Page 52 of A Billionaire's Secret

“I can’t wait to see you tomorrow, baby!”His latest text read. He had never called me ‘baby’ before, and what a time it was to start. The irony of it all formed a smile that remained etched on my face until Christian saw me the following day.

“Vicky, I don’t think I’ve ever seen you smile this much. What’s going on?” he asked as I walked in with my parents and sister behind me.

24

Christian

“Diana,areyouready?Please don’t be late this time.” I shouted across the hall to my daughter’s room.

“Yea, Dad! I’m ready, don’t worry,” she confirmed.

A minute later, she walked out, wearing a classy black and white dress, her blonde hair in a bun.

“You look very presentable, Dee-Dee,” I joked and pecked her forehead. “Thanks for always having my back.”

“Dad,” her eyes widened. “Look at you! You don’t look so bad yourself.”

“Oh, this old chap,” I mocked her. “I had to. For the in-laws, you know.”

She shook her head, placed her arm on mine, and at the sound of the doorbell, we walked downstairs.

Diana opened the door and smiled wide at the sight of Victoria and her family. “Vicky!” she hugged her. “Welcome, Mr. and Mrs. Hampton. Elizabeth and Adrian,” Diana shook each of their hands.

"Please, Diana, call them Joanne, Leo, and Lizzie," Victoria instructed, searching for my gaze over Diana’s shoulder.

“Christian,” she left them all behind and approached me. Her eyes shone brighter than ever. Her face had returned to its typical sun-kissed hue. Her hair—shiny and silky smooth, fell over her bare shoulders, a flowy baby-pink dress embracing the curves of her body.

“Hi, beautiful,” I pressed her to my chest. “I missed you. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you smile this much. What’s going on?”

“I feel brand new,” she responded, a smile spreading over her face.

“Dad, where are your manners,” Diana scolded me, pointing her gaze at our guests.

I cleared my throat, pulled away from Victoria, and approached her parents. “Mr. and Mrs. Hampton. Lizzie and Adrian. Welcome to my home,” I shook their hands, taking the time to look into their eyes.

“Joanne and Leo, please,” Victoria’s mother instructed me. “What a lovely home! And thank you for the comfortable ride.”

“Always,” Christian nodded.

Victoria’s father observed the scene quietly and politely nodded each time I looked his way. Overwhelmed by the grandeur and luxury, he found comfort walking alongside Victoria.

“Joanne, Lizzie, and Adrian, would you like a tour of the house,” Diana revolved around them. “You should get to know it since we’d love to have you around more often.”

“Yes. You all go ahead,” I encouraged them, hoping to get some alone time with Victoria’s father.

“Dad, you should let Christian show you the backyard,” Victoria understood the assignment, handing her father off to me with a subtle wink and walking away with Diana and the rest of the guests.

“Leonard, thank you for coming,” I placed my hand on his back, guiding him toward the backyard. “I organized this diner to get to know Victoria’s family and express my intentions for her.”

Leonard walked silently, looking at his feet, hands in his pockets, carefully analyzing every word.

“The truth is, I should have done this much earlier,” I continued, my voice cutting through the thick salience. “Because I knew I loved her on our first date.”

Leonard lifted his gaze to meet mine. Then he quickly looked away.

“Victoria and I had a few obstacles in our way, and I didn’t want to get you involved until we had sorted through them,” I elaborated, hoping for some feedback from him.

“I’m aware,” he finally said. “So, you mean to tell me you have overcome these ‘obstacles’ now?”

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