Burning From Love To Hatred

"Sir, we are here." Zane, his driver, and his personal assistant inform him as they got to the front of his company. He open his eyes and sighed before stepping down from the vehicle which the door was already open. He button his suit before taking a step towards the tall and mighty building that always had people who used to know him gasping in shock. Even those that heard the name alone gaps in awe, that's how powerful the legacy he has built in the city of Florida and across the States. He wished his mom were alive to see how far and how well he have done.

She would've been very proud of him if she were alive.

Pulling his thoughts back to reality, Richie strode into the open door with Zane right behind him.

"Good morning, sir" Unending chants from his staff ring in his head like a bell, and he just passed them like he didn't hear any of them. Well, he's not obligated to reply to their greetings.

'This is my company and I can do anything that I want.' He thought to himself while walking down to the elevator

He could feel some of them gaping at the sight of him, especially the ladies. Well, what do you expect, when he's rich, handsome, and single? He's one of them talked about bachelor in the whole of Florida. So, every woman would of course want him to be their man. But that would only be their wish, cause Richie can't imagine himself with any woman at the moment. Unlocking this heart of him would be a miracle that they can never have.

He felt all eyes on him as they walked straight towards the elevator and Zane press the 30th floor. Yeah, that's where Richie's office is located, and he loves the view the so much that he can't wait to get there.

"Zane, how is my schedule like today?" Richie decided to ask the man beside him, to which he wasted no time in replying.

"You have a 10:00 am meeting with the board members and staff of Merchant Company, and after that, you have a lunch meeting with Lady bee."

"Can I skip the meeting with Lady bee?" He sighed loudly, cutting Zane shut. He has the appetite to stomach that woman's flirtatious character. She knows that she'd never get him no matter how much she tried, yet, she would never pass the opportunity to shoot her shot.

"No sir, you can't. You have to have lunch with her." Zane insisted.

'I will just endure it for now. As soon the deal with her is over, I will get rid of her.' He thought in his head while gritting his teeth in irritation, hoping she behaves herself.

Richie momentarily zoned out again, as Zane went ahead to name the rest of his schedule, and he can feel that it was packed judging from the way it was taking an eternity to finish. His mind was occupied with other things as he continued to mention the things he would still remind later on.

The ding sound from the elevator indicated that it was time to get off and he wasted no time in stepping out as he headed towards his office.

"Good morning, sir" He heard a chant from his secretary, and of course, he just went straight to his office without paying her attention.

After a few minutes, a knock came from the door before it was pushed open after giving his permission.

"Sir, here is your coffee." Cora, his secretary announced as she walked over to his desk and placed it.

She waited like she was waiting for his order to go out. Well, he knows she was waiting for any other thing he might need.

"That would be all for now, Cora." He said to her, before grabbing the cup while she headed for the door, after mumbling a 'yes sir'

After having coffee, he was going true his mail and checked some files on his laptop. but he was not able to focus as he was thinking about the meeting with Lady bee and Kendi's trauma.

A few minutes on, a knock came on the door but this time, he ignored it as his mind was occupied with other things. The knock came harder and he couldn't concentrate but give his permission.

Zane his assistant walked in.

"Sir, the board members are waiting for you, Sir. It's already 10:00 am." He ignored Zane his assistant for some seconds, and he keep pressing on his laptop.

He was traumatized by the thought of his girlfriend Kendra Wilkinson and the difficulties his company is going through because of her. He opened his eyes and sighed rapidly before Zane.

"Zane, take these documents to my secretary and join me at the meeting." He said, before grabbing his suitcase while Zane headed for the door immediately, after mumbling a 'yes sir.

Richie, first contract with Leonardo's family. The Merchant Company was terminated because of Kendi. This time, he wouldn't tolerate that, and he pray the meeting comes positive towards the contract.

He marvels how strong Kendra's connection is to have his contract terminated in less than a week.

A few hours later, the meeting was concluded and the board members were excited because they were about to get another devious contract from Merchant Company, and a sample will be presented. But there's a condition Richie must partake in the merger.

