CHAPTER ONE: RELATIONSHIP WHATEVER

"Alexa, why don't you just try this one?" my mom said convincingly.

"Mom," I looked straight into her eyes and placed my hand on her shoulder. "I'm not in for blind dates. I've got work to do," I said with a stern look.

"Just try it out!" she pleaded again, still trying to convince me.

"Mom, just let her be. She’ll be fine," Justin, my older brother, said.

"You too?! All of you are pushing me out!" my mom said angrily and stormed off.

I sighed tiredly.

"Just get to work, Lexa, okay?" Justin reassured me. "Mr. Patrick is waiting at the office."

"That's right," I said, then walked out of the house and straight to the garage. I opened the door of my car and drove out of the compound.

Sydney paced around her office, panicking.

"Where the hell is Brian?" she screamed.

She was dressed in a black suit and trousers. Her smooth, dark curls flowed gracefully down her spine. Her eyelashes were long and her lips full and striking — everything about her was effortlessly beautiful.

She had been waiting for Brian for the past thirty minutes, and her bad temper was about to explode.

Brian finally walked in, and Sydney’s eyes locked on him, blazing with anger. She grabbed an object and threw it at him. He barely ducked in time.

"Where have you been?!" she shouted.

"I… I’m so sorry, ma’am," Brian stammered.

"I have a flight to catch!" she snapped.

Miss Bianca, her assistant, rushed in after hearing the commotion.

"Calm down, Miss Sydney," Bianca said nervously.

"Don’t tell me to calm down!" Sydney yelled again. She stormed out, kicking a flower pot aside and shoving Brian out of the way.

"Oh shit," Bianca muttered, covering her head.

I sat in my office with Mr. Patrick as he discussed the hotels and bars with me, pointing out documents that needed my signature. Some of the buildings still lacked certain facilities, but I was ready to take full responsibility.

My father had died when I was just ten. Evil people, desperate to steal his business and property, had killed him. That memory haunted me — a wound I carried for years. I remembered crying my eyes out that day, the pain so sharp it felt unbearable. But with time, I learned to live with it.

Now, I was determined to protect this business, to guard our property, and keep it far from those same evil people.

My mom never told me everything, but I knew one thing — they were still out there.

"So, Miss Leonard, we need more employees urgently," Mr. Patrick said.

"Then interview them and make the arrangements," I replied.

"Okay, ma’am. I’ll give you feedback later," he said, shaking my hand before leaving.

What a wonderful secretary, I thought with a small smile, sipping my coffee.

At twenty-four, I was a confident, attractive woman with long blonde hair that swayed down my back, bright blue eyes, and full lips. Yet, when it came to relationships, everything was a mess.

I would never forget my last relationship with Edward — that shameless man cheated on me with my own P.A. And he didn’t even apologize! I caught them red-handed in his house.

Since then, I promised myself never to fall in love again. My mom had tried setting me up on several blind dates, but I refused every single one. She was getting tired of me.

My eldest brother, Steve, was the only one married. Austin and I still lived with Mom so she wouldn’t be lonely — but honestly, I was getting tired. I decided I’d move back to my own house that night.

I texted Austin to tell him I wasn’t coming home, then focused on my laptop for a while. A few minutes later, my phone rang — it was my best friend, Barbara Smith, my craziest companion.

"Hey babe," I said.

"How are you doing?"

"I’m good, babe."

"Wanna hang out tonight? Just me and you?"

"Yeah. Anna’s going out with her boyfriend."

"Oh, that’s nice."

"See you tonight, workaholic!"

"I’m not a workaholic."

"You are!"

I laughed. "Seriously? Where are you now?"

"At home, learning my script."

"Great. I’ll actually try to watch your acting this time."

"That’s what you always say!"

"I promise this time."

"Bet you can’t."

"Really? You’ll see."

"You better," she teased.

"Get lost," I said sarcastically and ended the call.

Barbara always had a way of cheering me up.

After working for a while, I packed up and headed home. I ordered food and got the delivery fifteen minutes later. By 8:00 p.m., Barbara called again. I got dressed in a sleeveless short red gown, styled my hair, and wore silver earrings before driving to the bar she suggested.

As soon as I entered, I saw Barbara and hugged her tightly. She looked stunning — curvy, confident, with long black curls and grey eyes that sparkled under the bar lights.

"You look great," she said.

"You too."

She ordered wine. "So… I’ve got a guy."

"Really?" I asked, amused.

"Yeah, he’s handsome. Anna introduced him to me."

"Oh, Anna again. So, are you dating him?"

"Kinda. He hasn’t asked me out yet, but he likes me."

"And you like him?"

"Yeah, Alexa," she said seriously.

I narrowed my eyes. "What?"

"Your mom called me today."

"So?" I asked, already suspicious.

"She wants you to try those blind dates."

"Really, Barbara? You of all people?"

"What?! You’ve refused every guy I’ve suggested and even your mom’s attempts. Come on, Lexa."

"I can’t believe you. You know what happened before! Edward was a disaster, and you expect me to go for blind dates again?"

"I know Edward was bad, but not all guys are the same. Just try once — for me. Please?" she said, giving me that please-do-this-for-me look.

I sighed heavily. "Fine. Just once."

"Thanks, babe!" she squealed, hugging me tightly.

"Barbara, I can’t breathe," I laughed. "I’m going to the restroom."

"Okay, go."

As I walked through the hallway, a half-drunk guy bumped into me, spilling alcohol all over my dress.

"Hey!" I yelled.

He looked up at me — and though he was annoyingly handsome, his attitude was terrible.

"Can’t you apologize?" I snapped.

"Why would I? You were the clumsy one," he said with a smirk.

"You fool. You’re drunk, that’s why you’re talking nonsense."

"I can see you’re very rude. Do you know who I am?"

"Oh yes. An idiot," I hissed and walked away.

"Fuck you! Bloody asshole!" he shouted behind me.

I ignored him and went into the restroom to clean up.

A few minutes later, I returned to Barbara. The music was loud, and she was already getting tipsy.

"Hey, a nuisance just splashed alcohol on my dress," I said.

"Oh no, didn’t he apologize?"

"Would I still be this mad if he did?"

"Some people are unbelievable," Barbara said, shaking her head.

"I made sure I insulted him before I left," I added with a scoff.

"Trust you would," she laughed.

"You know me well."

"Let’s go, Alexa."

"Yeah, I was thinking the same."

We left the bar and headed to our cars. I told her to drive safely before we parted ways.

When I got home, I switched on the lights, undressed, and got ready for bed. As I lay down, I thought about the blind date — and for the first time, I decided to give it a try.