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53 - The Quiet Aftermath
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2024-11-21 19:46:48Related chapters
A Billionaire's Bargain 1 - Mr Stranger
Araceli's Pov The shrill blare of my alarm jolted me awake, my heart hammering as I scrambled for my phone. Squinting at the screen, I saw it was 5:00 PM. Three hours. I had three hours to pull myself together and transform from this messy heap under my duvet to the polished dancer my boss expected. I lay there for a beat, trying to shake off the sleepiness, but the ticking clock was a reminder that I couldn’t afford to be late. Throwing off the sheets, I stumbled into the bathroom. As the shower sprayed to life, icy water jolted me to full awareness. I mentally ran through my to-do list, pack work clothes, get some food at the drive-thru, feed Buttons, and drop off the salads for Mrs. Mackenzie. That last one brought a faint smile. Mrs. Mackenzie, my sweet neighbor, was a bright spot in this place that always smelled faintly of mildew. Showered and dressed in brown joggers, a beige sports bra, and my cropped hoodie, I tossed my essentials into a duffel bag, heels, makeup, perfum
Last Updated : 2024-03-04A Billionaire's Bargain 2 - Infidelity
Freya's Pov The first rays of morning light filtered through the curtains, pulling me from sleep. I stretched, my movements careful not to disturb the sleeping figure beside me. Caleb’s steady breathing echoed in the quiet room, and I watched him for a second, his face peaceful and free from the worries of the day. Gently slipping out of bed, I tiptoed to the kitchen, where the coffee machine was already set up, ready to whirr to life. I leaned against the counter, watching as the dark liquid dripped slowly into the carafe, filling the kitchen with its warm, comforting scent. My fingers tapped on the countertop, nails clicking in rhythm as I ran through my thoughts. I hadn’t been home in over two days. The tiny edge of guilt gnawed at me, but I brushed it off, this time was for Caleb, for us. With two mugs in hand, I returned to the bedroom, where Caleb had just begun to stir. His eyes blinked open, and a sleepy smile played at the corners of his lips when he saw me. “Good mor
Last Updated : 2024-03-04A Billionaire's Bargain 3 - Her Again
Zayn's Pov I reached the office and dove straight into work. Meetings with the data analytics team awaited me, and I needed to go over last month’s performance. Still, as I reviewed files and interviewed candidates for an open position, my mind drifted. I couldn’t shake the image of the girl from the club. It was unlike me, getting distracted over someone I’d seen just once. A week had passed, and yet the memory of her lingered, the feel of her skin, smooth and soft under my hand, like silk. Her scent a warm blend of caramel, vanilla, amber, and a hint of cinnamon, had drawn me in like a magnet. She danced with an easy grace, each movement seamless and captivating. And for someone who hadn’t been to a club in years, I had to admit it was worth it. My day had started awfully, but by the end of that night, things felt different. **FLASHBACK** The clock read 4:00 a.m. when I woke up. I turned, reaching for Freya, wanting to pull her close, but my hand fell onto cold sheets. Her si
Last Updated : 2024-03-09A Billionaire's Bargain 4 - Job Hunting
Araceli's PovBack in my cramped apartment, I quickly prepared instant noodles as my tummy was void of food. I got comfortable on the couch trying to watch another episode of Love******, but I couldn't as my thought kept drifting to the stranger at the club from last week. I couldn't shake off his gaze. Who was he? What did he doing in a club in the slum? His presence had fueled the ease of my performance, turning my steps into a desperate plea to have his eyes on me only and when he came up on stage, I felt like he had some sort of control over me. I have encountered lots of men while dancing but there's something intriguing about this Mr stranger. He had awakened senses in me that I didn't even know existed. I almost kissed him.I returned the empty plate to the kitchen, dropping it in the sink as I was too tired to wash the dish. I quickly showered, wore an oversized, faded polo, climbed onto my bed and I was out the minute my head touched the pillow.My phone rang, jolting me awak
Last Updated : 2024-03-09A Billionaire's Bargain 5- His PA
