From Ugly Duckling To Mrs Livingston: The Perfect Candidate

New York's most eligible Livingston is in his prime as CEO of the company he inherited from his parents: "Livingston Aurea Fashion." However, his grandmother, who has raised him since he was nine years old because his parents died in an accident, has put a stop to his 'romantic-sexual' disorder (as the matriarch calls it so that what her beloved grandson does with women, including the company's models, does not sound so vulgar).

His height of 1.80 m is alluring to women. He is muscular, dresses to perfection, and yes... he is perfect in every aspect. Everyone surrenders at his feet, humiliating themselves and fulfilling his every whim just to spend a single night, since the handsome man carved by the gods never repeats; as he says: "a single lay and goodbye."

Just when he was about to spend a highly enjoyable moment with one of the new models who had been making eyes at him since he saw her, the door is thrown wide open. "Again!" the matriarch exclaimed, striking the fine floor with her cane and showing her displeasure.

"Grandmother, I've told you to knock on the door," he buttons his pants with obstinacy.

"Mrs. Livingston, it's a pleasure to meet you..." the girl quickly adjusts her dress.

"Get out of here!" The matriarch throws a murderous gaze at her only grandson, who seems not to care about absolutely anything.

"But I... I came for the interview," she tries to explain.

"Out!" she exclaimed harshly again. The girl turned to look at Maximus Livingston, thinking the man would defend her or that perhaps his beautiful, intense blue eyes would look at her with mercy. The only thing she found was a rejection that made her feel small between the two of them, so she ran out of the elegant and refined office. "Until when?!" The woman looks at him with disdain. "Tell me when the hell are you going to settle down?! You are 26 years old, Maximus. You have a list of high-society women interested in you."

"In my money, in my power, Grandmother," he approaches the minibar to pour himself a drink.

"So what? No one in our family has married for love, and since you don't plan to take something as important as giving heirs to the family seriously, then I will have to take matters into my own hands!" she speaks with determination. Nonetheless, Maximus takes a seat in his large boss chair. He looks unconcerned, and that is something that angers the matriarch even more: "Since your parents..."

"I don't want to talk about my parents," he said, as it is a wound that has not healed. It was his birthday when they had that accident that took their lives. It was a very difficult time.

"We will have to talk, whether you like it or not!" The matriarch strikes the floor with her cane, demonstrating her authority: "I promised your parents that I would take charge of you, that I would take care of you, and that I was going to make a good man out of you."

"I am a successful CEO! That should be enough for you!"

"You must understand, Maximus, that if you don't marry, our last name dies! We need to continue our legacy!!"

"But I'm still young!"

"Enough!!" she shouted, already tired of him not understanding it: "Everyone in this family has sacrificed their love life, and let me tell you right now, I do not accept that girlfriend you have as a wife, that Aria girl..."

"Aria, Grandmother, her name is Aria."

"Whatever! I don't accept her! You must have a normal wife, a woman who isn't 'pure plastic,' whose nobility can be seen in her gaze. A beautiful woman so that your children have a good lineage."

"It's absurd," Maximus drank his drink to the bottom; his grandmother has been on the same topic for two years.

"I have been patient with you, but that is over."

"What do you mean?"

"You may think I'm a witch, but I do everything for your own good and to fulfill my promise to my son and your mother. If you don't marry in less than a month, you are out of my inheritance."

"You can't do that..." he smiles, because since he is the sole heir, he doesn't believe his grandmother would do that.

"Even though you are of legal age, you do not yet have possession of all the Livingston assets. Everything is in my power, and even though you are the only grandson, I prefer to leave you out of the inheritance and donate everything to foundations that I know will do something productive with the money and won't spend it on parties and women."

"Grandmother... you wouldn't do that to me. As the sole heir, everything passes into my hands."

"Well, I'm telling you, Maximus Livingston, that if you don't marry in less than a month, you will be left in total ruin! Let's see if one of those women will remain at your feet!" The matriarch turned around and left the office where her faithful butler, Mariano, was waiting for her.

Maximus felt stressed by his grandmother's demand. Having to marry and have a child by obligation irritates him. So he throws the empty glass at the nearest wall to vent some of his fury. He thinks over and over again: where will he find a woman like the one his grandmother demands?

"Congratulations, Rosie!" Her boss, Scarlett, hugs her.

"What is this sudden celebration for?" She looks somewhat nervously at her colleagues.

