Chapter 3: Colliding Fates

“Get the fuck down and check the damage, Martins.” Sebastian Woods commanded his chauffeur while he straightened his slightly rumbled Armani suit. His baritone voice was icy and cold, as usual.

”Yes, Boss,” the short man in his early fifties who almost peed in his pants rushed out of the car in a panic. Just now, he nearly met a fatal end, but his wicked boss didn't seem to care.

Sebastian’s special assistant Jamie also excused himself and followed the driver to inspect the damage caused by the accident. His two tall and sturdy bodyguards scurried out as well, while Sebastian was left alone in the backseat of the car. He was fuming with anger at the moment, and no one wanted to face his wrath.

His extremely handsome face was like a ‘masterpiece’ even as it twisted with anger, his eyes displaying a noticeable reddish shade.

“I bought this car less than a week ago for sixty million dollars, and now this?”

Losing money, no matter how ‘little’ was one of the things he hated the most.

He signed deeply in frustration. Today hasn't been a good day for him at all as he kept getting into one misfortune or the other. It was as if the universe was against him or something.

Just this morning, Sebastian woke up to find his alarm clock malfunctioning, causing him to oversleep by a good one hour. As a result, he had to rush through his morning routine, skipping his usual yoga session that helped him maintain his composure and physique.

As he stepped into the shower, he was greeted by a sudden blast of cold water.

“Fuck,” he shouted in despair. The water heater had also decided to malfunction at the most inconvenient time, leaving him shivering and frustrated. He finished his shower, feeling more irritated than refreshed as he couldn't shake off the chill that lingered in his bones.

After dressing up meticulously, Sebastian hurriedly made his way to the breakfast table. But then he realized that his butler had served him lukewarm coffee instead of his preferred steamy hot cup. The bitter taste only added to his already growing frustration.

"Can't you handle something as simple as my morning coffee anymore? What happened to your memory? Uh?" Sebastian snapped with an intimidating aura, his impatience evident in his voice.

He was already running late, and then the setbacks kept coming.

“I’m deeply sorry, Sire. It won't happen again.”

The butler, flustered and apologetic, assured Sebastian that he would take care of it as quickly as possible by serving him his preferred coffee. But being the unforgiven and impatient man Sebastian was, he was unwilling to wait for the butler to sort it out.

“Keep your sorry to yourself,” Sebastian replied, his voice as rigid as stone.

He left his mansion angrily without eating breakfast or drinking his beloved coffee. However, the unfortunate incidents continued to plague him.

As he stepped outside, ready to leave for work he noticed that his long-time chauffeur, Mr Martins, who was usually punctual, was nowhere to be seen. Sebastian's patience wore thin as he tapped his foot impatiently, glancing at his expensive wristwatch every few seconds.

Finally, the black sleek custom-made Rolls-Royce arrived, but as Sebastian entered the car, he immediately noticed an unpleasant smell wafting through the interior.

Annoyed, he demanded an explanation from his chauffeur, who sheepishly apologized for accidentally leaving a half-eaten sandwich behind from last night. The stench made Sebastian's already sour mood even worse, and he had to roll down the windows to let in some fresh air.

At the office today, he kept facing issues as well. First, his once-diligent favorite assistant, Jamie had mistakenly scheduled two crucial meetings at the same time, causing confusion and inconvenience for Sebastian and the clients involved.

Then, as he was preparing for a video conference with his wealthy Arab investors, his laptop suddenly crashed, causing him to lose all the progress of the business plans he had made. To add to his frustration, his office's air conditioning unit suddenly malfunctioned, leaving the room sweltering hot.

Despite several attempts to call for maintenance, the issue remained unresolved, forcing Sebastian to endure the discomfort throughout the day. Everything just went south and he didn't achieve anything meaningful at work today. He was in a very foul mood and was finding it difficult to mental his usual composed demeanor.

He was “The Sebastian Woods,” the billionaire CEO of the renowned Woods Corporation. Not to mention, he was the eldest young master of The Woods, who was the most powerful and influential family in all of Melbourne. He was the heir to their vast empire worth hundreds of billions of dollars.

