Chapter 1 O n e

Chapter: one

Courtney's peaceful slumber was abruptly interrupted by the incessant buzzing of her alarm clock. Groaning, she rolled out of her cozy bed and stumbled towards her desk. The soft glow of her laptop screen welcomed her and signaling the start of another busy day.

Letting out a deep sigh, Courtney silenced the annoying alarm and prepared herself for the tasks ahead. The morning sun was already peeking through her window, a not-so-gentle reminder that there was no time to waste. She hadn't slept well for the past few nights, but work had to be done. Stretching her weary limbs, she placed her hands on the keyboard, ready to dive in.

Just as her fingers hovered over the keys, her phone rang, its cheerful tone a stark contrast to her tired mood. Courtney's gaze flicked to the screen, and she couldn't help but let out another sigh. It was Becca, her sister. Who else could it be? Of course, they were family, but their differing passions and perspectives on almost everything often made it feel like they were worlds apart.

With a reluctant tap of her finger, Courtney accepted the call. "Hey, sis," she greeted, forcing a cheerful tone. "Bright morning, huh?"

Becca wasted no time getting straight to the point. "Where are you? Don't tell me you forgot about today."

Courtney let out a chuckle, glancing down at her pajamas. Better to mention those than the computer in front of her; that would only derail the conversation. "Well, I'm still in my pajamas," she admitted. "And what's happening today?"

Becca's exasperation was palpable, even over the phone. "Oh, Christ, not again. Today is April 14th!"

"April 14th!" Courtney echoed, her mind racing as she tried to recall what they had planned for this day. As far as she could remember, there were no appointments or scheduled events on April 14th.

"Courtney, are you working right now?" Becca demanded.

"Working? No, totally not working," Courtney replied, grinning at her little white lie. At least Becca couldn't see her work-filled computer screen.

"Just get your ass up here, like right now!" Becca ordered.

"Becca, I'm serious," Courtney protested. "What's happening on April 14th?"

"Courtney, it's your birthday, for goodness' sake! I can't even talk to you right now. You're impossible!" With that, Becca ended the call, leaving Courtney in stunned silence.

Oops, was Becca mad? Courtney cringed. Her sister was totally right; it was her birthday – her twenty-seventh, in fact – and here she was, still lounging around in her pajamas in her second-floor apartment in New York's Chelsea neighborhood.

This meant all her meticulously planned tasks for the day would have to be pushed aside. How on earth could she have forgotten her own birthday? Well, lately, birthdays had become less of a priority. Becca often accused her of being a workaholic, too business-minded for a lady.

But Becca had a point, and just because her sister was right didn't make it any less true. Courtney had long-term ambition to achieve, and that required dedication and a lot of effort.

Unlike Becca, what else would a business-minded go-getter be up to if not strategizing and analyzing? Either way, she had to get going – and fast.

***

As the sun dipped below the horizon, Courtney found herself aboard a luxurious mid size yacht, surrounded by a surprise birthday party thrown by her family – mainly orchestrated by Becca.

She wore a stunning red sleeveless gown that Becca had picked out for her. At first, Courtney had refused to wear such a bold and revealing outfit to a small family gathering. But oh, how wrong she was.

In the midst of a grand party, not too far from the Mirana and surrounded by strangers, she couldn't help but feel out of place. Well, at least she recognized a few faces in the crowd. Still, she never imagined herself donning a flashy red gown, no matter how much Becca insisted.

You see, she wasn't your average girl living an average life. She wasn't the partying type, nor was she particularly social. Her world revolved around business and everything in between, much to Becca's constant frustration.

A random guy in a black suit approached her uninvited. "Hey, I've heard so much about you from the WEB magazines." he said with a charming smile.

"Oh, really? Nice to meet you too," Courtney replied, forcing a smile. She wished he would just disappear. Her relationship with men was complicated; she could make a solid first impression, but her views on them were somewhat stereotypical. In her experience, men often acted like they were in control. while she believed she worked twice as hard and was smarter than any man.

"Happy birthday, Courtney Williams," the man toasted, raising his glass of wine and winking at her before sauntering off.

Courtney was relieved he'd left without attempting an awkward conversation.

"And who was that handsome?" Becca asked, suddenly appearing at her side.

"I don't know," Courtney rolled her eyes. "Probably some guy you decided to invite onto this boat."

"I saw the way he looked at you," Becca whispered conspiratorially. "I think he kinda likes you."

"Shut up, Becca," Courtney snapped, cutting her off before things could get awkward. Romantic relationships weren't her thing. She had never been in one and had no intention of starting any.

Suddenly, a hologram appeared in the center of the room, capturing everyone's attention. Courtney couldn't help but grin as the image of Mr. Smith, the founder, owner, and current CEO of the WEB business network, flickered to life. To her, though, he was more than just a powerful businessman – he was her father. Neither of her parents was here in person, so this was a welcome surprise.

"Unfortunately, I may not be able to attend my daughter's birthday party tonight," Mr. Smith announced. "But I hope my spirit does." He chuckled, his love for Courtney evident even through the holographic projection.

Courtney's grin widened; she understood her dad's demanding schedule as a big-time businessman. In fact, if it weren't for Becca, she wouldn't even be celebrating her birthday at all.

As the guests watched intently, Mr. Smith continued, pride evident in his voice. "Courtney Williams, I am a proud father because of you. So, I have a little token for you – a birthday present, as some might call it. It was all Becca's idea. We are honored to gift you a private yacht. We hope you enjoy it tonight." The hologram disappeared, and the crowd burst into applause.

Courtney turned to Becca, who was beaming with excitement. "Seriously, a yacht?" Courtney asked, unimpressed yet slightly shocked. She hadn't bothered to ask whose boat they were on, only to discover it belonged to her all along. What on earth would she do with a yacht?

"Don't you like it?" Becca teased, her eyes twinkling with mischief.

"Oh, I do. A boat I'll never get to unboard for the rest of my life," Courtney replied, her sarcasm undeniable.

"You really are a fun spoiler, aren't you?" Becca asked, disappointment tinging her voice.

"Look, I'm just saying..." Courtney started, trying to explain.

"OMG! Look who decided to show up at your party!" Becca interrupted her, pointing towards the entrance.

Courtney turned around, her jaw dropping in shock.

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