6:00 in the morning at the Pearl Tower, Maria’s alarm goes off. She quickly jumps out of bed and rush to the toilet to have a shower. 20 minutes later, went to her walk- in closet and took out her gray high-rise pencil cut skirt and white button-ups with an upturned collar and opted for a 4 inch black faux suede peep toe platform heel. She completed her outfit with slim alligator belt and chose a white gold stud earrings, Wrist watch in silver stainless with ceramic diamond, simple white gold choker for her accessories. Today,she will have Egg and Ham with Cheese topped croissant and black coffee with fresh milk on the side for breakfast. After having her meal, she brushed her teeth and applies light makeup and her trademark red lipstick. Once satisfied with her look, she took her gray purse and dash out of her place. She opened the driver’s seat of her black Chevrolet Traverse and drove on the way to the

Company, while waiting for the green light she quickly sends a message to Joshua.

“I am stuck in traffic, I hope I won’t be late, Today Beast commence at work, can’t let him have bad impression on me on our first meeting. Anyways, I’ll see you tonight at the Pier79 as usual.

Meanwhile Joshua Elliot, the President of the Elliot Group is on the phone talking to his Mother. He’s also stuck in traffic, not realizing that he has incoming message.

“Mom, with these added responsibilities in my shoulder having a serious relationship needs to be on the side burner. Beside, you know I was never a committed type of guy” He jokingly said to his Mom

“Son, I am not saying marry a girl right away. I know you well, just loosen up! Isn’t it nice to have someone special in your life, ever thought of it at least once? She replied hoping he would consider her words.

“Mother, send my regards to Father. Let’s just see what happens, I am at the grounds of the Company. Love you both”

Joshua parks his Lambhorgini Urus on the reserved spot for him, as he got out and walk towards the building he noticed a tall woman who was obviously in a hurry walking towards the building too. 'Damn! Maria’s really tall, if I am not mistaken she mentioned in our last conversation that she stands 5’10 ft.' he recalled silently. 

While waiting for the elevator, she wonders why the girls keep on looking behind her. “He’s so hot, so effing hot!” one girl who works as receptionist in the IT dept. said. She turned around and saw Joshua Elliot walking towards the elevator for his exclusive use.

“Good Morning Mr. Elliot” She greeted. 'Oh no! talk about Bad timing!' silent thought

“Morning Miss Maria! Running a bit late, aren’t we?” He asked with a straight face before entering the elevator.

“I am very sorry Sir, I got stuck in traffic” Maria reasoned out, a bit nervous.

“Come and take the lift with me” He said without looking at her.

“Okay Mr. Elliot” without thinking too much she went inside the elevator with him and pressed 60th floor where their office located.

“After you Miss Maria” Joshua said as soon the elevator opens

Maria steps out of the elevator first followed by him. Nice pear hips and ***! he thought to himself slightly tilting his head. “Come to my office, once you settle yourself at your work station” Joshua said to her

“Yes Mr. Elliot” She replied back, she just throw her purse on her seat and took her notepad and went to his office.

At the President’s Office, they had their morning briefing. Joshua Elliot, President of the Elliot Group has just arrived in the Country to officially take over the Elliot Group. He was previously a Deputy CEO base in Canada but his Father Kevin transferred the ownership to him hence he was summoned in the Elliot Group head office Cape Town SA. Their Family owns several Companies which straddles from Mining, Petroleum, Hotels, Resorts,

Schools, and even into buying Companies that is about to go bankrupt, in the Country and some part of the globe.Still a bachelor at the age of 27, with dark brown shoulder length curly hair always tied in a neat bun, Sun-kissed skin, duchess nose, thin lips, and with a towering height of 6 feet 4 inches no wonder every girl in the Company excited for this day to come. Girls in the Company envied her for being chosen by him to be his Executive Assistant. Recollecting, she had met him at several events the Company had before but never had interacted with him and every time is being accompanied with different woman. Rumors have it that the President was a

certified 'Heart breaker', a non-committal type of guy. It all started when she was formally introduced to him at the Group’s Annual Conference 2 years ago then was later on invited to join the get-together. Surprisingly he was dateless on the event, so they got the chance to get acquainted from then on she found herself attracted to him. Who would have thought that this opportunity will come she thought to herself secretly smiling.

“Are you okay Miss Maria?” Joshua lifting an eyebrow at her

“Ah yes, I am Mr. Elliot” she replied. Shit he just caught me smiling to myself like crazy? Focus girl!

