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CHAPTER FOURTY
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The Billionaire’s Bargain CHAPTER FOURTY-ONE
BRANDON’S POVReaching out to my phone to check for messages, there was only one from Natalie just before she went to bed: "Thinking of you, can't wait for you to come home. Stay safe.".I smiled at two of those words and felt myself grow warm in my chest. That's just what I needed that morning. I replied fast telling her that I was thinking of her too, that I was about to call her in a minute.I had taken my quick shower and headed running into the kitchen, where Anthony always had a mug of his supercharged coffee waiting for me. He warmed up a pot long before I hit the office, going over some last-minute details with the team. Walking in, Anthony looked up and then gave me the nod."Morning." He handed over a fresh cup of coffee. "Ready for round two?""You bet," I said awkwardly, reaching for the offered coffee. "Chomping at the bit, ready and raring to go. Let's get 'er done."The first few hours consisted of a walk through each department, meeting staff, overviewing the strategy,
The Billionaire’s Bargain CHAPTER FOURTY-TWO
NATALIE'S POV.It made a lot of difference, his being cool-headed at that moment when we went into the airport to see off Brandon. My thoughts were furtively going back to his face, all wrinkled in worry while he was leaving, and thought clung to how long he thought this time would last. It was heart-wrenching, soul-crushing hollow agony at the pit of the stomach. But deep down, I knew it had to be done for our sake.I walked into the living room to meet Rebecca. Sprawled out, like it was an everyday thing for her to be doing so, she seemed to sit in some other way that which was upright and classy at the same time. Her eyes rose from the book they had trailed into, then she let fly her warm smile in my direction."Natalie honey," she said, standing and coming over to me. "Glad to see you.""Rebecca, I had not anticipated your coming," embracing her back, and though this was quite a formal relationship, there was something about her that made one feel comfortable.She said to me, pull
The Billionaire’s Bargain CHAPTER FOURTY-THREE
BRANDON’S POV Anthony came striding in, grinning from one side of his face to the other. "Guess what, mate? We're done here! Time to celebrate.""Done?" I picked up his head, half amused and obviously tired. "More like need twelve hours of sleep.""You can catch up on sleep when we're dead. You've been in this office for days on end; enough's enough. This evening, we hit the town, have a few drinks, and generally let off steam. And I really will not hear no for an answer."I learned one thing at least - arguing with one of Edward's moods never paid. I had a barge-pole mentality, and it was best not to struggle after he had set his eyes on something. Besides, really, at that moment, a lot of drinks did not sound like a bad idea. "Fine, lots of drinks. But not getting crazy."Anthony grinned wickedly. True that "'Wouldn't dream of it, mate.".An hour later, having circled the town, they sat in the corner of one of its countless bars—this one, at any rate, being the one that they mostly
The Billionaire’s Bargain CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR
Mostly left to his own devices, I turned back to his drink. Now, the amber liquor swirled. It hadn't been until now, the alcohol actually hitting him, that thoughts traveled at light speed to becoming sowed. Freshly turned earth. Planted. Placed for and meant to be harvested, I was getting that weird excitement and dread mix. Finally allowing himself to think of Natalie. But at least he was relieved; at least his feelings toward her were not so terribly horrible, not what they could be.Once more, he sipped from the glass and felt the warmth draining into his gut. Although it did little to assuage the rising lightheaded feel, it was already starting to go to his head; he realized he might have overdone it. I should go, he managed to mumble to himself, fumbling to find his way upright.But in the effort to rise, the world would pretty nearly go mad—tilting fiendishly—one way and another…eddy back to the bar on the sudden jerk to find support. The vision would blur, and there would be a
The Billionaire’s Bargain CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE
It was an implicit threat, but it hung between them like a guillotine. My gut twisted into a painful knot as bile seemed to rise up his throat, and he felt the sudden urge to vomit. I needed to get the hell out of here and put as much space between himself and Arlys as he could before this spiraled any further out of control."This is not going to work, Arlys," I said as firmly as he could, and even that quavered under the strain. "Whatever it is you're trying to do, it's not going to work. I won't let you use this against me."My lips had reminded her of a snarl, hissing back at her as she pressed her body even closer, warm puffs of air brushing against his skin. "Oh Brandon," she purred, fingertips running down the center of his chest, "I'm not trying to use anything against you. I just want to remind you of what's real here. You had your little fun with me last night, and now there are consequences. You can't just pretend like it never happened.".Brandon licked his lips nervously,
The Billionaire’s Bargain CHAPTER FORTY-SIX
Brandon's PovThe taxi stopped in front of my hotel and I was barely able to catch my breath. Still shaking, I paid the fare, all but spilling out of the car, reeling like a man about to collapse. Events of the morning weighed upon me like a heavy burden. My head still reeled from both hangover and shock at finding myself in bed with Arlys.How in hell had things spiraled so far out of control? How could I have let myself make such a huge mistake?As I stepped into the hotel lobby my phone buzzed once more. It was Anthony."I'm outside," he said, now wide awake. "What the hell's going on?"I watched him pace by the front door, quite clearly worried. It was weirdly comforting to think Anthony was there but still managed to drop me further into anxiety. How could I explain any of this?I walked through the door, and Anthony stopped dead in his tracks as he saw me. His brow arched as laid-back gave way to confusion and concern."Brandon, dude, you look like death warmed over," he said, c
