The Billionaire’s First Love

Chapter1

Rosie had spent three months in New York, having relocated to her sister Ann’s house after she’d had to relocate from Georgia due to her inability to afford her accommodation. Ever since she had her daughter Emilia, life took on a new turn for her. She was stigmatized at work for being a single mother, and as a result of the heat, she had resigned from her job. She did everything she could to survive and take care of herself and her child. Ann helped in her own little way, but she earned a meager salary herself and couldn’t do much. She kept on pushing, trying to survive, but after two years, she couldn’t cope anymore and her sister had assisted in flying them out to New York. She had applied for numerous jobs, but all to no avail. After many futile attempts, she gave up. She became frustrated and didn’t know what to do anymore. It took the love, support and encouragement of her sister to keep herself sane, as the frustration was already eating deep into her.

Her sister had come home one evening from work, feeling elated. “What’s up, sis?”

Rosie was confused. She didn’t understand the reason for the excitement on her sister’s face, and she looked at her, wanting to know what the reason for the excitement was. “Hey. What’s with the excitement?”

“Guess what?” Ann said. She was grinning from ear to ear. Rosie thought that whatever had to make her sister this happy had to be something really huge.

“Uh… you won a lottery?” Rosie tried to guess.

“Nope, guess again.” Ann laughed.

“You got promoted at work?” Rosie asked.

“Nope.”

“Why not tell me, Annie? You know I'm not good at this guessing thing,” Rosie gave up.

“Okay, there’s this opening for a Personal Assistant that I just came across, and guess what? It’s in AdriaBlooms Inc., the biggest construction firm here in the United States. And they’ve got their headquarters here in New York. You’ve got a masters in Architecture, and I strongly believe you are going to get this one. You’d be working directly with the CEO. This is an opportunity made in heaven,” Ann said, giggling.

Rosie was quiet for a while, then she burst out laughing. “AdriaBlooms? Really?”

Ann was surprised. “Yes, AdriaBlooms. Is anything wrong with that”

“Everything is wrong with it. Can’t you see?” Rosie was still being sarcastic. “I’ve applied to more than twenty different easy to access firms and I wasn't accepted, and you think manna’s gonna fall from heaven at AdriaBlooms? AdriaBlooms, Annie!”

Emilia came into the sitting room and Ann settled her on her lap. “Where’s this pessimism coming from, Rosie? I can’t even believe you’re saying this. Is this how you’re going to continue? Sitting here all day and waiting for me to get back so I’ll give you what I can for you to get what you can with it? Look at Emilia! Is this how you want her to continue?”

“But…” Rosie started to say but Ann cut her short.

“There are no buts, Rosie! I can’t send you away from my house and I'll always do right by you because you’re my sister. But it’d give me greater joy to see you succeed and be that bubbly lady I've always known you to be. First thing Monday morning, you’re going to apply at AdriaBlooms. Make the move first, and leave the rest to fate.” Ann was serious.

“Sis…”

“You’ll apply at AdriaBlooms, Rosie, and you’ll get that job!” And with that, she lifted Emilia and went into her bedroom.

**********

Sitting in the reception of AdriaBlooms, Rosie was tensed. She had never felt so nervous before. Here she was, sitting in one of the biggest firms in the US, indeed the biggest construction firm in the United States. She really wasn’t prepared for this and had only come here because her sister had insisted and, to show that she meant it, had brought her there herself that morning. She made a decision within herself not to apply for any more jobs after this, but rather save up and start up a business. But her sister’s strong faith gave her some kind of reassurance, her words rang in her ears every minute. You’re going to apply for that position, and you’re going to get that job. It rang in her ears repeatedly, and she had some hope.

“Rosie Meurer?” the receptionist called out, startling her.

“ That’s me,” she said and got up.

“Come with me.”

She was led into the office, and Rosie could swear that she had never imagined an office so big. She looked around and marveled at the structural design of the building. There were two men present, and she greeted them politely. “Good day, sirs.”

The older man spoke. “Good day, young lady. Have your seat.”

“Thank you, sir.” She sat down and passed her resume to the younger man who went through them and looked up sharply, looking surprised. He passed it to the older man who had quite the same expression.

“Masters degree in Architecture? And from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology?” the younger man asked.

“Yes, sir.”

“Impressive. So why are you applying to be a Personal Assistant?” the older man asked.

Rosie took a deep breath. “Asides from the fact that AdriaBlooms is the leading construction firm in the US, I'd rather work as a personal assistant than miss an opportunity to work with you… for you, and learn from you, sir.”

If the younger man was impressed, he did little to show it. But the older man was pleased, so pleased at her response that he smiled widely. “That’s beautiful, Rosie. Well, I am Engineer Maxwell Thomas, and that’s my son, Adrian Thomas. He’s an engineer and also an architect, just like you. I’m the President of this firm, while my son is the CEO, and you’ll be working with him, directly. I’ll ask my secretary to give you other details of your job description, as well as other side benefits attached. Congratulations, Rosie.”

Rosie couldn’t believe her ears. “I got the job, sir?”

“Of course you got the job. Your academic qualification and intelligent responses leaves me with no choice. Congratulations,” Engr. Thomas said, extending his hand for a handshake. She took his hands in both of hers. “Thank you very much sir for this opportunity,” she said feeling grateful and she turned to face Adrian. “Thank you, sir.”

Adrian got up, gave her a steely look, muttered Congratulations and walked out.