking over to her. “Take a deep breath.”

She nodded, inhaling sharply and exhaling slowly as you guided her to sit down. “Okay, I’m breathing. Now tell me what to do. I can’t mess this up!”

“You’re not going to mess this up,” you reassured her, pulling a chair over and sitting across from her. “Yunho adores you, right? He wouldn’t introduce you to his parents if he didn’t think they’d like you too.”

“But—”

“No buts. You’re charming, sweet, and smart. Just be yourself,” you said firmly. “And maybe tone down the worrying, just a little.”

Nari let out a nervous laugh, her cheeks flushing. “You’re right. I’m overthinking this, aren’t I?”

“Just a little,” you teased, offering her a smile. “Now, what are you wearing?”

Her eyes widened, the panic returning. “I have no idea! What’s the dress code? What if I’m overdressed? Or underdressed? Or—”

“Nari,” you said, holding up a hand to stop her spiral. “First of all, it’s a black-tie event. Second, I’ll help you pick something out after work, okay? You’ll be perfect.”

Her shoulders sagged with relief. “Thank you, Ms. Y/N. You’re a lifesaver.”

You laughed softly. “Just come over to my place tomorrow. There’s a whole team coming to doll my family up. I’ll have them bring some gowns for you too.”

“Deal,” she said, standing up. “I owe you.”

“Big time,” you teased as she left your office, a newfound spring in her step.

As the door closed, you leaned back in your chair, smiling to yourself. It was nice to see Nari so excited, even if she was a bundle of nerves. And while you wouldn’t admit it out loud, helping her plan for Yunho’s parents was a welcome distraction from your own thoughts about Seonghwa.

The next morning at work, you were really tired, and Nari was working at your desk while you laid down on the sofa in your office, trying to take a power nap.

You groggily opened your eyes, still feeling the effects of a restless night as you tried to adjust to the morning light. A loud gasp from Nari quickly jolted you awake, your senses on high alert.

"Y/N, you need to see this!" Nari’s voice was filled with disbelief, and she was already staring intently at her laptop screen.

You sat up from the couch, wiping sleep from your eyes. "What happened? Did something go wrong with the data?" you asked, already feeling a spike of concern.

Nari didn’t answer right away. Instead, she clicked her mouse, and before you could even get close, she gasped again, her hands shaking slightly as she pointed at the screen. "Look at this, Y/N."

You walked over, her frantic energy infectious, and peered at the screen. Your heart dropped into your stomach when you saw the headline:

“CEO Park Seonghwa Caught in Scandal with Young Actress Lee Yoona: A Relationship Blooming?”

The article included several pictures—one of Seonghwa dining with Lee Yoona, the 22-year-old actress, at a trendy restaurant, another showing the two of them walking out of the venue, looking comfortable with each other, laughing together as they left. But it was the final photo that made your stomach twist—Seonghwa carrying Yoona bridal-style into a hotel.

You stared at the image for a long moment, the weight of it sinking in. Your mind tried to process the details, but your heart was already racing, caught somewhere between confusion and anger.

Nari leaned in, her voice barely above a whisper as she read the article aloud:

“CEO Park Seonghwa has been spotted multiple times in the company of actress Lee Yoona, sparking rumors about a blossoming romance between the two. The latest photos taken at a five-star restaurant in Daegu show the two enjoying a private dinner, followed by Seonghwa carrying Yoona to a hotel in a highly intimate gesture. The 8-year age gap has raised some eyebrows, but sources close to both parties suggest that their relationship is more than just a professional one. Lee Yoona is currently in Daegu, filming for her upcoming show ‘Are we in love?’ set to release later in the year, while the reason for CEO Park Seonghwa’s visit to Daegu is unknown.”

Nari clicked her tongue in disbelief. “This is crazy, Y/N. I don’t believe for a second that Seonghwa would do something like this. You and him…” She paused, turning to look at you, as if trying to gauge your reaction. "You’re sort of engaged, right? I mean, he wouldn’t—”

You couldn’t respond immediately, your brain still foggy from the overwhelming sensation of seeing Seonghwa with someone else so… intimately. “This can’t be real, right? He’s… with her? Just like that?” You let the words hang in the air, feeling the weight of them pull you down.

"Come on, Y/N, don't jump to conclusions." Nari’s voice was firm, trying to ground you in logic. "I’ve known Seonghwa for a while, and I honestly don’t think he’s like that. I think… I think the media just twisted things, like they always do. I mean, look at how they spun the dinner. Who knows? It could’ve been completely innocent. You’ve seen how the press exaggerates everything."

You shook your head, trying to clear the fog in your mind. "I don’t know, Nari. This is different. They were so close... Seonghwa's always been professional. But this—this isn’t professional."

Nari leaned back in her chair, her gaze softening. “I get it, I do. But don’t let this media storm get to you. You haven’t heard his side yet, right? And don’t forget, there’s always the possibility that this is nothing more than an innocent dinner, blown out of proportion.”

You let out a shaky breath, feeling like you were about to fall apart. “I need to hear from him. I need to know what’s going on."

The article lingered in front of you like a bad dream, and all you could think about was how your world had just shifted in an instant.

Nari sighed, offering you a small smile. “I’ll support you no matter what, Y/N. But before jumping to conclusions, talk to Seonghwa. You deserve to know the truth straight from him.”

You nodded, still in disbelief, but the one thing you knew for sure was that you had to confront him. You needed clarity. This wasn’t something you could just ignore, especially with the way your heart was reacting to seeing him with someone else.

You reached for your phone, fingers trembling slightly as you unlocked the screen and stared at Seonghwa’s contact. Should you call him now? Or wait for him to reach out? You hesitated for only a moment before you hit his name and waited for him to pick up.

He didn’t pick up. There were no texts from him either. It was nearly one o’clock in the afternoon. Where was he?

Picking up your phone once again, you scrolled through his contact info and dialed his number, your heart racing as the call connected. The phone rang, and your stomach churned with each passing second.

Then—voicemail.

While you waited for Seonghwa to call you back, you looked up his name online, seeing dozens of articles about the scandal. As you scrolled through the articles, your heart sank with every new headline. The media had taken the story and spun it into something much worse than it probably was.

One article in particular caught your attention. It was a detailed write-up about Seonghwa and Lee Yoona, describing their dinner together at a well-known high-end restaurant in Daegu. According to the piece, Seonghwa had been seen laughing and chatting with her before they left together, with some sources claiming that they had been "inseparable" the entire evening. The most damning part of the article was the photo of Seonghwa lifting Yoona in his arms, carrying her bridal-style toward a hotel entrance late in the night. The paparazzi had captured the moment perfectly, making it look like something straight out of a romance movie—except it was far from romantic to you.

Your hands shook slightly as you read the speculation. According to the article, the two of them had been spending "increasingly intimate time together" and rumors of a relationship had started swirling ever since they were seen together at a gala a few months ago. There were comments from people who claimed to have "witnessed their chemistry" and one particularly nasty line about how Seonghwa had always been "a man of many loves."

You clenched your fists, a mixture of anger and confusion bubbling up inside you. How could he not tell you about this? If it was nothing, why hadn’t he reached out to clear the air? Why hadn't he said something before all of this? You trusted him, but now, everything seemed clouded in doubt.

The worst part was that you couldn't stop imagining the look on his face when he carried Yoona into that hotel. Could he have been with her? The idea gnawed at you, the jealousy and betrayal making your stomach twist.

But then, you remembered something—something important. You hadn't seen the whole story. You didn’t know the truth.

You took in a deep breath, trying to steady your racing thoughts. You had to give him the chance to explain. If Seonghwa was who you thought he was, this wouldn’t be the whole picture. There had to be a reasonable explanation. But then again, could there be?

You set your phone down for a moment, looking out the window, trying to calm yourself before your nerves completely took over. Why wasn’t he calling?

You stood near the entrance of the elegantly decorated ballroom, feeling the weight of the night pressing on your chest. The chatter around you was lively, the clinking of glasses and laughter echoing through the room, but you barely registered any of it. You had been at Yunho’s father’s retirement party for over an hour now, and still, there was no word from Seonghwa.

Your parents had been urging you not to jump to conclusions, insisting that you wait until you spoke to him directly. They kept telling you that these things often got blown out of proportion in the media. But despite their reassurances, you couldn’t shake the knot in your stomach, the gnawing feeling that maybe you were wrong to trust him. Why hadn’t he reached out by now?

Yeosang and Yunho had been doing their best to distract you, introducing you to people you barely remembered and trying to keep the conversation light, but your mind was elsewhere. You could feel the tension building, making it harder to breathe. Every time your phone buzzed, you jumped—each time hoping it would be Seonghwa, but it never was.

Just then, Hongjoong appeared beside you, his eyes scanning the crowd before landing on you. He gave you a small smile, though there was concern in his gaze.

“Hey,” he said softly, leaning in slightly so only you could hear. “You okay?”

You gave him a tight smile, though it didn’t reach your eyes. “I’m fine. Just... waiting for Seonghwa to explain himself.”

Hongjoong’s brow furrowed, and he put a reassuring hand on your shoulder. “Look, Y/N, I know you’re upset, but Seonghwa? He’s not the type of guy to do something like that. I’ve known him for years, and I can tell you, he’s not that guy.”

You nodded, but your doubts remained. You had heard people say that before—he’s not that guy. But the articles didn’t lie, did they? He was photographed carrying Lee Yoona into a hotel, and the entire media had already decided what that meant. Could he really have just been helping her?

“But why hasn’t he called me?” you asked, your voice barely above a whisper. “Why hasn't he said anything about it?”

Hongjoong’s expression softened, and he gave you a sympathetic look. “I don’t know. He hasn’t responded to my texts yet either. He’s supposed to be here tonight. But believe me, he would never betray you like this.”

You wanted to believe him. You really did. But the silence between you and Seonghwa was stretching on for too long, and it hurt.

"I just don't get it," you murmured, turning your attention back to the people mingling around you. "He should’ve said something by now.”

Hongjoong’s gaze softened further as he gave you a comforting pat on the back. “I know. But he’s not the kind of guy to hide something like this from you. Don’t forget who he is, Y/N. He values honesty above everything.”

You nodded, though your heart still felt heavy. His words were a small comfort, but you couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong. Every minute that ticked by without a word from Seonghwa seemed to make the situation worse.

“Maybe... maybe he’s just scared,” Hongjoong added after a pause, his voice thoughtful. “We both know Seonghwa. He doesn’t do well with conflict, especially when it comes to things that matter.”

You sighed, rubbing your forehead. “I just don’t understand why he hasn’t reached out. It’s not like him.”

“Well, maybe he doesn’t know how to explain himself,” Hongjoong said gently. “But he will. I’m sure of it. Just wait and see.”

You wanted to believe him. But every part of you was screaming for answers, and the longer you waited, the harder it became to stay calm.

Half an hour later, Seonghwa entered Yunho’s family mansion, his presence commanding immediate attention. Wooyoung followed close behind, an uncharacteristic seriousness in his expression. Ignoring the whispers and curious looks from the crowd, Seonghwa scanned the room until his eyes landed on Yunho. He crossed the room in long strides.

“Yunho,” Seonghwa said, his voice low but urgent. “Have you seen Y/N anywhere? I need to talk to her.”

Yunho studied him for a moment, then nodded toward the staircase. “She’s in the study upstairs. She needed to finish a call.”

Seonghwa didn’t waste a second, muttering a quick thanks before heading upstairs. He knocked on the study door before pushing it open. You were standing by the window, your phone still in hand, though it appeared the call had just ended. When you turned and saw him, your expression shifted, a mix of surprise and guarded relief.

“Seonghwa,” you said softly, though the tension in your voice was unmistakable.

“Y/N,” he began, closing the door behind him. “Please, let me explain everything.”

You didn’t move from your spot, but your posture relaxed slightly. “I’m listening.”

He let out a breath, his shoulders slumping as if a weight had been lifted by your willingness to hear him out. “I’m so sorry I couldn’t contact you. My phone—” He held it up, showing the shattered screen. “It’s completely broken. I… I got drunk after dropping Yoona at her hotel, and I must have broken it then. I know it was irresponsible of me, but I didn’t want to leave you in the dark like this. I… Wooyoung doesn’t have your number or Hongjoong’s so I had no way of contacting you. I knew you were coming tonight so I thought of speaking to you here directly.”

Your brows furrowed, concern flickering across your face despite the situation. “What happened, Seonghwa? I want to believe you, but the articles… they’re everywhere.”

He took a deep breath, stepping closer. “Believe me, Y/N, I know this looks really bad, but Yoona is like a younger sister to me, Y/N, and she sees me as an older brother. I would never… I couldn’t even think of her that way. Five years ago, her father—a terrible man—sold her to some man to pay off his gambling debts. She was just out of high school, terrified, and alone. She ran away, and I found her on the side of a road in Busan, badly beaten.”

Your eyes widened slightly, and the tension in your expression softened as you listened.

“I took her to the hospital, reported everything, and made sure those responsible were punished. I offered to support her college education, but she always wanted to pursue acting, so I introduced her to a friend’s agency. I helped her get an apartment here in Seoul. Since then, I’ve checked in on her occasionally to make sure she’s okay.”

You stayed quiet, letting him continue.

“As for the pictures of me carrying her… She had too much to drink and couldn’t walk properly. Wooyoung and another friend were with us the entire time, but the media conveniently left them out. They were passed out in the car from drinking, so I carried her to her room to make sure she was safe and then went back to my own hotel.”

Your gaze dropped to the floor for a moment before meeting his again. “Why didn’t you tell me about her before?”

“I should have,” Seonghwa admitted, guilt etched into his face. He ran a hand through his hair, exhaling deeply. “To be honest with you, no one other than Wooyoung knows about Yoona. Not even my parents—though they’ve certainly expressed their frustration with me now that this has come to light.”

Your expression softened slightly, the tension in your posture easing just a bit.

“I didn’t tell anyone because… well, money has never been an issue for me. I helped save her life because it was the right thing to do, not because I wanted recognition or acknowledgment. It felt private—her story, her struggles. And I thought keeping it that way would protect her.”

He hesitated for a moment, his gaze meeting yours with an intensity that made your chest tighten. “Looking back, I realize I should’ve told you,” he said, moving to stand in front of you, taking your hands in his. “But I never thought it was relevant, not until the media twisted it into something it wasn’t.”

You considered his words, your initial hurt beginning to dissolve into understanding. “I get that you were trying to protect her, Seonghwa, and I respect that. But if we’re… if we’re going to move forward, I need to know that you trust me enough to share these parts of your life with me, even if they seem irrelevant to you.”

His eyes softened, and he nodded. “You’re right. I’ll do better. I promise.”

You hummed in response, your gaze dropping to your hands still intertwined with his. For a moment, the warmth of his touch distracted you, but a flicker of memory broke through—the times he had ignored you after those drunken nights together. The question burned on the tip of your tongue, aching to be asked.

But you were too drained to confront it now. Today had already been an emotional rollercoaster, and this wasn’t the right time or place. It was Yunho’s father’s retirement party, and you still wanted to spend time with your friends and acquaintances, not unravel more layers of this complicated situation.

