Elena Monroe is a brilliant but introverted architect recovering from a heartbreak that made her vow never to mix love and work again. When she's hired to design a luxury property for the reclusive billionaire Adrian Steele, she's unprepared for the enigmatic man behind the contract. Cold, aloof, and always in control, Adrian is a man who wears his wealth like armor and keeps the world at arm's length. What starts as a strictly professional relationship becomes layered with tension as Adrian and Elena find themselves drawn to each other in unexpected ways. But Adrian is hiding a devastating secret about the land she's designing-the very site where her father lost his company. As they inch toward passion, secrets threaten to tear them apart.
Chapter 1 The interview
"Bella, could you stop convincing me to take up the job offer? You know I hate these spoiled brats that think the world revolves around them."
"I guess we will never know unless you accept to meet with him and see what he has to offer. Rent is due, and almost every bill in this house needs to be taken care of. It's just a project, Elena, nothing much," Bella, my best friend since childhood, tried convincing me.
"I'm not desperate for a job, and you know it, Bella. I mean, the guy you're asking me to meet up with and accept his proposal is the world's biggest jerk I've ever known," I said to her.
"You're obviously judging him by what you see on social media. Maybe he's firing his workers because they don't have the potential he's looking for," she said, trying to defend him.
Wait, Bella, are you trying to defend him?" I questioned.
She broke out laughing like a maniac. Her laughter is one of her red flags; she doesn't laugh like a woman. Her laughter made me smile a little.
"You know I can't side with him, Elena. I'm just trying to make you see reason and give it a shot. Maybe it'll work out for you since he was the one that wanted to work with you, and there's no one better than you in architecture in this city. Could you please stop with the hate for spoiled brats and stop looking down on yourself and take the job offer? I mean, don't take it first, but please meet up with him to know what he's trying to say and what he's offering," she said, looking at me with her pretty doe eyes.
"Don't use those eyes on me, Bella," I smiled, looking at her. "You know the pouting and doe-eyes magic doesn't work on me."
She smiled and said, "But promise me you will meet up with him and know what he has to offer."
"Since you're being insistent, I promise to meet up with him and give him a shot. But just so you know, he's not the only person in this city that will give me a good offer, but I will try and do as you said, my lady," I said jokingly and with a mocking smile.
"That's my girl," Bella said. "You know I always want the best for you, baby."
"So, when is the interview?" she asked.
"The interview is tomorrow, which is Monday, by 10 a.m. I currently don't have any good clothes to wear for the interview. So, since you're the one that made me accept to meet up with him, you have to find some corporate outfits for me to wear," I said, giving her a side-eye.
"That wouldn't be a problem. Once we're through with our gossip, I will head to my house and grab some outfits for you," she said, smiling at me.
Bella is a God-sent in my life. We have known each other since grade one. She's the best thing that ever happened to me. I'm not good at keeping friends, but she has stuck around as far as I can remember.
She stood up and headed to the kitchen. "What do you care for this morning?" she asked.
"I think your sweet bacon and eggs will do with freshly made juice."
"On it, Your Royal Majesty," she said in a mocking tone.
I laughed out. Bella doesn't like her apartment. She's mostly in my apartment because, according to her, the apartment is too big for her to stay in. She only goes there when she needs to pick something.
I was lazily lounging on my couch when she stepped into the living room to tell me that breakfast was ready.
"OMG! This smells delicious!" I groaned while sitting down at the dining table. I immediately grabbed a bite. "Mmmph... wait... mmff... this bacon is the best I've had in a while."
She burst out laughing at my face and how stuffed I looked.
"You'd rather eat takeout than cook your own food. I don't know what you'll really be without me," she exaggerated.
After we took our breakfast, she got ready for work and left.
"Don't forget to stop by your house and grab the outfit I'll be wearing tomorrow!" I shouted after her.
"I won't forget!" she shouted back.
I could hear as she started her car and zoomed off. Guess I'm all alone now. I headed to my room to take my bath and clean up my apartment because it's a total mess right now. Clothes are lying around everywhere.
After I was through with putting my apartment in order, I took my bath and grabbed my laptop to work on some architectural designs I would be presenting to Mr. Adrian tomorrow.
I didn't know how, but the next thing I knew, it was 6 p.m. already. Once I'm working, I forget about everything around me.
"I'm home," I heard Bella's voice in the living room.
I got up from my bed and headed inside the living room. "How was work today?" I asked her.
"My boss nearly killed me today. I mean, he told me to write a business proposal for him. I did, and he told me it wasn't good enough-that I should write another one," she said in an almost-crying voice. "He was extra grumpy and extra wicked today. I can't seem to keep up with his mood swings. Today he's happy and buying everybody lunch, tomorrow he's shouting at the top of his voice," she complained while removing her shoes.
"I'm sorry about the stress you passed through today," I said to her.
"It's okay. I'm heading to my room to sleep. I'm so tired," she stood up and stretched, picking up her shoes and heading to her room.
I watched her as she left. Bella is very hardworking, and she's the prettiest girl I've ever met. If I were a man, I'd definitely keep her all to myself. She's blonde, and I'm a brunette. She's 5'4", and her height is one of her insecurities. She always wished she could add two more inches. She has the perfect waistline and everything you need in a woman.
Not gonna lie, her body makes me kinda feel inferior to her, but she always sees my body as perfect.
Chapter 1 The interview
01/02/2025