Chapter one: Unexpected Encounter

3ᴿᴰ person’s POV

Matt Garcia, CEO of a well-known company in New Jersey, was known for his sheer professionalism and dedication towards his work, and most importantly, known for being the youngest businessman in the country. The 25 year old man took the responsibility to manage his father’s company after he died 2 years ago.

“Hey Matt.” John said as he walked inside Matt’s office. “It is 11 pm dude. Why are you still here?” he looked at his friend with heavy eyes “I didn’t realize the time flying fast.” He checked his hand watch. “Thank god you still here to remind me.”

“That’s why I am your best friend” John said and Matt’s mouth curved into a smile. “I admit, I’m lucky to have you.” He said. “And I am also lucky to have a handsome friend like you, who is loved by all women.”

“John, I am married.” His jaw tightened. “Married to a woman you never ever loved?” he commented sarcastically. “This explains why you don’t want to go home.” He continued. “I love Emma.” Matt looked outside the window. “She just annoys me to death when she keeps asking me where I go all the time.”

“You can’t fuck lie to me. A man who’s in love looks happy all the time, and that’s not the case for you. Anyways, I think you need to go home and rest your mind a bit.” He patted his shoulder. “Okay.”

When Matt was driving his way back home, he started thinking about what John told him earlier in his office. He then decided to drive to the nearby beach. Every time he felt sad, he stood upon the shore, staring out the dark ocean, feeling small gentle waves lapped lightly at his feet. It was a cold winter night, the perfect time to clean one’s mind.

He was driving fast when suddenly someone jumped in front of his car. He was quickly alerted by the situation and stopped his vehicle just in time.

“Are you crazy?” Matt shouted as he rushed out of the car to the young woman who was crying and shaking in fear. “You wanted to die?” he shook her shoulders. “Please, save me. Take me away from here. He is after me.” She cried her eyes out while holding tight into his arms. “Who’s after you?”

A sudden gush of pain jolted throughout Matt’s body. Someone hit him right in his back. He instantly fell on the ground groaning with agony.

“Come with me now.” The guy said while clinching his teeth. He grabbed her arm violently. He was about to walk away when Matt grabbed the man’s foot and pulled him to the ground. He brought a fist to his nose. “Son of a bitch.” He pressed his hand against his nose trying to stem the blood.

“Get inside the car.” Matt ordered the girl trying to stand on his feet. She had no other choice but obeying to him. “She is going to be my wife tomorrow,” The guy snapped with ragged breathing. “You are going to pay for taking her away.”

“Is that true?” Matt questioned the girl sitting inside his car. “Yes, but I hate him,” She wiped her tears looking back at her supposed future husband. “I am not going to marry you stupid wet sock.” Matt couldn’t help but giving him a lopsided grin.

“You are going to regret it.” He screamed as Matt walked to his car and drove off. “Both of you.” He roared.

The only thing that could be heard in the silent ride was the girl’s heavy breathing. Matt was looking at her all the time, he seemed pretty worried about her. “I am terribly sorry.” She finally broke the silence. “Don’t worry about it.” He paused for a moment. “What is your name?” She finally seemed to cool down. “Stella and you?” She looked at him waiting for an answer.

“Matt. Where would you want me to take you?” he was focused on the road as he asked. “I have nowhere to go.”“Oh, really?” he said and she nodded. “I really want to take to my house but-” She cut him off. “No, it’s okay. Just drive as far as you can from that jerk, and I will be fine to sleep outside.”

Matt burst into laughter. “What’s so funny?” She raised one eyebrow. “A young woman sleeping in the streets! That’s a terrible mistake.” He looked at her one more time. “I will book you a room in my mother’s hotel.”

“Thank you, that’s so kind of you to think of me, but I can’t accept.” The road was empty and the only sounds that could be heard were the skittering of leaves and billowing of the wind. Suddenly, a curtain of rain beat down from the sky. “Shit” she cursed. “Accept my offer. There’s no way I can leave a beautiful girl like you alone.” He smiled. “Alright.” She accepted.

