Chapter 1

BAD LUCK

“Yes, ma’am. I am 100% sure. A table reservation for you, the representative of Levisay Construction Firm, Ms. Isobelle Levisay and for the CEO of Hastings Construction, Mr. Lyon Hastings.” the staff said, pointing the guy.

‘What the freaking hell?’

“I’ll go now, ma’am. Please enjoy your meal.” The staff then went out of the scene.

She awkwardly sat on the seat across the guy. Sensing the situation that they were in. She just couldn’t believe that this guy is the CEO of Hastings Construction. He doesn’t look like it. Judging from the way he dresses. Disheveled hair, first three buttons of shirt is open, piercing on the left ear, and even driving to the restaurant using a motorcycle. He’s more like a spoiled rich kid who just loves drinking and partying, than a CEO.

“You’re fifteen minutes late, Ms. Levisay.” He said while looking at his wrist watch.

She rolled her eyes and answered, “F.Y.I. Mr. Hastings, you’re the reason why I’m late. You splashed mud on my dress. Do you expect me to enter this restaurant with my dress looking dirty?”

“You’re unprofessional then. Didn’t your company teach you of work ethics? Being on time is a must.” He added with a stoic face.

She just hated him even more.

‘The nerve of this guy to ask for my work ethics.’

She gritted her teeth and tried to calm down. She needed to regain her composure, wanting to finish the contract signing immediately. The unruly guy just ruined her day.

“Okay, Mr. Hastings. I admit my mistake. I apologize for being late.” She said, not sounding sincere. She is waiting for him to apologize as well, but he just stayed silent. She sighed and said, “I apologized already so you should apologize to me as well.”

“Sorry to tell you miss, but I don’t apologize for something I didn’t purposely do.” He said with finality.

“You!” she calmed down herself again and drank a glass of water on the table. She just could not handle the arrogance of this guy. He’s the worst among all the men she met.

“Alright. Let’s just get down to business then, shall we?” she asked in a calm tone.

The guy just ignored her and started eating the food on the table that was already served. She clenched her fist, and tried to calm her mind. She doesn't have a choice but to start eating as well. It's favorable for her also because she had not eaten breakfast as she was busy getting ready earlier. They just ate there in silence.

A group of students, preferably in college, entered the VIP lounge. Anyone can tell that they are rich kids judging from the way they dress and the branded bags they were holding. Their eyes then fixed at Lyon Hastings as soon as they entered.

“Hey, girls. Is this heaven?” one of them asked.

“I don’t think so. He’s hotter than hell.” Another one said, then the four of them giggled.

“Let’s ask for his number. He’s my f*cking type.”

"Let's go."

“Wait. The woman he is with must be his girlfriend,” one of them stated.

“Girl, when did we got wary of a man’s girlfriend? Men just get obsessed over us, right?” the girl, named Lina, confidently said. “Besides, that woman is not even beautiful. We have an edge.” All of them agreed and followed the girl who seemed to be their leader, heading towards the two.

ISOBELLE was about to drink her juice when four girls stood beside their table. She looked at them confusedly and one of them even rolled her eyes.

“Excuse me,” she heard one of the girls said. They both look at the girls in front of them.

“Uhm… We’re on a meeting—”

“You’re my type. Can I get your number?” the girl on the front cut her sentence.

‘How rude!’ she wanted to add, but she stopped herself.

“We’ll have fun, ya’ know.” The girl even bit her lips seductively. The other girls even supported her, giggling at the back. “By the way, I’m Lina Stave,” she even held out her hand for a shake.

‘Stave? Is she the daughter of the mayor here? Wow! Girls these days are just too aggressive. They’re not even hiding their true colors.’ She just mentally rolled her eyes.

“Excuse me. But we’re having a meet—” even before finishing her sentence, the guy cut her off.

“Sure.” He replied to the girls, smiling.

‘The hell? Everyone here is too much. I can’t take it anymore. I’ll finish this business and go home. My day is already ruined.’

The guy took the girl's hand and shook it, then gave her his business card.

“Lyon Hastings? You’re Lyon Hastings?!” the girl, Lina, asked in shock.

He didn’t reply and just smiled at her. The girls then shriek almost damaging her eardrums.

"I'll make sure to keep in contact with you Mr. Hastings. My daddy can help you as well. It's a pleasure to meet you." Then, they went on their way, whispering and giggling.

‘What is up with girls nowadays? And what’s with this Lyon Hastings? He’s handsome, but his attitude doesn’t match with his face.’

AFTER a few minutes, they finally finished their meal. She then hands out the contract to him, wanting to end the meeting already.

“Can we talk about business now, Mr. Hastings?” she asked him in a serious tone.

“Alright. It seems to me that you’re in a hurry. You have a date?”

‘Where did he even get that idea? He is the one who has a date after this.’ She rolled her eyes again and just ignored his last question.

“Mr. Hastings, we chose your company based on the qualities, reviews, and its reputation. We believe that you’ll be of great help to our firm. As we were the ones who offered this partnership, we are open for any changes you want in the contract. You can read it and note the changes.” She said, professionally.

He took the contract and read it. Seeing him working seriously makes him even more handsome. She cannot deny that fact. He looks more like a CEO now. He's better off serious than playful.

She started looking for a tissue to clean her mouth. However, there is no tissue on their table, and her wet wipes was all used up for her dress earlier.

