FALLING FOR THE MARRIED BILLIONAIRE.

JAMBALAYA PASSED!

" She won the cook-off live, I thought you watched it. " Pierce continued.

" If you paid any attention, you'd recall that I was visiting my mother at the retirement home, and also that we had a fight that weekend. "

" Oh, " Pierce still couldn't remember, but he was positive she was right. " My bad. "

" No, it was my bad. I should've known. " she replied.

" It wasn't your fault Cait, coincidences happen. "

" You want me to fire her? "

Pierce didn't want that, " Of course not. What do you want? "

" To keep her, I think she's a trustworthy person. "

" Then it's settled. " He went back to his laptop.

Caitlyn stood there for a while staring at him. All she wanted was a hug from her husband after a long day, but it was foolish of her to expect one and she knew why.

" I'll be in my room, " She notified him, still staring at him.

Pierce nodded without gearing up to her direction.

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

( CAITLYN'S POV )

From the door, Caitlyn threw her handbag over to her bed, not minding how the designer bag landed. She pulled off her red heels and dumped them just about anywhere. She took off her long jacket, also leaving it on the floor.

Caitlyn wished she could take off her hair, but unfortunately for her, it was rooted in her skull. She pulled away her bracelet and mindlessly dropped it on the floor, and later joined her earrings and necklace.

She took off her shirt and also unhanded it on the floor. Why should she bother about keeping her room clean and tidy? Her husband barely sleeps in the same room with her.

Her lack of marital bliss as she would call it had journeyed her to find happiness in materialistic things and others from other worldly activities. But thank Goodness she was wise, she managed to find her way back. She efficiency balanced her life to avoid been too obvious.

She also discovered that whatever she does, still never gets the attention of her husband, but she was getting to that. In the mean time, she would learn how to manage the situation just until it was fixed.

Yes, she believed there would be brighter shade later on in their marriage. The passage of time was important and not to be messed with. All she had to do now was manage until the batter days arrive. She could already imagine the better days, she always pictured it.

Maybe she did a little fabrication here and there. Maybe she let her imagination run wild while trying to picture the type of life she wanted. But who says dreams couldn't come true, she just had to be patient with him and herself too.

She hoped Lori had listened and not let Frieda messed the place up.

She took a black band from a table In her room and went to the only place that took her mind off her reality. The only place that could manage her pain and aggravations, the only place that managed to find her solace. She went into her closet.

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

Lori brought the black coffee for the middle aged woman who had a black and white scarf covering her head and half of her face.

" Here you go, " She handed the coffee over to the woman.

Lori planned on taking her leave, but when the woman raised her face to Lori's notice. Lori recalled that she knew the woman, the woman had given her a ride in the past.

Lori took a seat opposite her, " It's you... " Lori tapped the table, trying to remember her name, " Elaine... is it? "

Elaine nodded and sipped from her cup, " Nice seeing you again Lori. "

Lori wore a smile, " It's nice to see that you're still in town. "

" Of course. "

" so, did you later find it to be a good or bad decision? "

Elaine stared at the entrance, " It's too early to know, but in the end, I will find out. "

Lori wasn't sure what the woman was edging to in particular, she didn't know the woman personally at all.

" Do you want anything else with that coffee? " Lori asked, " I remember saying you don't have to pay for anything. "

" I want more coffee, thank you. " Elaine requested.

" Are you trying to stay awake all night? " Lori rhetorically asked with a smile all prepared to get the woman her coffee.

" Hey, " Elaine called under her breath, taking Lori by the hand. " That gentleman that left with a computer, who is he? is he your boyfriend? "

" Who, Johnny? " Lori raised, " he's my best friend. "

" Oh, johnny? "

lori grew a inquisitive front, " Do you know him? "

" how can I? " Elaine took back her hand, " I'm new in town. "

" I forgot about that. "

" He's very handsome, I thought he was your husband. "

Lori laughed, " Far from that ma'am. Let me go get your coffee. "

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

( SORAYA'S POV )

Soraya hit her way into the store. Her hair messy than ever, her eye shadow harshly spread from where it's supposed to be. She resembled a scarier version of maleficent.

She was excruciatingly tired. All day of delivering Raya's kiddies juice had gotten her wasted. Handling that type of business wasn't easy, she named the brand after herself.

She was either fighting to get the company back from her miserable step brother, Pierce. Or, she was running from house to school, delivering her juice.

She looked like a hot mess, if you looked close enough, you'd see splatters of juice across her dress.

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

" Three strawberry glazed donuts and one apple donuts. " Soraya placed her order to the girl backing her, with a long yawn afterwards.

" Coming right up, " Lori turned to see a very familiar face.

" f**k, " Soraya whispered, she knew the woman.

