Billionaire Desires

Harper

"Watch where you're going!" I yelled at him as he bumped into me. Dressed in form-fitting black training pants that suited his muscular frame, he exuded confidence and focus as he spoke on the phone. Ignoring my presence, he arrogantly raised a finger to silence me, as if I were an interruption.

"You ran into me, raised your finger to hush me, and now you don't even have the decency to apologize?" I said angrily.

"But you were standing in my way," he replied, dripping with arrogance and contempt. His tone was hostile as if I had done something wrong. "I understand that everyone needs rest during their workout, but placing yourself between the equipment is inconvenient for others who are trying to use it. It's best to find a designated area for resting instead of telling me to apologize for what is your fault," he ranted before walking away to continue his conversation.

I was livid at this point. Without thinking, I swiftly pulled him back by his clothing, forcing him to face me. "Hold on! You knocked me over, and you don't even have the decency to apologize," I exclaimed, frustration boiling over. As he attempted to move away again, I dragged him back, insisting that he should at least have the courtesy to apologize rather than shifting the blame onto me.

"I wasn't blaming you. I'm only saying that if you hadn't been standing in the way, I wouldn't have bumped into you. Madam, I don't have time for this," he retorted, his arrogance palpable.

"Please, spare me the patronizing attitude! What an arrogant jerk. Who does he think he is?" I thought, seething with anger. At that moment, one of the gym instructors intervened in our argument. The next words out of that arrogant jerk's mouth were, "Throw her out of this premises."

And just like that, I was forcefully expelled from the gym. Fuming and pissed, I got into my car. Tears streamed down my face as I asked myself, "What was I even doing at the gym today, of all days?" It had been two weeks since I'd been able to drag myself out of bed. I was tired of guilt and regret, drained of all emotions. The one good man I thought I had left me. I had opened myself completely, surrendering my heart to him with unwavering love, believing he was the best man for me.

Questions troubled my mind, relentlessly mocking me. Why did he leave? Was I not enough? I had cried my eyes out, and with each tear, I vowed to heal, to rediscover myself, and to reclaim my happiness. With hope and determination, I ignited the engine of my car and made my way home, eager to prepare for the day.

Exhausted yet satisfied from an intense workout at the gym, I tried to push the thought of what had happened there behind me. I stepped into the shower, letting the warm water cascade over my fatigued muscles. Today was my first day back at work after my leave. I opted for a tailored black blazer, paired with a crisp white blouse and a deep navy blue pencil skirt that hinted at sophistication.

As I casually entered the office building, my only friend Amelia forcefully pulled me into another room. A swell of fear rushed through me, and I exclaimed in shock as her icy gaze fixed on me. In a single breath, she unleashed her frustration. "Harper, what's wrong with you? I've repeatedly talked about this issue. You ignore my calls and disregard my emails. How do you expect to keep your job if you continue like this?"

"Well, hello to you too," I replied with a touch of sarcasm. Amelia, clearly irritated, informed me, "The boss is laying off staff."

"Is the boss upset again?" I asked.

"Which boss?" Amelia shot back. "Harper, you failed to read your mail. This is the same issue I've been complaining about."

With a sigh of relief, she pulled me into a bone-crushing hug. "It's a good thing you're here today. How are you doing?" she asked with concern.

"I'm fine," I replied.

"We have a meeting with our new boss," she said, gripping my hand as she ushered me towards the conference room. Upon arriving, I noticed the tense atmosphere among the staff members, and to my surprise, Sophia was also present.

Sophia was the type of person who consistently blocked progress in the office-a difficult colleague to deal with. In a mocking tone, she addressed me, "Harper, darling, you seem quite presentable today."

Rolling my eyes, I replied, "Thank you."

"Anyway, what do you know about our new boss?" Sophia asked.

"I heard he's the boss's son," Amelia replied. She always seemed to be well-informed about office gossip. As I glanced around, I noticed one of my colleagues was absent.

Curiosity piqued, I inquired, "Where's Sandra?"

Amelia responded somberly, "She was laid off." Sophia expressed her strong resentment towards Sandra.

After a few minutes, the conference room doors swung open, and a wave of energy filled the air. With a confident stride, our new boss made his way to the front of the room without a smile. My heart skipped a beat when I saw him. A knot tightened in my stomach-a mixture of embarrassment, and anger. Taking a deep breath, I tried to compose myself, willing my emotions to settle. I reminded myself that this was a professional setting and that I needed to handle the situation with grace.

