Chapter Three

Rafael stood behind his desk, gazing at the view outside, though not viewing anything as he is so engrossed in his thoughts.

He had pulled his jacket and rolled up his sleeves when he came back from the board meeting, all the board members are of the opinion that he should get married to get Tripolis if that is the condition.

His day has been filled with hurdles starting from when that godforsaken lady had bumped into him, his mind wandered back to the incident that morning, she looked so innocent but Rafael knows her type, she had bumped into him on purpose, of course he is the most eligible bachelor in the City, he is a known face and billionaire, she had wanted his attention and of cause she caught his attention, he did notice her beauty even when provoked but unfortunately she is just another beauty without brains and oh so infuriating, no one had made him that provoked since he was a teenager, he scoffed when he recalled how she boldly said she would recompense his damaged car, he hissed in anger as he recalled her insults, she had called him an "arrogant joy killer, prudish.....his hand fisted in anger

"the nerve of her" he whispered.

It would take him nothing to search her out and deal with her for daring to insult a man of his caliber.

She better pray they never meet ever again otherwise he's going to show her what it feels like to step on the toe of a lion he thought.

His mind wandered to the problem at hand, he'll have to call Lucy, he would offer her money to become his wife for some time, he knows she won't hesitate to accept his offer, which lady wouldn't want to be called Mrs. Rafael Manuel Wade.

He had vowed never to get married, love and marriage is not part of his existence, he had watched his father loved his mother so helplessly and all he got from that love is heartbreak, his mother didn't care about his love as she keeps bringing in different men, in the end, his father had died yearning for the love of his mother.

A lonely and sad man.

Then his mother had moved out with one of her many boyfriends leaving behind a ten years old boy.

That boy has grown to be a man, a tough man that no woman can toy with all in the name of love.

A knock sounded on the door.

"His secretary must be here" he thought, he was told by his assistant that she had been waiting, he sat in his chair," come in" he said

The door opened and the person who entered his office had him narrowing his eyes into an angry slit.

*

*

Crystal heaved a sigh of relief when she is told that the CEO is now available and would see her, she stood up and followed the directions given to her by the secretary, she knocked on the door and opened at the sound of

"Come in" "she heard from inside, was it in her head or did that voice sound familiar? She asked herself as she went in and quietly closed the door behind her, she turned to greet her would-be new boss and froze, her mouth agape and her eyes popped out."you? She said when she finally finds her voice.

" what...what...what..­." Her legs faltered at he straightened up in all glory, six feet tall and broad shoulders, his eyes fierce glaring at her and his lips smirking

" how fast of you; are you here to pay your debt or you are finally throwing caution to the wind by finally showing your true colors"

" I was interviewed today for the post of the CEO's secretary" she said through gritted teeth

" what the heck are you doing here? Oh! You said you worked here, perhaps you are the CEO attendant?" she continued.

He laughed sarcastically.

" obviously, you are standing in front of the CEO ànd this is my office"

Crystal froze at his statement, fate couldn't be this cruel to her.

She lowered her tone " I am sorry for how I spoke to you earlier" she apologized and was surprised at his sudden outburst of laughter, he laughed so hard that she was embarrassed and anger was written all over her face.

" When you want to apologise, do it sincerely" he said

Her hands formed into a fist

" I am sincerely sorry" she said through gritted teeth pronouncing each word one after the other, he raised ahe raised a brow at her and she huffed in anger, pointing her fingers at him , she spoke.

" you're such over bearing arrogant alpha male specie I've ever come across in my enter life"

He took a step towards her menacingly and she unconsciously moved back, rumor has it that the CEO was not a man to be toyed with, he is formidable, daring and....and oh so handsome, she recalled she has seen him before, why didn't her brain process he is the one just in time maybe she would have done things differently but he had been so annoying

She took another step backwards as he kept advancing, like a predator about to pounce on a prey.

" Take back what you said" he said.

" What"? She whispered still stepping back while he advance.

" What you said about me just now, take it back"

" No" she said defiantly, her back finally touched the wall and she stopped, he stopped in front of her and lean in.

"really"? He asked, he was so close and her body was vibrating down to the tip of her toes.

She could smell him, his cologne teased her senses, she looked into his eyes and forgot what she wanted to say, he lean closer and she made to push him away but her hands got stuck on his chest, his shoulders are really broad, she thought, she gazed at his lips, his breath on her face, she don't quite understand were this feelings is coming from, his lips moved close to hers and she sucked in breath, her eyes close on their own accord and her lips parted.

The door suddenly opened and they sprang apart, Crystal blinked a few times to clear her head.

what the heck just happened ! She asked herself.

She couldn't work for this man, she thought.

To hell with her little surprise for her father, she would have her revenge on him but not with putting her life on the line.

