ELOISE
The next morning, I found myself standing in one of my father's companies — a place I never dreamed of working in, let alone setting foot willingly. But here I was, pride swallowed whole, thanks to my dear old dad.
The glass tower loomed high, a mirror to my father's success — one of the top ten fastest-growing conglomerates in the world. While Maverick ruled this branch as the newly crowned CEO after Dad's retirement, my younger brother Rex managed the American branch.
Henri and Anastasia? They took after Mom — white coats, stethoscopes, and all that medical nobility.
And me? I still regret studying business management instead of journalism. At least then, I'd be able to write a tell-all memoir titled "Life in the House of Madness."
When the elevator chimed, I stepped into the corridor. I'd only been here once, but I knew my way.
Some employees greeted me — I ignored them. Others stared too long until I gave them the look. They turned away instantly.
Maybe it was my outfit: denim shorts, a loose hoodie, white Nike Airs, and my blonde hair slicked into a high ponytail. Definitely not your typical "corporate attire."
Someone blocked my path just before I entered the boardroom — probably Maverick's bodyguard or one of his overzealous assistants.
"I'm here to see my brother. He doesn't need to know I'm coming."
"I'm sorry, ma'am, but you'll have to wait in his office. He's in a meeting and—"
"Jesus Christ!" I gasped. "Is that a snake I'm seeing?"
"Where?!"
The fool actually turned. I slipped right past him.
And just like that, I was standing in the middle of the boardroom — a sea of foreign men in dark Armani suits, frozen mid-presentation.
The presenter's pointer hung mid-air. All eyes turned toward me, wide and stunned.
And there he was.
Maverick.
Sitting at the head of the table, jaw tight, eyes burning through me.
"Hello, brother." I smiled sweetly, sauntering to his side as if the room weren't full of startled billionaires. I dropped my folder of credentials in front of him with a little plop.
"I'm so sorry, sir, she just—she wouldn't—" the poor guard came running in, panting like he'd chased a moving train.
"Oh, did I stress you that bad?" I mocked, flashing him a sarcastic smile. "My apologies. Anyway, I'm here now. Right, brother?"
Maverick's jaw worked like he was chewing nails. I could see every muscle twitching under that expensive suit.
"You're going to break that pen, Maverick," I said, tilting my head. He was actually going to squeeze the living daylight out of that blue ball pen. "Anyway, that's my credential file. Dad said you should sign me in."
He didn't even let me finish.
"Get. Out."
The whole room trembled.
I blinked. "Why should I?"
Maverick looked around, face tight with embarrassment.
"I'm so sorry for this interruption, gentlemen. Please give me two minutes."
Then he grabbed my arm and hauled me out.
"Ow! You're hurting me!" I protested. "Where are you dragging me to?"
He stopped in the hallway and whirled on me, fury blazing.
"Are you insane? Do you even realize what you've just done? That room is full of investors! The Prince of great Britain and Ireland is in there, for God's sake!"
I crossed my arms. "I'm going to be part of the company soon, so I don't see the problem."
"Says who?" He frowned. He's quizzical now. Highly puzzled.
"Dad." I smirked. "He wants me to work here — unfortunately, under your miserable roof."
He gave a short, humorless laugh.
"So you barge into a board meeting to announce your unemployment? Eloise, this isn't your little bedroom kingdom. This is my territory — and you'll learn to behave here. Now get lost." He turn to leave.
"Hey!" I grabbed his arm before he could leave. "Dad said I can't come home unless you hire me!"
He looked me up and down like I was gum on his shoe.
"There's no vacancy here, Eloise. Not even for a cleaner. So go to hell."
I blinked, incredulous. "Are you serious? This is Dad's company — our inheritance! I can't go back to that house being unemployed. Please, you have to help me, twin. If you don't give me this job, dad will chase me out of the house, and you know I have no where to go to."
"Maybe if you'd gotten married a long time ago, you'd have had someplace else to go."
He pulled away and walked off.
My throat tightened, but I swallowed it back.
I didn't leave. Instead, I waited in his office — Dad's old office, now redesigned in Maverick's cold, modern taste.
Fifteen minutes later, he walked in with someone behind him, laughing. The moment his eyes met mine, his laughter died.
"What the hell are you doing here? How did you even get in?"
"I know Dad's passcode." I shrugged.
"I'm changing it because of you," he muttered, sliding behind the mahogany desk. His nameplate gleamed:
"MAVERICK DANIEL AYOMIDE
CEO", Ayomide Oil & Gas Refineries.
"Hi. We meet again," a familiar voice said.
I froze. No way.
"You again?"
The British accent, the ocean-blue eyes — the same man from the hotel.
"You two know each other?" Maverick asked, curious.
"Yeah," he said with a grin that made me want to punch him. "We've only met once." He winked.
"Guess I don't have to introduce you two anymore," Maverick said dryly.
"Not really," the man chuckled. "She still hasn't told me her name."
I stared at him for half a second before looking away.
"Eloise," Maverick said. "My twin sister. The family's biggest troublemaker — which is exactly why I can't hire her."
I glared daggers at him. Maverick never misses an opportunity to embarrass me.
"Oh, I like trouble," the British idiot said.
I rolled my eyes so hard I nearly saw heaven.
"Sign the damn résumé, Maverick, and let me know where I stand," I snapped.
He leaned back, eyes locked on mine. Like he was calculating something mentally.
"Fine. I'll sign it. But not because you're my sister — only because my friend here seems to like you."
I scoffed. "And I only have one thing to say: I'm here because Dad forced me. And I promise — I'll make this place a living hell for you."
Maverick smirked.
"Told you, mate. She's the uncontrollable heiress. Nobody tells her what to do. But don't worry — I'll give it to her back, hard."
"Fuck you!" I spat, shoving past the English man who blocked my way. "And you — get out of my way!"
Before the door shut behind me, Maverick's voice chased me down the hall:
"Go get married, Eloise! Your beauty's fading fast!"
I rolled my eyes so hard I nearly tripped.
Men.