The Golden Triangle of Hearts: Billionaires in Love

Chapter 3: Offering Something

The morning sun gently illuminated the room as it peeked through the curtains, its rays bringing me out of my slumber. As I drifted into consciousness, visions of the previous night's gala flashed before me.

My encounter with Lucas Reynolds and Alexander James was still fresh in my mind, a sharp reminder that left me feeling unsettled. I now understood why people had warned me away from this kind of high society.

I couldn't deny the unmistakable attraction Lucas had stirred in me.

His compelling demeanor and enigmatic aura left a lasting impression on my soul, beckoning me to delve into our deeper connection.

Yet, at the same time, Alexander's world of possibilities enticed me with its seductive invitation of luxury and pleasure.

It was as if my heart was caught between two contrasting forces - desire versus responsibility - that threatened to pull it in opposite directions.

As I took a deep breath and shook my head, I knew it was another day of art that I had to carefully consider and construct. My life as an artist never lets up, especially when I'm constantly aiming to create something outstanding.

It's the only way for me to stay ahead due to the sheer amount of competition that exists in this field. It can be overwhelming at times, but ultimately, it gives me purpose.

I stirred from the depths of slumber, preparing to rise from my bed, when my phone began to ring.

Cursing the early morning interruption, I peered towards the table beside me for an answer as to who would call me at such an ungodly hour. It could be Selena, but she was never one for morning conversations, so it seemed unlikely; she despised the hours before noon.

I take my phone out of my pocket, shielding its bright screen from the sun and squinting to read the caller ID. An unknown number displays, and for a few moments I'm unsure what to do. Is this some kind of prank? Could it be someone I met last night, at the gala?

It was a really memorable night, full of interesting conversations and a chance for me to showcase my work in front of many people who could potentially become clients.

“Hello?”

I silently cursed. My voice was still a bit raspy since I hadn't brushed my teeth yet. There were no sounds coming from the other end and for a moment I thought it was just some kid playing a prank on me.

Just as I was about to hang up, however, an incredibly deep and chilling voice spoke up. Every fiber of my body flinched with surprise and dread at the sound of this unfamiliar speaker's words. They were cold and mysterious, causing my heart to stop functioning for a second.

“Is this Charlotte Ava Lawson?”

The voice sounded so familiar to me. I shut my eyes and concentrated hard, trying to identify who it could be when he spoke again.

“This is Alexander James.”

Instantly, a million memories flooded my mind, mostly, conversations we had shared.

First of all, I was confused at how he even knew my number, but then the realization struck me that he must have obtained it from his assistant or secretary when I had to provide my details before agreeing to display my artwork.

Come to think of it, how did Alexander even know about me? It's almost beyond belief; after all, there are so many people in the world. But somehow he managed to discover my existence and reach out to me.

I'm certainly not complaining, as this connection has been invaluable for me. That being said, it wouldn't hurt if I had at least a bit more of background information on him - something other than what we've talked about in our conversations at the gala last night.

He is a widely-recognized figure across the globe, his name and reputation preceding him wherever he may travel.

“Oh, hey.”

Really? That’s the best thing you could say, Charlotte?

I heard him snickering on the other side of the phone, and it was almost as if I could hear his tongue darting out to wet his lower lip. His laughter made me feel uneasy; he seemed to be taking pleasure in my discomfort.

He had a habit of doing this when we talked - trying to get under my skin and belittle me with his words. Even though I tried to keep my composure, he still managed to slip one in every now and again.

“Let’s cut to the chase, I want to see you.”

When I say that caught me off guard, I mean it left me gasping in shock. Physically, my body reacted by jumping from the bed in disbelief, eyes wide with wonder as I stared at myself in the mirror.

Did my ears deceive me? He actually wanted to see me? This very moment? I couldn’t believe it.

But why me? Why did he pick me to issue an invitation? I tried to shake myself out of the daze as I questioned it, wondering if maybe this was all just a dream. To see if I could wake up from my state of disbelief, I even tried pinching myself - only to be met with pain and no change in my circumstances.

I am not dreaming. This is real.

“S-sure but why? I mean, why so sudden? Did I do something wrong?”

An unexpected laughter caught my attention and, for some inexplicable reason, it seemed attractive to me. I couldn't help but bite my bottom lip in response.

The sound of this joyous reaction surprised me, and it was unlike any laugh I had ever heard before.

“No, no…I just want to offer you something. But it’s a surprise.”

Offer? I don't understand why it had such an effect on me, but the single word gave my stomach a sudden lurch and my heart did a somersault.

“Let’s meet up. I’ll text you the address.”

I didn’t even realize I was holding my breath continuously as I waited for him to end the call, yet then he said something that made me feel like all the air had been taken out of my lungs.

“And oh, please wear a dress when I see you, honey.”