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Chapter 28 : The Long Way Around
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
Billionaire Daddy's Little Artist Chapter 29 : Mothers and Daughters
*Lily*When I entered my apartment, I saw that Grace had sent over a batch of new art supplies and a manilla envelope with my typed name on the front. I ripped it open immediately, worrying it might be from Victoria, but it was a contract for my services with LiVo Technologies that included a monthly stipend for living expenses, supplies, and $5,000 in addition to my paid rent.I only had to produce a total of four paintings per quarter, an unbelievably low quota for what I was used to creating. There was a quick note from Grace asking me to sign and return the document if I found the terms acceptable. The terms were amazingly generous. I’d be a fool not to sign.My trip to the MET with William inspired me to paint my subsequent work using oil paints. Like a child with a new present, I opened numerous canvases that varied in sizes and textures.William also got me thinking about how I missed attending classes. It was probably too late for summer school, but I would have to look
Billionaire Daddy's Little Artist Chapter 30 : Lies and Deceit
*William*Eva popped into my office an hour into my workday, asking if I had a second. Despite our confrontation before, when I’d told her to stay out of my love life, I enjoyed seeing her in the office. It had been a long-standing hope of mine for Eva to work alongside me. It must have been some primal desire for me to ensure my legacy. I fought the idea that one day when I retired, I’d have to sell the company. Sure, I knew my family and their future generations would be taken care of, but to pass it down to my heirs in a way that my father, and his father before him, had—“Sure, come in, come in. You know you don’t have to knock.”“I just wanted to run a few ideas by you,” she said. “I think we should get moving on your social media campaign. As soon as this deal with White Out happens, we need to blast it from the rooftops.”“Okay. I thought we should keep the name too,” I said. “Definitely, everyone knows and loves it—William Shaw to run White Out.” She moved her han
Billionaire Daddy's Little Artist Chapter 31 : Did He Believe Her Lies?
*Lily*The call with Victoria stirred up emotions about my own mother I hadn’t felt in years. I ended the telephone call with her abruptly. Her tone remained kind and questioning when I thanked her for the offer, but I wanted to concentrate on my creations—which was true. There was no mention of William, our relationship, or our arrangement.The contract I signed and returned to Grace gave me the security I needed to keep working, confident in my abilities. Once again, I decided to throw myself into my work to take my mind off my personal life.Patrick and Adam lived in the DUMBO section of Brooklyn. DUMBO stood for Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass. It was known for its delectable eateries, gourmet pizza, and high-end boutique stores. When I’d first arrived in the city, I’d taken a walking tour of the celebrated bridge, where I learned about the extraordinary structure and how it contributed to the city’s expansion. Walking across the Manhattan Bridge provided some of
Billionaire Daddy's Little Artist Chapter 32 : Trading Coffee and Insults
*Lily*The late morning sunlight slanted through the coffee shop windows and bounced onto the oak floor. I sat at a table beside a red brick wall and bookshelf with more knick-knacks on it than actual books. I ordered two vanilla lattes with skim oat milk, Eva’s favorite. I knew she would keep me waiting; she kept me waiting when we were friends. Now that I was her proposed enemy, dating her father, the wait could be up to thirty minutes. Rude as she could be, it was important to me to attempt a reconciliation, no matter what kind of a long shot it might be.Just as I was about to leave, around 10:35, Eva strolled past the window, wearing her stiletto heels, long blonde hair extensions, and a slim-fitting gray suit with a black turtleneck underneath. She looked ever the young business executive.I pushed my judgemental thoughts away and tried to smile when she sat across from me. I moved the coffee in her direction. She sniffed, then took a drink. “It’s cold.”“Well, it was
Billionaire Daddy's Little Artist Chapter 33 : Eyes Wide Open
*William*Wooing the twenty-eight-year-old tech prodigy Zac Rudrick was no easy task. He liked to drink heavily and go clubbing, something I had outgrown years ago, especially since clubs today played techno beats, that made me want to bang my head against the bar. The night before, Zac, Steven, and our west coast man Sean Fahey stayed out until four in the morning, hopping from bar to strip club and nightclub and then back to my hotel bar.I had planned to make Fahey the new CEO. Zak, however, showed an interest in staying on, mainly when I expounded Eva’s new app. Zak wanted to meet with her and combine the social and dating element with gaming. I explained that the app was Eva’s baby and that he should come to New York and discuss it with her.I didn’t know if I liked the idea of Eva getting cozy with Zak. I had seen his eccentric side at the strip clubs and worried he might make a play for her. I knew Eva was no innocent, but I had a different sort of man in mind for her, and
Billionaire Daddy's Little Artist Chapter 34 : A Lack of Conviction
*Lily*I went to bed yesterday with a fever and chills. My throat ached, and my eyes and head hurt. I felt much better this morning physically after sleeping over ten hours but emotionally was a different story. My coffee date with Eva and conversations with my mom and William depleted me. Not to mention the TV piece that depicted me as some loose party girl.When I started to make coffee, my cell phone rang again. It had been running off the hook. On the counter was the new unopened phone William had couriered over. I hated to admit I might be forced to use it if the harassment didn’t stop.It was my mom. “Hi, Mom.” I didn’t have it in me to listen to any more of her chastising, but I wanted to hear her voice. “Lily, I got my painting from you and absolutely love it,” she said. “You know I love carousels, and this is so beautiful!”My heart expanded for a moment as a slow smile swept my face. “Thanks, Mom. I’m so glad you like it. Happy birthday!”“I miss you so much, dar
