FALLING FOR THE MARRIED BILLIONAIRE.

A SMALL WORLD.

lori's hands brushed past her face and situated on her lips, she felt the pain there the hardest. it was like her head was on a spinning wheel. She didn't think about her next line of action as only one thought came to mind.

Her hands finally separated from her face and Lori launched her attacker a stoic glare. Her feet commenced movement as she walked over to where the woman stood.

* * * * * * * * * * *

" Soraya! "

A deep, hoarse voice was heard, it placed a halt to Lori's movement. It was the man she met after the competition, he was her boss.

" What the f**k do you think you're doing? " Pierce fiercely asked, he had watched the scenario and had rushed out before it got out of control.

" This woman__

" Just won the competition and is a staff here. " Pierce completed, " And you just assaulted my staff. "

" This company is mine. " Soraya snarled, " Did you see what she made me do? "

Lori gasped, " I didn't even see you coming, but you saw me. What did I make you do? "

" Do you know who I am? "

" You think I... " Lori froze as her eyes met with the little girl that accompanied the woman, her expression changed. It was influenced by the little girl's fear.

"What's your name? " Lori switched and focus on the little girl, now bending over to her.

" Talia. " Her tender voice was heard.

Lori fake gasped, " That's a very beautiful name, Lori dragged her jaw region in an aim to nullify the effect of the slap. If she happened to be elsewhere all hell would have broken loose, but it was her work environment and even her winning day, she had to play cool and smart. '' and you look like a princess. " Lori smiled at her.

Talia giggled, she was finally loosening up like Lori wanted.

" Like Aurora? " Talia asked

Lori patted her head and stood up, she wanted to do things differently now.

" Miss, " Pierce began, " I apologize about this, I promise to__

" It's okay, it's obvious that she isn't in a good mood, and I... I understand. "

(PIERCE'S POV)

* * * * * * * * * * *

Pierce was shocked, from what he watched back upstairs, Soraya had commenced the first hit. And by what he perceived when he came, Lori was ready for combat, but things appeared to have changed. He took a short glance at Talia who no longer looked timid, and he was relieved. He was glad that Lori was mature enough to wave the situation, that was not what he expected. And she somehow managed to cheer Talia up too.

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

Pierce adjusted his tie, " No charges? " He needed to be sure.

Lori smiled, " No charges, sir. "

Pierce nodded, he laced Soraya with a disappointed stare and shook his head. " Thank you, can't wait to see you next week. "

Lori found herself smiling excessively, " I can't wait to begin. "

" Soraya, let's go inside, shall we? " Pierce grinned as he hastily walked away from the premises.

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

As Lori made their way inside her car, her head fell on her steering wheel. She took several deep breaths and wiped her face with a hand towel. She could feel her insides panicking and she needed to calm down, she was disturbed. Her reasons ranged from different situations which had occurred that same day and to top things off, she received a slap as icing to the cake.

Lori felt her face again, she gently patted her lip and it was still sore. She sighed deeply and started her car, she needed to leave. Helping her mother at the bakery would ease things up a bit. She would be so occupied to think about things. Lori reminded herself that she had reasons to be happy, which was the fact that she won the company, she had SECURED her dream job. With a smile on her face, she drove out.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Soraya had made a mistake, she was aware of it. Lashing out at that woman for her mistake was uncalled for, but all is fair in love and war. She was surprised to see Pierce interfering with her business, he even invited her into the office and that had never happened before. So maybe starting a fight was what she needed all along to get her stepbrother's attention.

She was willing to do anything to achieve her goal, and whether Pierce likes it or not, she would take back the company. It was hers in the first place, it belonged to her family. It was odd enough that her father distanced himself from everyone a few days before he died, but to leave everyone out of his will? was impossible.

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

" You slapped my employee? " Pierce began.

Soraya snapped out of her thoughts to hear Pierce talking.

" What were you thinking? what if she wanted to file a case? "Pierce's voice had authority in it, that was a sign that he was pissed.

" If I hadn't done that would you have shown me to your office? " Soraya asked with a smile.

" So it was all part of your ploy to get my attention? " Pierce folded his arms.

" Believe whatever you want, I'm here right now and let's talk. "

" Maybe I should have talked her into filing a case. " Pierce whispered.

" Why have you been avoiding seeing me Pierce? are you scared that I might__

Pierce rubbed his palms together, " Stop it with this already, I'm sick of it. " He turned over to Talia who sat at an extreme playing with her hair, " Why should I entertain a meeting with you when I see your threatening texts and voicemails? I get your messages. "

" I'm contesting the will Pierce, my lawyers will need the original documents. "

Pierce laughed, " Is that all? "

Soraya could see through Pierce's front, he wasn't going to give her what she wanted.

