Love Began with the First Meeting

In the dark room, there was a whimpering sound

that could be heard it was weak and stifling.

Lina was huddled in the corner, her eyes filled with fear and anxiety as if she was scared of the world. Everywhere she looked were strangers. She didn't know anyone and nothing was familiar. Like someone had just shoved her into this new place as some sick surprise. Henrik was watching her from a distance. Still, she remained in her corner. Even he could not get close to her. He sighed as he sat by the bed, a bit exhausted. Still, he kept his gaze towards her.

Lina suddenly leaned against the wall while Henrik sat down as if what he just did surprised her. She would've melted into the wall if she had a choice.

"When are you going to face the music?" Henrik asked in a low voice. "It's been days. Like I said, I'm staying too, but what are you doing here now?" Lina looked at Henrik, panicking as she shook her head as if she wanted to tell him no.

Henrik narrowed his eyes at Lina before saying, "It's okay if you don't want to stay here. I'll ask Chad to pick you up so he can bring you to T City." As he was just about to leave, he suddenly felt a cold and small hand grab his. Then Henrik turned back, frowning, with his eyes on Lina's. He let out a small sigh and said slowly, "What do you want me to do? I can't do anything."

"I only want you. I want you," Lina cried out, tightly gripping Henrik's hand.

Henrik turned around and picked Lina up. "Lina, let me send you abroad. I have found the best treatment team there. They will cure you. Then you can live a normal life." His voice sounded certain. "You need to go this time."

Henrik looked helpless as he felt Lina tremble in his arms. "Mommy and daddy will go with you." His eyes dimmed. He gritted his teeth, running out of patience. Soon, he added, "Lina, I can't do anything for you if you don't go! How do you expect me to take you out if you're like this?" Lina looked back at him fearfully. "You need to accept the treatment this time, Lina." He put her down rather roughly, turned, and then left.

Lina exploded the minute she was left alone. She was screaming, kicking, and yelling everyone outside could hear everything.

Henrik stood outside the door, his eyes cold like ice. Then he said sharply, "Arrange a plane for Lina to be taken out of the country."

"Yes, sir," a man replied.

Henrik looked back at the closed door, then left.

At this moment, at the end of the hallway, Roger had just come down from upstairs. He heard the sounds coming from the room and watched as Henrik disappeared at the other end of the hallway. Then he said slowly, "You said Matthew met Sally on the day of the birthday party?" "Yes, sir," Bartek replied respectfully.

Roger stared at the empty hallway and said carefully, "Whatever happens, Lina needs to get out of the country." He looked upset. After glancing at the closed door to Lina's room, he turned to head downstairs in his crutches.

Bartek immediately rushed to give Roger a hand and said, "If Henrik still doesn't want to let―"

"Can't we stall him?" Roger interrupted coldly.

"Yes, sir," Bartek replied. "I already know what to do next."

Roger's skinny body cast a long shadow upon the long staircase. It was the shadow of a powerful and commanding man as if his age hadn't slowed him down one bit.

*

Sally worked at a coffee shop and recently there had been some strange things happening. A certain customer had been frequenting the place as if he was just crazy about the coffee here.

But, obviously, it wasn't true. Matthew had never taken a sip. Every time he came here, he just ordered one cup of coffee and left it to cool down.

"Three hundred and twenty eight dollars." Sally put the bill on the table Matthew was sitting at.

"I don't know if it's because I've changed." Matthew took out the money from his wallet, smiling. "Or it's your coldness that attracts me." He spoke with his head down, as a strange smile played lightly on his lips.

Sally said nothing but took the money. It was five hundred dollars. After giving the change back to him, she said, "Thanks for coming." Then she turned and walked away. Matthew was just an ordinary customer to her which she took tips from.

Matthew sat there, staring at the change that Sally had just put down on the table. His arms were folded across his chest and he still hadn't taken that smile off his face yet. Then, looking at Sally, he got on his feet, and announced, "Sally, I'll come here every day until you agree to my invitation." Everyone in the coffee shop was looking at them.

All eyes were on Sally. People were astonished-some were doubtful while some couldn't help but be jealous. Coming from the Tang Family, Matthew was just as important and powerful as the rest of his family despite being one of the youngest. Matthew's father was still very capable of working but for some reason, he already wanted to retire. In turn, people guessed that it was Matthew who was going to take over when he steps down. Nevertheless, the fact was that Sally was being chased by a powerful man. No one knew if she was just playing hard to get or if she was just really like that.