Seonghwa’s thumb brushed against the back of your hand, drawing you back to the present. His brows furrowed slightly as he studied your face. “There’s something on your mind,” he said gently. “What is it?”

You shook your head quickly. “It’s nothing. I’m just… tired.”

His lips pressed into a thin line, clearly not buying your deflection. “Y/N, please. I can see there’s more to it than that.”

You hesitated, but before you could decide how to respond, he took a deep breath, his grip on your hands tightening slightly as if bracing himself. “Look… there’s something I… I need to say.”

Your heart skipped a beat at the seriousness in his tone.

“I’m in love with you,” he confessed, his voice low but steady, his gaze locked onto yours with an intensity that made it hard to breathe. “I don’t expect an answer from you now. I just… I couldn’t hold it in anymore. Not after everything that’s happened… I just needed you to know that.”

You stared at him, wide-eyed and speechless. His words hung heavily in the air, filling the space between you with a mix of tension, vulnerability, and unspoken possibilities.

Seonghwa took a cautious step closer, his hands still holding yours as if afraid you might pull away. His eyes searched your face, trying to gauge your reaction.

“I know I’ve made mistakes,” he continued softly, his voice laced with regret. “And I know I haven’t always treated you the way you deserve. But I’m serious about this, about us. Even if I have to wait until you’re ready to believe me… I will.”

The sincerity in his words caused a lump to form in your throat. You blinked rapidly, overwhelmed by the sheer weight of the moment.

“Seonghwa…” you started, your voice barely above a whisper. “I… I don’t know what to say.”

He smiled faintly, a bittersweet curve of his lips. “You don’t have to say anything. I just needed you to know.”

The vulnerability in his eyes was disarming, and for a moment, all the hurt and confusion from before seemed to melt away. But before you could process your emotions further, a distant voice from downstairs called your name, pulling you back to reality.

You took a deep breath, gently pulling your hands away. “I should go back to the party,” you said, your tone steady despite the turmoil inside you.

Seonghwa nodded, stepping back to give you space. “Of course. Just… take your time, Y/N. I’ll be here.”

You nodded, turning to leave the room, but paused at the door. Glancing back at him, you saw the faintest hint of a hopeful smile on his face.

As you walked down the staircase and rejoined the bustling party, your mind was anything but calm. His confession replayed in your head like a broken record, making it impossible to focus on the cheerful chatter around you.

Hongjoong approached, offering you a drink. “Everything okay?” he asked, his sharp eyes scanning your face.

You forced a smile, taking the glass from him. “Yeah. Just… a lot on my mind.”

He didn’t push, simply nodding and clinking his glass with yours. As the night went on, you found yourself stealing glances toward the stairs, wondering if Seonghwa was still upstairs, thinking about you the same way you were now unable to stop thinking about him.

The next morning, you were working from home. As you sat at your desk trying to focus on work, a notification lit up your phone screen. It was a breaking news alert with the title: "Statement from ATZ Entertainment about Actress Lee Yoona."

Hello, this is ATZ Entertainment.

False articles involving Actress Lee Yoona has been brought to our attention.

While it is true Lee Yoona was with Park Seonghwa, CEO of Byeol Materials Group, the nature of their relationship is strictly platonic and can best be described as that of an older brother and younger sister. On the evening in question in Daegu where Yoona is currently filming, Yoona joined Park Seonghwa and two of their close friends for dinner after a day of filming. During the course of the evening, Yoona unfortunately sprained her ankle, rendering her unable to walk without assistance. Park Seonghwa carried her to her hotel room to ensure her safety and left immediately after ensuring she was settled. The two friends who were present throughout the evening can also confirm these details.

The media’s selective use of images and omission of context has led to baseless and damaging speculations regarding Mr. Park and Ms. Lee. Both individuals have maintained a professional and friendly relationship over the years, with no romantic involvement whatsoever.

We urge the public to be discerning in their consumption of news and to avoid spreading unfounded rumors. ATZ Entertainment, in conjunction with Byeol Materials Group, will take legal action against individuals or entities who perpetuate false or malicious narratives that harm the reputations of either Lee Yoona or Park Seonghwa.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

You could practically feel the weight of the statement as you read it out loud to Nari, who nodded approvingly. “That should definitely put things to rest,” she said confidently.

You hummed in agreement, though a small part of you still felt uneasy. The media had been relentless with its speculations, and you weren’t naive enough to think this would stop all the chatter. But at least now the truth was out there. And more importantly, Seonghwa’s words to you from last night echoed in your mind, solidifying your trust in him. Of course, you knew they would cover up the fact that Lee Yoona was drunk by claiming she sprained her ankle instead.

Nari stood up, a playful grin on her face. “Now that the drama’s clearing up, maybe you can start thinking about how you’re going to answer Seonghwa’s confession.”

You rolled your eyes but couldn’t stop the heat rising to your cheeks. “Let’s focus on work, shall we?”

“Sure, boss,” she teased, stretching her arms above her head. “But don’t think I’m letting you avoid the subject forever.”

-x-x-x-

Dinner was unusually quiet, a rare occurrence in your family. Yeri was also present today. The clinking of utensils against plates filled the space, but the usual chatter was missing. You knew why—they were all waiting for the right moment to bring up the one topic everyone was thinking about.

Your father finally broke the silence, setting his glass down with a soft thud. “Y/N,” he began, his tone gentle but probing, “now that everything about Seonghwa has been cleared up, are you ready to move forward? Are you ready to get engaged to him?”

You paused, your fork hovering over your plate as the question settled in the air. All eyes were on you—your mother’s soft and encouraging gaze, Hongjoong’s more neutral but attentive expression, and Yeri’s subtle look of curiosity mixed with concern.

“I…” You hesitated, unsure of how to express the storm of emotions swirling inside you.

“Sweetheart,” your mother said, her voice calm and soothing, “we’re not trying to pressure you. We just want to understand how you’re feeling.”

Your father nodded. “Seonghwa is a good man. We’ve all seen that. But this decision has to come from you.”

Hongjoong leaned back in his chair, his arms crossed. “He’s been through a lot to prove himself, Y/N. And let’s not forget he confessed to you. That’s not something he’d do lightly.”

Yeri chimed in, her voice softer than usual. “And you’ve always been careful with your heart, Y/N. But you’ve also been happier since Seonghwa’s been in your life. Do you love him?”

The question hit you like a bolt of lightning, and for a moment, you were at a loss for words. “I care about him deeply… and I know I have feelings for him,” you admitted, your voice steady but thoughtful. “But love? That’s… that’s something I’m still trying to understand.”

Your father exchanged a glance with your mother before speaking again. “It’s a big step, Y/N. And it’s okay to take your time. But ask yourself this—what do you see when you think about your future? Do you see him in it?”

The room fell silent again, and you stared down at your plate, your thoughts running wild. Did you see Seonghwa in your future? The moments you’d shared with him flashed through your mind—the quiet conversations, the laughter, the way he looked at you like you were the only person in the world, the way he held you while he kissed you.

Finally, you looked up, meeting their expectant gazes. “I don’t have an answer right now,” you said honestly. “But I know I need to talk to him… there’s something I need to ask him. I need to figure this out first, for myself and for us.”

Your mother smiled softly, reaching out to place her hand over yours. “That’s all we ask. Take your time, and trust your heart.”

Hongjoong gave you a supportive nod. “And if he screws up, I’ll handle it. He is my bestfriend after all.”

That drew a small laugh from you, easing some of the tension in the room.

Later that night, as you lay in bed staring at the ceiling, their words replayed in your mind. The question wasn’t just about Seonghwa—it was about what you wanted, what you were ready for.

And deep down, you knew you needed to see him soon. You knew you had to ask him about the multiple times you slept with him and the way he treated it like as if nothing happened.

Seonghwa sat at one of Mingi's high-top tables, his tablet balanced precariously on a stack of coasters as he scrolled through bouquet arrangements. His brow was furrowed like he was negotiating a billion-dollar deal instead of picking flowers.

“Roses feel too cliché,” he muttered to himself, clicking to view another arrangement featuring peonies and eucalyptus.

“You know,” Wooyoung began, sipping his brightly colored cocktail with a ridiculous paper umbrella sticking out of it, “this is taking way too long. Just give her flower-shaped diamonds and call it a day.”

Seonghwa didn’t even look up. “Should I?”

Mingi, who was behind the bar mixing a drink, whipped around so fast he almost dropped his shaker. “What?”

Hongjoong, seated at the other end of the table nursing a glass of whiskey, snorted. “He’s kidding.”

Seonghwa paused, looking up from the tablet, his expression unreadable.

“Oh my god, he’s actually considering it!” Wooyoung cackled, slapping his thigh. “I mean, imagine her reaction. Flower-shaped diamonds, Seonghwa. You’d be the most romantic guy in the history of romance. Ever.”

Seonghwa’s lips twitched like he was seriously considering it. “It would be efficient,” he said thoughtfully. “Flowers and jewelry in one.”

Mingi groaned loudly, slamming his shaker on the bar. “You’re not serious.”

“Don’t tempt him,” Hongjoong muttered, swirling the ice in his glass.

“No, no, let’s lean into this,” Wooyoung said, practically vibrating with excitement. “Add in a gold vase to hold the diamond flowers, and boom! The ultimate gift.”

Hongjoong choked on his drink, coughing violently. “Gold vase? Are you insane? You’re going to bankrupt him for life!”

Wooyoung laughed loudly. “Yooo our company is struggling, you could actually end up bankrupt!”

“Not likely,” Seonghwa replied smoothly, still scrolling through the bouquets.

Mingi leaned on the bar, pointing an accusing finger at Seonghwa. “If you actually show up with diamond flowers, I’m banning you from this bar. Forever.”

“Noted,” Seonghwa said dryly, but his small smirk betrayed him. In the end, as they continued their banter, he bookmarked a bouquet of white tulips, lavender, and garden roses. Simple, elegant, and meaningful—just like the person he had in mind.

Mingi leaned against the counter, casually swirling a drink in his hand as he eyed Seonghwa. “So, Mr. Park, when’s the big engagement happening? Got a date set, or are we still in the ‘waiting for permission’ phase?”

Seonghwa sighed, setting his glass down. “There’s no date yet, Mingi. Y/N hasn’t even said yes to the idea of us being engaged.”

Wooyoung gasped, clutching his chest dramatically. “Are you telling me you, Park Seonghwa, the epitome of everything women dream of, haven’t locked this down yet? What is she waiting for? A meteor shower? A handwritten letter from Cupid?”

“Or maybe she’s just sensible,” Mingi cut in, a smirk tugging at his lips. “Not everyone is swept off their feet by Seonghwa’s brooding CEO charm.”

“I’d argue it’s the lack of charm,” Wooyoung muttered under his breath, earning a glare from Seonghwa.

“She promised to give us a chance and get to know me better,” Seonghwa said evenly, though there was a flicker of vulnerability in his tone. “I want her to feel comfortable with the idea before anything happens. She deserves that.”

Mingi nodded thoughtfully. “Fair enough. But do you think she’ll say yes eventually?”

Seonghwa hesitated, running a hand through his hair. “I don’t know. That’s up to her. I can’t force it. All I can do is show her how serious I am about this… about her.”

Wooyoung snorted. “Serious? Please. You’re practically one step away from carving her name into your desk like some lovesick teenager.”

“Wooyoung,” Seonghwa said warningly, though a faint blush dusted his cheeks.

“Don’t look at me like that,” Wooyoung shot back, grinning. “I’m just saying, if you want her to say yes, you should make a grand gesture. You know, flowers, fireworks, maybe even a plane with a banner that says ‘Marry Me, Y/N.’”

“Do you hear yourself?” Seonghwa asked, exasperated.

“Actually, the flowers idea isn’t bad,” Mingi mused. “Not the plane, though. That’s overkill. But… Isn’t this one of those mutual agreements? Like, you both sit down with your parents and say, ‘Okay, let’s do it on this date with this theme?’”

“That’s how it usually works in families like ours,” Seonghwa admitted. “But…” He trailed off, his fingers idly tapping the edge of his glass.

“But?” Wooyoung pressed, his grin widening.

“I’d rather propose,” Seonghwa said finally, his voice quiet but firm.

The table went silent for a moment before Wooyoung let out a dramatic gasp. “What?! Mr. Tradition himself wants to go rogue?!”

Mingi burst out laughing. “Rogue? He just wants to be romantic, you idiot,” Mingi said, before his tone dropped to a more sincere one. “She deserves to feel special, hyung. If proposing is what feels right to you, then do it. Forget all that business nonsense for a second.”

Hongjoong smirked, raising his glass in a mock toast. “Listen to them for once, Hwa. They’re making sense. For once.”

Seonghwa chuckled, the tension in his shoulders easing just a fraction. “You’re all impossible, you know that?”

“Impossible but wise,” Wooyoung said, tipping his glass toward Seonghwa. “So are we getting involved? Do I get to sprinkle flower petals or something?”

Seonghwa rolled his eyes, but the small, genuine smile playing on his lips said it all. “We’ll see.”

But deep down, as the laughter and teasing continued, Seonghwa was already envisioning the perfect moment. One that would show you just how much he cared—beyond business, beyond expectation, beyond everything.

-x-x-x-

The grandeur of the evening was almost overwhelming, even by your family’s standards. You were at an exclusive charity gala hosted at a sprawling estate, complete with chandeliers, a live orchestra, and servers weaving through the crowd with trays of champagne flutes and hors d'oeuvres.

Dressed in a sleek navy gown, you stood by your parents and Hongjoong, exchanging pleasantries with various guests. Across the room, you spotted Seonghwa with his parents, his sharp black suit highlighting his striking features. He was speaking with an older couple, but his gaze kept flickering in your direction.

“Y/N, Hongjoong, come meet the Baek family,” your father said, steering you both toward an elegantly dressed couple. Beside them stood two men—one looked to be in his late 30s, his wedding ring catching the light as he sipped his drink. The other, however, appeared younger, perhaps in his early 30s. His tailored suit and confident smile screamed wealth and charm.

“This is Mr. and Mrs. Baek,” your father introduced, “and their sons, Baek Hyunwoo and Baek Youngha. They run Baek Pharmaceuticals.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” you said politely, extending your hand.

Baek Youngha’s handshake lingered just a moment too long, his eyes sweeping over you in a way that felt deliberate. “The pleasure is mine, Ms. Kim. I’ve heard a lot about Aurum Medical Technologies. Impressive work for someone so young.”

“Thank you,” you replied with a polite smile, stepping back slightly to create some distance.

As the conversation flowed, Youngha seemed particularly interested in you, asking about your work and future plans. Hongjoong, ever the protective brother, subtly stepped in to steer the conversation whenever it veered too personal.

From across the room, Seonghwa’s jaw tightened. He had noticed the way Baek Youngha’s gaze lingered on you, his expression far too appraising for Seonghwa’s liking.

“Who’s that?” Jongho asked, following Seonghwa’s line of sight.

