Page 15 of Mr. Billionaire's Second Chance

I heard someone rush out behind me and I saw Chris standing there with his arms folded across his chest. From the look in his eyes alone I could tell just how much he was really judging me.

“Not your type?”

“No one is these days. Except -”

“Who?”

“You know the woman that currently holds the fate of my entire company in her hands? That would be the woman,” I said.

“You’ve got to be kidding me. All right, inside. You’re buying the next round and you can tell me all about it,” he responded, patting my shoulder.

“Yeah, fine.”

I rolled out of bed the next morning far later than I expected to find that my cell phone was ringing off the hook. I realized I had at least five missed calls from William, and I groggily dialed him back, wondering what could be the problem now.

“Something wrong?”

“I don’t think you should come into the office today. This place is swarming with press, the rumors are getting worse, and everyone’s practically waiting for you to get here. I told Katherine to do the same. I called the cops, they’ll be here soon,” said William. I could hear the pure frustration in his voice.

“Think you’ll be okay to handle this on your own today?”

“As long as you both stay far away from the office, I think I can. The public doesn’t know which firm is conducting the investigation and Katherine hasn’t been named. It’s best we keep it that way.”

“Yeah, you’re right. If you need anything, call.”

“I will.”

I hung up the phone feeling like I was going to go crazy if I just sat around here hoping that the story would die down. I took a hot shower, getting dressed in a button-up and jeans before I rummaged through my drawers for an old baseball hat. This may just be enough to keep the attention off me today. At least I hope so.

I called down for the town car to be brought around, telling my driver that he could take the rest of the day off because I was going to get behind the wheel. He seemed reluctant, trying to tell me that he didn’t mind staying, but I insisted. I was in the mood to blow off a little more steam, and after the night I had, there was only one person I wanted to do it with. I drove down to Katherine’s apartment nestled in Brooklyn, enjoying the silent drive out on the road until I pulled up right in front of her building’s door. I wondered if she was even home, because I knew she could very well be spending her day mulling over documents at Eland and Ballard, but it was worth a try.

I was just about to call her, but that’s when I saw her building door buzz open, and out she came clutching her purse, looking like she was ready to rush off.

“Hey there, stranger.”

“Do I know you -”

“You might remember me. I’m that asshole that left you hanging a few months ago and now you’re investigating my company for fraud,” I said, teasingly. I took off my baseball cap for a moment so she could get a better look and she let out that soft chuckle of hers.

“Heading somewhere? I’m sure William filled you in.”

For a moment it was like she didn’t understand what I’d said, staring at me blankly, fumbling around as she tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

“Filled me in?”

“About not heading to the office today.”

“Oh, right. Yes, he did. I was planning on spending the day there, but since the place is swarming with press, I was just going to stay in for the most part,” she said.

“But you’re heading out?”

“Just to grab a coffee.”

“How about you have brunch with me instead?” I asked, smirking at her.

“I don’t really know if that’s such a good idea, Preston. Everyone’s got their eyes on us, and if they see us together or find out what I’m even doing with you, it could open up an entirely new can of worms. You have enough to deal with as it is,” said Katherine.

“Well, luckily for you I know a place or two where no one would think to look for us. Besides, I have a lot left to make up for, remember?”

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