Chapter 1

Alex's POV 

I was seated in the chosen restaurant, quietly and patiently waiting for her arrival.

My dizzy eyes darts upon my wristwatch. I've been monitoring it for awhile now.

It's thirty minutes past the time and not a sign of her.

Who do she thinks she is? The queen of England?

I'm losing my patient and can't put up with this stall.

It's our first meeting and she's already frustrating my wait.

 I might as well just stand up and leave. Maybe, I'll just find another in her place.

I took hold of the glass of champagne before me and took a sip.

My eyes scanned through the restaurant room as my lips rested upon the peak of the glass.

Once more, my gaze appeared on the clock and then on my phone.

If there was an emergency, she'd have called at least.

Gosh! How I hate delays.

I lowered the glass from my mouth and began nursing it.

This is it. After five seconds I'm standing up.

After quiet whispers of counting down to five, I stood up ready to leave.

"Mr. Alex!" I heard my name.

Her voice was sharp, but sweet. Very soothing to the ears and capable of melting a desiccated heart. 

It got me to ease instantly.

I raised my head, anxious to see this personality that got me waiting close to an hour.

Although she her picture was on her profile, but it was blurry. And she had dark goggles on there.

I caught her waving at me as she rushed to my table.

From far, I could see her teeth widely shinning at me. She seemed excited, having kept me waiting.

I stared furiously as she approached towards me, while I grappled with words to bark at her.

Finally! She paused in front of me, with the table separating us.

She began to pant, trying hard to catch her breath. Her head was bend over the table and her hands were on the table for support.

Yet again, it was impossible to catch a glimpse of her eyes. Her hair was the only thing I see before me.

I wasn't ready to give her that moment of respite anyways.

"You're late!" I stormed, maintaining a frown to look cold.

"Sir... there was a lot of traffic on the road. I...," she paused all of a sudden, as she raised her face and locked her eyes with mine.

"Alex?" She called my name again. But this time with a familiar tone.

I squint at her, maintaining my strict gaze.

I was both trying to recall if I know her and somewhat lost in her beautiful eyes.

Her eyes wore a light makeup that revealed her beauty. Her brown eyes seemed to glow in the burning light.

Her hair was arranged neatly to fall behind her back. And her blue dress fit her perfectly with the black stiletto heels.

 "Have we met before?" I asked, wondering where I could have met her. 

She delays to answer and then mutters, 'no."

"Good!" I retorted and emptied my cup.

She sat down on the seat in front of my table and brought out a file from her hand bag.

She placed the file on the table and revealed a pen in her hand.

I was pouring myself another glass and waiting for her to begin.

"Shall we get straight to business then?" She proposed with a warm smile.

"You're fired!" I said, my voice barely above a whisper. My eyes shot at her, dizzy.

"Fired? I was never even hired yet! Are you drunk?" She questioned me, trying to read my eyes.

I scoffed, "drunk? Ridiculous!"

"I've been here for hours waiting for your arrival and you accuse me of being drunk?" My voice was audible this time, sparking with hints of anger.

"I apologize for my late arrival, which was forty minutes past time by the way. Like I said, traffic caused it." She tried explaining herself.

"Listen Debra!"

"It's Daphne." she corrected.

"Good Daphne." I used her real name. "You arrived late today, who knows if you won't arrive everyday late to therapy?".

"I can assure you sir, I take my job as priority." She brags, her eyes meaning her words.

"Yet you can't beat a mere traffic!" I retorted. My forehead, etched with a few folds of skin.

Her eyes etched with a innocent gaze, somewhat pitiful.

She looks like one who is desperate to work for me, but at the same time ready to challenge me for it.

She was the only one who reacted to my post for a therapist in the first place.

Since I had no option then, I decided to schedule a meeting with her which she arrives late by the way.

But that's not the reason why I don't want to work with her.

Her beauty reminded him of why he married his deceased wife Tiana.

A past I don't want to remember.

I stood up from my seat and scoffed.

"We're done here Daphne." I said the words without faltering.

"Oh! And, you can have the drink." I beckoned and turned back to leave.

My gaze seemed to be unsteady, with my eyes being dizzy.

I have only taken few steps, but my legs were staggering uncontrollably.

It's happening again. I muttered to myself, while trying hard to move a foot.

No, no, no, no, no! I kept mumbling angry that I'm in a freeze.

"Are you okay sir?" Her voice came upon me like a tingle in my ear. I felt mocked.

I groaned and clenched my fist to push my legs forward.

I was almost at the door before collapsing on the ground.

"Oh my goodness!" I heard exclamations from other customers in the restaurant.

"Is he alright?" A woman questioned.

Their voices were approaching towards my body.

"Oh fuck." I exclaimed, as I have drawn unexpected attention. 

"Oh my goodness! Alex...," her voice intrudes my head. 

Her soft hands rested on my chest. "He's still breathing!" She announced, after feeling my pulse.

Really! Was I suppose to die?

Finally, I couldn't stop my eyes from shutting close. 

My breath became harder.