CHAPTER 1: THE ENCOUNTER

Alexander Stutter was a tall drink of water, standing at around 6 feet with a strong and commanding presence. His dark, tousled hair perfectly framed his chiseled jawline and piercing blue eyes that could make anyone weak in the knees. His impeccable sense of style, always rocking tailored suits, accentuated his broad shoulders and fit like a glove. Trust me, when Alexander walked into a room, all eyes were on him. He was the definition of a heartthrob.

"Are you ready to be a special guest at the most popular charity event at Eastwoods?"Alex asked casually as he strolled past Damien's office.

"Ofcourse I'm always ready to support your empire and ofcourse going as a team with you is something I don't want to give up for anything" Damien shot back as he arranged the files lying around on his table .

"Let's get ready to make our presence known to the world then" Alex said finally, closing the door to his office behind him without any emotions.

The charity event was an event with glitz and glamour organised every year by different big organisations to show love and support to growing organisations and struggling entrepreneur industries all over the world and Alex's empire was one of the guest organisations for the year. The charity event was a night filled with love, compassion, and generosity. People from all walks of life gathered together to support a great cause. The venue was beautifully decorated with colorful banners and twinkling lights, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. There were various stalls offering delicious food, fun games, and unique items for sale, with all proceeds going towards the charity. The highlight of the event was a heartfelt speech by the guest of honor, Elena, who shared her personal journey and inspired everyone to make a difference. It was a truly memorable and uplifting evening, leaving everyone with a sense of fulfillment and a renewed commitment to helping others.

Alexander was making his grand entrance alongside Damien, turning heads left and right. But amidst the sea of people, his gaze locked onto a figure that stood out from the rest. It was Emily Collins, a sweet and gentle soul who seemed a little out of place in this world of power and extravagance.

Their eyes met and in that split second, something shifted. Alexander, known for his tough exterior, felt a surge of protectiveness wash over him as he witnessed Emily's vulnerability. It was like he was being struck by lightning, and he couldn't  explain why he felt this undeniable connection to her.

As the night went on, they found themselves drawn to each other, unable to resist the magnetic pull that seemed to defy all logic. Alexander no longer focused on the event because his attention was fixed on the beautiful lady he felt connected to.

"Sir, you look restless, aren't you enjoying the event or is there anything you want me to do for you?" Damien asked feeling a bit concerned about his boss.

"Tell that lady over there to meet me after the event", he pointed towards Emily's direction as he commanded with a tinge of pride.

Damien just nodded.

The event ended with Alexander making the closing remark and thanking other guests for contributing to the success of the event.

He was escorted to his car by his entourage where he waited impatiently for Emily to show up.

"You sent for me sir" Emily mumbled shyly as she stood infront of Alexander.

"What took you so long to show up"? Asked Alexander as he continued to type on his phone.

Emily felt very uneasy because the figure infront of her seemed not to be moved by her presence. She wanted to walk away but she was stopped by Damien who beckoned her to answer but she just stood there mute.

Alexander looked up after a few minutes and standing infront of him was  Emily Collins, an absolute beauty, inside and out. She had gorgeous, flowing hair that cascaded down her shoulders in soft waves. Her eyes were a mesmerizing shade of hazel, with a sparkle that reflected her kind and gentle nature. Emily had a radiant smile that could light up a room, and her warm, inviting presence drew people in. She had a slender figure and carried herself with grace and elegance. Overall, Emily was a true natural beauty, and her inner beauty shone just as brightly as her outer beauty. She was the kind of person who leaves a lasting impression wherever she went.

"I'm I'm sorry for the delay " Alexander finally muttered after noticing that his attitude made her feel uneasy.  The apology put Damien in shock as he was not used to hearing his boss apologise. He courteously drew back, allowing Alexander to start a conversation with his 'new friend' or so it seemed.

"My name is Emily Collins, the personal secretary to the manager of the Roman empire"

"Well, I'm Alexander Stutter, you can call me Alex. I'm the CEO of Xander Empire"

They stared at each other for some time after the introduction and Alexander gave her his business card and signalled Damien to open his car door. And they drove off.

Emily felt the softness of his voice while he introduced himself to her but she didn't seem to understand the secret behind his fierce demeanor so she decided to text him later.

Looking at their car as it drove up, Emily slowly walked back into the hall to tidy things up.