"Because you have officially managed to unite another couple! It's already your 30th!" she says excitedly. Rosie smiles, although inside... she got her hopes up all by herself. She thought that it would finally be her promotion, the one she needs to earn more money and thus pay off a debt that has her against the ropes.

"Great!" she smiles forcedly.

"Let's go to my office. There is something I want to talk to you about, and it will be very important in your career as Cupid, as the most popular matchmaker in my company. Girls, you can leave now! See you tomorrow!" she says goodbye to the group of women who are part of her team.

Rosie allows herself to be guided to her boss's office and, unfortunately, she gets her hopes up again about the promotion she longs for and needs. "Close the door, dear. What I'm about to tell you is confidential."

"Oh, sure!" she proceeds to close the door.

"Take a seat because this news will leave you breathless."

"Sure..." the beautiful girl with "jeweled green" eyes takes a seat. Her hands began to sweat. As she takes a seat, she swallows hard and her heart beats wildly: "What is it that is so important?"

"Rosie, this will be important for you. You are one of the best matchmakers I have in my company, so when I received that important call, I thought of you first because you deserve that position," Rosie smiles. Her boss's words are giving her the reassurance that it is what she thinks.

"Please, boss, you have my nerves on edge. Tell me what is so important."

"Well," the boss takes a breath and then, with great excitement, said: "You will be the Cupid, the matchmaker for none other than Maximus Livingston!" She said it so excitedly that Rosie's expression dampened the mood. "I thought that would excite you, dear... anyone would want your position."

"I'm sorry, but I refuse to be a part of it. Maximus Livingston and I are like oil and water, we are FIRE AND WATER. Besides, I can't tolerate his presence; he is conceited, cocky, selfish, and has no humility at all... he is, he is..." She falls silent, so her boss continues.

"He is handsome, drop-dead gorgeous, and you must admit it, plus he's a billionaire. He is willing to pay a large sum of money to find him the perfect wife, Rosie."

"I'm sorry, boss, but I refuse to work with that man," there is a knock on the door and Rosie stands up.

"I'm sorry, but there's no turning back. Mr. Livingston has just arrived," Rosie, hearing that from her boss, feels her body tremble. Her worst nightmare is about to come true: crossing paths with the cold CEO again after so much time.

"THIS IS BLOODY MADNESS!" snapped Maximus, adjusting his tie, and then he checked the time on his highly expensive watch.

"Lower your voice, Maximus, it's the best I could get. Many of my acquaintances have been in the same situation as you," said his best friend and assistant Hector, who is his accomplice in everything. They had known each other since they were 10 years old. "You'll see that in a few days you'll have a submissive, beautiful wife with great curves and breasts. You'll have a child, you get a divorce leaving her a large sum of money and that's it, everyone is satisfied. You must sacrifice yourself for the family, you can't lose your position over something that simple."

"That's what you think!" Maximus was about to say something else when the boss opened the door, so the men fell silent. Meanwhile, Rosie felt like she was running out of air; she felt like she was returning to the past, to that bitter memory that changed her completely.

"Rosie, Rosie?!" her boss mentioned her, and the girl snapped out of her thoughts. Her back was turned, so she swallowed hard. She had been avoiding being in front of Maximus for years because she was left hurt and with a thorn in her heart full of resentment over his words of rejection back then.

"Yes?" she asked and clenched her jaw.

"Meet Mr. Livingston, the CEO of Livingston Aurea Fashion, New York's most sought-after businessman. He requires our services, which is a great honor for me, sir, to have you in my company Hadas del Amor. Rosie is the best, which is why I'm assigning her to you. She will fulfill everything you look for in a wife."

When Rosie heard that, she arched an eyebrow. She literally refused to look at him. It was like going back to the past. All she wanted was to hit him in the head with her heel for being rude, for that humiliation and rejection. But she thought that perhaps he didn't remember her; after all, she had always gone unnoticed by others.

"Rosie..." her boss mentioned between her teeth, so the girl with jeweled green eyes had no choice but to turn around and look seriously, taking things very seriously after all it was her job.

As soon as she saw him, her heart raced. It was him, handsome and well-dressed as always, though with that same cold temperament. Meanwhile, Maximus frowned slightly; the color of Rosie's eyes was captivating.

"A pleasure, Mr. Livingston," she did not extend her hand to greet him. "I promise you will have the wife of your dreams," she spoke with sarcasm, one that Maximus perceived instantly, as he was the king of sarcasm.

