Taken By The Arrogant Billionaire

Valerie breathlessly opened the message.

‘Amber restaurant at 7pm’

It was 6 already. She had to run.

She burst into the house as the girls screamed bloody murder. Each with a weapon to attack the intruder.

Layla held up a ceramic cup, while Sandy’s weapon was a pepper spray.

“Hey, chill. It’s just me” Valerie said, and they finally dropped their ‘weapons’.

Sandy and Layla patted their chest from fright. The three of them had been best friends since college and had nothing in common. For example, Layla was the manager to a small-time Hollywood actress and was the completely crazy type. No man wanted to mess with her.

Sandy was the gentle one and always mediated when Valerie and Layla locked horns. She recently resigned from her Job as a teacher. Reasons unknown.

Valerie was, well, in-between. She was mostly gentle. Not many people had seen her crazy side.

“Guys, take a guess” Valerie said, excitedly.

“Guess? After scaring the bloody hell out of us?” Layla was disgruntled. It was already a miracle that she didn’t pick a fight.

“Okay. I’m sorry. Now, guess”

None of the girls spoke.

“Okay, if you’re not going to reply, I’ll just say it. Ivan asked us to meet, and I think he’s going to propose” She jumped, thrilled.

She received no reaction from them.

“You won’t say anything. Are you not happy for me?”

“Wow. Congratulations Val” Sandy forced a smile.

“Believe it or not, I’ll never come to like that man. He looks so calculating and manipulative to me”

“Come on, Layla. Ivan is a nice guy if you get to know him. Also, he loves me so much”

“Good for you” She said dully.

Valerie rolled her eyes and ran to her room to pick clothes for the date. Her friends were not going to help anyway.

She chose a flashy red dress and a smoky makeup to match. She made her hair in minutes, and she was finally set.

Likewise, she checked herself in the mirror and smiled satisfactorily.

It was already 6:45. She had just 15 minutes left.

She bolted to the living room.

“You like?” She spun around.

“Pretty, but would have been better if you had not worn it for something…. or should I say someone, so useless” Layla commented.

“You really have a way of putting me down” Valerie replied.

“You look dashing” Sandy said.

“Thank you. I’ll be back soon” She air-kissed them and left.

“Do you think he will propose? He doesn’t look like someone who is in love” said Sandy.

“Well, our dear friend thinks otherwise”

************

Amber restaurant was not too far as she arrived in 15 minutes. She assessed her appearance in the restaurant’s door, which was made of glass. She exhaled and took a bold step in.

Ivan was seated in a corner, and she immediately saw him. She was, however, disappointed that there were no candles, flowers, or something that could imply a proposal. There was a cup of coffee before him and his face was glued to his phone.

Valerie slowly walked towards him.

“Hi” He finally looked up. She wanted to kiss him, but he avoided it.

“Why don’t you have a seat first”

Valerie sat down, embarrassed? Luckily, no one saw them.

“You are 6 minutes late”

“I’m sorry” was all she could say.

“You must be wondering why I called you here. So, I’ll just go straight to the point. Valerie, let us-”

“Yes” she screamed, attracting attention. Ivan looked confused.

“Yes. I’ll marry you”

“That was not what I wanted to say” He finally burst Valerie’s bubbles. Her shoulders drooped in disappointment.

“You are a superb woman, Val. Hardworking and lovable… but I realized this won’t work”

She shifted in her seat.

“What won’t work?”

“Let us break up, Val”

Valerie’s mind went blank.

“Ivan, are you serious right now? Why? Did I do something wrong? Tell me and I’ll make amends. Please don’t break up with me. I love you Ivan”

“But I don’t” He snapped. Valerie’s eyes widened.

“Not anymore” he added. “I’m ending this and it is final”

“Is there someone else, Ivan?”

He looked away, but that was enough answer. He stood up, paid for the coffee, and left without looking back.

Her mind was still reeling as she stared into space.

After a while, she stood up to leave. Everywhere was dark, and it was momentarily brightened as lightening struck and a resounding thunder followed. It only meant one thing-rain.

Valerie took off her heels and began to walk to only-God-knows-where.

On the top floor of Smith Industries, the office of the CEO was filled with the clicking keyboard. Jared was seated at the table, typing away as the rain beat the floor to ceiling windows.

His tie was off, and the first few buttons were open, making him as sexy as ever.Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

There was a knock on the door, and he didn’t bother to respond as he already knew who it was. Will entered.

“Boss. You should go home” Will said, with hands on his hips, like a nagging wife.

“You should go if you want to” He said without looking up.

Will sighed. His boss had been pulling an all-nighter for the past few weeks, and he knew why

His fiancée could be in his house, waiting for him.

Will and Jared had attended the same high school and were friends. He was on scholarship as his parents could not afford the high fees of the school.

Jared had offered him a Job when he resumed as the president of the all-powerful Smith Industries, and he had agreed without second thought.

Jared was his friend before being his boss.

“How about we just, you know, chill out, like old times. What do you think?” Jared stopped typing, then resumed.

“No, thanks”

“Come on, Man. It’s been a while since we had fun. And you really look as if you need it” he persuaded.

Jared knew he had to go out and let off some steam, especially when that vixen was waiting for him at home.

His grandfather had revealed the password to his penthouse to her. He had changed it several times, but his grandfather always succeeded in cracking it.