Page 15 of Billionaire's Second Chance

I picked it up and fluffed it, still trying to understand why she was so mad.

“Lily, I don't understand why you are so mad,” I looked at her, confused and agitated.

“No, youdon’tunderstand.” She spun around to face me, her face now covered in tears. “You think everything is all about business, wealth, and transactions, right?”

I shrugged. “Isn’t it?”

“Damon? That’s what all this is to you? A transaction. You give me the role, and you get what in return, sex?” She yelled, throwing her hands in the air in disbelief.

“Lily, I picked you because I think you are a good fit for the role—” I assured her.

“Good?" Her eyes bulged. "Not great?"

"You're being petty now," I furrowed my brows.

"Here's what I think. I think you took the easy way out. You thought you'd kill two birds with one stone—make your movie and get unlimited access to me in your bed in the meantime. Just like you have done many times before with other movies. But how does that make me look? No one will want to hire me again. Or, if they do, they'll think they can sleep with me too." Lily blurted out, pausing only to catch her breath.

"Lily, where are you going with this?" I approached her, anger rising through my veins. "Did I force you into my bed? Did I force you to take this role?"

She looked at me, startled. "I don't care about your stupid role, Damon! I only ever cared about you. I will ask you one last time—am I your girlfriend? Would you make this public, or will you try to sweep it under the rug for the sake of your reputation?"

I stared at her blankly. She blinked, searching for something she knew she wouldn’t find in my eyes.

“I thought as much,” she said and eased past me.

I remained rooted to the spot, torn between going after her and letting her go. She wanted too much out of me. Although going public might ease the media rope from around my neck, I wouldn't be forced into anything like that. Not now, not ever.

Fuck the media!

“Lily,” I tried to reason with her one last time.

But she had already opened the front door. She knew me well enough to know I wouldn't chase her. And risk more photos of us by the hungry paparazzi outside.

***

“Hello, Harry.”

“Hey, Damon," Harry stuttered on the other end of the line. "Glad you finally called."

“I've seen the blogs," I informed him. "What do you want to do?"

"Well, I think you and Lily should make it official," Harry spoke the words I least wanted to hear.

"That's out of the question," I declared.

"Damon, this can get very messy, very fast," Harry warned me, anxiety seeping through his voice.

"Not my first rodeo," I scoffed, adjusting my shirt sleeves.

"And that's exactly the problem. You're becoming Hollywood's player," Harry paused, letting me know another insult was coming my way. "And a joke."

"I can see my Dad has gotten in your head," I responded sarcastically. "Listen, buddy, I'm not letting you or anyone else 'slut-shame' me. The bigger issue here is that Lily walked away from the role. And from me."

The silence grew thicker.

"Damn it, Damon," Harry's voice sulked. "That's an even bigger scandal. It doesn't make you look good."

"Come on, have you seen me lately?" I joked.

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