Aracelli's Pov My feets screaming in protest as I walked around the office in heels, dancing in heels,apparently, isn't the same as working in them for hours. Starting this Monday morning was rough. While Fiona, Zayn's former PA, did a great job getting me acquainted with the basics in just two hours, her training wasn't enough to prepare me for my boss's incessant yelling. He was so grumpy, arrogant and bossy, "Guess that's why he's the boss Araceli." I joked in my head to keep me from losing my mind. I stopped at the reception desk, Zayn had asked, scratch that, my boss had ordered me to hand a few documents to Valerie. "Hey," I smiled sweetly at her, "Mr Vanderbilt asked me to hand these papers to you, said you would know what to do with them." I placed the paper on the desk, pushing it towards her, she collected them, her eyes shooting daggers at me. "Of course I would. Some of us have competence in what we do and didn't get this job by sleeping around." You have got to be k
Last Updated : 2024-03-22A Billionaire's Bargain 6- Caught
Zayn's PovI drove home in anger, not at Araceli, but at myself. Today, from the high rise windows of my office, I had seen her going out with David during lunch break, it had made my jaw tick seeing her with another man and that was absurd to me. I shouldn't be feeling this way. I thought back to my wife, it's been months since I was intimate with my her, she doesn't want me touching her anymore. The fact that I almost kissed Araceli made my inside boil in anger, I had never cheated on Freya during our years of dating and I wasn't about to start now after four years of marriage.I quickly stopped by a flower shop to buy her favourite flowers, a mixture of lily, lavender and other flowers, the arrangement looked beautiful. I also bought a card and once in the comfort of my car, I filled the card with an expression of my love for her. A smile grew on my face as I thought of her reaction to my hand-written card.I parked the car in the garage and handed my briefcase to the butler who w
Last Updated : 2024-03-24A Billionaire's Bargain 7 - Worried
Aracelli's PovI chewed nevously on my lips as I looked at my outfit in the mirror, the awkward scene between my boss and I still playing in my head, the car had been filled with sexual tension, one can cut it with a knife, and here I am, preparing to face him at work.Today, I was dressed in a black dress that was pleated from my waist down and it stopped at knee length. I paired it with a black blazer and black pump heels. I could pass for someone going to mourn a dead person.My hair was in a loose bun, I let two strands fall freely down the front, though shrinkage was eating at them, preventing me from rocking the length of my hair.I took a cab to the office, my anxiety eating away at me as I got into the elevator.As I stepped out of the elevator, I looked sideways, wanting to make sure the 'coast was clear' before I tiptoed to my office, trying to make as less noise as I could, but my heels made it almost impossible.The sound of a person clearing their throat had my head spinn
Last Updated : 2024-03-30A Billionaire's Bargain 8 - Feelings
Zayn's PovFreya's image, tangled in the arms of another man, burned behind my retinas. How long I stood here, frozen in disbelief, was lost to me. A hand clasped my shoulder, a grounding touch that ripped me from the daze. It was Louis."Hey, you alright?" he asked, concern etched on his face.The question hung in the air, 'Am I okay?' I pondered. My fingers raked through my hair, tugging at the strands as if to dislodge the image that clung to my mind. A tightness constricted my chest, squeezing the air from my lungs, the veins in my neck bulged.I wanted to break something, it had taken a lot of self control not to cause a scene in the bar, I wanted nothing more than to break the man's nose and take her back home with me."Yea, I'm good."Mark looked on, he said nothing but he eyes looked far in thoughts."I'm going to head home now." I shook both their hands, I needed to be alone."Are you sure you are good?" Mark finally found his voice. "I can drive you home."I smiled gratefull
Last Updated : 2024-04-02
Latest chapter
A Billionaire's Bargain 53 - The Quiet Aftermath
