Chapter 1 Love at first sight

Antonio, is a business tycoon owner and CEO of imperio enterprise, world wide fashion brand in Mexico. He is also the only son of the Rodrigo's, a well renown and richest family in Mexico. He has masculine figure which compliment his 6ft height. He is every ladies' dream. He knew ladies didn't love him, they only loved the affluence he posseses. The company is currently holding a fashion show. Every participants, each, one after the other walks down the red carpet and showcases the outfits made. As Antonio watches, at that moment, he sets his eyes on Gabriella. His heart skipped a beat.

He had never seen anyone beautiful as her. Her feminine feature captivated his very soul. She had beautiful eyes and a loving smile that could charm a man. " Who is she?, I have never seen her before". Says silently as he still keeps eye contact with her till she was no more. He stood up from his seat to go look for her, not minding the show was still going on. His friend and business partner, held him as he saw he was leaving, " where are you off to".

"I'd be right back, I need to attend to something important", he says as he leaves. He tries to increase his pace but he couldn't catch up, he lost sight of her. " Would I ever see her again ", he wondered, heads back to the fashion show.

Meanwhile, Gabriella goes to the dressing room to change. " This clothes are really extremely tight", she complains. She looks at the time, " oh my gosh, I'm late. Dad is definitely gonna kill me". She packs her stuff, bid her colleagues goodbye and enters a taxi going home. She arrived, walks in and meets her dad frowing. " I am in trouble for sure" says within her with fear. Surprisingly, her dad didn't say anything to her or scolded her for coming back late. She wondered, " that's unlike him, could something be bothering him. My dad I know would have brought this house down for me coming late home". She saw the worried look on her dad, " dad, what is the problem,you don't seem happy". " It's nothing my princess, I am just tired", he says assuring his daughter.

Gabriella's father, Sebastian , is a teacher who tries to make ends meet for his family. His wife died ever since Gabriella was 6 years old unfortunately, before she died, she had borrowed a huge loan where she worked. It was realized that she used the money to pay their rent as they were almost kicked out of the house. The family which she worked, issued a letter to pay up her debt. His salary is unable to cover for the debt owed. He is at a crossroad and doesn't know what to do. The letter says, if they refused paying the loan, their things would be taken away from them. " I have to figure out a way somehow", he says to himself and heads to his room. Unfortunately, he forgot to take the paper along with him.

The day breaks, everyone is up and doing to prepare for the day. Gabriella's had gone out for his daily work. Gabriella was left alone. She cleaned up the house as she had nothing to do. She worked part time jobs most times, while cleaning, she found a note wrapped in an envelope under the table. She picks it up and reads the content. Her countenance changed, there it dawned on her the reason why her dad was that way yesterday. She didn't know what to do but she knew she had to act fast. She tries to find the address of the family her mother worked with. She scrolled through her mom's contact's address. She copied it on her phone and goes to prepare to leave.

The Rodrigo Residence

Everyone is having breakfast at the dining. Antonio walks in and greets everyone. Everyone responds except his dad. His dad and him have been in loggerheads as a result of his refusal to marry his friend's daughter. His father, marco believes it would make the two family bonds stronger. " I would want to have a family get together with the aurora's", his father announced. " A family get together??? Really???, hope it's not what I am thinking because I won't be there", Antonio says. " You dare not be absent, besides, Samantha would be there, she is back, you have to keep her company", his father ordered. Antonio loses appetite and walks out. " heading to the office, goodbye everyone".

Samantha was Antonio high school lover till they ended things and parted ways. Their family brought them together. Antonio didn't want anything to do with Samantha but he had to please his family. Samantha left after their high school days. They lost communication and never saw till date.

Antonio steps out but bumps into Gabriella, he didn't look at her as he was so furious. " So rude" Gabriella fled. It happens the home her mother worked for was the Rodrigo's. She steps in and admires the building and interior work design done. She says within her, " I am gonna build one like this for my dad and myself". She walks in and greets everyone. " Who are you?, question Emily, Antonio's cousin. " Ummmmmm, iiiii... ammmm Gabriella", she replies stammering. " Who are you looking for ", Emily asked. " I am here looking for the owner of this house", replies Gabriella. "Do you have an appointment with him ", asked Emily. " Nope, but it's important I do see him", answered Gabriella as she gets impatient with Emily's questions. "Wait here, let me go inform him", Emily says as she walks upstairs.

A knock on the door, "who is that " Sebastian question. " It's me uncle, Emily, a young lady says she wants to see you. She is downstairs as we speak, should I ask her to wait?" Answered Emily. "A young Lady, who could that be", he wondered.

" Tell her I would be right there", he says. " Ok uncle", says Emily, as she goes back downstairs.

"He is coming". Emily to Gabriella.

Sebastian comes down, " young lady, how many I help you", as he takes his seat. " Good day Sir, I came regarding this, she hands over the letter to him. He opens it. " Who are you ", he questioned.

" I am the daughter of the woman who is indebted to you", Gabriella replies.

"Ohhhhh, are you with my money now ", Sebastian asked with a serious look on his face.

" Actually that's why I'm here Sir, I came ask you to give us more time Sir", she goes on her knees to beg. " There's no such thing as more time, I have tried by being merciful", he bluntly says.

An idea strucks Gabriella's mind, " Sir, what if I worked for you as a way of repaying the loan my mom owes. She hoped he buys the idea and accepts. There's was a moment of silence from Sebastian. You could tell he was deliberating on what she had just said. He breaks the silence, " is that what you want", he asked. " Yes Sir, that's the only way I can pay you back". " When do you intend on starting", asked Sebastian. " I don't mind today sir" says Gabriella.

Gabriella gets to work immediately, she worked like her life depended on it. Obviously it did. She didn't know how time flied, she quickly rounded up everything she was doing and started rushing home. On her way to her exist, she bumps into Antonio, almost slippering to the floor, but Antonio saves her in time. They locked eyes as it met, hearts starts to beat fast, there was total silence.

Could this be the start of a new love story?