FALLING FOR THE MARRIED BILLIONAIRE.

BONDS.

(LORI'S POV)

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

Lori was perplexed of course, but she kept her cool, especially when she heard that her mother was involved. In that short space of time, she had already begun bombarding her mind with questions. Like what her mother and the woman who sat in front of her must have discussed, she was itching to know.

But it also worried her, so much had happened that day, that the thought of more discomfort was alarming. Lori took out her time to properly scan the woman, she looked wealthy. The little girl that sat next to the woman had expensive jewelry on her neck, ear, and hands. Lori didn't have to think much about it.

They were both reserved, the kid and the woman. She expected the little girl to run around or play with her food, but it didn't happen. Instead, she sat in one position and ate with so much calmness for her age. The woman, Caitlyn as she identified herself, wore a long orange gown. Lori assumed that she had to lift the gown slightly up to be able to walk.

The stones that were imprinted on the gown verified Lori's claims, she didn't have to look into her gadget or what type of jewelry Caitlyn had on. What would this type of woman want to discuss with her? was it related to the competition she just concluded, was the woman from the press maybe?

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

" I assure you that it's not what you're thinking. " Caitlyn said with an angelic smile, it made Lori less clouded.

" Did I give myself away? "

" Yes, " Caitlyn replied, still full of cheer.

" I'm just curious about... " Lori was still surprised at how the little girl kept to herself, " I'm just curious about what you have to tell me. "

" I understand__

Lori couldn't hold back anymore, " Do you want to play? we have a toys section at the back. " Lori drew closer to the little girl, " Do you not enjoy your food? would you like something else? " Lori needed to understand why she ate her food so calculated, she felt it was weird for a kid.

Caitlyn gently stroked the little girl's shoulders, " Honey do you like the food here? "

She nodded, " I do. "

Lori's jaw dropped, she had just heard the girl's voice for the first time and made her ponder more. She sounded extremely prim and proper, she counted her words and only spoke when she needed to.

" Please meet Frieda, my daughter. "

Lori was glad to have finally known her name, " Hi... I'm Lori. " Lori waved and smiled at Frieda.

Frieda didn't smile, but she made it look like she did. She didn't want to smile, but she needed to. She moved her lips in the supposed direction but limited their reach. She gave a partial smile.

" Nice to meet you, miss. "

Lori was bewildered, " Call me Lori. "

Frieda nodded.

" She's like that when she's with people she's not familiar with. " Caitlyn explained.

" I understand, " Lori nodded, still trying to form a connection with Frieda.

Caitlyn cleared her throat, " I didn't initiate a conversation with your mother, she walked in on me talking about needing a home tutor for my daughter and recommended you. "

" Wow, " Lori didn't expect to hear that, she had overanalyzed the situation, " A home tutor? "

" Yes, just history and literature. " Caitlyn was precise.

"History and Literature? " Lori gestured to Frieda, " You mean queen premier or__

Caitlyn shook her head, " No, I meant actual literature. " Caitlyn took a deep breath, " Feel free to crawl deep into historical events and explore. "

Lori arched a brow and threw Frieda another glance, she slowly began to understand why the girl was how she was, that was how she was raised.

" I already have a job. "

" Splendid, you only have to work once a week, on Sundays. "

Working five days a week and having a side job on Sundays, Lori wasn't sure she was in for that.

" I don't know... my weekday job is already stressful as it is. "

" You just have to work for 4 hours, 2 hours for each course and that's it. "

Lori was amazed at Caitlyn's orderliness and how she took Frieda's education seriously, maybe too seriously.

"2 hours for one course? " Lori wasn't interested yet but was somehow bothered about the time.

" Precisely. "

Lori went mute, but she conversed within herself, searching for possible reasons to either take or refuse the offer.

Caitlyn slid an empty cheque over to Lori.

" What is this? " Lori knew too well what it was, she was just too shocked to acknowledge it.

" Write down the amount you feel you're worth. "

" Are you kidding? " Lori searched Caitlyn's expression but there was no sign of child's play.

Caitlyn's silence and folded hands proved to Lori that she meant what she said, it also urged Lori to make her decision smoothly and wisely.

" Look, I know this is sudden and seems out of place. And I'm not the kind of person to begin talking about how many would kill for a job like this, especially when it's a side job in your case. "

Lori nodded and waited for where Caitlyn's speech was headed.

" But I think finding a home tutor isn't just about finding someone intelligent, but also someone smart. Someone who can detect the child's learning mechanism and stick to it. Someone who can manifest positive change, in countless areas. "

Lori was amazed, she had found the reason she so desperately needed.