Sally sighed, then turned to look at Matthew. Just as Matthew opened his mouth to say something, she turned her back and started working again, completely ignoring him.

Matthew didn't get mad over this. Instead, he just watched her work again-a meaningful smile tugging at his lips.

In the one week that Sally had lived on Dragon Island, she'd already heard a lot of things about what had happened the past seven years. She found out about the merciless way in which Eric dealt with the four most powerful families, how Addison was so successful even at such a young age. No one needed to tell her that the Long Family wasn't exactly on its best years. However, when a new generation was born, it brought hope for the rest. As for the four families, some had kept quiet while some were still fighting.

Matthew's plan was to use Sally against Addison. He wanted to rival Addison who was admired by men and loved by women. At first, Sally thought that Mathew knew about her and Addison but after some careful thought and observation, she concluded that he didn't have any idea at all. In that case, Sally found it even stranger that Matthew would even take an interest on her.

After all, there were so many other women who were way prettier. Besides, she didn't have what she could offer to a rich and powerful man. Sally looked down at her breasts, her lips trembling a bit. She didn't know if for some reason, puberty skipped her because she didn't have any curves at all-by no means was she sexy.

She was pretty, but she wasn't sexy nor did she have a good education background. She didn't have anything to offer. She didn't know that many languages. What would this man want with her?

Sally just continued washing coffee mugs and placing them to dry on the sterilizer. Then she paused, gazing at the switch seriously. She was thinking hard. She was thinking about Matthew's real intention.

"Sally, the manager wants to see you," a satirical voice came.

Sally jolted back to reality; she turned and said coolly, "Got it." Then she hastily flipped the switch on and turned to leave.

"Oh my god. I can't believe some slut works here. This is such a nice place! Doesn't she sleep with rich men every night? Why does she still need to work here? I'm sure she's just showing off."

Some woman mumbled as Sally passed by-she also shot Sally a scornful look. Sally heard everything. She just merely ignored it, pretended she didn't hear anything, and went about her business.

Suddenly, the woman put her foot out. Sally didn't trip on her foot; instead she accidentally stepped on it. The woman yelped in pain. Sally looked at her, put on an innocent face, and instantly apologized. "Sorry! I almost tripped on you!" Sally quickly bowed before hurrying to leave. The trick that the woman did was so childish-at least that was what Sally thought. She'd learned a lot from alpha women so she knew just how to handle them.

"Manager, you wanted to see me?" Sally was nothing but grateful for being hired. She worked very hard because she wanted to be able to adjust quickly. However, it seemed as if things weren't going as good as she thought they were. Sometimes, jealousy among people was just inevitable.

"Here's the pay we owe you," the manager said as she placed an envelope in front of Sally. She paused before continuing, "Sally, we have a good location here but this is just a small coffee shop. We can't afford to serve someone like Matthew and we don't want to attract any kind of attention from the media anyway. I'm so sorry."

Sally sadly looked down at the envelope. If it were other people, they'd take advantage of the situation so as to profit from it. However, this wasn't just anyone; this was Matthew-he was practically a king around here.

Sally leaned to grab the envelope, her lips pursed. Her cheeks were a bit flushed when she spoke. "I know I haven't been working here for so long but I still want to thank you for the opportunity. You were so kind to me." She bowed before continuing, "Sorry for the trouble I caused for everyone here."

Sally then changed out of her uniform and left with her hard-earned money. As she stood outside, she felt strangely cold despite the sun biting at her skin. It was summertime but she felt like she was standing on an ice rink.

She worked at the coffee shop not for her living. She worked at the coffee shop in the hopes of seeing Bartek, who happened to work for Roger. She heard that he especially liked the cake and coffee here so she chose to work in this particular coffee shop. However, it was Matthew whom she met not Bartek.

"Tsk-tsk. Looks like you got fired," an unpleasant voice suddenly came. "Alas, life is tough."

Sally turned only to find Matthew standing a few feet away from her, leaning against his car. She rolled her eyes and turned to walk the opposite way, ignoring him.

"Sally," Matthew called. "You're smart but why would a man who works for Roger buy his coffee here?"

Sally paused and turned to glare at Matthew. Once again, he'd played her. Sally couldn't help but feel helpless upon realizing this. A woman of her stature was nothing to rich people-she was just a toy to them.

