Jake Morton was in a board meeting with his board of directors, but his mind kept drifting to the blue-eyed beauty whose thoughts had occupied his entire being.
He had been enthralled by her beauty the moment he laid his eyes on her. She had confused him for her scum bag of a husband.
Hearing her talk about her pain and watching her hold in her tears the first time she spoke did something to him. All he could think of was how much he wanted to protect her, care for her, love her.
He wasn't one to be particularly swayed by any woman, regardless of her beauty, but she had captivated him.
Ordinarily, he didn't need her to contact him for anything, nor did he need to, but he was drawn to her, and he couldn't help himself.
He had asked Samuel to get him everything about her.
The next day, he had gotten her file.
Natalie Jenkins, age twenty-three years, American, lived all her life in New York, a medical student studying to be a surgeon, a paramedic at a certain point, met Daniel Clay five years ago, fell in love, and got married the same year.
He had her pictures; he had stared at them for a long time. He knew about her husband. He was his rival in the hospitality industry.
Jake had his business overseas, in Canada, New York, Seychelles, Cancun, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand. He had just decided to move his business to Asia and had opted for Q city due to its business viability and also being the business capital hub in the whole of Asia.
He knew everything he needed to know about Daniel Clay; he always made it his business to conduct a background check on everyone he came across. He liked to be better prepared. He was, however, shocked that evening when he was accosted by someone he thought was a jealous lover or some mad woman, only to come face to face with the woman whose eyes had drawn him to her from the moment he saw her picture.
They had problems in their marriage that he knew, but why she had stayed with him despite his cheating ways was beyond him.
He frowned.
His executives were worried because they thought they had said something wrong. He was a big shot, taking the industry by storm. The infamous billionaire CEO of the Morton Group.
They looked at each other warily, then one of them summoned the courage to ask him if he was okay with their presentation. He nodded, made a few inputs showing how much of a genius he was to become a billionaire at such a young age.
The meeting was dismissed, and he walked out of the boardroom to his office, requesting that he be left alone except for urgent matters.
He was back in his thoughts, remembering when she had left that night with Samuel back home, he couldn't help but monitor her movements.
He had Samuel report to him every one of her activities.
Their meeting today was fate. The first time, he could have said a coincidence, maybe. He had needed to pick up items for the mansion he recently bought at the Blue Orchid Estate. He needed a beachfront mansion, and the estate had a choice mansion with the exact features and style he needed, with the back of the house facing the blue sea.
Seeing her from behind had made him momentarily pause in his tracks; somehow, he recognized her.
Felt her.
She had turned to look at him, and he felt the world stop.
She was married. He had chided himself, but he couldn't help but get lost in her eyes. Then he had caught her looking at him. If he didn't know better, he would have thought she was checking him out.
It was a known fact that she was in love with her husband. His muscles tensed as his chin hardened.
That man didn't deserve her,
Samuel walked in.
"What's the update on her?" he asked.
"She was at the plaza for quite some time. The cashier said she requested your details."
"Hmm"
"Then she met with your friend, David Shaw," Samuel added.
Jake looked up from his desk and nodded while tapping his fingers on his desk as though listening to a beat.
"Looks like she's ready to file for a divorce." He smiled calmly.
He didn't know how to feel; it was as though the universe was aligning to favor him. He had been losing his mind, having improper thoughts about another man's wife, so he thought it best to stay away. Hence, he had not responded to her text some weeks ago.
Could he go with his feelings or push them aside?
His phone rang, breaking off his discussion with Samuel. He spoke for a while and sighed.
"We have to visit the family house in Paris." He spoke to Samuel, ending his call.
"What's happening?"
"The old man is at the hospital. We leave tonight." He added with a frown.
"I'll make the arrangements." Samuel turned to leave.
Not long after, his office door opened up, showing David Shaw walking in.
David walked straight to the couch and sat on it, resting his legs.
Jake's eyes narrowed. "I didn't know this was a relaxation lobby." He said, smiling.
"Oh, come on, Jake, I came to see my friend."
"Yeah, right,' Jake scoffed, "and sleep too."
"I needed a drink," David said
"And this is a bar?"
David laughed and looked around. "I came to take you with me. Let's go to the dancing stars club tonight."
"Ah, I wish I could. Something came up. I have to be in Paris."
"Come on." David groaned
Jake laughed. "You need a woman."
"Nah, I don't need one right now. Maybe for a good time tonight." He winked
Jake laughed. "You haven't changed one bit."
"Maybe one day." David joined in.
Not long after, their conversation went into sports and gaming. Then they stepped out together, seeing as Jake's flight was ready.