Chapter 1: The Heartbreaker
MM Hotel & Suites,
CEO's Office
9:00 A.M.
The rhythmic tapping of fingers on a keyboard echoed through the luxurious CEO's office. Behind a massive mahogany desk sat a young lady, her eyes fixed on the laptop before her as her slender fingers danced effortlessly across the keyboard.
The lady was Jennifer Sandra, better known as Jenny, a 25-year-old CEO of MM Hotel & Suites. She was stunning, confident, and incredibly wealthy. Men admired her beauty, but few knew the cold heart hidden behind her charming smile.
The office door opened gently.
A short, plump woman walked in with a cup of freshly brewed coffee and placed it on the desk.
"Hmm... this tastes good," Jenny moaned after taking a sip.
The woman smiled.
"Jenny, you've been skipping meals lately. What's going on?" she asked with concern.
She is Anita, Jenny's secretary and best friend since high school, so she is used to her sassy attitude.
Jenny leaned back in her chair.
"I'm on a diet," Jenny said casually. "I have to maintain my figure. I've noticed I've put on a little weight, so I'll be avoiding heavy meals this week. Drinks and light snacks will do.”
Anita rolled her eyes.
"Seriously? You already have an amazing body. You're worrying over nothing."
Jenny ignored the compliment.
"What's on my schedule today?" she asked
"You have a meeting with Stanzy Corporate Group at eleven o'clock, and..."
A knock interrupted her.
"Come in," Jenny said.
A young female employee entered nervously.
"Ma'am, there's a man outside asking to see you."
Jenny looked up.
"Does he have an appointment?"
"No, ma'am."
Jenny paused before saying,
"Let him in."
The employee hesitated.
"Ma'am..."
Jenny's face darkened.
"Did you suddenly become deaf? I said let him in. Get out and bring him inside." She yelled loudly.
"Y... Yes, ma'am." The employee stuttered.
A minute later, a handsome young man walked into the office.
The moment their eyes met, he forced a weak smile.
His name is Adam John, one of the richest young businessmen in the country and Jenny's current boyfriend.
"Babe," he said softly, "you haven't answered my calls for days. Did I do something wrong?"
Jenny laughed quietly.
" Huh, why should I answer when I'm done with you?"
Adam froze, not believing his ears
"What... what do you mean?"He asked
"Our relationship is over."
His face turned pale, looking shocked as well.
"But we've only been dating for a week."
Jenny shrugged.
"I got bored; I'm tired of you", she added without feeling bad.
The words pierced his heart; his heart shattered, unable to find the words.
"I know I must have made a mistake," Adam pleaded, walking closer. "Please tell me what I did. I'll change."
"You didn't do anything," Jenny replied coldly. "I simply feel like dating someone else. Besides... you're too soft. I dislike soft and naive guys"
“So get lost, and you aren't that romantic. So just get the f**k out of my life,” she added bluntly.
Adam couldn't believe what he was hearing.
"But you promised you'd always stay with me," he whispered. "You said you'd be my happiness... my future bride," Adam said amidst tears.
Jenny laughed again.
"Promises? Do I look like someone who keeps promises?" “I'm a star girl, a queen precisely.
Tears filled Adam's eyes.
"You'll regret treating people this way," Adam yelled while Jenny's expression remained emotionless.
"Guards."
Six muscular security guards rushed into the office and bowed to her.
"Throw him out," she ordered “ but be careful, you know that he's a public figure”.
"Yes, Madam." They chorused.
They lifted Adam despite his struggles, as if he were a log of wood.
"Jenny!" he shouted. "One day you'll regret
this! I swear you will!"
His voice echoed through the hallway before disappearing.
Jenny clicked her tongue. “Mtscheeew”, she hissed
"What a drama king." She added while
Anita stared at her in disbelief.
“ Jenny, which month are we in?”Anita asked.
“We are in the seventh month, if I'm not mistaken " she replied nonchalantly
"Jenny... do you know you've dated sixteen men in the last six months?"
Jenny smiled proudly.
"There are too many handsome men in this country. Before the year ends, I'll date fifty."
Anita nearly choked.
"You're turning twenty-five soon. Don't you think it's time to settle down and find someone who truly loves you?"
Jenny stood up and picked up her handbag.
"My meeting with Stanzy Corporate Group starts at eleven, right?"
"Yes... but it's only 9:45," Anita said reluctantly.
"I don't like keeping people waiting."
Without another word, she walked out of the office while Anita hurried after her.
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
Queens, New York
12:00 p.m.
The private jet came to a smooth stop on the runway. Moments later, the cabin door opened.
A tall man dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit stepped out, his polished shoes clicking softly against the metal staircase. His posture was relaxed, yet there was an undeniable authority in every step he took.
“Johnson Manuel.”
Popularly known to everyone as Manny, he was the billionaire owner and CEO of Johnson Hotel & Suites, one of the most prestigious luxury hotel chains in New York. At only twenty-seven, he had built an empire many seasoned businessmen could only dream of.
As soon as he appeared, murmurs swept through the crowd gathered behind the security barriers.
"That's Johnson Manuel!"
"He's even more handsome in real life."
"Take a picture!"
"I can't believe I'm actually seeing him."
“Awnnn, he is so cute”
“ He is just perfect”
His security team quickly surrounded him, clearing a path through the excited crowd.
"Welcome back, Mr. Manuel," one of the guards said as he opened the rear door of a waiting black Rolls-Royce.
But despite the people's excitement, no one dared to point a camera or phone at Manny. His bodyguard was enough to discourage anyone who even thought about it. And they all knew how seriously he valued his privacy. Anyone who ignored that rule would find themselves escorted out before they even had the chance to press the shutter.
His reputation spoke louder than words.
Manny continued walking as though none of it existed.
Compliments.
Admiration.
Curious stares.
He had grown used to them years ago because he knew that he was exceptionally handsome; he carried an invisible aura that made people, especially girls, fall at his feet like an idol.
Outside the terminal, a convoy of luxury vehicles lined up in a neat formation.
The driver hurried forward and opened the rear door of a black Rolls-Royce Cullinan.
"Welcome home, sir.”
Without saying a word, Manny slipped into the vehicle.
The convoy pulled away from John F. Kennedy International Airport, disappearing into New York traffic.
Leaning back against the leather seat, Manny glanced out the window as the city's towering skyline came into view.
A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
"I'm back." He muttered.
He had returned to reclaim his empire.
What he didn't know was that fate had already begun writing a different plan. One that would soon place a woman in his path... and change everything.
Little did Manny know...
His return to New York was only the beginning.
Somewhere in the same city, fate was quietly preparing a meeting that neither wealth nor power could prevent.