The Billionaire’s Bargain CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN
Natalie's POVI wobbled with excitement as I opened the oven for probably the gazillionth time that night. Finally, the roast was just about well done-savory garlic and rosemary wafting from it into the kitchen and mingling with the side dishes I'd done to perfection.Everything had to be perfect. He had been away in London for days, and tonight was the night he was due home; I couldn't wait. It felt like I hadn't seen him since the beginning of time, and I wanted tonight to be about him and me being special.I looked at the time again; he could be back anytime. My stomach felt like a kickboxing ring with a full set of butterflies inside as I dried my moist palms on the towel. Rationally, my mind knew I really had no cause or reason to be this excited; somehow, I just could not seem to help it.Things went great between us, and I missed him more than I think I would have. As much as our marriage started off as nothing more than a business deal, it had grown into something real that I
The Billionaire’s Bargain CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT
Brandon's POVThe moment I came back from London, the guilt had been harbored inside my heart. It allowed no room to breathe and it was such an adamant thing that would not let go. Like a dark cloud always in my mind, reminding me just how grave a mistake I committed and what a secret I kept from Natalie. The rare times when I could look into her eyes without feeling the lowest scum on earth, at each of her smiles-now a sweet, innocent smile thrown at me-struck sharp pangs of shame in my chest.How did I let things get that far? I should have made sure I cut every tie with Arlys to avoid what happened.Teaching I had hoped in due course of time would bury deeper and move along, wasn't quite that simple. That picture of Arlys in my bed played a thousand times over in my head and taunted me. That smirking look of hers that morning curled my lips, it all got documented in the cells of my brain. The night was so drunk, lost in fumes of alcohol and bad decisions, now I had to live with it.
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The Billionaire’s Bargain CHAPTER FIFTY-EIGHT
Brandon's POVStill, I stood there, my phone still clutched in my hand, my chest furiously heaving up and down, my heart seething with anger. Arlys had driven me to the limit, and now she threatened me once more. The words still rang in my head, "This is just the beginning."What more was she to do?I had underestimated her, knowing no better than to think she'd keep in her bounds. Now I knew just what kind of danger she was. It was finally time for me to take matters into my own hands and bring this to an end once and for all. But Natalie-just the mere thought of her tear-stained face, how she had left with so much pain in her eyes-scared me on a whole other level.Gotta get outta here, needed some fresh air, you know? Just would not shake, would not.Quiet, it was a house where every room was just a little colder without Natalie inside. I went up the hall and passed her room, now so bare. My hand fell onto the cold doorknob, and I turned it slowly before stepping inside. Just a mome
The Billionaire’s Bargain CHAPTER FIFTY-SEVEN
Brandon's POV"Brandon! Open this door right now!" My mother's voice pierced through the house, razor-sharp and commanding, cutting through the heavy silence that had fallen since Natalie left.I didn't have the strength to get out of bed and face her. Now, sitting in bed, staring only at the floor with all that on my mind, my chest cramped, my heart was heavy with all the guilt and regret that Natalie was gone and had left me, and hadn't found even the strength to go after her.“Brandon!” she yelled out this time louder, and pounded on his door a little harder.I did with a deeper breath rise to my feet with the firm realization embedded in my brain-that the more I took to avoid her, the grimmer things got. I walked up to the door, knowing full well what lay on the other side-my actions blowing right in my face. Slowly, I opened it, and there she was, standing, her arms across her chest, her face contorted in anger."Well? Going to explain to me why the whole world is talking about y
The Billionaire’s Bargain CHAPTER FIFTY-SIX
Natalie's POV"Are you sure about this, Nat?" Hailey asked as she extended a glass of water in my direction, her eyes deep with concern. I knew that furrow in her brow and pursing of her lips meant she'd bitten her tongue not to ask a thousand questions.I nodded, swallowing as my throat welled up with tears that threatened to fall. "I didn't have a choice, Hail. I just couldn't stay there anymore."Hailey plopped herself beside me on the couch and reached across to set a hand on my arm, turning toward me. "And you just packed up and left just like that?"Just like that," I said-my voice as flat as his. "What was I supposed to do? He's going to have a baby with Arlys and didn't even have the balls to come to me. I had to find out just like everybody else did-on the damn internet."Anger twisted all of the features on Hailey's face. "That snake knew it, I knew something was off about her, but I didn't fathom it, didn't think she would go this far."By this time, I was whispering now; s
The Billionaire’s Bargain CHAPTER FIFTY-FIVE