Sally was calm as the sea, not even an ounce of anger on her face. She said, "Matthew, I know you're enjoying playing me. If you think this is funny, then just go on. But I still can't give what you're asking, sorry. I can't do that."

"Hmm, well, I don't want it right now," Matthew said, his eyes dimming. "But I don't like it when something that I like is happening and it suddenly gets taken away from me. In fact, I can help you find your sister. I'm afraid that you might not be able to face her when the time comes." He put on a playful and knowing smile, turned, and prepared to get in his car.

Sally knew that this was just another one of Matthew's tricks but she had no choice-she had to take her chance, if only for her peace of mind. She didn't realize how naive she really was until she got inside Matthew's car. She knew she shouldn't expect so much but she knew she just shouldn't give up either.

"You let everyone know your weakness too easily," Matthew commented, sighing before continuing. "It means that whoever has Rachel has control over you."

Sally looked at Matthew and said, "Yes. Too bad you don't have my sister." She paused for a second, then continued, "I think I'd just rather work with Henrik than get played again by you. At least, then I'll have more chances." She pursed her lips and said coldly, "Thanks for reminding me. Stop the car!"

lan looked at Matthew from the rearview mirror to get his permission, then he pulled over at the roadside.

Just as Sally hastily opened the car door, Matthew blurted out, "To show you how I sincere I am, I can help you find a job that can get you close to Henrik He turned to look at Sally who was looking back at him

angrily. He pursed his lips and said wickedly, "Meet this man atten tomorrow morning. He'll arrange everything for you." Then he took out a calling card from his pocket and handed it to Sally.

Sally quickly grabbed the card, got out, and slammed the door behind her. She watched as Matthew's Bentley drove off. When it disappeared, she walked over to the nearest garbage can intending to throw out the calling card Matthew had just given her. However, at the last minute, she hesitated. She slowly withdrew her arm and looked at the calling card. The calling card read, "Ji Group International, Manager of Human Resources Department, Joe."

Sally had to read it twice just be sure

that he was the manager of Human Resources Department in Ji Group International. She frowned and thought, The Tang Family and Ji Family are rivals. I can't believe the manager of Human Resources Department of Ji Group International is working for Matthew! That means there are also other people who work for Henrik but whose real loyalties lie with Matthew.'

The next day

The sun was up and shining breaking the morning with its bright, yellow light.

Addison was sitting in the yard of the Long Family Mansion. Next to him was a white hollow British style table. On the table was a cup of hot coffee and some simple snacks. The sun faintly hit the yard-everything was quiet and it looked like a watercolor painting. Addison was scrolling through the news on his iPad. He read everything from finance to entertainment. He read the news as long as he had time. As the next possible ruler and the president of the Dragon Empire Group, this was a useful habit to keep. He needed to be aware of what was happening and it also helped with his knowledge building.

Suddenly, he stopped scrolling when he saw the headline of Global News.

The title was, "Master Matthew found hanging out in small, local coffee shop for five days crushing on a barista, the barista quit her job, and got on his car!" The article was complete with details except for the name of the coffee shop-the photo had been blurred on purpose.

But anyone who knew the place would recognize it at once even with the image pixelated. It was obvious that the photos on the news weren't taken by paparazzi-they were taken with a phone with a good camera. Addison recognized Sally to be the barista right away.

Global News was known by its

sharpness. They reported news in a sharp manner-it was direct, factual, and they always included photos. People thrived on gossip about the lives of the rich and the fabulous so the newspaper often exploited this with tons and tons of stories about them. In addition to that, it was unheard of that Matthew be tied down by a single woman.

Addison's face turned pale and his eyes dimmed.

Wyatt frowned as he watched Addison from a distance. He didn't hear anything big happening in Dragon Island but the look on Addison's face... Wyatt retreated two steps back, mouth agape, took out his phone and checked the news. He went straight to entertainment- skipping politics and finance.

As expected, Matthew was headlining everything.

Wyatt furrowed his brows together. At that moment, his phone suddenly buzzed. He glanced at the screen before answering, "Master York."

"Wyatt, has Addison left?" York asked.

"Young Master is still at Glamour Hall."

York excitedly replied with a "Yes!" before hanging up. A few minutes later, Wyatt saw York running inside Glamour Hall. He went straight to Addison. The first thing he said was, "Bro, they reported on the fight that happened in the Hon Entertainment yesterday!"0000