Chapter 2

If there was one thing I hated more than liars, cheaters, spiders, judgemental people, corrupts, and..., you know what? I think I hate a lot of things happening in this world. That was really sad. Maybe I was a certified hater.

But then again I think anyone would hate the above mentioned things. Well... maybe not if you are one of the above mentioned things. Except that the third of the above mentioned things was not possible because I'm fairly certain that you're not a spider since the last I'd heard, spiders couldn't read.

But even then, there were already a lot of strange things going on around this world so I wouldn't find it weird if I got a text saying hello there! I'm a spider. Just thought to let you know that I can read and write.

Oh who was I kidding?! I'd throw my phone to God knows where and lock myself in a spider-proof place. Which reminds me, I needed to look for those things -not the literate spiders- the spider-proof places. For future references.

Anyways, I’m way out of point here. What I meant to say is that one of the things I hated just as much I hated the above mentioned things, if not more, is when people were late. Including myself.

I ran my fingers softly over the name plate on my desk. Evelyn White, CEO, Eva’s and Co. It was a multinational fashion company I built all by myself. Eva's was a renowned fashion brand all over the world and I was proud of it. I'd spent sleepless nights and restless days working for the company to get this far. This company was everything to me. So I couldn’t tolerate if any of my employees didn’t take their job seriously. And one of the thing that showed that my employees were not taking their job seriously is when they were late.

Which is why I was currently trying my best to control my anger in front of the said employee who was 43 minutes late on the day of an important meeting. Leah Brooks had been my personal assistant for 18 months now and I could say that I'd been more frustrated in these 18 months than I had in the entire 26 years of my life.

I didn't want to fire her, not because she was efficient or I had a soft spot for her. It was merely due to the fact that it would take longer to hire a replacement and train him/her. So I'd been enduring her tardiness and lack of professionalism but lately I'd been finding it very hard to do so. Maybe I was really the 'heartless princess' as the tabloids had kindly put it but I didn't care.

I paid my employees well enough than most companies and provided them enough breaks and holidays. All I wanted in return was their efficiency and dedication. Both of which the individual standing in front of me with sad puppy face lacked clearly.

"So let me hear, what is the reason you've come up with today for your delay, Ms. Brooks?" I asked her as calmly as possible. I was a little curious as to hear her excuse because as far as I could recall, she had used the very last of her excuses already.

I thought back to our last similar conversation two weeks ago when she'd said she met her long lost brother on the way to the office. Apparently they went to a fancy restaurant where they had a nice long talk, catching up on their lost time together but in the end, the guy turned out to be a freak who just wanted free food and the company of a beautiful girl as herself. Her words, not mine.

So, that being said, I was pretty surprised when she gave a simple excuse of traffic. I sighed and stood up from my desk. I walked in front of her and made sure to look her in the eye showing that I was serious. "Ms. Brooks, you're excused for now as I have an important meeting today. But you'd better take this seriously because this is your last warning. The next time you're late, I suggest you find a job near your apartment so traffic wouldn't hinder you anymore."

"I knew I wasn't the only one."

We were both startled by a deep voice coming from the doorway to my office. I heard Leah's gasp and lifted my eyes, only to suppress the gasp of my own.

There, leaning against my office door in a sleek black suit with both his hands on his pockets was none other than Adrian Stone. The business tycoon, handsome as hell, sexy as sin and the most eligible bachelor of New York as Leah had put it yesterday giving me his company’s briefings.

I had met him at some charity events and we'd made some small talks here and there but that was it. We’d never formally introduced ourselves until now. I had to admit though, he was quite easy on eyes with his dark black hair and electric blue eyes. Once again, who was I kidding? He was a freaking Greek God. He was tall, well over six feet and had a well-built body. I could almost see his sculpted chest through his suit that accentuated his body so well that one would think he was born in that.

A distinct throat clearing jerked me out of my thoughts and I looked up to see the Greek God looking at me with an eyebrow raised and a smirk in the corner of his lips. I felt myself starting to flush from embarrassment on being caught staring at him. So I tried to compose myself before I began to look like a 12 year old caught gawking at the men’s fashion magazine for the first time.

Clearing my throat awkwardly, I walked to the door and held my hand out to him, "My apologies that you had to hear that, Mr. Stone. Evelyn White, the CEO of Eva's and Co. A pleasure meeting you."

I was proud of myself for sounding more confident and composed than I felt. I looked up at him and found him staring at me in amusement. He looked at my outstretched hand and slowly joined his right hand with mine, instantly bringing unfamiliar tingles to rise up my spine.

"It's a pleasure indeed, Ms. White. And no need to apologize. What you were saying was totally reasonable. Punctuality is the quality we look in every employee and business partners. It shows how dedicated you are to your job or company. Up until now, I’d thought I was the only one to value that particular trait as much as I do. But I'm glad we agree on that regard." He said, flashing me a mixture of smile and a smirk, while his eyes held something that compelled me to keep looking at them to figure out the emotions hidden underneath. I decided not to dwell upon it for long and averted my eyes elsewhere.

I returned a small smile his way, waiting for him to remember that he was still holding my hand. He finally registered it after a few moments’ awkward silence and released it after squeezing it lightly. Strangely, it immediately made me missed the warmth of his touch but once again, I ignored the strange feeling and looked into his eyes, trying not to get drowned in them.

"Of course, Mr. Stone. I, too, am glad that we’re on the same page. That’s why I think it would be more fitting that we start our meeting right away if it's alright with you. In the meantime my assistant, Ms. Leah Brooks will show you to the conference room with refreshments." 

I turned my attention to Leah who apparently had not hear a single thing transpired between us. She was still staring at the most eligible bachelor of New York with her jaw hung open and smitten eyes. I hoped I didn't look like that while ogling the man before us.

I cleared my throat louder and repeated in a firm voice. "Ms. Brooks?!"

Fortunately, that seemed to pull her out of her dreamland with her handsome hunk. She looked at me with a sheepish expression, her face flushed. I sighed. Good God, this woman. I tried to be as calm as possible while repeating once again, "Ms. Brooks, can you please show Mr. Stone here to the conference room and prepare for the meeting while I bring my things?"

I silently thanked God that she understood my language when she nodded her head furiously and addressed the man who was still watching our exchange with amusement. "Y-yeah of course. Mr. Stone c-can you please follow me to the conference room?"

"Sure, Ms. Brooks. Lead the way." He said to Leah, but all the while, he was watching me intently making me slightly uncomfortable with his gaze. I finally released a long breath I didn't even realize I had been holding as soon as he exited my office and followed Leah to the conference room.

Sighing, I gathered my laptop and reviewed my PowerPoint once again, making sure nothing was amiss. I made my way to the conference room, mentally picturing the handsome devil there with his domineering presence and intense blue eyes. I wanted nothing more than to get this over with.

The day had just begun and I already wanted it to end.