Secret Tycoon
I’ve spent weeks pounding the pavement, desperate to land a deal that could finally take the weight off my shoulders.
My parents need me to send money home, and real estate in NYC is my ticket. I was so close to making it happen. T
hen I met Finn Morgan. He’s the kind of man you can’t look away from—billionaire, effortlessly sexy, and the last distraction I needed.
Now, instead of skyscrapers, I’m falling for him, pulled into his glittering world in Miami. His family, their lavish lifestyle—it’s more than I ever bargained for.
I came here to make deals, not lose myself in love. But now I’m torn.
Do I risk everything for him?
Or walk away before I lose myself completely?
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Lily Chen
My fingers clenched the worn leather steering wheel of my 1992 Honda Civic, its dashboard littered with loose change and empty coffee cups. I prayed for it to start, but the engine only sputtered and groaned in protest, mirroring my own exhaustion as a struggling real estate agent in the concrete jungle of New York City.
“Come on, come on,” I muttered under my breath, turning the key again. The car reluctantly roared to life, held together by a patchwork of duct tape and sheer determination rather than any actual mechanical skill.
I breathed a sigh of relief as I merged onto the bustling street, the towering skyscrapers of Manhattan fading into the background. I couldn’t be late for today’s client meeting – it could make or break my fledgling career. As I navigated through the chaotic morning traffic, darting between taxis and delivery trucks, my mind raced with worries about unpaid bills and looming deadlines.
But then, an ominous clunk echoed from under the hood. Smoke began billowing out of the engine as the car jerked to a stop, the acrid stench mixing with the ever-present aroma of street food and exhaust. Panic rose in my chest as I frantically tried to restart it, but it was no use. I was stuck on the side of the road, already late for my appointment and at the mercy of this indifferent city that continued to rush past me without a second glance.
My hands trembled as I fumbled for my phone, the weight of its cracked screen a constant reminder of my financial struggles. With each tap on the screen, fear and desperation rose in my chest. I couldn’t afford this uber, but I had no other way to make it to the meeting on time.
As I ordered the ride share on the app, I could hear my mother’s voice in my head, reminding me of the mounting medical bills and my own empty bank account. “Please,” I whispered into the receiver, “I need this job.”
Finally, a white Toyota pulled up, and I practically threw myself inside. The driver raised an eyebrow at my disheveled appearance, but didn’t say anything as I rattled off the address of the building where my potential client waited to ensure I hadn’t mistyped.
“Please hurry,” I begged as the driver merged into traffic. My eyes automatically flicked to the running tab changed on the app because of traffic. Each dollar felt like a stab to my already empty wallet.
I closed my eyes and took deep breaths, trying to calm my racing heart. This meeting had to go well. It was all or nothing for me. The fate of my career and financial stability rested on this one client.
As the driver weaved through the city streets, I attempted to make myself presentable. My fingers smoothed out my wrinkled blazer, a hand-me-down from a friend who worked in finance. My dark hair was still tangled from lack of sleep and stress, but I attempted to tame it into something resembling professionalism.
Finally, we arrived at my office building – a gleaming skyscraper that represented everything I wanted in life. But as I saw the suggested tip and my stomach dropped. It was more than I could really afford, but I had no choice. With shaking hands, I handed clicked accept and stepped out onto the sidewalk, leaving me with barely enough money for lunch. This meeting had to be worth it – I had no other option.
My worn out black flats squeaked against the polished floor as I barged into the lobby, my hair in disarray and my panting breaths echoing off the marble walls. Emma glanced up from her desk, her perfectly manicured eyebrows raised in surprise and a hint of judgment.
“Sorry for being late,” I gasped, trying to regain my composure. “Is the client still-“
“Lily Chen?” A deep voice cut through my rambling apologies.
I turned towards the source of the voice, and my jaw dropped. Standing before me was a man that could have been carved from granite – tall, broad-shouldered, and impeccably attired in a sleek suit that emphasized his powerful build. His piercing blue eyes bore into mine with a mix of curiosity and impatience, causing my heart to flutter uncontrollably in my chest. Heat crept up my neck as I realized he was Finn Morgan, the potential client I had been waiting for all morning.
“I’m Finn Morgan,” he said smoothly, reaching out to shake my hand. “I believe you’re supposed to show me some properties today.”
His touch sent a jolt of electricity through me, leaving me momentarily stunned. As we shook hands, I prayed that he wouldn’t notice how clammy and unprofessional my palm was. My traitorous body seemed to be reacting to this man’s presence in ways that were completely inappropriate for a business meeting.
“Mr. Morgan, I apologize for keeping you waiting,” I stammered, feeling self-conscious about my rumpled appearance and the lingering smell of burning oil from my car that clung to my clothes.
Finn’s expression remained stoic, but there was a glint of interest in his piercing gaze that made me flush even more. “Time is money, Ms. Chen. And I have precious little to waste.”
“Mr. Morgan, I apologize for keeping you waiting,” I said quickly, trying to compose myself and ignore the fluttering in my stomach. “Time is money indeed.”
Finn’s expression remained stoic, but I couldn’t help but notice a hint of interest in his eyes. “Let’s not waste any more of it then,” he replied coolly.
As we walked towards the elevator, I mentally scolded myself for being so flustered by this man. This was business, not romance. But as we stepped into the elevator together, I couldn’t deny the undeniable chemistry between us. And I couldn’t help wondering if this meeting would lead to something more than just a business transaction.
