Taming Mr. Arrogant

Chapter Seven

Axel's POV

"Riiinnnggg!"

I groaned and pressed the snooze button on my alarm and went back to sleep. I was so tired. I went to the bar with Chris, Drake, and Sky last night. We caught up on everything we have done this week.

I just told them about my usual events, conferences, meetings and deals. Drake was just talking about his new website and apps. Yeah, he was an IT freak. Sky was being his annoying and playboy self, talking about all the girls he played and banged this week. He didn't even remember their names. What a man w***e.

Like you're not like him.

I knew. But I just did it if I want to, unlike Sky who did it like everyday.

And lastly, Chris, he was talking non-stop about this girl whose name was Christina or Tin. He had a dreamy look in his eyes while he talked about her. He told us that they just met her at the park.

What surprised me the most was that the woman played the guitar for the kids. Well, I also played for them every weekend when I have leisure time, but she was the first woman who didn't decline the offer and instead she played for them.

That was probably what made him instantly liked that girl, I meant woman. She must be really beautiful that she managed to capture Chris' eyes. He even said that she was cute and shy. Well, good luck to him. Let us see if he would be able to have her as his girlfriend.

For a bit of information, Riley and Connor were my cousins so that made me and Chris also cousins because he was their brother. His dad, Uncle Jacob and my Dad are brothers. And most of all, Scarlet, Aunt Kate's daughter, was my most favorite cousin. She was the cutest baby ever. I still called her that even if she would be turning four this few months. I really loved her. I always gave her gifts and presents when I visited them or when they would visit us. She was just so adorable. And that was why and how I met the other kids. We got along pretty good.

Have one of your own if you love babies.

I did love babies and kids, but I didn't know if I would ever have one. I didn't even know if I would get married. I didn't have time for that. I was a busy man, the CEO of Evans Company, Inc.

"Riinnggg!"

I stretched, groaned and looked at my alarm.

"WHAT?!!!" I shouted. It was freaking 7:20 in the morning and I forgot that I have an important meeting with the Dae Ho Motors, a big automotive company from Korea at 8 o'clock.

How stupid of me to sleep again without noticing the time.

Well, you're asleep. How can you notice the time, i***t?

Oh, right.

I hurriedly got out of my king-sized bed, not caring if it was not made. I always made my bed every time I wake up, but I had no time for that anymore. I had a very important meeting ahead.

I went into my bathroom, and took the quickest shower ever. After that I got dressed in a fine, gray Armani suit with a white shirt underneath and paired it with its matching gray slacks. I wore my Italian black shoes, grabbing my phone, keys and then walked out of my penthouse.

I ran towards the elevator and pressed first floor. I looked at my watch to see it was already 7:37 am. I took out my iPhone 6 from my pocket and opened my messages. I wasn't surprised to see so many unread texts from Mr. Lee, my PA. He would probably scold me like a child when I get there.

Faster. I silently said.

'Ding'. Thank God. I hurriedly got out of the elevator and headed towards my own garage.

I just drove the first car that appeared in my view which happened to be my Porsche. I maneuvered out of my garage, pressing the gas pedal harder when I was on the road and heading to Starbucks to get a coffee.

Just a few minutes later, I arrived at Starbucks, parking my car in front of it. I would be quick anyway. I just needed to get some coffee.

I went inside, walking faster towards the counter and ordered two cups of Coffee.

The lady at the counter handed me my order and I gave her a hundred dollar bill. She protested, but I told her to keep the change. I was running out of time.

I began walking out while looking at my watch to look at the time. Just as I look ahead, I bumped into someone, a woman specifically, with dark brown almost black hair and chocolate brown eyes, spilling the cup of coffee she was holding in the process.

I heard she gasped, looking down at her now coffee- stained white blouse. Ooppss... I didn't mean it. When she looked up at me, she was fuming.

"I didn't mean it, I swear. Can you get out of my way now?" I asked, getting impatient.

She didn't speak. Was she mute? She just stared at me angrily. I was an impatient man and she didn't know it. If I would lose my patience, I didn't know what I could do to this woman in front of me.

I would probably be getting late now and this 'mute' girl was testing my patience. Still, she didn't move an inch nor speak a word. I looked around the room and was glad to see that the people were minding and enjoying their own business.

I spared a final at the cute statue girl in front of me and continued walking fast towards the door, bumping my shoulder to hers on the way.

I was just about to walk out when....

"Bastard!" She must be really angry. I smirked. She was right.

That's what I am.

With that, I completely walked out of the room and headed towards my car. I quickly went inside the driver's seat and drove towards our company, the Evans Company, Inc.

Halfway to my destination, I was unfortunately stuck in the traffic. I repeatedly horned the cars in front me. I hated this. I looked at my watch and it read 7:46 am. My God, it was almost time.

After minutes of being stuck in the traffic, I was finally freed. I pressed the gas pedal harder to reach the meeting on time. I hope I wouldn't be late.

