1

"So, what do you say? Let's go out, beautiful." Kyle; a tall hottie with a killer smile and pretty brown hair said, standing across from Wynn.

She wore a white button up shirt and tan Palazzo pants. Her black hair was neatly jelled back in a low ponytail, and her brown eyes were fixed on Kyle- dull and uninterested.

She pulled out a black leather bound notebook from her bag, then flipped through the pages.

"Let's see... In Jerry Maguire, Jerry said to Dorothy 'you complete me'. Pride and Prejudice, Mr. Darcy said to Elizabeth 'You have bewitched me, body and soul, and I love, I love, I love you. I never wish to be parted from you from this day on'. When Harry Met Sally-"

"Hold on," Kyle cut in, realising what was happening. "Are you comparing me to movie characters?"

"I'm comparing you to men who set the bar." Wynn deadpanned. "You limboed under it."

"These men are *fictional*. They were written to be perfect."

Wynn scoffed. "If you think the bare minimum is perfect, then that says a lot about you. Let me break it down for you. 'So what do you say? Let's go out, beautiful' is a lackluster combination of dominance and flattery- which, if you ask me, is the worst way to ask *any* woman out."

Kyle was speechless.

"And who even *are* you?" She continued, "Do you know me? Have we met before?"

"No..." Kyle was starting to freeze still from the assertive aura that surrounded her.

She was like a cat with its fangs and claws out, daring the threat to take one more step.

Wynn scoffed at his reply. "So let me get this straight, you walked up to a woman you've never met or talked to before, and asked her to date you? Why?"

Kyle blinked rapidly, then swallowed.

"I want to hear your reason. Don't waste my time, I need to get home so I can sleep."

"Because you're... beautiful?" Kyle replied, then earned another scoff from Wynn.

"And you're hot. So? Thank you for the compliment, but I'm looking for something deeper than a few months riddled with regret. Goodbye."

Kyle didn't realise he'd held his breath till he watched Wynn strut off in her tan Pumps.

"Did I just get rejected *and* lectured?"

•••

"Hey, you're home early." Caelyn, Wynn's best friend since highschool greeted as Wynn took off her shoes. She sat on a Couch with her laptop, working on lecture notes.

She was in Sweats, her strawberry blonde hair was in a messy bun, and her hazel eyes hid behind her round glasses.

"I finished work early." Wynn sighed, "I would've been here fifteen minutes earlier, but someone wasted my time."

Caelyn furrowed her brows. "Who?"

"Just a random dude." Wynn plopped down on a couch.

Caelyn didn't need Wynn to say more. She chuckled.

"You got asked out again?"

"How did you end up with that conclusion?"

"You've been asked out five times this month, and men are the only creatures that provoke that irritated look on your face."

Wynn shot a look at Caelyn, then sighed again.

"He asked me out when he'd literally just met me. It's ridiculous."

"Perhaps it was love at first sight." Caelyn shrugged.

"Love at first sight is a ridiculous notion that many people take too literally. Let's call it what it actually is, which is infatuation or awe. It's like seeing a pretty flower and choosing to pluck it- only to end up throwing it away."

"That's...deep." Caelyn blinked. "And also dismissive. Love at first sight *does* exist. You just haven't experienced it yet."

"I hope I don't." Wynn said, and Caelyn simply smiled.

"So? Did you pull 'The List' on this dude?"

"I wouldn't be me if I didn't." Wynn replied.

"Do you know what your co-workers call you? The Romance Widow, because you kill any chance of a relationship with men."

"And who told you that?"

"Ingrid."

"I'm not surprised."

Wynn adjusted on the Couch, then ran her fingers through her hair when she recalled something.

"Hey, can I borrow your laptop for a sec?"

"Sure." Caelyn passed her the laptop. "Did you forget to do something?"

"No." Wynn sighed. "Remember when I told you about the CEO arriving tomorrow?"

"Yeah, the mystery man."

"Well, we're supposed to meet him tomorrow for an introductory meeting, and I can't help but be curious. I mean, all we have is his name, Ethan Sterling. There's nothing about him online. No pictures, no social media."

"Then wait till you meet him tomorrow. Why are you so curious about him?"

"I just have a bad feeling."

"That's you being pessimistic, Wynn. Let it go and give me my laptop. No amount of research will give you what you're looking for. You're not Sherlock Holmes."

Wynn rolled her eyes, then handed Caelyn's laptop back.

"By the way, it's 6:16 pm, shouldn't you start preparing for your evening lecture?"

Caelyn's gasp filled the air, and she jumped to her feet- making a beeline for her room.

•••

Wynn sat in the large air conditioned office as the only twenty seven year old Director in Shelterline company.

They sat at a table, awaiting the CEO of Shelterline- the person everyone has been curious about.

"Are you excited for this one, Miss Mayfield?" Mr. Grant said, a faint smirk on his face.

Wynn knew what he was doing. He was a Misogynistic, narcissistic forty eight year old man who couldn't stand being shown down by a woman.

"Pretty sure you wouldn't sleep with the new Boss for another premature promotion, will you?"

Wynn smirked. "By 'previous boss', you mean the Chairman? Because we had no CEO on seat before now. If you're implying that I slept with a man I've never even been within ten feet of, then you're as absent in this company as gravity in space."

The others held back their laughter. Mr. Grant was a known bully, and Wynn was known for putting him in his place. It was an entertainment the Directors looked forward to everyday.

She got her position from her exceptional performance and outstanding skills. One that was noticed by several Architecture companies that tried scouting her, but Shelterline offered more so they could keep her to themselves.

Mr. Grant looked away after shooting Wynn a glare, and she rolled her eyes.

The sound of the door opening snapped their attention back to the matter at hand, and someone walked in.

He was taller than most and had an athletic build. His black hair fell in parted bangs over his forehead- a contrast to his porcelain skin, and his green eyes searched the small crowd before him.

Wynn's jaw dropped at the sight of the person she had hoped to never meet again:

Ethan Croft.