Chapter 1

“It’s the fifth car, Mr. Kincaid.”

Sebastien Jackson Kincaid, or as known by everyone as SJ, cursed over the phone after the butler from his country home reported another incident. He knew the butler is cringing at the other line.

“Is she hurt?” He barked a few minutes after.

“Minor injuries, Sir,” the butler answered. “Dr. Jones has already tended to her and she is resting. I already had the car towed. I fear that madam might shift her interests on the bikes once she recovers.”

“Then, give her the damn keys if she does!” He scoffed hotly and then ended the call.

“Let me guess,” his best friend, Brian Johnson drawled out with a laugh. “Does this had something to do with that simpleton you left behind at your country home?”

“Apparently, that simpleton is far from what she is now,” SJ grumbled as he stepped outside the private elevator that leads to his office on the 78^th Floor of the Kincaid Tower. The building that was built by his hardworking grandfather and houses the country’s top real estate developer. “My day hasn’t even yet started but she already gave me a headache. COnsidering that it's just the start of the new year.”

“Why don’t you take some days off and see her?” Brian suggested as he smiled warmly at one of SJ’s secretary, who blushed before looking away. “It’s been like what? Four years since you last saw her? She might be bored there. Why don’t you show her the ropes?”

“Then, what?!” SJ snapped as he sat on his chair. “I’m not going to babysit her.”

Brian rolled his eyes.

“She’s fucking 21 already or sooner,” he replied as he took a sit on one of the chairs, facing him. “I’m sure she can take care of herself. Give her a job here. She might be useful on something, I’m sure. Don’t forget that you spent for her university.”

 The two gentlemen looked up when Debra Marks, his secretary, who previously belongs to his father, entered his office with one assistant behind her, carrying their coffees. After setting their cups down, the assistant hurriedly took off.

“Mr. Kincaid, your mother called thirty minutes ago,” Debra informed formally. “She says that you meet her for lunch at The Japanese Dining Palace.”

SJ nodded as he accepted the files she is handing to him.

“Your meeting with Build Enterprise will be in an hour,” she continued. “This is also the check for the expansion of Square Complex that needs your signature so I can forward to Procurement for the materials to be ordered and delivered.”

“Had they reserved already?”

“Yes, sir,” Debra answered. “Steven sent me the inventory and we had it cross-checked already for conformity. Is there anything else you need me to do?”

SJ remained silent for a while.

“Call Lamborghini dealership and tell them to deliver their latest sports car model to my country home,” he demanded calmly. He raised his eyebrows at Brian, who gasped in surprise. “I want it today. They can send their bill and you have the check prepare. I’ll sign it before I go and meet my mother for lunch.”

“Are you crazy?” Brian asked intently. “What if she wrecks it again?”

“Then, let her wreck it!” SJ grumbled. “That woman is doing that to get my attention over something that William had called me about months ago. Now! Let’s discuss our agenda for the meeting. How much do you think Build Enterprise will negotiate?”

After several hours, SJ emerged from his meeting with a smug look as the lead engineer of Build Enterprise bowed to him formally before taking his leave, together with Brian, who will also be taking off to go back to his own company. He checked his watch and saw that he had some minutes to spare before leaving to have lunch with his mother.

“Is the check for the car ready, Deb?” He inquired.

“It’s on your desk, Sir,” Debra answered. “The dealer also called and informed that the car has already been delivered and received.”

SJ nodded before entering his office. He strode towards his desk, his eyes turning cold when he saw the check and million of dollars amount indicated. Tall and imposing at just the age of twenty-eight years old, Sebastien Jackson Kincaid was a force to reckon with when he took over the family’s real estate and construction business over five years ago. In less than three years, he had successfully launched the company into the international scene that gain the attention that his competitors envied. He is ruthless, sharp, fair and a hard-nose negotiator and nothing can escape his attention. A billion-net worth at such an age, SJ has been known as one of the valuable catch for families with daughters, who tried gaining his attention and to be associated with his family to further their status.

“I’m off for lunch, Debra,” he said a few moments later as he handed her the signed check and sent his mom a message that he’s on his way. “I’ll be back in a few hours. Tell the Engineering Group that I need all the costs of the bids we gave to Build Enterprise.”

SJ entered his private elevator and proceeded to the parking area at the 19^th Floor. He walked towards his silver Audi R8 Coupe that he had recently bought and got in. Despite his status, SJ still prefers driving himself much to his mother’s protest, who is begging him to hire a driver and bodyguard and ride in a much suitable vehicle for him. But, SJ heeded her as he loves the feel whenever he’s behind the wheel. He remembered the few times he got into accidents due to some underground racing during his college days.