Even though he kept a low profile, Sebastian held a firm grip on the business world. At just 29 years of age, he controls a vast range of industries, from real estate to technology to finance, entertainment, healthcare, and more. His empire extended far beyond Melbourne's borders and spanned continents.

It was his strategic investments and bold decisions that propelled the Woods Corporation to unimaginable heights of success when he became the CEO seven years ago. This also pushed him to the top 30 of Forbes' list of the world's wealthiest individuals.

His influence reached every corner of society, from politicians seeking his support to aspiring entrepreneurs hoping for his investment. 

Sebastian was not just a billionaire CEO; he was also a lord with immense power and control.

Rumors circulated about his ruthless tactics, the unyielding force with which he crushed his competitors and adversaries. Many had witnessed the downfall of prominent figures who had underestimated his power. 

Sebastian's wealth and influence allowed him to shape the city's landscape according to his desires. Skyscrapers bore his name, and his influence seeped into the fabric of everyday life.

His mere presence evoked a sense of authority and dominance, commanding the attention of everyone around him. He was used to getting what he wanted, anyhow he wanted it, so of course, having this type of upsetting experience was rare for him.

And right now, just when he thought things couldn't get any worse, his car suddenly encountered a brake failure on his way back from work. He found himself lurching forward, his heart pounding hard as the chauffeur desperately tried to regain control of the vehicle. Sebastian's life flashed before his eyes as he braced himself for the impact that seemed inevitable, just like the one he experienced before.

Seven years ago, right before he took the business world by storm, he was in a car accident. He got trauma from it, and also a mental sickness that made him ‘less of a man.’

Just as it seemed that another catastrophic accident was looming, his skilled and experienced chauffeur managed to maneuver the failing car into getting a minor head-on collision with another vehicle on the one-way street.

The screeching of tires filled the air as the two cars bumped into each other, causing a jarring but not-so-severe impact. Shaken but relieved to be alive, Sebastian took a moment to collect himself before barking at his chauffeur to check out the damage.

He looked at the road ahead with furrowed brows and bloodshot eyes. It wasn't a busy street and there weren't too many cars passing by. Then his deep blue eyes caught sight of something. Not actually something, someone!

It was a person, a lady, and she was talking to his driver. His cold and sharp eyes narrowed slightly as he looked at the woman.

He immediately assumed that she was the driver of the other vehicle involved in the collision. His initial intention was to stay put in the safety of his car and let his people handle the situation.

However, as he observed the way her long brown hair cascaded down her shoulders, he felt an unfamiliar fluttering sensation in his chest. His eyes darkened in an instant.

Sebastian's mind raced, trying to make sense of the unfamiliar emotions swirling within him. A curious pull, a strange sensation, urged him to step out of his vehicle and approach the scene. His dark eyes kept flashing with barely visible light, making it hard to guess what he was thinking.

He got down from the car and strolled powerfully in long strides, both hands tucked in his pockets. As the most powerful business tycoon in Melbourne, he possessed an intimidating aura, sending chills down the spines of those who dared to cross his path. With his sharp features, piercing blue eyes, raven black hair, and a chiseled jawline, he exuded an air of confidence that demanded respect.

After approaching them, he positioned himself behind the lady, maintaining a safe distance yet close enough to catch their conversation. She did not notice his arrival as she stood in front of the chauffeur with her back to him.

He cleared his throat abruptly and spoke up, directing his words at her.

"Excuse me, I own the car. This man is my driver, so what's the matter?" Sebastian's baritone voice carried an air of authority and bossy vibes.

But when the woman turned to face him, his breath immediately caught in his throat. Her striking emerald green eyes met his deep blue set, and for a moment, time seemed to stand still.

Sebastian had always prided himself on being in control of every situation, but the intensity of their eye contact momentarily shook him. It was as if a jolt of electricity coursed through his veins while his heart kept pounding in his chest.