Dakota Lennix

I looked at my daily journal that I put into my box sadly and I looked around my office that's completely empty now. I brought my last box out and closed the door. I felt so heavy leaving this place and I don't know how I feel either. I walked towards my boss' office and knocked on his door two times. I put down the box and walked inside.

Mr. Denver was currently busy reading some files and when he saw me entering. He gestured me to sit down on the chair in front of his desk.

"I'm disappointed, Dakota. I can't believe you suddenly just throw all your responsibilities like this." He said as he turned to me.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Denver. It's something that I can't control. I have to go back to LA as soon as possible because I don't want to risk anything." I said seriously and he started to look at me coldly.

"You know that I'm depending on you for my work all the time and I just want to say that we don't end it in a really good terms, Dakota."

"I'm really sorry, Mr. Denver. If I can stay, I will stay but I can't. It's a really emergency situation and I can't avoid it." I said and he sighed.

"When will you go back to LA?" He asked.

"Tonight, Mr. Denver. I really need to leave New York as soon as possible." I said and he nodded. He suddenly opened his drawer and he gave an envelope to me. I looked at him confused and he gestured me to open it.

"You worked for me for 5 years and I think you deserve it." He said and my eyes widen when I saw a check inside the envelope.

"Mr. Denver, I think it's too much. I already received my salary earlier." I said and he shook his head.

"You said your grandpa is sick so.. I just want to help and you earned that." He said genuinely and I smiled.

"Thankyou, Mr. Denver." I said and he nodded gesturing me to go.

"Thankyou so much once again, Mr. Denver." I said as I stood up. I walked out from his office and looked down to my box that's sitting waiting for me. I put the check into the box completely not planning to take it because I don't need to take his money when my family has a lot of it and I don't want to take that as a chance for me to just take his money.

I took out my phone and called Eric, my bodyguard slash personal assistant that my dad sent me. I asked him to bring the car to the lobby because we're leaving for LA now. When I picked up the box, suddenly Mr. Denver came out. He was surprised that I'm still here.

"Why are you still here?"

"Do you need anything?" I asked.

"Coffee." He said and I put down my box planning to go to make him coffee but Mr. Denver held my wrist preventing me to go.

"Let me do it myself, just go." He said and I turned to him. I smiled and I gave him a hug. I felt his body tense up and I quickly released the hug.

"I'm sorry, I just.. I love this job and the idea of quitting still.. I'm sorry and thankyou once again, Mr. Denver." I said nervously. I quickly took my box and ran away to the lift. I pressed the button and walked inside. I pressed the L button and closed the door real quick.

I let out a deep breath and I sighed big time. My phone rang and I took it out from my pocket. It's Cameron and I quickly answered the phone.

"Hey." I said as I held the phone with my shoulder. I picked up the box and walked out from the lift. Eric saw me and he immediately helped.

"You're coming to LA tonight?" He asked.

"Yeah, why?"

"Just asking, I never thought you will end up things in New York this quick." He said and I sighed. Eric opened the door for me and I got inside.

"Yeah but it's better to go back faster. I don't want to mess this up, I have to take over quickly." I said and I told Eric to stop by at McDonalds to buy dinner before going to the airport.

"Yeah I understand but you know that grandpa is going to arrange marriage you right? I heard that that guy will come to LA tomorrow." He said and I closed my eyes sighing big time.

"I hate this idea so much. It doesn't make any sense."

"I know but I guess you will see that guy tomorrow." He said.

"I don't have any other choice."

"Catherine, if you don't want to do this, it's okay." He said and I found myself shaking my head even though he can't see it.

"No, just do your own thing.. it's not that I don't want it. I just don't want to have that title now. It's not that I want to have fun or I want to stay in New York working under someone but.. you know why."

"Yeah, I understand. It's been 5 years-"

"I know, that's why I've decided to go home now. It's time.. but this idea of arrange marriage sucks." I said.

"Yeah.. I know but I suggest you should see the guy first. I bet he's not that bad."

"Yeah, I'll try. I'll see you later on." I said.

"Okay, see you." I ended the call and put my phone back into my bag. I looked outside the window and I took one last look at the times square.

"It's time.. You're back to Catherine Ashton now, you're no longer Dakota Lennix." I said to myself.

"Ms. Ashton, I got a call from your grandfather that you're going to Las Vegas instead of Los Angeles. He said he wants you to meet someone there before going back to LA the next day." Eric said and I sighed.

"Okay, tell him that I will go to there." I said and he talked to someone with his ear piece again.