“Baek Youngha,” Seonghwa muttered. “Youngest son of Baek Pharmaceuticals. And apparently, he doesn’t know how to keep his eyes to himself.”

San smirked, sipping his drink. “Jealous much?”

“Not jealous,” Seonghwa replied, his tone clipped. “Just observant.”

San raised an eyebrow. “Right. Observant. That’s why you’re glaring daggers at the guy.”

Meanwhile, you felt Seonghwa’s eyes on you but tried to focus on the conversation. Youngha leaned in slightly, his tone conspiratorial. “If you ever want to discuss potential collaborations between Aurum and Baek Pharmaceuticals, I’d be happy to arrange a private meeting.”

Before you could respond, Hongjoong interjected smoothly. “I’m sure any discussions like that would need to go through the proper channels. Our teams can coordinate if necessary.”

Youngha chuckled, clearly unbothered. “Of course. I’m just offering my personal insight.”

“Insight is always welcome,” you said politely, though you could feel Seonghwa’s gaze boring into the side of your head.

As the conversation wrapped up, you excused yourself to get a drink, feeling the need to escape the intensity of the interaction. Seonghwa seized the opportunity, making his way across the room to intercept you at the bar.

“You seemed… popular over there,” he remarked, his tone light but his eyes serious.

You raised an eyebrow at him. “Just networking.”

“Networking,” he repeated, his lips pressing into a thin line. “That’s one way to describe it.”

You tilted your head, a teasing smile tugging at your lips. “Why, Mr. Park, are you jealous?”

His eyes darkened slightly, leaning in just enough for only you to hear. “I don’t get jealous. But I do protect what’s mine.”

The heat in his gaze sent a shiver down your spine, and for a moment, the bustling gala seemed to fade into the background. “Am I yours, Seonghwa?” you asked softly, testing the waters.

He straightened, his expression softening but still intense. “I’d like you to be.”

Before you could respond, Hongjoong appeared, his timing impeccable as always. “Y/N, we have another family to meet.”

You glanced back at Seonghwa, his gaze unwavering. “We’ll talk later,” he said, his voice low but filled with promise.

As you walked away, you couldn’t help but feel the pull between you growing stronger, the line between business and personal becoming increasingly blurred.

After speaking to couple more people, you excused yourself from a conversation, making your way over to the bar for another drink. The evening had been exhausting enough, and you needed a moment to yourself. As you reached the bar and picked up a glass of wine, a voice cut through the soft hum of conversations.

“Y/N! Over here!”

You turned to see Youngha waving at you with a grin, standing in a corner with San, Jongho, Seonghwa, and Hyunwoo. His invitation was warm, almost too eager, and you hesitated for a moment before walking over.

As you approached, Youngha pulled out a chair for you from the table right beside them with an exaggerated flourish. “Come join us. We were just discussing how someone like you probably has all the answers to the medical industry’s problems.”

You offered a polite smile as you sat down. “I highly doubt that, but I’m happy to join the conversation.”

Youngha leaned in slightly, his gaze lingering a little too long. “Don’t sell yourself short, Y/N. From what I’ve heard, you’re quite the trailblazer. Smart, accomplished, and strikingly beautiful—a rare combination.”

San and Jongho exchanged a quick glance, their eyes darting toward Seonghwa, whose expression was unreadable but clearly strained. He stood slightly to the side, his arms crossed, watching the exchange with a carefully controlled demeanor.

“Thank you,” you replied, maintaining your composure. “I’m just doing my best, like everyone else.”

“You’re far too modest,” Youngha said with a chuckle, his tone playful but with an undercurrent of something else. “Someone like you deserves recognition. Maybe even someone who can match your ambition and drive.” His hand brushed lightly against the back of your chair, his intent far from subtle.

Seonghwa’s jaw tightened, and he straightened, his presence suddenly commanding. “Recognition is earned through hard work, not flattery,” he said, his voice calm but carrying a sharpness that cut through the air.

Youngha smirked, unfazed. “True, but a little encouragement never hurts, does it?” He glanced at you, his smile widening. “Y/N seems to appreciate it.”

“I’m sure Y/N appreciates sincerity more than hollow compliments,” Seonghwa countered, his eyes narrowing slightly.

San coughed to stifle a laugh, and Jongho took a sip of his drink, hiding his amusement. The tension between the two men crackled in the air, and you could feel it radiating off Seonghwa in waves.

“I assure you, my compliments are anything but hollow,” Youngha said smoothly, raising his glass toward you. “To Y/N, for being an exceptional presence in a room full of ordinary people.”

You tried to redirect the conversation, not wanting things to escalate further. “That’s very kind of you, but I think we’re all extraordinary in our own ways.”

Youngha chuckled, tilting his head toward Seonghwa. “Perhaps some of us have to work a little harder to stand out.”

Seonghwa’s smile was tight, his voice measured. “It’s not about standing out, Youngha. It’s about substance. Something you can’t fake.”

The subtle jab didn’t go unnoticed, and Youngha’s smile faltered for the briefest moment before he recovered. “Substance, of course. But let’s not forget that charm has its own value.”

“Charm fades,” Seonghwa replied coolly, his eyes locked on Youngha’s. “Substance lasts.”

San leaned over to Jongho, whispering, “This is getting spicy. Should we step in?”

Jongho shook his head, a sly grin on his face. “Not a chance. This is better than a drama.”

You cleared your throat, desperate to break the tension. “Well, this has been an interesting discussion, but I think I need some air.”

Youngha stood immediately, offering his hand. “Allow me to escort you—”

“She’ll be fine,” Seonghwa interjected, stepping closer to you, his tone leaving no room for argument. His hand lightly grazed your elbow, guiding you away from the group.

As you walked away, you couldn’t help but notice the heat in Seonghwa’s gaze and the way his touch lingered just a little too long. Youngha watched you both with a knowing smirk, but Seonghwa didn’t look back.

Seonghwa led you toward the balcony, away from the hum of voices and the clinking of glasses. The night air was crisp and cool, a welcome contrast to the tension you’d just escaped, and you were glad there was no one else at this balcony.

“Something bothering you?” you asked innocently, your voice laced with teasing undertones.

He turned to face you with a sharpness in his gaze that made your breath hitch. “What do you think?” he asked, his voice cool, though his eyes burned with something far hotter.

You smirked, tilting your head as you took a step closer, your boldness amplified by the wine you’d been nursing earlier. “I think Baek Youngha got under your skin.”

Seonghwa’s jaw clenched, his lips pressing into a thin line. “He’s irrelevant.”

“Is he?” you pressed, your tone deliberately playful. “Because from where I was seated, he seemed to be having a lot of fun trying to charm me. And you seemed… tense.”

“I wasn’t tense,” he snapped, too quickly, his eyes narrowing at the curve of your lips. “I was just—”

“Jealous?” you finished for him, stepping closer until you were inches apart, your voice dropping into something softer, almost daring. “You didn’t like the way he was looking at me, did you?”

His breath caught for a fraction of a second, his composure slipping just enough for you to notice. “He shouldn’t have been looking at you like that,” he muttered, his voice low, dangerous. “And you shouldn’t have been entertaining it.”

“Entertaining it?” You laughed softly, your fingers brushing the edge of his cuff as you tilted your head up to meet his gaze. “What if I was?”

His eyes darkened, his hand shooting out to catch your wrist, holding it firmly but gently. “Don’t test me, Y/N,” he warned, his voice a husky murmur that sent a shiver down your spine.

You raised a brow, your smirk widening as you leaned closer, your voice a whisper. “Oh, I don’t know about that, Seonghwa. I think I might.”

His grip on your wrist tightened just slightly, his free hand coming up to your waist, hovering there like he wasn’t sure whether to pull you closer. “You’re playing with fire yet again, sweetheart,” he said, his tone rough, a warning, but there was no mistaking the flicker of desire in his eyes.

“Maybe I want to get burned again,” you replied boldly, your heart pounding in your chest.

Before he could respond, a voice interrupted the moment. San appeared in the doorway, his expression unreadable but his timing impeccable as always. “There you are,” he said casually, glancing between the two of you. “Thought I’d find you here. Hongjoong is looking for you.”

You chuckled, grateful for the interruption, though the lingering heat of Seonghwa’s words stayed with you. “Guess we shouldn’t keep him waiting.”

Seonghwa gave you a small smile before stepping back, allowing you to lead the way.

You rejoined the crowd, a polite smile plastered on your face as your thoughts raced. Seonghwa’s intense gaze lingered in your mind, and despite your best efforts, the memory of his voice—low and dangerous—sent a thrill through you.

Hongjoong appeared by your side, handing you a fresh glass of champagne. “You okay? You look a little flushed.”

You laughed lightly, brushing off his concern. “I’m fine. Just a bit warm in here.”

“Uh-huh,” he said skeptically, his sharp eyes narrowing slightly. “This wouldn’t have anything to do with Seonghwa and the little disappearing act you two pulled earlier, would it?”

You choked on your drink, glaring at your brother. “What are you talking about?”

“I’m talking about how you and lover boy vanished for a good five minutes and came back looking… well, let’s just say the air around you was heavy,” he teased, a smirk tugging at his lips.

“Hongjoong, please,” you muttered, your cheeks heating. “It was nothing. Nothing happened.”

“Sure,” he drawled, clearly unconvinced. “Well, just a heads-up—Youngha hasn’t stopped staring at you since you walked back in. And Seonghwa hasn’t stopped glaring at him.”

You glanced across the room, spotting Youngha chatting with some older businessmen. True to Hongjoong’s words, his gaze flickered to you more often than not. Seonghwa, on the other hand, was leaning against the bar, his expression unreadable as his eyes followed your every move.

The tension was palpable, and the evening dragged on as you navigated small talk and pleasantries. At one point, Mrs. Baek found you, her warm smile a contrast to the subtle competitiveness in her tone as she spoke about her sons and their achievements.

“Youngha’s been asking about you,” she said, her eyes gleaming. “It’s rare for him to show interest in anyone at these events.”

You smiled politely, feeling the weight of her words. “That’s flattering. But I’m not sure he and I have much in common.”

“Perhaps not,” she mused, “but sometimes opposites attract.”

Before you could respond, Seonghwa appeared at your side, his presence commanding as always. “Mrs. Baek,” he greeted smoothly, his voice polite but cool. “I hope you’re enjoying the evening.”

“Oh, I am,” she replied, her smile faltering slightly under his steady gaze. “Y/N was just telling me how charming my younger son, Youngha, is. I take it you have certainly met my son before?”

Seonghwa’s jaw tightened imperceptibly, but his smile didn’t waver. “Youngha is certainly… persistent,” he said, his tone carrying just the slightest edge.

You bit back a laugh, feeling the tension crackling between them. “Excuse us, Mrs. Baek,” Seonghwa said suddenly, his hand brushing your lower back as he guided you away. “I need to borrow Ms. Kim here for a moment.”

Once you were out of earshot, you raised an eyebrow at him. “Jealous again?”

He stopped, turning to face you with a smirk that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “I don’t get jealous.”

“Right,” you drawled, crossing your arms. “So that little comment about Youngha being persistent was just casual observation?”

“Call it what you want,” he replied, his tone light but his gaze sharp. “But I wasn’t about to let Mrs. Baek start matchmaking you with him.”

You rolled your eyes, your lips twitching in amusement. “I can handle myself, you know.”

“I know,” he said, his voice softening. “But I don’t like the way he looks at you.”

Something in his tone made your breath catch, and for a moment, the noise of the gala faded into the background. His hand lingered at your back, his touch warm and grounding.

“Let’s just get through tonight,” you said finally, your voice quieter. “No more drama.”

He nodded, his expression unreadable. “No more drama.”

After the gala successfully concluded and you had dinner, you headed back home with your family, Seonghwa trailing behind as he needed to collect some documents from Hongjoong’s office. The ride had been mostly quiet, everyone tired from the long evening.

Once home, your parents quickly retired to bed, muttering about early meetings the next day. Hongjoong and Seonghwa lingered in the office room, discussing business matters, but even your brother eventually called it a night, leaving Seonghwa alone in the hallway. Meanwhile, you had settled in the living room, still buzzing with energy from the evening. You had just finished a call with Yeri when you saw Seonghwa emerging from the office, car keys in hand.

“Heading out?” you called, standing up and walking over to him.

He turned, surprised to see you still awake. “Yeah, I was just about to.”

“Stay a bit?” you asked, a playful smile tugging at your lips. “If you’re free, that is.”

His expression softened, the faintest smile breaking through his usual composed demeanor. “Are you sure? It’s late.”

“I don’t sleep early anyway,” you replied, leaning casually against the doorframe.

“Come on then. Let’s chill in my room.”

He raised an eyebrow, but there was no mistaking the amusement in his expression. “Your room?”

“What? Too scandalous for you, Mr. Park?” you teased, already heading toward the stairs. “Don’t worry. I’ll behave.”

“I’m more worried about myself,” he muttered under his breath, though he followed you up the staircase.

You opened your bedroom door and stepped inside, gesturing for him to follow. “Make yourself comfortable.”

His gaze swept over the space as he entered. Your room was an eclectic mix of modern chic and cozy charm, a reflection of your personality. He walked toward the small seating area near the window, pausing to look at the neatly arranged books on your shelf.

“Nice setup,” he said, glancing back at you. “Very you.”

“Thanks,” you replied, sitting cross-legged on your bed. “What do you think? Should I add a shrine for all my business awards?”

“That might be overkill,” he deadpanned, though the corners of his mouth twitched.

“You’re no fun.” You reached for the remote on your nightstand, turning on the ambient lights that cast a soft glow across the room. “I’m going to change out of this. Be right back.”

Seonghwa nodded and took a seat on the chair near your window, his gaze lingering on you for a moment before he nodded. “Take your time.”

With a small smile, you walked into your walk-in closet, flipping the light on. You set your bag on the shelf and began unclasping your jewelry, placing each piece carefully in its box. The faint murmur of Seonghwa shifting in the other room was the only sound as you reached behind to unzip your dress.

But the zipper refused to budge.

“Seriously?” you muttered, twisting and turning to no avail. After a minute of struggling, you gave up with an exasperated sigh.

Poking your head out of the closet door, you found Seonghwa leaning back in the chair, one leg crossed over the other. His suit jacket and tie were taken off, and the first two buttons of his shirt were unbuttoned. He glanced up when he noticed you, his brows arching in question.

“Uh… can you help me?” you asked, walking over to him, your tone casual despite the heat rising to your cheeks. “My zipper’s stuck.”

His expression flickered with surprise, then amusement, though he didn’t hesitate to rise from the chair. “Of course.”

Turning your back to him, you felt the warmth of his presence as he stood close behind you. His hands hesitated at first before pushing your hair to one side and then hovering near the zipper.

“Here?” he asked softly, his voice low and careful.

“Yeah.” You nodded, your voice barely audible.

His fingers brushed against your back as he took hold of the zipper, sending a shiver down your spine. Slowly, he tugged it down, the sound of the unzipping loud in the quiet space. The fabric loosened, revealing more of your skin inch by inch. His touch was light, deliberate, but the tension in the air was anything but.

