Unexpected Romance, Contract marriage

CHAPTER ONE

LEO’S POV

“It was nice doing business with you, Mr. Leonardo, but I must say I cannot just invest in your company for some reasons. I will have to think about it,” Mr. Max Zenin, the largest shareholder of Whites Company, said.

“Okay, you have all the time to think about it. I guarantee you it’s worth it,” I replied, crossing my legs. I was dressed in a black Tom Ford suit with Tom Ford Elian shoes, projecting the image of confidence and success.

Now you might be wondering who I am, Leonardo Lugard is my name. The owner of L&L Building—the most well-known and biggest mall in Las Vegas— and I am here to get Max Zenin to invest in my company. My physical description? - A  tall, fair, dark-haired appearance, coupled with piercing eyes that seemed to hold a world of secrets, gave me an air of mystery and intrigue that drew others to me like moths to a flame. But to my dismay, Mr. Max seemed to have trust issues.

“Now, if you will excuse me, I have another meeting to attend,” I said, getting up as my bodyguards followed suit behind me. As I turned to leave, I bumped into someone, and to my greatest surprise, it was none other than her, Rachel Snow. 

My greatest ENEMY.

“Oh, look who we have here,” Rachel said in the most sarcastic, happy tone ever. She was dressed in a black Saint Laurent long-sleeve dress with black Gianvito Rossi shoes to complete the outfit. I actually know a thing or two about fashion and styles. Despite her affluent background and bossy demeanor, her cool exterior looks like a facade to me. She was also the owner of Snow Mall, the *second-largest* mall in Las Vegas aiming to defeat me. *scoffs* she can’t.

“From the looks on your face, it seems like your plan did not go well. Now, if you will excuse me,” she said with an evil smirk, pushing me slightly and walking past to sit directly across from Mr. Max Zenin with her bodyguards and secretary standing above her. My bodyguards wanted to react, but I signaled them to stop with my hand.

“Good morning, Mr. Max, it is nice to meet you,” Rachel said, extending her hand for a shake, and the business conversation began. 

I rolled my eyes and walked out of the restaurant with my bodyguards behind me. Angry or not, I masked it with an expressionless face.

“The boss is here!” a worker shouted after seeing my car at the entrance of L&L Building. I don’t know if they know or oblivious of the fact that I can actually hear them.

 The whole company became chaotic as the workers ran helter-skelter so I wouldn’t catch them off guard.

“Good morning, Sir,” Miss Red, my secretary, known for stylishly dressing in red, greeted me in a professional tone. The whole staff lined up as I picked up a call.

“Miss Red, I would like to see the business plans in my office in the next two minutes and those who came up with the idea,” I said, turning to walk away.

“Oh, well, sorry, Boss, but I—I—I think it will take more than that,” she stammered.

“And what do you mean by that?” I asked, turning to look at her with my icy eyes. She shivered in fear.

“There was a mistake, and it is being fixed now,” Miss Red answered as politely and calmly as possible.

“Who printed it in the first place?” I asked, looking at the workers. The place was silent until an employee slowly raised her hand from the midst of the workers. She had heard a lot about me, but my presence was intimidating.

“I did,” she answered.

I walked towards her and scanned her from head to toe. “You are fired!”

"Wait... what?!” she exclaimed, taking a while to process my words. 

"No... please wait," she called out as I made my way to the door. The other workers were too scared to move. "It is indeed my fault for making a mistake while printing the business plan. Please give me one more chance," she pleaded, with tears threatening to run down her cheeks. She was silently wishing everything that had just happened was a dream. I took a few steps closer and bent to her eye level.

 I am 6'5" tall, while she is just probably 5’11". I scanned her from head to toe. "I am not sure who hired you in the first place, but I think the employee hiring team has some explanations to do. Not worth hiring. That's what your status is to me,” I said with a disgusted look in my eyes. With that, I walked majestically to my office, calling the Director of the Hiring team to come to my office immediately.

“And how was that employee hired in the first place?” I asked the Director.

“I apologize for the mistake. I think we sent in her application in place of someone else.”

“Mistake? Do you realize that an insider from Snow Mall said they have already started the execution process for their new business plan? A simple delay, and they will take over our title as the best mall. One more mistake, and you are the one to be fired. Understood?”

“Yes, Sir,” he nodded, shivering in fear. I dismissed him with just a glance.

“This is a new year, but their war has already begun. I just hope it won’t last as long as last time,” Miss Red murmured as soon as the director stepped out of my office with no idea that I could hear them pretty well.

“Tough times do last longer than I expected,” Robert, the Director of the hiring team replied to her words and I scoffed inwardly.

RACHEL’S POV

“Bug, how much profit are we expected to generate this year compared to last year?” I asked while seated in my office, staring directly at Bug, my secretary. I had expected Mr. Max Zenin to side with me since he had turned down Leo’s proposal, but I hadn’t anticipated that he would turn down mine as well.

Now you might wondering who I am.

I am Rachel Snow, the owner of Snow Mall and in as much as I hate to admire it, the second largest Mall in Las Vegas.

My physical identity?- glowing auburn hair, captivating green eyes and just a bit- a commanding presence.

“Compared to last year’s 10% profit, this year is expected to be 20%. I think that is double the profit,” Bug answered, scanning through the documents in his hands, clearly hoping he wouldn’t miss any details.

“Perfect,” I smirked.

“And do you think L&L will surpass that or go lower?” I asked, raising an eyebrow. 

Bug scratched the back of his neck, clearly nervous. He seemed torn between lying and risking my wrath with the truth. 

“Just hope they don’t have a perfect plan,” he said finally. That was the best answer he could come up with.

“I don’t like your answer, but I think that’s good enough,” I said, my voice tinged with annoyance. “What’s next on my schedule?”

“You have a meeting with Drew Bross, the producer of the variety show 'Married for 100 Days,'” Bug replied.

“Cancel that. I’m not interested at the moment,” I said dismissively.

“But sources from L&L Building said Mr. Leonard also has an appointment with him immediately after yours,” Bug added hesitantly.

“What?!” I stood up abruptly, causing Bug to step back a little.

“Don’t postpone it. I’m going now. I don’t know what I’ll gain from him, but I’m not letting that DUDE beat me to it,” I said, grabbing my clutch and storming out of the office, with Bug scrambling to keep up.