The Love Twist

"Darling, we would miss the boat cruise if you don't hurry.'' Mrs Juliana Jonnes called out to her husband, Director David Jonnes. "I'm coming honey, it won't take long". He replied. "Don't tell me it's work again, this vacation should be about us dear". She countered. "I'm sorry babe, but I need to make sure things are going smoothly back in the office". He said with a pouty look. "But your friend, James Maxwell is there to take care of things". "I know right, but it's best not to allow any form of mis…." He was cut off by a knock on the door. "Could that be room service?"His wife asked. "There's only one way to be sure". David Jonnes said as he made his way to the door. "Yes? Who are you… how did you get here, what do you…? He was shot with a revolver gun as soon as he opened the door by a masked man in black before he could complete the sentence. "Ahh….darling!!!". Mrs Juliana shrieked at the sight of her husband's head blown off, hot tears dripping down her face. "Pls stop this, we have a young daughter at home". She begged the masked man amidst tears. "It is too late". The Masked man said before proceeding to kill her and speeding out of the room afterwards. *** Urghhhh!!!, Not again…. She said as the powder glass clattered on the floor and broke into pieces. Juan Jonnes woke up to another typical Monday morning with a groan. The sound of powder glass shattering on the floor added to her frustration. She looked at the clock and felt a rush of panic, she was running late for work. She knew that she had no time to waste on her looks anymore. She abandoned her beauty routine and ran towards the alley to catch the morning bus. Juan's morning was filled with trepidation as she made her way to work. She couldn't help but wonder what her boss had in store for her. She knew she would have to deal with his disapproving looks and snide comments. However, she was determined not to let his remarks get to her. It was another week of work, Monday to be exact, "Oh!, How she hated Mondays", Juan thought. It is that day of the week when Alex which is her boss, would always walk up to her to complain about her half-finished facial makeup, ending it with a wink, which always gives her the shivers and blushes but yet he won't slack in bombarding her with loads of work to submit by the end of the day. Juan is a young, attractive, and diligent woman who grew up in a privileged environment. Sadly, she lost her parents in a financial war game which she had no memories of except for occasional nightmares of someone dragging her away from harm and grew up to believe it was her Prince Charming. "Oh… How I hope to meet my Prince Charming". She said aloud. Juan currently works as a Personal Assistant to Alex, the Managing Director of the Finrich Group of Companies. She is content with her job and is committed to doing her best for the company and Alex, who she regards as a dear friend, even though he can be very demanding on some days. 'Straight to my office Juan', Alex said as soon She stepped foot into the reception room. 'I wish you luck babes', Priscilla said with a sigh and shake of the head signalling her best friend to better make it fast to avoid having issues with the boss. 'I'm not scared Bez... He probably missed me after the weekend and wants alone time with me'. Juan retorted. So.., is that why your face is all red and looking warm this early morning?, don't lose focus dear, He probably just uses that to cajole you into doing the whole work. Juannnn!!!... Alex's call from his office puts a stop to their conversation and Juan hurries up with the thought of Priscilla's last words ringing in her head. 'Good morning cutie pet, another Monday makeup went wrong? Alex softly whispered into her ears as soon as she entered and locked the door, winking at her and tracing invisible lines with his lips around her neck while holding her tightly around the waist. 'Good... Morning', She struggled to say as she was totally out of breath from both running up the stairs and what Alex was doing to her. It felt sweet, though, strangely uncomfortable but she wasn't ready to give up the mood. 'He probably just uses that to cajole you into doing the whole work.....' Priscilla's words echoed in her brain jolting her back into reality from whatever moon space Alex was taking her. *Flashback to how all these romantic fiascos between her and her boss started.* Juan Maxwell had always been an efficient and hardworking assistant to her boss, millionaire businessman Alexander Lawson. Her professionalism and dedication and jovial attitude had earned her a place in his good books and the respect of the entire team. Alex was a man with a reputation for being ruthless in business and uncompromising in his demands. However, Juan knew him to be a kind and sensitive individual who valued loyalty and honesty above all else. One day, Juan received an urgent call from Alex requesting her to come to his office immediately. She knew that this could mean only two things – either he needed her to handle an emergency at work or he was in trouble. The latter thought worried her more than she would admit. When Juan entered the CEO's office, she found Alex sitting at his desk, looking contemplative and pensive. Juan knew that this was not his usual demeanour. She waited patiently for him to speak. 