“There,” he murmured when he reached the small of your back, his voice rougher than before.

You turned to face him, clutching the gown to your chest to keep it from slipping. “Thanks,” you said, though the words came out softer than intended.

His eyes met yours, dark and unreadable, and for a moment, neither of you moved. The confined space seemed to shrink as the charged silence stretched. His gaze dropped briefly to your exposed shoulder, then back to your face, and the intensity in his expression made your pulse race.

“You should…” He trailed off, but his voice had a husky edge now. “Finish changing.”

A slow, mischievous smile spread across your lips. “You’re right,” you said, your tone deliberately light, even as you felt the heat rolling off him. “But it’s much more fun to see you like this.”

“Like what?” he asked, his voice lower now, though his composure was clearly slipping.

“Like you’re trying very hard to look anywhere but here.” You gestured to your bare shoulder with a teasing flick of your fingers, stepping closer.

He took a steadying breath, his hands curling into loose fists at his sides. “I’m not trying anything,” he replied, though the slight rasp in his tone betrayed him. He lightly cleared his throat. “Anything else you need?” he asked, his tone laced with challenge.

You stepped closer, tilting your head. “Depends,” you murmured, the gown slipping slightly under your grip, exposing more of your chest that immediately caught his eyes. “Can you handle more than a zipper?”

His jaw clenched, his composure visibly cracking. “Y/N…” The way he said your name was almost a warning, but his hand rose, skimming your bare arm before settling firmly on your waist.

“What?” you teased, your lips curving into a slow, deliberate smile. “Afraid you’ll lose control?”

“I’m not afraid, sweetheart” he shot back, his voice low and gravelly. “But you’re pushing me again.”

“And?” you whispered, closing the distance between you. “What are you going to do about it?”

His hand tightened on your waist, pulling you flush against him. “This,” he growled, before capturing your lips in a kiss that was anything but hesitant.

The dress slipped from your grasp, pooling at your feet, leaving you in your matching navy lingerie, but you couldn’t have cared less. His hands were on you, strong and unrelenting, and the heat between you burned away any pretense of restraint as the kiss deepened into something raw, urgent, and utterly consuming.

Seonghwa’s hands roamed over your back, pulling you impossibly closer, his touch both possessive and reverent. You matched his energy, threading your fingers through his hair, tugging lightly to elicit a low groan from him that vibrated against your lips. It sent a jolt of electricity straight through you, making you press even closer, as though the two of you couldn’t get close enough no matter how hard you tried.

“Do you have any idea what you’re doing to me?” he murmured against your lips, his voice rough and breathless.

You smirked, brushing your lips against his again in a teasing kiss. “I might have an idea.”

He chuckled darkly, the sound sending a shiver down your spine. “You’re driving me fucking insane.”

“And yet, you can’t stay away,” you shot back, your boldness fueled by the fire between you.

“I don’t want to,” he admitted, his tone dropping, heavy with meaning. His lips found the curve of your neck, pressing hot, open-mouthed kisses that made your knees weak. You leaned into him, your hands gripping his shoulders for balance as his mouth continued its maddening path along your skin.

“Seonghwa…” you breathed, your voice a mix of need and warning.

His name on your lips seemed to snap something in him, and he pulled back just enough to meet your gaze, his eyes dark with desire. “Tell me to stop,” he said, his voice barely more than a whisper, yet filled with a tension that left no room for doubt. “If this is too much, tell me now.”

You met his gaze steadily, your hands slipping down to the buttons of his shirt. “I don’t want you to stop,” you said while undoing the buttons and pushing his shirt off him. “I want this. I want you.”

That was all the encouragement he needed. His lips crashed into yours once more, and this time, there was no hesitation, no holding back. He lifted you effortlessly, guiding you back until your legs hit the edge of the bed. You sank onto it, pulling him down with you, your bodies moving in sync as if they’d always known exactly how to fit together.

Every touch, every kiss, every whispered word fueled the fire between you, the room around you fading into oblivion. All that existed was him—his hands, his lips, his presence, consuming you in a way that felt exhilarating.

He pulled away from kissing you to trail kisses from your neck to the valley of your clothed boobs. Your hard nipples were visible beneath the lacy fabric and Seonghwa delicately placed kisses on each one before continuing his journey down your body until he reached the waistband of your thong.

“May I?” he asked for consent, and you nodded in response. “Use your words, sweetheart.”

“Yes… please,” you said, hips slightly bucking up in urgency, making him chuckle.

“So needy for me.” He pulled your underwear down your legs, tossing it aside. He gently spread your legs wide apart before moving to settle in between your legs. He latched onto your clit, his wet tongue darting out to lick the bud. Your hand moved into his hair, gently tugging on his long strands, and your body feels like it’s on fire. He licks a stripe from your hole to your clit, letting out a small moan at your taste. He repeats his actions a couple of times before latching onto your clit again, gently sucking the nub. You squirm, bucking your hips up, and he smirks, moving his arms around your thighs to hold you down in place so you couldn’t move.

“Hwa… god, fuck,” you moan. He hums before lapping at your clit in a faster pace that had you gripping his hair. He let go of one of your thighs to bring his hand to your hole, slipping a finger inside while continuing to lap at your clit, the combination sending you into a moaning spree. It felt so so good, and you chanted his name over and over again while he increased his pace. The knot in your lower abdomen tightened and your hips kept bucking up.

Seonghwa knew you were close, and he continued his actions until you were crying out his name, your orgasm washing over you in waves, your body shaking in response. He licked up all your juices before letting your thighs go, putting his fingers in his mouth to suck them dry. “Delicious,” he commented, and you chuckled breathlessly before you sat up and reached out to his pants. He understood what you wanted and pushed his pants down swiftly along with his briefs, his cock springing out, the tip already a bit leaky.

You moved to wrap your hand around his dick, pumping it a few times. Your thumb brushed along his slit, spreading his pre-cum around. He audibly sucked in a breath through his teeth and you leaned forward to take his cock in your mouth. You bobbed your head up and down his length, trying to take him as much as you can in your mouth, using your hand to cover his remaining length. His hand moved to hold your hair back while he watched you suck him off. His cock hit the back of your throat, causing you to lightly gag, but you continued your movements on him.

“Y/N… my love… fuck…” he murmured, throwing his head back. You hum, the vibration earning a groan from him. You let his cock slip from your mouth and before you could take him in again, he stopped you. “I’d rather cum in you, sweetheart, if that’s okay?”

“That’s okay,” you said and sit up on your bed, patting the space beside you. Seonghwa sat down and you wasted no time in straddling his lap. “I’m on the pill,” you inform him before aligning his dick with your entrance. You leaned in to take his lips in yours while you sunk down on his cock, moaning at the way he stretched you out.

“So fucking tight, so warm,” he muttered against your lips before kissing you again. You gave yourself a minute to adjust, slowly rolling your hips against his before picking up the pace. His hands were wrapped around your body, holding you in place while you bounced on his dick. The sound of skin slapping, heavy breathing, and your moans filled the air and you were grateful that your room was soundproof.

In one swift step, Seonghwa moved you onto your back so he could take control. He thrusted in and out of you in a comfortable pace, your legs moving around his waist. You pulled him even closer, and you felt him go deeper. “Seonghwa…” you cried out his name when he kept repeatedly hitting your sweet spot.

He wet a finger with his mouth before bringing it to your clit, rubbing the nub in up and down motions. Your back arched while he fucked your pussy, and before you knew it, you reached your climax, legs shaking rigorously.

“I’m almost there, sweetheart, hold on,” he said, leaning down to reconnect your lips while he moved faster. In a few more seconds, he stilled, spilling his cum into you, his cock pulsing. He moved slowly, milking himself dry before pulling out and collapsing next to you. The two of you laid on your bed in silence, trying to calm down your heavy breathing.

Seonghwa reached out to cup your face with one hand, leaning down to place a soft kiss on your forehead. He glanced around your room, looking for something.

“Where are your tissues?” he asked.

“In the bathroom,” you replied, sitting up. Before you could get off the bed, he put his arm around your back and under your knees, lifting you up bridal-style while he carried you to the bathroom. You giggled in response, earning a wide grin from him before he set you down in your bathroom. He washed his hands while you peed and cleaned yourself, and you noticed the way his body glistened with a thin layer of sweat. God, he was so beautiful.

You moved to wrap your arms around him from behind, looking at his reflection in the large mirror of your bathroom. He placed his hands over yours, a happy and relaxing sigh leaving him. “How do you feel?”

“I feel great,” you said with a smile. “How do you feel?”

“Rejuvenated.” You chuckled at that.

“Shower with me?” you asked innocently.

How could he ever say no?

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gale-gentlepenguin · 11 months ago

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Gale Talks: Why Nemona is the perfect Rival introduced in Pokemon games.

Now I understand that this is Quite a bold claim, with the plethora of rival characters. Many are strongly for Blue, Silver as having a Jerk Rival is what inspires you to get better. Others say there are stronger Rivals Like Barry. Some even go hard for Wally because having a character arc about overcoming Growth and getting a dope theme song is what its all about.

Nemona is your Guide

Nemona is your Friend.

You are her goal as much as she is your goal

I will address these below

Nemona is your guide

Nemona is the first student you meet at the start of the Game. She is also the first trainer you actually battle. Immediately helping you get the hang of the battle system for those starting out. And like with the recent trend of Rivals she picks the starter that is weak to yours. Which considering her experience makes sense as she already COMPLETED her quest of being the best. This is her being there to check your progress.

Nemona is also the one that helps give you the free study goal of taking down all the gyms. She is the guide to your gym challenge.

She even introduces how Terastallization works. She is the one that gives you all the mechanics you need to know how to battle.

What is also amazing is during the time you are taking on Gyms, she will meet up with you and battle you, being at a comparable strength to you. But unlike with other Rival fights, Nemona's wins or loses will still progress the story. And its only after the first time you play that you realize, Nemona was showing MASSIVE restraint in all her battles with you. She is training you to be stronger. Her strategies evolve with each battle, and she has great coverage.

_____________________________________________________________

Nemona is your Friend

A lot of recent pokemon games try to have your pokemon rival be your friend. And it is with mixed degrees of success (I think they only started getting it right by the time Hop was introduced.) Nemona's friendship is more interesting because YOU choose how it develops. Outside of battles, there are events with Nemona that let you get to know her better, you find out how she was sickly in the past (like wally) and while she wasnt ignored by her parents, they were busy. And people saw all of her success as coming from her family's wealth, which was not the case. And she loves battles but most people are afraid of her because she takes them to seriously. She is in a way, the perfect blend of all previous rivals/ rival friends. (Except Gen 6 but thats because those werent friend rivals, they were caricatures)

She is a champion level (Blue)

People are intimidated and scared of her (Silver)

She was sickly but got better and gained confidence (Wally)

Works to help you through the world (Brandon/May)

Loves Pokemon battles and is super hyper. (Barry)

Is analytical and smart with pokemon battles (Cheran)

Friendly and has some deep seated insecurity (Bianca)

tries to be very chilled out but is passionate (Hau)

Has a burning desire to prove themselves (Hop)

Nemona has a blend of all these qualities and it works perfectly.

Nemona is purposefully holding back as to not scare you away. And its why when you finally become Champion rank she is even happier than you. Because now, SHE can go all out, and there is someone that can handle it. She finally has a friend that can handle all of her, and thats worth its weight in gold.

______________________________________________________________

You are her goal just as much as she is your goal

Nemona was someone that went through her journey. She won, she was a champion and not even Geeta could compete with her. And that skill made her intimidating to ANYONE she battled. And even when she would hold back she would trounce them. (even in the DLC, she is the strongest trainer outside of you and the Blueberry academy head).

She was bored. she had 'completed' her journey and was never challenged. So when you show up, she sees something within you. The spark of a champion. She could tell that you were the one that could challenge her. So she found a new purpose. Getting an all out battle with you. You would be her goal, and she would help you progress in anyway possible. She would check your strength, show strategies.

And while this was happening, you start to realize that she is your final opponent. She is your endgame. That's where things get interesting. As you find out how strong Nemona really is. With the reactions of the trainers that see her, and even after you beat Geeta (the champion) even she admits how she is no match for Nemona. Which really puts into perspective how this journey played out. Nemona was your first battle and she would be your most crucial battle.

Its just a great full circle moment that gives the trainer a welcome feeling. And at the end, when you finally beat her at full strength, she is excited. She isnt angry or sad. She is just so happy to give everything she has. You were able to give her what she was desperate for. And without realizing it, she became your goal. And she is finally, truly your rival.

_____________________________________________________________

Nemona has so much going for her character, and it adds so much to the rivalry you develop.

It is nice that GameFreak managed the perfect blend for this rival.

#pokemon #nemona pokemon #nemona #pokemon scarlet and violet

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longitudinalwaveme · 5 months ago

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The Rogues: Ancient Greek Mythology AU

Thanks in large part to the efforts of my younger sister, I listened to the concept album for EPIC: The Musical, which prompted me to go into an autistic-special-interest rabbit hole about Greek mythology.

This AU is the result. Because the only thing better than autistic special interests is a crossover between multiple different special interests.

Some of this is loosely based on a somewhat similar AU @gorogues wrote about a decade back (I'm primarily borrowing names; the origins of the powers and such are quite different).

The Kobaloi (this AU's version of the Rogues) are, unsurprisingly, a group of thieves, most of whom hail from wildly different parts of Ancient Greece. They are generally very successful and have proven almost impossible to capture, due to both their own intelligence and the fact that more than a few of them have managed to gain the favor---and thus the magical gifts---of various Greek deities. Capturing them is difficult, and punishing them is a risky proposition, since it risks angering their very powerful patrons. Thus, it is fortunate for everyone else that the Kabaloi are considerably more interested in money than in hurting people.

Katápsychros (Captain Cold): Katápsychros is the unofficial leader of the Kabaloi. He grew up in extreme poverty and joined the army at a very young age (probably no more than 15 or 16) in order to escape from his violently abusive father. This necessitated leaving his younger sister behind, an act for which he never fully forgave himself. Katápsychros had a knack for strategy, a fact which his superiors noticed and took full advantage of to win victories---victories for which they claimed sole credit. After all, no one would believe an ordinary soldier had come up with such complex strategies. Katápsychros resented this, and, after he received no credit and no reward for a strategy that had allowed his city-state's army to plunder a foreign city with almost no loss of life, his frustrations reached a boiling point and he began to devise a new strategy: one that would allow him to make off with the loot he felt he had earned after his years fighting. He was in the middle of his plan when he was visited by Athena, the goddess of wisdom and strategic warfare. She had a habit of taking on mortal champions, and she had been decidedly impressed by Katápsychros' strategic mind. If he would agree to fight battles for her when she called upon him, she would guide him in his schemes--and grant him a powerful weapon. Katápsychros readily agreed, and Athena, inspired by his name, gave him a magical amulet that granted him some of the powers of Khione, the goddess of ice and snow. Thus armed, Katápsychros was easily able to carry out his scheme to take what he considered his share of the army's loot and run. His superior officers unsurprisingly chased after him, but his newfound powers allowed him to drive them off, and he took up a new career as a thief and mercenary for hire (which one he was depended on how he felt on a given day). Over time, he recruited a number of other powerful individuals to work alongside him; these men would become the Kabaloi. While cold, calculating, and at times ruthless, Katápsychros nevertheless holds himself and his allies to a set of standards. He strictly refuses to kill civilians, especially women and children, and is smart enough to make sure that he and his companions respect the laws of xenia (hospitality) and to regularly make sacrifices to the Olympian pantheon (particularly Athena, since she's his personal patron). He might be a thief, but he has no desire to be a butcher---and even less desire to get smited.

