The Blindside of The billionaire

CHAPTER 9

I booked the corner table at Le Monarque, the most exclusive restaurant in the financial district. It was a place where empires were sealed or broken over five-course meals, surrounded by floor-to-ceiling glass walls that overlooked the glittering lights of the city below. It was a room built for execution.

Eliz arrived twenty minutes late an intentional, practiced power move she loved to play to ensure everyone watched her entrance. She looked stunning. A diamond choker caught the candlelight, and a sapphire silk dress molded to her skin like water. She swept into the leather booth, kissing my cheek with a superficial warmth that no longer had any effect on my pulse.

"Sorry I’m late, darling," she said, adjusting her napkin with a flourish. "The agency meeting ran incredibly over. We’re finalizing the press release for the lifestyle launch next month. I actually need you to sign off on the wire transfer for the initial retainer tomorrow morning."

"Of course," I said smoothly, raising my glass of scotch. My voice was steady, calm, and almost pleasant. "Let’s enjoy dinner first, Eliz. Tonight is a celebration."

"A celebration of what?" she asked, her eyes lighting up with the immediate prospect of another financial victory.

"An ending," I replied, my voice perfectly measured.

She paused, her wine glass halfway to her lips. The animation left her face for a brief second. "What do you mean, an ending?"

I didn't answer right away. I let the waiter place our appetizers down, let him pour the wine, and waited until the service staff had completely cleared the perimeter.

The silence stretched between us, growing heavier, turning thick and suffocating. She laughed, a slightly nervous, high-pitched sound that lacked her usual confidence. "Osa, you’re acting incredibly strange tonight. What’s going on?"

I reached into my breast pocket, pulled out a sleek, black leather folder, and slid it calmly across the white tablecloth. It rested right next to her diamond-encrusted purse.

"Open it," I said softly.