CHAPTER 1
The morning sun shone on the streets of Beverly Hills as Alec drove his Bugatti Centodieci, feeling the engine's power roaring under the hood. Every curve of the road reminded him of his journey from the days when Aram Khachatryan and he were young dreamers, determined to build something out of nothing. He remembered the tough times when they started Luxe Realty Group, just two young individuals with limited resources but a bold vision. He had dropped out of college, while Aram, recently fired from his job, had just obtained his real estate broker license. Together, they faced challenges and obstacles, building their brokerage from scratch, without the help of relatives or friends.
As he parked the car in the luxurious parking lot of Luxe Realty Group, he reflected on their achievements since then. He stepped out of the vehicle with determination, ready for another day of hard work. Upon entering the building, he was warmly greeted by Kimberly, his dedicated secretary. Her eyes sparkled with admiration and respect, and he knew she was proud to be part of his team.
“Mr. Foster, welcome,” she said with a warm smile.
He returned the smile before starting to walk towards his destination.
“Any news for me this morning, Kimberly?”
Kimberly accompanied him down the hallway and replied, “Aram is waiting for you in his office, sir.”
He raised an eyebrow, curious about the reason for Aram's summons.
“Any clue as to what he wants with me today?”
“Aram didn't tell me anything, sir. He just said he was waiting for you in his office,” she answered.
His curiosity about why Aram wanted to see him that morning was insatiable. Without further ado, he headed to Aram's office, eager to find out what he had in mind.
Aram was there, as always, with his imposing and confident presence. He greeted him with a nod, and Alec sat in front of his desk, waiting for him to reveal the purpose of their meeting.
“Alec,” Aram began, his voice echoing through the room. “I have a matter to discuss with you.”
“Please, go ahead,” Alec said, leaning forward. His interest was piqued.
Aram paused for a moment before continuing.
“Do you remember Farrah, my daughter?”
“Yes, of course,” Alec replied carefully. “What about Farrah?”
“As you know, Farrah has been facing some issues lately. I have decided to take a drastic measure to help her get back on track.” Aram took a deep breath before explaining.
“Starting today, my daughter, Farrah, will be joining us at Luxe Realty Group,” he announced.
Alec was surprised by the news. Farrah was known for her extravagances and scandals, and the idea of having her as part of the team was unexpected, to say the least. But what surprised him even more was Aram's next revelation.
“She will need a mentor to guide her in this professional environment,” he continued, looking him directly in the eyes. “And I see no one better for this task than you, Alec.”
Alec was stunned. Him, a mentor to Farrah? The idea seemed absurd at first glance. He and Farrah were like water and oil — completely different in every way.
Furthermore, mentoring Farrah would mean dealing with her excesses, her disdain for rules, and her constant rebellion. It was not an easy task, and Aram knew that.
“Why me?” Alec asked, seeking to understand the reason behind the choice.
“I believe you have the experience and wisdom necessary to guide her,” Aram replied, his eyes seeking his understanding. “Besides, I trust you to keep her in check.”
A wave of shock ran through his body, mixed with a slight feeling of indignation. He did not expect Aram to suggest something so personal and complicated.
“Are you serious about this?” Alec questioned, his voice filled with disbelief. “You know our company is based on meritocracy, Aram.”
Aram, in turn, looked at Alec seriously. “I know that,” he replied, with a calmness that almost sounded like resignation.
“Then you must know that we built our team based on those principles,” Alec continued, firming his position. “I myself was an example of that, we started from scratch, without favors from friends or relatives.”
“I know, Alec,” Aram replied, maintaining his firm gaze. “But Farrah is not your relative.”
Alec sighed, feeling frustrated. “She may not be my blood relative, but you know I've known her since she was a child. She's practically like a niece to me.”
Aram nodded, acknowledging the truth in Alec's words. “I understand, but...”
“Furthermore,” Alec interrupted, pointing at Aram emphatically, “you promised that after putting Hasmik and Mariam in the company, you wouldn't resort to family members anymore.”
Aram lowered his gaze for a moment, looking contemplative.
“I know I promised that to you, Alec,” he admitted, “but you need to see the positive side. Hasmik has become an excellent head of the compliance department, and Mariam is destined to take over my position as CEO of Luxe.”
Alec pondered Aram's words for a moment, remembering the achievements of Aram's other daughters in the company. However, he knew that Farrah was different from the other two. She had a difficult temperament and
a tendency to get into trouble.
“And what about Farrah? What are your plans for her here?”
Aram maintained his firm gaze, his determination unwavering.
“Farrah will adjust,” he stated confidently.
Alec took a deep breath, resigned to Aram's decision.
“Where is she then? The new hire?” he asked, curious to meet the person who would change the course of the company and, consequently, his life.