Armonikós (Pied Piper): Armonikós is, in fact, a prince; he is the son of the king and queen of Thrace. He was born deaf, and his very disappointed parents ordered their slaves to leave him outside to die. The kindly slaves couldn't bring themselves to do so, and, as such, Armonikós was raised as a slave for the first eight years of his life. During his eighth year, Apollo, the god of music, poetry, and healing (among many other things) disguised himself as a traveling musician in order to test the hospitality of the mortals of Thrace. Armonikós and his foster parents immediately invited the disguised Apollo to take shelter in the palace and quite willingly shared the relatively little food and drink they were given from the king and queen. Apollo was impressed by their generosity, and, as a reward, gave Armonikós hearing that could rival that of a dog, as well as magical reed pipes that had the power to hypnotize anyone who listened to them, and rather strenuously insisted to the king and queen that they recognize the boy as their son and heir. Armonikós grew up with a passion for music and became a very talented musician, but, having spent some of the most formative years of his life as a half-starved slave, he had a concern for the poor that his parents thought undignified. A prince ought not go around saying that he planned on freeing all of the castle's slaves as soon as he became king. The day Armonikós turned 16, his parents went to an oracle for advice about their son---and were horrified to learn that he was destined to become king before his father died. His parents reacted by disowning their son and banishing him from the kingdom, and only their fear of the Furies kept them from simply having him executed outright. Armonikós, who had never been outside the walls of the palace before, and knew almost nothing about how to make money, nearly starved to death, and likely would have if Epíklopos hadn't stumbled upon him and invited him to join the Kabaloi. Armonikós gives most of the money he steals to the poor and spends a lot of time helping slaves escape their masters, particularly when said masters are cruel. The other Kabaloi think he's nuts, but put up with it for the sake of his hypnotic pipes and his incredible hearing. They have no idea he's a prince, and Armonikós intends to keep it that way.

Epíklopos (The Trickster/James Jesse): Epíklopos is the son of an incredibly beautiful traveling entertainer named Helen and the god Hermes. Much like his father, and as his name would imply, Epíklopos is a trickster, a traveler, and a thief. He started picking pockets and running cons practically before he could walk, and he used the money he stole to help supplement the income he and his mother made as performers. Hermes was delighted by his son's skills as a trickster and gave him a pair of shoes that would allow him to walk on air for his twelfth birthday. Epíklopos and his mother used the shoes in their act until Epíklopos turned 16, at which point he struck out on his own and used his talents to become a member of the Kobaloi. In addition to his shoes and his incredible cunning, Epíklopos also has seemingly supernatural luck on his side, which he speculates is another gift from his father. Epíklopos insists that he is the most talented son of Hermes since Autolycus, and by all accounts he's probably right.

Dineuō (The Top): Dineuō is dead. Or rather, he was dead, until his beloved Chrysafénios brought his shade out of the underworld and restored him to the land of the living. Dineuō was born in Athens to a wealthy family of traders. Dineuō was quite well educated and displayed a fascination with natural philosophy from an early age. Unfortunately, while he had a love of what we would now call science, he did not have the temperament or the social graces to effectively work in his father's business, and his father considered him to be a disappointment and an embarrassment. In addition to his love of science, Dineuō also had a deep love of tops, and spent many hours watching them spin. Their motion soothed him and helped him to relax when he felt agitated. As Dineuō grew older, his studies lead him to become an inventor, and he gained no small amount of fame from it. In fact, he became so famous as an inventor that he was rewarded with the blessings of not one but two gods: Hephaestus, the god of the forge, gave him telekinesis as a reward for his very consistent and generous sacrifices, and Zephyrus, the West Wind, gave him the ability to spin at high speed as a reward for a brilliantly crafted device that Dineuō had offered to him on one of his festival days. Unfortunately, Dineuō's success, and his gifts, went to his head. He became arrogant and cocky, and when he suddenly and rather dramatically suffered from a fit of madness that cost him his reputation and banished him from his hometown, it was whispered that the gods had sent the madness as punishment for his hubris. If that was the case, the lesson didn't stick. Furious at his banishment, Dineuō joined up with the Kobaloi----and, soon after, fell in love with Katápsychros' younger sister, Chrysafénios. For a few years, the two were blissfully happy together (in spite of Katápsychros' disapproval), but then Dineuō was killed in a battle where the Kabaloi were fighting as mercenaries. Upon his death, his soul went to the Underworld, where he stayed until Chrysafénios rescued him and returned him to the land of the living. Now that he is alive once more, Dineuō plans to use his powers and his inventive prowess to escape the clutches of both Thanatos and Hades for good.

Chrysafénios (Golden Glider): Chrysafénios is Katápsychros' younger sister, and she was only 14 when her father used her beauty to marry her off to the wealthiest man he could find. Chrysafénios' husband proved to be nearly as brutal and cruel as her father, and, as such, she drugged his wine and ran away from him the second she learned about the Kabaloi. Katápsychros was glad to see her, but refused to allow her to join the group, saying that it was much too dangerous for her. Instead, he used the loot he had acquired from his time in the army to set her up with her own home, where she lived in relative comfort. Her husband drank himself into an early grave a year later, and not long after, a handsome young man named Dineuō, one of the Kabaloi, began paying court to her. She quickly fell in love with him and the two were soon married, much to Katápsychros' disapproval. Unfortunately for Chrysafénios, Dineuō was killed in a battle where the Kabaloi were fighting as mercenaries a few years later. Furious, Chrysafénios swore that she would take revenge on whoever had killed him--and her furious rage attracted the brutal war god Ares. He promised to give her revenge if she would kill for him, and Chrysafénios eagerly agreed. Ares gave her a pair of sandals that would let her fly through the air and a pair of swords light enough for her to use but just as sharp and deadly as any spear or broadsword, and Chrysafénios went into battle and killed not only her husband's killer but a good twenty-five other enemy soldiers besides. Her viciousness allowed the Kabaloi and their allies to defeat their enemies, and Chrysafénios loved every second of the battle, but Katápsychros was horrified---and became even more horrified when he learned that Ares had given his sister her weapons. His patron, Athena, was generally opposed to her brutal brother, and he hated the idea of his sister becoming a killer for the war god---but Chrysafénios insisted that she was a warrior now, and that she was going to use her new skills to help the Kabaloi. Her brother reluctantly agreed, if only to keep her from being corrupted by Ares' influence. Not too long afterwards, Chrysafénios descended into the Underworld, with the goal of bringing her lover back to the land of the living. She was promptly attacked by Cerberus, the guard dog of the Underworld, and actually managed to fight her way past him (albeit at the cost of her left arm). She then made her way to Hades and Persephone, the king and queen of the Underworld, and asked them to release her husband to her. Her courage and her obvious devotion to her husband impressed the dread rulers of the dead enough that they agreed to release Dineuō and restore him to life---but warned her that this boon would only be granted once. No matter how brave she was, no mortal could escape death forever. Upon their return to the mortal world, Dineuō built Chrysafénios a prosthetic arm (after all, she needed to be able to use both her swords!), and Chrysafénios eagerly returned to her role as Ares' warrior. Her brother, she maintains, worries too much. What could be better than fighting at Dineuō's side?

Aetos (Weather Wizard): Aetos has a wand that allows him to control the weather; even being able to summon lightning at will. Originally, this wand belonged to his older half-brother, Astrapí. The two of them shared the same mother, but while Aetos was the son of a mortal man, Astrapí was the son of none other than Zeus himself. Their mother adored Astrapí, the proof that she was beautiful enough to have attracted the attention of the king of the gods (though she was smart enough to never speak of their relationship---she knew what would happen if Hera ever found out), and the fact that he was also strong, handsome, and intelligent made him a general favorite. Aetos grew up in his brother's shadow; generally ignored except when he was being negatively compared to his older brother, and in frustration he ultimately ran away from home and became something of an aimless vagrant, alternatively committing petty thefts, begging, and doing odd jobs to survive. When Astrapí turned eighteen, Zeus granted him the magical wand, and the good-hearted Astrapí promptly started using it to benefit the people around him. Unfortunately for Astrapí, this eventually attracted Hera's attention, and she was quickly able to deduce that the young man who had been granted such a marvelous gift was likely yet another of her unfaithful husband's children. In a fury, Hera arranged for Astrapí to die of heart failure, which he promptly did. She then took the wand, tracked down Aetos, and presented it to him. Since Aetos' mother had always made her disdain for her younger son quite apparent, Hera decided that the best way to punish her rival would be to make Aetos more powerful than his brother had ever been. Not only would he now wield his brother's weather wand, but he would be placed under her patronage---and one day, Hera told him, she would make him a king. Aetos, more than a little stunned, accepted the offer, and in response, Hera gave him both the wand and a rather elaborate peacock-feather cape--a sign of her favor. Not long afterwards, Aetos used his newfound power to join the Kabaloi and start making a name for himself. Thanks to his brother's wand, Aetos is extremely powerful, and, due to Hera's favor, he is also extremely lucky. Aetos also has an eye for ladies (though he is extremely careful to never so much as flirt with anyone he thinks might be married---he was nothing before Hera gave him the wand, and he isn't about to lose it by dishonoring marriage and losing her favor). In spite of his power, though, Aetos is swamped with guilt over Astrapí's death. He knows that he only has his powers because his brother died, and he is well aware of the fact that his brother was much more benevolent with his power than Aetos is. But hey, Aetos is going to be a king someday! If that doesn't make up for the guilt, what will?

Enkavma (Heat Wave): Enkavma has the power to summon fire, and is immune to being burnt himself. He was born to a family of devout but poor farmers, but, when a vicious wildfire swept through the small farming community where they lived, he was the only survivor. Hestia, the goddess of hearth and home, took pity on him, adopted him, and granted him with the ability to survive flames and to control the very force that had robbed him of his family. Enkavma lived with her until he was 15, at which point he left to seek his own fortunes. Unfortunately, he wasn't very bright, and didn't really know what to do with himself. As such, he became something of a walking sideshow attraction, using his ability to conjure flames to earn money. Eventually, this ability caught the eye of Katápsychros, who invited him to join the Kabaloi. Eager to have a family, Enkavma agreed, and became the muscle of the group. Enkavma is quiet and gentle, rather like his foster mother, and sometimes wishes he could leave the Kabaloi for a less destructive group---but he has become friends with all of the other Kabaloi, and isn't sure that he would be able to survive without them.

Antanáklasi (Mirror Master/Sam Scudder): Antanáklasi is incredibly handsome, incredibly clever, and incredibly vain. He was the son of a very poor widow, and rarely knew if he would have food to eat on any given day. Antanáklasi's first stroke of luck came when he was nine years old and a traveling philosopher noticed his cleverness and spent a few weeks teaching him how to read and write. This education, brief though it was, helped him find jobs and support himself and his mother, who would tragically die of fever shortly before Antanáklasi's fourteenth birthday. Antanáklasi's second stroke of luck occurred shortly after he turned eighteen. While out in the fields, he stumbled across a magical mirror that held the image of anyone who looked in it. It had once belonged to Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty, and Antanáklasi would ultimately use this chance find to enter into a study of both magic and science. By the time he was twenty-one, he had mastered what he called "mirror magic", a power which allowed him to create illusions, travel through mirrors, and even shoot out concentrated beams of light as lasers. Antanáklasi decided to use these abilities to become a soldier of fortune, and promptly joined up with the Kabaloi. Antanáklasi is one of the group's most powerful members, and, while he isn't particularly devout, he does have a particular fondness for Aphrodite, whom he credits for his amazing discoveries and his stunning good looks.

#flash comics #flash rogues #captain cold #mirror master #sam scudder #golden glider #the top #heat wave #pied piper #the trickster #james jesse #weather wizard #greek mythology #hera #apollo #hermes #aphrodite #ares #athena

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dreamdolldiary · 1 year ago

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130 books: my to be read list

will be updating if i find any more interesting finds

my most anticipated reads:

man's search for meaning

outwitting the devil

say yes to life

deep work

a mind for numbers

limitless mind

so good they can't ignore you

destined for more: a broken girl’s journey of chasing dreams and killing giants

genius foods

burn the boats

fluent in 3 months

fluency forever

the book of five rings

the science of living + live your best life

the art of choosing

quitter: closing the gap between your day job and your dream job

the how of happiness

the high five method

the power of now

the power of one more

essentialism: the disciplined pursuit

getting things done

four thousand weeks

make time

how not to die

seth speaks

life skills: creativity, problem solving, mindfulness, empathy, teamwork

you have more time than you think

the one thing: the surprisingly simple

the 4 hour work week

essay by the minimalists

start with why

the journey of a girl with lots of dreams

how are you, really?

do the hard things first

willpower doesn't work

better than before

secrets of manifesting - wayne dyer

monk mode

parenting

parent power: bringing up responsible children and teenagers

29 rules for smart parenting: how to raise children without being a tyrant

the 7 best things smart teens do

the emotional lives of teenages

talk to your boys (coming out in 2025?)

getting things done for teens

the 7 habits of highly effective teens

lifeskills for adult children

the 6 most important decisions you'll ever make

smart parenting for safer kids

smart parenting for smart kids

improvement

the 12 week year

the lazy genius way

the surrender experiment

no excuses!

the art and business of online writing

the luck factor

the 2 alarms

the go giver

what we owe the future

someday is today

the 1 rule: how to fall in love with the process and achieve your wildest dreams

seven principles of making marriage work

leadership: six studies in world strategy

drive: the surprising truth about what motivates us

the 80/20 principle

the joy of missing out

the courage to be disliked

the blank slate

the life-changing magic of tidying up

range: why generalists triumph

manage your day to day

adulting made easy: things someone should have told you about getting your grown-up act together

design your life: how to hold a well lived, joyful life

the crossroads of should and must

the happiness advantage

do over: rescue monday, reinvent your work, and never get stuck

the self care prescription

pathless path

how to be a person: 65 hugely useful, super important skills

the brain's way of healing

the driving book: everything new drivers need to know but don't know how to ask

the denial of death

educated (by tara westover)

the one thing

do hard things

take the steps

daring greatly

mindset: the psychology of success

grit: the power of passion and perseverance

willpower doesn't work

goodbye to shy

quiet mind, epic life

finance and business

the intelligent investor

secrets of six figure women: surprising strategies to up your earnings and change your life

wealthing like rabbits

i will teach you to be rich

how not to move back in with your parents

overcoming underearning: a five step plan to a richer life

the infographic guide to personal finance: a visual reference for everything you need to know

passive income: the smart passive income guide: how to successfully create passive income streams with a growth mindset

stop sabotaging your career: 8 proven strategies to succeed in spite of yourself

you are a badass at making money

the million-dollar, one-person business

e-commerce business: 3 books in 1: the ultimate guide to making money online from home and reach financial freedom

side hustle: from idea to income in 27 days

make bank (when you think like one)

skills

making money on blogging: 2020 Edition - how to start your blogging blueprint and make profit online with your blog - how do people make money

starting a successful blog when you have NO CLUE!: 7 steps to wordpress bliss.... (beginner internet marketing series book 1)

youtube secrets: the ultimate guide to growing your following and making money as a video influencer

christianity

mere christianity

surprised by joy

the case of christ

the historical figure of jesus

the bible unearthed

catholics: a very short introduction

random, mostly just for fun

forever chic

ooh la la

secret model beauty

get rich, lucky bitch

french women don't get fat

skinny bitch

bonjour happiness!

miss manners

the social climber's bible

city chic

the modern girl's guide to life

fat, broke, and lonely

women have all the power

soft is the new power

how to marry the rich

and reminder: it doesn't matter how tall your book stack is.

