“You must be Nova Rose. Come in.”
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Nova smiled and gave a polite nod to the older woman at the door as she stepped into the building. The interior of the mansion was just as captivating as the exterior.
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“Please come with me,” the woman, who was dressed in a simple black gown, instructed.
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Nova followed closely behind her, taking in the beauty of the building as they walked further down the dimly lit hallway.
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The woman came to a stop at a door on the left side of the hallway. Nova, who had been distracted by the abstract paintings on the wall, almost walked into her. The woman, who seemed to be in her early 50s, gave her a little smile.
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“You can wait in here. Mr Queen will be with you shortly.” She said as she opened the door to what seemed like the living room. Nova walked in and sat down on a chair, eyes wide open.
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She looked around the place in awe. The furniture was minimalist and very comfortable, and there was another abstract painting that sat on the fireplace pedestal across her. The walls were a soft beige white.
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For a billionaire, Maxwell Queen sure was a simple man, she thought.
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She put down her work bag on the table in front of her, bringing out her little recorder and her writing pad. Being a journalist required more tools, but she didn’t like to carry heavy.
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The door opened, and a tall man of about 6 '4, dressed in a black dress shirt and dark grey pants, walked in with long, quick steps. He had a buzz cut that suited his facial features perfectly.
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Nova had only ever seen Maxwell Queen in pictures, but seeing him standing right in front of her made her realize that pictures did not do justice to this man’s beauty.
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He looked like he was straight out of a Greek mythology book. He was absolutely gorgeous.
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She instantly felt an attraction toward him and now understood why his name was constantly on the lips of women.
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“Sorry I kept you waiting; I was attending to a work call,” He said as he sat in the chair adjacent to her.
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She blinked twice in an attempt to snap out of the daze she was in. He was beyond attractive.
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“Hi, I’m Nov…” She paused to clear her throat. Her words seemed to have gotten stuck there.
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He smiled coyly as he watched her.
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Maxwell Queen was well aware of the effect he had on women. His presence alone was enough to make them weak in the knees, and Nova wasn’t an exception.
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“I’m Nova Rose from Legacy Magazine. I was sent here to cover you for our exclusive story for this edition.”
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“Yes, Ms. Rose, I know.”
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“And the coverage is for two weeks, sir,” She said nervously.
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He let out a slight chuckle. “I’m aware, Ms. Rose.”
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“We’ll start with the interview first.”
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“Okay, Ms. Rose. I’m ready when you are,” He said gently.
Nova almost squirmed from the way he looked at her. She turned her head swiftly to the table to pick up her recorder.
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She turned it on and pressed the record button before setting it back on the table.
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“On the record, this is an exclusive interview with Maxwell Queen, self-made billionaire and real estate mogul.”
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**********
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Nova’s birthday was in 2 weeks, and for some reason, she feared the thought of it. After all, she no longer had any family to celebrate with aside from her cousin.
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She had lost her parents in a fatal accident a year ago.
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“So, Ms. Rose, tell me…” Maxwell’s voice had drawn her out of her stream of thoughts.
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They were both seated in the back of his car as his driver drove them to the country house where Maxwell plays tennis.
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“Sorry, I didn’t hear you.”
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“I said, tell me what’s on your mind.”
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“Oh, it’s not serious,” She said with a shy smile.
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“I’m listening.”
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“It’s my 25th birthday in 2 weeks, and I dread it.”
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“What is so dreadful about turning 25?”
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“I don’t know,” Her voice came out softly. She really didn’t know why she feared this particular birthday, but something felt off to her.
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“Well, Ms. Rose, I believe you can’t really change the inevitable; you can only plan for it and make the best of it.”
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She nodded her head in agreement, thankful for the advice. But unknown to Nova, she was seated beside the reason her life would change forever.
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**********
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“Happy birthday, Nova Mae Rose.”
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The sound of Nova’s cousin’s voice wishing her a happy birthday made her open her eyes, even when she didn’t want to.
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Lynn blew a confetti horn in her face as she set down the cake on the bed next to her.
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“Wake up, sleepyhead. It’s your birthday.”
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Nova closed her eyes and let out a grunt as she turned her face the other way. A quick knock came from the door.
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They both stood up from the bed and went to the door, curiosity getting the best of them.
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Standing at the door was her father’s lawyer and Rodrick, Maxwell’s driver.
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Nova could understand why the lawyer was there; he had come to read her father’s will, although she didn’t expect him to be there that early. What she couldn’t understand, however, was why Rodrick was there.
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“Hello, Ms. Rose. Happy birthday,” The lawyer said with a smile.
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“I believe you know why I’m here.”
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Nova nodded at him before darting her eyes back to Rodrick.
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The lawyer noticed it and said, “This is Rodrick. He is the personal driver of Mr Maxwell Queen.”
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“Yeah, I know Rodrick. My question is, why is he here with you?” Nova said quickly, her facial expression unreadable.
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“He’s here for you.”
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“What do you mean?” She questioned suspiciously. Lynn stood behind her quietly, watching it all play out with a confused look on her face.
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“Well, if you let us in, you’ll find out.”
ns216.73.216.62da2
and then Add to home screen.