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Billionaire's Lost Girl 10
ElaineA few hours later, I dragged my feet up the lonely road that led towards home, a pounding headache rocking my skull from sleeping off on the bus. I nodded in response to greetings from a few passing people who shook their heads at me sympathetically. I was barefooted, exhausted, hungry, and more frustrated than I’d ever been in my entire life. After I left Sturm Publishing Inc., I’d rushed to secure my alternative at Simon and Schuster but was told that they’d canceled the job vacancies and were no longer accepting editors and proofreaders in the meantime. I couldn’t work as a Janitor – that was the only job available at that moment – so I just decided to go home. The trauma of running into the man that’d caused me this much pain and losing both job offers on the same day was devastating. I was too tired even to cry.“Mommy’s home!” Finn yelled, abandoning the football he’d been throwing about in the front yard. I pushed open the gate and scooped him up into my arms, twirling h
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Elaine“I got the job,” I sang as I rushed into Cora's room, shaking her shoulders until she roused awake. “Oh my goodness, Cora. I got the fucking job!”She sat up straight at that, rubbing her eyes with the back of her left palm. “Way to go, Matthews. Should I go get some wine?”“Yes!” I howled, jumping about in victory. I finally had a job. I could get enough money to pay for rent and Finn's schooling. I could pay for anything!Cora raced down the stairs to the kitchen, returning with the leftover Martini we had last night after dinner, along with two tall glasses. I held my glass firmly as she poured, a goofy smile on her face.“A toast,” we clicked our glasses together, giggling as two schoolgirls asked on a date. “To many more victories, high salaries, and hot bosses that aren't creepy.”“Yeah!”“I'm so happy for you.”“Thank you so much, Cora.”We gulped our drinks down, distracted by the sound of Finn’s light footsteps as he walked, rubbing his eyes. “Mommy?”“Darling,” I plac
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Elaine“Listen up,” Mr. Sturm boomed, using a forefinger to push back his glasses that were about to fall off the bridge of his nose. I tried not to stare too long, especially after the way he overreacted a few moments ago. He didn't even let me explain myself. “I want these manuscripts,” he lifted a tall bundle of files from a brown cardboard box by his feet onto the table. “To be read, analyzed, proofread and the grammatical errors taken note of. Can you do that?”I gulped, picking up a file and weighing it in my hands. He watched me intently. “But Sir, it'll take ages to finish this. I thought we had different departments specifically designed to handle proofreading and editing?”“ This is my work, which in turn becomes yours. I still have a couple more manuscripts over there,” he pointed at a shelf at the end. “Those are mine to work on. These are yours.”I bit my bottom lip, feeling a protest bubbling in my throat. The files were humongous and a single one contained at least thir
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Max“What the hell was that all about, Max?” Ryan untangled his legs and leaned forward, his brows furrowed. “Why were you pissed at that girl? Did she do anything wrong?”I let out a deep sigh, burying my face in my palms. In truth, the idea of torturing Cherry until she caved in had seemed perfect in my head. Now, I wasn’t so sure. I couldn’t stand the pain in her eyes, or the subtle hate in her movement as she took the coffee cup away. This was how I wanted things to go.“I don’t understand what you’re talking about,” I averted my eyes to the papers on my desk. Knowing how much of a mind reader Ryan was, it wouldn’t take long for him to figure everything out.He tilted his head, a suspicious smirk dancing on his stupid lips. “You like her, huh?”“God, don’t be such a dick,” I threw a pen at him. He ducked swiftly, sending the pen flying off her dark hair. “Nothing is going on, you rascal.”“Oh, I know,” he wiggled his brows. “Was she the reason you were so agitated during our Satur
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ElaineI'd never been so afraid of anything like this in my entire life.My heart raced as he walked around me slowly, his footsteps light on the rug, yet they sounded like the silent ticks of a bomb about to explode. A tremor went through me as he laced his thumb on my collarbones, rubbing a particular spot.“Stand.”I lifted my face to hold his gaze. He watched me impassively for a minute, turning to settle back on his swivel chair. Being alone with him there was hard, but watching him sit and spread his legs apart, his suit pants clinging to his slender legs and thighs gave me a mini-orgasm. There was just so little I could allow myself to take on at this point. “Come closer and get on your knees,”I nimbly stepped forward, kneeling before him. He kicked off his shoes, impeccable black loafers and thrust a foot into my hands. “Massage it. There’s oil in the cupboard to your left.”I knelt still, rooted. “I beg your pardon? You want me to massage your legs?”“I think I made myself
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“What time do you think he’s gonna come?”Cora and I were in the kitchen, preparing dinner. Finn was curled up somewhere upstairs reading a book. I’d taken an excuse to go come home early from Mr. Sturm, citing my reason as wanting to get started on the manuscript revision which I couldn’t complete at the office. He seemed doubtful, his eyes narrowed in suspicion. Thankfully, he made no further comment and said that I could leave.Cora had gone shopping for soup items before coming home with Finn. “He said he’d round up with his office work by seven, so we should expect him by seven thirty.”I darted a glance at the small silver clock hanging above the freezer. We still had over an hour more till he got here. I watched in amusement as Cora washed the sliced chicken laps, her hands shaky and eyebrows were strewn in concentration. “Whoa, you need to chill out, girl. Why are you so jumpy?”She barely spared me a glance, dousing the oven tray with oil. “He’s my boss, Elaine. I have to mak
