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9 - Saturday At The Office
Last Updated:
2024-04-08 16:54:52
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A Billionaire's Bargain 10 - Catching Up
Zayn’s Pov “My man, where you at?” Caleb’s voice boomed from the other end of the phone, carrying an unusual excitement. I glanced at Araceli before responding. “I’m out. Why?” “Nothing, just that I stopped by your house, and you ain’t home. It’s been a while. I wanted to catch up with my brother.” I sighed heavily. It had been months since I last saw Caleb. He had left after our family meeting some months ago, claiming he was going on a business trip. The timing of his sudden return was odd, but I can’t deny that I have missed him, his jokes, his recklessness, his ability to make things feel lighter even when they weren’t. But right now, I was enjoying my time with Araceli, and I didn’t want to cut it short. She stood in front of me, her gaze fixed on the window as she chewed slowly on a croissant, completely lost in thought. I let my eyes linger on her for a moment before answering Caleb. “Wait for me, bro. I will be home soon.” “No problem. I will make myself comfortable.”
Last Updated : 2024-04-11A Billionaire's Bargain 11 - The Distance Between Us
Zayn's Pov I hadn't spoken to Araceli in two weeks. Not properly, at least. Not since that weekend at the office. The first week had been the hardest. For her. For me, it was just a matter of discipline sticking to my decision to keep things professional. But for Araceli? I saw it in the way she hesitated before stepping into my office, in the way her fingers curled subtly against her palm when I barely acknowledged her presence. The first few days, she had tried to keep things normal. She greeted me the way she always did, soft, warm, with a quiet confidence. And I had shut her down. Each time she walked in, I gave her nothing but clipped words and dismissive nods. No lingering glances, no unnecessary conversation. Just work. By the end of the first week, I had stripped her of every attempt to maintain our usual flow. The teasing glances? Gone. The subtle smirks when she caught me staring? Erased. It was on the seventh day that I saw the first real crack in her resolve. "M
Last Updated : 2024-04-18A Billionaire's Bargain 12 - I'm Sorry
Araceli's Pov I stood near in front of him, my arms crossed, watching him. Zayn sat in the chair like he had all the time in the world, one leg crossed over the other, his fingers tapping against the armrest. His face was unreadable, his blue eyes locked onto mine as if daring me to look away. His tousled hair and the crisp suit he still wore from work only added to the infuriating arrogance dripping off him. How dare he show his face here? When Tony had informed me that I had a client waiting for me in the private dance lounge, I should have guessed it was Zayn from the huge smile on his face and the fat cash he held. It had been two weeks since he talked to me like I am human. Two weeks since he pushed me away, made me feel like I was nothing to him. The time obviously meant nothing to him. I felt like a fool for hoping he felt something, even in the slightest. I thought we had a moment where it felt like things were changing between us. But then he shut me out. And now, he wa
Last Updated : 2024-04-28A Billionaire's Bargain 13 - Come Get Me
Araceli's Pov I sat on the edge of my bed, staring at my phone screen as the payment confirmation from Dr. Michael was displayed on the screen. Half of my mother’s hospital bill was finally settled, thanks to the installmental payment program Doctor Micheal set up for me. It was not everything, but it was something. I let out a slow breath and typed a message, 'Thank you for your patience, Dr. Michael. I'm so grateful for all you do. His reply came almost instantly. Dr. Michael: 'You are doing your best, Araceli. Your mother would be proud of you. Take care of yourself.' I blinked away the sting behind my eyes. Proud? I did not know about that, but I am trying. Just as I placed my phone on the nightstand, a message from David popped up. 'Looking forward to tonight. I will pick you up at seven.' I stared at the screen, my stomach twisting. I had already agreed and I can't back down now. "It's just dinner Araceli, you will be fine." But deep down, something felt off.
Last Updated : 2024-04-30A Billionaire's Bargain 14 - Club Rendezvous
Araceli's Pov Clothes lay strewn on the bed and floor, a battlefield of discarded jeans, t-shirts, sweatpants, hoodies and dresses. I stood in the center of it all, arms crossed defensively as I stared at the shimmering silver dress Rilly held up triumphantly."Come on, Araceli," Rilly pleaded, her voice dripping with mock despair. "This night needs a little sparkle! Can you imagine Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome's friend swooning over you in that oversized sweatshirt again?"I rolled my eyes, a small smile tugging at the corners of my lips. "First of all, stop calling him that. Second, I highly doubt that his friend will be paying any mind to me tonight, regardless of what I wear." I tugged my oversized sweatshirt down my thighs, "It's not like I want his friend to notice me anyway."I picked up a gown from the floor, it was my first choice of clothing for the night, but apparently, Rilly had complained about the dress having too much of a length to it."Maybe not impressed," Rilly co
Last Updated : 2024-05-02A Billionaire's Bargain 15 - Office Saga
Araceli's PovThe cool night air hit my skin like a punch as we exited the club, the bouncers held the lady firmly, her loud voice still raining curse words on Louis who said nothing, his sole focus on Rilly. The atmosphere was a bit tense and we were all quiet.Zayn walked besides me and Louis walked with Rilly, a reasonable space between them. I looked at my bestfriend, her silence spoke volumes, her face, a mask of confusion and simmering anger. I let out a breath, but said nothing to her as I knew she wouldn't appreciate me hovering around her at this moment. She obviously felt ridiculed.Zayn rubbed his thumb against the back of my palm, I dipped my head in acknowledgement of his silent support.We got to the car park and a gasp escaped Rilly's lips, the woman, had left her mark not just on Louis, but on his expensive car. A long scratch ran across the body of the black Maybach S-Class, marring it's beauty."Man, this lady is crazy." Zayn spoke, his voice low."Good thing she di
Last Updated : 2024-05-03A Billionaire's Bargain 16 - Take Off
Araceli's Pov I stood by the window and watched as a sleek black car pulled up in front of my apartment building, its gleaming surface reflecting the rising sun. I was no longer the nervous wreck I had been last night, my nervousness has been replaced by a flicker of curiosity. My phone buzzed and as expected, It was Zayn. "My driver is parked at the front of your apartment Araceli." "Okay Sir, I will be down in a minute. I grabbed my pink coloured single suitcase and double-checked my purse, a tremor of excitement coursing through my veins. Stepping out of the building, I walked towards the car, heads snapped in my direction, eyes widening in surprise, as I neared the car, even the children couldn't help but gape at the high-end luxury brand. The driver, a young man in a crisp black suit who looked to be in his mid thirties, stood by the door and held it open as I approached. "Miss Araceli?" He asked to confirm, his smile bright and warming. "Yes Sir." I confirmed, a h
Last Updated : 2024-05-14A Billionaire's Bargain 17 - A Night In Miami
Araceli's Pov I sat on an outdoor chair at the balcony of my room, sipping a cup of coffee and watching the beautiful sunrise. I placed the cup down and picked up my phone, the screen lit up as I placed Rilly's number on dial. It rang for a few minutes but she didn't pick her call. 'Hey girl, what is going on?, I need to hear from you b*tch, you better be okay else I will slap you hard across your face and shove a butter knife down Louis' throat.' P.S I left the keys under the fake flower pots for you. Call me. I hit send and watched as the message ticked twice. Rilly hasn't been answering my calls and it's driving me nuts. It was currently almost 7am and I need to be ready by 8am. I walked back to my room, my gaze lingering on the three piece suit I had laid out on the bed, now all I needed to do was shower and get ready. Walking into the bathroom, I first made sure to wash the after taste of coffee from my mouth, before discarding the satin robe I had wore on the bed.
Last Updated : 2024-08-14
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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
