Chapter 1. General POV

Sitting across the boardroom at the head of the table, Eliza Minnick, the quintessential success story of rags to riches spews out statistics, metrics and data that shows the growth of her businesses to her board of directors. They are thoroughly impressed, I mean Silicon Valley is mostly reserved for young white male entrepreneurs and Venture Capitalist are mostly old white male that don't really invest in women and or people of color. They invest in what they know and who they are familiar with. It's an old boys club and mostly white. But Eliza has managed to break down their walls where she didn't go out begging for funding but rather venture capitalist courted her and literally begged her to let them invest in her company. Knowing she had the upper hand and was in a power of position from a negotiating standpoint she got the best deal where she retained majority of the equity in her company and had 2 votes instead of one within the board. This gave her leverage in case there was ever a conflict or tie and the board decided to kick her out of the company she built from scratch with her own blood, sweat and tears. The world of business and venture capital can be ruthless sometimes but Eliza was smart and always 10 steps ahead. She learnt everything that there is about business, marketing, mobile apps, tech, finance, media, publishing and ecommerce on her own. She was self taught and there is nothing more sexier than someone that is hard working, independent and creates her own opportunities instead of waiting around for people to hand her things oh and on top of being drop dead gorgeous. Just look at all the press accolades she gets, it maybe due to her success but her looks and beauty has def gotten her favorable coverage and access to things. Eliza knows that looks alone don't get you anywhere it's hard work, a vision and purpose that takes you places.

Looking out the window of her boardroom on the 20th floor she takes a minute of silence to appreciate everything and say a quiet prayer of gratitude as she looks out into the San Francisco skyline with the bay bridge in the background and the sprawling pacific ocean as the backdrop. I mean talk about an office with a view, she was reminded of the time when she was a young 22 year old fresh out of college, she came in for an interview at a biopharmecutical company for a job interview in the same office building and admiring the view that it provided. She didn't get the job but promised herself that one day she'd be working out of the same office building or something similar. 8 years later not only does she work in the same office building but she occupies the whole entire 20th floor that houses her multiple businesses. You see Eliza was never one to sit still and let life go by. She immigrated to this country with her parents when she was just 7 years old. She remembered being googly eyed and enamored by the bridges and tall buildings that she was surrounded by in San Francisco. She was ambitious and didn't know quite what she wanted but always knew that she wanted the good life, to lead a life of financial independence and not have to worry about money. Whether it was helping pay the bills at home or paying for her college or the medical bills for her grandmother or wanting to take a luxurious vacation, she never wanted money to be an issue. But coming to a country with hardly anything, her parents instilled in her the idea and value of getting an education and working hard. Hard work gets you everywhere was their motto. And today through her hard work not only does Eliza Minnick a young 30 year old sit on a $500 Million dollar empire heading towards a billion dollar in valuation for her businesses on a rapid pace but she also employs over 300 staff spread across the world with offices in London, Buenos Aires, Tokyo, Delhi, Paris, New York, LA and the main headquarters being in San Francisco.

She started off developing mobile apps after graduating college as a side gig as she couldn't find a job for the life of her and tinkered around with apps and realized she was sitting on a goldmine, she quickly started making money off it. After sometime she ventured into ecommerce and new media realizing the market opportunity and having a knack for making smart business moves with speed and execution that always helped her stay ahead of the curve. She actually started her business with no money, no experience and no connections. She was someone that always had a curious mind and her curiosity lead her to the startup world of silicon valley, realizing the opportunity she had, she let go of her goal of going to medical school and becoming a surgeon. She always loved science and medicine and she still does but realized she couldn't deal with the years of schooling ahead of her and her new found love for all things tech, mobile and media/marketing took her life into a different direction that she had only dreamed of.

Snapping out of her minute of silence, she collects her things and heads to her office to head out for the weekend. Standing in her richly decorated office she contemplates whether she should go out with friends for a night out for drinks or stay in on a Friday night and watch some Grey's Anatomy (her favorite show) and wind down before she heads out to London for a global marketing and technology conference where she is the key note speaker and expected to share her story of how she built her company in front of 5000 people. Talk about nerve wrecking, I mean Eliza Minnick had all the confidence in the world and she could rock and charm the pants of anyone and any room but there is just something about talking to 5000 people, this is just on another level. Deciding to stay in and have a quite night in she orders some pizza, turns on her laptop and retreats to her super king sized bed that makes her feel lonely at times. How she wishes she only had someone beside her. The phone ringing snaps her out of daze;

"Hey you, whatsup?",

"I've had a shit day and I need a friend to talk to and get shit faced with tonight, I'm coming over to your place and we're going out, no excuses or anything, we're going out tonight!" Amelia almost yells and begs over the phone. There's no use denying Amelia as she's annoyingly persistent. " ok, ok fine, I'll go but honestly I really don't want to, I'm only going because I'm a good friend". "Yes you are and that's why I love your ass, see you in a bit Eliza"

Heading into Mr Smith's, the place is packed, the music is loud enough, the drinks are flowing and the people look beautiful. I mean I'm in no mood to party or anything, I'm only here because Amelia needed a friend and a drink tonight. Ordering a round of shots and a bottle of wine we take our drinks and head to the rooftop to enjoy the beautiful summer night. Seeing Alex, he comes over and gives me a big hug and high fives Amelia. Alex has been a good friend of mine and he actually is the general manager of Mr Smith's. He let's us through the velvet ropes and we situate ourselves in the VIP corner. One of the perks of being a rich startup CEO is that you make connections and people take care of you especially when you drop some serious dough at the clubs. Whenever I go out, I like to go out to places I'm familiar with and people that I have befriended at these places, they take care of you.

