1. Coffee and Water

Have you ever been tired of facing this life?

Every day, the weight on the shoulders becomes heavier. Even so, your feet must keep walking because time has no mercy to anyone who is weak.

That was how a girl in her little house felt. Whenever the sound of building debris was heard approaching, she would press the piano keys with more vigor. When the noise was louder, she turned the volume control knob almost to the maximum. Nothing in the world could stop her from playing the piano, except for the ringing of the bell for the fifth time.

“Aaargh! Who else is that? When will they stop bothering me?"

With heavy and fast steps, she approached the door.

"What's wrong?" she asked fiercely.

The handsome figure outside the door blinked. However, a second later, the man's cute smile curved perfectly.

"Good afternoon, Miss Gabriella," he said pleasantly.

The girl furrowed her brows observing the strange man who was suspicious.

Well-groomed black hair, long white shirt in the middle of a hot day, and shiny loafers on the toes. The man had to be a Quebracha Company employee who was sent to win Gabriella's heart.

“Do they think my decision can be changed because of a handsome boy? Tch, what a superficial idea!"

The girl thought with one corner of her lip twitching faintly.

"If you want to persuade me to sell this house, sorry ... I'm still not interested. Please tell your boss to stop bothering me and this house. You will only waste time and energy."

The girl pulled the door without further ado, but the man spontaneously held the door with his strong arms. The host's eyes widened at the unexpected courage.

"What?" The girl asked while pushing the door so it didn't open any wider. She was afraid that the stranger would force his way into her house.

"I come here not for that." A sweet smile was shown again through a narrow gap.

"So what?" Gabriella frowned at the unexpected guest.

"Since you refuse to sell this house, our company wants to negotiate."

“Negotiating? What's the difference with persuading?"

"Of course it's different. Therefore, please let me step in and explain it in detail."

The girl bit her lower lip and gave a sneer. However, the man in front of her didn't change his expression at all.

"You really want to enter this house?" Gabriella asked testing his guts.

"Yes." The man nodded without the slightest bit of worry.

After considering it for a moment, the host let out a faint sigh and nodded slightly.

"All right, come in."

The door was finally opened.

"Thank you." The handsome man still curved his sweet lips. Even to the point where he sat on the sofa, his hospitality was still radiant.

"Have a drink," the host said as her hands put down a cup of coffee and a glass of water. The corners of her lips were rising as well.

"Thank you, Miss. So, I'm Max from Quebracha Company."

“Yes, I already know,” Gabriella said with pursed lips.

"Already know?" The man raised his eyebrows.

The girl nodded confidently.

"Yes, who else could disturb the peace of my life if it's not employees of the Quebracha company?"

The man's tense expression suddenly turned sweet again.

"Okay. I apologize for your inconvenience."

Gabriella only shrugged briefly.

“Before I start explaining, I want to make sure. Are you sure you still don't want to sell this house even if you are offered four times of the price?”

The girl took a deep breath and answered, "Yes."

"Are you sure you will still be comfortable living in this house if our company project is already underway?"

"Yes."

"Even though tall buildings surround your house?"

Gabriella looked down and pinched the bridge of her nose.

"Didn't you mention that your presence is not to persuade me?" she protested in lazy tone.

"Yes, indeed. I just want to make sure," the CEO explained in a relaxed way.

After one blink, he placed a folder on the table. "In that case, you must have no objection to signing this letter."

Gabriella read the document with furrowed brows. "Statement letter?"

“That you don't mind if our project goes on. You will not make any protest or report to the media."

Unconsciously, the girl gritted her jaw.

"So, your company really has to turn this environment into urban areas?" she muttered in a trembling voice.

“We will not touch your house, including the yard and fence. We will only build at the safe distance."

Suddenly, Gabriella snorted and lowered her head.

“How do I know that you will not intrude on this house? The points you mentioned earlier are not written in this letter. Your company can be cheating."

"What kind of cheating do you mean?"

The girl's forefinger suddenly shot up.

"Wait a minute! Let me put the points your company must meet into a list. Please enjoy this coffee while waiting.”

Without wasting a moment, Gabriella walked through a door.

As soon as the host left, the man's eyes began to roam freely. All the portraits hanging on the wall were closely watched, likewise with the trophy displayed on the glass shelf in the corner of the room. A spontaneous cynical exhale escaped his mouth.

"Who is this girl?"

Max continued to observe the piano peeking in the next room. His observation only stopped when the cell phone in his pocket vibrated.

"How is it, Mr. CEO? Do you still not believe that woman is unique?" Max smiled crookedly as he read the message from his private secretary.

"Tch, what's unique? In fact, I am increasingly suspicious that this woman was bribed by our business competitors," the CEO replied without thinking twice.

Then, is it true that she looks like an angel? I heard that Gabriella is so enchanting."

A direct sigh escaped Max's mouth.

"Hm? Enchanting?" he muttered as he looked back at the photo of little Gabriella with her parents.

"Not at all," the man sighed as he reached for the cup.

As soon as the warm coffee entered his mouth, the man's eyes almost jumped out. A second later, the black liquid that should have been swallowed was poured back into the container.

"Geez! Why is it so spicy?"

Without hesitation, the CEO took the other glass. Before he had time for the water to wet his throat, the sound of water gushes could be heard.

"Yuck ... How salty!"

As his hand's wiping his lips and chin with a handkerchief, the man looked around for the kitchen.

"I need water," he thought while breathing through his open mouth.

Unfortunately, all the doors he lead to were locked tight. Instantly skyrocketing resentment overturned patience.

"That girl ... how dare she make fun of me!"

As his hands clenched tightly, Max knocked on Gabriella's door.