1 Chapter 1: A fateful encounter

Alexa felt as if she had been stabbed in the eyes by a thousand mirrors as she pushed open the doors. It was one of the most talked-about five-star hotels in Taiwan. As she looked around, she found herself gawking. There were hundreds of lights above her. She had never seen a place so bright but also so beautiful. Western media didn't do justice to Asia. She could see her reflection on the walls.

"Alexa, what are you doing?" Lin, one of her colleagues, called her as she walked past. She was stunned like a child in Disney World.

"Just watching," she replied as she gathered herself.

"Come on. We are going to be late!" She dragged her to the conference hall where many companies showed their products, including theirs. She was glad that she was a part of the team, even though she joined about a week ago. Alexa was born and brought up in the USA. Her friends thought it was very dramatic for her to move to another continent.

They made it to where their colleagues had gathered, which was, of course, near the coffee machine. "Hey, Boss!" One of the guys greeted her. Alexa was indeed the head of the R&D Department. But she treated them as friends. They thought it was cool, but to be honest, that's how you get work done.

"So, have you met the big boss yet?" Xan, another colleague, asked. He was talking about Ms. Maggie Chan, the CEO of the company. Alexa had read about their boss before joining the company. To be honest, she was a fan of the big CEO. She had two PhDs at such a young age and was handed over the CEO position by her father, Mr. Chan, also the company's co-founder. She hadn't had the pleasure of meeting her as she was out of the country for a meeting. She was told that the CEO was giving the opening speech that day.

"No, I haven't. But, I have heard she isn't friendly to employees. So, I will keep my distance," Alexa shrugged. They all chuckled in response. Suddenly, a gush of wind diverted her attention. She watched the door open up, and four big guys in suits entered. They were surrounding a lady in red. She was trying to see who that was. Of course, this place was crawling with VIPs. But for some unknown reason, she felt curious. One of the guys moved to give her a chance. The lady was none other than the devil herself, Ms. Chan. Her dark eyes seemed cold. The dress hugged all the right spots, and she was sure she could make any guy dance with her little fingers. As they started walking in their direction, Alexa found her heart beating out of her chest, which was odd. As she came closer, Alexa noticed her beauty closely. I mean, there were beautiful girls all over the place, but she was something else. And she couldn't stop staring. Ms. Chan looked in the direction where Alexa and the others were for a brief moment and smiled, and Alexa found herself weak in the knees. What was happening to her?

"Don't even think about it!" Lin warned, which made her confused. What was she talking about?

"What are you talking about?" Alexa asked.

"I know that look. But she's the boss. So, as a friend, I am looking out for you."

She read Alexa like she was transparent. "As if!" she rolled her eyes in denial.

She was the first friend Alexa made in college. She went to the same university as Alexa and returned here after graduation. Thanks to her, Alexa learned about the job opening here.

Later that evening, they went to socialize with people from other companies for the next hour. It was almost time for the opening speech. Alexa was told that Ms. Chan delivering a speech. She was curious about what the big boss had to say. Then there she was, looking magnificent as ever. She radiated power and glamour all over the hall. God, did she just say that? She seriously needed to stop fangirling.

The day was dragging, and Alexa just wanted it to be over. It was exhausting to think about some unpacking later. Her feet were also killing her. She wanted nothing more than to go to her room and crash.

"Earth to Alexa! Are you here?" Lin waved her hand before her face. Everyone chuckled.

"I was sleeping in my head as that's all I'm going to get," she rolled my eyes at her.

"Tired only in a week?" They all were startled by a voice. It was the devil herself. Everyone stood straight. Alexa was at a loss for words, mostly because she didn't want to lose her job.

"Relax, I was only joking," she smiled, sensing the tension. "I came to say hi to you guys. I hope you guys enjoyed today." There was a sparkle in her eyes. Alexa felt as if Ms. Chan's dark black eyes could see her soul.

"It was amazing. Thank you for including us on the team. It's my first year!" Lin exclaimed.

Ms. Chan then turned her attention to Alexa, "I don't think we have met. Dr. Scott, I assume?" She held her hand to her, and of course, Alexa took it. Thank God she came out of her trance at the right moment.

"Yes. Great speech, by the way," she smiled, trying to maintain her composure. Why was she so nervous? She could even sense Lin rolling her eyes.

"I have heard great things about you. What do you think of our new flagship?" she asked all too calmly.

"To be honest, I don't think it's good enough," Alexa said as a matter of fact. Everyone looked as if they had seen a ghost.

"Hmm, interesting. Let's talk about this later, ok?" she left hurriedly as she had got a call.

"I'm gonna buy you a plane ticket. You, obviously, don't like here!" Lin said, frustrated when Ms. Chan was out of earshot.

Alexa was already regretting her unfiltered mouth when she came back to the room. She should as well pack to leave the country. Then, suddenly, the phone rang. It was weird.

Nonetheless, she picked up, "Hello?"

"Hell. It's Maggie. I know it's late, but can you come down to the lobby for a coffee?" she asked all too politely.

"Of course, Ma'am. I will be right there," as she said it, she thought she heard a small giggle on the other end.

Well, the termination was quick.

As Alexa went down, she saw Ms. Chan sitting on a chair alone. Alexa wondered where her guards were, and she was in her sweatpants. She thought the other part only looked more gorgeous.

"Please don't call me Ma'am," she laughed.

"Ok, Ms. Chan," Alexa smiled at sat on the opposite chair.

"So, I wanted to discuss what you said earlier. I know it's late, but I hope that's ok," she looked as if she was genuinely feeling bad. Alexa was surprised to see that side of her, given her reputation.

"Of course," the more she looked at her, the more she was at a loss for words.

"Should we order some coffee? It might take a while," Ms. Chan asked too politely. Alexa just nodded.

