FALLING FOR THE MARRIED BILLIONAIRE.

REPORTERS IN JACKSONVILLE.

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( BETH'S POV )

Beth was the queen of angry town presently, the tight feeling in her chest was a testament to her furious state. She had also grown a headache, which pumped heavily at the center of her forehead. Ethan is a bastard, and she is a fool for always running to him.

Beth had gone past the phase where she has to ask herself why she was fuming over Ethan's nonchalant and ugly behavior, especially when he told her that he was all in for a no strings attached relationship. She had accepted the fact, being that she was in love with him. Silly her.

How could he keep treating her like thrash? especially after she'd shared a passionate moment with him. Ethan was known by her to be sometimes blunt, she should have gotten used to him by now, but it still hurt.

Wasn't he supposed to act right at the very least by this time? haven't they been through enough for him to begin to see things differently? Beth has been waiting for the moment so much so that she naturally expects their every experience to be the changing point for Ethan, but it wasn't so.

Now, he thought that diffusing the situation would be possible by bringing money into the situation. Damn! Ethan did not posses any form of respect for her.

Her furious state had made her physically unstable, her bad fell from her hands in an attempt to get it inside the locker.

" s**t! " She yelled in fury, viscously kicking the bag to a farther direction.

Johnny cleared his throat, he had been watching her try to assassinate her bag.

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

Beth, breathing heavily, she laid eyes on Johnny. She rolled her eyes and went to retrieve her bag.

" I know what you're gonna say... I was late, I'm SORRY. " She went straight to the point.

" That's very like you, what's the reason this time? " Johnny folded his arms. He didn't want to address her in the presence of the other chefs, so he waiting until he got to her privately.

" What has always been the excuse? " Beth picked up the bag and jammed it inside the locker, it entered this time.

" Hot head, calm down. " Johnny admonished.

" s**t, " Beth hissed.

" Is it your hot Mr no strings attached? "

" You know the man. " She wanted to c***k a joke, but her mean voice wouldn't let her. She was still pissed.

Johnny felt like he had to be the savior to both his female besties, when would they save him for a change?

" What happened? "

Beth laced him a stoic look that appeared as though it was about to break.

Johnny had to fight the laughter that was boiling inside of him, but he let a smile escape his lips.

" What are you laughing at? " Beth rapped.

" Take a chill pill, you look like you're trying to force out a hard s**t. " After he said that, Johnny let loose a drum of laughter that had him resting on a locker for balance. " Oh my God, " He released.

" At least I'm making you laugh, do I get a hard pass for being tardy? "

" Shut the f**k up. " He quickly assumed his former position.

" Yes siree bob. " She dramatically said.

" What did he do? " Johnny still wanted to know.

Beth heavily sighed, relaxing on hee locker with her back and running her hand through her hair.

" he's treating me like I'm insignificant, and I'm sick of it. " She grumbled, but she was calmer now.

" Insignificant? " Johnny arched a brow, slowly walking close to her.

" Yeah... "

" He buys you presents on your birthday, and sometimes when it's not your birthday, cashapps you even y'all don't f**k, takes you on dates sometimes when he's feeling it, so... " Johnny was next to her now. " Remind me of how you're INSIGNIFICANT. "

" You don't... you don't understand, he treats me like I'm... like I'm just a__

" No strings attached buddy? " Johnny intentionally pinced.

Beth turned to him with a piercing look in her eyes, " I f*****g hate you, you know that right? "

Johnny smiled, " But that's what you are, I thought you said he said it right from the beginning. "

" He__

" And that he sometimes reminds you that he doesn't want any relationship, right or wrong? " Johnny was in mommy mood.

" Right. "

" So tell me, what is the problem? "

" After all this time, I just thought that he will__

" That he will fall in love with you like you did with him? " Johnny jumped in again.

" If you know everything, why do I still explain? " Beth arched a brow.

" Dramatic effect. " Johnny casually said.

Beth lowered her head, a moment of sharing with her best friend and boss, made her want to get emotional.

" Hey, " Johnny placed his hand over her shoulder, " You have two possible ways out of this scenario. You wanna hear them? "

Beth nodded.

" One, you tell Ethan how you really feel about him and how you want the relationship to change. Can you do that? "

" No, " As she said, she shook her head.

" Two, you end things with him__

Beth at the hearing of them shook.

" You know, to state your disagreement with things and to save yourself the hurt. Can you do that? "

Beth gave him a glare with wide eyes.

" I'll take that as a no. " Johnny replied.

" I love him, johnny. What do I do? "

" Let me be brutally honest, it could end really good or really bad. Ethan may reciprocate your feelings, and may not. You have to be vocal about where you make the right decision. "

Beth knew what he meant, it wasn't an easy task.

Johnny prepped to return back to the kitchen. " Get to cooking, and please.... don't be tardy again. " He walked out. Yes, she was his friend, but that doesn't mean he couldn't put her in line, gently of course.

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

After the call from the boss, Johnny knew it was time to leave.

" Fabian, " He called, " You're covering for Lori. Lori, you're with me. "

Lori gestured to johnny, her eyes met with Beth along the way.