As our new boss delivered his speech, his eyes briefly locked with mine. My heart skipped another beat as I detected a hint of recognition in his gaze, but it was quickly replaced with a professional demeanor. Amelia nudged me, sensing something was off, and asked, "What's going on?"

Annoyed, I responded by rolling my eyes at our new boss.

Clearing his throat to get everyone's attention, Josh Stevenson began, "Good morning, everyone! I'm Josh Stevenson, your new boss. I'm thrilled to be here. By now, I'm sure you've observed the structural adjustments and staff changes we've implemented. Moving forward, over the next three months, it will be necessary for you to exert greater effort if you intend to remain a part of this organization.

"I will have individual meetings with each of you to discuss your roles and what is expected from you," he continued. "If you don't have any questions, that's all for now."

Sophia, looking very pleased, eagerly raised her hand, making me sigh inwardly. "It's not a question," she said. "I just wanted to officially welcome you to the company. We want you to know that we are fully committed to embracing and supporting your vision."

"Thank you, Miss...?" Josh paused, asking for her name.

"Sophia," she responded, adding a flirtatious tone to her voice as she continued the conversation.

With a look of contentment, he left the conference room after the meeting ended.

True to his word, my new boss began meeting with all the staff members. He hasn't had a meeting with me yet, which I know will be uncomfortable, but I've committed to maintaining professionalism.

Later, Amelia entered my office. "Hey, baby girl, what's up?" I greeted her.

"How was your meeting?" I asked.

"It was okay. He didn't say much. We just exchanged ideas," Amelia replied, expressing her disappointment. "That man doesn't smile."

Feeling resentful, I commented, "He's too arrogant to smile, acting like he's the best thing since pizza."

Amelia chimed in, "I heard he's still single."

In a casual tone, I replied, "Oh, Sophia will be delighted to hear that."

Suddenly, Josh stepped into my office, looking impeccable in his well-fitted suit. With his dark hair, handsome look, and piercing eyes radiating confidence and style, I caught myself admiring him for a brief moment. Instantly, I collected myself and put on a serious expression. "Good morning, sir."

"Just call me Josh," he replied.

"Good morning, Josh."

"Morning," he said. "I need to reschedule our meeting."

"Okay, sir."

Why the stress of coming to my office? He could have just emailed me, I thought to myself. I need to get used to seeing him around. He's my arrogant boss who got me booted out of the gym. The scenario is still vivid in my mind.

"You need to step up your game, but we can talk about it further in the meeting," he said condescendingly.

I was stunned by his words. I knew he was trying to provoke me, but I couldn't let this slide. "Um, excuse me, sir, but I take a lot of pride in my work. I've successfully closed deals for this company and have demonstrated my competence. So, could you please explain what you mean by 'stepping up my game'?"

"Let me explain. It seems like your emotions sometimes affect your decisions and how well you operate in this organization. I just spent three hours convincing one of our vital investors, whom you introduced to the firm, not to sever ties with us."

Amelia, sensing the tense atmosphere, hurriedly left my office.

He's starting to annoy me, I thought as I tried to stay calm.

As he was about to exit my office, I swiftly called out to him, making him pause and turn back. "Sir, I don't think you fully understand the essence of my job. Do you realize the level of connection I establish with my clients and staff members? My work speaks for itself-I'm genuine and honest," I said with a hint of frustration.

"I'm not questioning your business skills, but I ask you to please not try to demean me," I continued, mixing determination with a touch of hurt. It seemed to me that this wasn't just about work; it felt personal.

He turned to me, a sharp look of anger in his eyes. "Firstly, remember that I'm still your boss, so it's important to choose your words carefully. Secondly, just because you're rude to me doesn't mean I have any ill intentions toward you. Lastly, you're competent at your job, but let's strive for greatness."

I knew I needed to resolve this tension between us once and for all. "Sir, you bumped into me, raised your finger to silence me while you were on the phone, and even had me kicked out of the gym. And now you're telling me to step up my game?" I said, turning to him.

He let out a sigh. "I apologize for my behavior. I deeply regret my words and actions. These past few weeks have been challenging for me, and unfortunately, you caught me at a particularly tough moment," he expressed sincerely, stepping closer, his emotions on full display.

