CHAPTER 1 - FIRST ENCOUNTER

“Put that chair against the wall over there, put that there, and put this painting here.” Once the men got everything right, the office looked spectacular.

“Oh wow, Miss Brooke…” Mr Wills gasped. He was the CEO of DALIA - a high fashion magazine.

Alexia spun around and found the old but surprisingly still strong and energetic man standing in the doorway. The smile on his face said it all. “I love it.” He gasped, while walking in with arms open. “You are definitely the best.

“I’m only doing my job, sir.” Alexia said and he went on to look around the room.

“And you nailed it.” Mr Wills stopped by the large mahogany desk and turned around to face her. “So how long will it take for everything to be done?” He asked.

“With the kind of budget we have, I will say everything will be done in two days.

“Two days?” Mr Wills exclaimed, not so sure that could happen.

“Yes, sir. It’s a few days ahead of what was initially planned.

“It is, but are you sure you can do it?” Mr Wills was heading for the door and Alexia followed him.

“Yes sir, absolutely.

“There are still a couple of offices not furnished yet on the twentieth floor.

“Don’t worry about that sir.” Mr Wills stopped abruptly and turned around to face Alexia with a straight face.

“Miss Brooke, you are no doubt a professional and hardworking woman. I respect your motives and decisions, but do not do any shoddy work on the remaining offices because you made a deadline for yourself.

“That won’t happen sir, I assure you.” Alexia was more confident now than ever and she was positive everything would be ready in two days. Mr Wills was worried about the remaining offices. However, that was not a major issue for her and her team. All that mattered was that the large offices were out of their way. As for the remaining small ones, they would be a piece of cake.

Mr Wills raised a brow and made a serious face. “Okay.” He agreed and then she smiled. “Can you please come with me I want you to make some changes to my office. I liked that painting you hanged in here, so I want a similar one in my office as well.

“Alright sir,” Mr Wills opened the door and as soon as they walked out of the office, they bumped into his son - Bernard Wills.

“Good morning, I hope I’m not late?” He said, while smirking at Alexia who frowned at him.

She and Mr Wills’ son, Bernard did not get along. Since the very first day she was hired for this project, he had been hitting on her -sending her flowers and chocolate, trying to get her to go out with him. Alexia vehemently refused, because she never got involved with her clients and also, she knew what he was -and that was a playboy.

“Bernard, try to be more punctual Okay? I kept you in charge of this project and even this you are not being serious about it. I wonder what would have become of it, if Miss Brooke wasn’t a hard worker.” Mr Wills’ words brought a smile to Alexia’s face and Bernard frowned.

“Thank you very much sir.” She said and sent a knowing smirk Bernard’s way.

“I will be more punctual from tomorrow onward.” He replied and averted his gaze from Alexia.

“Come Miss Brooke.” Mr Wills said the same time another man arrived. “Colin my boy, how nice of you to stop by.

Alexia averted her gaze from Bernard and landed it on the most handsome man she had ever seen. This man’s looks dumbfounded her and she could do nothing but stare. He had sharp blue eyes, dirty blonde hair neatly cut, yet hung over his eyes slightly. Cheekbones defined his face along with his light stubble that lined his jaw. A black suit fitted his tall and brawny physique.

Her heart raced when his eyes met hers. In the quick moment their gazes locked, she felt a connection. It took a lot of strength before she tore her gaze away from his.

“I had to come, Mr Wills.” The man said and glanced at Alexia once again. Her gaze was not on him this time, but at her pink blouse.

“Yes, Colin had to come.” Bernard suddenly got a smirk on his face and Alexia began to wonder what brought back his confidence. “My friend here, came to see something important as part of his - new project.” He concluded with a smirk directed at the man. Alexia dared not look at him this time.

“Oh, is that so?” Mr Wills asked. “Then I hope you find what you’re looking for. Now excuse Miss Brooke and I. We’ve got some work to do.” With that, he started his way down the hallway and Alexia followed. As they rounded a corner, she thought she saw from the corner of her eye, the handsome stranger called Colin, looking at her.

Alexia focused on Mr Wills’ request after he told her what he wanted. She got a few assistants into his office and while they made the changes, she went to buy the painting he described. It took her hours of search before she found it and by the time she wheeled her Mercedes Benz into the parking lot of the new headquarters of DALIA magazine, it was mid-day.

Alexia stepped out of the car and opened the backseat to remove the painting. It was a challenge, as the painting was large and heavy. At the store where she bought it from, it was a man who carried it to her car. “Come on.” She groaned and continued to struggle with it.

“Can I help with that?

That sudden interruption startled her and she spun around. Her already jolted nerves went crazier when she found herself staring into the face of the handsome man from before. His eyes held hers and refused to let them go. Alexia’s heart jumped in her ribcage, causing her to breath heavily.

“Let me help with that.” She quickly stepped aside for him to reach the painting. All it took was one pull, and it came out. Alexia watched his muscles flex as he lifted the painting with one arm. “So where do you want this?” He asked.

“It’s going to the top floor.” She replied while looking away from hm.

“Then lead the way.

Alexia went and he followed. They moved through the revolving doors, passed the lobby and headed to the elevator. Her stomach flipped as they reached its silver doors. He reached out from behind her and pushed the button. “You are welcome.” He added after that and butterflies filled her stomach.

This rarely happened to her. This almost never happened to her. She has had crushes on people and been in love before, but this_ was new to her. How could the mere presence of this man have such an effect on her? Who was he? Where did he come from? Why was her body reacting to everything he did? Was he some kind of supernatural being who had come to charm her? These days with stories of werewolves, vampires, mermaids and other creatures going around, it would not be a surprise to her if he turned out to be one of them.

“Aren’t you going in?” He snapped her out of her thoughts and she hurried in. He went in after her and then the doors closed. “Is the painting for an office?” He asked.

“Yes, Mr Wills requested for it.” Alexia replied without looking up from her intertwined hands.

“So you’re the head of the project?

“Yes,” she replied and then the elevator doors opened. Alexia quickly stepped out and he followed. While they walked through the hallway, she noticed that no one was around. “Uh, where is everyone?

“Oh it’s lunch break. They all went out.

“And you were still here?” Alexia spun around and faced him.

“I was on my way to lunch when I saw you struggling with your painting.” He replied and then they started moving again.

Mr Wills’ office was not so far from the elevator so they got there in no time. He hung the painting up on the wall exactly where Alexia told him. “Thank you for helping me kind sir.” She said and then caught his gaze.

“Please, call me Colin. And it was a pleasure helping a gorgeous hardworking woman.

Alexia could not help the smile that spread across her face. “Call me Alexia.” She said and it was his turn to smile. He looked breath taking and left her awestruck.

“Would you like to have lunch with me?” Colin asked.

“I’m sorry, there are a lot of things to do and…”

“And there’s no one around to help you with it. It is lunch break. Everyone has gone to relax and eat after working hard all morning. I’m sure you’re hungry too.” Alexia’s stomach rumbled on cue and then he chuckled.

“That’s the answer I was looking for.

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