Page 9 of Taming the Elusive Billionaire

“Of course, he will. Besides, I am not lying if you will actually do it,” Ella said looking assumingly at me.

“And how do you suppose to do that? He doesn’t seem to be the type that will be pushed around to do something.”

“Well, you will draw her actual portrait?” Ella asked, looking at me with big, sad eyes. “Then all I have to do is to call Mom and tell her first.”

I grinned, “I suppose I could do that, it wouldn’t take me long. Do you think she will buy into the idea?”

She shrugged, separated from me, dug her hands into her pocket, and brought out her phone. “Only one way to find out.”

Ella pressed some numbers on her phone and then pressed it to her right ear.

“Who are you calling?”

She showed me the ID. “Mom.”

A few seconds later, her mom picked up the call, and she immediately put it on loudspeaker.

“Hello, Mommy,” Ella called out to her excitedly.

“Hello, sweetheart, how are you?” Her mom replied with a voice like refined silk, which made me smile.

“I am doing good, Mom, just missing you so much.”

“Oh, come on, your brother told me you came with your best friend. I doubt you miss me that much.” her mother replied while laughing, and Ella and I looked at each other surprised.

“He already told you about Lucy?”

"Absolutely, he has. It's a bit unfortunate that you didn't let him know that your best friend was coming, right? You're aware of how your brother would sometimes act, aren't you?" “Mom,” Ella began scratching her head, worried. “I wanted it to be a surprise.”

“What do you mean you wanted it to be a surprise?”

“Well, you see, my friend here, she’s an artist, the best you can think of,” Ella said as she looked at me and gave me the thumbs up. “So, I started thinking, what if she does a large portrait of you, you know, one of the sitting rooms here lacks one of those few important things.”

“Really?” Her mother asked.

“Certainly, Mom, I just wanted to do something for you since you have always been the one doing it.”

“Oh, sweet girl, that is so very thoughtful of you.”

Ella grinned at me and gave me a thumbs-up. “You know I would do anything for you, Mom.”

“You are so sweet. I think that is a lovely idea, let’s do it. I should be back in town in the next few days. So, tell me, what do you want me to get for you?"

Ella pumped her fist, happily, “I don’t know, you have always known how to get the best gifts for me whenever you travel.”

“You know I do.”

“Maybe it’s because I miss you so much.”

“Oh, I miss you too. Please make sure your friend is comfortable and has everything she needs. We don’t want to wear her out long before she starts working.”

“Of course, Mom, but I would love it if you told Mason not to be too overbearing and calm things down.”

Her mother began to laugh. “He’s your brother as much as he’s my son. You can always talk to him and tell him what you think.”

“Mom, have you met your son? He’s not the easiest to reason with.”

Her mother increased her laughter this time, “All right, all right, God, you kids are unbelievable. I will talk to him, but I am not making any promises.”

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