“Nice to see you again, Mr. Kincaid,” the maître d said formally after greeting him warmly when he arrived at the restaurant. “Your mother is already at your usual room. Jenny here will be your waitress for today.”

“Thank you, Ross,” SJ answered, and he followed the waitress.

Cynthia Kincaid looked up when the door slid open with SJ entering. She placed her cup of tea down and stood up to greet her son.

“Is dad coming over, mom?” He asked after giving her a soft kiss on the cheek and taking his seat in front of her. He studied her quietly and his mother frowned at him, reading his thoughts.

“Yes, he’s on his way from the golf club,” she answered with mild annoyance. She paused when their waitress returned with the food she had ordered. “I hope you don’t mind, but I already ordered. Your father rushed off to his game and didn’t bother to have breakfast.”

SJ remained silent as he reached for his chopsticks when his phone suddenly rang.

His mother frowned again when she glimpsed the name of the caller.

“Hey,” SJ drawled lightly. “I’ll call you back. I’m having lunch with my parents.”

“Are you still seeing her?” Cynthia asked intently after he ended the call.

“I don’t want to talk about her, mom,” SJ interrupted firmly. He took a piece of salmon sashimi and placed it in his mouth, loving the freshness and the quality of the meat. “I’m sure she’s not the reason why you asked to meet with me.”

A few minutes later, his father, Alexander Kincaid, finally arrived and the three of them silently and mutually agreed to have some lunch first before any discussion. SJ knew well that if he will get his mother upset, she won’t be eating once they are done talking.

“Alright,” SJ finally said when they were served their tea and desserts.

Cynthia looked at him before opening her mouth. “Your father and I talked about this and we both agreed that I think it’s the right time to introduced Ellisande,” she started slowly and calmly. “She’s going to be 21 by the end of the year and it’s also high time for you to get a wife.”

SJ looked at his mother in amusement.

“Let me guess,” he replied with a smile. “She talked to you, didn’t she? Is this what this is about? Did she tell on me that I’ve been ignoring her calls for the past two years?”

“She has been calling you?!” Cynthia asked in surprise. She looked at her husband before looking back at him. “We have no idea! The reason that I brought this up because I stopped by the country house yesterday and had a chance to talked with her. She told me that she’s bored and feeling useless.”

“What else did she tell you?” SJ asked.

“Well, she showed me the artworks she made and they’re beautiful,” Cynthia continued. “She’s been making her own money by selling some of her pieces to collectors.”

“Is that all she said?” He asked.

“Is there anything else that we need to know, son?” Alexander asked.

SJ looked at them hardly, his blood slowly starting to boil as all the reports that his butler had called over the years came flooding back.

“That two-faced bitch wrecked five sports cars already and I’m sure she’s not stopping there,” he started to enumerate angrily. “William called this morning and she’s currently in crutches from the injury she sustained. That simpleton you introduced me to four years ago is joining underground racing and I wouldn’t be surprise if I’ll be seeing her name in the obituary!”

“And, the highlight of it all, she’s been sending weekly a divorce settlement to Nigel’s Law Office!”

“She’s asking for a divorce?” His mother asked, aghast.

“And, I’m already thinking of giving it to her,” SJ answered heatedly. “What’s the used of that arranged marriage anyway, huh? I didn’t get anything from this shit you tied me up with. She probably did given that I spent for her education and her father’s hospitalization until he died.”

“Ellisande is your wife, and she will stay as one!” Alexander said firmly.

“She is not my wife because we never consummated our marriage!” SJ fired back. “I don’t know what the hell you and grandfather were thinking when her father asked you that favor! That simpleton is not so innocent after all! I’ve already spent millions and she’s still getting on my nerves!”

“That’s enough, SJ,” Alexander ordered with authority. “I will tell you the reason once the public knows about your marriage. I have valid reasons, but she doesn’t know it yet. We will be telling her once the family presents her formally.”

 “Then, get her to come here so this can be over sooner,” SJ snorted.

“Your father and I agreed that you will go there to pick her up,” Cynthia said calmly. “Why don’t you take three months off and spend time and getting to know her? She’s a wonderful person, SJ and I’m sure you know that I don’t warmed up easily with people I met. Both of us can go there and spend time with you, two as well.”

“Five days and that’s my final offer,” he argued and then stood up to take his leave. “I will call you to let you know of my schedule there.”