She opened her notebook and took a pen. She came prepared!

"So, why do you think our product is not up to the mark?" she asked with a crinkle on her forehead.

"Can I write this down?"

"Sure." She handed Alexa her notebook and pen. She wrote down the entire thing, and she listened. She didn't even say a word but listened. At some point, she looked annoyed, but she didn't say a thing. That was professionalism in her. Later, they kind of started talking over unrelated stuff while sipping our coffee at one in the morning. But none of them felt tired.

"So, you have been friends with Dr. Wu since university?" she meant Lin.

"Yes. She told me about the job opening," Alexa said as she put down the cup.

She looked at her watch and frowned but tried to hide it.

"Well, Dr. Scott, I'm glad she told you. We better call it a night," she said as she stood up. A wide grin plastered on her face.

"Good night, Ms. Chan," Alexa smiled widely. Damn, those dimples!

It was 2:15!

Earlier that day

Maggie was annoyed at the fact that she had to come to a conference directly from the airport. She was so exhausted that she wanted to die so she could get a decent sleep. This was becoming exhausting. Like seriously, she needed to sleep for 48 hours straight. And, here's everyone was annoying her. She even had to deliver a speech. Her father thought it would be great for their flagship launch, which was happening on the last day of the conference. She was informed that they had got a new R&D head as the last one decided to leave the job as it was getting too stressful. She didn't blame him. Being one of the biggest smartphone manufacturers, they did pressure their people. It wasn't for everyone. She hoped the new one could handle it. As she was lost in her thoughts, the car stopped. Her bodyguards rushed outside, securing her exit. She exited the vehicle as one of them opened the door. They seemed like they were always on steroids. She laughed internally at the thought. She entered the building with the lights blinding her.

The hotel manager came to greet her, "Welcome, Ms. Chan. I'm glad you could make it."

"The pleasure is all mine," she smiled, keeping her stone-cold posture.

"I will take you to your room to freshen up. Do you need anything?" He asked, sensing her exhaustion.

"I would be grateful for a cup of coffee," she smiled at the guy.

"Of course, Ma'am!" He hurried in front of her, and they decided to follow.

They came across the people from their company. She was seeing everyone she knew until her eyes landed on a stranger. Her icy blue eyes looked calm as the ocean, and her blonde hair was in a high ponytail. She must be the new R&D head, Dr. Alexa Scott. Her eyes darted through the stranger's long legs, which looked great in a navy pantsuit. She smiled when she walked passed them. "Oh, my God! Did she just smile at their employee?" she thought. She might be losing it. She hurried to the room.

She fell flat on the king-size bed. She would have to shower and change within an hour. And prepare the speech. She rolled her eyes at the thought and decided to just swing it. She closed her eyes again, only awoken by a loud banging on the door. She checked, and there were several missed calls. She probably had been dead. Thankfully, she didn't rub her eyes even when she wanted to. Her assistant entered the room. She brought coffee along with her suit for the night. She was so grateful to the assistant. She didn't have the time to shower. She got changed as she was on her phone. They were out within 10 minutes.

Present time

She felt elated as everyone applauded after the speech. After hundreds of speeches, she didn't know why it felt good to make her words reach across the room. But then, she saw Dr. Scott, along with other team members, standing with others. She thought of introducing herself, but she didn't want to talk to anyone else. But, in the end, she decided it was worth it.

As she approached, she heard a sweet laugh that pulled her over. Then, her heart started beating erratically, which was weird. So, she blamed it on exhaustion. Finally, Alexa talked about how tired she was, and Maggie decided to have some fun.

"Tired only in a week?" she asked, smirking. But, all of them stood frozen as if she was the principal. Maggie internally rolled her eyes.

Alexa told her that their product was bullshit. Maggie was so angry. She would have done something if not for her phone rang. Her sister was calling, and she got worried.

"Lilly, are you ok?" she asked with concern. She was always worried about that devil spawn.

"Gee, Sis. Hello to you, too," she answered sarcastically.

"Never mind."

"What's wrong with you?" she asked with concern in her voice this time.

"I got mad at someone," she said to her sister.

"You and mad? That's a bit odd," she commented. It was true. She hardly let words affect her. But what was wrong this time?

"Just the new R&D head. She said something.."

Even before she finished my sentence, Lilly asked, "Is she hot?"

"Gee Lilly. But yes, she is beautiful," she said quietly lest anyone hear.

"I knew it!" she screamed like a child.

She only rolled her eyes, "It's not that ok? Get your mind out of the gutter!"

Her sister only laughed.

She couldn't help but stop thinking about what Dr. Scott had told her. Was there something wrong with their product? It was due to launch in two days, for God's sake! She dressed in sweatpants and went downstairs. She asked someone to dial her room number, and she asked Dr. Scott to come downstairs. Why was she being so happy? What was different about this woman? She came downstairs within five minutes. She was amused as Alexa called her "Ma'am." She was about to tell her to call her Maggie, but she didn't know if that would be appropriate.

She pointed out some significant flaws, and Maggie was shocked that they didn't come to anyone's notice till now. She would have to delay the launch, which made her a little annoyed. But, as she looked up, she saw those blue eyes watching intently. She could get lost in those. Alexa realized that she began to stare at Maggie, so she averted her eyes and saw the time. It was 2:15 already. Time flew fast.

"Good night," She said with a broad smile, and for some reason, Maggie returned it. They talked about her last job and her friendship with Dr. Wu. Maggie had never spoken to anyone from the company besides work. But this made her more confused. Maybe she thought Alexa was attractive. But she couldn't act on it. She preferred to keep her personal life a thousand miles away from her professional life. She also didn't know if Alexa, aka Dr. Scott, batted for the same team. But she found those eyes haunting her in the back of her mind.