Episode 1
It is almost past midnight and the party is on a full swing. The DJ was deafening enough to dominate the smooth and melodious sound of the waves in the sea… while the squeals and cheers from the partiers emanated the delightful vibes all across the top floor of the cruise ship.
In simple words, the celebration is at its peak.
Almost everybody who came for the occasion is swimming in happiness and joy except for one girl…... She is extremely beautiful and exquisite, yet, lonely and melancholic. She is standing all alone just a little far from where the DJ party is going on…
She is deep in her thoughts, the thoughts that are totally unpleasant and painful to her. It is as if she is taking a trip down the memory lane, a sad and heart wrenching lane. To be more precise, she is present here, however, her mind, world's apart, wandering in some endless pit of thoughts.
Though she came to celebrate the occasion with others, wearing black, deep V-neck sequin dress, she is no way near to the cheerful vibes of the party.
Meanwhile, her tall, beautiful and slender legs were left unprotected from the lusty stares of many men. Her dress perfectly hugged her curves revealing her sexy figure and was reaching just down her mid-thigh.
Her black, jet like hair is freely waving along with the sea breeze and her hazel eyes are fixated on the horizon. Everything about her is so alluring and magnetic, just like a dainty goddess.
Her irresistible and comely demeanor, of course, attracted many unwanted flies whose eyes are already filled with l**t and desire for her.
However, regardless of all those sharp gazes boring into her, Brina remained in the same position thinking of something else.
Bemused, her face clearly depicted her indifference in attending this soiree. She usually doesn't tag along for all these parties and rich people stuff.
But this time it's different and was also inevitable for her to escape because this is her best friend's engagement party with the CEO of the company in which they both work.
Her best friend, Tanya Williams, will soon be marrying their boss with whom she fell in love with while working as his personal secretary.
Everyone called it as Tanya's luck but Brina has exactly opposite thoughts about it. She couldn't help but feel a bad premonition that it won't stay the same as before. She is scared of her innocent and sweet friend would face the complicated and dark side of this rich people's society.
"Brina, it's too cold here. Why are you standing all alone…Hmm? Didn't you notice how those drunkards were ogling at you?" A man in his middle twenties approached her.
As soon as he came closer, he took out his jacket gracefully and placed it on her shoulders, hiding her from lusty stares and at the same time, protecting her from the chilling coldness of winter night.
He is her boss and one of the directors of the company in which she works. To be precise, he is the second big boss of the company and main director of her department. His name is Chris Hillary.
Despite his cold and aloof character, he is unusually friendly and nice to her. And, of course Brina isn't a fool to not understand what the reason behind this.
Chris has feelings for her and she knew him too well to judge who he exactly is. He is a great, sincere, and genuine person who was never involved in any scandals. His feelings for her are purely based on his intention to marry her and make her his lawfully wedded wife.
Chris Hillary and their CEO, Ben Cooper, are public figures and were also the most eligible bachelors of country M. Now, Ben is out of the picture so everyone's attention is now on Chris.
Everyone is totally excited to see whom he will marry.
After all, many heiresses are literally waiting in line for him, trying to get his attention.
However, he is in love with Brina and he is adamant to marry her... only her...
"Thanks, Chris. I just got distracted and you know me. I am not interested in all this late night partying and noisy stuff." She politely smiled as she replied.
As much as she admires him for his sincerity and kindness to her, she, unfortunately, never felt for him in that way.
"I just came out to get some free air." Brina added, trying to get his attention back while he continued to stare at her, deep in some thoughts just like her.
"Uhmm...sorry..I got distracted" Chris nervously laughed while he brushed his hair with his fingers, nervously.
After working for almost two years together, in the company, they became a little closer than just a boss and employee relationship but, of course, not as close as close friends who hang around and talk some random stuff.
He never crossed his limits and she never gave any false hopes or indications to step up their professional relationship into a personal relationship.
So, it is still difficult for him to act casual towards her. She looks close but at the same time, she looks so distant and guarded as well. She is unpredictable!
"Actually, I was feeling the same and came out for some fresh air. So, uhm...why don't we just walk around and find a good place to sit? My legs are aching a lot, Brina. Our boss is really a bully that he made me work out a lot." Chris said as he smiled, trying to shrug off the anxiety building in him.
Brina could smile and just not at him, aware of what's coming next. She isn't new to relationships to go blind eye. And, she is aware of what might happen if she takes a walk with him.
But, she also knows that she has to clear some air around them.
"Sure, why not? But, I might accompany you just for a small walk. I have to go back and sleep so that I can go back tomorrow to visit my family." Brina responded.
Meanwhile, Chris smiled and his crescent eyes twinkled with happiness. His hand involuntarily went into his pocket and his fingers skimmed on the blue velvet box which has a ring that signifies that he wanted to propose to her.
Yes, he knew that he was skipping the important phases of the ideal love journey. He has to ask her to be his girlfriend first and then take her for some dates before he could propose to her for marriage.