" Give me a date. " Soraya stated firmly.

" I'll email you when I get in touch with my lawyers. "

" Pierce... " Soraya shook her legs, " You know what happens when I don't get an email from you? "

Pierce chuckled, " Are you threatening me? " He wiped every trace of a smile from his face. '' I haven't heard from Donald in forever, is he still alive in mexico? '' Pierce wanted to know how his father's first son and drug lord was doing and the fact that he knew that Donald and Soraya may be working together against him.

" I haven't heard from that runaway either and this is not only a threat but a warning, " Soraya replied without much thought, " Today I had to slap someone to see you one on one, I wonder what I will do next time. "

" Well, at least I know that you doing it on purpose. "

" Doesn't matter. " Soraya rose to her feet and turned to leave.

" I don't think you should be dragging Talia with you everywhere. " Pierce said.

" What? " Soraya turned at him in fury.

" You heard me, don't need to expose her to too much. "

Soraya grabbed Talia by the arm, " I don't tell you how to run your family, don't tell me how to run mine. " With that said, Soraya dashed out of the office.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Pierce folded his arms and dived deep into thoughts. He couldn't get the innocent look on Talia's face, it reminded him of his little girl. His yearning to get both girls together resurfaced and filled him with guilt. Things were out of his control and he felt like there was nothing he could do about it. Soraya was falling and dragging little Talia down with her.

Pierce's eyes went to the red wooden box that was situated up a shelf. Why would his father leave him a wooden box without any leads as to what was inside? He could take the easy way out and open the box, but he didn't want to. The confusion he felt was a sign that everything happens with a purpose, his father wasn't a madman, even though he wanted him to be.

He hadn't figured out what the purpose is, hence, there was no reason to open the box, maybe his decision to keep it close was his fear and unpreparedness. Pierce had endured several pushes from his wife to open the box. In her defense, things could make sense once he uncovers what was in it but Pierce did not adhere. The pressure from Caitlyn was too much that Pierce moved the location of the box from the house to his office.

" Lori Hart "

Pierce whispered to himself as he went through her file, he was impressed with what he saw both on the file and in real life. He began remembering details of the masquerade party and he was overwhelmed all over again. The version he witnessed of Lori was different from the one he saw, that was why she didn't remember him, she DIDN'T WANT TO.

But why would he care that she didn't, isn't that what he wanted? The outcome of her remembering that she had s*x with him would do the both of them no good. But Pierce was bothered nonetheless, was the s*x so bad that she couldn't recall? he bombarded himself with the silliest questions and did not conclude.

One thing was for sure, he wasn't giving Soraya what she wanted, he would sit and watch whatever card she had to play next. He realized that giving her the time of day had fueled her thirst for more. She created a toxic environment for everyone, including Talia, since she carried her almost everywhere. Maybe this was how he could put an end to the bitterness and get Soraya to work with him instead of against him.

He smirked as he once again pictured Lori's short conversation with Talia, it made him feel a little sense of relief, but he had no idea why. Her ability to switch up the entire scenario baffled him, it showed that she was different, OR she just loved kids. Pierce was looking forward to meeting her next week, HELL, if he had his way, he wanted to resume immediately. He was expectant, and that was something he rarely indulged himself in.

Pierce picked up his phone and dialed a number he rarely does.

" It's Pierce Boseman. " Pierce began, " I want a rundown on a woman with the name of Lori Hart. I want it thorough and it shouldn't take too long. I'll get back to you when I'm ready for it. "

If he was getting interested in Lori, even if it was a probability, he had to know why. He carefully placed back his phone at the initial location and took his focus back to the wooden box.

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

Mumbling words to herself, Lori briskly walked into her mother's bakery, she haven't felt this happy to do extra work. She glanced around the premises and noticed that there were a few customers left. As she journeyed towards the kitchen, a little girl dashed past her, sending her handbag to the ground.

Lori retrieved the bag and turned over to where the girl stood.

" What are you supposed to say? " Lori jokingly asked with a raised brow.

The girl was mute.

" Sweetheart! "

The voice of a woman was heard, and it sent the girl running to the source.

Lori's focus followed, she turned to see the girl hugging a woman far ahead. Lori could have easily let it slide, not until she saw the girl pointing at her. Lori was forced to clear everything out.

* * * * * * * * * * *

" I apologize on behalf of my daughter, are you okay? "

Before Lori could speak the woman did, " It's okay, I wanted to ask if she was okay. " Lori looked at the girl who now hid behind the woman, " Don't be shy. "

" I'm Caitlyn, and you are? "

" Lori... Lori Hart. "

Caitlyn, the wife of Pierce booseman smiled, her eyes lit.

" I've been waiting for you, your mother said you'll take a while to be back. Please have a seat. "