Clarriese Zyah's POV
I put down the phone after I ended my conversation with Dale. After talking to him, I felt somehow better.
Now, I am facing the computer's monitor right now, ready to publish our Inkwell's release at Dreammy Pen's website. I let out a deep breath and calmed myself. This is the job that Rosaline entrusted me to do. Maybe, wherever she is right now, she is waiting for me to publish these articles. Dale and the whole Inkwell organization trusted me on this job, I couldn't let them down. 
I formed a fist, gathering courage before I clicked the post button at the left side of the webpage. This is it! This is the first project of Inkwell that I am the Managing Editor. This is also the first time that I've got my article published on our website. I feel blessed.
"Yes!" I was happy when I got it done. I couldn't be happier than this moment. While scrolling down and reading my written article featured on it, I thought of my mother and father. Finally, I made it. Their daughter is now embracing her dream. Those sleepless nights of writing and revising this one have now found it's worth. Dale also came into my mind. He helped me a lot , especially with my writing journey. He is like my private tutor. He is too straightforward when he sees some loopholes in my writing. Despite him being strict, I am glad that he taught me a lot. Without him, I couldn't make it, really.
Ellaine and Dwight, your Zyie is now flying with her dreams. 
Aside from our website, we are also releasing physical copies. The circulation department was on it.
"Miss Zyah?" Fatty peeked at the open door. I now have my own office. It was the room that Rosaline used before.
I fixed myself and smiled as I raised my head. "Yes, come in."
"Congratulations, Miss Zyah!" she smiled widely. "The launch was a success!" She clapped and gave me her proud stares. 
"Really? I was so nervous," I admitted in a shaky voice.
"Err? Don't be nervous. Sir Dale got your back!" she teased.
"Fatty, what are you saying?"
"You're blushing!" she laughed, pointing at me.
"Stop that already, Fatty!" I warned in a calm tone but it did not affect her.
"You two?" She leaned closer to me. "You're dating, aren’t you?"
I let out a smile, most likely a forced one. "Fatty, why are you here?" I tried to divert our talk. 
Dating isn't prohibited in Dreammy Pen.  Madam Dionalita, Dale's grandmother, allowed her employees to be in relationship with his/her co-workers as long as it did not affect their work. 
Honestly, I don't want the whole company to know that Dale and I were in a relationship. I don't want issues and such. I preferred to keep it private. It's not bad if the public knows but I didn't want to expose everything that was happening in my life to the public or any other social media platforms. Having a man flexing you on social media sound's good but for me having him by my side is already enough. That's all that matters to me. 
However, we are both dealing with the media. I prepared myself for the day that it will be finally revealed to the public. Whatever that is bound to happen will come sooner or later. I never know who he is. I am glad that Dale agreed with me regarding this. I know him. He doesn't want to be part of gossip. 
Rumors aren't inevitable in our field. There are times that someone released an article, staining his name, he totally ignored it. I didn't see him being anxious. He was just calm and seemed like he didn't care about it at all. I really admire him for having that manner. Imagine, thousands of people were talking bad to you but you were just taking a cup of coffee, ain't bothered. Sometimes I come to imagine a scenario where someone was making fun of him but he was standing there without showing any emotion. 
One thing that I noticed about him when I saw him when he was dealing with business is that he carries that scary look. Not literally scary like those in horror films but it shares the same effect! That made you run away from him! I mean that he is too serious! When that emotion dominates his features, that will make you shake in fear and afraid to commit a single mistake in front of him.
 But! He becomes a completely different when he is with me. He is not that heartless, he is childish than what I thought he would be. He is one of those warmest people I know. Maybe he didn't realized that he has that personality but I do. Everytime he meets my eyes, I could feel that, the warmth of his heart. I am beyond grateful that I've got to see what kind of person he really is. He was just changed by the pain and the regret. He regretted that he can't do something to save his father even he was there. He blamed himself for being a mere little kid back then, that he just can't do something while his dad was gradually giving up his breath in front of him, covered with blood. Pain. Pain that his mother was not around when he mourned for his father's death. 