While Maria, takes down notes, little did she knows that the Man quietly watch her from his seat. Maria Cabin, 24 years old a Filipino with Chinese and Spanish blood, single with a blend of Snobbish whilst seductive look. Straight light brown hair with a streak of highlights hanging till her waistline, snubbed nose, cat eye, full lips, and high arches eyebrows which made her look more intimidating but sexy at the same time. Slim with curves and stands 5 feet and 10 inches tall. She is more than just a beautiful face, he knows a lot about her apart from getting acquainted with her 2 years ago he did a thorough background check before he pirated her from the Director of legal affairs. He found out that she used to work overseas for 13 years, 5 years in the Hotel Industry (Residential and business type of Hotel) while 7 years as a Personal Assistant in a Private Company that was affiliated in Government bodies. Impressive! Her professional experiences made it perfect fit to be his Executive Assistant. She is considered as Asset to the Company thus most of his C-Suite Executives chiefly the men are chasing after her to work for them not only because of her work ethics but because they are very much fascinated with her but she ended up

working in a Legal Affairs Department. But of course, as the President of the Elliot Group he needs a high caliber employee. Who dares question him for pirating her just like that? And as for her, there is no room for refusal.

“You still have an hour before your Departmental meeting, would you like to have Coffee or tea first? She asked him

“Café Noir” He replied

“Okay Mr. Elliot” She replied and left his office at once.

Maria called the Pantry area, and informed Marco to make Café Noir then turn to face her desktop to start drafting memos when Marco buzzes. Checking from the ring video cam she pressed a button to unlock the programmed door and leads him inside his office.

“I’ll be on the other side of the floor, preparing the conference room for your meeting” She said.

Rest of the Morning went smoothly; they have visited all the Departments in the Company. At lunch, Maria went to his office to check whether he likes to have food from the canteen or he prefers to order somewhere.

“I’ll have lunch with a friend of mine; you can go for your break.” He said and left.

“Okay, Mr. Elliot” she responded.

Maria works the entire afternoon alone on the 60th floor; it’s already 6 pm which means working hours is over. Joshua didn’t comeback which is not necessary for him to do so as Company Owner. At that moment the elevator opens exposing Joshua, he saw her still working and stops in front of her office leaning on the door.“Do you usually

overstay? I just came back to collect some files that I would like to check from home. I wasn’t expecting you’re still here.” he said staring at her

Maria shrieked and almost jumps from her seat upon hearing a voice; she didn’t hear him came in. “I had them ready earlier. I am just finalizing my turn over to the new Secretary of Legal Affairs and will leave after.” She replied palming her chest then took the files on the corner of her desk.

“Okay, great” He replied back sitting on one of the visitors chair while waiting

“Here you go Mr. Elliot; I believe these are the documents you need” handing the documents to him

“Okay thanks, go home as soon you’re done” He replied then went to his office first

“Yes Mr. Elliot” She replied.

After 5 minutes Maria went to Joshua's office to inform that she’s going home.

“Alright, I am leaving too. Let’s go” He replied

“Have a good evening and drive safely” He said before they parted ways going to their own cars. Before leaving, Joshua’s about to call his Mom but saw a lot of unread messages and one was from Maria in the morning. Hmmmmn…'So she hangouts at Pier79 too, wonder if she understood that she

mistakenly sent me the message .Wait….Did she just refers to me as ‘Beast?' Joshua thought 

Maria went home first for a quick change. She jumps in the shower and change into stonewashed fitted jeans and a white body hugging V-neck shirt and opted for a pair of white slip on sandals. She let her hair down and sprayed one of her favorite perfume Burberry weekend then left without any makeup on. Inside the coffee shop, Sam the waiter who became close with her and Joshua led her to their usual spot.

“I know you’re not going to order yet, so I’ll come back when Joshua arrives” Sam said to her

While waiting, she didn’t notice a figure approaching her table.When she looks up, it was Joshua Elliot

“Hi, can I join you Maria?” Joshua Elliot asked

“Sure Mr. Elliot.” She replied with a confuse smile

“Just call me Beast, since it’s off duty hours” He replied with a sarcastic grin on his face.

 Maria flushed with what she heard, and thought of her message in the morning. Then hurriedly checks her phone, indeed she had sent the message to her Boss instead to her Best friend. Suddenly she remembers that she had

change her best friend name to “Boxer” in the contacts.

'Oh shit' she said quietly to her mind. "My apologies Mr. Elliot, I didn’t mean to send you the message. It’s supposed to be for my Best friend whose name is also Joshua.” She reasoned out feeling her face was burning with embarrassment.

