Chapter 1

Zoey POV

"As the darkness passes to a glorious morning, dear God go with me everywhere and let your blessings be upon me. Amen." I said a quick prayer and did the cross sign.

I picked up my phone from the nightstand and unlocked it. As always, there was a message waiting to be read.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MY LOVE. It read. From a hidden number.

This has always happened on my birthday every year for a couple of years now. I have stopped letting it disturb my peace of mind.

I picked myself up from my bed and headed to the restroom to get ready for work. It was still early. I might as well take my time while getting ready.

"Good morning, Mom." I greeted my mother as I entered the kitchen. I kissed her on both cheeks.

"Good morning, my dear." I bent down a little for her to place a kiss on my head. "Do you have to go to the office today?" Mom whined, childishly pouting her lips.

"Of course, Mom. If it were up to me, I would stay home and spend the day with you. But I'm helpless." I shrugged and picked up the mug of hot chocolate I always drink in the morning. To say I have the best mom in the world would be an understatement. She is the best of the best.

She is both my protector, my confidant, and my best friend. She is always making sure I have everything I need to start my day.

"But it's your birthday today. Can't those bosses of yours grant you a day off?" She pressed. I rolled my eyes and made my way to the tiny dining table at the side of the kitchen.

My food was already on the table waiting for me to come and devour it.

"You haven't asked for office leave once since you started this job, and it has been a year now. Why can't your boss be reasonable?" Mom grumbled. She grumpily dropped onto the seat opposite mine.

"Mom, it's not their fault either. A direct order was made from the top that everyone, irrespective of your position, must be present today as the owner of the company is coming." I cut a big piece of pancake and put it in my mouth, eyeing my mom as she still was not satisfied with the reason.

"So what? You can skip and nobody will notice with over a hundred employees." I gave my mom an *are you serious* look, which she dismissed.

"This is the first time the big boss has come to our company since he bought this company. That should be a year ago as well, when I was still an intern. Today's event will determine if many of us will stay or not."

"Okay, fine, I understand. You can stop defending them." She reluctantly agreed. I was about to jump for joy when she cut me off.

"But..." My smile dimmed.

She stared at my face for a moment before she continued.

"You must be back before six," she said with a smile.

"Okay, Mom." I went around the table and hugged her.

"I should get going. I don't want to be late today of all days," I said while I packed up my bag.

"But you didn't even eat enough to last you for the day." She complained.

"Knowing you, Mom, my lunch flask is in my bag." I grinned at the look on her face, skipped my way to the front door, and out of the house.

I quickly made my way to the office, escaping the morning sun. Though the sun was not yet harsh, it still left my skin dry. Luckily, I don't have to hail a cab to work every day. The company building is a ten-minute walk from my home.

Soon, I found myself in front of the building. I stared up at the twenty-story building. It still manages to take my breath away every time I stare at it. I'm always amazed.

"Good morning, Brett." I greeted the security man at the door.

"Good morning, Miss Zoey." He replied with his signature boyish grin. I have repeatedly asked him to call me Zoey instead of Miss Zoey, but he just won't stop.

Putting a "Miss" on my name makes me feel old. Especially when someone my age or a few years older calls me that. I stopped correcting him.

"Hi, Zoey." Sophia, the receptionist, waved at me.

"Hi." I slumped against the marble counter, catching my breath.

"You should try using a cab. Maybe you won't be panting like a winter chicken," Sophia smirked, offering me a glass of cold water.

"Thanks," I muttered before I gulped the entire contents in one go.

"But seriously, Zoey, you should hail a cab at times." Sophia frowned in concern. We've grown close over the years, with me always going limp at her station and her offering me water.

"Are you kidding? It's a ten-minute walk. I can't be wasteful," I remarked.

"Really? Wasteful? If there is anyone who loves fashion more than me, it is you, Zoey. You save up all the monthly money you could use for hailing a cab to buy fancy bags, shoes, clothes, and giving yourself baby treats at the spa every week." Sophia gawked at me.

