Chapter Two

DANIEL

I returned the picture frame to the drawer, locked it in and reached out for my suit blazer. I sent a quick text to Anthony to get the car ready outside, I haven't been to work in a week now, nothing beats appearing out of the blue to your workers once in a while.

I built Matt's investments from sweat, I wouldn't allow any worker to mismanage it for me. According to Anthony, the workers nicknamed me Cold Matt, I do agree and I don't find it offensive either.

I went downstairs, and my chef, Ray made pancakes for breakfast. I took the one with syrup toppings, ate half and walked out.

I checked my Hublot wristwatch as Anthony drove inside the company, it's a few minutes past 8 a.m. Immediately I entered the building, I noticed my employees started running helter-skelter.

I had always been seen in the light of a dreadful boss, I come off as an arrogant man because I sack workers for the slightest mistakes, I wouldn't be where I am if I made mistakes constantly.

I walked towards the elevator designated for me and seldomly, my VIPs. I entered my office, placed my hands on the table and I took a sit, I looked at my palm and I noticed a speck of dust.

“Anthony, get the cleaning team and find out who is supposed to clean here. Pay her what she has done for this month and have her fired” I said as I washed my hands.

I picked up a blue file from my table, it must have been there for a few weeks. I remember I left it there before I started working from home. I opened it and I saw a proposal from Lewis and Son's corporation, it contained the usual proposals I get which are investing in growing and already-made companies except this one had a different deal attached to it.

In addition to investing in his company, Mr Lewis of Lewis and Sons Corporation wants me to marry his daughter in exchange for reducing my profit share from his company after investing.

I rubbed my palms together, "I'm sure he has something up his sleeves", I mumbled.

I called Anthony and asked that he do a background check on the corporation. A few hours later, he was back to tell me the outcome and it turns out Mr Lewis is in a huge debt that needs to be settled as soon as possible. I smacked my lips and told Anthony he could go. I walked to the large window, dipped my hands in my pocket and stared at the buzzing city. Others find it distracting but I find it easier to think things through when I look out the window.

A proposal like that isn't new to me and I would usually toss them in the bin, but for a reason, I want to consider it.

Perhaps, I feel this way because I came across my grandma's picture today and her last wish was for me to get married before thirty. I am now thirty-two with no sight of a woman. My grandma believed I would see life differently as a married man, but I haven't been able to bring myself to love a woman, I am more concerned about making money.

To fulfil her last wish, I walked back to my table, picked up the proposal and dialled the number on it. Mr Lewis picked up the phone call almost immediately, I would normally do this officially by setting up a visual meeting but I don't see the need for that since I have my answers. I have nothing to lose either way, I just need to feel at ease that I fulfilled my grandma's wish.

I am influential enough to talk about business whenever and wherever I want, I'm sure Mr Lewis is aware of this as he didn't hesitate to talk about his proposal straight away, and we reached a good conclusion before I ended the call.

I felt overwhelmed because I just agreed to a blind marriage and I felt the need to breathe in fresh air. I checked my wristwatch, picked up my car key and walked out of my office. I heard footsteps behind me almost immediately and I could guess it was Anthony, I signalled to him that he could go for the day. I just wanted to be alone and clear my thoughts.

I started the car engine, fixed the seat belt and drove out of the company. I went for a long ride, I was about to take a big step on behalf of my grandmother. She did a lot for me before she passed, I was two years away from her wish and I'm starting to feel bad.

The night was getting darker, so I parked in front of Urban Grind cafe to get a cup of coffee. I felt dehydrated and needed some caffeine. It was my first time at this cafe, I followed my G****e map on a coffee shop near me and it sure looked nice.

I made my way to the order desk, I took glances around, just a few people were sitting and I guess this was because the day was far spent. I got to the order desk, and I saw this lady who greeted me with a bright smile, her blue eyes sparkled as she looked up to request my order.

I felt a surge within me, I didn't know what it was, but I hadn't felt that way before. Her ponytail hair was loosely packed, some strands of hair fell across her face, and her fair skin shone in the clothes. I have laid quite many ladies, but the connection I felt towards this waitress was different.

My coffee was ready, my hand brushed hers as she handed it over to me. I felt something I couldn't describe but I shook it off as I went back to my car. This could be due to the distance I have kept from ladies in a while, but my curiosity still got the best of me, who was she?