Things Money Can't Buy

It had been an uneventful day in the office, to say the least. I had gotten there at 9:30, as usual, and had my morning coffee, as usual. It was now 12:30 and barely any calls had been placed or received. It didn't make much since to me; it was a completely normal day. The sun was hidden behind the clouds, and it was a dreary afternoon in New York City. People were bustling to get taxis 49 floors below me, and I could see the tops of umbrellas bobbing tirelessly. I saw people with conjoined hands and (though they looked like tiny little ants) children playing in the puddles.

"Nora, will you call Bolin and ask him if we're still having lunch at one o'clock?" I asked, frustrated that I was so bored that I had actually been pushed topeople watch. Bolin had better not bail on me again for his girlfriend, who I swear is dating him to get to me. I had told him this multiple times but he called me conceited and told me that the world didn't revolve around me.

The truth in the matter is some people's worlds do revolve around me. I'm the head of "Gaze Global" the multi-billion dollar company that has more power than the entirety of New York. Bolin is in fact the co-owner, though he does absolutely nothing, and if he wasn't my brother, I would have fired him a long time ago. There was a time that I had threatened his job, three years ago, when he was making a complete fool out of himself, and more importantly the company. He would go through women like a dog eats meat. It was thoroughly disgusting and embarrassing and I wouldn't have it in our father's company.

Seeing as I was the Mako Anderson, this year's "sexiest billionaire", I had a reputation to put up. I had girlfriends, my longest maybe three months until I realized I only liked her for sex, and she only liked me for money (though I doubt they didn't enjoy our intercourse). I've experienced lust, but never love. The only woman I'd ever love was my-

My hands started sweating and my vision blurred. I clenched my hands and my teeth, blinking rapidly, refusing to let go of my emotions at the office. My fingernails dug into my skin and I bit harshly on the inside of my check until, finally, the blurriness faded.

You see, no one knows what I really am. They know I'm "Sexy, with a dark past." But they have no idea what that past really is. I've done all I can to hide it; people don't need to know about the Anderson brother's past. I tore my eyes from my blank computer screen to see my brother happily bounding down the hall like a puppy who missed his owner. I smiled and stood, pulling my suit jacket around me to button it as he got closer. He pretty much slammed into me, hugging me with all his might.

"Good to see you too, Bolin." I chuckled sarcastically and he smiled up, completely unashamed, at me.

"I missed you, bro!" He exclaims, stepping away and walked with me towards the elevator to lunch. His hair was slicked back (minus the little curl in the center of his forehead) and his eyes were light and excited. I couldn't help but feel the excitement also, and I was happy that he was happy. "So, how's life?" He asked, ending the silence that filled the elevator.

"Great. Business is great. Not that you would know..." I playfully scowled at him and he smiled and shrugged. "-I'm pretty sure we'll be able to completely over-take Beaal Corp. by next month." I said, feeling completely proud and accomplished.

"Well, man, that's great and all, but what I meant was, how's your life?" He pressed as we stepped off of the elevator.

I sighed as we walked over the marble floor, and in between the same, marble pillars, "Thank you, Mitch." I said as he pulled up my car.

Once we were in the car Bolin asked again, "So? Life?"

"I don't know what you mean, Bo. Business is my life." I said, getting angry at his pushing.

"Bu-" he started.

"Bolin. Shut up." I said in a dangerous tone. This is who I was. I had anger issues, even with my own brother, and I always, always got what I wanted.

Bolin stayed quiet for the rest of the ride, knowing that I needed to cool down. We got out of the car and gave the keys the valet at our favorite restaurant, "La Caffeè Casa". As we walked in I exhaled heavily, my anger gone, and remorse back, "Listen Bo, I'm sorry."

He gave me a forgiving smile and nodded as the hostess sat us down, with a flirtatious smile to the both of us, which only Bolin returned. I kept my head down, either looking at my iPhone, scrolling through my emails, or staring blankly at my menu, because I knew what I was going to get already. As the waitress approached, I saw Bolin's eyes pretty much pop out of his head, which only made me keep mine down; I honestly didn't want to know if my brother found yet another woman hot.

"Hey guys, my name's Korra, and I'll be your sever this afternoon, can I get you two anything to drink?" She asked in a perfect southern drawl. It wasn't a Texan accent, just definitely not New York, maybe North Carolina even. Either way, it was heavenly.

Bolin smirked. "You can definitely get us something." He said with a wink. I kicked his leg under the table and he glared at me. "I'll just have a coke." He said, agitated and rubbing his calf.

"Black Coffee," I said sternly, not letting my voice let on to how badly I wanted to look up at her.

"Um. Ok." She muttered and walked away.

"That was rude. She was smiling before you went and became a jerk. Plus she's totally hot! How bout' you be the confidant man we all know you are and look her in the eyes!" Bolin chided, like a mother would a-

My breathing accelerates, the flashbacks returning.

Gun.

Screams.

Blood. So much blood...

Bolin grabbed my wrists from across the table, squeezing them so hard it almost hurt. He knew the look in my eyes, he knew what could happen if I didn't have immediate contact. "Mako. You're fine. You're ok." He promises.