Tutoring Frieda would let her get in close contact with her, and Lori wanted to. She already formed some sort of concern and grew inquisitive of the little girl's composure. She couldn't hit the nail on the head, but she was drawn to the kid and wanted to remind her that she was still a KID.

" But I understand if you can't take the job, it was too sudden__

" I'll take it. " Lori replied.

Caitlyn inhaled deeply and resurfaced her smile.

" Hope you're not feeling pressured to do this? " She arched a brow.

" Not at all, I think Frieda is interesting and I want to be able to help her out. " Lori could have sworn she caught Frieda letting out a genuine smile, but it only lasted for a short time.

" Here's my contact, send me a message when you can. " Caitlyn sounded relieved.

Lori retried the card, " I will. " She turned to Frieda once more, " Hey, you don't wanna talk to me, we'll be doing more of that often. "

Frieda turned to her mother instead, " She's pretty. "

Both Lori and Caitlyn gasped.

" That's so sweet, " Lori couldn't hold back her smile.

Frieda reciprocated it.

" I'll be waiting for your response. " Caitlyn got to her feet and signaled for Frieda to do the same.

" The cheque__

" Take your time, AND... " Caitlyn stressed, " Just remember that you're worth any amount your put so, please... " Caitlyn smiled, " Put some respect on your name. "

As they exited the shop, Lori caught Frieda's final smile as she turned around. Lori felt a swarming feeling of warmth and fulfillment, almost like she had wanted Frieda to smile all along.

(LORI'S POV)

* * * * * * * * * *

Lori couldn't get the recent scenario out of her mind, it was all she thought about. Her mother must have misunderstood the situation, she had avoided Lori all through the evening. Lori had to clear things up with her, she had to let her know she wasn't pissed that her mother had gone behind her back to schedule a meeting.

She didn't plan on having a side job, but it wasn't such a bad idea. She was satisfied with the result and was looking forward to seeing Frieda. Perhaps she was mesmerized by Frieda's comportment, who was she kidding? Caitlyn was the adult version, the apple doesn't far from the tree. Regardless, Lori was pulled, it was like a strange force and she entertained it.

She gave the empty cheque a thorough glance, was she hesitating to conclude? Her sudden acceptance had nothing to do with the fact that Caitlyn was wealthy or the fact that she could input any amount she wanted. There was more than meets the eye, and yes, it was beneficial to her.

Working only on Sundays meant that she only worked four times a month, it was indeed a smart idea. She would get extra cash which would increase her savings, prompting her to fulfill her long-lost dream. Lori was satisfied, regardless of how her day went, it ended just the way she wanted it.

* * * * * * * * * * *

" I'm not mad at you, " Lori initiated the conversation with her mother, ' Did you hear me? I said I'm not mad at you. "

" I'm sorry honey, I overheard her and recommended you. "

" Was it because you thought I wouldn't win the competition? " Lori arched a brow.

" I... I... I was merely securing your__

Lori understood and launched a long heartfelt hug to her mom.

" I love you, mom. " Lori replied.

" I don't want you to think I don't believe in you, I do. "

She gently patted her mother's back, " I understand, you were just looking out for me. "

" I'm proud of you. "

Those words were soothing, Lori breathed deeply, " Thank you, mom. "

" So, " Her mother patted ways with her, " Did you take the job? "

" You know I would. " Lori winked.

(JOHNNY'S POV)

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

Johnny fell to his chair, a beer in his left hand, naked and ready for his usual routine. The locket was open and laid on his lap, just within his eye's reach. The music was medium, not too loud to disturb the neighbors, and just with just enough volume to conceal his dilemma.

Before the home video played, tears clouded his eyes and guilt his mind. He began letting out subtle sobs and gulping his beer in the process. Finally, it started, his sobs increased, and so did his guilt. The hole he felt inside his chest deepened as he watched the television. He needed to be reminded of what he lost and why, he needed to be reminded of the source of his pain to amend it.

He had already set his alarm ready for the following day, so he had nothing to worry about. Soon, the video drifted to where it ended, just so it could restart. It brought fresh tears to his eyes as he watched the video over and over again. He'd accepted his masochistic urges, he was the cause after all.

* * * * * * * * * * *

" Excuse me, ma'am... " Lori gestured to the only woman in the shop, she was in a secluded area, heads bowed.

Hearing her voice, Elaine rose.

" We're about to close up. " Lori approached her, " Hello? "

Elaine sniffed and hurriedly wiped her tears to avoid being noticed, but it was too late.

" Are you okay ma'am? " Lori was now face to face with Elaine, " You... " She squinted hard.

Elaine made direct eye contact with Lori and allowed her in.

Lori took a seat instantly, " What happened? " She took Elaine by the hand.

Tears dropped down Elaine's cheeks without warning, " My... my daughter. "