Blind Date With A Billionaire

Raven stared at the photograph on her desk, the edges worn from years of handling. It was a snapshot of her and Alex, her childhood best friend, and the man she had secretly loved for as long as she could remember. He was smiling in the picture, carefree and oblivious to the depth of her feelings. She traced the outline of his face with her fingertip, her heart aching with a familiar pain. Seven years. Seven long years of waiting for him to see her as more than a friend. Seven years of silently supporting him, hoping he would turn to her, only to watch him fall in love with someone else. The final blow had come just ahead. Raven was celebrating her birthday today but couldn't take time off work because she heard that the President of the company was taking over from the chairperson. They were all called to the conference room. Her phone rang. “Yes, Mrs. Steve, I’m on my way,” she said. Changing out of her work clothes into her office attire, Raven stepped into the hall, which smelled of fish. “Coming through, Mrs. Steve!” she called out. “Why are you late?” Mrs. Steve asked. “I’m currently working on a new recipe…” she replied. Her colleagues doubted her, telling her to keep her distance because of the smell. They all headed into the meeting for the announcement. “Wow, it looks like I already know him,” one of her teammates said, sharing rumors that he was a workaholic. “Look for him to start work today; he just got back to New York.” The teammates laughed as they discussed the looks and potential of the new CEO. Raven made comments, joking, “But look at the grandfather. How could the grandson be…?” Her curiosity piqued as she joked on and on. “Everyone, let’s give a warm welcome to the president!” The chairperson greeted his friends, telling them the new president was on his way. Everyone waited, only to see a very handsome man walking in, but the words spread, “That’s not the CEO!” He stepped forward and said, “Hello everyone, I’m the Chief Secretary Assistant, and I am here on behalf of President Chris to deliver his inauguration message.” He continued, “Thank you all for having this inauguration meeting, but it’s highly unnecessary as I don’t need one. I hope we will often meet for business purposes only.” Hearing such words from the secretary on behalf of his grandson, the chairperson stood up and walked away in anger and disappointment. “Oh no, he’s back…” Mr. Park said in frustration while playing golf with his associates. “You don’t need to worry, sir. All will be well,” they consoled him. Christopher approached them, interrupting their celebration. “Wow, that’s awesome! Who played that?” Looking over, they realized it was Christopher, the chairman's grandson and the newly inaugurated president. Tall and handsome in a black suit, he had his hair slicked back. “President,” he said, cutting them off as he exposed all their underhanded actions towards his grandfather while he was overseas. “You’re fired,” Christopher declared. “Don’t come back to the company, or I will sue you.” He then walked away. Back at their room, it was Raven’s birthday, and her teammates were excited to celebrate with her over dinner. Unexpectedly, her phone buzzed with a message from him: “Happy Birthday, Raven! Let’s celebrate!!! It’s on me,” he said. Reading such a message made Raven pause. She walked over to her captain and decided to cancel her birthday meetup after receiving his message. Her captain asked, “Why!? What’s going on? Is it a guy? Because your soulless eyes are now sparkling,” she said playfully. “How?” Raven replied, shocked by her captain’s claims. “Go on,” her captain encouraged as she blinked at her, looking for more insight. Raven informed the group that due to the inauguration, the dinner was off. Sadly, they all looked at Raven with suspicion. In earnest anticipation of her meetup with him, Raven rushed over in a cab. On her way, she received a call from her best friend: “Raven, I’m so busy! I can’t even meet you for your birthday. What does my girl have planned?” she asked. Raven quickly responded, blushing all over her face, “He wants to meet up,” she said. Lily, understanding everything Raven had been through, responded with discomfort, “Wait, who? Why is he calling you on your birthday after all the work he made you do when he was starting up his restaurant?” Raven defended him, saying, “No, that was hardly work. I learned a lot too.” “Oh, my raven… but he’s never been the type to remember birthdays.” As their conversation took a turn, Lily exclaimed, “Wait, no way!” Raven, caught up in the moment, fluttered with hope for her long-unrequited love. Raven couldn't contain her excitement as she imagined their encounter, while Lily speculated, “Maybe that necklace is for you and he wants to confess!” Back to reality, Raven told Lily, “We can’t be sure about that,” as she stepped out of the cab. As she exited, Christopher Wells returned to his office at home. “How did it go?” he asked Evans, who replied that it went well but didn’t mention the tantrum his grandfather had thrown at the hall. The elevator doors opened unexpectedly to reveal his grandfather. “You crazy boy! I told you to come to the inauguration day, but you went somewhere else,” he scolded, using his cane to poke Christopher's back. Christopher smiled as the old man ranted about his behavior. “You’re back for one day, and you can’t take a day off.” As they entered Christopher's office, the chairman’s phone rang. “Why is he calling me?” Christopher asked. “I just fired him for all the illegal businesses he was running behind your back,” he replied. “Who asked you to do that?” his grandfather said, raising an eyebrow. “You're so good at handling any project,” the chairman remarked, smiling at Christopher. “I have a project for you.” Curious, Christopher leaned in closer, wanting to hear the chairman’s thoughts, only to hear one word: “Marriage.” “Are you getting married?” Evans asked. “Not me, you fool,” Christopher snapped, raising his voice in frustration. “I’m not interested in anyone, not seeing anyone, and not thinking about getting married any time soon.” His grandfather quietly dismissed him, saying, “That’s why I’ve arranged 20 elite dates for you.” Meanwhile, Raven stood outside Alex's restaurant, filled with anticipation and all the thoughts spinning in her mind. She walked in confidently, remembering everything Lily had told her—her hopes were high. Upon entering, she saw Alex holding a birthday cake, and she smiled. Raven’s imagination ran wild as she thought, “I should give him a hug!” She rushed toward him, but as she got closer, her eyes widened in shock upon seeing the inscription on the cake: “Happy 100th Anniversary of Love." Raven tried to stop, but ins tead, she bumped right into the cake, sending it flying everywhere.