Ms CEO'S FIRST LOVE

Linda Smith, at just 25, stepped out of the white limousine with a grace that instantly drew every eye in her direction. As the only daughter of one of New York's top ten billionaires, her presence was not merely noticed; it was felt. It wasn't just her striking beauty that turned heads but the air of confidence she exuded.

Draped in an exquisite gown made from the finest silk, the fabric shimmered in a subtle gold hue, whispering of its exclusivity. This wasn't just any designer dress; it was a custom piece, one of only three ever made by a world-renowned designer. Linda was fully aware of its rarity, and it only added to the sense of pride with which she carried herself.

Yet, despite her aloofness, people couldn't help but be drawn to her. There was a magnetism about her; her charm, her beauty, and her remarkable achievements at such a young age made her impossible to ignore.

As she emerged from the car, a group of ten to fifteen guards quickly formed a protective circle around her. At her side was Steven, her ever-loyal bodyguard, carrying her stylish handbag with practiced ease. Together, they approached the towering edifice of Smith Enterprises.

As Linda walked through the entrance, employees paused in their tracks, bowing and greeting her with the utmost respect. But Linda barely noticed; her head was held high, her gaze fixed straight ahead as she made her way to the elevator.

When she reached the elevator, the workers inside hurried out, almost tripping over themselves to make space for her. With a faint smirk, Linda stepped in, Steven close behind. "A bunch of weasels," she murmured, her voice laced with disdain. Steven chuckled softly, his professional demeanor unbroken as he pressed the button for the tenth floor.

The elevator began its smooth ascent, the gentle hum of the machinery filling the silence. Linda's phone rang, breaking the stillness. She glanced at the screen, and a smile softened her features when she saw the caller's name, which was Stella, her best friend. Without hesitation, she answered, her voice bright and welcoming.

"Where are you, Linda?" Stella's familiar voice chimed in, though Linda knew the question was more playful than inquisitive.

"At work," Linda replied, her tone crisp and matter-of-fact, a stark contrast to the warmth she had shown a moment before.

Stella's laughter echoed through the line. "Hard at work, I see. Lucky me, with older brothers to handle all that boring business stuff. I don't know how you do it, Linda. I wouldn't survive a week in your shoes."

Linda scoffed lightly, though there was no real bitterness in her voice. "If I had an older brother or sister, trust me, I wouldn't be CEO either. But here we are."

"True," Stella mused. "So, where are you exactly? I'm guessing the office, but I might as well ask."

"On my way up to the tenth floor," Linda said, steering the conversation back. "And you?"

"On my way to the fashion event," Stella answered, her tone teasing.

Linda groaned softly, leaning back against the elevator wall. The mention of the event hit a sore spot. She had been looking forward to it for weeks, but the weight of her responsibilities as CEO kept her tied to the office. "I wish I could swap places with you right now," she sighed, her voice tinged with longing.

"Maybe we can go shopping together this evening?" Stella suggested, her voice light and filled with hope.

"Sounds good," Linda agreed, a small smile playing on her lips. But as the call ended, her smile faded, and a heavy sigh escaped her. The elevator continued its climb, but now the silence felt oppressive. She began tapping her foot against the floor, the rhythmic sound a small outlet for her growing impatience. Beside her, Steven remained a silent sentinel, his expression as composed and unreadable as ever.

As the floors ticked by, Linda's thoughts wandered, drifting back to the past. Her mother's face came to mind, a beautiful but fading memory. She had died when Linda was just a child, leaving her father to raise her alone. From that moment on, her father had showered her with love, but it was a love that came with high expectations. When she graduated from university at twenty, she had dreamed of a different life, one filled with creativity and freedom. But her father had other plans. He made her CEO of Smith Enterprises, thrusting her into a world she hadn't chosen but couldn't escape.

In the years that followed, Linda had risen to the challenge. She expanded the company's influence globally, launched high-profile projects, and earned the respect of her peers. Her father beamed with pride at every achievement, never missing an opportunity to boast about his daughter's success to his business partners. But despite all she had accomplished, there was one wish of his that she hadn't fulfilled; a wish that hung over her like a shadow. He wanted her to marry, to find a partner who could stand beside her. But Linda had no interest in being tied down by a relationship. The idea of committing herself to any man was suffocating.

Finally, the elevator reached the tenth floor with a soft ding, and the doors slid open. Standing in front of them was Mallory, Linda's stepsister. The sight of her caused a momentary pause in Linda's stride. Their father had remarried two years after Linda's mother had passed, and Mallory was born shortly after. From the beginning, the two sisters had never gotten along.

Mallory was the complete opposite of Linda. While Linda was sharp and confident, Mallory was softer and more subtle. But their differences went beyond personalities. They had always been rivals, mostly because their father divided his attention between them.

"Linda," Mallory greeted, her voice calm but with a hint of something darker, almost like she was teasing.

"Mallory," Linda replied coolly, trying to keep her emotions in check.

Linda's face tightened into a frown as she looked at Mallory, who responded with a smirk. Mallory was undeniably attractive, with her striking blue eyes and long, flowing blonde hair. At twenty-one, she was just three years younger than Linda. She wore a tight red dress that clung to her curves, emphasizing her beauty. The sisters stared at each other, the tension thick in the air, while Steven stood nearby, watching quietly with his usual calm demeanor.