I can see all eyes are on me and Amelia, I mean we look good, actually we look freaken hot, wearing a super short black sleeveless dress that exposes almost all of my back and arms I know people look at my figure, I spend some serious time in the gym, working all those hours, having to make so many decisions and running multiple multi million dollar businesses does put a lot of stress on me and one way to let it all go is by working out and boxing. Boxing is actually like therapy to me, I punch out and scream all my stresses during my session and it leaves me feeling good but it also leaves me with some seriously toned arms and back and I know when to use that to my advantage. I mean shit if I'm putting in all this work I might as well take advantage of it. Catching an eye in particular leaves me frozen, I swear to god I feel like I've seen the most beautiful girl in all of San Francisco and by god is she gorgeous. With some serious tan, blonde hair and blue eyes she is quintessentially a California girl. I mean when you think of girl from California in the movies (tanned blonde) etc she is what pops up in mind but mixed with model looks. She's wearing the tightest dark blue skinny jeans, a black halter top that exposes her toned shoulders along with some gold necklaces and a slew of bracelets with some 3 inch heels and her hair down in curls. She looks ravishing.

"So I've had the shitties day of the year so far..." Amelia continues talking. She carries on and on and on, but I've essentially drowned out anything and everything that's between me and this beautiful blonde. I can't concentrate, I can't think, I can't speak, I can't listen to Amelia ramble, I'm awestruck by this beauty and I'm speechless.

"Dude what the hell, you're not evening listening to me, what are you looking at". Turning her head Amelia blurts out "well shit" I wouldn't be listening to me either if I'm going to be watching that beautiful human.

"So are you gonna go upto her and talk to her or are you just going to leave your mouth hanging looking like an absolute fool?"

"Huh"

"Eliza!"

Yelling at Eliza didn't work so Amelia waves a hand in front of Eliza to distract her and bring her back down to earth.

Closing my mouth I realize I've been staring at the blonde for longer than I expected and sheepishly look at Amelia with shyness creeping over me.

"Are you seriously embarrassed now that I've caught you looking at her like that?, C'mon Minnick I know you've got game, turn on your charm and go do your thing! Even though this night was supposed to be all about me, but the way you're looking at her I'll give you a pass."

I'm frozen, I can't even get up, my legs are numb, I try to move them and they don't move. I think I just became crippled, I'm trying with every ounce of strength in my body to move but I just can't. My mouth is dry, I need a drink, I gulp down my half filled glass of wine and try to get her out of my head so I can get my body back. You ever have that paralyzing feeling where you're just panic stricken, this usually applies to situations when there's danger, but I'm so pathetic that I'm feeling like this because I've seen a pretty girl. What the hell Minnick! Get your head together, go charm her.

I can't, I'm too awestruck and too scared to do so, what if she rejects me, I mean she's surrounded by beautiful people, she has a group of girls around her and a few guys, they all seem to be having a good time and one of them seems to be a little over friendly with her, what if that's her girlfriend that's standing so close to her and has her chin on her shoulder or the guy that seems to be making her laugh, what if that's her boyfriend?

Oh my that laugh, that smile, fuck me!

I think I've been staring at her for a little too long and she catches me by chance!

Shit, fuck, Damnit!

I can literally feel heat radiating out of my ears and a sweat drop down my freaken forehead.

I'm so dead, she caught me staring. Well shit, if you've stared at someone for so long, you're bound to be caught dummy!

I quickly drop my gaze and somehow, someway turn to Amelia who just rolls her eyes and laughs at me.

Play it cool Minnick, play it cool. You're a boss! You simply can't have a beautiful woman intimidate you like that. I mean she doesn't even look intimidating, far from it, but her beauty, her laugh and the way she carries herself seems intimidating. I'm making up all these scenarios in my head where I'm doubting all my abilities. Hell I've closed multi million dollar deals, sat across fortune 500 CEO's, charmed them and formed partnerships, partied with some celebrities and made friends with some important people in the tech/startup world. But this, it seems daunting, I don't think I can do this. I mean how can I? Just look at her, she reminds me of a model who looks like a mix in between Amy Poehler and Reese Witherspoon.

I stand up to shake off my nerves and look over the city skyline to distract my thoughts from this mysterious blonde. I feel a hand on my shoulder and I turn around to see the guy this beautiful blonde was laughing with standing right behind me. Giving him a smile, he moves closer and introduces himself.

