Just 365 Days

Derrick smith stared at the letter his secretary had just brought in. The Wax stamp on the letter looked familiar. He looked up from the letter to Mrs Anderson his secretary.

Mrs Anderson had assisted his late father when he took control from his grandfather ,and in their hands the multi billionaire company had thrived.

"And who did you say brought this" he asked with a raised brow

"We found it in the mailbox sir" she replied quickly

He rolled his eyes, he was tired of having to get his secretary to address him with his first name .

He half carefully and half impatiently tore the envelope that hid the contents of the letter.

"Is everything alright sir!" Mrs Anderson asked

She had probably seen how his Jaw tightened and how he had formed his fingers into a fist

"Uhm Yes, could you pls tell Mrs Brown to get me some coffee, the usual"

Sir, that's one of the reasons I came.The cofee machine developed a fault this morning and Mrs Brown is not in, she has her day off today sir!

"Right..."

"Should I grab a cup from a nearby coffee shop "

"Don't bother, please attend to the files I sent to your table this morning" he said with a note of finality

"Ok sir!" She said walking out of his spacious office.

It was a master class in understated luxury, walls adorned with intricate moldings and rich walnut flooring.

As soon as he heard the door click, Derrick took a deep breath and lowered his head.

He picked up the letter and stared at it's contents again. It was from his grandfather.He was giving him an option for the control of the company. He had stated in the letter that whoever got married first between Derrick and his two brothers would have full control of the company.

He was the first son and heir to his father's position in the company as a CEO by birthright. He had taken over after his father's death that occured six months back.

Derrick's jaw tightened as the images of his father's dead body laying in a coffin filled his mind. He shook his head as if to shake off the images away.

Six full months have passed since his father's demise, yet the weight of his father's absence was as heavy as ever. He had to take over from where his father left off. He was an heir but his grandfather the original owner of the company had not giving him full control of the company.And now the only way to get it was to get married, not that he was selfish, but his father's last wish. He couldn't allow his spendthrift brothers take over, they would ruin everything their had worked for.

But his grandfather was not seeing it from that perspective....his grandfather had always being controlling and he cherished tradition. Derrick's father got the company cause he was the only son and he was married before Derrick's grandfather retired.

But he had married for love.

"I need air and cofee" he muttered under his breath

He picked up his phone and used the GPS to search for a coffee shop. He found one nearby but he guessed it would be too rowdy. He was the acting CEO of a multi billionaire company he can't afford to be spotted in a cofee shop, even if he had not been introduced officially as the CEO, he was still the son of late MR. SMITH.

He searched again for a less rowdy cofee shop and found one which was about 15 minutes drive from his office.

Just then, his phone buzzed. It was a message from his mother inviting him to dinner by 6. He replied in the affirmative, picked his car keys and made his way to his private elevator which led to his garage.

As he approached, his mind was already in the driver's seat of his sleek black sedan. Sliding behind the wheel of his car he deftly turned the key, coaxing the engine to life with a purr that reverberated through the seats of the car.

As Derrick eased the car out of the garage and onto the road, his mind kept tumbling back to the letter he had just received. He caught himself tightening his fingers around the steering wheel in anger. He filled his lungs with cool and refreshing air in a bid to cleanse his mind.

As Taylor Tower glanced at her wall clock, a ripple of apprehension spread through out her body. She hurriedly did the last bit of her make-up.she had an interview by 9:00am and being punctual was as intrinsic as her own heart beat. Her feet quickened their pace as she grabbed her handbag and hastened towards the front door .

"Mum, I'm leaving...!" She called as she got close to the door, fully aware her mum was in the kitchen .

"Cofee?" Her mum replied back from the kitchen

I'll grab one on my way....love you , bye!" Taylor replied, her voice soft but firm as she disappeared behind the door

Taylor made her way to the coffee shop two blocks away. Taylor arrived at the shop and immediately spotted Mrs Sandra a familiar face from her neighborhood. Mrs Sandra ran the coffee shop popularly known as "CAFFEINE RUSH". She had served the neighborhood quality cofee as far as Taylor could remember.

"Good morning Mrs Sandra" Taylor greeted her warmly, feeling a sense of comfort in seeing a friendly face.

"Oh morning dear! , where are you off to in such a hurry? Her face lit up as soon as she recognizes the voice

"I have an important Job interview" Taylor responded politely

"Oh good luck with that darling!" Make sure you dazzle them with your charm and expertise" she said beaming

Taylor chuckled lightly . She ordered cofee and as she waited, she spotted a stack of fliers . Picking one out of the pile, she asked "What's this all about ma'am?"

"Oh those?" Those are from my daughter's workplace. It's a matchmaking service called 'love arrangements', she wants me to hand them out to customer. It might come in handy you know!" She stifled a sheepish smile and winked at Taylor.

"Matchmaking service, huh?" That's interesting she said as she scanned the flier.

As Derrick exited his car, which was parked across the street from the coffee shop. He elegantly strode across the road, careful to dodge a few cars as he made his way to the coffee shop eager for his daily caffeine fix.

Taylor picked up her cofee and with the matchmaking flier in one hand, she made her way to the exit. Just as she reached the door, she almost collided with a man who was entering the cofee shop, nearly spilling coffee in the process. For a moment she caught herself staring at him. He possessed a striking appearance that drew her attention.

His eyes were piercing blue, like a glacier pool of ice and his thick , dark hair was styled in a sophisticated cut. His jawline was sharp giving him a chiseled handsome look, standing at just over six feet tall, his person was commanding, his shoulders were broad and string. His attire hugged his mascular frame and exuded an air of confidence .

Derrick, who was quick to recover from the near collision, stepped back and addressed Taylor with his smooth deep voice.

" Are you okay?" He asked, his gaze conveying genuine concern.