She stood up from her seat and turned to ask a staff. However, she didn’t notice a waiter was just at her back. When she turned, they bumped at each other, and the wine on the waiter’s tray poured on her dress. Again. Her dress is stained, now with red wine.

“I’m sorry, ma’am.” The waiter even bowed many times, saying sorry to her.

“No, it’s okay. Don’t worry,” she said, reassuring him.

“I’m really sorry, ma’am. I promise not to do this again. I’ll be careful next time.” He repeated a dozen of sorry again.

“No, it’s really fine. I’ll just go to the washroom. Where is it?” she asked him again.

“Uhm… It’s there, ma’am. I’m sorry again for the inconvenience.” She just smiled at him in response.

She then went on to the washroom. The washroom of the restaurant is big and clean. Her father’s choice is really up to her taste. She went to the sink and tried to wash the stain away, however, it didn’t washed-off. She tried a few more times, some stain faded, but there still a hint of red wine. She just let it that way, and went out of the washroom.

From afar, she saw a woman wearing a red, body-hugging dress with straight short hair, talking with Lyon Hastings. She can tell that the woman was much taller than her. The woman must be a model judging from her aura and her posture. They’re not having a sweet talk tho. More like arguing.

“Why are you not answering my calls?! You’re not even replying! You said you’re busy, but you’re here eating in a restaurant?!” the woman angrily asked him, getting the attention of everyone in the VIP lounge.

“It’s true that I’m busy that’s why I could not answer nor reply at you. I’m in a business meeting right now.” Lyon answered in a calm tone. “We’re not even a couple, why are you making a scene here?”

‘Oh! That’s a TMI. The woman is angry yet they’re not even a couple. Well, I bet they have an another kind of relationship.’

The people in the VIP lounge started whispering at each other.

“Isn’t that the model of branded products, Valerie Baeyens? And the guy is Lyon Hastings, the CEO of Hastings Construction. So, they really have a relationship? I thought it was a rumor.”

“Same here. We’re seeing them here fighting right now, there is something between them. They’re not a couple based on what Mr. Hastings had said, so they we’re just f*ck buddies? No strings attached?”

She got goosebumps after hearing that. So, this kind of relationship does exist in real life?

“Yes. I bet it’s like that. I’ll take a video of this. It will get viral after a few minutes.”

How many times has she rolled her eyes today? She just shrugged and continue on watching the couple arguing.

“How dare you say that?! You have found a new woman, right?! Who is it?! Tell me!” she even shouted louder, enough for people to pay their attention on them. Lyon Hastings was just calm there. Not even bothered of the situation. “You’re being silent like this. You really have someone new! Show her to me! I’ll deal with her myself!”

The guests from the first floor started to come up the second floor. That’s when Isobelle realized how big this scandal was. She doesn’t want this issue to get worse, so she stepped up and walked towards them.

“Excuse me, miss.” She said calmly. The woman looked at her, still angry. “I’m the one having a business meeting with Mr. Hastings here. I assure you that nothing is going on like what you are implying.”

The woman raised her eyebrow, scanning her from head to toe, and started laughing like crazy. After that, she looked at her with bloodshot eyes, then…

Pak!

The woman slapped Isobelle, and the people gasped in shocked. Isobelle was shocked too. She hadn’t expected this woman to slap her. Her left cheek turned red, and started to sting.

“Are you his new plaything? How dare you show up here? Are you that good, huh?” she asked implying malicious things. “You look innocent and demure outside, but you are wild inside. I didn’t know that you like these kind of girls Lyon” she even looked at Lyon Hastings and laughed sarcastically.

“No, you’re mistaken—”

“Shut up, b*tch!” she cut off her words. “You know what, Lyon. I can be like that too. I can act demure and classy and even innocent. You don’t have to look for other women.” She said those words calmly, and even hold Lyon Hastings hands like begging him.

This woman is so bipolar. One second, she’s like a tiger, the next second she’s like a kitten. She’s literally crazy and obsessed. The effect of Lyon Hastings.

‘Impressive. Very impressive. Talking about being sarcastic here.’

“It was over for us, Val.” He said calmly.

“No, Lyon. I promise I’ll be good. Please come back to me.” The woman is now kneeling in front of the man. Begging him. “Please, Lyon.” But the guy stayed quiet with a stoic face.

The security guards came.

“Ma’am, please stand up. You should get out of here.” One of the security guards told her, trying to make her stand.

“No! I won’t. I will stay with Lyon.” She said and started to cry.

Isobelle noticed Lyon Hastings signaled the guards. The guards then dragged the woman away from him. She started screaming and struggling, but their grips were too tight.

“Lyon, babe! You b*tch! I’ll get back at you! Just wait for it!” she shouted for the last time, before she was finally dragged outside.

“I’m sorry for the inconvenience. Please continue with your meals.” The manager of the restaurant said, and the guests finally returned to their places, but they’re still glancing back at their table.

“I apologize Ms. Levisay, Mr. Hastings. Such situation will never happen again.” The manager sincerely apologized.

“It’s okay.” Isobelle answered although she’s clearly not okay. The shaped of the woman’s hand was visible on her face. It’s swollen and it stings a lot. She turned to look at Lyon Hastings and said, “I’ll get going now Mr. Hastings. Please contact me if you have decided what clauses in the contract you want to change. I hope to never see you again.” she took her bag and phone, then rushed out of the scene.

She didn’t give them a chance to say goodbye to her. She just wanted to go home and put some ice on her cheek.

Lyon Hastings has brought so much trouble to her. He is definitely her bad luck.