ARE YOU CRAZY

Ethan couldn't get a proper sleep. He kept thinking about a certain woman who rejected him. It was something that had never happened to him before.

He replayed the scene over again. He remembered how Emma left the room, leaving him speechless. No woman had ever walked away from him. To make matters worse, she insulted him by calling him rude. Well, Emma is fearless, but she just stepped on the tiger's tail. Ethan is not an easy person to contend with.

______

Ethan Williams entered the conference room. He had called for a general meeting, wanting updates from the Presidents of all his five-star and seven-star hotels. The hotels were well represented.

At the entrance of the CEO, all the executives stood to welcome and acknowledge him.

The meeting was ongoing, with one of the executives delivering a speech. Ethan was deep in thought, reflecting on his previous encounter with Emma. Her actions haunted him, and a loud voice snapped him out of his reverie and back to the meeting.

"Sir," the man's voice called out.

"Yes, please". Ethan said. Not understanding whatever the man had said.

" I'm sorry to waste your time gentlemen. I need a break. We'll reschedule this meeting, and my secretary will update you on the new date. Thank you, gentlemen." He stood up and left the room, followed by his secretary and his guards.

Everyone in that hall was dumbfounded. They wondered what happened to their boss. He had never been like that before.

Ethan walked into his office and instructed his men to find out everything they could get about Emma Richard. They left immediately at his command.

His secretary walked in to remind him of his visit to the Laveda Hotel and Resorts.

"Sir, you're scheduled to visit the Laveda Hotel and Resorts today. The hotel president is waiting for you."

He contemplated either to reschedule or to go as planned. He turned to his secretary, Rose.

"Tell him I'll be there shortly. And please. Inform Zack to get my car ready. Thanks, Rose," he instructed politely.

______

Outside the Laveda Hotel, senior staff awaited their CEO's arrival, along with paparazzi. They soon spotted his convoy approaching. About six cars stopped at the hotel entrance. Men in black rushed to secure the area. One of them opened the door, and the handsome young CEO emerged. He was received by the hotel president and ushered into the hotel. The paparazzi were busy taking pictures of Ethan.

In the hotel reception, staff lined up to greet him. The president introduced the most senior staff first, and then the others. Ethan greeted everyone.

The last person in line was Miss Richard. Her face was downcast, as no one dared look directly at their CEO, especially the newer employees like Emma, who had been at Laveda for barely a year. As he approached her, the president was about to introduce her, but the CEO interrupted.

"Miss Richard?" She raised her head and was shocked to see Ethan Williams. Her eyes almost came out of their sockets.

She composed herself immediately as everyone was watching. "It is an honour to meet you, sir," she said, bowing.

The president was confused and asked, "Sir, do you know Miss Richard?"

A mischievous smirk played on Ethan's lips.

"Yes, I do," he replied, still gazing at her, while everyone looked surprised. The president continued, "Miss Richard is the hotel's general supervisor. She is one of the best managers we have in Laveda."

Ethan noticed everyone watching and quickly proceeded inside with the hotel president. Emma finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Other staff were gossiping, and Emma could hear them asking how she knew the CEO. Ignoring them, she headed to her office.

A knock on her office door.

"Yes, come in, please," she answered.

Genna, Emma's best friend and also a manager at the hotel, walked in and sat across from her.

Emma pretended to be working on her laptop and asked, "What can I do for you, Genna?"

Genna smirked. "Start talking, girl."

Emma knew Genna wouldn't stop, so she decided to spill the beans. "The matchmaking stuff I told you about, the rude guy I mentioned, is our CEO"

"No fucking way," Genna was amazed. "Are you crazy? You mean our CEO was the man you rejected? Do you know how lucky you are? He's one of the youngest billionaires, maybe even a trillionaire that is if there is anything like that"

"That's the reason I don't want him. People like us don't matter to people like him. A trillionaire with me? That's odd. Please, let's stop talking about it." Genna sighed.

Another knock on the door. This time, It was the hotel president. The ladies stood up immediately to greet him.

"Sir, I hope there's no problem?" Emma asked, noticing the concerned look on his face.

The president sighed. Rubbing his palm through his hair.

"Miss Richard, I don't know what problem you have with Ethan..."

"He fired me?" she interrupted.

The middle-aged man looked surprised. "No. He fired everyone, including me. For reasons known only to you both. Please, you're the only one who can fix this. He wants to see you in his office. Now."

"What the fuck! I am sorry sir. But, I meant, How could he do such a thing?"

"Oh God. I've been fired? Why? What's going on?" Genna started sobbing.

"Genna, stop the drama. You and I know what this is about. I'll be right back."

Emma left her boss and Genna in her office to meet with Ethan who happened to be her boss.

_____

Ethan was in a phone conversation with someone while standing by the office's glass wall and looking at the busy street when he heard a knock on the door. "Come in," he said, and continue his conversation.

Emma walked in and stood by his desk. Ethan ended the call and walked over to her, hands in his suit pockets while he stared at her.

"You sent for me, sir," she said casually. He was furious, thinking about her audacity to call him rude. He wondered what was attracting him to her.

He moved closer and whispered,

"There's no backing down on this, Miss Richard." He smirked and stepped away from her. He sat on a sofa in the lounge area of his office. "Come sit down, Miss Richard," he commanded.

She knew he was doing this deliberately to get back at her. So she sat on another sofa across from him. They looked at each other in silence before he chuckled.

"You're fearless, Miss Richard. It's a charm you have. You'd be a perfect partner for me. Don't you agree? You're the only woman that is not afraid of me and not interested in my money. I find that interesting. So, what do you say, Miss Richard? Let's start on a good note."

Emma was amazed. She wondered if this was his real personality or if he was putting on a show. She decided to respond.

"Emma Richard," she said, extending her hand. He took her hand and kissed the back of her palm. "Ethan Williams," he said. She quickly pulled back her hand.

"I'm sorry," they both said simultaneously, laughing.

"So, are we good now, Miss Richard?"

"Yes, we are," she replied. "But sir, about the staff?"

"Our meeting tonight will determine their fate. Don't worry about that. You can leave now, Miss Richard."

She stood to go back to her office, confused by what he meant. "Our meeting tonight?" she asked.

He walked over, took her phone, and unlocked it with her fingerprint. He entered his number and dialled it. When it rang, he saved it. "I'll see you tonight, Miss Richard. Make sure to look your best. I'll pick you up later today," he smiled and winked.