I parked my car on the parking lot since I had no time anymore to park it at my garage at the basement. I ran fast towards the entrance of our company. I went pass the lobby, ignoring the slut receptionist who was looking at me like she was going to devour me and went inside my personal elevator and pressed the floor to my office which is at the 55th floor. I looked at my watch and it read 7:50 am. I had ten minutes more.

The ride to my floor was quite long. I got out of the elevator and went inside my office to get my laptop, the files and the documents I had worked hard for this important meeting. I hope they would fall for my proposal and sign the contract.

After grabbing the important things needed for the meeting, I went out of my office just to see Mr. Lee already waiting for me.

"The Koreans are already in the conference room. You have five minutes more." Mr. Lee informed me.

We went inside my elevator and rode to the conference room which was just a floor above mine.

Mr. Lee didn't prepare my coffee and things every day. Well, I didn't let him work a lot because he was getting old. And I knew I needed to let him resign and find another person to replace him.

'Ding.' We walked out of my elevator and headed towards the conference room. I opened the door and a group of Korean businessmen greeted me.

I greeted them back and took my seat at the head of the long, rectangular mahogany table facing the men in front me while maintaining my serious facade. On the other hand, Mr. Lee was preparing the projector and my power point presentation.

"Alright, gentlemen. I'm here in front of you to present my company which by the way is so successful and one of the biggest company here in New York. During my presentation, you can ask questions and clarifications if you want to." I told the men in front me.

I looked at Mr, Lee and asked if all were set and he just nodded at me. I stood up and began my presentation.

***

My presentation and business proposal to the Dae Ho Motors was successful. In my proposal, I simply introduced my company; its successful projects, luxury hotels and resorts, art galleries, beauty salons and spas, and the one I was so proud of_ our charity programs. I stated my goals, objectives, mission and vision, and methodologies for meeting the needs of the client and remedying the current situation. Most importantly, I showed them the financial statements of the company to convince him that it was not on the verge of bankruptcy.

I even praised myself that I was able to persuade them. That was what businessmen were. They were good at persuading, convincing and manipulating people. But I didn't manipulate them to sign the papers. I was being professional. I pointed out my successes with similar projects to them and even provide preferences.

When I was done with my presentation, I saw their satisfied and even amazed faces and I was beyond happy when they finally concluded that I would be able to help them and signed the contract. And now I was one of the biggest stockholders in their company.

I heard that their company was struggling to meet their financial goals and they need more investors so I took the opportunity to be one of their investors and stockholders. When we finalized the papers, I invested 70% of the total needed start-up funds. And they were beyond relief and thankful I saved their company.

I sighed happily as the Koreans got out of the conference room after they congratulated me one last time.

"You were pretty awesome there." Mr. Lee commented as we fixed my things.

"You just realized it now?" I joked.

"Don't be so cocky. "

I laughed. "Just kidding. Thanks by the way. And I'm sorry I woke up late this morning."

Mr. Lee carried the folders and papers while I carried my laptop as we got out of the conference room.

When we were already in my office, I put my laptop on my office table and arranged the folders of documents back in their drawers. I was hesitant to ask Mr. Lee about resigning. But I couldn't help it so I asked because I felt bad for letting him still work when he needed to be at home, resting and have more time with his wife and family.

People said I was so cruel and heartless, but in reality I was not. I didn't blame them. They didn't know it because I didn't show any kindness to them, especially gold- digging and cheating women. They said I was a tyrant, but only to people who deserve tyranny. In all reality, I might be cold and hard outside but, I was really a softie inside. Only few people knew it; my family, relatives, friends and Mr. Lee and Lena.

"Mr. Lee, do you want to resign?" I carefully asked the old man who had been with me all the time in the company. Mr. Lee was like a father to me.

He was a bit surprised and startled by my question. He was trying to be calm, but I knew he was going to deny it so I continued.

"You're a great PA Mr. Lee and I was so glad Dad passed you to me. You're not just great at your work, but you're also a great man and a good friend to me. You're like a father figure to me and we both know it. Now, I think you need to relax and have more time with your family." I told him.

"You're firing me?"

My eyes widened. "It's not like that. I just want you to relax because you're getting old and I don't want to stress you out anymore."

"Okay." Did he just agree with me?

"Okay?"

"Yeah. Okay. I'll resign. But if you get into trouble or if you need some help, just call me."

I smiled at the old man in front of me then got up from my seat and hugged him. "Thanks for everything, Mr. Lee."

"You're welcome, young master."

I would scold him for calling me that again, but I just laughed.

"You know what? Let's celebrate."

"Celebrate? What would we celebrate? The fact that you just practically now owned an automobile company or the fact that I'm resigning?" He asked, smiling.

"The fact that you are resigning. "

He faked hurt, putting his hand over his heart. "Why?"

"Because I can finally get rid of you." I joked.

"Right. Right. So that you can get into shits and trouble again."

I laughed. That man knew me well. "Let's go have lunch, then we'll go to the park."

