In Love With My Friend's Billionaire Father

Chapter 3

I could still feel the sharpness of the blade on my neck. It was cold and scary but I could not scream. My mouth was gagged.

Lorenzo had a scary smile on his face. I hadn't seen anything like it before. I could swear that there was no escape for me this time. This was the end. He was going to kill me. He slowly bent towards my face and removed the gag.

“Where is my money, Mary Anne?” He asked.

“I'm working on it. I swear, I'll get it for you,” I pleaded.

“You know I like you, Mary Anne,” he said slowly. “But I like my money more. I give you three months. If my money doesn't reach my table before then, you and your stupid family will have your well deserved reunion in a graveyard,” he showed the blunt blade to my face and I let out a very loud scream.

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I jumped up from the bed, screaming heavily. I looked out the window and the moonlight shone heavily in the sky.

“It's just a dream, Mary,” I calmed my aching heart. “It's just a dream,” I got out of the huge bed and headed straight into the bathroom to freshen up a little bit.

This wouldn't be the first time I would be having dreams like this. Ever since my last encounter with Lorenzo and the narrow escape from the vicious creditor, my mind would conjure up scenarios where he found me and hurt me more.

I thought it would stop if I moved away from town. It was why I'm here in New York. But the nightmare has followed me down here. I don't think I'll ever be free of it until I pay the money I owe Lorenzo back to him.

I walked out of the room and walked down the mansion, staring at the several life size portraits hung at every corner of the building.

“I am a fool,” I thought.”It's been staring me in the face the whole time.”

The whole building is littered with portraits of him. Mark Anderson. I really should have known better. This was a man who had featured on several Vogue magazines and his company makes headlines almost every week. I adored him even when I was a child and studied his business patterns among others when I was running my family business. How did I spend an entire night with him without recognizing him?

“Can I help you?” a deep scary voice behind him startled me and I almost fell. I turned back and it was only Mr Knight.

“God, this man really needs to work on his voice,” I thought.

“You appear to be lost,” he said.

“Not lost,” I replied. “Just wandering,”

“Alright. But try not to wander too much. The mansion is huge. You may get lost in it,” he advised, almost in a robotic fashion, as he turned back to leave.

“Wait,” I said as I stared at another portrait.

“Anything I can help you with?” He said.

“This,” I pointed to a family portrait. It had the picture of Alan, Arianna and another woman.

“That is Ms Simmons. Mr Richardson’s wife,” he replied.

“Arianna's mom!” I screamed inside.

I felt disgusted. I have betrayed a friend. I began to wonder how Arianna would feel if she ever found out. She has been trying really hard to help me through this tough time. How can I repay her with this? Should I just tell her myself? That way, she will know it wasn't intentional. Maybe she might even forgive me.

“No,” I told myself. “I can't do this on a gamble. I need this work to save my family. Besides, it was only a one-night stand. It didn't mean anything.”

Even if it did, Alan certainly didn't act like it. When Arianna introduced us in his study, he only gave me a warm smile and shook my hand.

“Pleasure to meet you,” he said.”I've only heard nice things,” I had to fake a smile too and play along.

Maybe he doesn't even remember me. It can't be his first rodeo. He probably does this every other night. Go out and seduce women into having a good night with him then disappear, but pay them a moderate amount with a handwritten note.

Men.

“Are you alright, miss?” Mr Knight asked. “Something seems to be bothering you,”

“It's nothing,” I said. “You called her Ms Simmons? Isn't she supposed to be Mrs Anderson?” I asked.

“Well, they were both in a very understanding relationship. Ms Simmons comes from a very great English ancestry and wanted to keep the name. Mr Anderson understands,”

“An understanding man,” I thought. “Sounds like the man I remember,”

“Were? Why do you talk about their relationship in the past tense?” I asked.

“Well, they are going through a rough patch lately,” he replied.”It's been affecting the whole house. Especially Miss Arianna. She's been… Well, acting out, to say the least. Mr Richardson is also not taking it very well. He seems to be absent-minded most of the time,”

I thought about it and he was right. The man I met at the bar wasn't some big name on a poster or a business tycoon, he was just a person who needed a night away from his worries. Just like I did. Maybe it was a special night after all.

“I think I've said enough,” Mr Knight said. ”You should head back to your room. Have a good night,” he said as he left.

I paid no attention to his warnings and kept wandering around till I found my way to the studies again. I couldn't help but wonder if he was home and what he was thinking about. Was he as confused as I was?

I moved closer to the door to take a sneak peek but all I heard was sounds of argument flying around.

“You can't tell me what to do, daddy?” Arianna screamed at him. “She is my friend and I will do whatever I think is right for her,”

“Well, this is my house and I still have some control over it,” he snapped back. “And frankly, I don't appreciate you bringing strangers into my house without telling me first,”

“I told you, you just never listen to me anymore,” she screamed at him.

“I don't care,” he said.”I'll let her sleep over for the night. But when the morning comes, I want her to leave this mansion. There is no job for her at the company. There is no space for her here. My decision is final,” he screamed.

I was shocked beyond words.

He does remember me. He just never wanted me in his life again.