"Miss Zyah?" I heard Fatty call me while waving her hand in front of me.
"Huh?"
"'Here's my weekly report," she said. She giggled as she handed me her report. "I've been calling you for many times but you didn't hear me. Are you thinking of Mr. Dale?"
I found myself hitting her on her arms. "Aya, Fatty. You're such a gossiper. Why don't you go back and do your work?" 
She just giggled. "Miss Zyah, you are avoiding my question!" she teased. 
"You, really. I don't have to answer your question, Fatty," I said, browsing the file she gave me a moment ago. 
"Seems like there's a commotion outside. What's happening?" she asked when we both heard loud noises outside the office.
"Let's take a look," I suggested and took the first step.
I was taken aback when suddenly the journalists gathered in front of me. There was madness on their stares. They are being violent, raising their mics and cameras to film the situation. Both our employees and the securities couldn't stop them. 
"Miss Zyah, what can you say about the news about you?" 
"Did you really plagiarize it?"
"Why did you do that? What are your intentions?"
I plagiarized what? What are they saying? I don't have any idea about it at all. 
I got scared. I staggered backwards. This isn't a simple matter. A lot of journalists are here. I am in a live broadcast. I am afraid that it'll do harm to Dreammy Pen.
What should I do? Zyah, get a hold of yourself.
I wanted to think of a way but I lost my mind. I was defeated by the voices of the people in front of me, asking me why I plagiarized, why I am being a two-faced employee and such. They echoed in my ears to the point it became deafening. 
Suddenly, I felt dizzy. I don't know what to do. I lost my prowess and vigor. I wanted to protect something but I was rendered speechless. 
The situation became chaotic when they didn't hear anything from me. They tossed queries every now and then, eager to hear an explanation. 
"Did you intentionally copy that article? What are your reasons?"
"There's news spreading that you and Mr. Cuego are dating. Why did you ruin the images of his company? What is the status of your relationship, Miss Zyah?"
"Are you having a fight with him and causing this issue, Miss Tehran?"
Their voices echoed to my ears and the flashes of their cameras made me feel dizzier. I couldn't take it anymore. It was chaotic. I couldn't withstand situations like this.
"No filming, please!" I heard his voice. Much louder in my ears than the commotions of the journalists surrounding us. 
He pulled me closer to him and wrapped me with his coat. "Don't worry, woman. I'm here."
My eyes went blurry because of the tears that welled in my eyes. I couldn't hold them back as Dale and I were finding our way out. 
Dale couldn't talk to me while we were in his car. I just couldn't help but sob. What just happened gave me a tremendous shock. I never thought it would happen in my entire life. 
"Woman. . . " Dale started in a concerned tone. He is now driving. 
"Lalaki, I didn't copy anyone's work," I stated between my sobs. "I - I was the author of that article. I. . . I w-work hard on it. I spent many weeks to revised that." I cried out loud again. My heart felt so heavy that I could barely breathe. The feeling of being wronged but couldn't do anything about it makes me feel like my heart is about to break, to explode. 
"I know, woman. I believe you."
I couldn't stop from crying. Even if I wanted to, I don't know how to. The tears are just falling down endlessly. I couldn't take control over them.
"B-but. . . I don't care about that. . . because of me . . Dreammy Pen’s name was ruined. . . Lalaki, you are in trouble again because of me. Plagiarism? It’s such a big matter. It's a crime!" My sobs become louder. It even got harder for me to fetch a breath. "For now, I think, we should break-"
I almost hit the front of the car when he suddenly stopped. 
"You're not in a state of mind, woman," he glared at me and then stepped down from the car. He went to open the car's door for me. 
"Where are we?" I asked, still not stepping down even though the door was now open. The place isn't familiar to me. I've never been here before.
"My place," he replied. He was too close to me, leaning his jaw above his arms on the car's door. "You are safe here."