But, he is in a little bit of hurry right now.
After his cousin's wedding, his family will surely pressure him to attend the blind dates and they will eventually but surely force him into some alliance.
He doesn't want that.
…
"Let's go then." Chris beamed and looked back at his cousin, Ben Cooper, who was smiling at him.
Ben Cooper, his cousin and the CEO of their company, has always been wanting Chris to come into a relationship. However, Chris never harbored such feelings towards anyone except for Brina.
She is the only one who succeeded in opening up the love chapter of Chris' heart. Unfortunately, she never hinted at the similar feeling towards Chris, and, in contrast, she was always guarded around him.
"I wish Brina would agree. She feels lonely every time." Tanya said.
"She is tough to understand and it is really difficult to make her open up about her past. However, I am having a strong feeling that she wouldn't act the same with Chris" she reassured her fiance.
"Moreover, I will be moving in with you and that would make her even lonelier. Chris and Brina are a perfect pair to begin with." she giggled, sweet and gleeful.
Ben nodded his head and hummed a little in affirmation, warmly looking at his fiancee.
"And, as you requested, I asked the management to transfer Brina to the upper circle. From now on, she will be your personal secretary and in this way you will not miss her and she, perhaps might not feel lonely either." Ben told her, recalling the request his fiance made.
Tanya smiled delightfully and hugged his arm before placing a kiss on his cheek. "Thank you so much Ben."
Ben chuckled and flicked her head playfully. "You can thank me in another way you know, Mrs. Cooper." he teased.
"I do know it mister. But Brina have to agree to it right? If you succeed in convincing her, I might think about your request." Tanya smirked.
"Such a tease" Ben pouted.
…..
Meanwhile…
"We never see these countless stars in the city, right? I miss this beautiful sky." Chris casually said as he and Brina leaned over the railing, watching the sky.
They were now standing four floors below the top floor and no one was there to be seen. However, Brina on other hand is always guarded and alert. It is something, Chris never understood about her.
However, he could only shrug it off his kind, assuming that she is like this because of his presence. It actually makes him happy because it shows that she has some feelings for him…
Well, it's one of many ways he convinces himself…
"Yeah, the stars never appear much now a days. I miss my childhood whenever I see the starry night. Every summer, my parents used to take me to the countryside and we use to spend the whole week in the rented cabin. I just miss them so much whenever I see the sky." Brina said, for a change, letting herself reminisce the happy moments her past.
She actually intended not to let down her guard, but even before she could realize, those words slipped through her tongue. It could be the mild effort of drinking.
"I am sorry for your loss, Brina. I feel you" Chris said as he tried to console her.
"I don't think you can feel me. You have such cool parents who are famous and popular across the country. Just don't pity me." Brina smiled a little but the hurt in her eyes is obvious of how much she misses her parents.
"I am just trying to console you, Brina. I might not know how it feels but I am aware of how deep it cuts through the heart and how tough it is to get it healed." Chris said, inching a little close to her.
"But, it isn't something that cannot be healed. When you feel loved and cherished, those scars automatically fade away" Chris continued, giving a hint of what he is implying here.
In response, Brina just nodded her head and sighed. She, intuitively, moved a step away from him, maintaining the gap.
Chris, of course, noticed it and he knew it's now or never. He could only muster up his courage and took her hand into his, making her look at him in surprise.
"Brina, listen to me, please" he said, stopping her from retrieving her hand.
"Just, let me help you pass through this difficult time of your life, Brina. Let me love you and cherish you so that you will never feel lonely or alone." he quickly added.
"Brina Parker, will you be my girlfriend?", all of a sudden as he kneeled down on one of his legs, holding a ring with his fingers.
….
Brina knew this would happen and she wanted it to happen. Not because she wanted to accept his proposal, but to decline him and release him from his false hopes on her.
He is a good person and she respects him a lot. He is also a good friend to her but she never saw him in that way.
To be more precise, she doesn't have such feelings for him even after figuring out what he had.
More importantly, he and she, they can't happen. According to her, they are worlds apart and she has a strong feeling that she can't adapt to his lifestyle. She should not, actually.
Moreover, she is a mere employee who works for her payday and he on the other hand, he is one of the multi billionaires of the country.
Above all, Brina has an aversion towards wealthy individuals because of a strong reason.
And, all she wants is a simple life with no limelight and paparazzi following her. Unlike many, she detest getting attention and it is for a reason.
Meanwhile, Chris who has been watching her, noticed her expressions slowly morph from one to another.
Sadness, pain, guilt, hate, and anger… but not surprised.
She was anticipating this since earlier and someone as observant and adept like her can easily predict that it would happen on some special occasion like this day.
Chris pursed his lips realizing that she is actually not happy to accept his proposal.
However, he isn't angry and upset. Someone as special and beautiful like Brina would never fall in love easily. He knew that he had to wait patiently and adamantly for her.