Page 65 of The Next Door Billionaire's Deception

“What did you two discuss?”

“Family stuff. When did you find out?”

“Today.”

“Is he still offering his services to your firm?”

“At the moment, no. I’m guessing he has other things to deal with.”

“Tell me. What’s your relationship with Alex again?”

I swallow. “I told you, he’s a lawyer for my freelance firm. We’ve done some business together, and that’s it.”

She looks me right in the eyes. “Oh, okay. It skipped my memory.”

“That happens. A lot of times, due to my sheer workload, I even forget to eat!”

She’s not laughing. What’s wrong?

“Is there something wrong, Melissa?”

“Nothing much. Today was just tiring. Also, I got into a fight with a friend.”

I breathe a sigh of relief.

“What happened?”

“I found out today that she was lying to me and keeping secrets from me about something important. I asked her about it, and she lied to my face –again! – and this, without even flinching.”

The night gets a lot chillier. I shiver as cold air blows on the little skin that my clothes don’t cover. It’s not the cold air, though.

“Um… damn. That must have been, uh, painful.”

She leans on my shoulder. “Very. I hate deception. I’m so glad I can still count on you.”

“Uh, yeah, sure.”

She tilts her head up. “Why the hesitation? Or, is there something you want to tell me?”

If ever there’s a good time to tell Melissa everything, this is it. I open my mouth, ready to explain everything, but then I stop.

How would Melissa react, knowing that the person she’s building a relationship with is trying to take over her company? Again, there’s Alex. I haven’t been truthful to her about my relationship with her brother. I told her that lie when I was still suspicious of her, but now that we’re together, I can’t tell her the truth.

I clench my fists. I have to protect Melissa. Even if that means lying to her and keeping secrets.

“No. Nothing you don’t know, already. Except for some stories of my childhood I must have forgotten to tell you, maybe,” I say, in an attempt to diffuse the tension with a little humor.

She stands up. “I have to go now.”

“Really? But we just got here a few minutes ago. Are you sure you’re fine?”

“I’m feeling tired and a bit cold. Plus, I forgot to attend to something, somewhere.”

“Oh. Well, can I drive you there?”

“No! I mean… I’ll be fine. I’ll take the train.”

She’s withdrawing from me.

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