“That’s okay; I am here with my friends and thought of dropping by. Was a little worried if you had at least understood what you did and had rectified it within the day or else you’ll end up alone here waiting for no one.” He said pointing at his friends who wave at them.

“Well, I am very sure he will be here any moment. We unwind here every Monday evening, so it’s not necessary to always remind each other” She explained hoping her best friend would arrive soon to save her from embarrassment.

“Cool, I’ll stay till your friend arrives” Joshua said admiring her bare face.

 After half an hour Joshua Miller arrives, greets Joshua Elliot and giving a peck to Maria. Joshua Miller 26 years old and single, who sports an Ivy league haircut with green eyes, straight and narrow nose, small thin lips and thick but well-shaped eye brows, with a dimple on his right cheeks and a cleft chin. You will judge him as a playboy because of his looks but he is the total opposite. Muscular and stands at 6 feet and 5 inches tall, an athlete in his College years. Currently a freelance model for a high end brands that at times requires travelling. His Family owns Oil and gas Company, Hospitals and large shopping malls in the Country. He is the eldest among siblings and the only Son of Mr. Damien and Phoebe Miller.

“You didn’t message me if we are still ON. Anyhow, you know I will still come no matter what” Joshua said

“I did, but I’ve wrongly sent the message to Mr. Elliot.” Maria said then pointed to Joshua Elliot in a low voice while she bit her lower lip.

“I told you to change my name to Boxer, so not to get confused “Joshua Miller said while laughing at the same time feeling sorry for her.

Joshua Elliot still there watching them feeling a bit of out of place, as he feels the need of leaving he got up from his seat.

“I will leave you two now. By the way, nice meeting you Joshua…Maria, I like your pet name for me” He said then winks at her before walking away leaving her tongue tied.

“Nice meeting you too Joshua” Joshua Miller said and put his arms to Maria’s shoulder giving it a squeezed.

They’ve known each that much and he’s aware by now that Maria’s uncomfortable with the remarks made by Joshua Elliot. Joshua waved at Sam who approached them right away and took their orders

Meanwhile Joshua Elliot keeps on looking at Maria’s direction.Even in dim light she’s beautiful, a real head turner! Most of the guys that pass by their table glance at her not just once but twice, even his friends are asking about her. Then suddenly his phone ring, his Mother.

“Son, how’s your day at the Company?  Are you out hanging out with your friends?” Lisa asked

“Mother, I know why you called. The answer is NO. Get some sleep. Yes, I am with my buddies, I will drop at the ancestral house tomorrow after work.” He said with a sarcastic smile and hang up after hearing an “Ok” from her Mom. He shook his head and look at Maria’s direction who was having a good time with her best friend. Hmmmnnn…then something came to his mind when his phone beeps, a message came from his friend Nathan. He looked at Nathan who was sitting opposite him with a weird smile on his face.

“Open the attachment, you needed that. Thank me later” Nathan said and laughs.

Joshua opens the attachment and saw Maria's smiling seductively showing her two deep set dimples.

“I’ve noticed that you keep on looking at her so I stole a shot for you. You like her, don’t you? Nathan asked.

"Stop it guys, I am not after having a woman in my life right now. With all these responsibilities on my shoulder

means relationship has to be on the side burner." Joshua replied and snatch Nathan's phone to delete Maria's photo then returned it back to him.

"Greedy! Why did you delete her photo?  That's a clear sign that you like her" Nathan teased him

"You simply don't need it, and whatever you're planning don't you dare?" Joshua replied simply

"Another obvious sign" Nathan teased one more time and everyone laughs at him

Meanwhile, Joshua asked Maria if she wants to go home as she looks tired, she just nodded at him. Joshua wave to Sam to bill out and left a huge tip for him. Joshua stood up and took Maria's hand to help her get up from her seat. People looks at them as they're both tall and good looking. Maria whispered something to her best friend and both search for Joshua Elliot and waves at him who waves back in return. The two walk side by side, Maria slides her arms in Joshua's waist while Joshua rest his arm on her shoulder as they walk away.  Joshua Elliot stares at their receding body, he doesn’t know why but witnessing their closeness annoys him and this didn't escape under the watchful eyes of his friends who just shake their head and laughs. Joshua Miller walks Maria to her car first, and both gave each other a hug before she drives away leaving him watching her receding car.

“Auntie called earlier?” Matt asked

“Yup, she called just to pressure me having a girlfriend. Sorry, I don’t need headache” He replied then lights a cigarette.