Chapter 1 The Strange Encounter

Chapter 1: The Strange Encounter

The lavish show could be felt-the atmosphere was that of power, where stars of the IT industry accompanied stars of the film industry. Above them, crystal chandeliers looked down, creating a warm atmosphere for the conversations heard, mixed with the tinking of glasses.

Alexander "Alex" Hayes was right in the middle of everything, though it would be hard to imagine him as anything but composed and prosperous. Standing there at six feet two, in a sharp black suit and a tie, commanding attention, he was in the right place. This was his world, and to his mind, he was on top of the entire world this very night.

"Mr. Hayes, always a pleasure," a voice said, which interrupted him and brought him back to reality.

His back was toward the speaker; with the other titan in the industry, a handshake is exchanged with casual business talk. However, as the two engaged in conversation, Alex had the impulse to look at his watch and leave, but as he endeavored to do so, he glanced at a woman across the room. They were discussing something in a low voice. She's with a small group of people, and her back was to him, yet she's quite magnetic.

Before he knew it, he was following her to the kitchen, as though some unseen force was pulling at him. Just as he caught up with her, she shifted a little to the side, and he could see her profile; it was pretty and somehow unrecognizable. She wore her pretty dark hair in an elegant updo; her dress was deep emerald green, smooth, and form-fitting, yet not provocative.

He did not know her but desired to know her.

The lady instantly moved from her position and glanced at him; there was instant chemistry between them. Neither did he nor she, both of them not turning their eyes away from the other. That indecipherable look offered him something he wanted to know and comprehend-she was different from the ladies in the room.

Pump, push, pull, and Alex seized, getting closer, his mind snapping at him. Nervously, she looked at him. "I do not think we have indeed transacted business before," he said, holding out his hand with a smile.

Of course, she thought for a brief moment before taking it into her hands. "Olivia Bennett," she answered, and though there was no feeling of anger in her voice, there was a tinge of curiosity.

"Alexander Hayes," he said to her to remind her he was the man she met earlier, when in fact she was fully aware of him. Everyone in this room did.

"Well, hello there, Mr...." She paused. "Masters, I presume?" He nodded. "So, Olivia Bennett, why are you here?"

"Business," she replied softly, her gaze fixed on him as though she were trying to understand something about him as a person.

"Oh, that serves me right, sir," I murmured, retreating slightly. "This," I answered, pointing to him, "is my business."

"That I can keep better hours, hence why I could not let this chance slip," she said with a slightly wicked smile.

But Alex could go a little further and press on before he noticed that the room was gripping him even tighter. The discussions, the giggles, and all the other sounds became insignificant to me. Just him and Olivia; it was like they were alone, and this was a situation that could alter everything.

"Perhaps we should elaborate on this chance some more," Alex said, his tone growing slightly lower.

Olivia smiled, and finally, for the first time that night, in her mind, she saw something she didn't know before. Alex felt a shiver of uncertainty.

A smile flitted across her lips. "I think we will," she said, and the words that followed her were tinged with defiance.

The rest of the evening turned out to be a blur; they talked easily with an undercurrent of sex, tension, and appetite in their words. By the time they left the gala, it was quite clear to him or her where the night was heading.

The next morning, Alex woke up to the first light that had begun to filter through the windows of his penthouse. Then he stretched on the bed for awhile and started remembering what had happened to him the previous night. He rolled to his side, waiting for a silhouette of Olivia; however, the bed was vacant. A brief moment of sadness crossed his face, but he too left it behind. Anyway, it had been only a night of fun-really fun-and some would say even romantic.

He rose from his sleep, and a strict regimen took over him-he swum and drank coffee, then wore his suit. He did not see the envelope on the bedside table until he was leaving; it was probably an air vessel. He took it, and he did not fail to note the familiar script of Olivia on it.

had to run. Business calls.

Alex smiled, pulling the note out of his pocket. He liked her for the way she was very straight-forward and did not beat around the bush. She is not like any other woman he has ever met, and that pull attracts him more than he could ever have thought.

However, there was no time to reflect on that situation. He had a meeting to attend, which could potentially make or mar his company.

When Alex came, he realized that the boardroom had been occupied earlier as some directors were already present. He went around the table and sat in this customary position, saying a brief 'hello' to his executives. They were in the middle of what Alex heard as a routine sharing of some progress in different ongoing ventures, but his thoughts were not with the speakers' words; they were with Olivia.

"And that leads us to our latest affiliate," one of them said, getting Alex's focus back to the meeting.

Olivia Bennett walked in.

They looked at Alex, and the room was dead quiet, and for a moment, Alex felt the floor missed a beat. This wasn't possible. This must be some kind of mistake.

However, when she strode assuredly towards the frontal area of the class, reality dawned on her.

Ladies and gentlemen, Let me introduce you to Olivia Bennett. The executive said, not noticing Alex's jaw drop open. "She'll be heading our new business."

Looking back at Alex, Olivia said nothing, her face blank. But he could make out the light of amazement in her eyes, just as he was feeling it within himself.

It was not a mere coincidence that Mather was leading the powerful junto at the time of the witchcraft hysteria.

"Olivia," the executive said, pointing at her to start speaking.

She paused for a moment, then spoke to the entire assembly. "Thank you very much. I really am looking forward to moving in and working with all of you."

Alex did not hear the rest of what she said. His mind was working in overdrive in an attempt to understand the current reality that he had found himself in.

She was the first woman he ever could not 'forget'. She was now his business partner.

He didn't know what should be done next.