#diary #books #to be read list #book list #bookblr #booklr #bookworm #books & libraries #reading #book lover #books and reading #self improvement #knowledge #self education

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runespoor7 · 3 months ago

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Context and important characters at our Dragon-Blooded Exalted table

At this stage in a sheer self-indulgent move I'm gonna have to sketch the different characters.

The context:

the civil war for the throne broke out, with three sides: the Mnemon (+Cathak), the Sesus (+Cynis), and the V’Neef (+Tepet).

Houses Ledaal, Ragara, and Nellens - Houses of the PCs - are currently neutral.

To the best of my recollection we the PCs would like V’Neef to get the throne and a stronger Deliberative Assembly, and obviously to convince our Houses to join the V’Neef alliance as strong backing partners.

The PCs

Ragara Arkis: my character, inspired by WWX and Triangle Strategy Dragan. Ambitious, arrogant, talkative, a talented sorcerer, a huge liar, and an even bigger coward emotionally speaking. Obsessed with his childhood bestie Mnemon Sennet. Legally an orphan (it's complicated).

Dream of Cicadas, formerly Ledaal Varuna: PC. Ambitious, arrogant, has lofty visions for the future (featuring a more equal, better society and a stronger Assembly). Became a monk after her mortal childhood bestie Hawaki (who was supposed to follow Dream of Cicadas’ lead in matters of spirituality in order to reincarnate as a Dragon Blooded) was declared dead after a sorcerous catastrophe in her region and she asked Arkis to take away her memories of Hawaki, which Arkis did. Legally not an orphan but her mom is kind of LWJ's mom so it's complicated too.

Nellens Karana: PC. Ambitious, arrogant, an excellent combattant, fiercely protective of her family, holds grudges, generally unimpressed. She comes from a family where parents are uncharacteristically warm to and close to their children, also a polycule (her mom’s lover and her dad’s lover are married and they all live together. Her parents lover’s daughter Cyssana is also Exalted, and at one year older than Karana they consider one another sister).

Former classmates and Ivana

Mnemon Sennet: Arkis’ not!JC. when they were kids, Arkis Exalted before Sennet. out of fear that Sennet would do something stupid and get himself killed in an attempt to force an Exaltation, Arkis swore to him that he knew a Secret Sorcerous Ritual that would make him an Exalt. Miraculously, Sennet did Exalt. Arkis knows perfectly well he got lucky on that one, but Sennet thinks Arkis was telling the truth.. Recently-ish lost his older sister who was his guardian when she was a casualty of a political assassination possibly orchestrated by the Ragara family. Thanks to magical stalking means Sennet doesn't know about, Arkis can check on Sennet’s emotional state whenever he wants and ever since his sister's death he’s been “angry and very sad”. Impossibly boring but somehow also Arkis’ favorite person not that Arkis would ever think about his feelings.

Ledaal Hawaki: Varuna/Dream of Cicadas’ childhood bestie. A sorcerer, lively, smart, pretty fun. A mortal last we heard of her (I’m being precise because there’s a joke among us players that when we see her next she’ll be an Abyssal). Dream of Cicadas is especially shixiong-knows-best about her and intended to guide her spiritually through life to ensure her reincarnation as a Dragon Blooded. Officially perished during a sorcerous catastrophe a few years back, the fallout of which being that after finally being persuaded Hawaki is really dead, Varuna asked Arkis to take away all her memories of Hawaki.

Nellens Cyssana: Karana’s sister. Somehow inspired by FE3H’s Mercedes. Lovely woman, socially-skilled, warm, and received the same basics of a spy education as Arkis and Dream of Cicadas. Was caught during a diplomatic/spying mission by House Sesus and imprisoned , but we broke her (and the rest of the prisoners) out. She was working her charm on the most manipulable/most moral of the people in charge of the jail so she’d probably have made it out even without us!

Sesus Lucia: local Azula. Karana swore to take her down after dear Lucia was a part in her House’s takeover of our school and started off the civil war. She's smart, resourceful, ruthless, and Dream of Cicadas was attempting to influence her to be a better person according to Dream of Cicadas’ priorities. The results were perhaps limited, but Dream of Cicadas is probably one of the few people Lucia respects.

Ledaal Kodawa: local FE3H Lysithea. I’m mostly mentioning her because her backstory ties in directly with a group of antagonists we’re really gonna have to deal with it, and more definitive the better. She’s a sorcerer and another of Dream of Cicadas’ childhood friends, and was tortured and experimented on as a child by the organization known as SLY who were looking for the secrets of Exaltation.

Meryam Silkon: the untrustworthy Naesala type I mentioned once. Has his fingers in every pie and acts very blasé - I imagine him a bit like a 20s dandy. I’m extremely fond of him. has a childhood-bestie (also a former classmate) who was adopted into the Sesus and is now Sesus Chao. A useful person to know!

Sesus Chao: aforementioned childhood-bestie that I’m mostly mentioning because he’s the one who first talked about the importance of the Deliberative to Dream of Cicadas. His life’s ambition is to make the Kingdom more democratic.

Cathak Ivana: Arkis’ not!WQ that he met at the sorcery school he enrolled to in-extremis when the war broke out. Pretty much the person who knows the most about Arkis - she’s the one who created a diversion that would let him break out of the school in order to perform the consensual lobotomy on Dream of Cicadas. Arkis has been entertaining vague regrets that she’s not the one Sennet is betrothed to.

Cathak Vanissa: Sennet’s Awful Betrothed. the local Sylvain Gautier. Arkis used to not dislike her until she was betrothed to Sennet, at which point she immediately became the worst person to ever exist. And she makes Sennet sad. Karana is regularly running interference so Arkis isn’t tempted to deviate from previous plans and try to murder her on the spot.

Mnemon Fiona: local FE3H Flayn. cinnamon roll whom we saved once as teens and is thus our fan. She holds an important symbolic place for the Mnemon due to the religious circumstances of her Exaltation.

Various adults of varying trustworthiness

SLY: a trio of deeply unpleasant individuals who are also stupid enough to believe you can kickstart Exaltations on purpose, for instance by torturing children into Exalting. (take it from Arkis: you can’t)

Sesus Savina, about whom little is known

Cynis Lekan - rich merchant. this one, Arkis is going after financially. we’re going to destroy SLY by ruining their financial assets

Ragara Yola - this one Arkis has decided is his rival. she’s a sorcerer, and a Ragara, and attended both the schools Arkis did, and is in line to become a trusted advisor of the head of House Ragara, which is unacceptable and terrifying and must be stopped. also has an on-off thing with a Mnemon sorcerer, which. fundamentally is an challenge to Arkis, who is trying very hard to have a relationship with a Mnemon as well ok!!!!!!!!!

Ragara Selma: Arkis’ semi-estranged grandmother. Mortal, sorcerer, scandalous, and eccentric. I’m mostly mentioning her because her sulphurous reputation comes from rumors of having found a way through human sacrifice to steal Exaltations - or at least to have sacrificed slaves in order to steal her twin’s Exaltation (causing her twin’s death) so her daughter, Arkis’ mother, would Exalt. It is obviously too stupid to consider, and jealous slander to boot, but if she HAD done it it would have been badass. /Arkis

Ledaal Megara: abbot in the Immaculate Order and Dream of Cicadas’ mentor. Pretty much a hero. Close to Dream of Cicadas’ mother. Her attention and approval matter a lot to Dream of Cicadas

plus lots of other people, but that's all for today!

#ragara arkis #it's my tag for our exalted campaign

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precium1 · 1 month ago

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Optimising Revenue with Smart Dynamic Pricing for Hotels

Mastering Dynamic Pricing Strategies for Accommodations

Learn how dynamic pricing can transform your room revenue. Discover proven strategies, tools, and tips to master real-time rate optimisation.

In the ever-evolving world of hospitality, pricing is more than a number — it’s a strategy. With customer behaviour and market conditions changing in real time, static pricing models not the right choice to improve profitability. That’s where Dynamic Pricing comes in.

This blog will help you understand what dynamic pricing is, why it’s vital for Hotel Industry, and how to implement it effectively to maximise Revenue and Profitability.

What Is Dynamic Pricing?

Dynamic pricing means fluctuations in the price points depending on various factors like Seasonality, Demand Levels, Market Condition, Socio-economic situation, Weather Forecast, etc. All the other Rates are derived from the parent rate. When we fluctuate the parent rate, all the rate plans connected to the parent rate plan will update automatically.

Latest trends shows offline Travel Agents & Negotiated Corporate clients are also moving to Dynamic Pricing model.

Benefits of Dynamic Pricing

Maximise ADR over High Demand days/period

Maximise RevPAR through Occupancy over Low Demand days/period

Time saving- update only parent rate plan, all the derived rate plans will update automatically

Low probability of making a mistake while updating Price Points

Key Factors That Influence Pricing

Pricing decisions should be based on data-driven insights. Key variables include:

Demand trends (holidays, events, weather)

Booking windows (how far in advance people book)

Competitor pricing (Monitor fluctuating price points)

Inventory levels (room availability)

Market segments (Corporate vs Leisure, Groups vs FIT, Social vs Business)

Proven Dynamic Pricing Strategies for Hotels & Rentals

✅ Use Price Sensitivity to Guide Changes

Understand how price-sensitive your guests are. For example, leisure travellers are more responsive to discounts, while business travellers may prioritise convenience over cost.

✅ Set Rate differentiated Pricing

Create and Implement Retail Pricing Strategy to cater to a larger target Audience. Example:

Advance Purchase Rate with non-refundable cancellation policy at a discounted Rate for Early bookers.

Minimum LOS Rate at a discounted Rate for bookers staying for a longer stay.

Value add-ons Add Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Spa, etc to create a value Package

✅ Monitor Competitor Pricing

Monitoring Competitor Price Point fluctuations gives us an indication of the Market Demand Levels. Automated Rate Shopping Tool helps the Hotels to keep a close watch on Competitor Pricing behaviour.

Conclusion

Mastering dynamic pricing is about being proactive, strategic, and data-driven. When done right, it empowers you to:

Maximise RevPAR

Improve profitability during both peak and off-peak periods

Whether you’re managing a boutique hotel, a resort, or short-term rentals, embracing dynamic pricing is critical.

Need help implementing dynamic pricing for your property?

Collaborate with RedSKY Hospitality revenue management specialists or take advantage of Precium Automated Pricing Solutions to maximise your property’s Revenue potential.

#hotel revenue management #precium #revenue management #software #precium software #rate shopping software #revenue manager #revenue management system #rms #dynamic pricing

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prestigebfs · 24 days ago

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Blogging: Share Your Passion and Profit in 2025

Meta Description:

Learn how to start a blog and turn your passion into profit. Discover strategies to monetize your blog, grow an audience, and start blogging for income in 2025.

Introduction: Why Blogging Is Still a Powerful Way to Earn in 2025

Despite the rise of short-form videos and social media, blogging remains one of the most effective ways to build authority, grow an audience, and generate income. Whether you love writing about food, travel, finance, tech, or parenting, you can share your passion and profit by learning how to start a blog, grow it strategically, and monetize your blog effectively.

In 2025, successful blogging is less about viral content and more about consistency, value, and smart monetization strategies. If you're ready to turn your words into wealth, this guide is for you.

Why Blogging for Income Works in 2025

People are constantly searching Google for answers, advice, and insights. Blogs that rank well provide helpful information and, in return, receive steady organic traffic. This traffic can be monetized in several ways, making blogging for income a sustainable long-term business model.

Benefits of Blogging for Profit:

Low startup cost and minimal overhead

Passive income potential through ads and affiliate links

Builds trust and authority in your niche

Flexible schedule and location independence

Endless scalability—your content works for you 24/7

How to Start a Blog in 2025: Step-by-Step

1. Choose Your Niche

Pick a topic you’re passionate about and that has audience demand. Popular niches include:

Health and wellness

Personal finance

Digital marketing

DIY and crafts

Parenting

Tech and software reviews

Travel and lifestyle

Focus on a specific niche to stand out and attract the right audience.

2. Set Up Your Blog

Choose a blogging platform like WordPress.org for maximum flexibility and control. Get a reliable hosting provider such as Bluehost, SiteGround, or Hostinger and purchase a domain name that reflects your blog’s topic.

Install a clean, mobile-optimized theme and essential plugins (SEO, caching, backup, and spam protection).

3. Create High-Quality Content

Plan and write valuable, well-structured posts that solve problems, educate, or inspire readers. Use engaging headlines, bullet points, images, and internal links to keep readers on your site longer.

Aim to publish consistently—whether weekly or biweekly—and optimize each post for SEO with relevant keywords.

How to Monetize Your Blog

Once your blog gains traffic and trust, it’s time to earn from it. Here are top ways to monetize your blog:

✅ Affiliate Marketing

Promote products you use and love. Earn commissions when readers make purchases through your affiliate links.

✅ Display Advertising

Use ad networks like Google AdSense or Mediavine to earn passive income from blog visitors.

✅ Sponsored Posts

Collaborate with brands in your niche to publish paid content on your blog.

✅ Digital Products

Create and sell eBooks, printables, templates, or courses directly to your audience.

✅ Email Marketing & Funnels

Build an email list and promote affiliate offers, your own products, or services for recurring income.

Tips for Blogging Success

Master SEO: Learn keyword research, on-page SEO, and backlink building to rank higher in search engines.

Promote on Social Media: Drive traffic from platforms like Pinterest, Twitter, and Facebook.

Build an Email List: Use lead magnets like free checklists or guides to grow your subscriber base.

Engage Your Audience: Respond to comments, send newsletters, and ask for feedback to build a loyal community.

Stay Consistent: Success in blogging takes time—commit to consistent content creation and improvement.

How Much Can You Earn Blogging?

