Page 16 of A Billionaire's Secret

I felt a sweat bead trickle down my forehead and wiped it off before I could find a fitting response.

“He asked me out to dinner. I think he wants me to train his daughter or something.” I told her bluntly about my dinner plans and lied through my teeth about the rest.

“Dinner, huh?” My mother turned to look at me as if to confirm she had heard me right. “Vicky, you better be careful with men like that. Is he married?”

“Divorced, as far as I know,” I assured her. “Mom, please, it’s just a business dinner.”

We rode the rest of the way in silence. She and I both knew that was not entirely true.

***

I couldn’t bear to look at myself in the mirror as I slipped into a tight light green dress and brushed my hair straight. I had agreed to see him again against all my doubts, suspicions, resentment, and uncertainty.

As promised, Christian had called, but I hadn’t picked out a dinner place. I couldn’t possibly make that decision and have him feeling out of place at one of my usual spots. I had my own discomfort to deal with, so I didn’t need to feel responsible for his too.

Walking down the stairs, I dodged my mother’s scornful stares and my sister’s gasps at seeing my dress. My father minded his business as usual, but nevertheless, I heard him yell out, “Be good now, kid.”

I shook my head, slammed the door shut behind me, and scurried my sister away, whose face peeked out through the blinds. But then my breath escaped me.

Christian waited for me at the bottom of the stairs, dressed in a dark gray suit specifically tailored to hug and outline his toned muscles. His thick hair—perfectly styled into tame waves. A shiny gold watch peeked out from under his white shirt sleeve.

I felt intimidated and intrigued all at once. I was no match for this man’s class and style, but it was too late to turn around. So, I collected myself, put one foot in front of the other, and accepted his extended hand at the bottom of the stairs.

“Look at you!” He smiled. “Have I met you before?”

“Not this version of me, right?” I attempted to joke.

“As I told you before,” he helped me climb in the Lamborghini truck and leaned closer. “You’re a natural beauty.”

Feeling his breath this close to my face, along with his compliment, made my cheeks fire up. He sat beside me and followed my eyes, hoping to read my emotions. The driver started the car, and we took off, leaving my curious family hiding behind windows and curtains as they watched me board this luxurious vehicle with this handsome yet much older man.

“Since you didn’t tell me where you want to go, and I don’t know much about you, I had to decide based on my brief but intense observations,” Christian explained jokingly.

“I’ll trust your taste,” I smiled. “I’m not the best person to ask about restaurants, and I eat anything and everything.”

“I find that hard to believe. You’re in top form and barely weigh anything.”

“Oh, that’s because you haven’t seen me clear out the fridge daily,” I laughed at the thought of my parents struggling to feed me all my life.

“I’d love to see that!” He exclaimed. “Until then, let’s see how you do here.”

I followed his eyes to a restaurant sign that read ‘Ruby’s Steakhouse’ on top of an elegant, carpeted set of stairs. I had only ever heard of this place and its extravagant prices.

“After you, Ma’am,” he whispered gently, pulling me out of the truck.

I walked up the stairs, holding my breath, trying not to trip over my uncomfortable heels, his hand on my lower waist guiding and encouraging me into a world of unseen luxury and pending expectations.

8

Christian

“Pleasehavethesommelierbring out a selection of your finest wines,” I ordered the waiter as soon as he appeared at our table.

Victoria smelled of spring flowers and morning dew, as I remembered her from the other night. Her tight dress outlined every curve and muscle. Her long dark hair flowed naturally, framing her pale, heart-shaped face and embellishing her hazel eyes that shone with curiosity as she scoped out the restaurant.

“Am I underdressed?” She asked timidly.

“Absolutely not,” I assured her. “I, for one, don’t see a better-looking woman in here than you.”

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