Chapter One
Rafael Manuel Wade sat in his office, fuming, his body was stiff in anger, the look on his face was formidable. His assistant stood by him, fidgeting and looking unsure." how dare they give me an ultimatum?" He voiced out in anger.
" Ehh...S. Sir" Val his assistant murmured , unsure of what to say to his boss, his boss is indeed fearsome when he is angry and he wished to be anywhere but close to his boss right now."I...I...I..." he stuttered again but was interrupted by a knock on the office door, he breath a sigh of relief and hurried over to the Godsent at the door. It was Vince, his boss's friend, he quickly ushered him in and left.
"Seems to me like someone is in a very bad mood" Vince said looking at his friend speculatively shutting the door close behind him.He stood in front of his friend and eyed him.
' what's up? ' he asked.
" They want me to get married before I can bid for be entrusted with Tripolis."Tripolis is a corporation with the largest production in the world, it has been handed down from generation to generation but now it was bordering on bankruptcy .
He was a multi-billionaire , he could save Tripolis, it would at well be a huge boost to his own company considering the global hold of Tripolis but the issue now was that they weren't willing to sell it to him.
"They want to sell it to one who is happily married" he spat out the words. Vince raised his brow questioningly, " "So what's the issue there, get married then."
Rafael looked at his friend disapprovingly." To who?" He asked.
Vince shrugged slightly."You have so many women in your life, I see you have problem choosing whom to take as a life partner, well let's see, How about Natasha? "
Rafael shook his head at the mention of Natasha, she disgusted him already with her constant demands.
"Pamela? Vince continued his friend . Again another shake of the head."Lucy then? You must have feelings for at least one of them."
" I don't" Rafael replied still wearing a look of disapprival"I don't need to be in love in order to get married do I?"
" Of course you need to" Vince replied.Rafael scowled down at his friend.
" You of all people know that I don't believe in such childish act, love is just a foolish thing that makes one behaves senselessly and I won't be a partaker of such foolish act but of all the ladies you've mentioned Lucy is the most sensible, I'll consider her" He concluded.
" Someday, you'll fall in love, probably not with her, what will you do then? Divorce her?" "Falling in love is for the weak Vince, I am not weak and I don't plan on keeping Lucy forever, after I get the Tripolis I'll pay her handsomely and we'll part ways."Vince shook his head in resignation , he friend had always been stubborn when it came to issues like this one.Rafael rang for Val his assistant who came in almost immediately.
" When are we expecting my secretary?" He asked." Her interview is tomorrow sir" " Alright then,I hope this one fits in the criteria we need, Alright, you can get back to work."" Need of a secretary? " Vince asked" Yeah, the previous one just quit, family problems, he said with a shrug." How about we go lighten up your mood? Vince asked" Thanks my friend, I could need lightening up right now" He replied as he stood up and they both headed out.**
Crystal is late for her interview,she has applied at RAE Corporation as a secretary, she hope to become a secretary there at RAE, though she has heard the CEO is very formidable but Crystal didn't care, this is her chance of a lifetime and she will do all it takes to get it, she hopped into her car and sped off.Crystal was so lost in her thoughts, wondering how the interview will be, she is already feeling jumpy and her palms sweaty, she looked up just in time to see traffic light turn red and her screeching tires was the next thing that was heard, she suddenly hold break but the car did not stop in time to avoid bumping into the car before her. Traffic this morning is such a mess. "Oh God! I hope the owner of the car don't get too angry at her. She thought to herself, the car sure looks expensive." No such luck INo such luck I guess", she mumbled as she heard the knock on her windscreen, she groaned in frustration and opened her door ready to apologise." God damnit" she whispered as she came out of her car." Yeah, God damnit " the car owner whispered furiously at her.She glanced at him."wow, he's handsome," was the first thought that entered her heart but his next words soon changed her mind of that impression and have her standing straight in indignation."Are you blind or you are simply still learning how to drive? "He whispered furiously at her.She glared at him, ' I am not blind and I have been driving for the past ten years' she answered through gritted teeth.He raised a brow," you must be a bimbo then, striving for my attention" he said.What! Now Crystal is absolutely furious" can't you see this is an accident or are you dumb?" Replied Crystal hotly,"Accident means an unplanned event, I didn't plan it ok and I am sorry I bumped into you. " She concluded.