I gathered the listings, my palms sweating as I tried to calm myself. What was wrong with me? I’d met plenty of attractive clients before, but none had affected me like Finn Morgan did. I shook my head and focused on the task at hand, ignoring the way his tailored suit emphasized his muscular frame or how his chiseled jawline made my heart skip a beat. This meeting was too important for distractions.
I smoothed down my hair and took a deep breath before returning to the lobby where Finn was waiting, eyes glued to his phone. For a brief moment, I allowed myself to admire his profile – the sharp angle of his nose, the fullness of his lips… No, Chen, focus! I scolded myself mentally.
“I have the listings right here, Mr. Morgan,” I said with utmost professionalism, hiding any hint of inner turmoil behind a wide smile. “Unfortunately, my car is unavailable at the moment. Would you mind if we took yours?”
Finn’s perfectly groomed eyebrows lifted as he nodded. “Very well.” He glanced at his designer watch. “I hope you’re more prepared for this showing than you were for our meeting time.”
My cheeks flushed with embarrassment, but I forced a tight-lipped smile. “I assure you, Mr. Morgan, I’ve thoroughly researched all the properties on our list. I’m confident we’ll find something that meets your needs.”
As we walked to the parking lot, my mind raced. Finn Morgan – a billionaire with a famous family name and a reputation for being shrewd in his real estate investments. Landing him as a client could be the turning point in my struggling career. But first, I had to overcome this disastrous first impression and the unexpected, unwelcome attraction I felt towards him.
Finn’s car was a sleek, black Aston Martin that probably cost more than my apartment rent for the year. The rich leather interior oozed luxury and wealth, making me feel like an imposter as I slid into the passenger seat. The scent of his expensive cologne mixed with something uniquely masculine enveloped me and I couldn’t help but inhale deeply. My fingers gripped the folder in my lap tightly, almost using it as a shield between us.
“The first property is about 15 minutes from here,” I said, willing my voice to sound steady and professional. “It’s a newly renovated office building in the heart of the financial district.”
Finn nodded, his strong hands deftly maneuvering the car through the crowded streets of New York. I couldn’t help but steal glances at his profile, admiring the sharp lines of his jaw and the way his dark hair fell across his forehead.
“Ms. Chen,” he said, breaking my reverie. “How long have you been in real estate?”
I hesitated, knowing that my limited experience could be a disadvantage. “A little under a year now,” I confessed, feeling a twinge of insecurity.
“I see,” Finn replied neutrally. “And what led you to this career?”
As we drove, I found myself opening up about my love for architecture and my desire to help people find their dream homes or investment properties. His voice was deep and soothing, sending shivers down my spine. I had to will myself to focus on the conversation instead of getting lost in thoughts about him.
To my surprise, Finn seemed genuinely interested, asking thoughtful questions about my perspective on the local market. With each passing minute, my confidence grew.
His handsome profile was a constant distraction as we reached the first property. I shook off any thoughts of attraction and focused on showcasing the features and potential of this building that I had studied inside and out.
As we arrived at our first property, I felt a glimmer of hope that maybe I could salvage this situation.
As Finn and I toured the building, I eagerly pointed out its unique features and discussed the potential for each room. My excitement was palpable as I spoke with passion about the possibilities of this property.
Despite my looming financial worries, for a brief moment, all I could focus on was impressing Finn and convincing him to consider purchasing the building. However, my newfound confidence was constantly challenged by his presence. Each time he stood close to me to examine a detail or our arms brushed accidentally as we walked side by side, it sent a rush through my body.
I could feel Finn’s gaze on me, and it both exhilarated and frightened me. “The top floor would make for a stunning penthouse office,” I gushed as we stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows that revealed a breathtaking view of the city below. “Picture wowing clients with this view.”
For the first time, a hint of interest sparked in Finn’s eyes. He stepped closer to me, his arm brushing against mine, and I couldn’t help but hold my breath. “You’ve done your homework, Ms. Chen,” he remarked, his voice low and smooth. “I’m curious to see what else you have in store for me.”
Exiting the building, I clenched my jaw in determination and frustration. Despite a disastrous start to the day, I had four more properties to show Finn – each strategically selected based on his preferences from his profile. As we drove to the next location, I allowed myself a small moment of hope. My bank account was dangerously low, but I was still fighting for my dreams with every fiber of my being. With Finn Morgan sitting beside me in his car, those dreams felt within reach – even if his close proximity was making it difficult to concentrate.
But as we pulled up to the second property, my stomach rumbled loudly, reminding me that I hadn’t eaten since yesterday. I prayed Finn hadn’t heard, but his curious glance told me otherwise.
“Should we take a break for lunch after this showing, Ms. Chen?” Finn’s tone was unreadable, causing a flutter in my chest.
Finn’s deep voice cut through the silence of the empty apartment building. My stomach grumbled again as I nodded, trying to hide my hunger and nerves. I couldn’t afford a fancy lunch like he could, but this was my chance to impress him and potentially change my life.
We stepped into the building and I pushed aside my worries, focusing on the properties we were about to view. Finn’s presence beside me made it hard to concentrate – his cologne lingered in the air and sent a shiver down my spine every time he stood too close. But I had to stay focused if I wanted to succeed.
As we climbed the stairs, Finn’s hand brushed against my lower back, sending a jolt of electricity through me. I reminded myself to stay professional and not get distracted by his charming smile or the way he looked at me with those piercing blue eyes. This was about my career and survival in the city, not any romantic fantasies. Despite everything, a small part of me couldn’t help but feel excited for what the day might bring.