Chapter 1 Mr Bolton in San Francisco

Monday morning. 

Brian Bolton stepped out from his Bentley, entering the Bolton Building in downtown San Francisco. It is his first day after he decided to handle his San Francisco office due to the growing market in the Asia-Pacific. He prefers New York City rather than San Francisco, however his business in New York City is doing well and nothing challenging there, leaving him bored sometimes. The East Coast and European market brought billions of dollars to his pocket and made him one of the top young CEOs of Tech-Finance company, the Bolton Enterprise. 

He never felt enough and continued to push himself to expand his business and with the current trend, the growing market in Asia caught his eyes, dragged him to move to San Francisco to grab the market. 

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Leaving New York City is something he needs to do sooner or later, he is exhausted taking care of Rosie there. Rosie Hart, his fiance, is in a coma for three years. He gets pressure from Rosie's family and his own family to be responsible for what happened to Rossie. She had a car accident after both of them got into a fight over the wedding, which Brian tried to call off. No one knew what’s going on between them and Brian refused to explain, letting the pressure put on his shoulder. Since then, he has distanced himself from any women and devotes himself into work and brings more wealth into his pocket. 

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He took his private elevator to the top floor, the 45th. He saw Smith, his personal assistant and his right hand man, already in his office. 

“The meeting will start in 10 minute Mr Bolton”, Smith informed. 

“Give me a quick head up”, Brian said while he sipped his black coffee. 

“A big project with K Corporation, we will help them to build a tech-finance industrial area in the sub-urban Seoul” Smith said clearly.

“Do we have someone familiar with Korean market?” Brian wondered. He remembered that his office mostly worked with Japanese and Singaporean companies. 

“Yes, the San Francisco office months ago just hired someone that has experience with Korean market and business. She is Ms Anastasia Berg, transferred to our company after leaving her previous one, the Busan Corporation. She is also the one that brought this project to our company after competing with Kent Enterprise.”

“Why didn't I know this and I never heard about her?” Brian could not think about it. It is a big project and he recalls his previous visit to San Francisco but never met that woman. 

Before Smith could respond, the phone next to Brian rang. Janet, the secretary, reminds him about the meeting. Everyone is waiting for him in the meeting room. 

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In the meeting room.

Brian sits and quickly scans the room and his eyes spotted the woman, she has black neat hair, wearing glasses and her face is somehow mixed races, half Asian half Western. As his mind travels, his imagination ends when the woman speaks up. Her voice is sexy somehow. 

“Good morning everyone. Good morning to Mr Bolton. We are glad to have you in the office. A quick update on the Seoul project with K Corporation…...” Anna spoke for 10 minutes. 

“I might not have time to get involved directly with the project, but give me an update if something urgent or necessary to discuss”, Brian interrupted. 

“Mr Bolton…” Smith is about to speak up.

“Sure Mr Bolton” Anna answered and smiled to him

“....” Brian caught out her smile.

The meeting continued while Brian left the meeting room earlier due to having another call with the New York office. 

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It was a long Monday for Brian and he arrived at his penthouse around 8 pm. Mary, his servant, was about to ask him what he wanted for dinner, but his phone rang. 

“Hey jerk, welcome to San Francisco!” said Kevin, one of his close friends in the city.

“What do you want? I am dead-ass tired now!” Brian snapped.

“We need to have a welcome party for you dude! Finally you left NYC and joined the rest of us here in SF. How about The Bay Bar on Saturday?” 

“Sure, tell Ryan and Mark then. Now, cut this, don't disturb me again!” Brian said half-mad

“Hahaha alright….good night Mr Bolton” Kevin teased 

“Fuck off!” He tossed his phone on the sofa and headed to the dining table.

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Brian, Kevin, Mark and Ryan are best friends. They have spent time since childhood together, since all of them come from rich families in NYC. His three best friends moved to SF a year ago, working on the family business with the growing market in Asia. Pacific Coast or West Coast is the best place to be a hub between Asia and America. San Francisco, Seattle and Los Angeles are the home of top elite multinational companies that connect the Asia-Pacific market.

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By the time he finishes showering, it is already 10 pm, he checks his phone, skips the message from his mother who updates him on Rosie's condition. This Monday is so tiring, he slowly closes his eyes.