"Well... we'll leave you two alone," Hector said to leave with Scarlett. They had known each other for a long time and wanted to be alone.

Rosie prepared to take out her planner and her lilac-colored pen.

"Mr. Livingston, I want you to know that I take my job seriously. My boss told me the pay will be good, so I feel this job is simple for me."

"Do you know who you are addressing with that attitude?" Maximus took the opportunity to look her up and down. Rosie is 1.65, her hair is natural blonde, and her lips are thick and provocative; however, her attire was somewhat repulsive to a man like him, for whom fashion was his whole world.

"Of course! New York's most eligible bachelor whom all the girls sigh for!" she spoke with a certain mockery and proceeded to look at her notebook. Maximus's gaze made her nervous, even though she hid it perfectly. "Any important details you want in your future wife?"

Maximus threw her a piercing glare. She didn't look at him like the other women; otherwise, she should be happy and melting to work for him. But it seemed she didn't care who Maximus Livingston was.

"Do you have a bloody problem?" he asked seriously.

"Not at all, sir," she replied, making fake notes in her notebook.

"Your attitude leaves a lot to be desired. I could say with certainty that you want to tell me something else..." he narrowed his eyes slightly; he was analyzing her.

"The only thing I have to say," she looked up to lock eyes with him, and the atmosphere between them grew somewhat tense, which felt utterly bizarre, "is that it is obvious... you are looking for a wife with big curves, a large chest, perfect hair, and fashionable clothes, aren't you? Don't worry, Mr. Livingston, I will have options for you tomorrow. Anything else?" She held his gaze, literally defying him.

Maximus clenched his jaw. This was the first woman in his existence who addressed him as if he were nobody. The way she looked at him, spoke to him, and tried to take control made his anger flare.

"Do you think you know me well enough to say that?" He crossed his arms.

"I am a professional matchmaker, and whenever I am assigned a client, I study them. Although you... your reputation speaks for itself through the women you frequently go out with, whom the paparazzi capture as the highlight of the day."

"Let me tell you, Miss..."

"Harper," she added upon seeing him hesitate.

"Right, Harper. You can be as much of a professional matchmaker as you say, but I will not tolerate your behavior, so you are fired." Having said that, he turned around to leave.

Rosie's eyes widened. She was about to let go of the man who had mocked her years ago, but also her financial salvation and perhaps that promotion she so desperately wanted.

Rosie bites the tip of her tongue. She is having a massive internal debate: swallow her pride and be shrewd enough to seize the opportunity, or let him walk away with his arrogance and self-importance. But the debts are literally suffocating her. Letting out a long sigh, she rushed to catch up with him. Seeing him walking toward the elevator, she approaches quickly.

"Mr. Livingston!" she calls out with a sly smile. "You cannot fire me! Generally, my boss would be the one to do that, but you cannot do it."

"I am the one paying, so I will not tolerate your presence. Keep your distance," he said, pressing the button, and as the elevator doors open, he steps inside. He turns around to look at her with disdain.

"You cannot fire me because I am the best option you have, Mr. Livingston. If they assign you another matchmaker, she will surely end up between your sheets."

Seeing that the elevator doors were about to close, she intervenes by putting her hand out to stop them.

"How certain are you that you won't end up in my bed?" His question makes her blush, literally all the way to her ears. "There isn't a woman who can resist, but don't worry, you are not on my wish list. Now step aside, I have important things to do instead of talking to a woman like you."

"You have absolutely no impact on me, Mr. Livingston! On the other hand, my colleagues would go crazy. I take my job seriously. I promise to give you the wife you need. Let's start from scratch."

She looks at him, and in a way, that is exactly what Maximus needs right now: for the matchmaker to be serious and not get involved with him. He needs that wife urgently so he won't lose his billionaire standing.

"I will take your silence and piercing glare as a yes." She steps back and the elevator doors close slowly. Maximus takes the opportunity to sweep his intense gaze over Rosie, wondering over and over again: Why doesn't she go crazy over him?

"She probably likes women!" he said. "That way of dressing is pathetic, it's horrendous. It's unbelievable that I am doing this shit. At this hour, I would have the most beautiful model waiting for me in a suite, ready to please me. Damn it! Damn the hour my grandmother grew obsessed with the idea that I have to get married to receive the inheritance." He snaps furiously, for his blood boils every time he thinks about it.

