Page 22 of Saffron and Secrets

Who would want to do that?

He never looked like he was a billionaire. But what do they look like anyway? They are normal people too. I shake away that silly thought; it doesn’t change him. His status doesn’t affect my feelings for him.

He never treated me differently. If I’m honest, I wished he had filled me in on his life. Because his life is in the news and splashed across socials, and if I’m with him, I could also be photographed. Maybe the paparazzi are the ones following me?

But wouldn’t we have caught them the other week when we went looking?

I’m blown away, and my head is thumping with a headache forming. I just wish I knew this information before…but what would I've done with it?

The fact I would’ve known he's invented something—which is damn intelligent—and a billionaire, shouldn’t change a thing. He's sweet, caring, sexy, and smart. Taking time out to investigate the weird note and feeling I had. It can’t be paparazzi trying to get a photo of me to discover who I am because I received the note before I met him.

But stumbling upon all this information is a shock. I'm gonna have to ask him more questions and let him know what I think.

Ruby: Is it true that you're the Jonathan Black? And you left your family business and started your own company?

I delete the message, finding that too rude to send over a text. I plan to speak to him next week at the coffee shop.

This means it will be a helluva long week.

12

Ruby

I stare over my cup at him. I can’t believe what I read online to the man in front of me. He’s every bit as amazing as the articles about him. I ignored the nasty and clearly jealous ones trying to tear him down because he has been nothing short of a gentleman to me.

I take a decent sip of my coffee and lower my cup. “So, I looked you up online last week.”

His brow perks, and he leans back, not saying anything, so I speak again. “After your mother said your name, I was like, where do I know him from?” I tap my temple with a smile.

His face is unchanged, but his eyes are slightly widened. “Did I impress you or disgust you?”

My face drops, and I frown. What? “Disgust? Why would you disgust me?”

“Because I come from money.”

I stare at him, baffled. “I definitely didn’t feel that way. I was overwhelmed but more about how intelligent you are and…” I trail off and he encourages me to continue with a wave of his hand, clearly wanting to discover the rest.

“Curious. Why did you leave your business? You’re a billionaire. You invented an app, but then you left. I'm just trying to understand you.”

He looks down, and his grip on his coffee cup tightens. His knuckles are white, and then he releases the cup and rests his hands on the table as he gazes back at me. A breath leaves my lungs with relief, not wanting to make him uncomfortable, but isn’t this what he wanted? Us to get to know each other?

We lock eyes, and I give him the time he needs to think about an answer. Knowing that if it was me, I would be the same.

“Yes. I invented Integration Software, and my dad succeeded in IT too. So, you could say we both hit it big. But my parents thought they could control me.”

I frown, not understanding, but keep quiet.

“Don't get me wrong. I love them. We don’t have a bad relationship. I just had a falling out with them over a topic. We don’t agree on it. And I refuse to live my life the way they want me to.”

I still don't understand, so I ask, “What do you mean? Like…I'd say this is the part I just don't get. What were they trying to get you to do? That made you walk away to become a driver? Hell, you invented Integration Software and then you left that to be a driver. You don't have to work because you’re a self-made billionaire, but yet you are James’s driver. I’m sorry, I don’t get it. I'm just so confused.”

He offers me a small smile. “Yes, I have money, but it doesn't mean I don't want to work. I love working hard. And James understands my situation. Hence, why he gave me a job.”

I’m about to talk, but he continues, so I close my mouth and listen. “I know you're still trying to figure out why, so even though I don’t like to talk about it, I will. For you. We are trying to get to know each other, and well, this is important.”

Oh.

“The reason my parents and I had a falling out and why I left the company was because my parents want me to marry a certain person and I don't like or love that person.”

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