Prologue
Be careful, they said.
He will break your heart.
Breaking my heart? He wasn't even in my heart at all, so how would he break it?
You won't know it, they said.
He will make you slowly fall for him and rip it all apart.
My name is Eleanor and falling in love with a billionaire, wasn't in my to-do-list. For some reason, people think I won't be able to resist the charms of the Almighty billionaire. Not even my best friend, Chloe, thinks that.
His name is Liam James, a die-hard celebrity with lots of fan girls who swoop over him. CEO, the Boss of all Bosses in Pink Moda and dangerous Casanova of all times.
I, Eleanor Reyes, is sure going to prove them wrong. And, they're going to live with that.
Eleanor
You must be wondering how I met Liam.
Well... It was on a very bad day for me. I had been walking back home. About crossing a crosswalk. I had lost the job interview and this made me frustrated.
These were my thoughts as I went home on foot, like a lost puppy. I had no money to pay for even the bus. My mum used the last cent we had left to buy groceries just yesterday.
The road was as noisy as usual. As I moved to the cross walk, I noticed a particular expensive looking car which was not moving. After getting the idea that it wasn’t moving anytime soon, I then decided to fully take the crosswalk.
A sudden screech sound caught my attention. But, it was too late. Out of fear, I fell flat on my buttocks, with the roughness of the floor welcoming me.
I cursed under my breath and hissed loudly. I then examined
myself if I could standup.I could.
Thus I did the next thing that boomed in my mind.
“Are you nuts? Didn't you go to a driving school?” I yelled at the car. It was a sleek Ferrari which appeared expensive. From the polishness, one could decipher its quality.
I looked down on my poor foot. It had been injured, thanks to the driver.
I stood up on one foot and walked up to the car.
I looked directly head-on inside the car, waiting for the bad driver to come out. I had expected it to be a reckless drunkard but it was the exact opposite.
It was a young man probably in his twenties coming out of the car. He wore a black suit which had a neat-cut from the upper body to the lower. He had a muscular build. Indeed, he was good-looking and handsome. He had a charcoal-black hair which covered one of his eyes.
Indeed, he looked like the devil himself as he marched towards me, with the wind blowing his hair softly.
“Who are you?” he asked rudely, with a cold expression on his face. He didn't even wait for me to answer, instead, he carried on.
“You must be one of those reporters stalking me, aren't you?” he asked, though in more of a statement than an answer. I wriggled my eyebrows at how he could be so insensitive. Some men had no shame. I mean he made the mistake and couldn't even accept his fault.
“R-Reporter? I have better things to do than to stalk an arrogant idiot like you!” I yelled, with a frown on my face.
“What makes this situation worse is that you almost took my life and you think nothing of it. Look at my injuries. You'll pay for this.” I told him immediately.
Who the hell did he think he was?
“Ah, payment. Was that it?” he asked, arching a brow cockily.
“Hold on a sec.” he said. My eyes narrowed at him, following his movement as he marched to his car. He then came back after taking something. I stood there, waiting for him to come back. He did, but with something in his hands:
Money.
“Take this and never show up again.” He said. My eyes froze in horror as he sprayed the money from the top of my body to below. I saw the money drop gently to the floor.
Rich people had no real value of money. I mean who uses all this money for just a slight injury on the leg?
I immediately gathered the money on the floor to give him back.
I was anything but a gold digger.
With this thought on my mind, I moved to give him the money back but was met with a screeching sound. He had already zoomed out of there before the word, Mary Celeste.
Urrgh!
I hoped to meet him again.
===
“Are you for real?” Chloe asked with so much interest. She was my best friend. We grew up together after I got a scholarship to attend her school, which was obviously a school for the rich.
“Yes, he was really an asshole. He left me with these huge amount of dollars just for a cut on my legs. He sure has no value for money!” I told her what I felt. I mean who behaved like that?
“Was he handsome?” Chloe asked, dreamily clasping her hands to her chin.
“That doesn’t matter. What does is the fact that he’s insane. I hope to never meet someone like that in my lifetime.” I cried out horridly.
People could be funny.
“What about the company you went for the interview?” she asked.
“Oh, that. It didn’t turn out well. This old man kept looking at me like a perv. I just had to call him out.” I said, shrinking my nose in disgust. I really couldn't stand perverted old men.
“Wait, do they think models are call girls?” I added, in a frustrating manner.
“That's a stereotype, bestie. The fact that an old man did that does not mean that’s general. Let’s forget about that topic,” She said, trying to cheer me up.
"It must have really been a long day for you, let me massage those gorgeous bones." She said, standing up. With her hands on my shoulders, she began to massage my back.