"If that is not wasteful, then I don't know what is." She shook her head.

"I need to look nice and beautiful. If I don't compromise, you won't be eyeing the heels you've stolen from me." I scoffed. "And have you seen yourself? You dress like you own this whole building. Not just you, though. Everyone here dresses like the boss of this place, so it is only natural that I try to fit in." With these words, I turned around and walked away, leaving a speechless Sophia, who I'm sure was sending death glares my way.

I entered the elevator. The door opened, and I walked into the sales department. Surprisingly, everyone was already at their desk, busy.

I checked the time to see if I was late, but damn, I wasn't. The time read 7:30 and work was supposed to start by 8.

I'm certain this is the effect of today's event.

I greeted those that were not gazing locked on the computer and made my way to my desk.

We are an interior design decor company. We deal in decor for homes, offices, hotels, restaurants, clubs, etc. Under the sales department are three units. Unit one deals with taking orders from clients, which also happens to be the unit I'm in.

Unit two schedules and arranges delivery dates and packaging, while unit three is the delivery team.

I am not stationed in the department I wanted, that is the production department. But I love this part of the job. I love attending to clients and showing them new designs. And also giving them my opinions on the designs.

There are sometimes when I do hate this job, that is coming across rude clients.

I sat in my seat and turned on my computer. Immediately, tons of emails flooded my screen. I grinned, rubbing my hands together and ready to get to work.

I didn't know how much time had passed, too engrossed in work, until Mrs. Rose came out of her office.

Mrs. Rose is the head of the sales department. She is a strict woman but if there is one thing I like about her, it is that she praises someone when they deserve it.

"The boss will be here soon, everyone. Please find your way to the main conference room." She walked out with Jane, her assistant.

I sighed, turned off the computer, picked up my bag, and followed the crowd out to the elevator.

The conference hall is considered large and could accommodate numerous people. But with the number of employees, the hall was packed.

I quietly stood aside, at the very end of the hall, with my three friends. Away from any attention that most people seek.

Lucy, a red-haired beauty with glassy green eyes over pale skin. While Maya is a black-haired beauty with outstanding blue eyes and tan skin.

And Sophia is a brunette, with her honey-drop eyes over a perfect combination of pale and tan skin. And that leads to me. I'm a brunette too, with a beautiful set of grey eyes on tan skin.

We are all average in height.

"Why does it seem like they are overly dressed today," Maya commented, gesturing towards the set at the very front. Standing proudly and confidently beside the stage.

I eyed the set of people, well-groomed and ready to be noticed by our big boss. Funny enough, these people are the heads of departments, technically they will be noticed.

"Who wouldn't want to have the favour of the big boss." Sophia scoffed, crossing her arms.

"I heard the mysterious boss has an announcement to make," Lucy added. I frowned at that.

"Where did you get that, from your manager boyfriend?" Sophia teased. Lucy glared at Sophia but replied.

"Yeah, from my manager boyfriend." Lucy hissed at Sophia's face, which wasn't intimidated. Even I wasn't intimidated. She came out like a harmless cat rather than the tigress demeanour she hoped for.

"I don't care whether he has an announcement or not. I just want this whole thing to be done and over with." Maya jumped in before they could get into their usual bickering.

Just then, the double door to the hall swung open, immediately catching everyone's attention. The whole place went pin-drop silent as everyone held their breath, anticipating the arrival of our boss.

Two men walked in first, then parted to create a way for the boss.

He walked inside the hall, and the sound of his heavy footsteps echoed in the hall. My eyes traced from his expensive-looking shoes up to his trousers, from there to his muscular upper body clasped in a three-piece suit.

Merely staring at his strong body already had me swallowing the sudden lump in my throat. I didn't dwell on his body as I was eager to see the face that owned such a wonderful body.

The minute my gaze found the face, I froze. A pair of dark eyes were already locked on me. I felt my breath leave my lungs, and my entire being paralyzed.