"Quite a boring meeting it was, don't you think?", Josh said stretching his arms as soon as the meeting got over and people started to move out of the room.

"You find every meeting boring, Josh", I told him getting up as he also got up.

He rolled his eyes collecting the files from the table.

Joshia Oliver, he was my personal assistant for the past two years and even a very close friend. He was cute, had dirty blonde hair, a clean shaved face and wore spectacles(a bit round in shape). He was full of life, always lifted up my mood whenever I am tensed or sad and not to mention, he knows each and every thing about me, including the secrets no one knows.

We were currently in another industry for a meeting that was attended by one of the most famous businessmen...and businesswoman that was just me.

My company, Mallay Industries or as I call it, the Mallay empire was one of the most successful industries currently. I worked day and night to make it reach here and of course my staff was wonderful too, they also work really hard and give their best.

I was really satisfied with what I have achieved. It was everything I dreamt of as a teenager.

I wanted to have expensive cars, I wanted to own mansions, own businesses around the globe.

And right now, I have all that.

"You coming Thera?", Josh called and I snapped out of my thoughts and followed him out of the room.

"We will have to wait for a minute, the driver is bringing the car", Josh told me and I nodded as I started scrolling through my phone as he waited beside me.

We were waiting in the corridor when a man in black suit walked by us with his assistant trailing behind him.

He got into the elevator and it was then I saw him, the one and only, Isaac Grayson.

Our eyes met, he had a cold look on his face, as he kept looking at me. I wasn't able to look away and maybe it was just me that noticed the slight smirk that formed on his face but thankfully, the elevator's door closed and I sighed.

Isaac Grayson, my only competitor, owner of the Grayson Industries and an asshole and one of the biggest playboy I have ever seen.

He had a sharp jawline, perfectly carved face, broad shoulder, tall frame. He was handsome, hot, rich and everything a girl could ever dream of.

He achieved what none could in such a young age.

The way he talked, the way he walked, the way he dressed, everything just screamed power and money.

He could make anything happen within the snap of his finger...yes, just like Thanos.

People were scared of him, his simple sentence could make you tremble with fear because he talks so coldly.

And to be honest, I was also a bit scared of him, just a tiny bit because what I have learnt in my experience is to never ever mess with Isaac Grayson. He can destroy you within seconds. And thankfully I never crossed paths with him nor I ever wish to but yeah, to defeat his industries and become the best in the world would be amazing.

If I had to just look at his achievements and anyone would have asked me to bow down in front of him, I would definitely do that, without any hesitation but then I look at his nature, how cold, arrogant and ruthless he is, I just feel like beating the hell out of him.

Maybe I described about him too much...well...sorry about that.

Josh called the elevator and we got inside it and we soon reached the ground floor and made our way towards my car and we sat in the backseat as the driver drove the car.

After sometime, we reached Josh's apartment, dropped him there and at last, I reached my penthouse. It was one of the most expensive penthouses in New York City. I do own many other houses more like mansions but when I had to live alone besides my helpers, so, I decided to live in a penthouse.

The elevator dinged and I walked into my penthouse to be welcomed by an amazing smell of food.

Removing my blazer, I reached the kitchen to see Maria, my cook, cooking something.

"I can smell cheese, Maria", I exclaimed.

"Good evening, Thera. I am making chicken alfredo", she told me.

"My mouth is already watering", I exclaimed making her chuckle.

I am a big foodie and I love to cook but unfortunately, due to my busy schedule I don't get the time to cook, Sunday is the only day I spend cooking and trying new recipes.

I reached my room and got freshened up, changing into a short and a t-shirt.

Maria had already set the table and I quickly sat down and digged in. I moaned softly as I ate the pasta.

I was still eating, when my phone rang and I picked it up to see Josh calling.

"Hey, Josh!"

"Thera...I got a phone call from Mr. Grayson's assistant and she asked me to fix an appointment with you for a private meeting with Mr. Grayson", he explained making me choke on my pasta and I quickly drank water.

"Are you serious?"

"Yes, Thera."

I thought for a moment, a private meeting with Mr. Grayson, what he could possibly talk about?!

"Fine", I muttered,"you can fix the meeting for...tomorrow, whenever I am free."

"Well, I already checked your schedule, you have an another meeting at 2 p.m. tomorrow so, you are free before that. Should I fix the meeting at 12 noon?"

"Fine by me. Goodnight."

After he wished me goodnight, I hung up the call.

I was already feeling nervous for tomorrow, a meeting with Mr. Grayson and what was more weird was that it was private. If he had to discuss any new project with our company then he would fix a normal meeting but why private?

Isaac Grayson's every action has a purpose, he wouldn't waste his precious time just like that.

I finished my dinner and kept the plate in the kitchen as Maria already went to sleep and after that I went to my room and after checking few emails and scrolling through Instagram, I finally laid down to sleep with Isaac Grayson being my last thought.

_______________________________________

"Good morning, Thera", Josh greeted me as I got out of the elevator and approached his desk.

"Good morning", I said giving him a smile.

I entered my office and sitting on my chair, I kicked start the day.

Time passed away and soon, there was a knock on my door and as I said come in, Josh walked in.

"Just a reminder, you have a meeting with Mr. Grayson in fifteen minutes", Josh reminded me and I nodded.

