Chapter 1 A Fresh Start

• *Author’s POV*
• Gossip zipped through the air, dishing out juicy details of Leo Dudaev teetering on the edge of going broke. Despite Leo having a good reputation, being an honest man, and all that, his lack of financial brilliance became his family's downfall.
• Birch Rock, the family Bed and Breakfast passed down from many generations, would soon be looking for a new owner. When things got tough, Leo did the only thing he knew – he reached out to the tycoon Paul Ingram for help.
• If you didn't know, Paul wasn't someone you messed with; his words were like law, and his moves screamed powerhouse.
• The big question was whether Leo's gamble to save Birch Rock would pay off or leave his family drowning in chaos. The idea of handing over 40% of the B&B's shares to this big-shot tycoon, who's basically the finance king of the nation, seemed like the golden ticket.
• But, lucky for Leo, when he talked to Paul, it turned out Paul was in a pretty good mood that year.
• A stroke of luck that put a temporary band-aid on the issues looming over Birch Rock. During all this chaos, Sandra, Leo's eldest, kicked off her college adventure, totally clueless about how shaky the once-thriving family business was.
• She planned to waltz into Black Ball College, all pumped up for a two-year ride soaking in the world of fashion. And of course, her trust fund boyfriend Thodoris Cecani was right there with her, rocking that charm and wealth, the only two reliable traits of his character.
• They were eyeing horizons beyond Kisqui, getting ready to dive into the wild world of adulthood. Leo gave the green light for Sandra to date Thodoris mainly because of his ties with the Myletts, a prominent family in Kisqui. It was all about the money.
• Things seemed on track, with Leo picturing Sandra taking over the family business. But there was a hiccup – Sandra had her sights set on fashion design instead. In the current situation, should she lack interest in the business, it would be as good as the Ingrams.
• As the car rolled away from Maitland into the outskirts, Sandra silently waved goodbye to Kisqui, thinking of her parents in Erast. But before she got lost in her thoughts, Thodoris interrupted by handing her his cigarette to light.
• "Guess what, Babe? This is gonna be epic. I can sneak into your room and party all night without stressing about your folks," he grinned, cranking up the music and nodding his head along.
• Sandra, always the cool partner, grinned as she took in Thodoris's words. She decided to enjoy the moment, keeping the cigarette for herself instead of handing it back to its original owner.
• About halfway through, Thodoris playfully snatched it back from her, throwing in a wink, a highlight of their young and carefree escapade.
• The road stretched ahead, weaving through landscapes, and passing by fleeting towns. They took quick breaks for selfies, capturing the early moments of their journey. Freedom, like some irresistible magic for the young, tossed them into a wild wave of excitement, steering them away from their initial plans.
• Brixton, Thodoris's chosen pitstop to impress his girlfriend, called them with the charm of Café Lyt, totally changing up the direction. The cool and modern vibe was just what Sandra needed to make her agree to whatever Thodoris suggested.
• Rocking light blue jeans and a white crop top, proudly labelled "luscious," Sandra felt a tad underdressed. Thodoris directed her to a seat, sitting right in front of her.
• Grabbing both her hands, he whispered, “You're my favourite person in the whole wide world.” After putting in their order, he darted off to the bathroom while Sandra stayed glued to her phone, busy uploading pictures.
• A guy slid into the seat next to them, and the waiter swiftly brought his drink without him saying a word. Sandra didn't even glance his way, totally unfazed. Smiling and texting away, she caught the admiration of the stranger.
• The amazing smell of their delicious meals floated through the air, creating this magical dance with everything around them. As the mouthwatering masterpieces landed on the table, Sandra couldn't resist. She put her phone down, trading the digital world for a dive into the flavourful world of food.
• The dishes were decked out in lively colours and gave off this rich aroma that went beyond just taste. It practically begged Sandra to join in a feast that went way beyond the plate.
• Sandra snagged a couple of wedges from Thodoris's plate, snapping pics of their food in between. When Thodoris came back, he gave the table a nudge, his eyes fixed on the guy sitting next to them.
• Quick as a flash, Sandra grabbed the drinks and set them down. “Hey, everything alright? Did you zone out for a sec there?” Concern laced her voice.
• Thodoris nodded, motioning for Sandra to take a seat. Despite trying to hide it, he couldn't help but keep his eyes on the guy sitting next to them.
• "Did anything happen while I was gone?" He pushed to sound his usual self, but the croak in his voice spilt the beans.
• Playing with a stray strand of hair, Sandra casually answered with a "nope."
• Uncertain about Sandra's words, he pulled out his phone to shoot a text to Enzo. Thodoris, preoccupied with the guy next to them, found little joy in his meal, steering clear of casual conversation.
• Meanwhile, Sandra, oblivious to the tension, kept up her charming act, adding a touch of unease to Thodoris's sweat-soaked dilemma. "Come on, babe, dig in so we can split. It's getting late, and I don't want to drive in the dark," Thodoris, now sounding a tad annoyed, urged.
• A misunderstanding brewed between them, with Sandra thinking Thodoris was embarrassed to be seen with her in fancy surroundings. Tossing her fork down, she shot Thodoris a glare, declaring, “I’m done!”
• Spotting the half-full plate, he caught the lie. A frustrated sigh slipped out. "What the heck's up with me? Look, I'm sorry, alright. I got a text from Enzo, and it's just stressing me out. Enjoy your grub; I'll hang back," he fibbed.
• Tapping his fingers on the table without realizing it, he locked eyes in a silent showdown with the guy beside them. The stranger didn't waste a second when he was done with his drink, getting up and strolling away. Just as he stood behind Sandra, he shot a look right at Thodoris.