Chapter One

"Watch where you're going!" I yelled at him as he bumped into me.

Dressed in form-fitting black training pants that suit his muscular frame, his body language was confident and focused as he spoke on the phone.

Ignoring my presence, he arrogantly raised his finger to silence me, as if I were interrupting his conversation on the phone.

"You ran into me, you raised your finger in the air to hush me, and at least have the decency to apologize," I said angrily.

"But you were standing in my way." His tone was dripping with arrogance and contempt as he questioned me in a hostile manner.

"I understand that everyone needs rest during their workout, but placing yourself in between the equipment can be inconvenient for others who are trying to use it. It's best to find a designated area for resting instead of telling me to apologize for what is your fault," he ranted.

He walked away to continue his conversation on the phone.

Wow! I was livid at this point.

I swiftly pulled him by his clothing, urging him to return.

"Hold on! You knocked me over, and you don't even have the decency to apologize," I exclaimed.

As he attempted to make another move, I swiftly dragged him back, insisting that he should at least have the courtesy to apologize rather than shift blame onto me.

"I wasn't blaming you, I'm only saying if you weren't standing in the way, I wouldn't have bumped into you. Madam, I don't have time."

"Please, spare me the patronizing attitude! Such an arrogant jerk, who does he think he is?"

I was incredibly angry and frustrated.

One of the gym instructors intervened in the argument, and the next words uttered by the arrogant jerk were, "Throw her out of this premises."

Consequently, I was forcefully expelled from the gym.

Fuming and pissed, I got into my car.

Tears streaming down my face, I asked myself, "What was I doing today of all days in the gym?

It's been two weeks of me not being able to drag my ass out of bed. I am tired of guilt and regret.

I'm drained of emotions. The one good man I thought I had left me.

I had opened myself completely, surrendering my heart to him with unwavering love, thinking he was the best man for me.

Questions troubled my mind, relentlessly mocking me. Why did he leave? Was I not enough?

I had cried my eyes out.

With each tear shed, I vowed to heal, to rediscover myself, and to reclaim my happiness.

With hope and relentlessness, I ignited the engine of my car. I made my way home eager to prepare myself for the day.

Exhausted yet satisfied from an intense workout at the gym, trying to push the thought of what happened at the gym behind me, I stepped into the shower, allowing the warm water to cascade over my fatigued muscles.

Today, I resumed work after my leave. I opted for a tailored black blazer, paired with a crisp white blouse that hinted at sophistication and a deep navy blue pencil skirt.

As I casually entered the office building, my only friend Amelia forcefully pulled me into another room.

A swell of fear rushed through me, causing me to exclaim in shock.

Amelia's icy gaze was fixed on me

In a single breath, she unleashed her frustration on me. "Harper, what's wrong with you? I've repeatedly talked about this issue without numbers: you ignore my calls and disregard my emails.

I wonder how you tend to keep your job if you continue this way," she said in a single breath.

With a touch of sarcasm, I replied, "Well, hello to you too."

Pissed at me, the boss is laying off staff. She said nonchalantly.

"Is the boss upset again?"

"Which boss? Harper, you failed to read your mail. This is the same issue I had been complaining about."

With a sigh of relief, she pulled me into a bone-crushing hug. "It's a good thing you're here today.

"How are you doing?" she asked with concern.

"I am fine," I said.

"We have a meeting with our new boss," she said, gripping my hand as she ushered me towards the conference room.

Getting there, I observed an atmosphere of tension among the staff members, and to my surprise, Sophia was also present.

"Sophia was quite difficult to deal with, the type of person we all encounter in the office who consistently blocks our progress."

In a mocking tone, she addressed me as "Harper, darling" and commented, "You seem quite presentable today."

Rolling my eyes, I replied, "Thank you."

"Anyway, what do you know about our new boss?" Sophia asked.

"I heard that he is the boss's son," Amelia replied. She tends to be well-informed about all the office gossip.

As I glanced around, I realized that one of my colleagues was absent.

Curiosity piqued, I inquired, "Where is Sandra?"

Amelia responded with a somber tone, "She was laid off."

Sophia expressed her strong resentment towards Sandra.

After a few minutes, the conference room doors swung open, and a wave of energy and anticipation filled the air.

With a confident stride, he made his way to the front of the room without a smile.

My heart skipped a beat when I saw my new boss. I felt a knot tighten in my stomach, a mixture of embarrassment, anger, and apprehension.

With a deep breath, I tried to compose myself, willing my emotions to settle.

I reminded myself that this was a professional setting, and I needed to handle the situation with grace and professionalism.

My new boss briefly locked eyes with me during his speech. My heart skipped a beat. I detected a hint of recognition in his eyes, but it was swiftly replaced with a professional demeanor.

Amelia caught my attention with a nudge and inquired, "What's going on?"

Annoyed, I responded by rolling my eyes at the new boss.