Billionaire Daddy's Little Artist Chapter 35 : Scandal, Sorrow, and Shame
*Lily*I wrapped my long sweater tightly around my body, afraid of who I’d see on the other side. I hadn’t seen any reporters lurking around outside the condo. They still didn’t have my address as far as I knew. I was surprised that Eva hadn’t leaked that too.During my earlier outings, I did have a few double takes from onlookers, but this was Manhattan, and New Yorkers had better things to do than gawk at someone who may or may not be from a quick entertainment news clip. Back home, however, would have been a different story. To hear it from my mother, we were as famous as the Kardashians.I looked into the peephole and it was William. I opened the door and ran into his arms.He draped his arms around me and kissed the top of my head. “I’m here. I couldn’t stay away.”We walked to the couch, and he held me. “Can I get you anything?” I asked.“No, no. I’m fine,” he said. “Let’s sit.”We sat on the sofa together. “So, do you know who’s behind the pictures?” I asked. Wi
Billionaire Daddy's Little Artist Chapter 36 : When It All Goes Up in Flames
*Lily*I slept late and awoke to kisses from George, Adam and Patrick’s sheepdog mutt. They asked me to walk him if I could, so I slipped on my tennis shoes. When I got his leash, he wagged his tail like windshield wipers in full force.Somehow I felt safe in the small Brooklyn enclave. I passed the small neighborhood grocery onto the park where I had painted the carousel just a few days earlier. Oh, how my life had changed since that day. I avoided William’s calls and his texts asking me to please call him. I just wasn’t ready to reopen the wound.The boys understood. After I’d told them that I wasn’t sure I’d be staying with William, they urged me to take some time to think about it before doing anything rash. I needed time to explore our relationship and think about whether I could even handle it. I knew that Eva and Victoria would always be in our lives, and that fact alone was pushing me away from him. For the first time, I’d had serious doubts about whether we had a futu
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Billionaire Daddy's Little Artist Chapter 80 : Wedding Day Bliss
*Lily*With the wedding day already here, I felt jittery as I prepared to walk down the aisle toward my beloved, William. It had been a busy morning filled with preparations for hair and makeup and I was more than ready to get the show on the road. I could feel the excitement in the air surrounded by our friends and family. My excitement was apparent too, with adrenaline pumping throughout my entire being.My heart had been pumping fast as I stepped into the foyer, waiting for the doors to open so I could make my debut. My heart was also overflowing with love for William and the joy he brought me. As tradition usually went, we hadn't seen each other that day yet and I missed seeing his face. I couldn't wait to embrace him and marry him. I heard the organ start its tune, the music carrying to the foyer where I was waiting. We had picked out our songs together and I recognized it immediately. The doors opened slowly and I saw the audience members stand and turn to face me. Holy sh
Billionaire Daddy's Little Artist Chapter 79 : The Perfect Dress
*Lily*Sometimes life just needed a welcome distraction. I knew my life had been a roller coaster lately, and I gladly jumped at the chance for a change in routine. My mission today was to find a wedding dress.This was all surreal to me. Little old me marrying a handsome and amazing man like William. I needed to find the perfect dress!I couldn't keep our engagement a secret with the tabloids already running many heated articles about us. I had called friends and family to tell them of our engagement, hoping that I’d reach them before the news articles had. I would have rather them hear from me or William directly. I wasn't sure if I'd ever get used to this much publicity.Having run to a nearby coffee shop to meet my dear friend, Farrah, I awaited her arrival sipping on a caramel latte. I had been apprehensive to look up on Google what the current fashion wedding dress trends were. I wasn't the most fashionable person in the world, and Farrah had helped me often in this realm
Billionaire Daddy's Little Artist Chapter 78 : Well-Wishers
*William*After spending the night together making love, I found myself at work the next day still somewhat happily in shock. On Lily's finger rested the ring that I had given her when I asked her to marry her. I was lucky to find a woman like her at my age. She was everything I wanted and more. The second my foot stepped over the office threshold, Grace Kim smiled over at me with a knowing look. She had known about the dinner plans, but she must have found out either from Lily or Jim about our engagement with the way she grinned at me. She licked her lips and had just finished up a phone call placing the receiver back in its holder.She stood and greeted me, smoothing her dress. "Mr. Shaw, congratulations are in order! I've heard the wonderful news about your engagement to Ms. Lily Matthews. I hope you both are happy and spend many long years together. I had a feeling she was the one the minute I heard about her.""Well, thank you very much, Grace. Your kind words mean a lot
Billionaire Daddy's Little Artist Chapter 77 : Engagement Celebrations