The Leonard family asked Richie to tender a public apology to Kendra Wilkinson, his ex-girlfriend before any contract will be merged.

Zane grabbed his suitcase from him while all the staff was gaping at him with smiles on their faces, but he wasn't surprised, and he walk passed them without responding to their regards as Richie's mood wasn't too pleased.

"Zane. What do you think about today's meeting?" He asked Zane his assistant while walking to his office.

"Sir, am happy about the contract agreement to make a merge, but what about the legacy you built over the years? I mean your reputation? What will people say if you tender a public apology to your ex-girlfriend? You have built a strong reputation in this city sir, and people clamored about your company. Aren't you concerned about what people will say and look down on you lowly and snickered?"

Zane answered on a stammering tongue quivering in fear to speak to him in such a way but, Richie, feel Zane was right because he won't jeopardize the legacy he has built in the city over the years, to tender a public apology to his ex-girlfriend. But on second thought, he needed the coalition to move his company to greater heights to have power and more connection in the business world.

"Mind your words, Zane. Don't you know that people don't care about anything but money and power? This contract will give us both money and as much power as we want, and my company name and legacy in the business world will become larger than life itself. So it wouldn't hurt to tender a public apology to my ex if that's what it takes. And you should know that the contract will last for 3 years only, and then my company will be the face of all the patronages in Florida and across the States.

We have to form this alliance to merge our business to yield more success, but Kendi is the only obstacle in between." He said abruptly with a bored expression.

Richie was over concerned, marveling at the alliance his ex-girlfriend Kendi, gat with Leonardo's family to condition him to tender a public apology before any merge.

He turned in frustration and pulled out his phone from his pocket in an attempt to call his friend Lucas, for the party his organizing for his staff and business associates on his Cruise boat.

He open his eyes and sighed deeply as he walk straight to his office and move to the open window. Yeah, he love the view and it relieved Richie's worries.

A few minutes later, he heard a knock on the door. It was his secretary Cora, after giving her his permission to come in.

"Sir, here's your coffee for the day" Cora his secretary announced and she walked over and placed it on the desk and look forward to her boss's moody face.

"Sir. It's anything the problem?" Cora asked in concern when she saw the sad look on her boss's face.

She was frightened wondering what could have made a billionaire like him look so unpleasant.

"Everything is fine." He retorted without wasting time, but Cora wasn't convinced.

"Am sorry if I bother you sir, but am ain't happy with the look on your face?" She asks again and moves closer to him, and places her palms on the desk.

"Am fine Cora, I said everything is fine. You can go now." Richie said abruptly in a loud voice, and wave her off, and she walked straight to the door without asking any further questions.

Richie, flared up in anger while slamming his palms on the table. In Richie's heart, he feels humiliated for him to tender a public apology to his ex Kendra Wilkinson. Richie doesn't know the alliance Kendra got with Leonardo's family. The coalition between them to asked his company to tender a public apology because of his misunderstanding with Kendi.

A few minutes later, he heard another knock on the door. This time it was Zane, Richie's assistant.

"Sir, it's time for your Lunch meeting with Lady bee." Zane announced as he walk in.

Richie gave out a loud and clear sighing, he almost forgot he have a lunch meeting with Lady bee, as he was contemplating Kendra's trauma.

"Zane, get all the documents from my secretary Cora. She got all the files prepared for today's appointment and join me in the car."

"Okay, Sir." Zane retorted without wasting time.

Immediately, he headed to the main door and he go straight to the parking lot where his bodyguard was waiting for him. They greeted him and open the back seat door for him.

Zane, his assistant, and the driver started the ignition and the car ran towards the restaurant, and his bodyguard quickly open the door for him.

"Let's go." He said, putting on his ray-ban shades and striding towards the security check with so much confidence in him.

Everything was perfectly set. What baffled him the most was his favorite meal for lunch. Lady bee has everything arranged to his standard together with her colleagues.

Lady bee ran her eyes all over his body while the meeting was on. She was glancing at Richie seductively pitting her lips trying to seduce him into her excitement. But Richie, wonder what she's thinking.

