Chapter 1 "Bossy CEO"

TS International Group, a leading company in NY city had a business from many sectors; from hotel chains, construction industry, large department stores, entertainment firms to amusement parks. People who lived in NY City might not know their mayor, but they had surely heard of Travis Santiago, the leader of his big family businesses and one of the most sought-after business giants. 

Mr Santiago was not only successful and rich, but he was also an absolutely fascinating man who looked more gorgeous than most women. It sounds unreal, but one should see him to say this was true. In addition, he was so smart and intelligent that he could defeat his competitors without them noticing. People tagged him as a "playboy" because he appeared in many various magazines coupled up with his very appealing appealing appearance, his smile alone can melt the heart of any woman and that made people tag him as the "Ladies Man".

News had it that Travis favorite girl is Shriya Gu, his personal assistant because she's always over him like an ants does to sugar. They are always everywhere together. Asides Shriya, no woman has been seen together with Travis.

*********

The busy building of the company became silent totally the moment a black Audi RS3 drove into the drive way. 

"CEO is around"

"Boss is here, silence everyone, silence" the workers whispered around each other. They knew better not to make unnecessary noise and even mistakes. Linda, a lady in the finance department quickly straightened her skirt then she bent and started gathering pieces of some files that were flying around.

Those whose desk were not in order hurried to put them in order, In TS, a little mistake can make one loss his or her job because the CEO, Mr Travis Santiago lives the life of a perfectionist.

As his steady strides approached, the silence held still. Travis is a very handsome man even when he's not smiling. Ohh he doesn't smile at work, he only smiles in magazines or whenever he's out for a public appearance.

Behind Travis was Shriya, his personal assistant and the only closest person to him, which made Shriya gained a lot of respect from the workers too. They thought they would loss their job if Shriya doesn't like them. At times, some of the workers bring gifts specially for Shriya.

"Sir, we've completed the concept for ismar stall"

"There's a telecom with Mr buleni in 15minutes about the sponsorship" Shriya told Travis as she took steady strides equally to match his pace.

"Water" Travis said in a low voice and Shriya lowered the files in her hand and quickly hand him his water which he collected so fast.

He opened the water and was about to drink but he suddenly paused when he saw some sheet of papers flying around. They were from Linda's desk. He frowned and hit her table loudly. Linda jerked back in fear.

"What's all these?" Travis asked, now in a low voice.

"Why are all these sketches flying around?" He asked.

Linda fiddled with her fingers in fear. Oh no, she can't bear to loss this precious job. Travis may be so cold but one thing about him was that he doesn't treat his workers badly. All what he demands is their proper service and dedication to work.

"I asked a question, Linda. Why are you so careless?" He demanded.

Linda's words came superfluous. She looked at Shriya with a pleading eyes as she(Linda) couldn't bear to talk back at Travis.

Shriya smiled. She gently placed a hand on Travis shoulder.

"Sir, I'm sure those files must have flied out itself. Linda is a very dedicated person" Shriya said. "We still have a public appearance to make in the next ten minute" she added, trying to change the topic.

"Tell Alex to get the cars ready" Travis replied and left Linda's desk.

Linda heaved a sigh of relief. She knew deep down that she owe Shriya another set of gifts for always helping her out whenever she gets in Travis lane.

"I need information about someone, I will send you the name" Travis said to Shriya who was following him from behind.

"Okay" Shriya replied.

"Your Mom called four times this morning" she told.

Travis let out a smirk that Shriya wish she could see again. She knew the reason why his mother had called him four times in the day.

She had called to talk about marriage to Travis.

"When the car is ready, call me?" Travis replied and walked straight into his office.

"Your Mom is calling again, what should I tell her?" Shriya asked but Travis already left.

*****Night*****

Mrs Lila, Travis mother was worried. She has been trying to reach her son for the past few days but he wouldn't pick her calls. He had stopped picking her calls just because she's always telling him about marriage.

"When will Travis get a woman to bear his heir? Remains an unanswered question in Mrs Lila's thoughts.

"I'm lossing my patience, why isn't he picking up. Does he thinks I have nothing better to do" Mrs Lila seethed.

"The apple doesn't fall far from the tree" Thomas, Travis father stated as he gently descend from the stairs.

"As long as it doesn't fall on my head" Lila replied, she throw her phone to the couch.

"Darling, you can get the donkey to the water but you can't make him drink" Thomas said. "Travis won't get any share of my properties if he doesn't get married. And if he doesn't want marriage, he must birth a child before he have an access to my properties all over the world" Thomas said with pride.

Lila took a deep breath and sat her butt down on the soft couch.

"I'm sure he would start preparing to get a wife once I state my conditions to him" Thomas affirmed.

"I hope so" Lila replied. She's happy now with what her husband said. She's sure Travis won't want to loss everything.

To while away time, Lila took her phone from the couch and opened her YouTube app to check if Annie had drop any new videos.

She doesn't know who the girl is but she has developed an unconditional love for this girl she met online. She's a you tuber who does make up tutorials and while at it, she gives words of encouragement to keep her fans happy while doing her make up.

Lila searched for Annie's channel on YouTube and luckily for her, she had just dropped a new video. Lila opened it with delight.

"May God be praised for creating such an epitome of beauty" Those were the words that always slip out of Lila's mouth each time she opens any of Annie's video.

Annie is a lady with the beauty of several women. Mrs Lila is always facinated to beautiful things, maybe that's one of the reasons she loves this mysterious girl greatly.

"They say life is what happens while you're making plans, what I mean is while you think you're making plans. Fate decides for you and suddenly you're in a place you don't know. Sometimes life will push you all the way to the bottom of the pit and then suddenly lift you up the skies, that's why we have to believe in miracles even on worst days. Do you believe in miracles?"

Annie's smile in the video was contagious in the video as she goes about making a make up video.

The video was coming to an end. And it ended alas which made Mrs Lila frowned. 

"Annie you could have make this video longer?" Mrs Lila said as thou Annie could hear her.

"Mrs Lila, your son is here?" Mira, Mrs Lila house keeper announced.

"Really?" Mrs Lila asked and Travis showed up from behind in all demeanor of superiority.

"My son?" Lila called happily even though she's so angry with him for not picking her calls.

Travis approached her. He is not a man of many words. Not even of sweet words. He couldn't even give her a warm hug or sweet cheek kisses.

If he continues like this with her, his mother, how then will he do it he gets married?

Mrs Lila was greatly disturbed.

"Travis not even a hug?" Lila requested.

"I'm sorry Mom, I forgot" he rolled his eyes and finally gave her a warm hug with a little kiss on the nose.

"Travis who's your girlfriend? I mean who's the woman in your life" Lila asked.

Travis smirked. "You. You mother. You're the woman in my life. And can we not have this conversation again."

"I can't cheat you to love another" he whispered..

Lila blushed fiery red even though she knows it's an excuse from him so she wouldn't tell him about marriage.

As Travis sat down on the couch, his hand lay on his mother's phone and he mistakenly played the video she was watching earlier.

Lila smiled, waiting for the expression on her son's face. "Travis, isn't the girl in the video beautiful?" She asked.

"She needs to try extremely harder" Travis replied, his tone was neither harsh nor calm.