"Did his assistant tell you anything related to the meeting, the reason or something?", I questioned him and he shook his head saying, "He wants to discuss it only with you, his assistant also doesn't know anything."

I sighed,"Fine..."

And he left the office with that.

I couldn't say 'no' to the meeting because if he wants to have a meeting with me then he will, my opinion wouldn't have mattered, I know.

Fifteen minutes later, Josh knocked again at the door and after I gave the permission, the door opened.

"Mr. Grayson is here", he said before stepping aside and the devil walked in and I stood up from my chair. A grey suit, perfectly styled hair and not to mention the cold look on his face as he scanned my office.

He walked further in and Josh left after closing the door.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Grayson", I spoke confidently stretching my hand for the handshake.

He looked at me for a moment before he nodded and shook my hand firmly.

Asshole...couldn't even greet me back.

I sat down as he sat opposite to me on the chair.

"Got a nice office here, Miss Mallay", he remarked.

"I am sure Mr. Grayson that you are not here to talk about how good or bad my office is."

Whoah Thera, where did you get that confidence from!?

He didn't seem pleased by my answer, I should know how to shut my mouth.

"Of course, I am not here to talk about your office", he almost spat.

"I was wondering", he said, "that your company has been really successful recently and as everyone knows that I am the only competitor you have so..."

"So?"

A smirk formed on his face as he leaned in, "Why don't we merge our companies by marrying each other."

And for the next minute, I sat there as my mouth fell open and my eyes widened. I waited for him to say that he was joking but he had a serious face which clearly said that he is not joking.

Marry him?! Has he gone mad?!

And merge my company with his? Never!!

I closed my mouth and composed myself.

"You are kidding right?!", I asked but who was I kidding?

"Did I came all the way to here to crack some jokes with you?", he spoke so coldly, so angrily yet so calmly that it really sent a shiver down my spine.

"Well...of course not, but what you just said makes no sense."

"It does makes sense Miss Mallay. You have to marry me and we will merge our companies and become the best in the world and who knows within months we can even be the richest person in the world."

"I won't merge my company with yours let alone marry you!"

"Listen to me Miss Mallay", he gritted his teeth, "it is going to benefit both of us. To the world it would look like as if we are real couples but only you and I will know that this marriage is just for the sake of our companies."

"Let me make this very clear to you Mr. Grayson, I worked hard all these years to set up my empire unlike you, who just inherited it from your father. I am not marrying you nor merging my company with yours no matter how much of benefit it is for me", I told him straightly and at this point he was trying really hard to control his anger.

"Don't forget that it was my father who helped you set up all this."

Yes, his father, Mr. Liam Grayson was a very humble and compassionate man unlike him and he helped me greatly and even though I have already returned his favour but I am still grateful to him.

"Your father is a great man, Mr. Grayson and I am grateful to him for all he did for me but right now it is you who is asking me to marry you and not your father."

"Don't test my patience, Miss Mallay. You know what all I am capable of doing", he growled.

"I am fully aware of what you are capable of but right now you are sitting in my office and let me remind you that I have more power here right now."

He slammed his fist on my desk making me flinch.

"Miss Mallay think about it or else you will regret all this."

"Why don't you accept the fact that you are just afraid that I might overtake your empire in just a few months?", I spoke savagely.

"And besides, to be honest I have a boyfriend", I added.

Let me tell you, I suck at lying.

"You have a boyfriend?", my conscience asked. Shut the hell up!

"Boyfriend?", he asked as if he already knew that I was lying.

"May I know who that lucky man is?", he asked sarcastically.

Shit! I tried thinking of something as soon as possible.

"Well...", I trailed off and then I pressed the intercom and called Josh in.

"You asked for me, Miss Mallay?", Josh asked opening the door.

Damn you, Josh! Whenever we are alone he calls me by my first name or else he calls me by my surname! I was screwed!

I got up awkwardly from my chair and stood in front of Josh as Mr. Grayson followed my every move.

"Umm...Josh, I was telling Mr. Grayson about you...my...boy-boyfriend."

Since, my back was towards Mr. Grayson I tried gesturing Josh to go with the lie but he was too shocked by what I said as he made a weird face.

"Boyfriend? Me?", he questioned and I mentally face slammed myself.

I turned around to face Mr. Grayson who was already standing and I held Josh's arm, exclaiming, "You see Mr. Grayson, this is Joshia Oliver, my boyfriend!"

"But your 'boyfriend's' face is saying something else", Mr. Grayson said with a hint of amusement.

"Actually our relationship is yet not public so...he is quiet...shocked that I am mentioning it to you", I tried explaining.

But he didn't seem to believe it so, I grabbed Josh's face and placed a small kiss at the corner of his lips making it look as if I actually kissed him.

Josh seemed to pass out any minute.

"That was a very futile attempt to prove him as your boyfriend, Miss Mallay", that asshole said and I felt like banging his head on the wall.

"Mr. Oliver, you can leave now", he said to Josh and he immediately turned around and left.

Who the hell he is to order my assistant?!

"Miss Mallay..."

"I am not agreeing with you, Mr. Grayson! You may please leave now! I have a meeting", I almost shouted at him.

He pressed his lips in a straight line, trying his best to not tear me open.

His eyes narrowed as he went towards the door, he stopped there, turned around and said, "You will regret it, Miss Mallay."

And with an evil smirk on his face he left my office.

God, what have I got myself into?!