'This is business and we're partners. Not some kind of love infatuation. Besides, I know my standard when it comes to flirtation, not her type of person.' Pulling his thoughts back to reality. He sighed softly as he continue with the meeting without paying her any further attention.

Lady bee craved to have just one nightstand with Richie as a business partner, but he has a strong legacy in the city. And won't jeopardize his business with friendship.

Lady bee staring was getting on Richie's nerves. He never craves or has any appetite for her flirtatious attitude toward him. Despite her realizing she will never get him no matter how many times she tried, yet, she take every giving possibilities she had on him.

But he promise to try and play along with her because he needed the supplies to make a mega-deal with Leonardo's family. The Merchant Company.

A few hours later. They held the meeting positively to Richie's satisfaction, and the lunch was perfect and the supplies will be triple, and the deal will last for Two and half years.

Lady bee took Richie's briefcase from him walking together with his bodyguard on his right-hand side.

"Hey, Richie." He heard his name but he never looks back because he believe no one with his or her right sense will call him by his name in such a disrespectful manner.

And he keep walking with Lady bee then a tap came from behind, and when he turned, to his greatest surprise it was his ex-girlfriend Kendra Wilkinson.

"Oh my gosh. What the dam hell are you doing here Kendi? I never expected to see you." Richie squeezed angrily, because he never wanted to see her, but he took a deep breath, and excuse Lady bee while his bodyguard stands beside him.

Kendra looks so beautiful with her seductive abdomen. Her sweet fragrance descended upon Richie's nose and erupted some tingles in his heart with her glorious blue eyes peeking at him so irritatingly, as they stand motionless looking at each other for a fraction of seconds.

Richie gave out a sigh and took a sincere breath, as they stood motionless looking at each other. And there was a pause, as he was glancing at Kendi's abdomen from the corner of his eyes.

She has always been the girl Richie dreamed to spend the rest of his life with back then.

He raises his head calmly and looks forward to her.

Kendra stood still, as series of contemplation ran through her head while peeking at Richie lowly and sad, and she flips her hair over her shoulder with so much outrage.

"You mother fucker, you think you gonna have peace of mind after everything I did for you? I sacrificed my virginity just for you to be in this position you're in today. You haven't seen anything yet, because am gonna make sure I bring you down completely. Nothing gonna work for you here in Florida." She prompted and pushed him to the wall, and his bodyguard reacted immediately, but he stop him.

Richie was speechless looking at her. He brought out his cigarette from his back pocket and lit it on and blow the smoke on Kendi's face, and she became angrier gaping at him lowly and repulsing.

"Oh common and stop all this bragging and be realistic for once. You break my heart and trust remember? Yes, I know you did it for the coalition that brought my company to this level, but I never expected you to go that extreme to have affairs with the CEO after the acceptance." He said and Kendi became angrier.

Immediately, her eyes turned red and she attempts to push him again, but this time the bodyguard stops her.

"Fuck you, Richie. To hell with your regret. Investing in yourself means wasting time. spending millions of dollars striking out a deal is also a waste of time because I'm gonna destroy utterly everything you have built over the years we are together. No matter the investing time and resources in self-development you're acquiring. Every successful person you'll ever come across, upon any ambitions you have to determine goals. will be obliterated by me Kendi." She said abruptly, and her face was brutal with so much outrage.

Richie was cut off guard. He hadn't expected that reaction from her. He was shocked and astounded.

He was just folding his arms in agony. He can't show how upset he it's and be some weak human. Richie's mood changed immediately, and his eyes turn red.

He know he needed to withstand her trauma and let her know billionaires are always ready to welcome any challenges that come with their businesses.

"Billionaires like me are always curious Kendi. Because I have a hunger to understand and explore things. This curiosity in me is never truly satisfied, which fuels my continued earnings and growth in the business industry. You trying to bring me down, aren't the right thing to do. Remember, I always try to approach different situations and conditions in resourceful ways? When you are placed in a complex situation Kendi, you likely seek the easiest way out, the safest way out, or just give up. Because, a billionaire like me will go through the toughest of ways in any given challenge, and reach the root of the situation and tackle it efficiently because that's who I am. Richie The Billionaire Mindset." He said with so much confidence in him, and she spat at him in disgust.

