Prologue

PROLOGUE

LIFE IS SHORT. We should always spend time with our loved ones and do the things we love.

Isobelle Levisay, 25, the eldest daughter of the Levisay clan. She loves her family so much that she agreed to study civil engineering as per her dad's request. She didn't disappoint him because she graduated with Latin honors, and is now working on their company.

"You should eat a lot, Sobi. You've been working ever since you've graduated. Look at you now. You're skinny," her daddy pointed out.

"I'm not skinny dad. This is what you call, sexy~" she even winked at him. The man just shook his head while smiling and continued to eat his breakfast.

The Levisays were having breakfast at their dining area. Everyone is present from her younger twin siblings, Steven and Sophie, her daddy and her mom. They were like a happy, and perfect family in the eyes of other people.

"You should really eat more, Sobi. I'm afraid you'll passed out while working," her mom said, worried.

"That's right, mom. I saw Sobi massaging her head yesterday. She must be exhausted," Sophie, her younger sister reported, but worried as well.

"Don't listen to them, Sobi. You are sexy in my eyes," her brother defended her.

"Aw, you're the only one who complimented me bro. What do you want? I'll buy you anything," she said, delighted of her brother’s words.

"Yes!" her brother jumped in excitement and kissed her cheeks.

Take note, her brother is 18 years old yet he's acting like a kid in front of his older sister.

"Steven, you're bugging your sister again. Stop with your capriciousness," her mom, Belinda, scolded her brother.

"Don't worry about me guys. I'm fine," she said, reassuring them.

“Alright. If you say so. Meet me later at my office. I have something to discuss with you,” her father told her.

She just nodded in response and continue eating her breakfast.

UPON her arrival at the company, employees greeted her a good morning. She replied back at them with a smile. The employees then started whispering, talking about how kind and beautiful she is.

“I’m so happy that Ms. Isobelle is here. She’s not only beautiful, but kind as well.”

“That’s right. She’s like an angel. I felt motivated to come to work every day,” one of the male employees said.

“Me too. Whoever the lucky guy is, I’ll feel really jealous.”

“I think there’s something between her and Mr. Maverick,” one of them stated.

“Maverick? Maverick Johnson?” they gossiped even more, trying to get some information.

“Yes. They’re always together on every project. They’ve known each other for so long. I bet their relationship is more than just friends.”

“But, Melissa, Mr. Maverick’s younger sister is like Ms. Isobelle’s sister. They’re best friends, right? Isn’t that weird then?” someone asked.

“What’s weird in that? Wouldn’t it be good if they become sister-in-law?” another argued.

“Yeah, right. You have a point.”

“Shh. She’s here. Stop talking now and get back to work.”

As if their voices were not loud enough for her to hear. She heard all of them, but she just ignored their suspicions and gossips. It’s true that she’s close with Maverick, but that is only because he is Melissa’s brother, and her partner in work as well. He’s the best architect in their company and both of them are perfect partners when it comes to dealing with projects, that is why her father partnered her with him. She just thought of him like a brother. No malice. No more, no less.

She just entered the elevator and get to the top floor where her father’s office is located. Levisay Construction Firm. This is their company, which is the brother company of the Johnsons. They were business partners.

She entered her father’s office and saw a tall, handsome, and charming guy standing on the front of her father’s table. The guy turned to look at her and smiled. His smile is contagious. Lots of girls have been trying to get his attention, but to no avail. He’s indeed one of the hottest bachelors in the country.

“Good morning, Sob.”

“Good morning, Mav,” she just smiled a little, then shut the door behind her.

“Come here, Sob. I was showing Maverick the contract here,” her father gestured her to stand beside Maverick, who was still looking at her. She just nodded and went to her daddy’s table.

Her father then showed her a folder. When she opened it, bold letters with the name, HASTINGS CONSTRUCTION. Partnership Contract is printed.

“Partnership Contract?” she asked her dad, confused.

“Yes, Sobi. We need high quality supplies of construction materials. Hastings is the best when it comes to this. I’ve heard a lot about their company, and I have researched information about them already. They have a lot of branches abroad as well. They will be of great help to our firm,” her dad explained.

“I’m not questioning your decisions, dad. You don’t need my opinion in this. I know you only choose the best. I’m just wondering why you called me for this?” she asked him again.

“Oh, about that. I summoned both of you here, because I want you to handle this matter.”

“Uncle just told me that I’ll be the one to check their supplies, and you’ll be the one to meet with their CEO for the contract signing,” Maverick stated.

Confused, she asked her dad again, “You’ll let me handle this matter, dad? Are you sure about this? What if I mess this up?”

