Maya's pov:

".....And the best CEO award goes to Miss Maya Jones". I stood up from my seat and walked towards the stage to receive my award. As soon as I reach near the stairs 'Boom' .

My gown got stuck in my heels and I fell on my face infront of hundreds of people.

Yesterday I forgot to close the curtains. Sunlight was peeping through the window and those beautiful clouds took over the limelight of the dashing blue sky. And I started groaning bcoz of the pain in my ass . Oh shoot !!!!!

Now I understood that 'Boom ' was me falling from the bed. I got up rubbing my ass to ease the pain. I went towards the bathroom , got ready and went towards the dining table for my breakfast. As soon I reach near the table, I heard the hush hush sounds of my parents.

".....if this meeting isn't successful we'll be on roads . I don't know how to convince Mr. Adams. He is a real cruel man who knows nothing else than money. I don't even know if he'll even listen?" Dad said.

" Relax honey! The Almighty won't let anything bad happen to us . He'll take care of everything . Now stop worrying. I'll set up the breakfast. You eat and then go for the meeting." Mom consoled Dad but she seemed like reassuring herself. I couldn't understand what the hell was happening and how we'll end up on roads.

I went near them and asked " What's happening guys ? What were you talking about Dad? Is there a problem at work? Are you okay?" Suddenly he got up pushing the chair with such force that it fell down .

"You are just a child . So stop interfering in elders' matters. This should be the first and last time you eavesdropped . You aren't old enough to question me girl . Get that straight in your pea sized brain. " And with that he went walking furiously towards his car .

I was shocked with his outburst but also it wasn't the first time he shouted . Controlling my tears, I asked Mom about it.

"Nothing you should worry about" she said and went towards the kitchen murmerring, how because of me Dad went without eating anything.

Losing my appetite, I went in my room and cried thinking of the incident where I don't know what the hell was my mistake but still, I felt guilty like everytime I feel when my parents shout at me.

I cried and cried my heart burying my face in the pillow untill, I started to feel my hands and body getting cold. I felt my head pounding like someone's hammering inside it . Suddenly, I felt my chest heaving up and down realising my difficulty to breathe. And there comes my anxiety attack.

I hurriedly opened my cupboard and took out the medicine from the drawer and swallowed the pills. I went in the washroom and without removing my clothes , I stood under the cold shower.

I was shivering with cold but this is the one thing that helps me with my attacks. I don't know the reason behind this but cold water seems to lessen my anxiety.

After certain time, I found that my breathing has normalised. Turning off the cold shower, I turned the knob towards hot water and got rid of the cold and shivering. I changed my clothes and to distract myself from the morning incident, I went to my table and resumed my project.

After sitting for long time, I completed my project . I looked at my mobile and realised that I have been sitting for nearly 8 hrs. I stretched myself only to find that my body has been paining a lot due to long hours of being in the same position. I decided to go for a walk in the nearby park to refresh myself.

I took a cold drink can from the fridge and went towards the door . My dad just parked his car in the garage and entered the house in a bad mood . Not wanting to repeat the morning incident I ignored him and went to the park.

After sitting for nearly 90 mins in the park , playing with the kids and watching the immense beauty of nature , my phone rang.

" Get home right now" came my mother's voice from the other side.

I got tensed and started thinking if I did any mistake that they came to know and are calling me for confronting. But as far as I remember I haven't done anything from the last 3 years after that incident. I hurriedly went home and walked straight towards my parents' room.

I knocked and entered only to find my father and mother both stressed so much . " What's the matter Mom? " She kept quite while my father answered shocking the hell out of me. " Start preparing. You are getting married day after tomorrow."

"flew out of my mouth in a very loud and different tone that I never used on my parents.

Author's pov:

Her hair was as waves of pure earth, softly reflecting the light of the sun; each strand moving freely in an ocean born breeze, a compliment to her stillness. With eyes of river waters, in glossy serenity, her aura seeped into the summer air between the moon and the stars. And in that moment, in that fraction of time, her smile was in every God given feature, and everyone knew that she is a real gem.But, beauty is never the definition of happiness.

Maya Jones, 23.

For Maya, happiness was never an experience. It was a point of life where walking on thorns and sacrificing herself would take her. In her life of 23 years, she still hasn't reached a point where she can tell herself that she is happy today.

Her parents, they aren't all physical abusers. Neither they are the lovely types. Blackmailing her emotionally for everything they want from her, controlling her life from choosing a career for her to "Not allowed to date" rule, they did everything a girl can never want from her parents.

Even after her graduation, she wasn't allowed to work. Even though she a very amazing offer from a tech firm, she was deprived of the freedom to take her own decision, given the reason that she is a dumb girl who can't take decisions of her own and her parents have the right to decide for her.

Expecting love in their every decision, she agreed to everything. Still, she didn't give up on her dreams. She works as a Freelance Engineer and gets a huge amount for her every project.

Razor sharp nose, fixed to a broad, sparsely emotionless face. Eyes with a grilling gaze, enough to freeze even the warmest of hearts at a glance. He stood tall, like the sarcastic monstrosity and arrogance, he utters with every word he speaks. Well, isn't it expected, if he is the youngest CEOs and Billionaires of the most consistent names in Fortune 500 list.”

Xavier Adams, 28.

Xavier Adams, people tremble with this name in the business world. No one ever got to know how this 23 year old guy entered the industry with his father's business, that could hardly have a turn over of around a few hundred thousand dollars, became the youngest billionaire and CEO of the greatest empire in not only the United States but also complete American Continents.

Losing his parents at a young age of 16, had a huge impact on him. But, his sister, who was around 12 at that time, was a push for him to get over the grief and move on. From taking care of his sister at this young age to studying hard to get into the University of his dreams, he proved that nothing is impossible if you work hard. Fulfilling his parents'dream, he studied hard, passed out with flying colours, took care of his sister like a doting parent and made a successful career for him.

But, in all the process, he lost himself. He forgot how to smile, how to laugh for his own, seeing his fake happiness no one could know his pain behind the smile, except for his sister and his best friend, Lucas. Working like a robot for 15-18 hrs a day and having no life outside work, was all he knew.

Do tell me how's the chapter guys. Eagerly waiting for your feedback.

PS- All the pictures are taken from Google. I don't own any of those.