Page 13 of The Billionaire's Contract Baby

We walked out of the elevator, past the lobby with an uncomfortable silence settling between us. When I opened the exit door, a cold wind blew in. Even with my muscles and clothes, I felt the chill. I looked at Crystal who was hugging herself, shivering. "Let's get to my car quickly."

She nodded. I took her hand and we walked swiftly to my car in the executive parking area. I protected her with my body from the cold as I could. She gave me a grateful look. We entered the executive parking area, which helped us get out of the cold.

My car was the only one parked here. I opened the door for her to get in and quickly joined her in the driver's seat. Getting in the car took away most of the raw cold. Crystal looked at me and laughed. "I felt like a little kid. It was like we were running in the rain together."

I hummed a reply as I started the car. I was a bit annoyed, but I couldn't keep my anger up for long. I smiled at her to keep the atmosphere amiable. She eased in her seat as I drove out of the garage. The road was cluttered with debris, which made it hard to drive. I had to drive slowly. Beside me, Crystal had fallen asleep. She must be very tired. I focused my attention on the road. I already knew where her home was located.

I had wanted to check on her several times but held back hoping a scenario would come up naturally, where she would invite me over. Although this is not how I imagined a visit, it wasn't too bad. I didn't think she'd invite me in, considering that she had a friend over. After a long and bumpy journey, I parked in front of her apartment. I raised my hand to her cheek and put some stray hairs behind her ears.

Her eyes moved and she slowly opened her eyes. "Hey," I said, my voice soft. She hummed and pressed her cheek into my palm. "You're home. We're just outside your apartment."

That caught her attention. She bolted upright, straining her seatbelt. "Why are you so alarmed?" I asked, concerned a bad dream might have startled her.

She let out a nervous laugh and shook her head. "I'm sorry. I've just had a lot on my mind lately. Thank you for driving me home." A tear was running down her face. She quickly wiped at them before taking up the handle of her bag to leave.

I held her arm to stop her. "Crystal, do you regret it?" Unknowingly, I clenched my jaw. I was tense.

She looked bewildered but then comprehension dawned on her. "Lorenzo, no. I don't regret it. Don't think that. I enjoyed my time with you; you are my first, and you made it a memorable experience. So, thank you." She smiled - a genuine grin. I let out a breath of relief, smiling back.

"I thought for a while there that you hate me. Thank you for making me your first. That must have been dear to you." She rested a hand on mine, then linked our fingers.

"For you it was worth it. But…" Her eyes suddenly became downcast. "What if…. we made a mistake. Considering our professional relationship, I don't think that's the right thing we should have done."

"So, you regret it…" My tone was cold, belying the anger I felt.

"Lorenzo…" she sighed, looking frustrated, "I don't, believe me. What I'm saying is that whatever is happening between us should slow down for the good of both of us. I think we got caught up in the moment… We should not repeat that." She held my hands, her eyes pleading with mine. I knew at this moment that I should agree with her. I should put my walls back up and keep to my oath, but a need deeper than caution prevailed.

"What if, Crystal, I want a repeat session for us to get to know each other better. To find out if this could be something more." This made me sound desperate. I barely knew her. A friend in college had introduced Luna to me. I never felt any bright passion, but I did love her. But for Crystal, it was like a part of me - strange and young - was coming alive.

Her face was a mask of anguish, but then a cold mask fell in place. She pulled her hand away from mine. Clutching her bag, she opened the door. There was a light shower of rain outside. She had one foot out and looked at me, expressionless. "No," she exclaimed and stepped out of the car, closing the door.

Through the window, although blurry, I watched as she climbed up the few steps and unlocked the door. A minute later, she entered. Before the door closed, she looked back at me. I doubt she could see me through the rain that was now pouring heavily. Her reply kept re-playing in my head. She had said it with a finality that shattered any hope I might have had. I wanted to be furious - to yell something at anyone - but my mood fell flat as if the rain itself was washing away my anger, leaving me with a cold, sick feeling.

I drove away, both hurt and lost. To have unrequited affection for someone hurts no matter what. Maybe she was just sparing me future pain. Maybe, I should be grateful. None of those feelings registered to me. All I wanted was Crystal.

***

The next few days at work with Crystal were tense and dry. It was as if the intimacy that ought to have brought us together had sucked away something essential from us. I tried to speak to her in private - maybe to somehow smooth things over. That was when I discovered another side of her: stubborn and evasive. Tired of playing this game - of having my feelings and enthusiasm dashed against the wall - I stopped.

I might be wealthy and powerful, but I was old. Crystal is a young woman; she might want someone her own age. I didn't want to woo her with my money. Luna had only been with me for my money, taking me as a fool. I wouldn't stand another betrayal. Not again.

"Sir, Cedarwood Hotels' Manager, Alonzo, sent a proposal. He wants to create a partnership with our company to promote his hotel." Crystal placed a file in front of me, pulling me away from my thoughts.Cedarwood?A new luxury hotel trying to take advantage of my company's name. I've seen hundreds of proposals like this, and they had nothing good to offer.

"I'll go over it later." My tone was hinting at dismissing her. She stood there for a moment, dressed in a similar attire to what she had wornthat day.It made me remember what had happened between us and then the fallout. She turned and left, returning to her seat. I looked away, knowing full well how tempting she looked even from the back.

My phone rang, and I picked it up immediately, wanting something to distract me. "Lorenzo, my friend, it's been a while." A guy with a thick British accent greeted me. It was Bruno Marshwood, I noted. He was a wine connoisseur and a great lover of wine. We had met five years ago at an International Entrepreneur meeting, bonding over our love of good wine.

"If it isn't Bruno, my friend. To what do I owe this pleasure?" My mood was lighter than before. I rose and went to the window to look at the sprawling skyscrapers surrounding my company.

"Ah, Lorenzo, I have news about something you'd love. Remember Elijah Golden? He is hosting a wine tasting event along with other colleagues from around the world. He wants us to come over. It would be a fun event. You should come, it would do you some good considering how stuck up you are at work."

I went over what he said in my mind. Elijah was what I would call a people person and official wine addict. He was well known across the world as a wine advertiser. Many companies would vie for this spot just to have their chance to impress him. He had been of help to me before. This wine tasting event would serve to increase my connections and have fun. Moreover, it would take me away from all my problems at the moment.

"It sounds enticing. When is it?"

"Three days from now, and don't forget to bring a lady with you. You don't want to look out of place, old chap." He laughed on the other end of the phone, knowing fully well that I had no one. Or did I? My eyes found Crystal. She averted her gaze snappily, but I was tempted. She was here, and I could take her along. It would be an eye-opening experience for her and a way for us to bond.

"No problem. Is this meeting going to be in London?"

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