I stare at his green eyes as he calms me, with her eyes. I had my father'seyes. I wanted her eyes. I nodded my head sharply and he released my wrists, giving me a small smile of reassurance, before he glared at people looking at us curiously.

People can know I have problems, and that's fine. They don't know why I have them, and I'll let them wonder. It doesn't matter if they think that it was a girlfriend that "broke my heart" or an "abusive past", because it isn't true and people can think what they want.

It wasn't long before Korra returned and handed Bolin his coke, with him winking at her. She must've held out my cup, but I refused to look at her, so she set it down in front of me, probably rolling her eyes. Or maybe she didn't notice my hostility. Maybe she was treated like this a lot. And for some reason that annoyed me, which it really shouldn't, but the thought that people could treat her badly irked me to no end. "Do you try to make people feel bad? Honestly, you should've seen her expression. Jerk." Bolin said, crossing his arms.

I just shook my head and took a sip of my coffee.

When Bolin and I had finished conversing about his girlfriend and business, we said our goodbyes and he left, knowing I couldn't let him pay the check (not that it mattered, we were both billionaires). When the little black book appeared on top of the newspaper I was now observing, I looked up to see her. Well, her back. I saw her long, chestnut brown hair swishing behind her, just above her mid-back. That was when I was determined to see her. It didn't matter anymore, if she was going to flirt and annoy me, I wouldn't care, maybe I would- could be able to flirt back. I knew exactly who she was when she exited the kitchen doors.

I knew because, the moment I saw her, one word popped into my head.

Mine.

Also because she was the most beautiful person in the restaurant; maybe even the whole world. She made eye contact with me almost immediately, and I grinned widely.

She, however, looked angry at me, almost glaring as she stalked over to me. I never once let my eyes leave hers. "Where'd the nice one go?" She asked, obviously annoyed by something. My eyes flickered across her, now, close face, from her piercing blue eyes, to her adorable little nose, to her lips… oh god.

I forced my eyes upwards, to meet her, angry, confused ones. Right, she asked a question. "Um, excuse me?" I say, almost shakily.

She rolled her eyes, making me wonder if she knew who exactly I was. "Where did your friend go, you know the nice one?" Oh, so the 'thing' she was annoyed by was me.

I almost snarl, wondering if she liked him, or if she had a boyfriend. I growled lightly at the thought. She was mine now, she'd have to forget about any boyfriends she's ever had. I sneered slightly, "My brother left, he was late for a date with his girlfriend." He was off the market now.

"Um, alright, thanks for coming to 'La Caffeè Casa'and… for making eye contact with me." She winked playfully at me, beginning to walk away with the check book. But… I stopped her. I grasped her arm lightly, trying not to be too rough even though I really wanted to grab her waist and pull her flat up against me, and she turned around. "Yeah?" She raised an eyebrow at me.

I inwardly boosted my own confidence, pumping myself up. "Have dinner with me tonight." I said.

"Is that a question?" She asked, looking as if she wanted to laugh.

"No." I deadpanned, hoping it worked.

"Well, thanks for the… demand… but I have plans." She said, once again trying to leave.

I stopped her, though, knowing my heart might shatter if she just walked away from me. "Please?" I asked, nearing desperation.

She sighed, "Listen, I'm having… a party at like 7 tonight, dinner time, I won't be able to have dinner." She said unconvincingly, a very bad liar. Good, bad-liars are great in relationships (for the other person, of course).

"Ok, tomorrow then." I said, smiling as if I didn't see through her lie.

"You're persistent, aren't you?" She asked, with the trace of a smile on her lips. She looked up at me, almost analyzing the foot between us.

"I'm known for it." I smirk slightly, wondering if she actually does recognize me.

"Yeah, you are, Mr. Anderson-"I shivered as her (from what I heard) seductive voice went straight south. "-you're also known for being some kind of 'Sex God' and I'm honestly not really into that."

I stared at her, shocked that she almost read my mind. "I'm not asking you to do anything… like that." I whispered, surprising her and myself. I had spent about 5 minutes with this girl, and I already wanted to take her right here, in front of all these people.

"Well, it doesn't matter." She said, her hair falling in front of her face, hiding it from me. No, No sweet girl, never hide your face from me. I moved it to the side gingerly, leaving my hand on her cheek.

"Why doesn't it matter?" I asked, caressing her cheek.

She stared at me, still confused, until she snapped out of it and stepped backwards, my hand falling meaninglessly to my side. "It doesn't matter, because, I have a rule, and that rule is that I don't date. Especially guys like you." She snapped and glared at me.

Oh, how I would change that silly rule of hers. I hope her party isn't too crazy, seeing as I would have to check in on it later. As she walked away I could tell she liked me, that she wanted me too. Because oh, did I want her.

And I got what I wanted.

So, there's the first chapter of "Things Money Can't Buy"! I'm so excited! I have an editor now, Lara Caspersen (thank the world). This'll be a multi POV story, but I'm going to try and control it during chapters (one, maybe two POVs a chapter). Review and tell me if I should continue on the story! I think it'll always be around a 3 day update (because we have to send copies back and forth). Don't forget to review!
Beta: Lara Caspersen
Author: maryclairewarren