Travails of love

Claire Winston walked into the inkstone Public press building with her heels clicking at every steps she took. "I am so sorry for being late," she apologized as she entered the conference room where other workers were already seated in their various positions, and she took her seat and tried to concentrate on the explanation Mr. Royston was giving after the pissed-off glance he passed at her. "I clearly remember setting this meeting at 8am but someone is waltzing in by half past nine," Mr Royston remarked sarcastically and continued his address to her colleagues. After his explanations, he asked for suggestions and she raised her hands. Eyes turned to her, but being an outspoken person, she ignored the looks and talked. "Sir, why don't we look more into farming and also protect the plights of farmers? This would raise our readers too." She looked at the various expressions she was getting from her colleagues and then Mr Royston nodded in approval. Soon the meeting ended and the workers returned to their stations. Claire went to her station and took a deep breath as her tired eyelids threatened to close. She shrugged away the tiredness and focused on her day's work. She had a lot on her plate that morning. She needed to start research on the topic she had suggested at the meeting. "Farming," she murmured to herself, typing on her keyboard. *** Richard Downs arrived in his private company. He stepped out of his exotic car, many heads turned at the sight of him, especially women, as they admired his beauty and his physique. He wore a well-fitted suit and his whole attire reeked of wealth and riches. He noticed all the attention but walked into his company without a glance at the people. The company was the biggest corporation in the country. The company was founded and run by his family for years. He is now the CEO. Richard Downs was the most sought bachelor in the country because of his gorgeous looks and wealth. He entered his office and his personal assistant followed him in, Bob McLane. Bob started by telling him his schedule for the day and later, he took his seat on the comfy chair. After Richard addressed each activity, he ordered his favorite coffee. He sank deeper into his chair when Bob took his leave. He exhaled deeply and closed his eyes to relax, only for him to be disturbed by the click of the door. He opened his eyes to see his contracted girlfriend, who was an A- list musician. She sashayed elegantly to him, her heels making a soft sound that irritated him. She was wearing a sexy blue gown that showed her cleavage and very high-heeled shoes and an expensive bag that cost millions. The gowns accentuated every curve of her body and her hips swayed side to side as she approached him. She smiled seductively and scowled. Could he be more annoyed than he was this morning, he wondered rhetorically. " I clearly told you I was busy, what are you doing here?" " Oh darling... I came to check on you. I am your fiancée," she replied. Richard felt really pissed, he couldn't recall the number of times he had to repeat that he was not interested in having a serious relationship with her anymore. All this was for publicity and nothing else. At the beginning, they had agreed to have an exclusive relationship, but now she was being clingy and possessive of him. He watched her place a finger on his chest. They were just bed mates and nothing more attached to it. " What are you doing here?" he repeated. " Sweet, did you wake up from the wrong side of the bed?" she asked. She sat on his table and leaned forward a little bit to give him a view of her cleavage. He looked away. " Sophie, I remember telling you that I'm not interested anymore. Let's just leave things as it was." Sophie gritted her teeth and replaced it with a smile. She had been trying to get him to fall in love with her, and she had always met his mother for help, but all seemed impossible. She raised her hand to his face only for him to swat her hands away like she was a bugging fly. She couldn't hide the disappointment that showed on her face. "I am here to keep your company, my love," she said in her soft-spoken voice. "If it has nothing to do with business, please take your leave because, as you can see, I'm very busy," he said, looking away from her. She leaned forward and tried to seduce him, but he had enough of her nonsense so he snapped, "Stop this right now and take your leave before I lose it!" Ego kicked in as she stood up and walked away after glancing back at the pissed-off man. After her exit, he sighed and arranged himself. He had not fallen in love after what he went through years back. He wasn't going to let himself commit to another lady. He just found himself not having love. Sophie left the office feeling very embarrassed, but she pulled up a sweet smile as she walked out into the public as she knew the paparazzi would wait to take her selfies and autograph. The workers in the company looked at her in awe, but they had been instructed not to come near her. She gave them a sweet smile which melted their hearts and they felt happy. Sophie Michaels was well-loved, and she was one of the most followed and loved musicians or celebrities in the world. She was seen as an angel who was pure. She had fame after acting in a movie which was a huge success, and she was well known worldwide, and she pursued a music career which was doing great and acted in films. She had the most toxic fans of all celebrities in the country. As she walked out, her security men guarded her from fans who wanted to come close and touch her. She had everything she wanted in her life except one person and She vowed to get him. She finally entered her car and drove away with a destination in mind.