"Dale. . . " I met his gaze. I am nervous within. Dale has the right to be mad at me for giving him trouble. He can scold me as much as he wants. 
"I am sorry." I bowed down my head. My tears run down again through my cheeks. "Lately, I didn't bring any good to the company. You almost lost the deal with Mr. Lin and now the company is in chaos because of my plagiarism issue. Dale, what if-"
I couldn't continue my phrase when he moved and sealed me with his embrace. "Woman, don't ever dare spitting that word out," he warned from behind. "I love you. I won't give you up just because of this matter."
My words literally stopped spinning when that word echoed through my ears. I am not expecting to hear these words from him at this moment. It's my first time hearing these from him personally. I felt that the burden inside my heart mysteriously lessened. His "I love you" is that powerful. 
"What did you just say?" I raised my head, still in his embrace. 
He broke the hug and held my face. "I love you, my Zyah," he said sincerely. He then left a kiss on my forehead. It brought me relief and a sense of safety. 
The world may turn their backs on me but still, there is a man who's willing to stay with me. I still have Dale.
We went up to his place. Exactly when he opened his apartment he received a call. 
"Yes. At my place," he replied on the phone.
"Her phone was left at the office," he said next.
"No problem." He then put down his phone. "
"Who was that?" I asked, curious. I am now seated on a couch.
"Dwight."
Dale advised me that I must not take any calls from anyone except close friends and families.
30 minutes have passed and I am much calmer. I can control myself from crying. I could talk about what happened without shredding tears.
"You can stay here for the meantime," Dale said and sat down next to me. He then raised his hand and touched my forehead. "Good thing, you aren't sick."
"What?"
"I know you, woman. What happened today is enough to make you have a fever."
I forced a smile and chuckles. "Am I that sickly?"
"You are. Your body is weak," he simply replied. He handed me a glass of juice. "Drink that. It can help you."
"Oh. Thank you." I reached for the glass and brought it close to my mouth. "It smells good," I uttered before drinking some from it. 
"What if I join some physical training?" I asked him. I put the glass aside and turn to him. "For gaining strengths?"
He shook his head. "No. I like the delicate side of yours more."
I moved close to him and wrapped my hand around his waist. I leaned on his chest and closed my eyes. 
"Dale?" I called his name in a soft tone.
"Hmm?" he responded. I could feel his finger sliding down through my hair. He is doing it repeatedly. 
"I love you too. I love you very much," I said. 
He moved and distanced himself from me. He looked right into my eyes. He tucked in the strand of my hairs beneath my ear. His hand gradually fell on my cheeks. 
"Zy," he began lovingly. "The whole universe knows how much I love you," he said. 
Listening to his words, my heart melted and my tears escaped my eyes. It's good that we are now seated in a couch because if we aren't, I probably fell on the ground with my jelly knees. 
"I love you more than ever you could think of," he whispered and brought himself closer. 
He is too close to me. I could even feel the warmth of his breaths on my cheeks. My heart beats crazily as he goes close. I found myself closing my eyes unconsciously. 
Before I could his lips touch mine, a knock on the door interrupted us. 
I abruptly opened my eyes. "I'll do it!" I said and get off the couch. "Lemme go open it." I ran towards the door.
"OMG! Zyie!" The screamed and embraced me tightly. They nearly made me choke.
"Dwighty. Laine. What are you doing here?" I asked after they both hugged me.
"We are worried about you!" Ellaine said. "You are now the talk nationwide!"
"Woman," Dale interrupted. "I'll leave you here with them. Gotta something to do," he added and went out of our place. 
"Dale, thank you for telling me where Zyah is," Dwight said, eyes on Dale.
Dale took his jacket from the couch and went near us. 
"No problem. I know how much you value each other," he replied. 
He walked towards me. "I'll be back at night," he said and kissed me on the forehead. He then went out of the door. 
