Chasing Mr Arrogant

CHAPTER ONE

Rachel~

TWO YEARS LATER.

“Rachel, you can do this, you can't just decide to work out on this marriage and your family.” Tersea, my mother-in-law yelled.

I paused at the bottom of the grand staircase, my suitcase clutched tightly in my hand. “You expect me to sit here and grow old waiting for a man who hasn’t shown his face once in two years? We’re supposed to be married, Teresa.” My voice was dry, cracked with bitterness.

Teresa’s mouth opened, but no words came out. What could she say? Even she couldn’t deny the truth.

I took another step and her voice came again. “Be patient, I understand you but he will come, you still need to bare his child–”

“When?” I spun to face her.“When will he finally show up? When will he magically walk back into this house like nothing happened?”

Her lips pressed together in silence.

“No answer,” I shook my head. “That's what I thought.”

I chuckled again. “You can tell that son of yours, that he can go f**k himself cause I'm tired.”

With that I picked my bag and walked out of the mansion. The walls that'd suffocated me with loneliness finally behind me.

A fresh start was exactly what I needed.

~••~

“Chicago, seat 54,” the flight attendant said as I handed her my ticket.

“Thank you,” I replied, stepping into the plane.

I glanced at my boarding pass again, muttering to myself, “54, right-hand side.”

As I approached my row, another flight attendant smiled warmly. “Good evening, ma’am. Your seat is right up ahead. Let me know if you need help with your bags. I'm always available.”

“Thank you.” I offered a small smile as I moved forward.

Just as I was about to slide into my row, someone bumped hard into me from behind. My suitcase fumbled, and I stumbled forward, clutching the seat for balance.

I turned already irritated, and found myself face-to-face with a pair of hazel green eyes. The man standing before me was at least 6’5, his dark hair slightly messy as if he’d run his hands through it one too many times.

"Watch where you're going," he hissed.

“Excuse me? You bumped into me.”

He didn’t even bother to acknowledge my words. Instead, he adjusted the strap of his leather bag and pushed past me like I was invisible.

I stood there, stunned. Who did he think he was, walking around like he owned the place?

“Are you okay, ma'am?” the attendant spoke breaking through my thoughts.

I forced a smile, though my cheek burned with irritation. “Yes,”

I took a deep breath, steadying myself. I didn't break away from my hell marriage and jump into a plane to Chicago just for my mood to be spoiled by some random strangers.

“Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking,” a voice came over the intercom.

“Welcome aboard Flight 404 to Chicago. We’ll be departing shortly, so please ensure you fasten your seatbelts and all carry-ons are secured. Sit back, relax, and enjoy your flight.”

A few minutes later the plane started to move. Everything was set already for my new life. A recruit for a position at Chicago’s top Enterprise, a good and paid apartment, all I needed to do now was impress the company.

Three hours later, the plane finally landed in Chicago and I retrieved my luggage. I made my way toward the exit but just as I was scanning the signs for my cab pickup location, I spotted the same arrogant man from earlier standing near a parked black car.

A phone was pressed to his ear as he spoke.

I stared at him for a few seconds annoyance bubbling in me. He ended his call just as I started walking toward him.

“Excuse me,“ I called.

He turned slowly, his gaze locking onto mine.

I stopped a few feet from him, setting my suitcase down. “I don’t know if you recognize me, but you bumped into me earlier and forgot to apologize.”

He raised an eyebrow, his gaze sweeping over me with a mix of amusement and mild annoyance.

“Forgot to apologize?” He mocked. “You seem to have survived just fine without one.”

“Surviving isn’t the point. Basic decency is.”

He tilted his head slightly, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.

“Basic decency? Interesting coming from someone who’s clearly stalking me through the terminal.”

My jaw dropped at his audacity. “Stalking you? Are you serious? I just happened to see you here, and I thought you should be held accountable for your rude behavior. Didn't know you were one of those arrogant jerks.”

The words flew out of my mouth before I could stop them and honestly I didn't even care to.

“Arrogant jerk huh?,” he repeated. “Look, Miss…”

“Rachel Hornet,”

“Miss Hornet, I’m sure this whole encounter has been very dramatic for you, but I’m on a tight schedule. So, unless you’re planning to press charges for ‘bumping into you,’ I suggest we both move on.”

His dismissive attitude only fueled my frustration.

“You know what? Forget it. Clearly, courtesy is a foreign concept to you.”

A man came, stopping in front of the car in front of us, he nodded to Mr Arrogant and stepped into the driver seat.

Mr Arrogant turned to me. “Safe travels.”And just like that, he got into the car, leaving me standing there in both anger and disbelief.

I let out a frustrated huff, watching as the car drove away. “Unbelievable,”

I turned on my heel, determined to walk away with what little dignity I had left.

“Arrogant jerk.” I muttered to myself as I made my way to the exit. “ Who the heck does he think he is?”

The drive to my apartment was short, when I arrived, everything was in check, the place was in good shape with enough work space and a quiet neighborhood.

By exactly 8am the next morning, I had pushed the memory of the overbearing man to the back of my mind. Now dressed in a professional attire, I arrived at Globawitz Enterprises.

As expected, there was a long line of recruits just waiting to be interviewed.

Apparently, the CEO, Edward Benowitz, who had been away for a year had finally returned and was conducting the interview himself.

There were a lot of rumors about him being a perfectionist, arrogant and blunt natured man. He was raw with his tone making failure seem very easy.

Everyone who had got in hours ago had come either with a slumped shoulder, muttering curses and some even crying.

“Ms. Rachel Hornet?” I heard the receptionist call.

“Yes,” I replied, standing quickly and smoothing my navy blue blouse.

“The CEO will see you now. Please follow me.”

I grabbed my portfolio and followed her down a long hallway.

We stopped in front of a door, and the receptionist gave me a small nod before knocking lightly and opening it.

“Mr. Edward Benowitz, your 2:30 is here.”

“How many left?” The edge of the deep voice sounded so familiar.

“About 20 more, sir. “

I heard him hiss. “Send her in,”

The receptionist gestured for me to enter. Steeling myself, I stepped inside.

I opened my mouth to speak but stopped midway when my eyes crashed into a familiar piercing hazel green one.

“Mr. Arrogant?”