*Lily*As we walked into our front foyer, we kicked our shoes off and William eagerly watched me as I took my jacket off. He seemed to groan out loud watching me stretch out of the fabric and before I could hang it, he pushed me up against the wall groaning against me. His erection was thrust hard against my soft thigh as he breathed in my ear.Whispering softly he said, "I have to worship you, my love, stay right here. My new little fiance.""But William, I want to make you happy too," I whined but he shushed me holding a finger to my lips.I gasped as he encouraged me to flatten against the wall behind me and then seized my lips with his own, roughly kissing me. I kissed him back feverishly, placing my hands on his pecs, starting to feel his muscles and massage him. He felt amazing with his sexy, hard body against my own. I wanted him badly and wondered what plans he had in store for me.William pulled my dress over my head and continued kissing me. He kissed down my neck a
Billionaire Daddy's Little Artist Chapter 76 : Joy and Elation
*Lily*Looking into William's eyes I could hear his voice trembling with anticipation. No wonder he had been so distracted today. He slowly brought a velvet-covered box out of his suit pocket and my eyes widened in shock. This was it, it was really happening. It had to be exactly what I thought it was, a marriage proposal.I couldn’t believe my eyes. He wanted to marry me? Little old me?William smiled at me as he spoke, "I've often wondered what our future would hold. And then I realized we have power over our future, and I took control of it. Lily, I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I want your love, support, and time. I want to be with you forever."My heart seemed to jump in my throat as I eyed the box and looked back at him. My mouth opened incredulously. I was at a loss for words, the joy exploding in my chest."Lily Matthews, will you do the honor of marrying me? Would you be my wife? Would you spend the rest of your days with me?" William asked as his voice
Billionaire Daddy's Little Artist Chapter 75 : A Perfect Night
*Lily*The fall of my footsteps clicked on the pavement as the sidewalk lay before me. I was on my way to meet William and was excited to share the news. The interview I had with the magazine was finally published! It had been released today and potential client inquiries had come pouring in through my phone. It was an amazing day, I couldn't help but feel thrilled that my work inspired others and caused them to reach out.I clutched a copy of the magazine in my hand proudly. I felt like I was on top of the world, or rather on cloud nine. I couldn't wait to show William the magazine article.I stared into the tall windows of the Italian food restaurant where William said he'd meet me. It was extremely elegant with long tall blue curtains swept off to the side. I could hear the typical Italian music playing and it sounded so romantic. The wait staff bustled around inside with pressed white and black uniforms with a professional air about them. This was a stunning and fancy restaur
Billionaire Daddy's Little Artist Chapter 74 : Reflection
*William*After arriving back in New York, Lily wanted to focus on her paintings. I could do nothing but oblige because it must have come as a welcome distraction. Paris had been a dream until Jean Laurent ruined our visit. That mother fucker got what was coming to him. I was glad to put even more distance between him and Lily. I'd protect her with my life if I had to, I wouldn't lose her again.Pretty much the second we were back in the States, my friend Jim asked me to go golfing with him. Jim and I had been longtime friends, practically since young teenage boys. We had been through some interesting times together pranking classmates, causing mayhem for our parents, and throwing some wild parties. Now that we were older we mainly smoked cigars or played golf. We weren't as wild as we had been once upon a time.I owed him after the favor I called in while I was in Paris. I knew he’d risked a lot by sharing information with me but it was what helped me confirm Jean Laurent’s iden
Billionaire Daddy's Little Artist Chapter 73 : Aftermath
*Lily*I fully submerged myself in the warm water to wash the slime out of my hair. Having no shower or real toilet for those hours I was with Jean had taken its toll on me. I squirted a large amount of shampoo and conditioner into my hair, scrubbing hard. William swatted my hands away as he began to massage my scalp and temples.."I said I want to help, I'm not leaving you alone another second," he said sitting on the edge of the tub focused entirely on me.I blinked with surprise and dropped my arms back into the warm, bubble-filled water. I hadn't taken him seriously but I chastised myself now knowing when William said something he meant it. I felt spoiled knowing most men just said whatever women wanted to hear, while William always followed through with his words and put them into action. I sighed feeling his fingers scrub away, and I could finally rest comfortably."I'm so happy you are back with me," he said, plunging his hands into the water to wash away the suds. "You
Billionaire Daddy's Little Artist Chapter 72 : An Arrest
*Lily*I sighed with relief hearing Jean Laurent being placed into the cop car. I didn't register what all of the voices were saying around us. Only William. His hands hadn't left my body, touching me everywhere as if to make sure I was actually there. We hadn't said a word about our previous fight, it had been forgotten.I still couldn't believe I was out of the basement. I had been rescued by the exact person I had wanted to see. William and I were finally reunited, our embrace had offered me a sense of safety and solace in the midst of the chaos. His arms had felt so large as they tucked me closer into his body. I was safe again.I frowned trying to remember what had happened, like the trauma was already being blotted from my memory. From what I could recall, William had thrown Jean off of me in a fit of pure rage. I had never seen William like that and if it had been a different circumstance I would have been shocked. I realized now how much William cared for me the more time
