THE BILLIONAIRE’S OBSESSION

Chapter 1

Amelia

‘Ting’ the bread toaster chimed alerting me that the jelly sandwich was ready. I raced down to the kitchen to check on it.

“Mom! I called out. “Breakfast is ready, come downstairs”. I heard rhythmic footsteps from across the room which echoed in the walls.

“Aww Amelia, you do not have to always make breakfast before you leave for work. You have a lot of responsibilities already and I can take care of breakfast”. She said with a soft voice when she walked into the kitchen.

“I know Mom but I like to always make sure food is taken care of before I leave for work,” I said while I placed the white ceramic plate on the kitchen island which was big enough to be a dining table.

“I want you to have enough time to take care of dad”. I kissed her on the cheek and added.

“Oh, dear. I know how hard it is for you to keep the company going in your father’s absence”, She said while looking at me with soft eyes. “I also heard from Jade about the bankruptcy issue going on at the office”.

I gasped in shock while staring at my mom, I was going to kill Jade for this. I had two best friends, Jade and Michael. Jade is one of my high school best friends. She has been a huge part of my life, giving me support whenever I needed one. I loved her but she was annoying at times and this was one of those moments.

I inhaled slowly and walked toward my mom. “I’m fine, mom. I promise. You do not have to worry about me”.

“But...”,

“Oh my! I exclaimed loudly when I checked the time on my watch. “I’m going to be late. I’ll see you later today, mom. Bye!

I dashed out in a hurry to avoid getting late. I searched frantically for the keys to my rusty Hyundai Accent. It was so old but it helped greatly. I could not imagine using the train to get to the office. I heaved a sigh of relief when I finally found the keys. My mind flashed back to how the problems I faced now started.

‘It was not always this way. It all started when Dr. Denver diagnosed my father with chronic heart disease which meant that his heart could not pump blood as well as it should. This led to him stepping down from the CEO position and leaving the responsibility on my shoulders. I was the only child of my parents so naturally it fell on me to cater for everything and everyone. After university, I had dreams of becoming a top agency model but now it is not possible.'

A lone tear slipped down my cheeks and dropped on my hands bringing my mind back to focus. I quickly wiped the tears off my face and got into the car and drove off.

******

“Where are we with the partnership with D.M. corps. L.Td.? I asked my secretary, Shane, and accepted a cup of Americano from her as we walked into my office.

“The business development team has sent in a business proposal. The news of our bankruptcy travelled fast and reached their ears so they are a little bit sceptical of signing a deal with us”.

D.M. corps. L.Td. was one of the top businesses in New York City. It has maintained the reputation for several years now. They were famous in the entertainment industry and signing a deal with them was going to be a good opportunity to stable our company.

I brought my hand up to my face to caress the invisible wrinkles that I knew were slowly forming on my forehead. It was my mistake not to have noticed that there was a case of theft among the employees which resulted in massive shortage of income. I could not bring myself to the fact that I could lose my father’s company which also meant losing everything.

“You may go”. I dismissed my secretary.

The beeping from my phone interrupted my chain of thought. I looked to discover it was a message from the group chat that my best friend and I created.

‘Today is Friday, Amelia. So, you have no excuse for not coming with us to the party’ Jade’s message read.

I didn't respond. 'You there, Mel? Michael, my second best friend, asked through the text. 'Yes, I am.' I texted back.

My best friends have been going on and on about how I needed to take a break from the corporate world and live a little. I was beginning to think they were right. I was so stuck up in the situation at the company that I merely remembered what fun looked like.

******

The speakers at the party blared with music when we arrived at the bar. There were different people present. Some were already wasted, some making out while some were moving to the rhythm of the song.

We made our way through the crowd and settled for a clear spot that we found. I had decided to succumb to best friends' pleas about going out.

I was cladded in a short black bodycon dress with a V-neck and off-the-shoulder sleeves. The dress which hugged my body like a second skin accentuating my natural curves and

small breasts was paired with silver platform heels. I wore little makeup, just a winged eyeliner and nude lipstick. I wanted to look simple but chic.

Jade moved to get us a drink but was stopped by a tall man who asked for a dance which she obliged. I was not surprised, she had good looks.

Michael stayed with me. I reached out to grab a glass of wine from a waiter. I gulped it, this sent a tingling sensation down my stomach. I was not a heavy drinker so I felt light headed from the wine I drank. I didn't mind because it loosened me up.

I moved to the dance-floor and swayed to the music. I kept dancing until I felt a hand on my waist. It was a man who was obviously high from excessive alcohol. I shoved him off but he came back determined to get a dance from me. I was about to charge at him when he was aggressively shoved off from me. I gasped and looked at the man who came to my rescue. His back was facing the light so I could not see his face clearly but I felt a sudden attraction toward him that I could not explain.

"Hi, I'm Amelia." I brought my hand for a handshake which he shook with his. I noted the firmness of his palms and the callousness that graced them. I waited for him to introduce himself but got no response.

'Rude' I thought to myself.

"Thanks for defending me, but I can take care of myself." He nodded, not saying anything.

We stared at each other for a few seconds which felt like eternity.

"I have a proposition to make." He finally said. I noted how deep and rich his voice sounded. It sent chills down my legs.

"Marry me." He said.

"What?” I gasped out, as my body chilled like I had been poured a bucket of ice.