On the other hand, poor Rosie let out her trapped breath, and that sly smile showing confidence vanished. Standing in front of Maximus feels like she is literally running out of air, as if her world were shrinking. She doesn't understand why, after so many years, she still likes that man.

"I definitely need a boyfriend," she said, heading to her office. "I must do my job and get that promotion. I need this position. How bad can it be to be Maximus Livingston's matchmaker? I know his physical tastes, and I have a long list for that. It will be a piece of cake, it will be over in the blink of an eye: I earn my big commission and that's it, the torture ends. I'll never see him again in my life."

That was what Rosie thought to encourage herself. The truth was she hadn't slept all night; the poor girl kept having nightmares about her horrible memory at prom. That left a panic in her that she hasn't been able to overcome.

When her alarm went off, she set out to bring good vibes to the day.

"I will go to his company, show him my list, and he will surely choose the most well-endowed one. And this will be over. You can do this, Rosie. You must be as hard as a rock."

She gets ready as best as she can, although... she opted for a dress that, according to her, looks very nice, when in reality it was a complete failure the moment Maximus Livingston sees her walk into his office.

"I believe I told you that you were fired!"

"Yet you let me in anyway. If you hadn't told your secretary to turn me away... Let's do this quickly, without so many problems, Mr. Livingston."

She places a list down with photographs and descriptions of each girl.

"These women are right up your alley!"

"Where the hell did you buy that dress?" Maximus couldn't help himself. It has clearly been a while since he last designed, as his inspiration vanished from one moment to the next. He only demands unique and striking pieces from the designers. His role is to be an impeccable CEO and to ensure the modeling sessions are always the absolute best, which is why he is so, so demanding.

"I am showing you your future wife and you are focusing on my dress?"

"It's hideous. You should be ashamed to dress like that. If you are going to be my matchmaker, you must dress well. It is unacceptable for a CEO like me to be seen with a woman who dresses like that."

"You are very rude! I might dress poorly as you say, but I feel comfortable and that is more than enough. Not everyone in this life has the same opportunities as those who are born with a silver spoon in their mouth." She crosses her arms with a furrowed brow.

"Do you honestly think that being what I am means just sitting here and giving orders? Nonsense! Whatever your name is..."

"Harper! I am Rosie Harper!" she snapped angrily. "I am genuinely trying to do my job, but you complicate everything, Mr. Livingston. Good luck finding a wife!"

As she turned around, her dress got caught on the edge of the chair, and since her anger caused her to yank it, the fabric tore as she forced herself free to leave. Her embarrassment makes her wish the ground would open up and swallow her whole.

"Is that your way of seducing me? Wasn't it that you don't fall at my feet?" Maximus manages to admire some of Rosie's bare skin, and even though her dress is horrible and of terrible quality, the panties she is wearing catch his attention.

"Can't you see it's an accident! Be a gentleman instead of staring at what isn't yours to look at, Mr. Livingston!" She tries to cover herself, trying to pull the torn fabric together.

"Staring at you? Believe me, I am not interested. I will tell my secretary to bring something for you, and I hope that with that you leave and I don't have to see you again. Believe me, you are the most exasperating woman I have ever met." He prepares to call his secretary.

"Maximus, my boy!" greets the matriarch, who took him completely by surprise with her visit.

Upon seeing her, Rosie knows perfectly well who she is. In her younger years, the matriarch was a famous model.

"Grandmother, what are you doing here? I'm occupied."

"Boss, at your service," the secretary arrives.

"Bring a dress for her, size M," he orders, and Rosie blushes. How did he guess her size? She feels like she can't breathe.

Mrs. Livingston locks her gaze onto Rosie.

"Oh... don't tell me, Maximus, that finally..." The grandmother smiles broadly. "You have chosen very well, my boy. She is the one. She is nothing like those women you have gone out with. She is lovely, look at those eyes, her skin is perfect."

Rosie looks at Maximus, trying to understand what is happening.

"She will make an excellent wife."

"Wife?!" Rosie exclaimed, and then she choked on her saliva, starting to cough.

"Grandmother, there is a mis..." he tried to explain, but Mrs. Livingston cut him off.

"No mistake at all! This is the perfect candidate to be your wife, the future Mrs. Livingston."

Rosie's eyes widen, and she feels the ground shaking beneath her feet.