Page 3 of The Next Door Billionaire's Deception

“And why does it sound like you recently moved in here too?"

I cough slightly. “Not at all. Let's say I have lived here for like, uhm … ” I roll my eyes in pretense and stare blankly at the white crested ceiling of the hallway. “Three years.”

The lie is too easy to tell.

“Three years?”

I nod and fake a smile.

Silence breathes within us as two more movers head toward us, each holding firm to the edges of another sparkling white L-shaped sofa. I can't imagine how much more furniture is still outside the building.

“So, now that I know your name, can we at least show the politeness you talked about?” she says as soon as the movers hurry past.

“We?”

What is she talking about? Slowly, she bites her lips and glares at me.

“Did you say, ‘We’?” I ask again.

She blinks and seems to have just regained her senses. Then, she stretches her right hand forward.

“Melissa Durham. Chief Executive Officer, Emerald Inc.,” she says with a smile, her eyes crinkling at the corners.

I grab her hand, and my heart twitches. It’s warm and soft; the warmness is like a subtle stroke from the edifying heat of a fireplace, and the softness, is like a tender ball of raw and unstained cotton. A gripping sensation runs through the edges of my spine as my hand caresses hers. The feeling is otherworldly.

“Do you mean the Emerald I know?” I let go of her hand slowly, relishing the feel of her soft palm rubbing against mine.

She smiles and wet her lips with her tongue.

“Last I checked, Mr. Richard, there's only one Emerald in New York City.”

At her slightly funny joke, we both lurch into a laughing fit. A familiar sound dances into my perked-up ears. It comes from the direction of my half-open door. My table alarm.

“Uhm … " I nod to my door.

“That must be for you.”

“Yeah. Sorry, I gotta go now.”

She smiles and toys with her bracelet.

“Sure. No problem. And yeah, we've got a quiet hallway now. You’re welcome.”

She nods to the movers. More than half of the items have been taken into the apartment.

I take a step back.

“That's okay.”

“Hope to see you around.” Her soft call echoes along the hallway.

My smile widens. “Of course.”

Chapter 2

Melissa

“I'veneverseenanythingthis beautiful in a long time.”

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