Linda finally broke the silence by glaring at Mallory. "What are you doing here?" she demanded.

Mallory's smirk grew wider. "Oh, nothing," she replied with a casual shrug, her tone playful and teasing.

Linda looked at her suspiciously but decided not to push further. Mallory then turned her attention to Steven, her expression softening as she gave him a flirtatious smile. "Hello, Steven," she purred.

Steven, ever the professional, nodded politely. "Good morning, Miss Mallory," he responded calmly, ignoring her attempt at flirting.

Linda scoffed, feeling a wave of irritation, and without another word, she pushed past Mallory and headed to her office. As she walked away, Mallory laughed and called out, "You're getting older, sis. You should really get married, or you might end up dying alone. And you look terrible; maybe try some makeup on that ugly face of yours."

Linda stopped in her tracks, fury blazing in her eyes. She turned back, but Mallory was already in the elevator, a mocking smile on her lips.

"Mallory!" Linda shouted, but her words were cut off as Mallory stuck out her tongue just before the elevator doors closed. Linda fumed, her anger simmering as she breathed heavily.

She turned to Steven, who was chuckling softly. "What's so funny, Steven?" she snapped.

Steven quickly suppressed his laughter, but his eyes still sparkled with amusement. "You really do look cute when you're angry," he said with a grin.

If anyone else had laughed at her or called her cute, Linda would have fired them without hesitation. But Steven was different. He had been her personal guard since she was eighteen, and over the years, they had grown close; almost like friends.

Linda scoffed, shaking her head. "I'll get back at that stupid Mallory for calling me old," she muttered, mostly to herself.

They reached her office, and Steven placed her bag on the desk before quietly leaving the room. Linda sighed and sank into her chair, trying to shake off the frustration Mallory had caused. She was just about to dive into work when a knock on the door interrupted her thoughts.

"Come in," Linda called out, her voice firm.

The door opened, and Vivian, her secretary, walked in with a stack of files. Vivian smiled warmly, her calm presence always a comfort in the busy atmosphere of Smith Enterprises.

"Good morning, Miss Smith," Vivian greeted as she approached Linda's desk.

"Good morning, Vivian," Linda replied, her tone softening. Vivian handed her the day's schedule, and Linda's mood brightened when she saw that her schedule was lighter than usual.

Vivian noticed Linda's reaction and smiled knowingly. "I can tell you're happy about today's schedule."

Linda leaned back in her chair, a rare smile appearing. "I am. I'm glad I'll get to leave early today. I have some shopping to do."

Vivian chuckled, one of the few people who could interact with Linda so casually. Their relationship was built on trust and mutual respect, making Vivian one of the few people Linda felt close to at the company.

Before they could continue, there was another knock on the door. It opened to reveal an elderly man dressed in a perfectly tailored suit. His silver hair was neatly combed, and his sharp features gave him a commanding presence. It was Mr. Smith, Linda's father.

Vivian greeted him politely, "Good morning, Mr. Smith," before leaving the room.

Linda acknowledged her father, but her tone was cold. "Hi, Dad."

Mr. Smith smiled, though there was a hint of something else in his expression. "You don't seem very happy to see me," he noted.

"I'm happy to see you, Dad," Linda replied, though it was clear she wasn't. She knew her father too well. She knew that he wouldn't have come just for a casual visit; there was always a reason.

Mr. Smith sat down in the chair across from her desk. "I thought you'd appreciate a visit from your old man," he said, trying to sound casual.

Linda rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. "Dad, I know you didn't just come here to say hello. What's the real reason?"

Her father chuckled, a deep sound that filled the room. "You know me too well, Linda," he admitted. He then turned towards the door and called out, "Come in, Mark."

Linda's brow furrowed as the door opened again, revealing a young man with a bright smile. He was tall, with neatly combed dark hair and a confidence that mirrored her father's.

Linda glanced between her father and the young man, her suspicion growing. "What's this about?" she asked, trying to figure out her father's plan.

Mr. Smith motioned for the young man to sit in the leather chair beside him. As Mark Hemsworth took his seat, Linda's mind raced. She had a bad feeling about this, knowing her father's habit of making big decisions without her input. The last thing she wanted was to be introduced to this man as a potential husband or boyfriend.

Mr. Smith cleared his throat. "Linda, this is Mark Hemsworth, the son of one of my closest business partners."

Linda forced a smile as Mark extended his hand. She shook it firmly, though she wasn't thrilled. "Nice to meet you," she said, keeping her tone polite.

Mr. Smith smiled, pleased. "Mark already knows a lot about you."

Mark nodded, his eyes bright as he looked at Linda. "I've heard so much about you, Miss Smith. You're even more beautiful in person."

Linda felt a wave of discomfort but kept her expression neutral. "Thank you, Mark," she replied, her smile forced.

She quickly turned to her father, her patience running out. "So, why is Mark here?" she asked, trying to keep her irritation in check.

Mr. Smith's smile grew as he revealed the news she had been dreading. "Mark would like you to be his wife."