Richie, bodyguard was eager in an attempt to jab her down, but he never let him, and she keep talking in an abusive way.

"You think you're smart Richie, but you haven't seen anything you mother fucker. I know all your secrets, I mean all your Intel, all your business plan and networks, and your entire business models, and more. Am ain't gonna rest until I make sure your business and reputation have been jeopardized fully by me." She said furiously with a bored expression blinking at him negatively.

Richie sighed hastily and became angrier, and move closer to her, face to face.

"Risks have to be taken, as billionaires understand that Kendi. Until and unless risks are taken, a business will not be able to move ahead, and a bold risk-taker like me will fly ahead and above all odds, to be ready to tackle any risk that comes from you or anyone."

Kendi was stunned and became fragile when Richie say that he made it clear to her to tackle any challenges before his company.

'Such utterances are too devious to use against me and my investment, but am ready to face anything that comes against my company's or my reputation.' He thought in his head while Kendi was roaming in anger.

She gave out a loud sighing, and flip her hair over her shoulder in frustration and walk around Richie, as series of contemplation rang through her head.

"I love it when you challenge me, Richie. But don't forget I know all the secrets behind your successful company. How you murdered your partner 3years ago to reach this level you're today." She said abruptly with a wicked smirk on her face.

And there was silence between them, as Richie couldn't say because he never murdered his friend and Kendi knows everything. But as a billionaire, he understood her outrage toward him.

"I never murdered my partner Kendi. Mind your words! Many wealthy people spend tens of thousands on cars and leisure, but billionaires like me are more frugal when it comes to possessions. I spend growing my empires further, with the habit of spending money where it can eventually yield more profit, taking me to greater heights. That's why I took my entire team, staff, and business associates including you to a party on my cruise boat, making memories with my business family, in order to build loyalty and employee happiness. Remember, that was when I lost my partner Jefferson? He drowned while swimming outside the Cruise with his fiance." He said furiously, and his eyes turn red

But Kendi spat at him again and walk down to her Lamborghini, and drove off with so much outrage.

Richie, squeeze angrily and threw his cigarette on the floor. He whimpers but his mood becomes elevated shortly. He feels his too smart to be bitter because of his ex-girlfriend.

'Am ready to put everything at stake just to know if the risk was actually worth it. This includes my reputation, my networks, and my entire business model. That's why am ready to tender a public apology to her.' He thought as millions of contemplation were raising in his head.

The merger with Merchant Company will give him both money and as much power as he wants, and the company name and legacy in the business world will become larger than life itself.

He was contemplating different things at the same time just in a fraction of seconds, and when he turned around, Lady bee was still waiting and she walked forward to him

"Hey, dude. Who's that young lady, and why is she speaking to you angrily in such a manner? I believe she's one of your relatives that's why she has the gods to speak to you in cruelty." Lady bee asked in concern, as she acknowledged the dishonor from Richie's ex.

Lady bee knows Richie, legacy in Florida and across the States, that no one will dare talk to him arrogantly. But he wasn't pleased to answer her questions. Because he feels it's a personal matter.

"Yea. She's one of my relatives." Richie brushed it off because he felt embarrassed for someone to humiliate a luxurious and classic billionaire with all his legacy in the city and before his clients.

"Oh, but that's unfair. Her words are so brutal. She sounds so vocal, so barbaric, heartlessness and ruthlessness." Lady bee complain as she was becoming too inquisitive gesturing to know more.

However, Richie wasn't comfortable anymore to answer her questions and he walked straight to the car. His bodyguard took his briefcase from Lady bee, and open the back seat door, and he instruct Zane to drive him to his private Cruise board where he was organizing a party with his staff and business associates.

'Am always unpleasant, angry, and hateful whenever I see Kendi. Her troubles and hatred for me will never end.' He thought with a devious smirk on his face, as they drove him to his Cruise boat.