Page 4 of Between Love & Ruin

“Then maybe let love find you this time. Because sometimes, the universe knows what we need more than what we think we need. All you have to do is let go.”

Dominic Wolfe

“We are late,” my PA, Myra, says, barging into my office.

Her heels click on the marble floor, creating a very annoying sound, as she drops the file on my table and gives me a sharp look, and I think sometimes she forgets that I am the boss here.

In fact, I am the one who gave her her first job, so I think I deserve that respect, which she rarely gives me.

Myra was only nineteen and fresh out of high school when she joined us. She lacked the usual qualifications we require, but she had an undeniable hunger to learn, and I’ve always believed drive beats credentials.

Little did I know that I was taking in the reincarnated devil. She quickly became all of our employees’ favorite, and since she had no family, I took her in under my care as a sister that I never had.

“I know,” I tell her. “But it’s fine. It’s our private jet; they won’t be leaving without us.”

She subtly rolls her eyes, and I give her a warning look. I’ve always had a soft spot for her, but she can be a total brat sometimes.

“You know, I need to be back here by tomorrow,” she says. “I have a meeting.”

“I know,” I say, closing the file I was going through and keeping it on the table. “You have that meeting with your guy friend.”

She gives me a blank stare, and I wonder what I said wrong.

“It’s our anniversary,” she says matter-of-factly, and I just shrug. It’s the same thing literally. “And he is my boyfriend.”

“Same thing,” I say. “It’s not real until he puts a ring on it.”

“You read too many romance books.”

“I am a man with refined taste. Maybe if you read a romance book or two, then you too would have high standards and stop dating ‘men’ who barely act like men.”

She sighs, clearly done with the conversation even though she knows I’m right. Her boyfriend does the bare minimum barely, and I don’t know why she even puts up with it.

“I wonder why you are still single then.” She tilts her head, a teasing smile on her face. “Aren’t you pushing thirty now?”

“I don’t waste my time on relationships,” I say, sternly.

The truth is, real life has never given me a love as captivating as the ones on the page. But I still refuse to believe it doesn’t exist. Even if I am pushing thirty.

“Aren’t we getting late now?”

“Yes, boss.”

* * *

One thing about me is that I have no tolerance for theatrics, delays and losses when it comes to business. And I only work with those who value other people’s time as well as their own.

This is exactly why I chose to work with Carter & Co. Architects because they were known for their timely delivery and outstanding work. In just a few years, they had built their name in major countries and given tough competition to those who were in this industry before them.

It was something that reminded me of my time when I took over my grandfather’s reign at Wolfe Media. We were known in his time, but I won’t discredit my work by saying I didn’t bring a change.

I am, after all, known as the king of media for a reason.

But this is our first meeting with Reyansh Carter, and we have flown down to his hometown in London, and he is late. Sounds like lousy behavior to me.

We have been sitting here in the conference room of their prestigious office for the past thirty minutes, and there’s still no sign of Carter or his team.

“Where is he, Myra? Check with his PA, Henry, and find out if they’re actually showing up,” I tell Myra, and she follows suit quickly.