Hey! Jacque here. Thanks a lot for your response last chapter. Strictly, there is no BDSM in this story. Disclaimer: I do not own the characters, just the storyline.

CHAPTER 2

"Is that all you found out?" I asked my private investigator over the phone.

"Yes, Sir."

"Very well, thank you."

Taylor's driving the BMW as I just finished my call with John, my private investigator. I hired him to perform a background check to Ray Steele. As I heard his story, I heaved a huge sigh.

I actually couldn't believe that a person could be so unlucky. This man has been working hard all his life, yet good things happen, bad things will occur. I actually realized that he is striving to have a better life, but shit just happens.

He lives with his daughter and John already sent a photo, but I'll just check it later.

I honestly don't know what's going on with me. I've always been the kind of leader who imposes the Machiavelli way. I'd rather be feared than be loved. I told myself not to use emotions with my leadership but with my new personal assistant? A silent voice tells me to do whatever I can to help him.

Closing my eyes, I realized that there are two types of people in the world. Those who keep on trying and gets rewards in return and those who die trying and get nothing in exchange. I am lucky to be one of the former.

My eyes stared outside the car window and I saw this shop filled with executive attires. This is actually Mia's store. This is one of the reasons why she left home and hasn't spoken to our parents for three years. Our parents didn't agree with her goal to put up a shop that sells sophisticated clothing for men and women.

"Taylor, pull over."

I am certain that Ray doesn't have the means to buy a corporate attire, so I will buy some for him.

When the BMW pulled over, I went inside the store and it was the same. Mia wasn't there since she's in Paris to de-stress. It was the same—neatly arranged, not a speck of dust, and windchime music all over the atmosphere.

I went to the rack of executive coats and when I looked to the right side, I saw a dashing woman. She was holding a blue scarf with a price tag. She looks at the mirror before her and places it around her neck, as if she's imagining wearing it in a European country.

She twirls and spins around but stops on her tracks when she catches me looking at her. I give her a smile and she looked down, placing the scarf back to the rack.

One thing I know for sure: those were the most beautiful set of ocean eyes I've seen.

0000000

That was embarrassing. The handsome man just caught me daydreaming.

I decided to stop whatever I'm doing and maybe just leave.

But when I almost went out of the door, the mannequin's executive clothes caught my eye. I knew it was the right fit for my Dad. Handsome Man isn't looking at me now. The sales assistant is talking to him, so I decided to go near the mannequin.

I was in awe. Dad deserves this. I was beyond happy when he got hired as the CEO's PA. I'm pretty sure that he's scavenging office clothes in the thrift shop, but I just wanted to give him something more. I checked the price tag of the navy blue coat and pants with white polo underneath. I almost had a heart attack when I saw how much it cost.

It cost $4,500 and it's much twice more expensive than the blue dress I wanted. I shook my head and decided to go to the mall. Mia Bella Shop is too luxurious.

"May I help you, Ma'am?" A woman caught my attention. I turned around and she was eyeing me from head to toe.

"Oh, I'm leaving," I told her. The way she looked at me was condescending. I know that I don't have the best clothes out there. Well, I do dress well and I know how to style, it's just that my clothes are cheap and affordable although they don't look like one. But I'm pretty sure this sales lady can identify the price of my clothes.

"That's actually a good decision."

"Huh?"

"We don't need window shoppers in this store. One piece of advice, young lady: do not enter a store when you can't afford one. Maybe you should go to—" she eyes me from head to toe once more "—the thrift shop."

My father always reminded me that we weren't rich. In fact, once he told me that we were 'poorer than rats' but it is not a reason to not be treated like a human being. I refuse to let her do this to me.

From my peripheral vision, I could see that Handsome Man is about to step in and defend me, but I stop him before he could do that.

"Yes, I should be shopping in a thrift store, because workers there? They have better manners."

"Excuse me?"

"Are you deaf? Maybe you should go see a doctor—to cure your deafness and to fix your attitude."

With that, I stormed off the shop and stomped my way out of the door. My heart was pounding against my chest, as if almost breaking it. My skin was turning red and my anger can't be contained. Yes, I may not afford the clothes there but I am a human being who doesn't deserve to be discriminated that way.

"Ma'am, Ma'am, wait!" A man ran behind me and he was a worker from the shop.

"Is that a 'sorry' gift? I cannot accept it."

"No, I bought that for you." The Handsome Man appeared from behind the salesman and he was cool. His hands were inside his coat and I could tell he was a rich businessman.

My voice turned small, "Oh, you didn't have to."

"My sister owns the shop. I had the woman fired. She was rude. And, I saw you staring at that suit. It's the month's premium package and it's yours now."

I reluctantly took the box from the salesman and upon opening it, my heart swelled with shock and joy. My father's going to love this. He needs this for tomorrow and I am more than excited to go home and show this to him.

"Thank you," I told him a hundred times.

Handsome Man took a step closer to me and this time, I got to see his eyes. They were grey, just like the storm in the Pacific. It's the cyclone everybody feared yet anticipated. His eyes were beautiful.

Then he took out something from his coat's pocket and I was more than shocked. It was a blue scarf. He wrapped it around my neck and I felt the slight touch of his fingers when he fixed my hair.

"Blue looks pretty on you," he said before taking a step back, leaving me breathless.

Thank you for reading. Reviews?