1. Money Can't Buy Happiness

Sebastian

I look outside the large window of my office and subconsciously furrow my brows. It is almost time for me to go home, and the street looks busy, as always. Maybe I should wait another hour or two until the traffic settles down.

Nah, I'd rather stay here and get some more work done than sit in the middle of the road, wasting time. As the oldest son, I am first in line to run this company. I have too much on my plate to waste precious hours.

Someone is knocking on my door, so I scrunch my nose in annoyance.

"Come in," I say gruffly.

"Sorry to bother you, sir." My secretary Melanie pokes her head inside.

"What is it?" I ask with a scowl. I keep my expression stone cold as I don't feel like dealing with another client this late.

"Ms. Erickson called and asked for you. She said something about a dinner date later this evening?" Melanie said.

Olivia Erickson.

She looks like a plastic Barbie with her fake boobs and Botox lips. If her personality wasn't so shallow, I might have looked over that fact. But sadly, that's not the case.

Olivia cares about nothing but money and glamour. She is one of those women who only liked me for my looks and social status, and frankly, I am sick of dealing with people like that.

"Tell her I'm not available. Make any excuse, I don't care," I wave my hand in dismissal.

"But Sir, she insisted..."

"Melanie, this is part of your job duties from now on. Keep Olivia away from me," I grin as Melanie's face twists into a frown. Olivia Erickson is not easy to get rid of.

I'd been trying to shake her off my back for years, but she wouldn't leave me alone no matter what. I feel bad for giving Melanie this grueling task, I really do, but I want Olivia to go away.

"Yes, sir," Melanie said, as obedient as ever.

Between my brother and me, the employees at this company found me the most intimidating. I have a massive, self-confident presence with an air of authority. My employees knew better than to defy me.

"Oh, by the way, I wanted to remind you about the party this Saturday," Melanie added.

I furrow my brows. "What party?" I asked.

"The monthly cocktail party your uncle throws, Sir. He expects you to be there," Melanie replied.

I am annoyed. My uncle insisted on throwing these lavish party every month, which was usually filled with rich, shallow people who were only there for free food and alcohol. They pretended to be his friend even though they couldn't care less about him as a person.

I was tired of it, but I couldn't say no to my parents. Even though he is retired, he still has power over everything me and my brother owned. Our uncle wouldn't tolerate my absence at his superficial social gatherings.

"I'll be there. Thank you for the reminder, Melanie." I sighed. Melanie nodded and left the room.

~-~

Saturday came too fast. I put on my all-black Armani suit and headed to the party held inside the ballroom of the Four Seasons Hotel in the city.

After I arrive at the hotel, I take a long breath and go inside.

I am immediately greeted by my brother Simon.

Simon, is the stark opposite of me and spends his time joking around and playing pranks.

We look pretty similar and possess the same green eyes. It was our best feature.

"Oh, look who finally made it. I thought you weren't coming," Simon grinned.

"I'd rather be anywhere else if I had a choice," I barked.

"Oh, come on. You are a grown man, brother. I'm sure uncle would understand if you bailed just this once," Simon slaps me on the shoulder.

"Do you really believe that?" I narrow my eyes.

"Nope, uncle Rob would kill you. Glad you could make it," Simon laughed.

I spent my time drinking and mingling with the guests. I didn't recognize half the people on the guest list, and the ones I knew weren't exactly my real friends. I don't know if I even have any real friends. Looking at these people's fake smiles was exhausting.

"Oh my god, Sebastian! Hi!"

I spin around and see a woman my age frantically waving at me. I squint my eyes, trying to figure out how to escape this situation as Olivia trots toward me.

Olivia has shoulder-length black hair and blue eyes. She is wearing a green floor-length designer gown with a deep plunging neckline at the front. I can't help but admire her tight body and perfect ass. She is a beautiful woman, that's for sure.

But so damn annoying.

"Sebastian, are you ignoring me again?" Olivia pouts.

I tried to date her in the past but couldn't live past our first date. Olivia couldn't stop mentioning how good-looking she thought I was and how we were a perfect match because of it. And then she spent the second half of the date talking about herself.

"Hey, Olivia," I smiled politely.

"I'm glad we met again. I've been looking forward to spending more time with you, but your secretary kept telling me you were busy," Olivia complained.

I thank Melanie in my mind for doing an excellent job at keeping this woman away from me. I make a mental note to give her a raise.

"Anyway, I really like you, Sebastian. How about we ditch this party early and spend some time alone?" Olivia grazes her long painted nails on my arm and smiles seductively.

"Uh...yea...could you excuse me for one second?" I say and quickly walk away from her.

I see Simon and walk towards him. "Simon, I need you to take that woman off my hands," I said.

"Huh? What woman?" Simon wrinkles his forehead.

"That woman in the green dress," I motion toward Olivia.

"Why? Olivia is beautiful," Simon gives me a puzzled look.

"I can't stand fake women like her. You are just as good-looking as I am. I'm sure you can distract her enough for her to leave me alone," I said.

"Oh, come on, big bro. Stop being a prude and take the opportunity. You are always working. It's time you get laid," Simon chuckled.

I open my mouth to say something but stop when I see Olivia approaching me again.

"Sebastian! Are you trying to run away from me again?" Olivia whined.

Simon smirks and watches her intently. His green eyes are sparkling with mischief, and I immediately feel like he is going to do something crazy. 

"Olivia, why don't you come with me? I want to show you something on the terrace," he says and stands between us.

"What? No, Sebastian and I..."

"I think someone is calling me. Excuse me!" I announce, then turn to leave.

I don't look behind me one for one second.

I am nearly running through the crowd, trying to get away from that spoiled brat of a woman. Why didn't I just stay home tonight?

I don't stop walking until I reach the hotel lobby. My heart is pounding, and my body craves smoke, so I reach inside my pocket to pull out a cigar.

"Sir, you can't smoke in here," the front desk clerk declares.

I grunt and then storm out of the lobby. This night was as boring as I expected, and I could hardly wait to go home and put my feet up and relax. Maybe watch some Netfli-...

My thoughts come to a halt, and I damn near stop breathing as I stare at the woman across the street, standing under the street lamp.

I am just staring, unable to say anything for a moment. Then, something ignites in me as I stare at the woman in front of me.

The woman stares back at me, and we make eye contact. She has long brown hair and eyes that are the deepest shade of blue. She is tall and slender, with full lips that look soft and kissable. She is beautiful. Almost too beautiful. How is she real?

"Rita, I have to call you back later. There is some weirdo staring at me across the street... He might be an axmurderer." I hear her say and my jaw falls to the floor.