"Thanks so much, Clo." I said, giving her the puppy look. I was grateful for every minute of her efforts to help me.
“I've always told you, it's nothing girl." She said. "Remember that big company I told you my uncle worked for?" She asked.
“Yeah, what was the name again… Moda...” I answered, trailing out again.
“Pink Moda.” She said.
“Ok, what about it?” I asked her.
“I have an uncle that submits recommendation of models to them. I could tell him to get you listed so you could pace your way through. How’s that?” she asked me, arching her eyebrows at my direction.
“Chloe… “ I trailed out.
“What? You don’t want it?” she asked sweetly.
“You are the best!” I cried out, pulling her into a huge hug.
“Thank you so much. Thank you so much, Chloe!” I said with so much cheerfulness.
“Oh, it's nothing. Why am I your friend if not this?” she said humbly.
===
“You’re back.” Mum said. Her necklace was still around her neck. It was carved in her name, Melanie Reyes.
She sat on a chair, knitting. That was her escape since she gave birth to me. My rich dad had abandoned us after he found out my mum was pregnant. That baby was me.
“Yeah, mum.” I let out tiredly, dragging my feet on the floor. Our house was manageable. It was the same one mum had paid instalment for when she still worked as a waitress for a restaurant. But, the restaurant got bankrupt and she had to leave. Ever since then, she hadn’t found a job.
“So? How did the interview go?” Mum asked. I didn’t even know where to start from. What to say…
“I lost the job mum.” I told her, halting in front of her.“I’m sorry I couldn’t stand an old man’s dirty glares.” I added, referring to that pervert old man I met at the company I went for interview.
“I failed you, mum.” I said again.
“No, you didn’t darling. You didn’t fail me. We'll figure a way out of this mess, I promise.” She said. I watched her tiredly at the verge of tears.
“Come here, darling.” She said. I moved forward to her. She wrapped me in her arms in a comforting manner.
“We’ll figure out something.” She added again.
“Thanks, mum.” I said, grasping the shopping bag I brought.
“What are those?” she asked.
“Chloe gave us some foodstuffs.” I said.
“That girl has a big heart.” Mum said.
“I know, mum. I’m very lucky to have a friend like her.” I said, thinking of the man I met earlier today.
He was mystical...
Arrogant...
And, cocky.
That stranger made something lurk in my heart. For some reason, I couldn’t get my mind off him.
----------------------------------------------------------
A/n This is a new story also I started not quite long. I have never written a billionaire story. Decided to try and see where it goes. It would really mean a lot if you leave your reviews for me. Thanks, a lot🥺🥺
EleanorWaking up so early in the morning was the something I hated. I loved my sleep and it meant so much to me. But, I guess today was worth it.Chloe woke me up from my sleep this morning, with a phone call. I sleepily reached for the phone before picking it up.“H-Hello.” I stammered sleepily. My phone almost dropped out of my hand. I had the most craziest night ever. I had to look up Chloe’s fashion magazines I borrowed, for job vacancies.“Eleanor!! Thank goodness!” she cried out, like I have been long and lost for so many days.“Yeah?”“You need to come to my place right now.” She said.“Why? What happened?” I asked.“Remember my uncle’s recommendatio
Life had a way of throwing lemons at me. I mean I remembered that day I muttered different uncontrollable words to this guy in front of me. I couldn’t have thought it would one day back fire and he would turn out to be my boss.“Interesting.” I heard him seethe devilishly. He stood up from his seat, walking towards me.“So, how’s that injury of yours?” He asked. I looked at him with so much hate before replying.“Why do you care? Just sign the damn documents and I'd never show up again like you asked that day.” I spat out, looking at him like he was some sort of enemy.“Or you could sit with me and we have a lovely conversation.” He replied, with his eyes directed to me.“I'll rather have that conversation with someone else not you.” I
As I stood there wide-eyed, I noticed the camera men had already started taking pictures. This went on for a few seconds until I heard a voice cry out.“Are you going to keep standing there or actually pose, Miss?” The camera director said. Just opposite was the star model, Jojo Lopez. She was showing off her killer styles while another photographer took pictures of her. A thing I noticed was she was stern and serious.I decided to copy her poses. The only difference I did was smile brightly to the camera. According to mum, "You're never fully dressed without a smile." Thus, I smiled.I heard various shutter sounds. It was like I was a kind of very good model.“Perfect!” I heard the photographer say. Looking behind again, she did a pose with her two hands at the back of her head. I followed it, using a smile with my
