Bittersweet Gift

Chapter 1

Knock...Knock.....

"Come in"

"Excuse me Miss Quinton, your ten a.m. is here."

"Thank you Eva. They can come in" i replied to my secretary.

The door opened and a man came in hitting me with his strong and powerful aura. He was cleanly shaved and dressed in a perfect suit molding his body in the right place defining his broad torso and strong legs. Sparkling fierce blue eyes pierced mine. He walked in like he owed the place filling the place with his pure masculinity. He was the definition of a true alpha male.

I felt a shiver run through my body by just his incoming presence.

Please do not let him notice that. It would be so embarrassing.

Come back to your sense Claire. You met countless of men like him everyday but there is something dark about him that is destabilising me.

"Good morning. I am Claire Quinton. How may i help you?"i said while extending my hand in a professional way.

"Good morning Miss Quinton. I am Mr Kace."he replied with a husky voice while we shake hands and we take our seats.

"Nice to meet you Mr Kace. What do i own you with this visit?"

Who do not know about the infamous Mr Kace. With just his determination and hard work he made himself at the top of the social ladder which is something i really admire and of course he has a line of girls falling at his feet. Typical playboy, i thought while internally rolling my eyes. I don't know why he is always so serious and secretive. What a mysterious man. What is special about him is that when he have set something in his mind, he would always achieve it by hook and crook. That is he gets whatever he wants making him a very dangerous man. Dangerous to the heart of ladies too.

"Miss Quinton i am assume you should know about my reputation which precede me" he said and i nodded. Of course everyone know who he is including myself. I had a great urge to scoff at his statement. Arrogant man.

He continued" I am in need of your services or else i would not be here."

The nerve of this man.

"Services?"i inquired feeling apprehensive.

"Yes, your services .... as an architect." he replied.

Oh silly girl, what i thought makes me internally slap my forehead. Why do i always misinterpret things and it is not my fault. It is not everyday that a great person of Mr Kace caliber come to greet me with his presence in my office.

But why me? I know i am good at what i do, not to be over confident but there are others who are better than me and has more experience and not to mention he could easily afford them. Something is definitely fishy here. Go straight to the point Claire.

"Excuse me...huh....why me?" i questioned him.

"As you see Miss Quinton i am distinguish figure in my domain and there are some people that would do anything for me to see my down fall. I need someone who i can trust and you seem to be someone trustworthy considering i had to get rid of some nuisance recently."

Coming back to the purpose of this meeting i need you to work for me but you need to sign a confidential contract."

So demanding this infuriating man. He is really itching to get a go from him. Stay calm Claire. You have to find out his motive first.

"Meaning?" i said while arching my eyebrow and crossing my arms trying to appear confident in front of him.

"Meaning that everything should stay privately between us or else the consequence would be severe and you know that i would pay you generously." he said arrogantly and confidently like he knew i would accept his offer. Duh does he think he could buy me with his money. I feel that this conversation will turn really unpleasant.

"What makes you think i would work with you." that was my inner feminist speaking opposing this patriarchal man. Small voices shouting "yeah yeah yeah good take that in your face jerk" in my head.

He then evilly smirked making me become apprehensive. All previous courage slipping from me drop by drop just like dripping water.

"Oh i know you would accept my offer or else...
You know what i can do Miss Quinton. You know a powerful man can do many things by just a flip of his hand." he said while demonstrating

I stiffened as soon as these words flew out of his mouth.

He placed an elegant black and gold card in front of me and meet his eyes with a daring glare.

"You know how to contact me" he said and stood up to leave my office.

Just before exiting my office he stopped and smirked again at me.

"I will see you soon Miss Quinton."

I snapped out of my state by the way he mentioned my name which send a strange feeling through my body.

I took the card from my table and by just looking at it i felt my blood boiling becoming red with anger. I crushed the card and threw it to the dustbin never wanting a proof of his presence.

Who do he think he is to come here and threaten me in my office in accepting his offer or may i say his demand.

We will see Mr conceited who is going to win.

We will see.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Unknowingly to Claire, Ezra Kace was watching her crushing the card and throwing it in the dustbin with such fire in her eyes.

He then smirked knowing that this spitfire was perfect for the plan he had in mind.

Oh Claire you would not know what is in store for you.

Be prepared love.