The one and the Only (Nathan Cross) novel Chapter 1

Chapter 1 Ares Of The North

The entire city of Channing was on high alert.

A military aircraft was making its landing at the Channing International Airport.

Hundreds of soldiers from the special forces aligned themselves into neat rows at the airport. Each soldier was dressed in full battle gear.

None of them could tear their adulatory eyes away from the aircraft that had just landed. There was a sense of eager anticipation in the air.

Nathan Cross made his way down the aircraft's stairs after he had exited. His black combat boots creaked with every step he took.

“Attention!”

“Salute!”

The strident voice of the officer pierced through the air with a note of authority and discipline.

The troops raised their right hand uniformly to give their salutes while greeting him concertedly, “Welcome to Channing, Sir!”

He was their general, whose actual name was Nathan Cross, although they liked to refer him as the Ares of the North.

That was because he had never lost a battle in his distinguished military career, since the day he had joined the army as a young chap.

His track record for the past five years had been jaw-dropping when he had led the troops to several significant victories in the north.

He had repeatedly defended the borders from invading enemies. The country owed it to his tactical genius and strategic astuteness for the peace and prosperity that it was enjoying today.

With a tall and muscular physique, Nathan Cross was an attractive man. His luminous eyes sparkled like diamonds in the dazzling sunlight.

Nonetheless, he seemed a little displeased. Knitting his brows together, he muttered to Colin Dunne, captain of the National Guards, “Didn't I tell you to keep a low profile?”

“That's what I've been telling the Channing's authorities, Sir. I'd never expected that they would make such a fuss about it,” Colin Dunne replied abashedly.

“Send the troops back and inform them to lift the red alert status, reverting everything to its usual course. The same goes for you - I don't need you to follow me around. I have my own arrangements.”

“Yes, Sir!” Colin Dunne clapped his heels together and saluted.

Nathan Cross strode out of the airport alone, accompanied by a sudden myriad of strange emotions that tugged at his heart, which was a huge departure from his usual calm demeanor.

Five years ago, the grief from his mother's passing had forced him into a drunken stupor and left him sleeping on the streets.

A kind-hearted lady took pity on him and tried to give him a hand. But his desires, aroused by drunkenness, got the better of him as he forced her to have sex with him.

By the time he had woken up, the lady had left.

It had been five grueling years for Nathan as he exhausted all the possibilities to find the lady. Unfortunately, all his efforts had come to naught. It was only until recently that he finally got a hold of the information he had been looking for.

His sources had informed him that her name was Penny Smith, and that she was still unmarried.

She had given birth to a daughter, Queenie Smith, a corollary of their one-night stand.

It pained him to think about the dreadful life that the two had to face over the past few years. Penny, Queenie, I know it must have been hard for both of you.

Now that I've found you, I assure you that there will only be joy and happiness in your lives from now on, he solemnly vowed. I shall give you the wonderful lives that you both deserve.

...

In the meeting room of Diva Limited, Penny Smith was amidst a discussion with her client, Derek Harvey. Dressed in a smart suit, Penny appeared business-like, yet stunningly attractive.

However, her face was full of rage as she glared at the fat, pudgy man in front of her. “I'm sorry, Mr. Harvey, but I'm unable to oblige your request. I'm not one of those who would give myself away merely for the sake of a contract,” she rejected him indignantly.

With that being said, she stood up and turned to leave the meeting room.

Derek Harvey stretched out his flabby arms to block her from leaving. “Don't be mad, Ms. Smith.” His lips widened into a nauseous grin, like a hungry wolf baring its fangs. “All I'm asking is for you to put on your company's latest lingerie design for couples so that I can get a better sense of how they look on one's body.” Leering, he tried to persuade her, “Just a small feast for my eyes, that's all I ask!”

“Why don't you just model them for me? I'll place an order for fifty million immediately if I like what I see. That's my stance, take it or leave it.”

“And to top it off, I'll give you a big fat tip of one million as well. How does that sound to you?”

“Please stop harassing me and show me some respect, Mr. Harvey!”

“Respect for you?” Derek Harvey shrilled at the top of his voice.

“Who would respect someone like you after they've found out about your dirty past, our beloved daughter of the Smith Family? Every member of Channing's upper class would cover their mouths and giggled at this open secret. Stop pretending like you're like some pure and innocent virgin in front of me!”

A shiver ran down Penny Smith's spine. Her face immediately paled when he brought up that ugly incident - it was the ghost that would haunt her for the rest of her life, a perpetual shame that would forever plague the reputation of the Smith Family.

Just the mention of it was torture to her. She had never expected Derek Harvey to use it, trampling all over her dignity.

“I don't see the need to explain my personal life to you,” her beautiful face turned frigid, “And I've decided to call off our business cooperation with you. There's nothing left to discuss, goodbye!”

With his eyes pinned on Penny's alluring body, Derek Harvey refused to relent. He darted his eyes over to the lingerie samples on the table and threatened, “No woman can escape from me once I have my eyes on her, Ms. Smith. Don't blame me for getting rough if you insist on defying me.”

His words still resounding in her ears, Penny was instantly cornered by two bodyguards with crooked smiles on their faces.