My eyes moved in abrupt shock at this revelation she had just made. It was all unbelievable. I mean, how could me of all people be famous?Famous for poverty, perhaps?It just didn’t make sense.“H-How this p-possible?” I asked, even stuttering in between my sentences. I was in so much discomfort and shock from what she had just said.“I told you, Miss Eleanor. Your face was listed in the Hollywood Fashion magazine. In fact, their willing to pay multiple dollars just for your ordinary presence.” She mouthed out, still on th
“Hey, hey. Wait up!” Chloe yelled. After that incidence at the club, I had been so pissed. She immediately halted directly in front of me. “What happened? I saw you walk out after you talked to Liam and that man. Is all ok?” She asked, arching her brows. “Off course nothing is ok. . . Wait,
I couldn’t believe that Liam James had just lied to the press that I was his girlfriend. I couldn’t hold the fury in me. But, for the sake of image, I withheld everything in me.When we were out of the paparazzi's sight, I was about to utter a million folds of insult. I wasn’t prepared for what came next. The exact moment we entered the office, the workers immediately began to clap with smiles on their faces.They seemed so happy.Liam’s hands were still entangled in mine as before.I watched as a staff came forward with a bouquet of flowers.“Congratulations on your new status, Miss Eleanor.” One said, bowing down. I couldn’t help but be humble. I mean this was all too much for a new model like me, wasn't it?“Oh, no. You don’t have to add
“Somebody, help!” I yelled my guts out. I went down on the floor and held mum’s chin. She was really scaring me, you know.“Mum, mum. Please stay with me, mum. Don’t go, please,” I told her. Her body was shaking terribly. I couldn’t even made out what happened and why there was so much blood.“Elea—” she tried to say but she didn’t finish up. I felt her body grow limp in my arms.That made me spring up. I carried mum on my back with all my might. I hastily took the bag I brought in and carefully walked back outside.Mum’s light weight was still on my body as I ran like someone the devil himself was chasing.“Please…” I cried out again. By the time I reached the road, I called a cab.“Hospital.” I told the driver
I stared blank at the air.I couldn’t believe what had just happened.Liam had just kissed me which was shocking. As his soft lips landed on mine, I heard shuttering sounds of the camera. The press were so going to make a news of this.Oh, no!What have I done?!I slowly tried to withdraw from the kiss so I wouldn’t cause unusual attention, but his hands caressed my chin side slowly. My lips were slightly parted in a gasp. I couldn’t erase the fact that he tasted amazing.Before I couldn’t help myself again, I immediately withdrew from the kiss with so much force. I looked confusingly around me. The paparazzi were still fluttering their cameras. Not having any idea of what to do, I ran swiftly from them all.Kicking my legs so fast, I did that,
Liam’s Pov In the right way, Reyes had been dealt with. His properties would be seized by the government, in a few days from now. Which only meant one thing— this was it. “Red…” I trailed on my words, stretching my hands towards her. We were both inside the ambulance van, by each other’s side. Seemed like I took the most injuries, yet somehow, I had been able to wake up and fight. “Liam.” she breathed out, replying. “I-It’s all over…still unbelievable. I thought…I- thought we were all going to…” “Shhh.” I urged, placing a hand on her lip and silencing her. I couldn’t imagine ever losing her, so I couldn’t even bear to think of it. My injury was external, thankfully, she had a few scratches. But she still needed to be checked on, and thoroughly examined. In the other ambulance van was Chloe. Jackson had gone to her,
I screamed and screamed my guts out, but it was all futile. They kept dragging us both, till we reached beside the truck.“Now.”One of them ordered. Some black van pulled over. That instant, black sacks were put over my head. I struggled as I was being put in.“You don’t have to do this, you know.”I muttered. “Shut up, bitch.”Some rough voice sneered, irritatingly.I bit my lips, not knowing what step to take again. My entire body froze, as I stopped struggling out of fear. Hands shaking rapidly, as the van drove speedily.Liam was just beside me and he was still passed out.I wondered how hard the accident hit him. I needed to manipulate our way, out of here, since he won’t wake up.“We can pay three times the amount he’s paying you.”I attempted to convince that again.“Tsk…that’s it.”The va
We didn’t make love, after that confession.Instead, we made out.I felt more connected to him afterwards. And, I was grateful to have him by my side. Never ever would I have thought, that I would be dating this infuriating billionaire.Liam James.Arrogant and cocky…yet, the best thing that ever happened to me.Towards evening, my phone suddenly rang out. Chloe popped up on the screen.“Hello.”I called out to the receiver button. Still in the pink fluffy dress I had just used for shoot, my face was caked in a vampiric makeup. That was more of today’s theme, in Pink Moda.“Eleanor…”She trailed out weakly, in a husky tone. I wriggled my brows. “Are you okay, Clo? You sound really bad,”“I confessed my feelings to him but he rejected me. H-He rejected me, and now…I don’t know what to do.”“I j