She faced him squarely and said the words aloud.

"I can't do this, I can't work here, I'm sorry, if I knew it was your company I would never have come in the first place"

" You're fired anyway" was the icy reply she got from him.

"What! You can't fire me" she said she has not even started work and she's been fired, no she can't have that.

" Why can't I fire you? " He asked.

" you can't fire me because I quit, got that? I quit" she said and stormed out.

" What the heck was that? Did I interrupt something? Vince asked, curiosity written all over him.

" No you didn't, Rafael replied hastily, he was still shaken.

Had he been actually about to kiss her? He shook his head as if to clear it and sank into his chair.

" Clearly I did" Vince said and continued despite his boss narrowed gaze.

" so who is she? He asked

" My secretary who got fired and quitted before she even started work"Rafael answered, he didn't understand why his heartbeat increased when he was near her, was he for a moment attracted to her? He thought to himself.

No.

Rafael does not get attracted to any lady and it will not start now,he will prove to himself that he is not attracted to her and never will.

*

*

Crystal stormed out of the building, she breath in the fresh air as she tries to take in what just happened and calm her racing heart.

" this is just sheer bad luck on my side" she thought, she just can't believe it, well she's not gonna work for him, she closed her eyes as she take in air into her lungs.

She was disappointed and pissed, she had looked forward to working in RAE but she just can't work with that Mr arrogant.

"why, why, why"? She chanted.

" why is fate this cruel to me"? She asked herself, apart from her motive being to spite her father, she would have enjoyed working here, getting a good job is not easy to come by these days, she could use the extra cash as a bonus while spiting her father.

" The boss want to see you ma'am" someone said from behind her.

"Why"? She shouted .

" well go back and tell your Almighty boss that I don't want to see him" she restorted.

" You shall see him immediately" came the deep baritone from behind the messenger, she glanced up to see him as the messenger excused herself and left them alone. The sun setting sun casted a shadow on this face.

I won't allow myself get carried away by his handsomeness" she thought.

She squared her shoulders and raised her chin, " Well, news flash:I won't see you" she said firmly and turned, heading towards her car but his next words stopped her on her track.

"You're hired" he said

" What? Why the sudden change of mind" she asked suspiciously.

Rafael didn't understand either.

" indeed why the sudden change of mind"? He asked himself, he think about that later but for now he need her to work for him, she can't come into his office, insult him and go unscathed, no one dares talk to Rafael Manuel the way she does, he'll have to teach her a lesson, she can't go free, he thought to himself.

" Well, I went through your resume and found that we will need your talent in our company, so currently I am thinking of what's best for my company" he finalized.

" Well, I am not working with you" she said.

' What's wrong with you Crystal, this is your chance of a lifetime and you're just going to throw it away like that? ' She thought to herself, why was she being so stubborn?

" Well then, I need all the damages to my car fixed this instant or I'll press for charges against you" he said.

" You won't dare" she whispered in annoyance

" Wanna bet "? He asked,

" I don't have money yet" she said

" Not my business, it's either you work here and earn money to pay me, I can collect instalments or you pay for the damaged car immediately and walk away"

"Fine then" she said and he arch a brow

" What is it gonna be"? He asked

" I work for you, she snapped

" I thought so, wise choice" he spoke triumphantly.

"8 O' clock tomorrow morning and don't be late" he said and with quick strides walked away from her.

Crystal watched him leave, she was resuming tomorrow, joy flowed into her heart, she'll have to speak to him as her boss henceforth, God help her, she's going to win the award of having the most an annoying boss in the universe.

She got into her car and drove straight to her friend's house, Starlia has been her friend since childhood, she now own a shop and it's doing well, she's happy for her, they have shared their joy and sadness together.

" Hey, Starlia greeted when Crystal arrived her house, " how did it go? She asked

" I got hired" Crystal told her sitting down as Starlia offered her water, she gulped down the water in two swallows.

" You got hired? Then where did you forget your excitement"? Starlia asked

" I am happy I got hired but...."

" But what? Starlia asked concerned

" My boss is the most arrogant, annoying arrhhhh....."

"Oh my God, so you met him, you spoke with the most handsome and hottest bachelor in town" Starlia said giggling, Crystal looked at her as if she has suddenly grown horn

" He's handsome, okay but super annoying, I just can't stand him" Crystal said

" You could fall in love with him" Starlia said

" Till hell freezes over" She bit out and Starlia laughed again

" Alright my friend", she said

" take it easy okay, everything will work out fine trust me"

" You think so? Crystal asked disbelieving

" I know so" Starlia replied

" Alright then," Crystal said standing up, " let me go home, freshen up and prepare for tomorrow"

She kissed her friend's cheek and headed out.