“We are already here.” She looked to the same direction where he was looking. The hotel was so big and fancy, filled with beautiful exterior lightning. “Can I ask you a question?” Matt questioned stopping her from getting out of the car. She nodded. “Uh-hm.” Humming in response. “How old are you?” His pierce gaze laid on her eyes, as he examined her facial features. “21.”

The heavy rain soaked them as they sprang from the car to the hotel. Matt booked a room for Stella. He then decided to accompany her; he proceeded to unlock the room and held it open for her to walk inside. “Can I invite you in?” She shivered, rubbing her hands together then hugging herself. “You should change your soaked clothes before you catch a cold.” He commented while staring at her clothes that hugged her figure. She bit her lips as she looked for a towel around the room. “Why is she biting her lip? I better leave.” He thought.

“Um, I will ask you a question and then leave.” Matt sat on the sofa near bed and looked at her while she was undoing her wet black hair. She looked at him to find him smiling to himself “What?” She raised her eyebrows. “I love your hair. You are beautiful.”

“Aw, thank you, you just added some sunshine to my day.” She said with her quiet gentle voice. “So, what do want to ask me?” He stood up, looking into her beautiful blue eyes. “Um, yes. I don’t want to get into your private life, but can I know why you don’t want to marry that guy?” He wondered. “I simply don’t love him.” She paused for a moment. ”How can I return you the favor?”

Matt couldn’t help but stare at her moves and gestures. “Why is she biting her lip? I better leave.” He thought. “I will think about it later. You better rest now. I will come back tomorrow and we will think of a solution to this problem.” He started walking off towards the door when Stella called out for him.

“Matt!” He turned around as she approached him. She looked deep into his brown eyes and then stood on her toes and proceeded to kiss his cheek. She then pulled away still their faces inches apart. He was about to kiss her but he quickly pulled away. “I am sorry.” He apologized. “No, I am to blame,” She retorted. “It’s just a way to thank you.”

“There’s absolutely no problem. It’s just that I am married.” His mouth curved into a smile. “Oh, I am surprised. I am really sorry. D-dump…yeah, I am dumb.” She looked down scolding herself, unable to meet his eyes. “Forget it. You didn’t know,” He laughed. “But I liked it.” He continued as she finally looked back at him. They smiled at each other before he left the room. “What the fuck is wrong with his deep, sexy voice?” She finally signed closing the door.

Matt entered his bedroom to find his wife still awake. “Where have you been?” She questioned. “I spent the whole day working at my office today, because tomorrow is an important day for our company.” He started undressing his wet clothes.

“I called at your office and they told me you left at 11 pm. It’s 1 am, Matt.” She emphasized on his name. “Stop judging me.” He fumed looking at her. “I was with John drinking some coffee.” He lied. “I am sorry baby.” She moved near him closing the gap between them. “I trust my beloved husband.” She leaned forward to kiss him but he pulled away and sprang towards the bathroom. “I am so tired honey. I need to take a shower and sleep.” He raised his voice from the other side of the room to make sure she heard him.

When he went back his room, his wife seemed to be asleep. He slowly got into bed to avoid waking her up and he succeeded. He struggled to sleep thinking about Stella and the kiss. “Why am I thinking about her? Damn.” He sighed. “Her eyes are so attractive- MATT SLEEP.” He scolded himself.

The next day,

Stella woke up with a bath towel. She walked to the large window smiling. “I’m really thankful to Matt for saving me.” She took a deep breath looking at the sky. It was a grey freezing morning with a threatening rain. However, the luxurious hotel room was so warm. She lowered her gaze to the beautiful city filled with people walking in rush, probably freezing or late for work. “I shouldn’t leave the hotel nor use my phone, otherwise that jerk may find me. I’ll just wait for Matt.”

After taking a shower, she couldn’t find clean clothes to wear. “I will just keep this towel around my body for the moment.” She thought. She then called room service and ordered food from the menu in the room.