Earnings depend on niche, traffic, and monetization methods. Many bloggers earn:

$500–$2,000/month in their first year

$5,000–$20,000/month with 1–2 years of effort

$50,000+/month for top bloggers with strong affiliate and product sales

The key is building trust, providing value, and diversifying your income streams.

Final Thoughts: Turn Your Passion into Profits

Blogging in 2025 is more than just writing—it’s about creating a digital asset that brings in long-term value. If you’re ready to start a blog, consistently create helpful content, and monetize your blog with proven strategies, you can transform your passion into real income.

The internet needs your voice—start blogging for income today and build a brand you’re proud of.

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Book A Free Consult And We Can Help - https://prestigebusinessfinancialservices.com

Email - [email protected]

Keywords Used: start a blog, monetize blog, blogging for income

Learn More:

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"Your One Stop Shop To All Your Personal And Business Funding Needs"

Website- https://prestigebusinessfinancialservices.com

Email - [email protected]

Phone- 1-800-622-0453

#start a blog #monetize blog #blogging for income

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tremendoustalebluebird · 46 minutes ago

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Comprehensive Guide to Future-Ready Financial Services in Cincinnati

Planning your financial future isn’t just about saving money — it’s about making informed decisions that protect your family, grow your assets, and provide peace of mind at every stage of life. In Cincinnati, a wide array of professional financial services is available to help you navigate everything from healthcare planning to long-term investments. Whether you’re exploring Medicare Advantage Plans in Cincinnati Ohio, building your child’s college fund, or looking for smart insurance options, trusted financial advisors are here to guide you every step of the way.

Medicare Advantage Plans in Cincinnati Ohio: Tailored Health Coverage

As retirement approaches, healthcare becomes a top priority. Medicare Advantage Plans in Cincinnati Ohio offer a flexible, cost-effective alternative to Original Medicare. These plans, provided by private insurers, bundle Medicare Part A and B and often include prescription drugs, dental, vision, and wellness programs. Local experts can help compare plans based on your medical needs and budget, ensuring you get the best coverage with the most value.

Index Universal Life Insurance Cincinnati: Protection with Growth Potential

If you’re seeking both life insurance and a long-term savings component, Index Universal Life Insurance in Cincinnati is worth considering. This type of policy provides a death benefit while allowing you to grow cash value based on a stock market index — without directly investing in it. It offers more flexibility than traditional life insurance, allowing for adjustable premiums and the potential for tax-advantaged growth. It’s a strategic tool for those looking to balance protection with investment potential.

College Tuition Fund Planning Cincinnati: Invest in Their Future

Education is one of the most significant investments a parent can make. With rising tuition costs, College Tuition Fund Planning in Cincinnati has become essential for families. Financial planners can help you explore various savings vehicles, such as 529 plans, education IRAs, or custodial accounts, each offering different tax benefits and flexibility. Starting early ensures your child’s dreams don’t come with financial stress.

Integrated Financial Services in Cincinnati

What sets apart strong financial planning is integration — connecting healthcare, insurance, education, and retirement into a single, coordinated plan. The best financial services in Cincinnati don’t offer cookie-cutter solutions; they provide personalized strategies that evolve with your life.

Conclusion

Whether you’re nearing retirement, planning for your child’s future, or exploring insurance options, expert guidance can help you make confident financial choices. From Medicare Advantage Plans to Index Universal Life Insurance and College Tuition Planning, Cincinnati offers the services and professionals to help secure your future.

#Medicare Advantage Plans

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tonymattny · 19 hours ago

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OTT App Development in 2025: The Complete Roadmap by ideyaLabs

Over-the-top (OTT) platforms have surged in popularity, revolutionizing how audiences consume content. Today’s viewers demand seamless streaming, engaging apps, and personalized experiences. Businesses are exploring OTT App Development as a strategic vehicle for brand growth and revenue generation. ideyaLabs delivers future-proof solutions for the evolving video-on-demand landscape. This guide reveals how ideyaLabs can spearhead your journey in the OTT app domain.

Understanding OTT App Development for Modern Businesses

OTT App Development has redefined media delivery. Streaming services bypass traditional distribution and connect directly with audiences via apps across smartphones, smart TVs, tablets, and web browsers. This direct access positions businesses to reach viewers globally without hardware constraints. ideyaLabs designs apps that elevate brand visibility and drive user retention.

Benefits of Deploying an OTT App for Your Brand

OTT apps unlock revenue streams, boost brand engagement, and enable immersive user experiences. Launching an OTT app facilitates personalized content, on-demand accessibility, and subscription-based monetization. Businesses gather actionable insights from user interactions, enabling data-driven decisions. ideyaLabs empowers companies to dominate digitally through tailored OTT app ecosystems.

Key Features in Successful OTT App Development

Modern OTT apps require robust feature sets. User authentication ensures personal content libraries. Adaptive streaming delivers uninterrupted playback regardless of network quality. Content search and filtering simplify content discovery. Push notifications engage users with timely updates and personalized recommendations. Offline access, parental controls, and multi-device synchronization solidify user loyalty. ideyaLabs crafts feature-rich OTT applications for diverse industry verticals.

UI/UX Design: Creating an Unmatched Viewing Experience

User experience stands at the core of OTT App Development. Sleek interfaces, intuitive navigation, and visually engaging layouts contribute to sustained user interaction. Consistent branding across devices builds trust. ideyaLabs integrates accessible interfaces, readability, and responsive layouts to guarantee memorable user journeys.

Monetization Strategies for OTT Apps in 2025

OTT platforms open multiple monetization avenues. Subscription Video On Demand (SVOD), Advertising Video On Demand (AVOD), and Transactional Video On Demand (TVOD) models allow businesses to diversify income. Microtransactions and premium content boost revenue potential. ideyaLabs guides businesses in choosing optimal monetization policies that match their audience and content library.

Securing Content: Digital Rights and Anti-Piracy Measures

Businesses must protect intellectual property and premium content. Strong Digital Rights Management (DRM), encryption, and secure streaming protocols prevent unauthorized distribution and piracy. ideyaLabs implements state-of-the-art security frameworks and compliance solutions to defend content integrity throughout distribution.

Seamless Integration with Key Platforms and Devices

OTT apps must function flawlessly across diverse ecosystems. Smartphones, tablets, connected TVs, game consoles, and browser-based players all require compatibility consideration. ideyaLabs ensures native integration, responsive design, and cross-device synchronization. This comprehensive approach delivers a unified user experience, propelling customer satisfaction.

Powering Personalization with Next-Gen Analytics

Advanced analytics power hyper-personalization and operational decisions. Real-time dashboards reveal user preferences, viewing patterns, and churn indicators. Data-fueled recommendations improve engagement and retention. ideyaLabs harnesses sophisticated analytics to amplify business growth and audience loyalty.

Future Trends: AI, Interactivity, and Enhanced Engagement

OTT App Development now leverages artificial intelligence for content curation and voice-driven navigation. Interactive features, including real-time chat, polls, and live events, encourage audience participation. ideyaLabs infuses apps with machine learning and interactive elements, ensuring innovative user experiences.

Phases of OTT App Development: Stepwise Success

Successful OTT App Development unfolds in defined phases. ideyaLabs commences with requirement analysis and business model validation. UI/UX designers engineer breakthrough concepts. Developers implement features using scalable, future-proof technology stacks. Rigorous quality assurance guarantees reliability. Continuous deployment keeps the platform at the technological edge.

Why Choose ideyaLabs for Your OTT App Development

ideyaLabs advances business goals with expertise, innovation, and customer-centric processes. Extensive industry experience positions ideyaLabs as a frontrunner in OTT App Development. The team delivers agile project management, measurable outcomes, and post-launch support. Businesses relying on ideyaLabs consistently outpace the competition with cutting-edge OTT platforms.

Preparing for Launch: Strategies for Success

A successful OTT app launch calls for robust preparatory work. ideyaLabs orchestrates launch strategies with scalable infrastructure, robust content libraries, and comprehensive marketing campaigns. The focus remains on usability testing, regulatory compliance, and SEO compatibility. Pre-launch engagement campaigns spark curiosity and ensure immediate traction.

Continuous Evolution: Scaling and Enhancing Your OTT App

OTT App Development is an ongoing journey. As trends shift and technology evolves, app upgrades and new features fuel sustained growth. ideyaLabs remains a long-term partner, providing updates, security patches, and user feedback analysis. App scalability addresses surges in traffic and expanding content offerings.

Transform Your Digital Presence with ideyaLabs

The streaming revolution dominates global entertainment and education. Brands leveraging OTT App Development harness limitless growth opportunities. ideyaLabs stands as a market leader, uniquely positioned to deliver high-quality, user-centric streaming apps. The team translates your vision into reality, shaping the future of media engagement.

Embrace the Future of Streaming with ideyaLabs

OTT App Development remains the catalyst for digital innovation and audience engagement in 2025. ideyaLabs guides companies from inception to market leadership. A custom OTT app extends your brand’s reach, enhances monetization, and delights viewers with transformative experiences. Choose ideyaLabs as your partner for a streaming world without boundaries.

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parenting-strategies · 1 year ago

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youtube

Parenting Strategies: 5 Reasons To Choose A Traditional Kids Summer Camp

Summer is a time for children to explore, learn, and make lasting memories. While there are numerous options available for summer activities, traditional kids summer camps continue to be a popular choice for families worldwide. These camps offer a unique and enriching experience that goes far beyond the boundaries of a typical vacation or day camp. In this blog post, we will delve into five compelling reasons why choosing a traditional kids summer camp can be a fantastic decision for your child's growth and development.

#Strategic Parenting Solutions Hub #Tactical Parenting Tactics Channel #Smart Parenting Strategy Guide #Proactive Parenting Tips & Tricks #Modern Parenting Strategies Central #Effective Parenting Approach Zone #Parenting Mastery Strategies Series #Tactical Parenting Wisdom Corner #Advanced Parenting Tactics Channel #Parenting Strategies #Youtube

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digitalrhetoricpune · 20 hours ago

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Smart Digital Campaigns to Drive Admissions for Schools and Colleges

In today’s digital-first world, traditional marketing methods are no longer enough to attract new admissions. Schools and colleges must now adopt data-driven and personalized digital strategies to compete for students’ attention. The rise of online learning, tech-savvy parents, and mobile-first communication has shifted the educational marketing landscape completely.

This is where digital marketing for schools and digital marketing for colleges becomes essential. Institutions that embrace digital channels gain an edge in reaching their target audience, nurturing leads, and converting interest into actual enrollments.

Why Digital Marketing is a Must for Modern Educational Institutions

The journey of a student or parent looking for a school or college typically begins online. From researching programs and checking reviews to watching campus videos and attending virtual open houses—every step is digital.

That’s why having a strong digital presence isn’t optional anymore—it’s a necessity. Effective admission marketing strategies allow educational institutions to:

Increase visibility across platforms

Establish credibility and trust

Generate qualified inquiries and leads

Stay competitive in a saturated market

Provide personalized experiences across the admission funnel

Key Admission Marketing Strategies That Work

To stand out and succeed, schools and colleges must adopt integrated school admission campaigns that use a mix of paid, owned, and earned media. Here are a few proven strategies:

1. Social Media Marketing

Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube are highly effective for storytelling and visual engagement. Share videos of school life, achievements, events, and student testimonials to build trust. For digital marketing for schools, Facebook lead ads are ideal for reaching parents of school-aged children.

2. Search Engine Marketing (SEM)

Investing in Google Ads ensures your institution appears at the top of search results when parents or students search for “best schools near me” or “top engineering colleges.” These intent-driven queries convert better and offer strong ROI.

3. Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

Along with paid ads, organic visibility is crucial. Optimize your website content with keywords like digital marketing for colleges and include location-specific pages to attract local searchers. Add FAQs, campus details, curriculum highlights, and testimonials.

4. Content Marketing

Create informative blogs, videos, and guides that answer common questions students or parents may have. Highlight course features, faculty credentials, placement records, and extracurricular activities. High-quality content boosts your reputation and builds trust.

5. Email and WhatsApp Campaigns

Once leads are captured, nurture them through personalized drip campaigns. Share admission dates, upcoming webinars, deadlines, scholarship opportunities, and success stories to keep them engaged and motivated to apply.

Benefits of Targeted School Admission Campaigns

By implementing tailored school admission campaigns, educational institutions can:

Reach the right audience at the right time

Reduce marketing spend waste

Track real-time performance and optimize strategies

Scale campaigns based on seasonal demand

Improve lead quality and conversion rates

Real-Life Results from Digital Marketing

Many schools and colleges have successfully transformed their admission pipelines using digital tactics. For example, a school in Pune used Facebook lead ads and Google remarketing to increase inquiries by 60% within 3 months. Similarly, a college in Bangalore improved its MBA program applications by 45% through performance-focused Google Ads and YouTube campus walkthroughs.

Final Thoughts

Whether you are a school looking to attract new parents or a college aiming to fill your next batch of students, digital marketing for schools and digital marketing for colleges is the way forward. By adopting modern admission marketing strategies and executing well-planned school admission campaigns, institutions can future-proof their enrollment process.

If you're looking for expert support, Digital Rhetoric is your trusted partner in building high-performing educational campaigns that drive real results.

#digital marketing for schools #admission marketing strategies

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viskoollearning · 2 days ago

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Best Online Learning Institutions for Flexible Education and Career Advancement

Choosing the right online learning institution is the first step toward academic success and career growth. At Viskool, we understand that every learner has unique needs, goals, and schedules. That’s why our platform offers flexible learning options for students, job seekers, and professionals who want to learn at their own pace without compromising quality.

We provide a wide range of courses including Digital Marketing Courses Online, State and CBSE online tuition classes, NEET online coaching, and JEE online coaching. Each program is designed by expert educators who focus on strong fundamentals and real-world applications.

Why Online Learning Is Growing Rapidly

In today’s fast-paced world, online learning platforms have become the preferred choice for students and working professionals. They offer the comfort of learning from home, flexible scheduling, and access to expert-led classes. Viskool is among the best online learning institutes, trusted for its commitment to practical learning and learner support.

Why Viskool Stands Out as the Best Online Learning Institute

Viskool is a future-ready learning platform that ensures:

Expert-led live sessions and recorded classes

Personalized mentorship and doubt-solving

Structured curriculum and progress tracking

Courses aligned with academic and career goals

Our aim is not just to teach but to guide learners towards success through a supportive and structured approach

Learn Digital Skills with the Best Affordable Digital Marketing Institute

Learning digital marketing is essential for anyone looking to start a career in marketing, freelancing, or business. Viskool’s affordable digital marketing institute offers beginner-friendly courses that are practical, updated, and industry-relevant.

What Makes Our Digital Marketing Course the Right Choice:

SEO, SEM, Content Marketing, Email Campaigns, and Social Media

Live classes, task-based learning, and real-world applications

Expert feedback and job-ready skills

Access to top tools and live projects

Whether you’re a student or a professional, this is one of the top digital marketing courses online to start or advance your career.