" Where are we going to? "

" the new branch in Jacksonville. "

Lori was confused,.so was Beth as she was listening carefully.

" As opposed to your meal being in the district's menu? remember that? "

" Oh, " Lori immediately went on to take off her gloves and wash her hands.

" The boss insist I bring you, let's go. " Johnny exited without looking at Beth's direction, he knew for sure she was in shock.

Lori, now feeling a stance of excitement and worry, based on her recent happenings with the boss, she pushed past Beth surprised pause and walked out of the kitchen.

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( LORI'S POV )

Lori was left with the chance of sharing a car with Pierce, with a driver in front. Johnny and the investors were in a different car ahead of them. Lori and Pierce seated at the back seat, with enough distance in the middle.

Lori was the most uncomfortable she'd even been, she was on edge. She did not for a second look into Pierce's direction, although, he couldn't take his eyes off her. Lori clung so close to her door like a sardine, she couldn't wait to get out of the car.

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Pierce couldn't take her obvious display of avoidance any longer, " Lori__

Lori shook at the mention of her name, his deep voice had startled her.

" I know what you're gonna say, but before you do, I wanna apologize. "

Pierce's face stiffened, " For what? "

" For the... for the kiss. " Lori stole a short look at him and instantly turned away. " It was my fault. "

" no it wasnt__

" It was stupid of me and I should have never done that. "

" Lori__

" It will never happen again. " She closed her eyes at the affirmation.

Pierce didn't know what else to say, but he felt like he should. Just then, a call from Ethan came in.

" Before you kill me, just know that I am on my way. " Ethan began.

" Why are you late? have you looked at the time? " Pierce tiredly asked.

As the call was going on, Lori caught a billboard of a cafe, and some particular themes on it that instantly gave her an idea.

" I'm almost there bro, "

" There are reporters there Ethan. " Pierce let out.

" reporters? " Ethan was surprised, " You finally let in publicity? "

" I didn't, it was Cait. "

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

They soon got to the location, after long minutes of an awkward ride.

When their car arrived, Pierce could see three reporters surrounding johnny and the three investors with their cameras and microphones. He was sick to his stomach.

When the reporters sighted them, two came running to them with their natural hungry eyes.

Ethan had a short time to prep himself before they came.

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

" Pierce bosses, " A slender tall Caucasian lady began, she looked as though she should be modeling and not into journalism, " Congratulations on the new branch reopening, how did it get to this? " She asked with a camera on his face.

Lori was caught off guard, she didn't expect there to be reporters on the scene. She was at loss for how to act and respond to the surprise engagement.

Pierce glanced at Lori who looked like she was dazed, he should have told her about the reporters.

Ignoring the question, he walked past them. Lori was caught up with the reporters, they blocked her way jamming her with questions.

" You're Lori Hart, is that correct? " The lady asked him.

Lori realized that she was alone, she desperately searched for Pierce but saw his broad back leaving at a distance.

" Yes, yes I am. " She managed to answer.

" You won the cook-off live, congratulations once again. "

The woman blocked her every chance to leave, " But may I ask, how has the journey been like after winning? how is heart culinary treating you so far? "

Lori was hyperventilating, " It has been uh..... "

" Have you been doing tricks like the one you pulled at the live event? "

Pierce, now at the door, opened for his company. But paused when he realized that he was alone. He turned to the back and saw her in the clutches of the reporters.

Pierce did a sharp turn and went to fetch her. He dived into the mix, and grabbed Lori by the arm. Without any explanation, he pulled her with him. His pull didn't stop until they were safely inside the building.

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

" reporters? " Lori asked taking her hand away from him and checking to see if johnny had seen the display.

" I apologize, I didn't warn you about it. I also got to find out at the last minute. "

" okay, " Lori gestured at the investors and johnny conversing at a distance, it was a notification to send them to their intended location.

" Thank you johnny, I'll take it from here. " Pierce entered the discussion.

Johnny moved and stood beside Lori.

" As you can see, this infrastructure is located at the center of this entire district, " Pierce fastened his tie as he begun, " It's the first thing you see when you are in this area, plus the large billboard that says a notable name. "

The name billboard, reminded Lori of the idea she had earlier.

As Pierce continued with the investors, he could see Ethan's car pull over in front.

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

Ethan flew out of the car in a jiffy. As he headed to the door, dissing the reporters attempt to question him, his phone rang.

Ethan didn't check to see who was calling him, he was busy waving Pierce who had locked eyes with him.

Not until he heard his brother, Donald speak.

" Hello brother, " Donald began.

Ethan came to a stop,

" I see you're on your way to the opening... very important I suppose. "

" Donald? " Ethan let out, " What do you want? "

" Did you keep the box inside your boot as I told you to? "

" Yes, why? "

" Because you are to deliver it right this minute. "

Egan's heart skipped a beat, " What? "

" yes, " Donald causally said, " There is a cafe next to heart's proposed district, inside there you will find a middle-aged man with blue cap, he's the client. "

" Donald__

" Get going Ethan. " Donald ended the call.