Chapter One

"I'll give you a raise. Ten times what he's paying you," She said with a smirk, folding her hands as she watched Alexandra's expression.

Alexandra's eyes opened wide as she quickly brought out her phone to calculate the total amount of what that would be.

"You mean you're gonna pay me ten times my salary if I can make him find love in sixty days?"

The lady nodded, handling Alexandra an envelope. "In sixty days. That's all you have to do."

"But he's not in any relationship with anybody," She began, "and you know how your brother is. I cannot count the number of women he has around him."

"So that's where you come in. You help him find the one for him."

"Well, I'm not a matchmaker or something and I don't even know his kind of women." Alexandra hesitated.

"He always has you buy gifts for them. How do you not know the kind of woman he likes?"

"I've lost count. The last one was slender and had tan skin, the previous was a white redhead and the one before was black. I don't think I can know his specs."

"Why don't you make a list of the women you know he's been with and make a survey?" She said with a smile.

Alexandra looked at Asia with her mouth wide open. In the nine years she's been working with Eros Heartwood, she couldn't count the number of women he's been with not to talk of making a list of them. 

"But why do I have to do this, Asia?" Alexandra said to her. "I know you're willing to pay me a huge amount but don't you think it's something personal for him?"

"Alexandra, it's really important that Eros gets into a serious relationship very fast. And when I mean very fast, I mean fast," Asia began. "You know how the family is and the company too. The board will not stay under a man that has a promiscuous record because they think he can't handle responsibilities." 

"Eros has been involved in too many scandals and it's not making a good name for him at all. I can't keep on covering up for him and you can't either so it's either we make this work or we lose everything, you lose everything you've worked for," Asia explained.

Alexandra shook her head with mouth open wide. The last thing she would ever want would be to get tangled in Eros' personal life — it was messy and a whole drama. 

"I… don't know about this Asia. What if he finds out? He might fire me for trying to meddle in his life."

"That's why you're not gonna let him know anything about what you're about to do. It has to be a secret between you and me." Asia said, her bottle green eyes pleading as they met with Alexandra's.

That kind of huge cash would do a lot of this for Alexandra but having Eros find out wouldn't be rosy either. But again, the money… 

"Lexie! You're the only one I can turn to. You know we're family!" Asia cajoled.

Although Alexandra was a few years older than Asia, their bond felt like they were twin sisters.

"Alright, alright. I'll do it. But I'm not doing it for you." Alexandra teased.

"You're the best Alexandra! You are really the best."

~~~

Alexandra walked hurriedly as she approached the elevator. It wasn't like she was late for work, she was late for her daily duty with the entitled, self-absorbed and selfish boss, Eros Heartwood.

"Please wait!" She said quickly as the elevator door was about to close. She gave the people inside a quick smile which they returned quickly then minded their business.

Alexandra checked the time on her watch and it was just 7:15 am. What kind of job was that, one might be wondering. Rushing as if it was the end of the world when it was just 7:15 am, but the one who works for Hades doesn't waste time.

"Hello sir, I've got your… "

"You're late." He said without turning his chair to face her. He was facing the window, sitting like a psychotic young man who's scheming inhumane things to do next. 

Alexandra cussed under her breath as she gently put the takeout bag, the set of coffee and the files she was carrying on the table. 

"I'm so sorry sir. There were too many customers so I… "

"You should have woken earlier if you really understood you had a job." He said curtly, finally turning his chair to grab the cup of coffee.

"It's cold." He spat out and pushed it on the table, causing it to pour on the files.

"You... " 

'You asshole! I lost two nights of sleep working on that and you poured your stupid coffee on it!' She thought in her mind. 

Alexandra shot him a dangerous glare and quickly changed to a smile. She had to endure and quickly read her calming mantra.

Although working as Eros' personal assistant was the job she hated most in the world, she couldn't let go of the huge pay and benefits and asides that, it's a job that she's dedicated a major part of her years to. 

Alexandra had endured, she had been working with him for nine years so you could say she knew him like the back of her hand. And why would she give up when the salary was more than enough to get whatever she wanted.

Eros was drop dead gorgeous, intelligent and a very great manager of his company. His aura was usually breathtaking; a beholding, fearsome yet unusual comforting presence that emanated around him.

His sarcasm was enough to make you distance yourself from him but how he had his way among women was astonishing.

"You spilled the coffee all over the paperwork. It took days for me to finish up with it?" She said angrily. "Sir?"

"It was a mistake. You can just clean it up." He replied as he got up.

"Where are you going sir?" She asked, cleaning the table.

"I have a date."

"But you have a meeting in five minutes."

"Postpone it."

"Sir, this is the third time I have rescheduled this meeting. You really have to attend this one."

"Just tell them I'm sick or something. I had the flu." He said as he headed for the door 

"You know I can't. You have to hear what they have to say."

"Alexandra, reschedule the meeting. And you're coming with me." He turned to look at her.

"You have to attend this meeting sir!" She said as their eyes met.

"Reschedule. It!" 

"Then I tell your mother." She said before he could open the door.

Eros paused to look back at her. Alexandra knew she had gotten him right where she needed, he feared his mother and honestly who wouldn't? Helen Heartwood was a sassy badass and not even her own scheming and power wealthy son could stand up to her.

"You're joking, right?" Eros scoffed as Alexandra smiled then brought out her phone.

"Does it look like I am?" She grinned. "Sir?"

He closed the door and faced her, folding his arms as he gave up in defeat. They both knew that there was no point fighting it, Helen was going to give him the most boring talks he could only imagine.

"That's better." Alexandra smiled as she watched him head back to his seat. "Here are the files you have to go through. You spilled the coffee on it but luckily, I saved it in time."

Alexandra tried hard not to laugh at his expression, a slight frown peeking from his temple and his pouted lip. 

"Here," she cleared her throat, getting her mind off what she just thought. "Start from here. I made sure to summarize the project details well enough for you to understand."

"You can cover for me, Alexandra." He said with a dry smile. "How about I get you whatever you want for dinner?"

"Tell me what you need me to buy for your new date. She'll understand that business comes first before pleasure." Alexandra replied strictly, peeking her phone at his face obviously passing the threat.

"I see why mother likes you so much." He scoffed and began to read.

"Please let me know if you need anything sir." She said with a soft smile and turned to leave. Her stomach was growling, her feet were sore and it was just morning!

Alexandra sunk into her chair as she heaved a deep sigh. She would be getting ready for the meeting in less than five minutes but the way her stomach was growling felt like she wouldn't even last the next minute.

"Hades' begun again?" 

She heard and turned to look at who was talking. Alexandra nodded tiredly as she turned her chair back to face the computer.

"Am I going to die like this, Sasha?" She asked the lady peeking over her table. "I am as hungry as heck that I can finish a bowl of rice right now, my feet hurts and I feel terribly sleepy. It's not even ten yet and I haven't had breakfast!"

Sasha nodded her head, her brows furrowing to a frown. "You're gonna be okay. Why don't you wear my sandals? I brought a spare and I'll get you some snacks at the vending machine." She said, giving Alexandra a smile.

Alexandra nodded her head, letting her hands fall to the sides of the chair as she took a deep breath. 

"You're my savior Sasha. What can I do to repay you?" She asked, turning her head to face Sasha. 

"I'll be back soon Lexie!" Sasha got up quickly "don't go anywhere until I'm back!" and dashed out.

