The Beautiful Billionaire

LINDENProperty of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

“Do it again!” I yelled through the microphone from the upper deck. I was disappointed. They had been doing it since morning and still couldn’t perfect the simulation, and one or two of them could still be dead.

“They need a break,” Sax said.

“No. They do it to save their asses when what they should be doing is working together. They’re a team, and they haven’t realized that. Jesus.” I glared down as they came together and talked about another strategy.

“Then tell them.”

“No. They need to realize and figure it out themselves.”

Sax eyed me. “I think you’re throwing your anger to your men.”

“Do you think this is about me?” I glared at him. “I hadn’t had a good sleep in a week, and it made me cranky, but they need to learn. The training isn’t just about rescuing or protecting. It’s about saving their teammates’ lives and getting all home safe and sound to their loved ones. Do you know how it feels knowing they trusted their lives on me and got out there to the most dangerous job every day? As much as I love making money and raising their salary, it’s useless if one of them loses a life. And I always feel like I live hanging by a thread because I don’t know how to share that news with their families if one of them gets hurt badly or, worse, LODD. That’s why I am doing what I am doing for them to be focused and be logical.”

“They heard it loud and clear.” Sax grinned.

“What the fuck?” My nose flared. I didn’t realize he turned on the mic while I was talking to him. “How much did they hear?”

“Since you gave me that cold and hard glare.”

“Fuck you. They shouldn’t have heard that.”

“That serves them as their motivation.” He just shrugged it off.

“Let’s start it over,” the team leader announced.

In less than ten minutes, they executed it perfectly. Sax clapped his hands to applaud Team Chimera. “That’s all for today. Thank you.” He then turned to me. “So, can we go home now? I miss Wilder.”

“We’ve only been here for two days here in Virginia for our three days trip. You’re already eager to go back. Are you sure it’s Kye you missed or my assistant?”

“I feel like you’re making excuses to avoid talking about your issue with Estelle.”

“It’s not an issue. She dumped me. Everyone gets dumped. We broke up. What’s there to mope about?”

“Because you like her. And you’re still in denial.” We sat at the empty table in the cafeteria.

“I didn’t deny that. We’re not just meant to be.”

“I smell bullshit even over a mile. You both are perfect for each other. Like made in heaven kind of shit.”

“Sir, Mr. Linden,” the team leader, Camden, stood before us. “I just wanna say, I appreciate what you said back there. Maybe we just worked too hard to impress you and missed the important part in real combat. Thank you, sir.”

I nodded. “Don’t be too hard on yourself. There’s always room for improvement. In due time, you’ll be a good leader out there, Camden. That’s why I chose you myself.”

“Thanks, boss. Sorry for the interruption.” Camden left, and I noticed Sax was still staring at me.

“Don’t fall for me. How are you and Hope?”

“Have you ever tried sending her flowers, texting, or visiting her in the office? You know her address. It’s always good to surprise a girl.”

“Coming from someone who chickened out all the time, I don’t think I would take your advice, Sax.”

He laughed softly. “I’m serious. Why did you two break up? Aside from what everyone already knows, she’s arranged to the asshole lapdog.”

“She’s going to lose Star LLC.”

“Oh, shit. That’s even beyond my comprehension, man. I’m sorry. I wish I could help.”

“Kye went through digging up the secret of Star LLC. He told me yesterday. I shouldn’t have told everyone about this, even Striker or Moses, but I guess I trust you to keep your mouth shut.”

“Cross my heart. You have my word, brother.” He did a lip-zip sign.

“It’s to be confirmed, but based on the bank transactions before the Star LLC started, Kye said that the startup money came from Tyrion’s pocket.”

“The lapdog’s father.”

“Yeah.” I let go of one deep sigh, still devastated by how she chose to end our relationship if I could even call it a relationship.

“Why not from Gustav?”

“I don’t have any idea. Maybe he didn’t trust his daughter enough to fund Estelle’s dream. That’s the only thing that made sense.”

“What an asshole. So Estelle lived on the razor’s edge to build her company. Now that it’s worth billions, she’s beginning to pay that debt by selling her soul to the devil. That’s unfair, bro.”

“I know. Estelle was so focused on making her dream company and trusted everyone around her without realizing they were all sharks and took advantage of her naivety.”

“Don’t you have a plan to buy some shares? It’s a good payback after how she dumped you through a piece of paper. I’d love to see the look in those big blue eyes.”

“I’m not a teenager anymore, asshole.” My frown deepened.

“You can’t just stand here and do nothing.”

“What is in the part of she dumped me you don’t understand?” I shot him a glare.

When he raised his hands, that was the time I sagged back to the chair.