"Hi, I'm Tim"

"So I've been eyeing you all night, you're beautiful, why do I have a feeling that I've seen you around?"

"Oh I don't know, you know they say that there's always 7 people in the world that look exactly like you. Maybe I remind you of one of them." "Well if there's 7 people in the world that looks exactly like you than this world is a beautiful place."

Charming fella, I must say. He seems nice, he has an amazing body and he seems like he works out by the looks of his bulging muscles against his shirt.

Taking my chances I glance over to the group of friends he was with earlier and by golly she smiles at me.

I freaken freeze again. Stiff as a rock!

Ok I'm gonna lose my shit any second now. What is going on with me!?

You ever feel like you're the best shit on earth since sliced bread but when it comes to beautiful people, any sense of being a human leaves your body and you become this awkward and stiff rock. At this point I might as well jump of this rooftop bar since it's the second time she's caught me looking at her.

Why didn't I smile back.

God why am I like this?

Maybe this is why I'm freaken single.

Why do I get stiff and nervous around her? I've never been like this before, I usually have so much more confidence, whether I'm being pursued or I'm the one pursuing. I usually have a ton of confidence that can last me and a whole tribe of women a lifetime.

Hell I'm not even close to her, she's like a 100 feet away and she has this affect on me. This can't happen! I have a thousand and one emotions running through my head. Jesus, where is my game? Reminding myself, I'm hot, I'm successful, I'm a boss and a self made person who is living her best life I'm snapped out of my train of thought with Tim waving his hands in front of me.

"I think you went into dreamland there for a bit"

"Sorry"

"It's ok" So does this beautiful woman have a name?

"What beautiful woman" I question

"Umm I'm talking about you" Tim awkwardly says.

Feeling stupid for being so out of this conversation, embarrassingly I extend my hand, " I'm Liza"

That's the name I use when I'm usually out meeting new people. I don't want people getting an idea of who I am and my background because what's on the internet that a quick search can't provide. It usually distorts people's idea of who I am at the core and I end up getting judged by people before they even get to know me or they usually end up using me for my money and connections or have some sort of ulterior motive.

"That's a beautiful name"

"Thank you Tim"

"So what brings you here" Tim asks ever so politely.

"Well my friend Amelia over there has had a shitty day and needed a friend to bitch and complain too and get shit faced but I haven't been that great of a friend as I've been distracted all night."

Glancing over to our little VIP section I'm glad Amelia has some company. Owen, Amelia's husband and Caterina my sister have joined us. I can tell they need drinks too, they're both surgeons at UCSF and they work some pretty damn long hours! I smile and wave at them, I know they're ready to let loose tonight. In between me embarrassing myself and Amelia's non stop rambling about her shitty day I feel a little relieved, I needed more company, I hate being alone, I prefer to be around a group of people.

The music's pumping, the rooftop getting even more crowded and almost everyone's dancing except me and Tim, we're talking.

"So who's that blonde over there", tilting my head towards the blonde beauty who seems to be having the time of her life dancing away with another hot chick, they look good together.

"Oh that's Ari, my sister"

Ok thank god, at least he's not her BF, but I really hope he isn't trying to hit on me right now because I am not interested in him at all… like hello?

"And the other lady dancing with her is her best friend Teddy".

Fuck yes! SCORE!

So ok, let me get this straight, that's not her boyfriend and neither is the other hot blonde her girlfriend but rather her best friend. Ok so maybe I might have a chance at this, who knows…

"Oh I see, well your sister Ari is hot! Like dirty sexy hot". I don't know where that came from but shit it just spilled out of my mouth even I'm surprised.

Leaving Tim a little disappointed he plays along. "Well she gets all the girls, it gets annoying sometimes that I have to compete with her but it's also fun checking out chicks together, she usually wins em all and now I think I might have lost you to her as well".

"Damn right you have I mutter under my breath".

Wait did he just say she gets all the girls? Wait a fucken minute? Having a surge of confidence come back like a lightening bolt, "No offense Tim, you seem like a nice guy and you're really good looking as well, I guess it runs in the family huh but you're def on the wrong team, and unfortunately you're going to lose to the home team again".

"So, what's the deal with your sister, what's she all about? Is she seeing anyone?" I ask him as I bop my head to the music with my back turned to the crowd and facing out to the city.

"Well why don't you ask her".

"What do you mean?"

Oh she's walking over…

Fuck, fuck, fuck, this can't happen.

OMG, OMG, OMG she's getting closer, why is she coming this way. Lord have mercy on me and give me some game. And if there is a true god out there listening to my prayers right now, please don't let me become stiff and frozen again. I swear I'll start attending church again. I promise I will, at least as much as I can, just please, please, please don't let me look like a fool.

...and I'm frozen again!

Is this for real?

(Decided to write a new fanfic that I've been sitting on for a few months now, would love your feedback, it took me forever to write this as I didn't know which direction I wanted to go in and how fast or slow I wanted to take it. I'd appreciate any and every feedback so HIT THE REVIEW BUTTON)