Chapter Two: Saved By A Stranger

Malia's P.O.V...

"We meet again miss Smith, aren't you excited to see me?" the man said in a husky voice that sent chills down my spine.

I regained my footing and he let me go but I stumbled backwards and he was swift enough in getting a hold of me then he slid me closer, leaning over me. He touched me again and that single stroke on my cheek made my body tingle from his teases. I clamped my jaws together while taking in a deep breath and silently counted to ten before I responded.

"Thank you for saving me from being righteoused to death but what are you doing here? hold on don't tell me you're stalking me? I pray to the heaven's I should be proved wrong otherwise I won't spare you I'll make sure you regret ever knowing me" I snapped at him

"You should always keep your cool, it isn't good for a woman to be so hot blooded. I actually thought you wanted to commit suicide and do you think I wake up everyday and decide to waste my time by stalking you, you aren't that important to me" the man said, looking at me with his silently emotionless face then I found myself staring into his dull blue eyes which was by far the most attractive feature in his smooth white face.

"You aren't of any use and I'm not that weak that I'll result to ending my life. You're the least of my worries right now so you had better get out of my sight and never show your face to me" I pointed a finger at him but the man scoffed and put his hands in his pockets while staring intensely at me.

"Didn't you hear what I said? get out of my sight" I repeated my words but his blank expression told me more than if he had said anything at all.

"The last time I checked you didn't buy this beach which means you don't own it so I have as much right as you have to be here miss Smith so if anyone is to leave then it has to be you" he replied obstinately then he rummaged his hair.

I was taken aback by his silly actions and I knew he was just trying to get a reaction from me by stepping on my toes because I crashed into his car and I didn't want to accept the fact I did so but when I offered to pay for the damages he refused my money and that was his loss, not mine. Without saying anything to the stranger I turned to find my way then he pulled my hand and I landed into his arms once more. 

I struggled to break free from his firm grip but he wrapped his arms around me in a hold I couldn't break.

"Struggling won't do you any good, it will only make matters worst" he warned "I hope you're okay but I don't really mind if you're not still I deserve to know why there is a hint of sadness and worry in your eyes, you aren't as fiesty as the first time we crossed paths" he muttered in response.

"How can you be of help to me?" my gaze met his for a split second. His face was hot then I pushed him away from me, avoiding his intense gaze.

"My life revolves around you and I will do anything for you" I chuckled at his forthrightness.

"By the way I didn't get your name?"

"Larson Reynold"

"Well Mr Reynold can I ask for a favor and promise you won't back out?"

"Shoot"

"I want you to become the next president of the Ray Smith group of industries, can you do that for me?" I blurted out and to my utter bewilderment his thin lips curled into a half smile and his eyes sparkled as he let out a voiceless laugh and a slight rush of air coursed through my veins.

"I'm talking business Mr Reynold. I need you to give your consent and I will prepare the contract papers and I'll make sure you don't feel used, I promise you'll have your insurance, healthcare, pension and many others. Can't you see you'll benefit a lot if you accept my offer but if you refuse it's your loss and not mine" I said sounding annoyed.

"I didn't expect a woman like you to have a blind faith in some random stranger. I'm sure you're aware this is a huge responsibility and have you bothered to find out if I know anything about the business world?"

"Judging from your first impression I believe you can be the best person for the seat of a president and trust me when I say I'll teach you everything you need to know"

"All I want from you is to accept my offer once everything is in my control I'll sort out this mess. This is going to be a golden opportunity for you, you will have a new life and all you ever desired"

 The news of my failed marriage spread like wildfire. The entire world had found out about the collapse of my marriage which got them talki6 and the stocks in the business market had taken a huge drop out blow. I told the board of directors an election will take place in order to choose the next president of the Ray Smith group of industries but all that was just a facade to distract them so I could buy more time for myself.

The media didn't spare me as I became the center of attraction on the cover of every newspaper and business magazines, they all claimed I didn't understand the value of marriage but despite everything I made sure to remain composed. True to my words I had told the board of directors to get ready for an election but deep down I knew I wanted to choose a president based on my own views and accord and I couldn't afford to mess things up.

I was scared to face my father, I didn't stop thinking about his reaction to the scandal but I could always blame him for the calamity which has befallen on us.

"You got what you wanted right? It still doesn't make any sense if he apologized why didn't you forgive him. You're aware cheating has become a normal dose of medicine for everyone in a relationship but no my daughter does as it pleases her soul, I'm sure the world has seen how much of an ego you have so suffer the consequences" a familiar voice had me turning and a smile escaped my lips.

Despite his taunts I closed the gap between us and enveloped him in a tight hug. No matter what happened he was still my father and I felt protected around him.

"My apologies dad, you had to find out about your daughter's life from the media. A lot has been going on lately which has gotten me stressed out"

"Fileing for a divorce wasn't an escape to your problems instead it's the other way round, because of this your personal and professional life has been mixed" he retorted, gazing at me intensely.

"No dad I'm sorry to say but I totally disagree with you, I haven't felt so sure in my life when I filed for a divorce. He cheated on me and there's no way I could let him get away with it, he needs to be taught a befiting lesson" I said greeting him with small kisses.

"What about the influence he has in the society and the business world? you can't just overlook all that, he was an amazing president"

"Amazing my foot! he wasn't who he portrayed himself as. He was using my money to give his mistress a luxurious life and all you can say is I should forgive him, sometimes you make me feel you aren't my father but my enemy. Whose father wants his child to settle for less?"

"Don't try and play the victim card or pull up any emotional stunt" he warned

"I'm not doing that, I'm just stating facts and what's so hard for you all to understand I'm the victim here but everyone is siding with the man who hurt me, to heck with that bastard I hate him" I screamed as I grabbed a vase and threw it at the television which shattered into pieces.

"Control yourself and think like a business woman. Screaming won't change the fact he has been the pillar of strength in the company, he might not have been the best husband but you can work things out I didn't have a failed marriage so why should you?" he questioned

"Today you've made me question the love you have for me. For years you've been both my mother and my father so why can't you feel my pain?"

"Please don't stress about anything and take care of yourself. I might be mad at you but it doesn't mean I love you any less, I'm fully aware the traitors of our empire will try to take over everything from right under our nose but trust me when I say I won't let them accomplish their mission because the decision I'm about to make will be the best, I'll appreciate it if you don't ask me anymore questions and let me handle this unforseen mess" I said pleadingly looking into his eyes.