Chloe’s PovI took an early leave to go home today, from work.I was so tired. Tired of everything.My shitty love life, and the fact that Jackson, who I presently liked, thought of us as friends and nothing else.These were my thoughts as I entered my car, zooming off at high speed. My thoughts drifted to Orange Summers—the only place that I took comfort in.“Chloe, I see you’re here again?” The bar tender called out, as I dragged a stool, sitting on it. Seemed he was used to my presence so much already.“Yeah Ray… I want four bottles of beer, please.”I ordered, bringing my phone out from my purse and settling it on the bar’s table. I texted Eleanor, but it seemed like she was busy with work too.Of recent, she was the only one I turned to in times of need. Friends at my workplace, only remaine
I became very glad that I had sorted things out with mum. Thing became insanely perfect afterwards.While I handled with Mr. Reyes, making him believe I would move back with him to Mexico, I moved back to the company’s house.Mr. Reyes had told me that the minute he was done with some personal matters in America, we would be returning to Mexico together.He had sent loads of money into my bank account, telling me this was the start point.“That bastard.”Did he think money could buy a true family’s love? He had to be joking.One morning, just as I was on my way to work, in my disguise outfit, a car pulled over beside me.I totally ignored it, but when it kept on following me, I became insanely creeped out.“HEY! Piss off!”I exclaimed those words, walking faster after noticing the glass was tinted.All of a sudden, the glass slowly came down. I could have
Liam James’ Pov Eleanor. We are so close to finding the answer. The proof to bringing Mr. Reyes down. Please stay put. Keep fighting, like the strong woman you are. Every instant, as time passed, I could tell red was in trouble. Mr Reyes, was someone highly dangerous. And, I had to take caution when dealing with him. Since he was in town, it was so much better. I would be able to keep tabs on his business back in Mexico, and his intentions with red. I needed to know why he’d suddenly show up after all the years, to ruin her life. What exactly did he even want from her? “Solomon,” I stated, after dialing my ex-assistant’s number. He had been the one helping me all this while, to find out clues to bring Reyes down. Even though he wasn’t my assistant anymore, I called him from time-to-time. Seemed l
“It isn’t funny that your dad, a rich billionaire suddenly wants you back?” Chloe’s words reminisced my head. “Nope…I mean my mum lied to me, Chloe. And I, um…don’t even know if I should be trusting her again.” “Why not, she’s your mum. You should know the type of person she is by now, Eleanor.” “Don’t let some stranger, who was never present ruin that nice relationship between you both. She might not have given you the comfortable life but you turned out right,” She had stated. “I mean, look at you girl. You’re a survivor. As Nikki Fox, the world hated on you but you’re still going.” “What am I going to do, Clo?” Almost at the verge of tears, I had asked. “Talk to your mum, it would make more sense if everyone’s on your side, bestie. We have to bring Mr. Reyes down, if there’s some truth in Liam James’ words.” I jeered back to reality, holding my bag as I walked meekly. Th
My thoughts were scrambled with yesterday’s incidence the minute I woke up. I remembered drinking to forget it all, but now… I wanted to sleep once more not to even think of it. Mum’s betrayal. Liam’s words about Mr. Reyes. Did she do it to protect me, like she said? Suddenly, flashbacks of last night spinned in my head. “I had a shitty day, Liam. Please make love to me,” Oh no… “We aren’t even in a relationship anymore, remember?” He had tried convincing me out of it, but I still shamelessly pushed on. “I was overshadowed by my own countenance and wishful thinking, for that I’m sorry,” “Now fuck me,” My eyes widened at my words, with my toes entangling each other. It was no wonder I felt sore in between my legs. We did make love last night, for the second time. And we did it countlessly, till we were exhausted. I hope he didn’t wake up.
“A shot of vodka, please.”I said, wondering why one bad thing or the other had to always happen to me.While I walked out of the house, Mr. Reyes tried to talk to me, but I didn’t even feel like speaking to anyone.Not at all.I felt like shit and didn’t even know what to do.My mouth tasted in displeasure when he gave me his business card. I put it in my purse, walking to Orange Summers, the only place that seemed to understand me.“And one too, for me.”A familiar low baritone voice, lurked in surprisingly behind me. I looked behind me, only to see Liam clothed in his usual black expensive suit, looking as handsome and gorgeous as ever.He settled on a chair just beside me.I almost couldn’t believe my eyes.“Liam, what are you doing here?”I asked, with a sigh, almost cringing in distress. A look of worry was plastered on my fa