When Dale left, the two joined me at the sofa. I was in the middle between them. I am resting my head on Ellaine's shoulder. 
"Zy, what really happened?" Dwight asked. 
"I don't know. It happened so suddenly. When I came out of the office, they were accusing me of plagiarizing someone's work."
"So, here's the thing," Ellaine started. I lifted my head away from her shoulder and leaned at the backrest of the sofa. "When you published something at Inkwell's page, DMM media already had the same article as you. You were accused of plagiarism because they released it 20 minutes before yours."
"Zy, you used an Italian phrase for the title and the rest is the same. As in, all of it, the comma, the abbreviations, everything!" Dwight exclaimed. "With that, it appeared that you were the one who copied and you just changed the title into another language."
Dwight received a smack from Ellaine. "Dwighty. We are here to comfort her! Filter your words."
"I know. I know. But that's what really happened!" Dwight roared. 
"Yeah. That's what really happened," I said in low tone. "I was the one who copied their works," I added, low-spirited. 
"But that's not true, Zy!" Dwight protested. 
"I know," I simply replied, playing my fingers with my hand. "I really don't know what to do. I brought such huge trouble."
Ellaine leaned closed and embraced me. "Oh, dear. It's not your fault. We are going to do whatever it takes to prove that you are innocent." She heaved a sigh. "I don't have that much to offer, but I know that boys will."
"I could only give you encouragement, Zyie," Dwight uttered, teary-eyed.
I straightened myself and looked both at them. "Having you both here is enough for me already."
Dale Daniel's POV
"Dale, what's with that news?!" Johnny asked with anger at the other line. "Your girlfriend didn't do that, isn't she? Who did that absurd news?"
Instead of responding to his queries, I said, "Viegas, 379. Bring Vincent Heredia with you." I put down the line without hearing his response. I know that he already got what I meant. 
I speed up my car to reach the place sooner. I couldn't waste any time anymore. I need to find that bastard who was trying to harm Zyah. It's fine he only aims at me. I couldn't forgive him if he harmed Zyah too. 
I parked my car and hurried inside. When I entered the door, three people welcomed me. Vincent was seated with his computer. Ryle and Johnny were standing both of his sides. 
"Cuego. . . " 
We are now at Johnny's place. Everytime we have very important matters to do, we meet up here. The code we used is "379." 
"I need you to do something for me,"I asked desperately to the man who was sitting in front of me, wearing a black leather jacket. "Can you track this person?" I added and put down a photo on the table, revealing the person I am talking about.
Ryle gasped and snatched the photo before Vince could touch it.
"Dale, don't tell me?!" He faced me, perplexed. "You are doubting him?"
Johnny grabbed the photo from Ryle. "That's absurb, Dale. That can't be!"
I know that they will respond this way. Even me, I tried to convince myself that it is not true but day by day my suspicion was growing. 
I looked for my wallet and brought out the evidence I have. 
"Here!" I put down the ring next to the photo. "I found that day."
I found this ring the day I went to rescue Zyah at DZ Place. Zyah told me that there were mens grabbed her and they were wearing masks. This ring probably fell off when Zyah was fighting with thim. 
They took a closer look at the ring. "It really has his name on it, Dale!"
"Yeah. We must find the truth as soon as possible," I declared.
"But, Dale," Ryle hung back, "why would he do such a thing? What are his reasons?"  Ryle asked. He was still not convinced of what I just showed to him. 
"That is why we need to investigate to know it, Ryle!" Johnny shouted at him. 
Ryle shook his head in disbelief. He and him become a good friend back when we are Dreammote University. It may not sound reasonable to mention his name as suspects, but it can't be wrong. If it's really him, I badly wanted to know why. 
Johnny glanced at Vincent. "Ready, my friend?" he asked.
Vince didn't let out a word, he just raised his hand with an "okay" sign.
After waiting for a long time, Vince looked at us with unpleasant emotion present on his face. "It's hard to break in. I can only tell you the results tomorrow."