Liar Liar Billionaires

11. Something about yummy and cupcakes

Nathaniel kept a hand on his waist as he confusedly watched Chloe crawl out from under his bed.

“And what on earth were you doing under my bed?” He finally asked once she was standing.

“She gets weirder every day,” Amir mumbled loudly, earning himself a glare from his friend.

And Chloe retorted, “You came here to have s*x. Who’s weirder between you and me?”

“You were listening to us,” Amir returned, and the half-naked Lucille beside him nodded in agreement.

“There was nowhere else to hide,” she replied, her eyes pointed at Lucille, who clearly didn’t have an iota of shame. She flirts with Nathaniel one second, and the next, she’s kissing Amir and moaning his name. Very shameless woman.

“That’s fine, Chloe,” Nathaniel’s fine voice interrupted. “I don’t have any issues with you. But I have on with this man-w***e on my bed.”

Amir got up angrily. “Who the heck are you calling a w***e. Dude, don’t-”

“Don’t what?” Nathaniel squared his shoulders and glared back the the seething man. “Don’t what, Amir? Shouldn’t you be apologising for this? Since when do we disrespect each other like this? I don’t care if you sleep with the whole world. Heck, f**k an alien buddy if it pleases you. Just never, ever involve me in this filthy lifestyle of yours.”

“Look man…” Amir’s anger was nowhere to be found. He looked so sober, you would think he was about to confess his sins. “I… I am sorry, okay? We weren’t thinking. We just entered any room in sight. You know how these things happen.”

Nathaniel gave a sarcastic smile. “No, I don't.”

“I am sorry, okay?”

Chloe was amused by the display of apology. It made her picture a future where Amir apologises to all his victims.

“Y-yes, we… we are sorry,” Lucille added, and Chloe rolled her eyes.

“Aren't you supposed to be working, Lucille?” Nathaniel asked.

“I…I…”

He cut her short. “If I decide to fire you right now, I won't be wrong. ”

Lucille gulped as everyone's eyes stayed on her. “I am sorry.”

“Repeat this nonsense, and you are out. And Amir, inside this house, keep that thing between your legs as hidden as possible. Now, out of my room.” Chloe was impressed by the authority he held. That was one of the main things she found attractive about him, anyway.

“Chloe,” Nathaniel focused on her. “I apologise for that. You shouldn’t have had to deal with that.”

Her eyes slowly traced the outline of his lips. And those lips… They looked so…

“Yummy.”

“Uh?”

Chloe gasped. She had spoken that word out loud.

Her hands refuting what he had just said with a furious wave, she said, “I … I meant, it is fine. It was nothing grand. I watch p**n sometimes, and it is way crazier… than…” One of his brows was jerked in amusement. “I will keep quiet now.”

He gave a low chuckle, and her insides jolted at the deep rhythmic sound. “Amir is right, you are weird. "

Her teeth gritted. "I guess I am."

“Uh… could you…” He pointed towards the entrance. “Could you step outside for a minute? I need to do something. I will call you in when I am done.”

“Of course.” She picked up the broom and dustpan while eyeing the envelope. When she reached the entrance, she abruptly turned. “Nathaniel?”

“Yeah?”

“You ignored me earlier.”

“Of course. I was being too obvious with my foolishness,” he said as he scratched the back of his head. “I thought you were going to mention the kiss.”

“Mention?” She scoffed while her spirit spiralled with slight anger. “As long as you didn’t mention it, I was planning to keep my mouth shut.”

“That… That is a nice plan.” He nodded at her, and she replied with a smile. “I just didn't want to make things weird.”

“Kissing me was weird. But…” She shrugged before continuing. “It doesn't matter since you were trying to get away from that loud guy from the party. But I’d like it if you respected me better. Ignoring me wasn’t nice.”

“Chloe…” He made a short tut then a whoosh sound with his mouth as he appeared to be thinking of what to say. “Yes, the kiss was a distraction. Thank you for not making it weird. And my apologies for my foolishness.

“Sure. I’ll be waiting outside.”

As Nathaniel flashed a dashing smile and watched her leave, her slight anger turned to disappointment. But she instantly scolded those nonsensical emotions. She had no reason to be hopeful just because he kissed her once.

“He kissed you?”

“Oh my God, Gabriel.” She was startled by the question he slapped into her face the minute she was outside.

“I overheard your conversation with Princess over there.”

Chloe chuckled at the nickname. “Why are you calling him Princess?” She also avoided his sudden question.

“Well, Nathaniel acts a bit princessy when he likes someone.”

“Ohh.”

“So, he kissed you?”

“Why are you so interested?”

“Answer the question, Cupcake.”

“Why are you calling me Cupcake?” she chuckled as she tried to keep a distance between them.

“Because you are a sweet person. But I like to think that you are like those cupcakes with mean writings on them. You bite into them,” Gabriel reached for her right cheek and pulled gently, “and they end up tasting good.”

“You are acting weird, Gabriel.” Chloe was surprisingly smiling at this weirdness of his.

“I can’t help it. You-”

“You two seem pretty close." Nathaniel leaned against the door frame.

“Hey, dude. We didn’t see you there.”

For many seconds, Nathaniel keenly observed the little gap between Chloe and Gabriel. Then he said, “Chloe, you can go in.”

“Uh, sure.”

“We need to talk,” Nathaniel said to Gabriel as she entered.

On closing the door, she headed for the bed. The envelope was still there, and after she had carefully taken note of the precise placement, she took it out and reached for its insides.

All that was inside was a flash drive, and she hurriedly connected it to her phone.

With her heart pounding a bit, she waited for the only document on the drive to load. When it did, all it read was- LSB 2034 TWENTY MILLION POUNDS.

The message was vague, but it was certain that it meant something. Without much ado, she copied the file and returned the envelope just as she found it.