Chapter 01

Chapter 01

Staff members bowed as Helena strode into her company, exuding an air of elegance and confidence. Her white tailored suit accentuated her slender, well-built frame, and she moved in a way that commanded graceful authority down the hallway, her manager walking alongside her.

They entered the elevator, their synchronized steps reflecting the harmony of their working relationship. And out of the elevator to her office located on the 15th floor of the building, the highest floor in the company.

Her manager hurried to the door, opening it widely for her and she walked in, gracing the room with her presence, her red heels hitting the marbled floor.

"Come over" Helena said, and without looking at her, her manager knew she was referring to her.

She hurried to catch up with her, matching her stride once again. She pulled the chair to the back and Helena stepped in, covering the space, then sat down as her manager wheeled the chair forward so she could sit.

"Yes, ma'am?" She asked, carefully picking her words. Short and simple, was how Helena liked it.

"We're moving to Florida" Helena announced simply like it was nothing. Like she hadn't just dropped the biggest shock of her life.

"W..what?" Arielle stuttered, almost choking on her words .

Helena tilted her head in a sharp, swift motion. "Any problem?"

"Yes" Arielle bowed immediately.

"Speak" Helena ordered.

"We can't just leave like that. I.. have.. my family, my.."

"Your family's back there in Florida, aren't they?" Helena cut in, her words sharp.

"My boyfriend.." Arielle trailed off when Helena suddenly got on her feet.

"You can stay if you want, i'll have you replaced by morning. Tell me what your decision is by evening, you can leave for now" She said as she walked over to the coffee brewer at the corner of her office.

Arielle pressed her lips together. She had a lot to say, but she couldn't. "Yes ma'am" She said, almost in a mutter. She bowed then exited the room.

Helena stared on, into nothingness, her coffee cup placed dangerously at the tip of her finger. She was officially going back home for the first time in seven years, to Florida, and to him.

*Florida, United States*

*Alfredo Enterprise*

The quiet buzz of the city drifted through the open windows as Kenzo stepped into his spacious office, the soft click of his expensive polished leather shoes echoing against the marbled floor.

The dim light of the evening shone a golden glow across the room, highlighting his tall, broaden frame.

From the back, he was a dominant figure- his tailored navy suit accentuating the sharp lines of his shoulders and the confident demeanor of his strides.

As he walked to the desk, he loosened his tie with one hand while the other casually slipped into his pocket.

He turned, revealing a face molded with perfection- a strong jawline, high cheekbones, and piercing gray eyes that seemed to pierce through everything. His neatly styled dark hair caught the faint light, giving an almost ethereal appeal.

Sinking into his chair with practiced ease, he exuded a calm elegance. The flicker of his watch under the desk lamp, paired with the faint smirk on his lips as he gazed his screen, completed the picture of a man who was both dangerously focused and irrestibly magnetic.

The peaceful atmosphere was suddenly disrupted as Gianna, his secretary rushed in, panting breathlessly.

"What is it?" He only asked, his attention still focused on the screen before him.

"The building collapsed, again." She panted and he rose his head in a swift, sharp motion, shocked at the revelation.

"What?" His voice was barely heard.

***

It was the third one, this year. Alfredo Enterprise dealt with construction, and this was the third contracted building they worked on that had collapsed.

"We're so sorry sir. We came here this morning and it was like this" The contractors announced, fear evident in his voice.

"We have no idea how.."

"Fire them" His tone was silent but laced dangerously.

Their eyes popped out in shock. "What?.. sir.."

He ignored them and walked out, leaving his secretary with them as she announced that they had been relieved of their job.

He lit a cigar as his driver opened the car door for him and he got in.

"Third.. Three.." He muttered silently as the car drove off.

His phone let out a beep, he dropped his cigar on the ash tray next to the car door, he picked up his phone to see a text from his dad.

"Branch to dad's" He said. If his driver wasn't used to his silently toned words, he wouldn't have heard him or if he wasn't attentive enough. He was a quiet and sophisticated man, they were used to him being soft spoken.

His driver took a U-turn and drove off silently.

After over an hour of driving, they finally arrived at The Alfredo Mansion, it was a million dollar big, elegant but simple mansion. Alfredo Barry was a simple, yet sophisticated man, just like his son.

Despite having billions of riches, he kept his home simple.

Kenzo stepped down from his car as his driver opened the door for him, and walked right behind him as he strode into his father's home.

The changed atmosphere and scent tickled something small inside his head but he brushed it off.

The butler received him and went back in to inform Mr. Barry about his son's arrival.

Five minutes passed and he finally walked out, he looked just as simple as his home, gray eyes, brown-now turned gray hair, which shone under the crescent light coming from the fluorescent bulbs in the room.

Kenzo stood up and helped his father have his seat. Though he was getting old, he was still healthy, except for his fractured leg which resulted from an accident ten years ago.

"Why did you ask to see me?" Kenzo went straight to the point as they finally had their seat.

"If it's about the buildings.."

"It's not" Barry cut in.

"Yeah?" Kenzo asked, now confused as to why his dad wanted to see him if it wasn't for the once again collapsed building.

"Well?" Barry looked up at the butler for help. He was a close acquaintance and had been with them for as long as Kenzo had lived.

"Well.." He tried to speak but Kenzo interrupted. "Are you sick?" Kenzo directed at his father.

"Well.. no..the thing is.." Barry was cut in when Gianna rushed in, diverting their attention to her.

"I'm sorry.. " She apologized for the interruption.

Kenzo cocked his brows, demanding an explanation for her interruption.

"Sirr.. your.." She stuttered, making Kenzo raise his brows more in confusion.

"Your..wife.."

"Well, hello there" Gianna was cut short by the strange...non-strange figure that walked in unannounced.

Kenzo's lips parted slowly, in shock at the sight.