BILLIONAIRE'S SHADOW ( A Tale of Love, Loss & Redemption)

CHAPTER 7

Tatiana's POV

I ordered a cab the next day to the LaCasa Blanca Royal Hotel. I was going to meet Mrs. Walker for the very first time and I couldn't help but wonder how I was going to react when I saw her. And as for why she called, I didn't bother thinking about it.

After receiving that mysterious phone call from Mrs. Walker yesterday, she sent me a location to meet up with her to discuss something important. Per her instructions, I was expected to wait for her in the receptionist's lounge, which I did.

I sat down in one of their comfortable sofas after I spoke to the receptionist about my mission. From her reactions, she seemed to know why I was there. She motioned me to take a seat and wait for a while. I also texted Mrs. Mrs. Walker about my arrival.

While waiting for her, I couldn't help but notice the ambiance of the room. It was very cozy with soft and warm lighting. The lighting was dimmable, allowing the staff and everyone present to adjust the ambiance to suit the time of day and the mood of the guests.

There were eight pieces of artwork: two were placed in each corner of the room. They consisted of original paintings by local and renowned artists. Out of all eight of them, I found one to be the most alluring.

It was a girl with a pearl earring. The painting portrayed a serene, intimate portrait of a young girl wearing a large set of pearl earrings. Her face was rendered in exquisite detail, with soft, gentle lighting and subtle, nuanced colours. The colours were soft, creamy whites and grays in her clothing: warm, golden hues in the pearl earrings and her hair.

The deep, rich browns and blacks in the shadows resonated with me a lot. The girl also reminded me of Iris.

***

“Good day Tatiana, I'm sorry to bother you.” Mrs. Walker spoke calmly.

“It's not a problem at all ma'am. What's the issue?” I responded as respectfully as I could.

“ I need a favour. I would like to organise a surprise birthday party for Cyril, and I need your help.” Mrs. Walker's request left me perplexed.

Why does she need a favour from me for Cyril's birthday?

I'm confused.

“In case you're wondering why I'm asking you, I called his other employees, but they seemed clueless about his likes and dislikes”, she chuckled.

“You see, we haven't had that much contact in a long while. That's why I'm asking you, since you have been working for him for a while now, am I right?”

“Yes ma’am, you are."

“Great! I also heard you're very close to Iris. Is that correct too?”

“Yes please, that is also true.” I responded, and she continued with a follow-up question.

“Then that means I can trust you, right?” she inquired.

“Absolutely! Even though I'm not sure what you mean by trust... I don't know much about your son... The only thing I know, I'm pretty sure, you already know.”

“Yes, yes... I know that,” she replied. “I don't doubt that at all.”

“Okay, so...” she interrupted me before I could finish my statement, and she asked me to walk straight to the washroom without turning back. Her reason for that was because Cyril had showed up there coincidentally. She didn't want him to see me, as it would have raised suspicions which she was trying to avoid. I'm guessing he had a business meeting with a client or something. That was the only reasonable explanation I could think of.

He certainly didn't come to see his mother because she didn't invite him. Also, part of her reasons for inviting me to this hotel was because she found it more secluded than her home, which unfortunately isn't the case now. On my way to the washroom, I picked up my phone and my bag. She insisted I take them.

Per my understanding, she didn't want him to go about asking her questions about why she was there and who she was with. Hence, me leaving with no trace, made it easier for her to talk about what she was doing there.

After staying in the washroom for what seemed like an eternity, I got a call from her saying Cyril had left. This time, she proposed a new location, which was inside her car.

I wonder why she didn't suggest that initially.

So I agreed, and we continued our discussion in her car, which was parked in the VVIP section of the parking lot.

I wonder if they are affiliated with this hotel in any way.

She probably has that much influence, for there to be a parking space reserved for her.

Our conversation, as I expected, was about how we were going to plan a surprise birthday for Cyril. Given what Mrs. Walker told me it was clear to me that this birthday could be a way of making it up to her son. For what it was, I had no clue. She never mentioned it. I assumed it might have been pretty bad.

But who knows? I could be wrong.

We spent about two hours discussing possible places for the birthday setting till we agreed on Cyril's best friend, Ortis's mansion. I had no idea who Ortis was, but according to Mrs. Walker, they were both very good friends.

She also mentioned his wife, Lara, who was also willing to be part of the surprise, along with her husband, Ortis.

After we had finished our deliberations, with Lara joining us on a video call, we finally settled on the perfect surprise for Cyril. In no time, we parted ways and I headed towards Tori's salon. I had a lot on my mind that I wanted to discuss with her, regarding the horrible, despicable date she set me up with.

I was going to tell her to stay away from my love life, as she had done enough harm already.

***

To my disappointment, Tori was nowhere to be found when I got to her salon. Meanwhile, her phone was switched off.

Where could she be, and why didn't she tell me when she was leaving?

I did tell her I was coming over to her place before I set off from the hotel.

The least she could have done was to call me.

Was that too hard for her to do?

I was informed that she had stepped out, a few minutes before I entered. Out of frustration, I managed to take a seat in her office. It was made specifically for Tori, the owner of the salon. It was a secluded area which was designed like a lobby. I had a three-seater sofa, a swivel chair which was paired with a writing desk : it was adorned with flower decorations.

The Tori I know never compromised on her comfort. I grabbed a piece of magazine that lay on her desk and I began to read it to kill boredom. My phone's battery was running low, and I forgot to come along with a charger or power bank. Everyone else in the salon was either using theirs or probably didn't want me to have one.

So I had no choice but to find other ways and means of killing my boredom. The only accessible way was to read the magazine.

I got lost in my imagination, daydreaming about a fictional story I read in the magazine. Then a young man walked up to me.

“Excuse me, Miss,” he waved. “Has anyone ever told you about how beautiful you are?”

I stood up to sit upright when I realised I had was lying down on my back on the couch. Squinting my eyes, I glanced at this gentle man while trying to understand what was going on, who he was, and why he thought it wise to wake me up.

I rubbed my eyes vigorously as my vision was blurry, until my eyes eventually adjusted to the light. I had no idea who he was. He sat beside me, holding my hands and tried to whisper in my ears. It felt like the words he wanted to say were refusing to come out.

I got more confused. I knew Tori's husband, so I knew for a fact that it wasn't him. He didn't even look anything like him.

Who the heck is this guy?

What does he want from me?

I tried to speak, but my lips were heavy. They felt as if my mouth had been taped. Then all of a sudden, this mystery man hugged me. He hugged me so tightly. I couldn't breathe. I honestly felt like my lungs were about to explode.

What is going on?

Why is this happening to me?

Where is Tori?

Is this some sort of prank? Well, I didn't find it funny at all.

After our long passionate hug, he leaned in to kiss me. With my eyes closely shut with his hands around my neck, I felt his soft lips on mine. I couldn't help myself. Nobody had ever kissed me that passionately. I felt a tingling sensation all over my body until I opened my eyes upon a resounding slap I felt on my cheek.

My face immediately turned red as I was about to scream “what the hell is wrong with you?”

Until my face dropped, and I became frightened instantly when the mystery man pushed me to the ground.

“You stinking slut! How dare you seduce my man?” an angry-faced dark woman yelled at my face.

“Sorry I didn't know he was your man...” I received a heavy punch on my left shoulder. Then I heard Tori's familiar voice, yet all I could do was to groan in pain.

“Aaaarghhhh!!”

“Tatiana? Wake up... Are you okay?”