Ms CEO'S FIRST LOVE

e had always dreaded. The very idea of being anyone's wife was something sh

" she asked, her voice dripping wit

aid something wonderful. He was completely obli

u deserve someone who is not only beautiful but will tru

fade. "But you're th

lamming her fist on the desk with a loud thud that echoed through the ro

ce shaking with a mix of fury and disbelief. "I do

nda's rejection sinking in. Mr. Smith watched her, his expression unreadable,

ch a strong reaction, and his confident demeanor quickly shifted to one of shock and discom

g someone's wife against her will, filled her with rage. She had worked too hard to build her

oice firm but composed. "Linda, calm down.

he echoed, her voice thick with disbelief. "Dad, you know how I f

s best for you, Linda. Mark comes from a good family, and he woul

husband to run this company," she snapped. "I've been doing just fine on

somewhat pleading. "Linda, I know this is sudden, but I really want to

surface. "Friends?" she repeated icily. "You think we can be friends afte

sed hand. "No, Mark. I'm not interested. I don't want to be your f

er confidence completely shattered. He glanced at Mr. Smith, searching

r, and now she just wanted this uncomfortable situation to end. "If that's all

. He gave Linda one last, lingering look before turning to

Mark walked to the door, his shoulders slumped, and with one final

sat back down in her chair, still simmering with anger but now feeling

ether on the desk. "Linda, you know I only want

know you mean well, but this isn't the way to go about

understand. But just know, I'm worried about you. You're so f

t. "I appreciate your concern, Dad, but I'm not alone.

ice as he replied, "Alright, Linda. I won't push

off, at least for now. "I will, Dad. But pl

up, looking at his daughter with a mixture of pr

ff her shoulders now that the confrontation was over. She leaned bac

oes of their heated conversation lingering in the air. She exhaled slowly, feeling a mi

efocus on work. But the conversation with her father and Mark's unwant

to control her life. But beneath that anger was a deep sadness, knowing th

nishing the stack of papers that time slipped away unnoticed. The numbers and signatures started to blur together, but she

files into a pile. A long yawn escaped her as she reached for her phone

eady?" she mutte

er head, she grabbed her bag, ready to head home for some well-deserved rest. As she walked ou

always watching. His dedication to his job was something she deeply admired. He

ppreciation and concern, "aren't you

m demeanor unchanged. "It's my

d times to wait in the car or come sit in my office un

ate the offer, but I can't do that. It wouldn't be right.

. "Whatever, Steven." She hande

er growling stomach. "Actually," she said, glancing at Steven, "

r as they reached the elevator. "Good idea

s behind her. The thought of a good meal and some rela

he guards opened the doors, and Linda got into the car with Steven sitting beside her. The driver s

something different to break the monotony of her usual routine. Suddenly, a small, local restaura

tely objected. "Miss Smith, we have

vely. "I want to try this loc

ind, he reluctantly gave in. Linda stepped out of the car, her heels clicking on the pavement. The gua

he ordered. "I want

SUVs. Steven, still concerned, started to follow her anyway, but Lind

attling with his duty to obey. Finally, he nodded and retu

always wanted to try something different, something outside the luxury she was use

, with wooden tables and chairs, a small counter at the back, and the smell of freshly cooked food filling

eople realized who she was. Phones were discreetly raised, capturing the rare sight of Linda Smith in a local ea

t the far end of the restaurant. Unlike everyone else, he didn't seem surprised

ekbones, a strong jawline, and a focused expression that made him even more attractive. She couldn

t, expecting the waite

ignoring her completely. Frustrated, Linda called ou

ear me?" she muttered, annoy

m, pointing in her direction. "She's calling you. Maybe you

ack to the customer and said, "I'll finish helping you first. I want to m

uld ignore her like that. Furious, she stood up and ma

t you hear me calling you?"

rned slowly to face her, towering over her. For a moment, Linda was str

way," the waiter said cal

alk to me like that!" she snapped. "I've been calling

l. "Are you blind, or didn't you see I wa

e restaurant. Linda couldn't believe how this waiter, someon

than me, or don't you know who I am?"

with sarcasm. "But who cares? You're just another person, like everyo

like this before. As the waiter brushed past her, bumping

always been treated with respect, but now, a simple wai