~~~

Eros crossed his legs as he studied the files on his table. He checked the time on his watch, three minutes to the meeting then his phone rang.

"Hey baby!" The soft female voice said on the phone.

"I said I was going to call you." He said with a smile.

"Yes I know. You promised you would be here early."

"I know but something came up." He replied softly, smiling.

"Did your annoying assistant put you up with too much work?" She said, her voice angry.

"I'll be there soon."

"I knew it. She really lives up to her reputation." She scoffed.

"Don't worry, you'll be with me all day. I really can't get you out of my mind so don't let anyone get that pretty face riled up." He said as she smiled.

He was a flirt and a dangerous one at that. A rizz god, keeper of women's hearts, badboy and every girls heartthrob. Eros knew the ways to serenade a woman to make her fall head over heels, to him it was simple and never took much time. 

But he knew it wouldn't last. He would soon get bored and find somebody else. 

He hung up immediately his eyes caught up with Alexandra's. 

Alexandra had a peculiar way of forcing him to do the things he didn't want to do. He peeked from the transparent doors and saw her munching on some snacks while focused on the computer.

"Ah, I can't do this." He said loudly and got up. 

Everyone ran and sat quickly as soon as he got outside his office. He was used to it and preferably, he liked it. Orderliness and no slacking around during work hours was so beautiful to behold.

As much of a jerk he could be, Eros hated slacking around. He made sure there was always something to do for everyone — every time. At least what's worth doing at all is worth doing well.

"Is it lunch break yet?" He asked, his hands in his pocket and his tone carrying so much depth.

He watched as Alexandra looked up at him and continued with what she was doing.

"Sir?" She replied, trying to finish munching the snack. 

"You shouldn't be eating when it's not lunchtime yet." He cleared his throat, standing in a gallant posture so she could see.

"You should have allowed your poor worker have breakfast before having them come to work before anybody else" She replied, still trying to finish what she was chewing. "Sir." And added.

As much as he tried to disregard any thought concerning Alexandra, he couldn't help getting curious about who she actually was. He knew she began working with him years ago and other than that, she was just his personal assistant. 

But she was different from all the people he's met. Everyone were usually on their toes whenever he was around, agreeing to everything he said even when he knows it's wrong. He was used to it, like the distancing but Alexandra was different. 

She knew how to get him to do things he wanted to run away from, the right gifts for his many women and most especially, how to let him know when he's doing extra.

"Well, it's not my fault. You shouldn't complain about doing your job." He said, clearing his throat again.

"It's time." She stopped what she was doing and got up. 

Their eyes met and for an oddly strange reason, Eros felt his heart thump.