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The first thought that came to mind after my shock was to shut the door in his face, race upstairs, throw my clothes into suitcases and get the hell out of New York with Finn.But that would be a fool-hardy thing to do. I'd only just gotten a job and life was really looking up.Tch, what a lie. Life was turning out to be a very bad bitch.His eyes roamed past my shoulders into the sitting room as he shuffled his feet awkwardly. “Is Cora inside?”“No — yes,” I mentally facepalmed, moving out of the way so he could pass. His cologne — a heady mix of raspberries and blackcurrant took over my sense of smell as he brushed past me, oddly filling up the room with his presence. He glanced around the furniture fittings and the ceiling-high windows. “You have a nice place, Miss Matthews. Moved in recently?”“Yes,” I placed Finn down, grumbling when he ran off to hug Manny's legs. Manny squatted so he was face level with him and pinched his cheek. “I'm so sorry, Sir. He can be...a lot to take on
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The next morning, I sat with arms folded on a kitchenette stool, Finn sitting on my lap; already dressed up for school but still taking his cereal. I rubbed my eyes with the back of my hand, yawning. I was so tired — it'd felt like I'd slept for barely two minutes before Finn came jumping into my room — announcing that it was morning already. I'd been too damn exhausted to change out of my dinner clothes, and Cora spent a long time with Mr. Salazar — she still hadn't told me what they discussed — if he agreed to keep his mouth shut and not tell Me. Sturm about Finn.“Come on now, Cora,” I prodded. “What did he eventually say? I don't know, but my baser instincts are telling me to pack up a suitcase and get the hell out of this place.”She laughed, smoothening her tresses with her fingers. “Relax, dear. Remember how long it took to get that job. You're not in New York for anyone but you and your son. If Mr. Sturm finds out, so? Fuck him.”“Do you think he'd be able to press charges aga
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Billionaire's Lost Girl Epilogue
Elaine“Hey, Cherry.”Two words. Two fucking words whispered sexily in my ears and I was close to exploding. It felt as though my body was on automated response to anything that had to do with him. I sat still, rigid as he pecked my left cheek, before turning to scoot a chair back to sit, his knees touching mine, his eyes lingering. Samson hugged Jess and waved at Ryan, before sitting down as well.What the hell was happening?“Hi,” I blurted out at last, swallowing hard. He clasped my hands in his, the heat from his hands calming my goosebumps while making my pulse race. He stared at me intently, a mischievous smirk on his lips. The last time he looked at me this way was that night, right before I told him all about Finn. My eyes darted to Jess who seemed equally confused. Samson sat, all laid back, with his usual cold, domineering aura.Oh, fudge.“Why are you boys back early?” Jess finally asked, her face scrunched up in confusion. “Has the party ended? Ryan?”Ryan shrugged. “I don
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Elaine“I'm warning you, Elaine. One of these days, you'll have no choice but to give that young man a chance. Look at how much he's texted you... it'll be sad to leave him in the lurch,” Jess said, glancing over the rim of her wine glass at Ryan, who nodded in approval. “You're twenty-seven and you have the entire world on the heel of your palm. Make the best use of it.”We were seated on the outdoor patio upstairs, adjacent to the children's living room. Jess stood up from time to time to go check up on the baby who was fast asleep in his crib. Ryan was having a bit of a sour time with Jake bailing out from the whole party thing, but didn't want to call it off. I could've gone, if Jess was strong, but she hadn't completely recovered yet and it wasn't wise to take a new baby to a party so we all decided to hang out here. Besides, the last person I wanted to keep bumping into was Max, who was undoubtedly in attendance.Rolling my eyes, I waved her advice off. “I told you guys, remembe
Billionaire's Lost Girl 78
MaxThe reflection of the hanging strobe lights flickered across the pool. It was a little before sunset, and the waiters were dressed in bright white starched shirts and red glittering pants, circling with trays balanced on their curt fingertips. It was a pretty chill Saturday night and Ryan was having a party to celebrate his one year anniversary with his boyfriend, Jake.I was seated with Samson and the rest of the boys. Jess was home, taking care of the newest member of the Sturm family — Ashton, with Ryan helping her out, despite being needed here. Samson was agitated, and I knew he wanted nothing but to bolt out of this place and go home to her. I didn't blame him though, Jess was one in a million, and there were times I was forced to concede that their love for each other was better than the best fairytale out there.Before he met Jess, Samson was a party whore. He fucked around, with multiple girls, stayed at clubs till dawn, yet still managed to turn up for work in the mornin
