1 1. The Girl with the Pheonix Pendant

The sky was bright after the rain stopped in summer afternoon. In a little park in C grade area of the city, a young man in his high school uniform was drench, sitting alone on the bench with a dark expression. Nevertheless, he looks handsome and he has a strong aura that one could tell. His eyes were shut as his grip on his trousers were tightened. No one could tell whether he was angry, sad, or nervous.

However, it was such a rare occasion for someone like him, who definetely seems to have an extraordinary background, to be in this humble public area without any lavish cars or companions. It was easy to tell when seeing the uniform, which everyone knew, only elites could attend and afford that kind of prestigious school. Not to mention, it was said that even the education standard was far higher from the other schools in the country. Certainly, many girls, who passed by are attracted to him. They whispered to their friends, stole some glances, and a few of them even tried to approach him but failed due to his inapproachable vibes. Still, he was like the main topic of the day for girls in that area. His heavy heart made him unaware of the situation, though...

Suddenly, a sound of heavy items being dropped was heard next to him.

'Sorry, did I surprise you? With these things, i have no choice but to put them here for a while before I could carry further.' A cheerful voice of a girl switched his attention.

She wore no make up, but she was a truly beautiful teenage girl. Her smooth fair skin made her perfect face shape even more vibrant. She has long eyelashes, and a pair of unforgettable bright pheonix eyes. Wearing a junior high uniform of common public school, her long silky hair framed half of her delicate figure.

The young man did realize a beautiful girl near him, but then he ignored her, ready to drown himself in his thoughts once again. For an appealing young man like him, he didn't even need to do anything to get lots of admirers. That's why, he didn't bother to act friendly just for courtesy, especially now. He averted his gaze from her.

As the girl looked at the young man, she could tell he was having a hard time. The girl was sensible, positive, and cheerful even though like an ordinary 13 years old girl in general, she wasn't very mature. The situation began to be a little awkward, but it was soon changed as she broke the silence.

'Hey, big brother, can I ask you for a favor?'

As expected, no answer. She was asking as if she didn't know his dark expression.

'I have to send all this things to some different places. I think it will be faster if you can help me...'

Still no reply.

She casually pulled his hands and put some little boxes in his arms as she managed to bring the big thing in her other hand and some paperbags were hanging in her shoulders. She walked with him without care.

He was surprised by her action that he didn't manage to reject her. This was the first time he was forced by an unknown person and even younger than him. This girl surely had guts! How dare she do this??!

'Stupid girl! Take care of your own business!', he sounded very pissed off and halted his steps.

The girl looked at him with a happy smile. Her eyes were shining like she got what she had expected. 'C'mon! Just follow me! You need it.'

He didn't know what had gotten into him that he followed her in the end. Maybe he needs a diversion. He still had his dark expression and ignored all her questions.

While they were walking, lots of other girls were shocked. Seriously??! How could that girl approach him? They were walking together! She must be a little gold digger! Everyone gaze was on them.

The young man didn't bother about their gaze. Actually, he also couldn't believe what he did. However, the girl seemed ignorant while doing her job to send those items. She seemed not to have any problems and her face was always very cheerful.

Well, she actually didn't really pay attention to what he was wearing nor his good looks. Everyday, she was very busy doing 2 to 3 little jobs to earn some money since she was raised by a single mother from a humble family. That was enough to make her to not think about handsome boys, latest trend, famous celebrity, etc. She just happened to meet this depressed young man and tried to cheer him up without knowing how. Somehow, she couldn't leave him alone like that.

After sending all the things, the girl and the young man rested on the street bench for a while. It was already 6.30 in the evening. The young man unexpectedly felt much better. His mood bounced and he could think straight as if the heavy burden was lifted from his back. Still, like his personality, his expression was cold. The girl, on the other hand, was a little bit relieved for his mood change although he didn't response to things she asked or talked about since earlier.

'Thank you for helping me! I have another job to do so, i'll get going... ' The girl was smiling at him sincerely as she stood up. A little sparkling thing on her slender neck, peeking from her clothes, caught his eyes. It was a pheonix pendant.

As he spent a little time with her earlier, he noticed that this girl was genuine and her vibes made him comfortable. He couldn't put it in words whether her cheerfulness or her positivity was indeed contagious. His heartbeat thumped faster although his face was still stiff. What an interesting girl!

'Won't your parents looking for you?' He asked curiously after taking another glimpse at her pheonix pendant.

To wear such a unique pendant, she must be doted by her family. Perhaps, even a middle class family would be willing to spend a generous amount on a jewelry for their dearest daughter.