Zayn's Pov I nudged the bedroom door open with my shoulder, carefully balancing the tray in my hand. The scent of basil and tomatoes filled the air as I stepped inside, where Araceli sat propped against the headboard, her laptop on her thighs, her eyes puffy and tired. “Special delivery,” I said, setting the tray down on the nightstand. She glanced at the bowl, her lips quirking into a faint smile. “What’s this?” “Minestrone,” I said, straightening up. “Made it myself. Every chop and stir done with love.” Her eyebrows shot up, and for the first time all day, a teasing glint appeared in her eyes. “With love, huh? Are you sure it wasn’t the chef who made it? Because this looks too perfect to be yours.” I smirked, grabbing the spoon and holding it out to her. “You wound me, mi amor. After all the effort I put in preparing this master delicacy, this is the thanks I get?” She chuckled softly, the sound a little raspy from her earlier vomiting. “I will believe you when
A Billionaire's Bargain 52 - Coffee and Chaos
Araceli's Pov I tugged at the hem of Zayn's sweatshirt, peeking out the window as Rilly’s car rolled into the driveway. She wasn’t even out yet, but I could already hear her chatter through the windshield, loud, unapologetic, and very much needed after everything that had gone down these past few months. The car door slammed shut, and in seconds, my best friend was at the door. I barely managed to open it before she tackled me into a hug. “Look at you!” Rilly said, pulling back just enough to scan my face. “You are glowing. And don’t you dare tell me it’s the tears from last week’s funeral, this is man glow, Ara. Admit it.” I rolled my eyes but couldn’t fight the grin forming on my lips. Rilly always had a sense of dark humor. “It’s moisturizer. Stop making stuff up.” “Yeah, sure,” she teased, tossing her purse onto the couch as she walked in. “That moisturizer sure made you this much of a star. My best friend is hot gossip, trending on every damn media platform. ‘Wh
A Billionaire's Bargain 51- A Gift
Zayn's POV Ultra texted earlier. Cryptic as ever, he claimed he had leads on the media circus surrounding Araceli, insisting it had to be discussed in person. Typical. Instead of sending an email or making a simple phone call, he wanted me to drive halfway across the city. But Ultra wasn’t normal. Brilliant? Yes. Strange? Absolutely. And exactly the kind of person I needed in my corner right now. The café was quiet when I arrived. Dim lighting, soft jazz playing in the background, a perfect cover for a discreet meeting. Black shades shielded my face. The media was still buzzing with my name, and I wasn’t in the mood to give them more fodder. Ultra sat at a corner table, his laptop open, blue light illuminating his sharp, almost hawkish features. Surrounding him was an array of gadgets and wires that made his table look like a tech shrine. He didn’t even glance up when I approached. “Mr. Vanderbilt,” he greeted, fingers flying across the keyboard. His voice carried that usual d
A Billionaire's Bargain 50 - Family Feud
Zayn's Pov My phone buzzed, shattering the quiet tension of my office. Louis’s name flashed across the screen. "Man, have you seen the news?" His voice was tense, almost breathless. I frowned, reaching for my tablet. "No. What’s going on?" "Just… check it," he said, the urgency clear. Then he hung up. I opened the tablet, and there it was, headlines plastered across every news outlet, my face at the center of it all, larger than life. A viral circus of headlines scrolled across the screen, each one worse than the last. Billionaire Zayn Vanderbilt's Baby Mama Drama Secrets Unveiled: Divorce, Cheating, and a Mysterious Stripper Lover Tragedy Strikes: Did Zayn Vanderbilt Murder His Brother's Child? Blood Feud: The Vendetta Between Brothers Vanderbilt. I clenched my jaw, a bitter taste settled on my tongue as I took it all in. They had managed to pull Araceli into this, dragging her through the mud alongside my name. I hadn’t wanted this for her, any of it. I reac
A Billionaire's Bargain 49 - Investigation
Zayn's Pov I sat back on the couch as Araceli rested her head on my thigh, talking about the twins, she was dressed in one of my shirts, her flawless legs stretched out on the cushions, my fingers running through her hair. "They want a dog," Araceli said, smirking. "Kamila has this whole plan mapped out, food schedules, playtimes, she thinks it’ll teach them responsibility." I chuckled, shaking my head. "Last I checked, Kamrin’s terrified of the neighbor’s poodle. Are they ready for that?" "She says he’s only scared because he hasn't had a dog of his own." She laughed, leaning closer. "Kamila's convinced you will say yes if they push hard enough." "They know my weaknesses too well," I murmured, pulling her close. "But they will have to try harder than puppy eyes and promises." The quiet between us feels warm and intimate. I’m about to tell her just how much these moments mean to me when a sudden, sharp crash sounds from outside the penthouse door, followed by muffled voice
