Chapter1: Peace? Never heard of her.

Hello Everyone!!!

Meet the Characters...

Main Character

Alexander Bartholomew Lee

Dark hair. Black eyes. 5'9.

Age: 27

(Yes, his full name is Alexander Zhao Siwoo Kazuya Dazai Catherine Bartholomew Lee. No, we don't know why either.)

Occupation: Co-Founder & CEO of Mesplin Group. Also a teacher.

Family: Father — Nathaniel Lee. Mother — Catherine Lee. No siblings. Grandparents live overseas.

Hobbies: Reading. Working. Taking walks. Other activities that make people fall asleep just hearing about them.

Male Lead

Adrian Leo Voronin

Dark hair. Hazel eyes. 6'3.

Age: 29

Occupation: CEO of Voronin Enterprises. Also… other things. We'll get there.

Family: Father — Maximilian Voronin. Mother — Sophia Voronin. Older sister Lilian. Younger brother Victor. Youngest sister Agatha. Grandparents live overseas.

Hobbies: Almost everything.

Author's Note

If you notice any unintentional similarities to existing stories, characters, or events, they are purely coincidental, and I sincerely apologize for any unintended resemblance.

The story begins with comedy, grows into a slow-burn romance, and gradually uncovers the secrets hidden beneath ordinary lives.

Welcome to Satin and Sin.

I hope you enjoy the journey!

Chapter 1:

Alex leaned back in his chair with the smile of a man who had finally, truly, achieved inner peace.

Alex: "Another peaceful day… finally."

Matt didn't even look up.

Matt: "You say that every day. And every day something goes wrong."

Alex: "That's because the universe hates me personally."

Matt: "Or because you agreed to open another overseas branch."

Alex: "…Details."

Matt: "I'll drop you at the airport tomorrow."

Alex: "…Okay?"

Next Day. At Airport...

Matt helped pull the bags out of the car.

Matt: "You packed everything you need?"

Alex: "You're asking me that NOW? At the airport?!"

Matt smiled and placed his hand on Alex's shoulder.

Matt: "So… ready for the overseas branch?"

Alex: "Do I have a choice?"

Matt: "No."

Alex: "…Then yes. Very ready."

Three seconds of silence.

Alex: "Absolutely not. Please tell them I'm dead."

They walked toward the entrance.

Matt: "Let me get this straight. You want me to tell an entire international branch of investors that the co-founder of Mesplin Group is… dead? Because you're scared of airports and responsibility?"

Alex: "I'd rather swim there. I hate those escalators."

Matt: "…You'd fake your death. But swim across countries. Because of ESCALATORS?"

Alex: "It's just a condition, Matt. They make me dizzy."

Matt: "Alex. I have personally seen you fight big dudes. Speak nine languages. Run a whole company. You can even do BALLET—"

Alex: "We agreed never to bring that up—" he complained.

Matt: "And an ESCALATOR is your final boss?!"

Alex: "I know." Deep sigh. "How unfortunate."

Matt: "Come on, Mr. 'I'd Rather Swim.' Your flight isn't waiting for your personal war with moving stairs."

Alex: "What if I die in that aluminium tube?"

Matt: "Then the plaque will say, 'Here lies Alex Lee. Survived boxing. Lost to a staircase and aluminium tube.'"

Alex: "Go jump in a sea, idiot."

Matt: "Let's go before you start writing a will."

Alex: "Oh... I forgot to tell my parents I'm going. Can you tell them for me?"

Matt stopped and stared at him.

Matt: "What exactly do I say? 'Hello Mr and Mrs Lee, your son has outsourced all family communication to his coworker'?"

Alex: "…Wait. My parents are in the same country I'm going to."

Pause.

Alex: "Sorry. Never mind."

Matt: "…Unbelievable. Call me when you land."

Alex: "Okay. Bye!"

And just like that, Alexander Bartholomew Lee, the CEO, nine-language speaker, boxing champion, and passionate enemy of escalators boarded his plane.

By some miracle, he caused absolutely zero problems.

At a New Country... Airport...

A staff member was already waiting with a sign.

Staff: "Welcome, sir! How was your flight?"

Alex: "Please just call me Alex. 'Sir' makes me feel ancient. And the flight was pure torture. Too much turbulence."

Staff: "Of course… sir."

Alex: "…Yep. I understood. Never mind."

At Company Suite. Evening...

The suite was spotless, modern, and aggressively fancy.

Alex looked around at all of it.

Alex: "This is unnecessary."

Staff: "It's company protocol, sir."

Alex: "…Of course it is."

He dropped his bags and looked out the window.

New city. New branch. New responsibility.

Alex (thinking): Peaceful life… I miss you already.

He ate his dinner and was just about to sleep when...

Ring. Ring.

He looked at the screen.

Sighed.

Alex: "Hello, Mom."

Catherine: "Alexander Bartholomew Lee."

Alex: "I'm already tired. Please don't use the full name."

Catherine: "So you're alive."

Alex: "Unfortunately, yes."

Catherine: "You came to MY country and didn't tell us?!"

Alex: "When did they start selling countries? And I was busy."

Catherine: "Busy? Or avoiding us?"

Alex: "Both are technically true."

Catherine: "Do you know how a mother feels when her son travels internationally without telling her?"

Alex: "…Peaceful?"

Catherine: "Wrong answer."

Catherine: "Did you eat properly?"

Alex: "Yes."

Catherine: "Did you cook?"

Alex: "…No."

Catherine: "Good. I was worried for a second."

Alex: "Mom—"

Catherine: "Is your place safe?"

Alex: "It has doors."

Catherine: "That's not what I meant."

Alex: "It also has windows?"

Catherine: "…I regret teaching you independence."

Catherine: "You're overworking again, aren't you."

Alex: "I'm managing the branch."

Catherine: "That's a yes."

Alex: sighs "Mom. I'm fine."

Catherine: "Say it properly."

Alex: "I am… moderately fine."

Catherine: "Better. Next time tell us before you travel and disappear."

Alex: "I didn't disappear. I boarded a plane."

Catherine: "Same thing for parents."

A small pause.

Catherine: "Take care of yourself."

Alex: "…I will."

Call ended.

Alex set his phone down and stared at the ceiling.

Alex: "Peaceful life… impossible."

He turned off the light.

Alex (thinking): She didn't even ask about Mesplin.

…Lucky me.

Next Morning. At Mesplin new Branch...

The second Alex walked through the doors, the whole office quietly panicked into professionalism.

A woman stepped forward immediately.

May: "Good morning, sir! Welcome to our new branch. I'm May Adams — your personal assistant. I'll handle your schedule, meetings, and anything else you need!" She spoke too quickly.

Alex: "Good. I'll probably forget half of it anyway." he replied with a smile.

The whole office collectively melted a little at his dimple smile.

May: "That's… reassuring."

Random Employee: "CEO on site!!"

Alex: "Please don't shout like that…" he said in a low calm voice.

He walked through the office, quietly observing everything.

Alex: "This department is underperforming."

Manager: "WE WILL FIX IT IMMEDIATELY SIR—"

Alex: "No need to panic. Just fix it."

By afternoon he had calmly reorganized half the operations without raising his voice once. The employees weren't sure if they should feel relieved or more nervous.

After work, he went apartment hunting.

The agent showed him a unit.

Agent: "This is one of the best available units in the area!"

Alex looked around once.

Alex: "I'll take it."

No drama. No negotiation.

He picked up some groceries on the way back and called it a day.

New city. New home. New start.

…And absolutely zero cooking involved. Perfect.

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