"Great.. just great."

Catherine Ashton

I looked at myself in the mirror, I let out a little smile. At last, the real Catherine Ashton is here. I'm not Dakota Lennix anymore and the hiding is over now. I'm back with my blonde hair, my own fashion style and just be Catherine. I'm glad that I decided to come back even though I loved my work back in New York.

I looked at my watch and I quickly walked out the hotel room to go downstairs having dinner with a man named Jacob Williams that my grandpa wanted me to meet. Instead of meeting in LA, he has work in Vegas so he said he wanted to see me.

I walked into the restaurant and the waitress asked for my name. I told her my name and she led to a private room. I opened the door and yes, there's a man my age already waiting for me. He stood up and smiled at me when I entered the room. He was around 6' 1'', dark brown hair that was slicked back, blue eyes, thin beard and he's quite handsome.

"Hello, you must be Catherine Ashton. I'm Jacob Williams and I'm sorry for making you meet me here." He said as he walked to me putting his hand in front of me. I shook it and he pulled my chair and let me sit down first. I smiled awkwardly and he sat on his seat.

"So.. uhm.. Nice to meet you, I'm Catherine." I said introducing myself and he smiled.

"Do you want to order first?" He asked and I nodded. He pressed the button and a waiter came inside. I looked at the menu and decided to order a steak and Jacob ordered fish and chips. The waiter walked out and I turned to Jacob again.

"So.. I heard that you've been working in New York this entire time?" He asked.

"Yeah, I'm working under someone. How about you? I've never heard about you.. I know that sounds rude but.."

"I'm from Toronto, my company based in Toronto and it's okay. No hard feelings for not knowing it." He chuckled and I felt a little comfortable with this man.

"I guess you heard about arranged marriage huh?" He asked and I can't help but nod my head.

"Yeah." I said awkwardly.

"We can back out if we want, don't you want that?" He asked and I nodded lightly.

"It's the 21st century and the idea of arranged marriage is just weird.." I said as I took my glass of water.

"Yeah but I suppose we can get to know each other more and time can decide." He smiled and I drank my water.

"Well.. maybe." I said smiling back.

"You're taking over Ashton now?"

"Yeah, it's time to take over after 5 years trying to be independent. How about you?" I said nodding.

"Well.. me too. After enjoying my bachelor life, I think it's time to settle down."

"So you're planning to get married?" I asked raising my eyebrows.

"Maybe, if I found someone.."

"About this arranged marriage, do you want it?" I asked carefully.

"Honestly, I was doubting it because I didn't know you but now.. I want to know more about you. I mean.. I won't agree to it if you don't want it, I won't force you." He answered and that got me thinking. Should I try this or should I just back off? He seems like a really nice guy.

"I don't know. I never have really good luck in love.." I said completely I don't know how to deal with this.

"Every week I will come to LA to visit you so we can get to know each other more. Let's just let fate let us, I don't want to force it either." He said and I nodded.

"Sure.." I said and at the same time our food came. We talked more about our lives and I found out that he's the only child of the family, he went to Stanford University and he's more of a dog person. He's really nice and he's better than I thought he would be.

I was expecting an asshole but he's far for that. He was polite, well mannered and just so nice. Talking to him was not boring but not that fun, there's a flow to it but it's okay. After the lunch, we have to go to our seperate ways but he promised me that he will come to LA next week to visit me again.

After that, I walked to the lift to go up to my room and at the same time.. my grandpa called me.

"So how was it?" I can't believe he asked about it right away.

"It was okay.."

"Really?"

"He said he will come to LA next week to visit me." I said and I can hear my grandpa just laughing.

"I'm so happy for this, I don't know why." He said and I rolled my eyes.

"Yeah.. you're happy trying to play matchmaker for my love life." I hissed coldly.

"Oh come on, Cathy. He's not that bad right?"

"I hate you."

"Oh.. Joseph actually invited me this morning to Toronto in 3 days. How about you come with me there because they're having a charity event? I mean you can surprise Jacob there."

"Uhmm I don't want to." I said completely not keen to going to a charity event uninvited.

"He didn't mention about the charity event to me earlier so I don't think it's a good idea to just go."

"Catherine, his grandfather is my best friend. You don't need to feel uncomfortable."

"Besides.. you're sick and I won't let you go to Toronto." I said.

"I need to enjoy my life, Catherine. You are going with me to Toronto in 2 days, no more complaining." He said and I sighed.

"I hate you."

"Oh you'll love me." I can tell that he's smirking big time behind that phone.

