LOVE? NEVER | ✓

☻ Chapter One ☺

Here's one thing about life; it doesn't give a shit about you. No matter what you are going through, and no matter what you're feeling...it always goes on. There are moments in which you feel like time has stopped and every problem you're holding on your shoulders could never be fixed.

Ideally, every problem has a solution, but falling into a ten-million debt with one of the most famous shippers in the whole damn galaxy because of a one day delay is not something that can be solved.

In fact, I don't how whether I'd be able to survive my time in jail or no.

I've sacrificed my life to work and I managed to go through everything in my career life.

Living alone was never easy. It was never fine to stay alone after a problem I faced. People ask me about my parents all the time, but I always tend to stick to only one answer.

They're currently working on a project in Asia.

Most of them tend to ask me when will they ever meet them, but I instantly change the subject.

No one needs to know that my parents were dead, not for any reason.

●●●

"You have a meeting with Mr. Smith this afternoon, Mr. Hendrix," my secretary informed me with a smile.

I used to like how optimistic she was when I hired her at the beginning, but it always is irritating when I compare my maze-like life to her simple, almost perfect one.

"Tell him I'll be there by five o'clock."

"Informed, sir."

Mr. Jonathan Smith, probably the king of shipping, the sovereign of transports and exports. He owns the Preprava Transport Company. He has shipment agreements with almost every country, and he always manages to transport all the supplies in the right time. Never in his life had he made one mistake.

Never in his life until we shook hands after a joint venture between my company, Hendrixational, and his company...or may I say, empire.

●●●

I went back to my mansion. My mind trying to imagine everything he would tell me and how should I reply to a man like him. Possibilities were endless and so was the amount of time I was probably going to spend behind the bars.

Ignoring the multifarious scenarios inside my head, I chose to get ready. I wore my best black suit that hugged my body perfectly. I wore my white plain shirt, and a gray tie.

I jelled my hair to the back, and wore my Omega watch and sprayed my favorite perfume.

I looked at my reflection for the last time before I head out. My green eyes darkened as I constantly thought of the miserable life I'll be living, my body tightened in response and my jaw slightly clenched.

Smiling to the mirror in front of me, I decided it would be the best idea to think like I was my sectary, Amanda. Maybe this is what makes her life simple...thinking positively, I chose I would stick to one sentence;

Maybe, just maybe, he'll give me another chance today.

●●●

I stepped outside my car and walked with my bodyguards next to me. The doors of his mansion opened and my bodyguards were ordered to stay outside.

Shit. He'll kill me, I know that already.

I sat on one of the chairs beside his five-meter pool with his men watching my every movement.

Twenty minutes, and thirty two seconds passed before he came, yes I was counting. He walked confidentially, like he always does, with another two men behind him.

I stood up. My legs are shaking slightly with every step he takes closer to where I was sitting. My palms were sweaty as every thought and every scenario came back to my mind.

He was wearing a gray suit, a white plain shirt, and a red tie. He said a few words to the men on his sides as he kept walking closer, and closer to me.

"Good afternoon," I told him when he was only paces away from me.

"Have a seat, Mr. Hendrix."

Oh crap, crap, crap.

"I think you already know why we're meeting again," his voice was strong and demanding as usual.

"Yes, sir," my voice came out shaky and weak so I repeated what I said after I cleared my throat. "Yes, sir."

"Tell me why that happened."

"Our database was cracked and different information there were automatically deleted, mostly the recently added. Most information was restored but I was busy dealing with other agreements with companies from Japan, so my assistant didn't recognize the loss of your company's data."

"How come your assistant didn't recognize our company's data? Are you trying to fool me, Mr. Hendrix?"

"He did recognize that but it was late, which explains why the ship arrived one day after."

"The ship you're talking about held supplied that cost-"

"Ten million dollars."

"Good thing you know."

My leg started bouncing under the table as his jaw clenched. He was intimidating, very much if you ask me.

"Are you willing to pay that amount?"

"I was going to tell you that I...this amount is so...large, and I can't afford it within one week like you asked."

"On one condition."

"W-What?"

"We'll forget that you ever made a mistake, on one condition."

"You'll forget the ten million dollars?"

"Yes."

"I'll do anything."

"You'll have to marry my daughter," he said it casually like he was discussing the weather.

His...Mr. Jonathan Smith's daughter?!

Oh my goodness!

●●●

A/N

I hope you like the first chapter of my story J this is my first time trying to get my story published and getting to read comments almost instantly.

I'll love to read your suggestions on what I have written.

All the love,

Raghad