Brandon's POVThe house was cold the minute I stepped through the door. Not warm, nobody was waiting to greet me in the doorway. There was this silent feeling, a feeling which told me within an instance that something was wrong. She should have been in the sitting room or at least heard her humming emanating from the kitchen. Today, there is nothing but stillness.I went down the hall, my footsteps resounding in the big emptiness. My heart started to beat this weird rhythm the closer I came up to her room. The door stood ajar, and one could hear someone rummaging inside."Natalie?" I half-aloud quietly said, yet nobody answered me.I flung the door open and saw her by the bed, the suitcase opened, and clothes scattered around; she was packing. My heart fell into my tummy, and for one moment, I stopped breathing."Natalie, what are you doing?" I said, stepping inside, lacing my voice with confusion and fear.She didn't turn but went on with the packing,-folding a sweater and laying it
The Billionaire’s Bargain CHAPTER FIFTY-FOUR
Natalie's P.O.V.I barely felt the weight of the office door closing behind me as I stepped out, my vision blurred by the tears that kept falling though it tore my heart into pieces. It felt just like the walls of Brandon's office closed in on me and suffocated me, and now that I was outside, I couldn't breathe. Maybe my legs were lead, and little I did but walk, step after step, without an end at all in or direction toward the sight.How blind can I be? How come I let it seep inside my head that things between us were getting better? The last weeks had been speckled with instances of warmth and tenderness-quiet moments indeed, but which made me feel secure and sure that finally, we were on firmer ground. But all that was one big lie.Snicker, grim, escaped; images flashed of soft stroking, the way Brandon had held me up through the night, the look in those eyes, which I had mistaken for love. I had let my defenses down, and given him my trust. Now it seemed I was paying the price for
The Billionaire’s Bargain CHAPTER FIFTY-THREE
Brandon's POV "Thanks, all, for your time," I said, nodding to close the meeting, trying to focus on the investors seated around the table. It had gone well-or so it seemed-but my mind was elsewhere. A cloud had hovered over my head for weeks now, and I just couldn't seem to let it go. Until finally, the room emptied, and that little voice in my belly started telling me I was just waiting for the other shoe to drop. It's one of those feelings that I just couldn't shake-and boy, was I right: the minute my secretary Olivia burst in looking like she'd just seen a ghost, I knew my world was going to come crashing down. "Sir… You need to see this," Olivia stammered, extending the tablet toward me. Her hand was shaking. What is it?" I asked her, frowning as I took the device from her. "Arlys… she… she gave an interview," she managed to say, her voice cracking. "It's everywhere. It's viral." It was as if blood oozed out in one go. The instant it glued on the screen when I scrolled
The Billionaire’s Bargain CHAPTER FIFTY-TWO
Natalie's POVThe kitchen din enveloped me: clinking dishes, and hum of dining-room voices; this is just background noise that I almost always hear. I finally looked up and stopped to revise this menu since new seasonal dishes needed my attention. There is only one rhythm here in the restaurant that continues day in, and day out that assures me that all is right with the world in its place.Today, however, was stretched to a breaking point. Of late, Brandon had gone standoffish: not catching glances, short conversations, the way he came home late and blamed it on work. I really did want to believe him, but something really did not feel right, and I couldn't get it off my mind.It was that knock on my door that pulled me out of this reverie. I didn't get a word said, let alone get words formed, before Hailey walked into my office, white-faced, shaking her hand, holding her phone out in front of her like some sort of explosive."Natalie, you have got to see this," she said, her voice ju
The Billionaire’s Bargain CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE
Brandon's P.O.V. "Anthony, I need your help," I said into the phone clutched to my ear, while my voice quivered. My hands were all wet from sweat, and I could just feel the weight of everything weighing down on me. The walls in my office closed in while I paced, unable to sit down. A second later, Anthony answered on the other line saying, "Brandon, what's up? You sound a mess." "I… I messed up, man," I said rubbing a hand over my face in frustration. The guilt just about ate me alive and I couldn't shake this image of Arlys leaving my office with that smirk on her face. I hated her for the angle she was playing but God I hated myself even more for putting us in this situation. "It's Arlys. She's pregnant, Anthony. And she's threatening me." "What?" Anthony's voice all but reached a high pitch, incredulous at the good news palpable. "Pregnant? Brandon, you gotta be kidding me right now." "I am. I didn't even want to believe her in the first place, but then she came back and t
The Billionaire’s Bargain CHAPTER FIFTY
Natalie's POVThe morning in the restaurant had been busy, but finally, some afternoon lull appeared, which gave me the chance to catch my breath and think about something other than work. It was ages since I saw Brandon's mother Rebecca, and all of a sudden I started feeling how much her presence was missed.She was always nice to me because of this ever-pressing turbulence between Brandon and his family. And so I went over to them, hoping to have a nice afternoon.I had done everything that needed doing, passed it on to my assistant, and left. The backseat was comfortable, and my mind began to stray. Something tugged in my brain concerning Brandon, but I'd just blown that off. We will sort that out later. Now, all that I wanted was to be with Rebecca.Finally, as I was approaching her estate, my driver slowed down since some other car seemed to materialize from the opposite direction. I went forward and peered into an immensely familiar sleek black car driving out. My heart barely m
