1 PROLOGUE

Everything was a chaos. Everywhere I look seems terrible—and it makes me feel horrible that I can't do much to help the situation at ease.

"Where's dad?" I asked Skyler, one of our body guards. He motioned his head to the VIP room of this hospital.

I tried to remain calm and alright to what's happening around us but deep inside.. I can't help but to be affected.

When I got inside, I saw my father lying and seeing him on his position makes my knees weak and my hands were trembling with so much fear. The doctor already told me that he's getting weak and weaker. He had two heart arrest in two years and if he will have another heart arrest, I might lose him forever now.

"Cassandra," he called in his weak voice. I looked at him in the eye and walked towards him. I reached for his hand.

"Dad," I whispered.

"How's the business?" that was the first question he asked me. I tried my best to answer his question lightly. I lied by telling him that our company's still standing the way it was. But the truth is: our company is slowly going down.

I haven't finished my studies. At this age, I have to take over the business because if I wont then who will? I'm an only child and we have no other relatives to help me on this. Dad doesn't want others to manage the company but me.

Sadly, I am not as good as him.

But, I'm trying. I'm trying my best.

I told him to get some good rest. I even told him not to worry about our business and because he trust me, he just nodded.

I walked out of the hospital and some reporters were outside waiting for me. I have my body guards with me so I managed to escape the media.

My father is a great businessman. He was once a famous actor and he became a producer and a multi-awarded director. From that, he build his own company. We were one of the largest Company Producers. Yet, our rivals were trying everything to bring us down.

I had no passion with business and in this industry but do I have a choice?

I walked inside the company, some of the workers bowed their head and greeted me. Now, I am looking at the city lights and other buildings in my eyes. It's not just our name that's at stake. I know my dad gave his all for every of these things. I also need to keep in my mind that we have thousands of workers who are depending on us.

If our business falls, then our workers who are in the most frustrating economic status will fall with us too—and if that happens, they will be the most affected ones. And, I don't want that to happen.

I went back on my table and tried to do my work when my phone rang. I checked it but it was an unregistered number. I had a second thought on whether to accept the call or decline it—who knows if it is from someone I shall not be entertaining?

"Who's this?" I answered but it took few seconds before someone sighed on the other line. My forehead creased.

"You know your company will be saved if you just say yes on my conditions and help, right?" Mu forehead creased even more. His tone were serious yet playful. I chuckled on his words.

"Mr. Ardiente, my answer did not change. I'm not gonna marry you." I hang up the call.

The media was still festing on our situation, seriously, they are not helping. Some of our artist were leaving and signing up a contract with the other networks. I can't blame them though, they have life that needs support. But, I'm grateful that some chose to stay.

I tried to close my eyes for seconds and Marcus Ardiente's words kept replying on ny mind. He was my suitor for years, even when I was in Senior High School, he was so persistent. He's the eldest son and that made him the heir of their business.

Sure, Marcus a great businessman and he will be a big help on our situation but I chose to decline—why? Simply because he got a bad temper, skeletons on the closet, their family was not different from the other elitists.

I had my mistake once, I'm not gonna repeat it again. His face, and his voice still lingers on my memory. And all the things he did before.

"Miss Cassandra?" I opened my eyes to check who called. It was Skyler and he's standing in front of me.

"What?" I asked.

"Have you read the report?" He pointed the folder on my desk. I took a deep breath and nod my head gently.

It says that our company was in huge debt now. My father had his first heart attack three years ago, someone from the board of directors took over, we trusted him but he put our network in so much trouble. Failed leadership and he even stole money. And that happened not just once but twice. He turned the table upside down, and now, all the blame were on our name.

We had huge tax to pay on for government too. Anytime soon, our company will close and that will be our great downfall. I don't think my dad could handle that kind of news. The people behind this company too... what will happen to them? For pete's sake.. I'm only a college student, and my course also not related to business!

"Ready the car, I'll go somewhere," I told Skyler and he obey just in time.

I ready myself and fixed my thing when my phone beep, a signal that someone has messaged me.

Unregistered Number:

Think about it for the last time, Cassandra. I will be waiting for your call.

I laughed in bitterness. That man wont really shut the hell up.

"I'll drive alone. Just go to the hospital and look after dad."

Skyker looked at me in the eye and then his brows furrows.

"You'll accept Marcus offer?" He asked in a serious tone.

"Mr. Victor won't like it when he knows what you are up to."

"I'm not stupid, Skyler. I ain't accepting any of his offer."And with that, I drove my away to our house.

My speed was on its limit because I cannot hide my anger anymore. All the other network company were painting my father bad. They said it was his fault that our company were in the edge of its downfall.

Busy with putting all my anger out of the highway as if I wont ever stop this car and let my life go with the flow when another car raced beside me.

I frowned because why would someone ask for a car racing? Hell, I may look like I'm racing on this high way but I'm just driving. I looked at the car beside me, a new high end sports car.

I stopped my car when the driver over take on my way—only for that car to stop too. I hit the back of his car and almost cause a car accident. I tried my best to pull myself together.

My heart started to beat so quickly and then my hands were trembling. My eyes widened when I have come to realized what just happen.

I couldn't put myself together. This will not happen if I didn't drive as if there will be no tomorrow. Someone got out from the car in front of me. I quickly get out of mine too. He was busy looking at the back of his sports car while I can't seem to put my soul back in this reality.

"You're not a professional racer as I thought," someone broke the silence that filled the air for a few minutes.

My brows furrows and laid eyes on the man who just talked. Even from meters away, his towering height was so evident, and his pointed nose, thick eyebrows, and perfectly made jawline? His eyes were serious as hell.

"It's your fault," I managed to speak up.

His serious face turned playful, he laughed a little. He looks good laughing though.

Actually, no. He doesn't deserve my compliment.

"Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, I guess it was my fault. You—driving at the limit of your car and then when someone tries to have a race with you, you didn't even try to lessen down the speed." He looked at me in the eye.

My face remain serious but my heart was still beating so fast. I don't know why my heart was still racing, maybe still not out with the almost death experience.

"Hey, miss," he called. I frowned at him.

"It's your fault!" I hissed at him again and tried to get inside my car.

"Where are you going? Trying to escape?" He walked towards me and stopped to stare. The door of my car was still open and here I am, trying to start the car, ready to drive again.

"I don't think you can drive at your state." He commented.

"Well, just so you know I am not drunk!" I hissed again. I think I'm diverting my irritation on him.

"Well, just so you know too, I didn't say you are drunk. I just said that you cannot drive on your state right now. It's bad to drive when you are mad." He said those words in a serious yet authoritative tone, as if he was commanding me to get out of my car.

"So? What do you suggest?" I asked, still frowning.

"Get out." He commanded. I laughed.

"And?" I asked because he was talking as if we are so close, as if he was my friend from my childhood or even my husband trying to scold me for being a bad driver.

I stared at him for a moment. His face were still emotionless but I can see on his eyes that he's serious. That he wants his words to be the last words. That he is above everyone. I don't know. I just can sense that he's that kind of guy. Whatever. Whoever he is, I don't really care.

"Let me take you home."