'My mom is a single mom. She doesn't know I've been doing some little jobs. I told her I joined study group and some extra activities at school so that she won't be worried about me if i go home late. It's hard for her. If i can help even just a little, i'll be glad.'

Her answer stunned him. Apparently, it was different from what he thought when he looked at her pendant. She didn't even think about her safety as a young beautiful girl being alone and hardworking, yet, she tried to help a stranger like him and her mother. She didn't even complain. A girl like her is very rare in his surroundings. In this cruel world, there's still a girl like her. His lips slightly curve upwards.

'As people said, problems are our friends.' She added. 'Ok, then... bye!'

He wanted to ask her name but it was too late. She has already gone. He won't forget those bright pheonix eyes and the pendant on her neck. From this moment, he determined to find her when he had become a person whom she could be proud of. He just an ambitious and a proud teenage boy at the moment. He didn't realize, a certain feelings started to grow in his heart magically nor knowing that finding someone wasn't always easy.

——-

10 years later.

The young man had grown up to be a successful conglomerate. He was the successor and the only heir of Claude Corporations, Desmond Claude. It had been 4 years since he became the CEO, he had brought the company to a higher level. More and more developments were done by his hands. Despite his young age, his abilities in work field were not to be underestimated. Apart from his looks and popularity, he was a scandal free single man. No wonder, lots of women were trying to win his favor. Yet, his inapproachable vibes and his cold personality still remained to keep them away.

No one knew, Desmond Claude had someone in his heart. He had been trying to find the girl he met 10 years ago for the past 4 years, without anyone noticing. Not even his personal assistant, who often followed him around. He rarely associated with female subordinates. His personal assistant was also a man around his age, Luke Tyson. Since last year, he also approved a new male secretary named Pheonix Lou, when his previous secretary asked for resignation. Other than that, he was usually accompanied with some male bodyguards.

Pheonix Lou was around 24 years of age. He was hardworking and dedicated as he showed a good performance in his job. He was also recruited by Desmond Claude personally. It wasn't a surprising outcome as Desmond had an excellent judgement on people as well as on business. Pheonix Lou also had a little background in martial art. Desmond thought it would be benefecial in this work field as he had to join him in many events or meetings most of the time. Sometimes, business competition could be dangerous. Pheonix's figure was not muscular nor tall for a man, though. In fact, he was a little too skinny. His face was considered as a 'pretty boy' type that at times, some of his colleagues liked to joke about it. At first, aside from his background and ability to fulfill the company's requirements, there were actually lots of candidates were better than him. The other reason Desmond chose him was because he caught a familiar aura when he looked at Pheonix's eyes. It was the same bright pheonix eyes as the girl he met 10 years ago.

Claude Corporation started as a property company, which growed bigger and bigger in decades until it turned to a gigantic company. Nowadays, it had already had many sister companies spreading all over the country, which were running in many different sectors, such as mall, hotel, hospital, and many more. As huge as it could be, what Claude Corporation didn't know was Pheonix Lou was actually a woman. She hid her gender very well for the past few years. She had reason for this. She wore wigs everyday and man suits. She took martial art class to build her strength. When she applied for her current job, not even this huge company could find anything about her true gender.

Working in a great company such as Claude Corporation as a head of secretary to director in the head office, was a previlege for Pheonix. She knew it wasn't easy to be in her position, especially. Could someone imagine to be working beside the popular CEO himself? It was a very well known company after all, whatever position someone in, to be recruited was not an easy competition. She believed she was lucky. In spite of her needs for money, she was genuinely fond on her jobs. The earnings and perks were truly satisfying even though the work loads and the working hours could be expected. Well, Pheonix was still single, so it wasn't a big deal.

Winter almost turn into spring. The air started to get warmer. Claude Corporation was busy as usual. So does Pheonix. She brought some proposals she had finished to be signed to the CEO office.

Knock! Knock!

'Come in!' The man responded in his usual cold voice. Desmond was sitting in his desk while his eyes focused on the computer screen.

'CEO Claude.' Pheonix spoke politely with her 'trained' man-like voice. 'We need you to sign these proposals after you have checked them.'

Pheonix knew her voice couldn't sound precisely like a man, but she always tried her best to do it. For the sake of her secret, talk less was better. Even when her colleagues were joking with her, she persisted to maintain this kind of voice. Fortunately, this voice of her seemed acceptable to her surroundings.

'Follow me to meet with Mr. Donn at 6.30.' Desmond commanded while checking the proposals carefully.

'Yes, CEO Claude. Should we prepare some gifts?'

'No need.'

'Understood.' She then took all the signed proposals and nodded before leaving the CEO office.