My eyes widened, and I didn't know what to say for a moment. His words felt genuine, and I could see his sincerity. I furrowed my brows, trying to understand what was happening. His hasty remorse made me question why he was changing. Was this genuine or just a fleeting act?

After a brief pause, I managed to collect myself and respond. "Um... I appreciate your apology, Josh. It's just... shocking, considering how we've been before," I stuttered, still feeling cautious about fully trusting his apology.

He grinned and said, "I want you to understand that I'm not here to sabotage your work or what you've been doing. If we want the company to succeed, we need to work together as a team. And more than anyone else, I need your support," he added, letting his defenses down, his emotions fully on display as he stepped closer to me.

After Josh apologized, we managed to find common ground and maintained a polite relationship.

As Amelia and I walked into the office building, Sophia unexpectedly approached us, directing her gaze at me. Her expression turned sour as she scrutinized my outfit. "Dressed like this because you're meeting the boss?" she sneered.

Amelia immediately came to my defense. "Does Harper intimidate you?"

I met Sophia's eyes briefly but didn't let her comment bother me. With a determined look, I left them and headed toward Josh's office.

Upon entering, I greeted him, "Good morning, sir."

He smiled, "Good morning, Ms. Cole." His friendly demeanor eased my initial nerves. "Please, have a seat."

"Thank you," I replied, sitting down.

"I'd like you to interview some interns," he said, looking up from his computer.

"Human Resources typically handles interviews," I pointed out. "They're fully equipped for it."

"I value your input. You have a sharp eye for talent," he explained.

Then, unexpectedly, he asked, "Are you currently in a relationship? Sometimes personal matters can affect work, and I just want to make sure you're not distracted."

Caught off guard, I responded, "I prefer not to discuss my personal life at work. It would be equally inappropriate for me to ask you about yours."

Josh didn't seem fazed. "I'm single. I was engaged once, but it didn't work out."

"Sophia and the others will be thrilled to hear that," I said, aware of the attention he often received.

"And you're not?" he asked, leaning back slightly. "I know we didn't start well, but I'm trying to make things right between us."

He continued, "Sophia's made her interest clear, but I keep things professional. Personal and work matters should stay separate."

"Let's get back to business. Can you handle the intern interviews?"

I shrugged. "It's not part of my job description, but I'll follow the instructions."

"Good," he said, dismissing me with a wave. "Have a good day, Miss Cole."

Frustrated, I left his office, fuming at his arrogance.

---

The next morning, I woke to sunlight streaming through the curtains. With no plans for the day, I was grateful for a break after the stress of meeting deadlines at work.

Just then, my phone rang. It was Amelia, suggesting we go to a spa together. Thrilled, I eagerly agreed.

After a refreshing bath, I headed downstairs, where the delightful smell of bacon filled the air. I found my mom in the kitchen. "Good morning, Mummy," I greeted her.

"Good morning, baby girl," she replied, smiling.

"I'm not a baby anymore," I said playfully, rolling my eyes. My mom and I have a close bond, especially since I'm an only child. However, I do have a cousin, Ava, who lives with us. After her parents passed away, my mom became her legal guardian.

With seven years between us, I naturally became her big sister, a role I embraced wholeheartedly.

As we ate breakfast, Ava asked why I was dressed up. I told her about the spa date with Amelia, and after finishing breakfast, I met up with Amelia for a shopping trip. We spent the afternoon at the spa, enjoying some much-needed relaxation, and caught up on the latest gossip, including Sophia's flirtation with Josh. Later, we grabbed a meal at a cozy restaurant before parting ways, both in high spirits.

When I got home, I was surprised to find my dad in the living room. I rushed over and gave him a big hug. "You're back! How was the trip?"

"Take it easy," he chuckled, but I noticed something was off. He wasn't his usual cheerful self.

"Where are Mom and Ava?" I asked.

"They went to get groceries," he said.

Sensing something was wrong, I asked, "Dad, are you okay?"

He sighed, motioning for me to sit. "Our business is in trouble. We're close to losing everything. I tried to fix it, but things didn't go as planned."

"Dad, it'll be okay. We'll figure it out," I said, trying to reassure him. But his next words shook me.

"You're getting married. In two months."

I pulled back, staring at him in disbelief. "What? Two months? I'm not a commodity to be arranged like this! I have feelings!"

He remained silent, lost in thought. I took a deep breath and asked the question that terrified me most. "Who am I supposed to marry?"