Prologue

Have you made all your estimates?” she asked brushing the hair strands that flew into her face, a tiny strip of hair lay across her face, coming in contact with her eyes and the bridge of her nose.

The wind in her hair agitated her a bit, had it be known it would be this windy today, she would have gladly tied her hair in a tight bun.

Leonardo could not still comprehend the push that nudged him to gently peel off the hair smeared on her face.

It felt so natural to have physical contact with her, his blood boiled to the highest degree possible with just a touch of her.

Her smooth caramelized skin felt so right in his hands, his gaze on her became intent as he slowly removed her hair from her eyes.

Alison stood her ground well too strong if you ask her, she had to if not she would buckle quickly on her legs who were on the verge of giving up on standing.

Her eyes remained locked in his, the attraction was fatal.

Her thoughts were at sea as he came closer to her, for some unknown reason she felt herself drawing to his touch

Peeling off her hair from her face to reveal her green eyes, flushed skin, and pink lips that could not help but part open in surprise at his action.

His thought lingered on the fact of how beautiful and utterly feminine she is under his feel.

Still not able to get over the feeling of her looking this spotless with little makeup. He wondered if looking this beautiful wasn’t a crime. She resembled a goddess or an ethereal princess.

He had no other deserving adjectives to qualify her with.

Their intent staring continued intensely, with her hair finally tucked behind her ears he had the primal urge to caress her cheeks.

But there was bound to be some interruption as the construction manager humming a whistle was heard on time.

Alison was the first to react, she flinched out of his touch so fast she almost stumbled, looking worried she collected herself within moments fewer than a second.

She forgot her question she asked earlier and walked towards the construction manager who was oblivious of the tension that loitered in the air.

She had resolved to stay as far as possible from Leonardo. He is bad news and utterly distracting, she had many other things to worry about. He wasn’t too shy about making physical advances on a lady. He had experience with this kind of thing. She was being sure he acts this charming to every lady he meets, charming them enough to get on his bed.

He was despicable.

What would the construction manager say if she was caught in such a compromising position with him?

A lady without a character, some would even suggest, she landed the contract because she also landed on his bed to get the bidding right.

It disgusted her to the core, she hated to mix business with pleasure.

And with Leonardo, she wasn’t sure of her fate when with him because she can’t help but be angered by his behavior but equally drawn to it as well.

As the moth to the flame or metals to the magnet.

She was sure the moment he finds out that she was a single mom he would drop her like a discarded wrapper into the trash can.

Not that she would let things escalate to that moment. She wasn’t sure of her stand with him.

Friends or formal clients.

She would never be anyone’s plaything again, her ex-husband helped her in making such a decision.

Her first and last priority was Samantha and she had no intention of letting any other person into her priority list.

"Good day," She greeted shaking hands with the construction manager. He gifted her a toothed smile.

"Good day to you too." his rasp voice matched with his physical physique. He was a man that stood a little above her 5 ft 7 frame. He had this hairy skin and a barreled liked chest.

He looked very sturdy and muscular. On his body were normal jeans and a T-shirt with a construction vest on him.

He continued smiling at her and noticed a frowning Leonardo to who he yelled his greetings and then turned his attention back to Alison.

Walking around the environs, he talked freely with her with his hand gesturing or aiding the discussion.

He introduced himself as Johnson Woodman, he was a top construction manager of the construction company Fort and Arch allied with, though it was her first time meeting him.

His outgoing personality was comforting, he explained everything to her.

It was all up to her to start creating the restaurant building plan so construction can start immediately.

"Over here," she gestured to the space around her.

"We should utilize this area" he suggested, she nodded in agreement.

"Oh yes, I already have an idea on how to do so. I also plan on creating a floating restaurant just for a more exquisite effect. It will bring the customers pouring in due to the romantic design"

"Great idea, but it would need a bit of sand filling in this area. The land here is quite damp." he knelt clutching on the sand he gave some to Alison.

She nodded in agreement, they continued their work.

Leonardo stood in silence watching idly, his phone in his hands as he scrolled through his emails, but his mind wasn't there one bit.

His mind rolled in jealousy waves as she talked to the construction manager so freely but would not even spare him a glance.

He read another important email reminding him of another one of his important duties just to get distracted by his thoughts of her.

He was still hurt at the way she flinched away from him like he was some plague. He could bet hundred dollar bill he saw fear in her eyes.

He could never hurt her, he wished he told her that.

His hand dug into his pocket and he placed his phone in his pockets.

He followed their voices and was engrossed at the fact that Alison knows her job so well.

She discussed knowledgeably the construction manager.

A part of him held her in pure admiration, he walked closer to them they were oblivious of his presence behind them since he was at a distance.

He listened to their talk and watched as she jotted down eagerly. She tucked her hair occasionally, the wind has not ceased a bit.

She walked further down the river and squatted gesturing to John the area where the floating restaurant would occupy.

He listened to her eager explanation of the pictures her mind created, the description was so vivid it took shape in his mind.

"So have you made your estimates?" she asked

"Yes, the cost estimates are quite high but we would make a few adjustments after you hand over the building plan. Following our discussion, it is going to cost a lot more. Why not settle for something lesser and more feasible?"

"Money is not the problem, Mr. Johnson. Make your estimate and I would give you the amount you need. The plan is very much feasible if you ask me." Alison and John steered their head in Leonardo's direction.