Chapter 151 - Bonus 1

Nina and Ian's story

Nina Anderson had just joined her father's business. He had assigned a mentor for her because he was too busy to personally guide her.

Nina was very well versed in her academics and her dad's business and because she belonged to an aristocratic family, she was a little arrogant. Her father spoiled her too much since she was the firstborn and she was a girl.

Nina was tall and slender, with fair skin and very fine features. Her silky black hair had burgundy highlights, which gave her a very stylish look. She had an image consultant that selected her clothes daily.

She had everything, looks, intelligence, and status. Men and women went gaga over her, but all she longed for was somebody who would appreciate her for herself and not her money or her status. Some days she wanted to be recognized as herself and not Nina Anderson, the famous daughter of the Anderson Industries or the aristocratic daughter.

When she was in college, she was walking by the Principal's office when she saw a man begging him to give him more time to pay his fees. But the principal said that if he could not pay the fees by that night, he won't be able to graduate.

Nina felt pity for the man and offered to pay for his fees. The fees were just a fraction of her allowance. It could be likened to less than a drop of water in the ocean, it wouldn't even cause any ripples.

The man refused, he had to keep his pride, but Nina insisted and not having any other options he agreed, but told her that he would repay her as soon as possible. He looked very embarrassed when Nina paid for his fees.

Nina had forgotten the incident but after a month he came back with the full amount, but as he left he fainted, she brought him to the hospital and learned that he was dehydrated, undernourished, and had dark circles around his eyes that usually meant lack of sleep. 

While waiting by his side at the hospital, she had learned that his name was Ted, and when she asked what happened, he said, "I wanted to repay the money you gave me for my school fees," he said as he lowered his eyes. He had been working too much and was not sleeping enough. Nina got angry at him and scolded him, telling him to take care of his health and not to worry about the money.

She came to visit him at the hospital until he recovered, but he still felt awkward around her because for him, she was the most popular girl in school, and in normal circumstances, he would not even dare talk to her. But she was taking care of him, and the more he talked to her, he learned that she was not shallow like all the other rich girls. 

After he recovered, he would just constantly stare at Nina with his piercing gaze whenever he saw her at the campus. And she would always blush profusely as she felt his gaze on her.

He was a very hardworking, humble, and genuine person, and that did not escape her notice. So she started admiring and liking him.

One day Ted invited her to a nearby café, and when she got there, it was decorated with red and white flowers everywhere, with mood lighting, and soothing background music.

He got down on one knee and nervously asked her to be his girlfriend, he couldn't give her a lavish proposal and apologized for it. He said that this was the best he could do for now but promised that one day he would strive to be in a position where he would treat her like a queen.

Nina had fallen in love with his simplicity, so she happily accepted his proposal. 

They started dating, and everyone in college was shocked, they never expected Nina to go out with a guy like him. 

Ted felt humiliated when everyone ridiculed him, but Nina consoled him. She said she believed in him and that one day, when he reached his goals, all these people would shut their mouths.

She started giving him extravagant gifts, initially, he was not very keen on taking them, but she never saw the price tag on the gifts she bought, she just bought them because they looked good, not paying attention to where she bought them, mostly from high-end shops that he could not afford. But she would always insist that she bought them out of love, so he had no choice but to accept them.

Ted gave her homemade and not so expensive gifts, and he was very hesitant to give it to her because he didn't want her to look down on him, but she always loved them and said that she thought he was very thoughtful, so she treasured all his gifts.

As soon as Ted graduated he got a job at a small firm while Nina as expected joined her family business. She offered to give him a recommendation so he could work in the Anderson group. He declined her offer, saying he wanted to prove his worth without her help so that when he asks for her hand in marriage, her father will not look down on him.

Nina was touched by his declaration and thought she made the correct decision to love him. 

When they started working, they could not spend as much time together as they did when they were still in college.

Nina's mentor declared that she was ready to join her first meeting. She had gone through all the materials they needed last night and made sure she was prepared because she knew that some people in the office did not think she was worthy to be in the position she was in and was only promoted because she was the owner's daughter.

She wanted to perform well and make everybody who doubted and mocked her eat their words.

Nina got to the conference room early and waited for the other company to arrive. They were meeting with the Lange Corporation to talk about collaboration on one of their projects. 

Ian Lange, the only son and Vice President of the Lange corporation was coming to hear their pitch. Talk about him was that he was a very aloof and serious person, bordering on dull, he had no hobbies aside from watching business news and management books. 

When it came to women, he had his share of women throwing themselves at him, but most of them got bored once they interacted with him.

Ian was ready for this meeting to end, so he could go back and take care of all the work waiting for him at the office, but as soon as he noticed Nina, his steps faltered, but he regained control and sat on one of the chairs.