"It doesn't look unplanned to me " was the reply she got from the arrogant man, "seems like you did it on purpose." he continued." And why would I do such?" She queried.
" For obvious reasons, trying to get my attention" he replied." do you want money? You must be highly ambitious and you do look like you could use the money" he stated eyeing her from her head to her toes and back up again.Crystal felt so insulted, this was the most arrogant being she has ever met in her entire life, she felt the heat of his gaze on her, she was so green with anger that she don't care if they were on the road waiting for the lights to turn green and permit them to go.
Her left hand fisted, she used her right to point and jab his chest as she whispered furiously one word after the other." I don't want your goddamn money, I don't know you from Adam but from what I can see you're just an arrogant, joy killer prudish God forsaken man,you can burn with your money for all I care !"
"And this ?"she said pointing towards his car " is purely an accident and I will definitely pay you for it.....
His sudden laughter cuts her short and she was taken aback at his amusement.His eyes narrowed into a hard slit" do you have an idea how much this car cost? Forget it you can't even buy the side mirror let alone pay for all the damages, even in a decade" he said.Crystal raised her chin up and shoulders high." Whatever the price, I will definitely pay you every dime that I owe you, just tell me how I can reach you".Horns blared behind her and she realized that the lights are green already." We'll see about that, he replied and headed towards the direction of his damaged car." Where can I reach you? She shouted at his back, he suddenly turned making her heart skip a bit." RAE Corporation, he replied as he entered his car and drove off."RAE Corporation my foot" Crystal said as she quickly got into her own car, he's just pulling my legs she thought either that or he is truly a worker there." He must be a driver there, she concluded to herself, that must be his boss car" it would explain why he was so angry but that doesn't explain his arrogance, she would definitely put him in his place when next she sees him.************************Crystal rushed into RAE corporation, she was extremely late,she could only hope to be forgiven, today isn't just her day, nothing seems to be going well today and that arrogant man she had met earlier today didn't help matter at all, infact the thought of him just made her mood darker, she was shown were to pack her car and was ushered into the building. RAE up to it's reputation, the interiors was simply amazing, the receptionist greeted her with a smile, he looks like he is in his early thirties and have this boyish look around him, she is charmed by his smile and she couldn't help but return it." Welcome to RAE corporation ma'am, how may we be of service? "He asked politely.
" I was scheduled for an interview today, for the post of a secretary"she answered."Oh! This way please" he answered, directing her to another part of the building, Crystal followed him." I know I am late for my interview, she was saying, has anyone else been interviewed? I mean I hope I've not blown my chances" she asked slightly hopeful."The CEO assistant is in charge of conducting the interview, I will direct you to him" he said. His charming smile didn't make him a talkative, Crystal thought,she just wanted to get a bit of information of her chances, anyways she would have to wait and see she thought. The receptionist left her in the care of another, who directed her to another before she was finally directed to the CEO assistant office. She knocked on the door and got a reply to come in. She entered into a very polished and cool office, the man behind the desk welcomed her and told her to sit, he looks like he is in his mid forties,he look cool but he isn't smiling at her like the receptionist, infact, he is frowning at her and her heart skipped a bit."I am sorry I'm late " she said in a hoarse and shaky voice, she cleared her throat and repeated herself so she can be heard."I was caught up in traffic"" You're lucky,the CEO isn't here yet, he is attending a business meeting, so wh
Rafael stood behind his desk, gazing at the view outside, though not viewing anything as he is so engrossed in his thoughts.He had pulled his jacket and rolled up his sleeves when he came back from the board meeting, all the board members are of the opinion that he should get married to get Tripolis if that is the condition. His day has been filled with hurdles starting from when that godforsaken lady had bumped into him, his mind wandered back to the incident that morning, she looked so innocent but Rafael knows her type, she had bumped into him on purpose, of course he is the most eligible bachelor in the City, he is a known face and billionaire, she had wanted his attention and of cause she caught his attention, he did notice her beauty even when provoked but unfortunately she is just another beauty without brains and oh so infuriating, no one had made him that provoked since he was a teenager, he scoffed when he recal
