The Billionaire's Game

Chapter 5 | Unfinished Business-2

John Bellamy sat alone at his table. He looked troubled. But when he saw Ines, his eyes lit up and he gave her a warm smile. “Ines, how good to see you,” he said, standing up.

“John,” she said, offering her hand. “It's been a while.”

He shook her hand but clasped his other hand over hers. “Will you be joining us for dinner?”

“No, I'm sorry. But I'm here to tell you Piper will be a little late. I hope you don't mind my company until she gets here.”

“Not at all, my dear. Please sit. What wine would you like?” He waited for her to sit down before he resumed his seat.

“Just a Diet Pepsi for me, thanks.” She would have liked a real drink, but John was a recovering alcoholic. She knew it would be less uncomfortable for him to not have any alcohol at dinner.

"A Diet Pepsi for the lady; a club soda with lemon for me," he said to Tony. When the waiter left, he said to Ines, "This place has an excellent truffle pasta. Although they do also make a great rib eye if you're a meat eater like me."

“Oh no, really. I won't be staying long.”

He frowned. “Is Piper all right?”

“Yes.” She smiled to reassure him. “Just a little case of food poisoning at lunch.” She winced inwardly at the lie that rolled off her tongue. “But she's okay now. She should be on her way here.”

“Is it serious? She and I could have dinner some other time.”

“It's fine. She's all right, I promise.”

“Fine. But I insist you have dinner before you go.” He held up a hand to quell her protest. “It's past seven. I'm sure you're hungry.”

Ines gave him a wry smile. She was actually starving. What's more, she had no idea when Piper was going to show up. “Thank you, John. I'll take your advice and have that pasta.”

The man was an utter gentleman. Most of her boss's boyfriends treated assistants like her as if they were the help. Even Piper seemed nicer when he was around. By all appearances, it looked like the wealthy Texas oil man had a trophy wife in the young actress when they married five years ago. But Ines knew Piper was the lucky one. John may have been much older, but he was sweet and kind. And not just to Piper, he was a peach to everyone. They were still friends, even two years after the divorce, and occasionally met for lunch or dinner when he was in town.

Tony was back with their drinks. As John gave the waiter their orders he opened the purse on her lap and discretely checked for messages on her phone. Nothing from her boss.

Where on earth was Piper?

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