Chapter-3

Author P.O.V

A dark-haired man with a tan complexion and piercing dark eyes exited the towering apartment building, his posture exuding confidence as he slid into the sleek interior of his sports car. This was Owen Brown, a name known to anyone who paid even the slightest attention to the culinary world in South California. He was not just any chef ,he was a celebrity. Over the last six years, he had built a veritable empire, opening a chain of restaurants and cafes, with The Dream being the crown jewel of his achievements. His cooking show drew millions of viewers, and his charm ensured that every public appearance turned into a headline.

But beyond the allure of his talent and fame, Owen’s personal life was an open secret. He was a man who had everything, wealth, influence, and women. To him, relationships were like the outfits in his wardrobe quickly cycled through and replaced. Paparazzi had long crowned him the Bachelor of the Year, much to his amusement.

Owen’s foot hit the accelerator, the engine roaring as he headed straight for The Dream. He had a critical investor meeting that could not afford to fail, but his morning had already been chaotic. The woman he had brought back the previous night had gone into hysterics when he refused her demands for something more than a casual one night stand. He had barely managed to shoo her out of his apartment without causing a scene.

Pulling into the parking lot, Owen tossed his keys to the valet with a hurried, “Park it,” before striding toward the entrance. Inside, his secretary slash restaurant manager was deep in conversation with the bartender at the bar, but as soon as she saw him, she rushed forward, clipboard in hand.

“The investors have arrived and are seated at the back table,” she said briskly, falling into step beside him as they navigated through the bustling restaurant.

“Good,” Owen replied, adjusting his blazer. “Let’s not waste time.”

He approached the table with his signature charming smile, extending a hand toward the suited men seated there. “Good evening, gentlemen,” he greeted them smoothly. “Let’s get started.”

Casey P.O.V

Today was going to be my day ,my chance to prove myself and finally secure that promotion I have been working toward for the last five years. As I slid into my company car, the cheerful voice of a motivational speaker boomed through the radio, reminding me to embrace positive energy.

“Today is a new day that means new you.” the woman declared. “Your day will only be as good as you make it.”

“Your day is going to be great if you let go of your negative energy. There is nothing called bad luck I believe . It's the bad circumstances that make the luck bad . Our beliefs are a very strong thing . When we believe something dearly it starts to become real . If we believe that today is going to be a bad day after one unfortunate incident then our whole day is going to be bad. Now take a deep breath in and breathe out with it ,let all your stress out . Breathe in and breathe out just like that .” The voice of the female blast through the radio of my company car .

Following her instructions I took a deep breath and released it while closing my eyes slightly, letting myself feel the calmness that washed over me . This is feeling good, so peaceful but just as I began to feel at peace, the car lurched forward, throwing me against the seatbelt. My eyes snapped open to see smoke billowing from the hood, and my stomach dropped when I realised I had collided with another vehicle. I lifted myself up a little to inspect the damage only to shrink back on the seat when the other driver, a man whose face had turned as pale as a ghost, leaped out of his car and stomped toward me, his features twisted in fury.

If this were a cartoon, I imagined steam would be shooting out of his ears as his head threatened to explode.

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Owen P.O.V

I straightened my tie as the elevator dinged, signalling its arrival. Mornings were not my favourite time of day, and this one was shaping up to be particularly frustrating. My driver was late, again and now I was stuck waiting for the slowest elevator in the history of elevators.

“ Nothing is going to be good today and this damn elevator.” I said , pointing my finger at it.“Is this thing carrying a family of whales?” I muttered under my breath.

When the doors finally opened, I was greeted by my elderly neighbours, the Harrises. Their disapproving stares were enough to make me rethink my life choices ,for a second, at least.

“Good morning, Mr. and Mrs. Harris,” I said, forcing a polite smile.

Mrs. Harris sniffed, and Mr. Harris glared at me. Neither said a word as they shuffled past me into the hallway.

Once inside the elevator, I leaned against the wall and sighed. “They look like bulldogs with thorns in their paws,” I muttered.

When I reached the ground floor, my irritation flared again. My car was not there. The building’s security guard popped his head out of the booth.

“Owen sir , why are you standing out here?” Our building security asked from the window of his booth.

I looked at my watch and asked “ Have you seen my car coming? ”

Just as I asked the sleek black vehicle rolled into view, and the valet stepped out, looking sheepish.

“What the hell?” I exclaimed, walking toward the car.

The front bumper was dented, and scratches marred the otherwise flawless paint job.

“Sir, there was an accident,” the valet began, but I held up a hand to stop him.

“Just park it,” I snapped.

Fifteen Minutes Earlier – Casey P.O.V

I stood on the sidewalk, watching helplessly as the tow truck began hauling away the smoking remains of my company car. The driver ignored my desperate attempts to explain, his expression cold as steel. My dreams of a promotion were being towed away with that car.

The driver of the other vehicle ,the man whose face had turned pale, seemed more hysterical than injured and was shouting frantically at the police officers, who were struggling to calm him down. His hands waved in wild gestures as he listed every possible way I had ruined his life.

Taking a deep breath, I approached him, determined to smooth things over. “Look, I am really sorry about this—”

“You!” he shouted, whirling to face me. His finger jabbed in my direction .He was still screaming in my face that how this is going to cost, how his boss is going to take the money from his salary , and I am going to pay. I was getting impatient and late while his speech was nowhere near done .I bit my tongue, trying to stay calm, but when his insults turned personal, something inside me snapped. Reaching into my purse, I pulled out a wad of cash and shoved it into his mouth.That made him stop talking. Good.

“This should cover the expenses,” I snapped before storming off, leaving him choking on hundred-dollar bills while the police officers started, stunned into silence.

Owen P.O.V

My jaw tightened as my driver informed me about the girl that hit my car with her company van. “So, you are saying she wrecked it?”

“She hit the car this morning,” he replied with a shrug.

“Unbelievable,” I muttered, dialling the repair shop. If this day could get any worse, I did not want to know how.

Casey P.O.V

I turned the corner onto the main street, drenched and furious. The rain had started pouring just as a passing taxi splashed me with muddy water, soaking me from the waist down.

“Taxi!” I called, waving frantically, but the cabs sped past without so much as slowing down.

I glanced up at the sky, raindrops pelting my face as I sighed. “I spoke too soon.” Then suddenly heavy rain started pouring down on me , drenching the remaining dry cloth. Well there ,I got my answer.