Chapter 1.

“Director Jones, I hope you’re aware that if we invest in this project, we’re trusting you to handle whatever risk that comes with it. This matter is taking too long to deliberate on, and I think given your previous records, you are more than trustworthy enough to sign this deal with.”

“Trust me ladies and gentlemen, you won’t regret this investment. It’s going to be revolutionary, not just for the company, but for every investor and stock holder that chooses to trust us,” I say calmly with a hint of authority and lean forward, steepling my hands, smiling to pass a message that I am clearly in control of this situation.

The room fell into a pindrop silence before slow mutterings and head nods of approval passed between the long table of investors before me. I felt a sense of pride wash over me as I stood up to make my way out — shoulders raised with mindblowing achievement.

It took weeks to convince these people to invest generously into a project that was sure to earn me extra points with father. 

Good lord am I tired, I think to myself as I walk down the hall into my office with my secretary right behind me. I plopped down on the couch in my office like a bag of potatoes and sigh in relief and exhaustion.

“Long week huh?” Freya, my secretary who has also been my best friend since elementary school says.“ But don’t you think a director should be more hmm, i don’t know, maybe poised? I know you’re tired but you could’ve waited till i closed the door first before landing your ass on the couch like you just got shot. Remember, people are watching and your image is too important to slack off even the slightest publicly and you-”

“I know, I know Fre. It won’t happen again so pleasee save me some slacks, Ihave a fucking splitting headache right now.” I know she’s just looking out for me and honestly, Freya is the only soul that truly cares about me and my wellbeing and I really love and cherish her the way she does for me, if not more.

“Alright babes, I think you should head home and rest for the day. You’ve got loads of paperwork but you can continue them tomorrow.” Before I could protest that I just needed some Aspirin and a 10 minute break, she had already left the room. Probably to get my car.

“Oh well” I breathe out while gathering my things and heading out to go bedrot at home. 

Walking out of the elevator, chin up and back straight, I tuck in the loose strands of my long straightened hair and nod in acknowledgements to the employees who greet me. They all smile and refer to me as Miss Hazel. As much as my position demands respect, I've made sure to keep it that way – respect and not fear.

Walking out the huge doors of our enterprise, I'm greeted by the bright sunny weather reminding me that what I'm doing is so out of character, to be leaving the office by this time of the day instead of past closing hours.

“Now Hazel Marie Jones, here are your keys, head home straight and don’t stop by a coffee shop. You’ve damn right had enough caffeine for the week.”

“Okay okay mom, stop eyeing me like I'm some problem child.” I tell my best friend who’s still looking at me suspiciously. If she didn’t have her fair share of workload, I'm very sure she would have chauffeured me herself. I chuckle slightly at the thought “bye girl! See ya tomorrow.” I tell her and drive off in my sweet silver panamera.

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Okay so like in my defense I didn’t stop at a coffee shop. 

I eye the cup of creamy coffee goodness in my left hand as I walk down the bookstore aisle. How was I supposed to know that the new bookstore across my street would be selling coffee too? It’s a temptation that I couldn't just ignore. 

I bought a medium size to make myself feel less guilty but…argh…whatever.

My work shirt had been folded to my elbow and my blazer discarded somewhere at the backseat of my car. I also had a claw clip holding my messy bun in place as loose strands of hair fall at the sides of my face and neck, so now I look like a normal random person and not the director of some bigshot company.

The new volume of the manga I'm reading is out and I cannot wait another day longer to get it. I hope they still have at least a copy left, pleasee God, I mutter a short prayer under my breath as I swiftly make my way to the children's section of the bookstore. 

Yep, I hope no one I know or knows me sees me here. I turn the corner and there it is, my baby, staring at me and waiting to be picked up from that lonely shelf. As I reach out to grab the last copy of Aku no Hana – another large hand grabs it before I do. My fingers only grazed the cover before it was suddenly swept away before my eyes. 

I turn my head to confront the rude stranger only to be taken aback by how close I was to probably the most gorgeous looking man I've ever seen. 

I didn’t know someone could be both beautiful and handsome at the goddamn same time but this man was drop dead ethereal. I almost forgot how to use my speech organs before I snapped back into reality by a thud somewhere in the store.

“Excuse me, but I had that book before you did, so can I please have it back? I waited days to get that, and if you wanted to give your kid that volume, you can get it elsewhere, but I have to get that copy now.” I say in one breath and I can feel my ears heat up in embarrassment and… shyness? Oh my days please just comply with me, dear handsome stranger.

“I’m not getting it for any child. And I grabbed it before you did, so I don't see why I have to give it to you. If you’ll excuse me.” he says in a deadly deep voice that made my knees buckle and was equally as dismissive. 

He left immediately after he said what he had to and I was just there, rendered speechless by how rude and sexy this strange man-child was. 

Cause WHY THE HELL was he reading a teen book!! Of all people to snatch  my beloved from me, it was a grown ass man, now I have to look for another store cause I'm unfortunately a huge manga collector, NOT an e-reader fan.

Damn. Goodbye to the plan of relaxing with a new book in my hand. I guess I'll just watch some TV then. I enter my car and drive off home to actually have that rest Fre told me to.