Alexander Milton lived a life of routine—a lavish routine, but a routine nonetheless. The billionaire CEO of Milton Enterprises woke every day at 5 AM, his mornings starting with a cold plunge followed by a meticulously prepared breakfast. After a brief workout in his private gym, he reviewed his schedule for the day. Today was no different. Meetings, power moves, and the inevitable charm offensive required to keep the world at his feet.
But even with all the luxuries life afforded him, Alexander was restless. He was 30 years old, successful beyond imagination, yet there was a gnawing emptiness beneath the surface of his carefully curated life. Women came and went; he had no problem attracting them. He was the quintessential playboy, after all. A fuck boy, some would say. But none of them stayed long enough to matter. They were distractions, like everything else.
As he stood in front of the mirror in his penthouse bathroom, buttoning his custom suit, he smirked at his reflection. Another day, another conquest, whether in business or pleasure.
By 7:30 AM, he was in the backseat of his black Bentley, heading to his skyscraper office in Midtown Manhattan. His assistant, Emma, updated him on the day's schedule as they weaved through the bustling streets of New York City.
“Your meeting with the board is set for ten, and then lunch with Mr. Lawrence from the real estate firm.”
Alexander barely nodded, his mind already drifting. He stared out the window at the rush of city life, his fingers lightly drumming on his knee. Life was predictable, controlled. He was the master of his universe, and nothing could shake that.
---
Mia Carson woke to the sound of her mother’s labored breathing. The sound had become familiar over the last year, yet it still sent a shiver down her spine. Her mother had been sick for months, in and out of hospitals, the medical bills piling up faster than Mia could keep track. At 23, Mia was working two jobs to make ends meet, delivering food during the day and bartending at night. It was exhausting, but she didn’t have a choice. Her mom depended on her.
She rolled out of bed in their small, cramped apartment on the lower east side. The paint was peeling, and the heat barely worked, but it was home. Mia made her mom a small breakfast—toast and tea—before heading out to her first shift.
She dressed quickly, pulling on her worn blue jacket with the logo of the food delivery service on the back. Her reflection in the mirror showed tired eyes and a messy bun hastily tied up, but she didn’t have time to fix it. She kissed her mom on the forehead, promised to be home by evening, and headed out the door.
Her bike was parked outside, and as she rode through the bustling city streets, weaving through traffic, Mia couldn’t help but wonder how different her life could be. If only there was more money, more time, more… everything. But daydreams didn’t pay bills, so she kept her head down and focused on the road ahead.
---
Later that day…
By noon, Alexander Milton was in the thick of his workday. The board meeting had gone as expected: a series of nods and agreements as he laid out plans for expansion. The usual flattery from investors and department heads didn’t faze him. Everything was under control, and everyone was eager to please him.
As the meeting wrapped up, he left the conference room, intent on heading to his private office for a few minutes of quiet before lunch. But first, he needed to stop by another floor to finalize a contract. He stepped into the gleaming chrome elevator, alone, his mind already moving to his next deal.
---
For Mia, the afternoon had been one delivery after another. The city was alive with the usual lunchtime rush, and she barely had time to catch her breath between orders. Her legs ached from biking, her hands cold from the wind, but she kept going.
Her next delivery was to one of the many skyscrapers in Midtown—another faceless office building, another set of polished floors and indifferent glances. She stepped inside, clutching the bag of food, and waited by the elevators. She checked her phone, double-checking the floor number. The CEO suite, of course. Another rich guy too busy to get his own lunch.
When the elevator doors slid open, Mia stepped inside, only to realize she wasn’t alone. A man stood at the far end, tall, impeccably dressed in a designer suit that probably cost more than her entire year’s rent. His presence was commanding, magnetic even, though she didn’t look directly at him. She had no time to care about CEOs or their billion-dollar egos.
Alexander glanced at her from the corner of his eye, catching a glimpse of her profile as she busied herself checking her phone. She looked out of place in her delivery jacket, her hair in a messy bun, her expression focused but tired. Most people in his orbit came to him with polished looks and perfect smiles. This girl, though… she wasn’t trying to impress anyone.
Something about that intrigued him.
The elevator hummed quietly as it ascended, the silence between them thick with the weight of unspoken words. Alexander wasn’t one for small talk, but for some reason, he found himself curious. He tilted his head slightly, his voice low and smooth as he broke the silence.
“Rough day?”
Mia glanced up, startled. She hadn’t expected him to speak. Her eyes flicked to his face briefly, taking in the sharp jawline, the intense gaze, the slight smirk playing on his lips. He looked every bit the billionaire playboy she’d heard about, and she instantly regretted stepping into this elevator.
“Something like that,” she replied, keeping her tone neutral. She turned her attention back to her phone, hoping to end the conversation there.
But Alexander wasn’t finished. “You don’t look like you belong in a place like this.”
Mia’s eyes narrowed slightly, though she kept her focus on the elevator doors. “And what does someone who belongs here look like?”
He chuckled softly. “Usually, they’re not dressed like that.”
Mia’s jaw tightened. She wasn’t in the mood for his games. “Just doing my job. Same as you.”
Alexander’s smirk grew. There was something refreshing about her directness, the way she didn’t shrink under his gaze like most people did. He found himself wanting to push a little further.
“What’s your name?”
Mia turned to him, her eyes flashing with irritation. “Why do you care?”
For a moment, their eyes locked, and the tension between them seemed to shift, becoming something more electric. Neither of them spoke, but the air in the small elevator felt charged, as if something unspoken passed between them.
Before either of them could say anything more, the elevator dinged, signaling their arrival. The doors slid open, and Mia quickly stepped out, her pulse racing, though she tried to act unaffected.
“See you around,” Alexander called after her, his voice dripping with amusement.
Mia didn’t turn around, but her mind was buzzing. She didn’t know who that man was, but something about him had unsettled her. She shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts. She had a delivery to make and no time to get distracted by arrogant billionaires.
---
As Alexander stepped out of the elevator and made his way toward his office, he couldn’t help but think about the delivery girl. There was something about her—a fire in her eyes, a resistance to his usual charm—that left him wanting more.
This wasn’t over