A Billionaire's Bargain 48 - In The Woods
My phone buzzed on the passenger seat as I turned down the winding road leading toward the house. It was my wife. I picked up, her soft voice slipping through the speaker, wrapping around me with that warmth only she could bring. “Did you get the milk, babe?” My lips curled in a smile, this time, I didn't foret. “Yeah, I got it, I also have you bag of chips with me." In the rearview, I could see my son, earbuds in, staring at the game on his phone without a care in the world. “I will be home soon love.” I hung up, but another message pinged almost instantly. The name that flashed on the screen wasn’t one I’d wanted to see. Freya. I think I’m miscarrying Caleb, it's...the baby. I need help please, I'm in pain. I stared at the text, my pulse kicking up, frustration and dread colliding. We hadn’t talked much since Zayn finding out about our affair, I had told her to lay low, but that was just my way of gradually cutting her off. I didn't want her having a child for me,
A Billionaire's Bargain 47 - Her Anchor
Araceli's Pov (A lengthy chapter) The soft morning sun drapes over the penthouse, dressed in a loose silk set, I moved from the sink to the stove. Today, I decided on a light breakfast, a spread of grilled zucchini, bell peppers, and crispy fried mushrooms, topped with just a sprinkle of herbs. Suddenly, familiar arms snake around my waist, pulling me back into a firm embrace. I gasp as Zayn’s fingers find my sides, tickling me, and I squirm, letting out a laugh that he silences with a gentle kiss, his lips brushing against mine in a way that leaves me warm all over. I catch sight of the maids moving around the kitchen, a wave of embarrassment hitting me as I try to pull back, searching for a bit of space. But Zayn holds me closer, sensing my urge to retreat. “Don’t,” he murmurs, voice low near my ear. “Let them look if they want.” One maid quietly sets a plate on the counter, glancing between us before quickly looking away, hiding a small smile as she turns back to h
A Billionaire's Bargain 46 - My Girl
Zayn's Pov A quiet knock sounded at my office door. Aaron stepped in, holding a flash drive between his fingers. “Sir, here’s the drive you requested, I'm sorry I couldn't get it across to you last night." He said, placing it on my desk like it might shatter if he held on too long. Aaron is one of my most hard working staffs, so I knew he had put his best foot forward in delivering this drive to me. I nodded towards a seat and he sat down, his eyes darting between the drive and my face. I leaned back, eyeing him. “Any leads?” “No, sir,” he admitted. “Whoever is involved is careful, almost too careful. There is no obvious access point or trail… but maybe it’s in there somewhere. If we look hard enough.” “Thanks, Aaron,” I said, grabbing the flash drive. I turned it in my fingers, letting it catch the light. “I will go through this today. Keep an eye on things in the meantime. And Aaron… I don’t want anyone knowing about this yet. If they are as careful as you say, they wi
A Billionaire's Bargain 45 - Unbroken Threads
Zayn's Pov I walked into the house, leaving the day’s tension at the door. Kamrin and Kamila were sprawled on the floor, tangled up in a world of crayons and construction paper, their laughter filling the room like a balm I hadn’t realized I needed. “Daddy!” Kamila dropped her crayon and ran toward me, arms open. Kamrin wasn’t far behind, grinning as wide as his sister. I scooped them up, letting their weight anchor me, grounding me in the simplicity of this moment. No billion-dollar deals, no mole hiding in the walls of my company, no betrayal siphoning ten million away, they all melted away. Araceli was lounging on the couch, casual and at ease in one of my shirts and a blue shorts. This was quickly becoming her favorite thing to lounge in and I definitely enjoyed seeing her in the oversized outfit. I have seen her in those countless times, yet every time, it looked like something fresh. Her head turned slightly, the book she had been reading temporarily forgotten, as she