***

As promised, we indeed had lunch in some fancy restaurant and were now at the Central Park wandering around while arguing about who would be playing the NBA PLAYOFFS Finals this year. He bet it would be OKC THUNDERS vs TORONTO RAPTORS. But my bet was that it would be GS WARRIORS vs CLEVELAND CAVALIERS.

"I swear Warriors will get into the Finals from the West and the Cavaliers from the East. They're like the best so they would be the ones playing in the finals."

"I don't think so. Golden State now is having a hard time winning in the Western Conference and so with Cavaliers against the Raptors in the East."

I looked at Mr. Lee as we walked and argued back again. "Who are you kidding? No one can beat Warriors especially Steph."

Just when I looked ahead, I suddenly bumped into someone, a woman specifically. I quickly held her waist before she would fall.

Am I being good today?

I couldn't see the woman's face as I held her in my arms because she was looking down, her dark brown almost black hair was covering her face.

But then a moment later, she squirmed in my arms and pushed me... Hard that I almost lost my balance.

What the- I helped her and that was how she was going to thank me?

On the corner of my eye, I saw Mr. Lee on the side, shocked at what just happened. He didn't do anything. He was just crossing his arms, staring at us.. Amused.

I faced the woman... And what the... What a coincidence. Oh no. She just happened to be the woman I bumped into at Starbucks this morning.

"You?!!" She shouted, pointing an accused finger at me. She was fuming and furious. "Bwesit ka talaga sa buhay ko."

I didn't say anything. Heck, I didn't even know what the hell she was talking about. Was she cursing me in her language? I just stared at the mad woman who was now walking slowly towards me.

"You again! Listen here, bastard. First, we bumped into each other here in this park. I almost fell at that time, but thankfully I didn't. And the worst is that you didn't even apologize. At least say sorry. That's all I want."

So, she was the woman I bumped into here the other day.

"Second, at the Starbucks. That was even worse because you spilled my coffee on me. And my coffee was hot that my skin was burnt. I know you didn't mean it, but you should've at least apologized to me." Her voice softened at the end.

I stared at the woman in front of me and she also stared at me.

"And lastly, this!!" Oh God. She was shouting again. Good thing, we were the only people in that area of the park.

"This. Even if you had held me this time before I fall, I wouldn't just let you go without teaching you a lesson."

It happened so fast that I didn't know how it happened.

I was standing there now completely shocked and dumbfounded... With a melt ice cream on my face, dripping on my neck down to my suit. Yeah, she just dumped a cone of melt ice cream on my face. A chocolate ice cream. I didn't even know where that ice cream came from.

What made the situation worse was that Mr. Lee was just laughing at me, doing nothing to defend me. I clenched my fists and gritted my teeth.

And why would he defend you when you're the one who made a mistake?

Shut up.

I glared at the woman in front of me. She didn't know who I was. That was probably why she had the guts to do that to me.

"I don't care who you are, bastard. You're so disrespectful. Is that the way you treat a woman? Is that what your parents taught you? I wouldn't be this angry and I wouldn't be saying this all to you if you just apologized for the times we bumped into each other." She was now calm.

That wasn't what my parents taught me. They raised me to be a good, caring, respectful and loving man.

But, people changed.

I changed.

Because of a woman.

That was why I treated woman like s**t. I just played with them. I had moved on, but the anger and betrayal was still here.

"I hope I put some sense in your mind."

With that, she walked past me and away.

I stood there completely motionless. I didn't know what to do.

She didn't know who I was. But, she intrigued me. No one had ever talked to me like that. No one had ever snapped at me.

Who is she? That's what I'm thinking right now. Who is that woman?

"I think you need this." Mr. Lee handed me a handkerchief.

I angrily snatched it from him, but he just smirked at me. I wiped my face, my neck and my suit. When I was done, I handed the handkerchief back to Mr. Lee.

"Let's go." I angrily said.

"Where?"

"Drive me to my penthouse." I answered, tossing him my car keys.

We exited the park and drove off towards my penthouse.

***

I angrily typed my pass code to my penthouse. What happened earlier was bugging me. Mr. Lee drove me home but I told him he could go.

The door opened and I angrily stormed inside. I removed my suit and throw it on the sofa. Sitting on the couch, I recalled what happened at the park.

That woman. I thought.

She really intrigued me. She talked back to me and definitely put some sense in my mind.

She was right though. I should have at least apologized. But I was still consumed with the past. The terrible past. I wanted revenge, not to the woman I bumped into but to the disgraceful woman who left behind.

I would make her life miserable if I would see her again. I didn't even want to remember her name. Her evil name. She was an evil woman. And I swore I would break her.

I didn't want to think about the wicked witch at the moment. I wanted to think about one particular woman.

That one cute woman. I admit she was cute with her chocolate brown eyes, dark brown hair and pale white skin. She looked simple yet lovely. She didn't have a make up on. She was a natural beauty and a shorty. But what amazed me more was her brave personality.

I smirked.

I'm going to have you. Let's see where that bravery will take you.

Soon.