'I need to discuss something important with you Juan, and it won't be here'. Alex said. 'Hope everything is okay sir?' Juan replied. Oh... erm, I think so, if things work out fine. He said. 'So I will need you to cancel any plans you have Saturday evening, let's meet by 6'. Alex continued. Juan knew she had no other choice but to agree to his request, though more of a command, She thought. She hoped things are fine and won't get into any kind of trouble with her boss. 'I just need my peace and sanity, that's all that matters', Juan said to herself. On Saturday evening, Juan received a call from a Uber driver, informing her that a dinner date has been arranged for her by a Mr.Alex at a fancy restaurant in town and he is there to chaperone her. 'What does all this mean'? She wondered. When Juan arrived at the restaurant, she saw that Alex had spared no expense. The table was set with exquisite silverware, crystal wine glasses, and candles and Juan couldn't help but feel a little impressed by the effort Alex put into a simple dinner meeting. 'Why all this effort and where is this headed?', She kept thinking to herself. The whole atmosphere looked sweet and enjoyable but she couldn't help feeling strange and a bit uncomfortable at the extent of elaboration done for a "supposed business or project meeting". They sat down to an elaborate dinner and started talking. Alex kept roaming about topics and looked shaky in a way she couldn't understand until he dropped the bombshell. 'I have feelings for you Juan and I want you'. Alex blurted out. 'What!!!.... Jeez…erm... I'm sorry, Juan stuttered as she couldn't process what her boss just said to her. She in her highest dreams would never have thought that the Managing Director of Finrich Group of Companies would have the slightest interest in her, not to even talk about wanting her..... 'This is just too wild and is definitely a prank! She thought within herself. 'I'm not playing pranks on you', Alex said catching her off guard as if he read her thoughts. 'I have always admired you for your discipline and commitment to work not to even talk about your ravishing beauty', He continued and held her hands while gently stroking her fingers. He was so convincing in his words that She had no choice but to accept his proposals. 'Ok…. I agree even though this is taking me by surprise and wasn't what I was expecting, I have my conditions nonetheless sir', Juan said to him. 'I am ready to abide by them, sweetheart'. Alex replied. 'No s*x, No sleepovers and any talks about marriage for now'. She said. 'I'm in for that dear', he said with a wink and a sly smile on his face. That evening would've been any young lady of her age's most perfect dream and as perfect as that went, there was still something wrong that her instinct was telling her but which she has not been able to figure out to date. 'Juannnn!, are you okay?'. Alex's voice jolted her back into reality and it was then she realized he was back at his desk and was shoving some papers to her. 'Ermm… I'm okay sir. She replied. 'In that case, I want you to take a look at those papers, go through them and come up with a big plan on how to win this project'. Alex said to her. 'Oh, it's just another project work', she thought. 'I'll start to work on it right away'. She replied. 'This is not a regular project work Juan', Alex said in a deep and serious tone. 'It is a very huge project that would cost us efforts and resources, which if successful would have returns worth billions and would change this company's name forever and you have a very huge part to play in making this work'. He continued. 'For a headstart, this is Felix, the Managing Director of "Marks and Meyers Industries", He's the key to winning this project, Mind you, he is fierce and can be stubborn despite his looks, so you need brilliant strategies'. Alex said shoving the papers to her side and handing her a photograph of Felix. At first glance at Felix's picture, Juan had a jolt of the heart. 'This guy had the bluest eyes and well-carved nose in history'. She thought to herself. Though looking at the picture again, he looked familiar. She must've met this guy somewhere before and it disturbed her a bit. Juan suddenly had a headache and flashes of Felix asking if she was alright crossed through her vision. 'Juannn!!!', Alex's voice shook her back into reality, She turned to him and saw a worried look on his face. 'Is everything alright', He asked. 'Uhmm…Yeah…I mean it's fine'. She stammered and left the office in a hurry. Juan knew she now had two jobs on her hands which is to win this project and also find out the truth about where she first met Felix. 'Oh… just when I thought my life was going on smoothly'. She said to herself. "But why does he bear so much resemblance to the Prince Charming in my nightmares?"