Catherine Ashton

First day of work.

My grandpa got me a secretary that will be helping with all my works just like my old occupation. He introduced me to her and her name is Tiffany Brooks. She told me that I can call her Tiff.

She led me to my office and told me a lot of things about the company that I should know. She's been working with my company for 3 years and that's why my grandpa decided to assign her for me.

I looked around the company to get to know everyone who's working with me and get to know the meeting rooms and etc. I'm a little nervous though but I think I can do it. I need to continue my family's legacy and this is the only thing that I can do.

Tonight, I will be taking a flight to Toronto with my grandpa to go to the William's charity event. The charity events are for cancer patients that need help financially. They will have a brunch event and it's a garden charity event so after this I will go shopping to find a dress.

My grandpa told me that I will start officially working next week, he wanted me to get to know the office first and my role so he said he wants me to adapt to my old life first after living as a poor secretary in New York, that's what my grandfather said.

I walked towards my dad's office and knocked on his door. He told me to come in and he smiled when he saw me wearing work attire and just be here in LA. He gestured me to sit down.

"What do you want to drink?" He asked.

"Ice Americano would be nice." I said and he told his secretary, Steve, to buy us Starbucks.

"You know.. I'm happy that you're back, Catherine. It's been a long time since I've seen the original Catherine." He said as he put down his glasses and looked at me.

"Yeah, I guess me too."

"We've missed you, especially your mom. No more working in New York as a secretary, pumpkin." He said and I nodded.

"So I heard that your grandpa will take you to Toronto tonight to see the Williams again, I'm guessing you like him?" He asked in a careful tone.

"I don't know, we just met yesterday. I mean his first impression wasn't bad. It's too early to say that I like him, dad." I said.

"I'm sorry for letting your grandpa arrange this, it's out of my control."

"It's fine, I understand." I said and he smiled.

"So.. how's the office? Do you like it?" He asked excitedly.

"Yeah I love it, thanks Dad."

"What time will you leave?" He asked.

"Uhmm around 7ish, I want to stop by at the mall before that." I said and after that he started to talk about business related topics. He told me about the meeting that will be held next week and he wanted me to attend it. After that, Steve gave me my coffee and I decided to go to the mall.

Fred drove me to the mall and I told Tiff to take my luggage at my house because I don't think I have time to go back to the house to take it after shopping. I walked around the mall to find a dress for tomorrow but it's damn hard.

I walked around the mall for 3 hours and at last I found the perfect dress. I checked the time and it's the perfect time to go to the airport because my grandpa is already texting me where the hell I am now. I quickly called Fred to wait for me in the lobby.

I got into the car and he drove me to the airport. Tiff was sitting beside me asking me if I needed anything or if she wanted me to add some schedules into my agenda. She already got my luggage back at home and they dropped me at the airport.

The airline staff came to pick me up because my grandpa clearly got us a first class flight. I texted my grandpa that I'm at the airport already and he told me that he's waiting for me at the lounge.

The staff helped me check in and they led me to the lounge so I can have my dinner. I saw my grandpa and he's currently eating a mushroom soup.

"Hey grandpa." I said as I sat in front of him. The waiter gave me the menu and I looked at it.

"Where were you? Why are you late?" He asked.

"I was looking for a dress for tomorrow, I don't have a garden theme dress." I said and I turned to the waiter ordering sushi and a cheese cake.

"How's the new office? Do you like it?" He asked and I nodded.

"Yeah, I love it."

"Good."

"You know, I've been thinking.. if you're arrange me with Jacob, I should move to Toronto right? What's the pointing of me moving to-"

"Catherine, I get that you're smart but me and Joseph already talked about it. The Williams have been planning to move the company to LA for years now so.. you don't have to worry about it." He said and I looked at him disbelief.

"I can't believe that you're doing this to me." I said and he chuckled.

"Oh.. you'll thank me later, Catherine."

"I don't think so.." I said confidently.

"Wow.. why is that? I mean me and your grandma were arranged at some point." He said and I shook my head.

"I don't believe that, she told me about your love story and she said nothing about arranged marriage." I said as I raised my hand to call the waiter.

"Nah.. she lied." I can't believe my grandpa said that. He loves my grandma so much that his condition went so down after she passed away.

"What if this arrangement doesn't work?" I asked and the waiter came at the same time, "Can I have wine please?" I asked the waiter.

"It will work." He said confidently and I facepalmed myself.

"You need to calm down, Catherine. Let it go with the flow.. you worried too much." He said and I sighed nodding weakly.