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ElaineIt was a few months till Autumn, and the air was becoming chilly. Max was letting me have the car for a day while he stayed home with Finn at his place. I pulled into the driveway, turning off the ignition. Finn hooted and clapped in delight.“We're home!”He'd begged to stay with Max for the weekend, as well, and while they hanged out, I planned to get my shit together and try a blind date out. I wasn't getting any younger, and tying myself down by what had happened wasn't doing me any good.Looking up at Max through the rear view mirror, I caught his eyes, his lips parted as though he wanted to say something. It had become a habit for him to do this each time I was about to take the car back home with me — lingering as though he had more to say. He twirled the keys in his hands idly, not taking his eyes off me even for a second. At last he whipped his gaze to Finn. “Hey, soldier. Mind going in while I talk with Mamma for a bit?”“Okay, Daddy,” Finn giggled, snatching the keys
Billionaire's Lost Girl 76
ElaineIt had been two months since Max Sturm attempted to take my son away from me.Two months of not seeing or speaking to each other. Two months of pain that refused to go away.My mother once taught me that time was the greatest healer. Wounds heal with time, same with misunderstandings. But the gap between Max and I only deepened as the day progressed. I couldn't get over my hate for him, even with the fact that unity was strength and Finn needed us both at this crucial point of time in his life. I didn't know how to forgive him, and since he wasn't making any conscious effort to make amends for all the pain he caused, I figured that, perhaps he felt the same way. He hated me as well.I stopped searching for a job and just plunged deep into an abyss of emptiness, sadness and reflectiveness. Ivy and the other girls tried to get my spirits up, and I even received a response for an important interview I signed months ago, but there was no motivation to work. The fear of having Finn
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MaxAfter the court proceedings, I didn't go home immediately. Instead, I took a detour to Samson's place, to tell him the news. I still couldn't get over my guilt. Elaine was beyond distraught. I hated the way she looked at me. Like I was the most disgusting human she'd ever been cursed to encounter, and maybe she was right. I was taking things too far. I wasn't in my right senses — I was letting my paternal instinct ruin everything.Riding up the elevator to the top floor, I ran a hand through my hair, feeling like shit. The judge had instructed that I sort things out with Elaine. That the least thing Finn needed right now was his parents fighting. I'd never want a situation where I would be one to ruin my boy's childhood, so I had to be the bigger person and try to make a conscious effort at reconciliation. But the deal was, I had no idea how to face Elaine. She hated me. And rightly so. I was a fucking dickhead.The elevator bell clinked, and the doors drew apart. Walking into the
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Elaine I rushed up the stairs that led to the entrance of the mansion, hardly seeing anything, thanks to my rage. Max must've been expecting me, for he drew the door shut behind me the second I whizzed in.I whirled around to face him, thrusting the papers into his face. “Do you mind explaining what the fucking hell this is?”“Calm down, Elaine. Deep breaths,” he stated calmly.“Don't tell me to calm down!” I howled. “How long have you known him, Max? Four damn seconds and suddenly you think you've got what it takes to look after him for the rest of his life?”He scoffed in irritation. “He's safer with me, Elaine. You're the one going to club, meeting strange men and doing drugs.”“I'm not doing drugs. I was drugged! It could happen to anyone.”“That's not a valid excuse either. Why on earth will you leave Finn at home to go spend time with spoilt random people at a club? You're not in highschool anymore, Elaine. You're a mother. And you've got to act like one.”I glared at him, my t
Billionaire's Lost Girl 73
ElaineI laid haphazardly on the parlour couch, half-dozing off. My joints were aching and it felt as though bricks were in my head. The room was silent with Cora sitting on the sette opposite, her brows knitted together worriedly. It was a half past one, so it wasn't yet time for her to pick Finn up from preschool.“So, you honestly don't remember any of the other boys except Sky?” she frowned, adjusting herself to peer at me closely. “What are the chances that they were the ones responsible for drugging you? And why would they do that? You weren't alone with them. They didn't drug Ivy or one of the other girls.”“I'm lost, Cora,” I muttered, shaking my head gently while yawning. “It could have been anyone who slipped something in the drink, but the boys are the prime suspect. Things went downhill the minute they approached us. I'm not sure it was Sky...” I trailed off, rubbing my temples softly.“Well, thank heavens you're getting better now. The doctor said that the drugs, coupled
Billionaire's Lost Girl 72
MaxIt was a few minutes past ten in the night when my phone trilled on the table, disrupting the otherwise quiet solitude of my study. I looked up from the manuscript I was working on, pushing the tortoise-shell glasses I'd recently gotten back over the bridge of my nose as I peered at the strange number on the screen.I'd never seen that number before, and a part of me felt irritated. Perhaps it was Ivy, or one of the girls in the proofreading department. Sighing, I picked it up at last.“Hello?”“M-Mr Sturm?” Ivy's frightened voice set off my hackles. I rose from my chair quickly. Something was wrong.“Ivy? What's wrong? You don't sound so good.”“I'm so sorry,” she blurted out tearfully. “It's all my fault. She wanted to leave when the boys approached but I stopped her...now she's...” she rambled on.“Calm down, Ivy. Deep breaths,” I stated calmly. “Breathe in...breathe out. Now, tell me what's wrong. Who did you stop from leaving?”“It's Elaine, Sir. She was found, knocked out co