CHAPTER THREECrystal woke up to the sound of her alarm clock, 5 am, she wondered how her first day at work will be like. She is elated with her job but the prospect of seeing that arrogant CEO is not at all appealing.'Well, come what may,I will work hard and show him how smart I am' she thought to herself, she is going to change his opinion of her and prove to him that she is an intelligent, smart, hardworking, independent woman and that she does not take what she didn't work hard for."I'll pay for that damn car and listen Mr Manuel, I'll make you take back your words, you dare to insult me" she muttered as she got of bed and went to prepare breakfast.She can't afford to pass a day without breakfast, she knows that she function very well if she have enough food in her stomach, nothing like starting her day with breakfast, her day will certainly go smooth. She quickly prepared omelette to go with some bread and ate quickly.*
Chapter FiveCrystal was pacing in the parking lot when she heard footsteps, she quickly turned and saw her Dad hurrying out of the building, her eyes caught Mark's but she quickly averted her gaze, her Dad passed her unnoticed and she is grateful for that, she's not ready for another round of confrontation with her Dad, he entered his car and zoomed off. Rafael came out minutes later, by the look on his face, she's not sure what to think about the meeting." How was it? She asked tentatively, he glanced at her for some seconds, probably deciding whether to tell her or not, he heaved a heavy sigh." Julius Miller was there," he said watching her and her heart skipped, does he already know he's her father? She thought," Nothing can ever go right with him " he said with so much loathe in his voice and she was taken aback by it.Okay, she has learned two things now; first, he doesn't know that Julius Miller is her father, second, he hates the m
Chapter SixThey got to the venue of the meeting right on time.The venue of the meeting is an executive restaurant, expensively polished, she has never in her entire like be to a place like this and it is obvious with the way she keeps staring In awe, she realized that this is a meeting that will be held over dinner," I'm going to eat in this exotic restaurant" she thought" You're welcome Sir and Madam" someone said to them she turned to see a man in his fifties, looking dashing in his tuxedo, " this way please" he said guiding them towards the right-wing of the building.Rafael and Crystal followed him, he directed them to a table where they are greeted by an elderly man and woman."Please have your seat" they said. Crystal sat close to Rafael, their thighs almost touching, she can feel the heat emanating from him and she glanced at him to see if he noticed, she found him staring at her and she quickly averted her gaze.
Chapter SevenCrystal was getting ready for bed when she heard a knock on her door, she glanced at her time, it's past nine already.Who could that be? She wondered, did Mr arrogant forget something?She walked to the door and opened it." Mark, what the hell are you doing here? She queried" May I come in? I need to speak with you" he said."Can't it wait? It's late already" she replied still standing at the door." No it can't" he said almost desperately and she opened her door a notch wider to let him in." You have five minutes to say whatever you have to say and leave"she said when he's inside." I need water please" he requestedCrystal rolled her eyes in exasperation but went into the kitchen to get him a glass of water, she came back and found him going through her company files which she has carelessly left on the sofa."Hey, drop that!"He kept it and started staring at her wi
Two seconds ticked past as Rafael stared at his friend." you're sick, I'll do no such thing!" He boomed, he could imagine anything but marrying that woman."Oh, yes you will, if you still want to have a chance of having Tripolis" Vince deadpanned ."How do you mean?"" She used you, you think she's working with the Miller, marry her to beat her at her own game" Vince explained convincingly." hmmm" Rafael replied thoughtfully, the idea didn't seem all that bad now." yeah, you can still turn the tables on her by using her against the Miller, this time, as your bride plus you stand a chance of having Tripolis, think about it "Rafael arched his brow at Vince, how hadn't he thought of this idea before he fired her?He would also get the chance to deal with her properly for choosing to side with his enemies." Nice move" Rafael said moving closer to the window.
Crystal burst into a loud fit of laughter.What kind of sick joke was he playing with her?"Marry you? " She voiced out in disbelief then resumed on another fit of laughter so hard that her stomach hurts.Rafael watch her laugh, even though he knew it was a mocking one, still his breath caught at the sight, her face flushed and her eyes bright,she look radiant, but he was confused at what was so funny about his proposal..He caught himself in a transfixed state staring at her and a wave of annoyance directed at himself swept through him."What's so damn funny?" He gritted, his hard gaze pinned in a glare at her.She sobered up almost immediately but refused to cower at the sharpness of his gaze."What's so damn funny is that you just said I should marry you! Did you knock your head over and lose your senses? " She let out."The fact that you are going to marry me isn't funny " he