Lori couldn't believe it was boss's sister looking like a disaster. She searched for the little girl, Talia but didn't see her with the woman.

" Do you own this place? " Soraya asked.

" It's my mother's. " Lori responded.

" So is this what you do when you're not at my company? yes, it's mine. That piece of s**t Pierce stole it from me, but I'll get it back very soon. " She revealed.

Lori was looking at a very unstable woman, she immediately grew a concern for Talia.

" I bet you didn't know... but now you do, when you see that bastard thief, just tell him I'm out to get him and I will stop at nothing until I make him suffer. "

Her saliva dropped on the slab, Lori was disturbed for both the woman, Talia and even her boss.

" Sure, " That was all she could say.

" Now get me my f*****g order, I haven't got all day. "

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

Soraya, now with her order began to leave when she spotted Talia hugging a crying woman inside the store. From where she stood she cried with a loud fiery voice.

" Talia! you stubborn s**t! did I not warn you to stay inside the car? "

Lori caught a wave of the situation and turned to the scene. She saw Elaine so deeply locked with Talia and was crying.

Soraya ran to Talia and yanked her away from the woman.

" I told you to stay in the car, why don't you do as you're told! " Soraya yelled.

Talia broke into immediate tears. " I was... I was hungry. "

Elaine got to her feet and stood in front of the girl, " Stay away from her, you monster. "

" Who the f**k are you? she's my daughter. "

" I don't think so! "

Lori ran into the middle.

" Hey, hey, " She held Elaine and drifted her aside, " She's her daughter, " Lori bent over to the girl, " Sweetie, are you alright? "

talia was still in tears.

" That's it, you're in trouble little girl, get your ass inside the car. " Soraya ordered the girl.

" Ma'am, you have to__

" Shut the f**k up and mind your business. "

Elaine held the girl's hand, " I'm not letting her leave with you, not__

Talia broke out of Elaine's hold and ran out of the store.

" Talia! " Soraya screamed, she turned to the two female's, " You both are crazy. "

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

Lori turned to the woman and found her seating, crying deeply.

" Are you okay? " Lori went to her.

Elaine could barely make out words, she whispered, " My.... my daughter. "

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

" I like it. " Pierce announced in the present of Ethan and johnny.

" It's a pleasant addition of everything. Well balanced out flavors with deep taste too. " He looked at his company, specifically johnny, " I like it. "

Johnny was delighted to hear Pierce's final say, " So that's a yes? it would be presented to the investors? "

" It will be. And this is Lori hart's dish? " Pierce was well aware which dish it was, but he asked anyway.

" Yes sir. " Johnny responded.

At the confirmation of the dish's owner, Ethan moved to action. He didn't give a s**t about the food tasting, that was Pierce's job. But when Lori's name was mentioned, he grew a longing.

Crossing the table, he Pierce's fork and drove a forkfull of food into his mouth without permission.

" Hmmm, " Ethan nodded, staring at both the office occupants, " It's very delicious. "

Pierce informed himself, his brother was finding his employee interesting. or rather, he was interested In the woman. Before Pierce could retrieve his utensil, Ethan had taken a second taste.

" Very... very nice, I must say. " He munched hard, " What do you eat this with? "

" It's a standalone dish, " Pierce forcefully took his fork from Ethan, " But it can be incorporated with a variety of food. " Pierce made sure to shift the plate far away from Ethan, " Rice, spaghetti, macaroni, noodles, yam, plantains, potatoes.... it's a very long list. "

Johnny was beyond relieved, " I'll go break the news to her. "

" Why don't I do it myself, " Ethan beat Johnny to the door.

" The investors will be here soon. " Pierce heard himself force, " Let johnny do that, we need to talk. "

" C'mon, I won't take long. it'll only take a second. "

Pierce arched a stiff brow and gave Ethan a heavy look.

Ethan understood what Pierce's look was. It was a look of ' Do as I say right this instance, since I don't want to yell at you, so understand this look instead ' Ethan still had an intention to go.

" See you in a sec, " And off he went.

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

Pierce felt his palms stiffen into what became a clenched position. He didn't know why a certain annoying headache surfaced in his head. And not only that, the air surrounding his head became like an enemy fighting him. He appeared very pissed.

" Are you worried about the meeting with the investors? " Johnny was forced to ask, seeing Pierce's scary font.

Pierce took his gaze away, " Yeah, "

" Then let me handle it. This is the second meeting, a rescheduled one, if anything goes out of hand, we will not be able to recover. "

" This time, you'll be here on standby. " Pierce wanted his brother to have it, " If anything goes wrong, you step up. "

" basically a substitute, " Johnny whispered.

Pierce heard him, " Johnny, that would be all. You may leave. "