“I don’t think.” I blew a desperate breath. “I don’t think I can watch her with someone else, let alone thinking how that asshole’s filthy hands all over her.”

“Then let’s make a plan. Let’s kidnap her or that wastrel. He still depends on his father’s pocket, right? Maybe you should pay him to shut up and agree not to marry Estelle.”

“Shut up.”

***

“Hey, Pops.”

My father stilled for a while before he lifted his gaze from whatever he was checking under the hood of his car.

“Is your car okay?”

“You look like shit.” He shut the hood close. “What are you doing here?”

I went to pull him into a hug. “Can’t I come to see my father?”

“After almost two months? You wouldn’t just come over and leave your giant donut behind.” He hugged me back and patted my back.

I laughed. I couldn’t believe the giant donut would crack me up. “The giant donut wouldn’t go anywhere.”

“That’s good to know. Did you see your sister?”

“Two weeks ago.”

“She called me every now and then. She also told me about a girl you’re seeing.” Shit. The terrible thing about Willa, she didn’t know how to lie.

“We broke up.”

“Well, that’s sad. Your sister said she likes her. What’s her name? Star?”

“Estelle.”

“Same. Estelle means star.”

“I didn’t know that.” I followed him inside our old family house. He may renovate a few, but those old beautiful memories were still intact in my head.

“Why did you two break up?”

“Can we not talk about it? It’s in the past. And I swear Willa can’t shut her mouth up.”

“So you didn’t come over to talk about what’s been bothering you or your heartbreak.” He picked up two glasses, placed them on the kitchen island, and got a freshly squeezed jar of pomegranate.

“It’s been weeks, Pops. I just came from VA, and I thought to drop by.” I picked up the jar and poured juice two the glasses.

“Just cut the bull, son.”

“It was just a brief relationship. Nothing’s serious,” I still denied to defend my bruised ego.

“It doesn’t matter how long. It’s how you feel for each other when around. You are old enough to figure out the difference between just a fling or could lead to something more special. Do you still miss her?”

I ignored him and drank half of the juice instead.

“I take that as a yes.”

“It doesn’t matter. She’s getting engaged in a few weeks. In a few months, she’s married to a billionaire’s son.”

“You have money, too. Use your money, your connections, and your power. That’s what it’s all about arranged marriage.”

“I can’t believe you’re saying that to me.”

“Life is never fair, Gabe. Otherwise, there’s no hate, no war, no conflicts. You have all the advantages, and if you think she’s worth that fight, you don’t have to come over, showing me your ugly, sad face.”

“I came here to see you. Really, Pops. I’ve been meaning to visit you or your restaurant.”

“I was supposed to be there today, but I’m old and need a break,” he said dismissively, unimpressed with my denial.

“Good idea. Your restaurant is doing great with or without you.”

“I can’t give you any advice, but coming from a single parent who raised two great kids, all I can say is follow this.” He poked my chest. “This never lies. Your brain makes you overthink the simplest answer.”

“Thanks, Pops.”

“So, are you staying for dinner?”

“If you cook for us, yeah.”

“You’re gonna be okay, son.” He gripped my shoulder. “Trust me. You’ll get your girl back.”

Dad took out some ingredients from the fridge when my phone rang.

My eyes widened in surprise. My finger even shook to press the answer button.

“Hey.” Then all I heard was just noises like wind gusts. “Hello? Estelle, is that you?”

“Oh, my God. Did my- Hello?” Her voice sounded like she was panicking.

“Is everything okay?”

“Gabriel, erm-”

“What’s wrong?”

“Oh, no. Nothing’s wrong. It’s my phone. I might have forgotten to lock it before I dropped it in my bag. I’m so sorry.”

“It’s okay.” I was between relieved and hurt at the same time that her phone had dialed my number by fucking accident. “Good to hear your voice, though. How are you?”

“I’m good. Thanks. You?” For a moment, there was a hesitation in there.

“I’m fine. I’m with my father.”

“Oh, I’m really sorry for the interruption. Have a great time with your father.”

“Estelle?” I swallowed. It was now or never.

“Yeah?”

“It’s really great to hear your voice. Maybe we could have coffee some times. As friends, of course.”

“That would be great, Gabriel.”

“Great. Let me know when you’re free.”

“Of course. Bye, Gabriel.”

“Bye.” Well, that was so subtle.

I was grinning the entire when the call ended. I stared at my phone for a few moments. I didn’t know I needed that short conversation to make me feel better.

“Trust me. It wasn’t an accident.”

I lifted my gaze to Pops and chuckled. “She seems okay, though.”

“She’s checking up on you, son. She wouldn’t have agreed to have coffee with you as friends if you mean nothing to her.”