Why Parents Trust Online School Tuition for Academic Success

The demand for online school tuition is on the rise as parents seek convenient yet effective academic support for their children. At Viskool, we offer the best online tuition for classes 5 to 12, covering both CBSE and State Boards.

Key Features of Our Online Tuition Program:

Group and one-to-one sessions for personalized attention

Regular assessments and progress tracking

Qualified and experienced subject teachers

Custom support based on learning needs

Comfort and time-saving benefits of home learning

Parents choose Viskool for its structured, learner-centric approach and flexible study plans.

Smarter Exam Preparation with the Best Online Coaching Institutes

Competitive exams like NEET and JEE require more than just effort—they need the right strategy and support. Online coaching institutes like Viskool help students prepare smarter with structured learning, real-time classes, and expert mentoring.

Why NEET Online Coaching Is the Smart Choice:

Topic-wise study plans and regular mock tests

Access to expert educators and recorded sessions

Personal doubt-solving and continuous guidance

Learn at your own pace with complete support

NEET aspirants now prefer flexible, affordable online coaching to prepare with clarity and confidence.

How JEE Online Coaching Helps Future Engineers Succeed

Preparing for JEE requires dedication, deep conceptual understanding, and consistent practice. Viskool offers affordable JEE online coaching that includes:

Live interactive sessions with IIT-qualified faculty

Mock tests, assignments, and performance analysis

24x7 doubt clearing and revision support

Comfort of learning from home without travel stress

Students benefit from a structured, result-oriented approach at a fraction of the cost compared to traditional coaching.

Why More Learners Choose Affordable Online Learning Institutions

Access to quality education should not be limited by geography or financial barriers. Viskool, as an affordable online learning institution, ensures that learners from all backgrounds can:

Gain expert-led knowledge without high fees

Enjoy flexible learning schedules

Receive personalized attention and regular progress reports

Learn in a supportive and inclusive environment

Our mission is to make inclusive education possible for everyone—be it for academic subjects or professional skill-building.

What Makes the Top Digital Marketing Courses Online Stand Out

The rise of e-commerce and content-driven marketing has made digital marketing one of the most in-demand skills.

The best digital marketing courses online teach:

SEO, SMM, PPC, and Content Strategy

Analytics, email campaigns, and automation tools

Practical application through real-world tasks

Confidence to freelance, get hired, or start a business

Viskool’s course is one of the best affordable digital marketing institutes, designed to make learners career-ready with hands-on learning.

Start Learning the Smart Way – Join Viskool Today

Whether you’re a school student, a competitive exam aspirant, or a professional upgrading your skills, Viskool offers the perfect platform to grow and succeed.

Take the first step today with flexible learning, live support, and expert guidance that fits your goals and schedule.

🔹 Visit Viskool and start your journey with the best online learning experience today!

👉 Explore the top features of Viskool: Top reasons to choose an online learning institution that supports flexible education and career goals

📖 Continue Learning Our previous Blog: Best Online Tutoring for Classes 5 to 12 with Group and One-to-One Tuition for CBSE and State Boards

#best online coaching institute #best neet coaching institute #digital marketing #best digital marketing institute

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entrepreneurial1era · 2 days ago

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Side Hustle to Full-Time: Great Business Ideas for Part-Time Entrepreneurs

A Strategic Guide to Launching and Scaling Your Side Hustle

Introduction: From Spare Time to Prime Time

In the age of the creator economy and digital entrepreneurship, the line between a 9-to-5 job and running your own business is blurrier than ever. Thanks to accessible tech, remote work, and a surge in entrepreneurial ambition, more professionals are exploring part-time business ideas that align with their passions, skills, and financial goals.

But here’s the truth: not every idea is worth your nights and weekends. The best side hustle ideas in 2025 are flexible, low-risk, and scalable allowing you to start small, learn fast, and eventually transition into full-time entrepreneurship if you choose.

Whether you're a marketer, designer, teacher, techie, or stay-at-home parent, there’s a world of online business opportunities that can work around your schedule. From freelance services to digital product sales, and from e-commerce to consulting, the right idea can become your launchpad to time freedom and financial independence.

In this blog, we’ll explore the top business ideas for part-time entrepreneurs complete with real-world examples, tools to get started, and growth tips for turning your side hustle into a sustainable business.

Want deeper insights from India’s most practical startup magazine? Subscribe to Entrepreneurial Era Magazine and get exclusive strategies, founder interviews, and business playbooks straight to your inbox.

Why Start with a Side Hustle?

Starting small is not playing small, it's playing smart.

A side hustle allows you to:

Test your idea without risking your primary income

Build skills and confidence gradually

Validate the market before scaling

Fund your own growth from profits

In short, you de-risk entrepreneurship. And that’s exactly what modern professionals are doing across the world building something meaningful after hours.

10 Great Business Ideas for Part-Time Entrepreneurs

These ideas are chosen based on low startup cost, time flexibility, and scalability potential:

1. Freelance Services (Writing, Design, Marketing)

If you have in-demand skills like copywriting, graphic design, digital marketing, web development, or SEO, freelancing is one of the fastest and most flexible ways to start a business in your spare time. You can work remotely, choose your hours, and scale at your own pace making it perfect for part-time entrepreneurs.

Platforms like Fiverr, Upwork, and LinkedIn Services allow you to create a professional profile and connect with clients looking for exactly what you offer. Whether it's designing logos, writing email newsletters, managing social media, or building websites, there’s a high demand for quality freelancers in almost every niche.

Pro tip: Position yourself not just as a freelancer, but as a micro-agency or problem-solver. Package your skills into clear offerings like “Sales Page Copywriting” or “Instagram Reels Strategy for Coaches” to stand out in a crowded market.

Full-Time Potential: Create a personal brand → Build a team → Launch an agency.

2. Digital Products (E-books, Courses, Templates)

Do you have knowledge or skills that others constantly ask you about? Instead of repeating yourself, turn that expertise into scalable digital products, a business model that works for you even while you sleep.

Whether it's a step-by-step eBook, a Notion productivity system, a Canva template bundle, or a mini online course, the digital product model is one of the most low-investment, high-margin ways to start a part-time business. All it takes is upfront effort to create, then it's pure passive potential.

Popular platforms like Gumroad, Teachable, and Podia make it easy to sell your products globally without needing advanced tech skills. Or if you're building your brand, you can launch from your own magazine website or blog for full control and branding.

Examples of high-performing digital products include:

Freelancer Proposal Templates for designers or copywriters

Instagram Content Calendars for coaches and creators

Finance trackers and dashboards for solopreneurs

Niche online courses, like “How to Start a Profitable Etsy Store” or “SaaS Marketing for Beginners”

If you want to explore how entrepreneurs are building 5-figure income streams from eBooks and digital templates, check out our latest Entrepreneurial Era Magazine issue on digital product strategy.

Bonus: Once you’ve built one product, you can scale into a full suite, creating an ecosystem of tools that solve real problems, no meetings, no clients, just value delivered on autopilot.

Full-Time Potential: Passive income + a personal brand = digital business empire.

3. Dropshipping or Print-on-Demand Stores

Looking to run an eCommerce business without the headache of managing inventory, packing boxes, or renting warehouse space? Dropshipping and print-on-demand (POD) are ideal business models for part-time entrepreneurs.

In dropshipping, you sell products through your own branded online store, but your suppliers handle everything from production to shipping. With print-on-demand, you can design and sell custom merchandise like T-shirts, mugs, journals, or hoodies without ever touching the product.

Popular platforms like Shopify (great for building your store), Printful or Printify (for custom fulfillment), and DSers (for dropshipping automation) make it easy to launch your store in a few hours. You can build everything around a specific niche whether it’s motivational apparel for entrepreneurs or eco-friendly pet products.

Why it works for part-timers:

Low-risk: No inventory costs or bulk buying needed

Highly flexible: Manage orders, marketing, and design in your spare hours

Scalable: Test multiple products without high investment

Creative freedom: Design unique merch or curate niche products

Want to build a brand around your store? Use digital marketing tools like Instagram ads, influencer partnerships, or email funnels to grow traffic and convert visitors into loyal customers. You’ll find detailed eCommerce marketing frameworks in our Entrepreneurial Era Magazine editions on growth hacking.

Whether you start with one T-shirt design or a niche gadget store, dropshipping and POD let you test ideas, validate demand, and generate passive income all without quitting your job.

Full-Time Potential: Test niches → scale ads → build a brand → switch to private label.

4. YouTube or Podcasting

In today’s creator economy, content creation isn’t just a hobby it’s a legitimate business model. Whether you’re a teacher, storyteller, industry expert, or just someone with strong opinions, launching a YouTube channel or podcast can be one of the most powerful part-time businesses to grow long-term.

Platforms like YouTube, Spotify for Podcasters, and Buzzsprout make it simple to start sharing your voice. From tutorials and explainers to interviews and personal stories, you can build a niche audience around what you know best.

Not sure where to begin? Read our guide to starting a content-based side hustle for Indian entrepreneurs and solopreneurs.

Monetization options include:

Ad revenue (once you hit platform thresholds like 1,000 YouTube subscribers)

Sponsorships from relevant brands

Affiliate marketing, promoting products you love (e.g., Amazon Associates)

Digital products or courses promoted through your episodes

Community memberships via platforms like Patreon or YouTube Join

Why it works for part-timers:

Low upfront cost (just a mic or phone to start)

Flexible recording schedule

Evergreen reach – content keeps generating traffic and income over time

Personal brand building that unlocks new opportunities

Some of the most successful creators today started with a simple goal: show up consistently with valuable content. Over time, they turned it into a full-time business with multiple income streams. Examples include creators in finance, wellness, career coaching, tech reviews, and entrepreneurship.

Full-Time Potential: Build a media brand + sell products or services.

5. Virtual Assistance or Remote Admin Services

With the rise of online businesses and remote teams, the demand for virtual assistants (VAs) is booming. From startups and solopreneurs to coaches and consultants, many professionals need reliable admin support but not full-time employees.

If you’re organized, communicative, and comfortable with basic tools like email, spreadsheets, calendars, or CRMs, you can start offering remote administrative services as a side hustle with serious income potential.

Common services offered by virtual assistants:

Email and calendar management

Customer service support (via chat or email)

Social media scheduling

Data entry and CRM updates

Appointment setting and follow-ups

Travel booking and document formatting

Platforms like Belay, Time Etc, Fiverr, and Upwork are great places to list your VA services. You can also directly pitch to entrepreneurs on LinkedIn by showcasing your services professionally.

Full-Time Potential: Scale into an agency or task management company.

6. Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is one of the most flexible and scalable online business models for part-time entrepreneurs. It allows you to earn passive income by recommending tools, products, or services you already use and trust. The best part? You don’t need to create your own product, you simply promote and earn a commission for every sale generated through your unique referral link.

Platforms like Amazon Associates, Impact, ShareASale, and CJ Affiliate offer thousands of affiliate programs across every niche imaginable.

Internally, you can check out our guide to Affiliate Marketing for Beginners: How to Start in 2025 to see how smart creators build long-term income streams with zero inventory or customer service.

Where can you promote affiliate links?

Blogs or niche websites (example: comparing email marketing tools or writing software)

YouTube tutorials or reviews

Instagram Reels or TikTok videos

Newsletters and email marketing

Podcast shoutouts or show notes

Example: A digital marketer can recommend tools like ConvertKit for email marketing, Canva Pro for design, or Semrush for SEO all with affiliate links.

Why It Works for Part-Time Entrepreneurs:

Low startup cost – Just a website or social media account is enough

Passive income potential – Content works for you 24/7

Flexible schedule – Create content on your time

Scalable model – More traffic = more revenue

Looking for inspiration? Read how side hustlers scaled their affiliate income in our article on top affiliate business models for 2025.

Full-Time Potential: Compound traffic → build trust → earn consistent monthly revenue.

7. Social Media Management

Nearly every small business needs help showing up online consistently. As a part-time social media manager, you can offer services like content creation, caption writing, post scheduling, or engagement all remotely and on your own schedule.

Tools like Buffer, Later, or Canva make it easy to manage multiple accounts.

Perfect for creatives or marketers who know how to grow brands on Instagram, LinkedIn, or Facebook.

Full-Time Potential: Take on more clients or create a social agency.

8. Coaching or Consulting (Niche-Focused)

If you have expertise in areas like career development, mindset, wellness, personal finance, or technology, coaching or consulting is a powerful part-time business idea. You don’t need a huge audience, just a clear niche and a few clients to start.

Offer 1:1 sessions on evenings or weekends through platforms like Clarity.fm, Calendly, or Zoom. Build trust through content on LinkedIn, a personal blog, or an Instagram page.

Start lean, validate your offer, and scale with group programs or digital products later.

Want to turn your knowledge into income? Read our coaching growth guide

Full-Time Potential: Group coaching → online programs → full-time brand.

9. Handmade or Craft Products

If you love creating whether it’s candles, jewelry, art prints, home décor, or eco-friendly crafts you can turn your hobby into a profitable part-time business.

Start by setting up a shop on platforms like Etsy, Shopify, or even sell through Instagram Shops. These channels make it easy to test demand without huge upfront investment.

Focus on high-margin, small-batch items with unique branding or local appeal. Bonus points if your products cater to gifting or seasonal trends.

Want real-world tips from makers who scaled? Read this feature on handmade brand founders.

Full-Time Potential: Turn hobby into brand → hire help → scale sales.

10. Local Services (Tutoring, Cleaning, Repair)

If you have a practical skill teaching, repairing appliances, cleaning, or handyman work you can launch a high-demand part-time service business right in your neighborhood.

Offer weekend home cleaning, after-school tutoring, or mobile appliance repair with low startup costs and fast cash flow. Many of these require no storefront, just your time, tools, and trust.

Use WhatsApp groups, Google Business Profile, and platforms like UrbanClap (now Urban Company) or JustDial to find your first few clients. Encourage word-of-mouth and referrals with a small discount or loyalty offer.

Want to turn this into a full-time operation? Check out our guide to scaling local businesses.

Full-Time Potential: Turn into a full-blown services business with a local SEO + team.

When to Go Full-Time: 3 Clear Signs

You’ll know it’s time to leave the “side” in side hustle behind when: 1. Income Stability: Your side hustle income covers at least 50–70% of your monthly expenses consistently. 2. Demand Exceeds Time: You’re turning down clients or growth opportunities due to limited hours. 3. Proof of Concept: You’ve validated your offer, know your audience, and have repeat customers or subscribers.

Bonus: How Entrepreneurial Era Magazine Can Help

Building a business from the ground up, especially part-time, can feel overwhelming. That’s why thousands of entrepreneurs rely on Entrepreneurial Era Magazine.

Each issue is packed with:

Case studies of founders who grew side hustles into 7-figure businesses

Actionable strategies for sales, branding, content, and automation

Step-by-step playbooks to build smarter, not harder

Access to tools, templates, and expert tips that save time

Want to skip guesswork and fast-track your side hustle growth?

Subscribe to Entrepreneurial Era Magazine today and gain insider insights, practical Strategies, and an entrepreneurial tribe that grows with you.

It’s more than a magazine, it's your shortcut to sustainable success.

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