She’s not very confident of herself. This is not a small project after all. This one is really crucial for their company. If she messed it up, they’ll have to find another potential partner. However, based on what her dad has said, Hastings Construction is the best among the best. This partnership should be successful no matter what.

“I believe in you. You are Isobelle Levisay. Levisays are brave, smart and versatile. You can definitely do it,” her dad encouraged her.

“I believe in you as well. You’ll definitely seal this partnership, Sob.”

She felt confident after hearing their words. Their encouragement motivated her.

“Yes, you are all right. I won’t just give up easily. Leave this matter to me, dad. I’ll make sure they will sign the contract,” she said with confidence.

“That’s my girl!” her dad even laughed. “I have set up an appointment for your meeting. It will be next week, so you can still have time to get ready.”

“Alright, dad. I will not let you down.”

WEARING a white, sleeveless, knee-length, body-hugging dress with a black coat on her shoulders, Isobelle is ready to meet the CEO of the Hastings Construction. She is now driving on her way to the restaurant, which is the meeting place. The rain has just stopped and there is no traffic.

'Seems like this is going to be a good day.'

She stopped upon seeing the red light, and began tapping the stirring wheel. Then, she rolled down the door of her window and even hummed her favorite song while waiting. Just then, a motorcycle stopped beside her car. She stared at it. It’s a black Duc*ti. The man on the motorcycle wears a black helmet, black long sleeve shirt, and black slacks.

“Such a dark concept. Weird,” she stated.

The man seemed to hear her utter that and turned to look at her. She immediately looked away, and slowly rolled up the window. She just blurted that out because the man seems like he’s going to a formal meeting somewhere but he’s riding a motorcycle, but seems like he heard her. She finds that really weird. She didn’t dare to look back at the direction of the man again. Even though her car is heavily tinted, she’s scared of being mistaken as a curious cat or something.

The light turned green so she started driving again to her destination. She didn’t look back. Ten minutes before the meeting time, she arrived at the venue. She then got out of her car after parking it and started walking to the entrance of the restaurant.

The road is wet because of the rain. She noticed that there are puddles everywhere.

“Oh, right! I’m so clumsy,” she murmured after remembering that she forgot to take the contract on the backseat of her car. She turned to walk back, but even before she could even open her car door, a motorcycle barreled over a puddle, making the muddy water splash on her.

“What the heck?!” she shrieked.

The motorcycle stopped just beside her car, making a loud sound of screech. She then looked at her dress which is now dirty because of the mud. How will she face the CEO of Hastings now? She turned to look at the driver of the motorcycle and shocked to see that it’s the same man she met earlier. ‘What the heck is the problem of this man?’

“Hey!” she called him. The man just got off his motorcycle and turned after hearing her call him. “Can’t you drive slower? Look at my dress. How will you compensate me?” she angrily asked.

The man didn’t reply and just took off his helmet. Like something has just clicked the speed button, her world seemed to play on slow motion upon seeing the handsome face of the man. From his thick eyebrows, jet black eyes, proud nose, red and luscious lips. The guy has a piercing on his left ear. Everything is just perfect. He even brushed his hair back making him look hotter. 

'No! Now is not the time to praise this guy. He’s unruly and rude!'

“Hey! Did you hear me?” she asked him again.

“You’re noisy.” The guy just answered with a baritone voice.

‘What? After all he did, he just answered me with a few words and even called me noisy?’ she thought, feeling even more enraged. The guy’s attitude is just a very big turn off.

“As*h*le.” She whispered enough for him to hear.

“Tch!” The guy just ignored her and continued walking towards the restaurant.

“Such an as*h*le! What am I gonna do now?” she stomped her foot out of annoyance, and looked at her dress again. Sighing, she just took a pack of wet wipes and tried to clean her dress. At least it won’t look too unpresentable. After a few minutes, her dress looked better.

She figured out that she’s already late and took the contract with her, then went inside the restaurant and ask the staff at the front about her reservation.

“You are on the VIP lounge, ma’am. Please follow our staff, and he’ll direct you to the room.”

She just nodded and followed the staff. They walk up to the stairs to the second floor where the VIP lounge is. From afar, she saw the guy that gave her trouble earlier. Her blood boiled of anger. What is he doing here? The staff just kept on walking towards the guy.

Now, she’s having this weird feeling. Something just popped up her mind, but she's trying to brush it off.

‘It’s not what I’m thinking, right?’ she thought.                                                

The closer they get to the rude guy’s table, the more her suspicions grow.

“Here’s your table, ma’am.” The staff motioned her to seat on the same table as the guy.

She smiled reluctantly at the staff and asked, “Are you not mistaken? Are you sure that this is the table I have reserved?”

“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?’