The billionaire's lost game

Chapter 7. The collaborations

Marie looked at her phone, and obviously the call had ended just like that. “Oh no! What happened,” she tried redialing her number but it wasn't going through. She just sighed and went to bed.

Early the next morning, her mother was the one who woke her up with a loud knock on the door. Because she had been knocking softly for a while.

She opened the door, and stepped in. “Good morning mummy,” Marie greeted with sleepy eyes, rubbing her eyes with the back of her palms. Morris was still heavily asleep.

“Good morning darling, hope you are fine this morning,” her mother asked, touching Morris and hugging Marie by the shoulder.

“ I'm very fine mummy, hope u slept well,” she replied and asked back. “Yes, I am fine, baby. We will have a brief family meeting this morning before they leave for work, your stepfather wants to see us all at breakfast.” her mother added as she turned to leave.

Marie nodded, and came down the bed. Removing her night, wore a free flowering short gown that exposed her legs, but covered her laps a bit.

She joined them at the dining table, “Good morning Sir, good morning,” she mumbled to Vincent who was sitting just opposite to her.

“Good morning darling, hope you rested well?” Mr Alessio asked, smiling brightly. “And how is Morris, is he still sleeping?”

“Yes Sir, we are all fine and healthy.” She replied smiling, not looking towards Vincent's direction.

“Am sorry about yesterday,” before he could finish his statement, Marie interrupted, “No Sir, it's actually okay, am so sorry about my sudden outburst yesterday, I over reacted.” She replied in an apologetic way, bowing slightly.

“Okay, I asked for a brief discussion because we don't have time anymore. We have barely two weeks to make all the preparations, so that everyone can go back to their normal life.” Mr Alessio said as he looked around to make sure everyone was listening.

“By the way, I already told Vincent that he will collaborate with you, to make major arrangements, the event center, the decors and others. I want you guys to make the best preparations for it.” He paused and then turned to Marie, “hope you will stay with us till the end of the celebrations?” He asked calmly.

“Of course she should,” Vincent replied sharply and Marie gave him a dead look.

“Are you for real, why are you making me lose my patience all the time, avoid me while I am still calm,” Marie said with a scoff.

“Did I say something wrong now, or you are just being paranoid,” he replied immediately, raising his eyebrows. “You think you are the only one who can easily get angry over little things,” he continued.

“Enough, you both! What is the problem with you guys? Why can't you guys agree without disagreement?” Mr. Alessio shouted, banging his hands on the dining table.

Marie and Vincent looked up to him, shutting their mouths up immediately. They turned back and glared at each other. Marie rolled her eyes at him and looked away.

Just as Mr. Alessio was about to continue, they all heard Morris cry out loud. “Please, excuse me,” Marie said immediately and ran out to check on him.

“In her absence,” Mr Alessio continued. “Everything will go as planned before, the engagements will be between the family members, no more invitees.”

He turned towards Vincent, “you know she is a guest, so you should treat her like one, I don't care what you guys are dragging.” He finally said and stood up.

Vincent hit his hands on the table slightly, unsure of the reason for Marie's bitter attitude. He decided to go upstairs, apologize to her and say hi to Morris.

Reaching her front door, he was a bit unsettled, “she is not going to do me anything anyway, it either she say no or no,” he concluded in his mind and knocked slightly.

The door opened slowly, and there she was, staring at him. “What exactly is ur problem, or are you basically a problem yourself," she said about closing the door.

“Hold on, your blood is always too hot, just came to apologize for earlier and say hi to Morris baby,” he said trying to put up a smile.

“Firstly, keep ur apologies to yourself, you will use it more and then equally keep ur hi to yourself, you can say that when you see him downstairs, not in my room,” she replied trying hard to keep a strict face and composure.

Vincent's eyes narrowed, he seemed a bit upset but before he could say anything, Morris was already running towards the door crying, “mummy, am hungry,” he cried out towards the door.

Marie tried to keep him at a distance but he was already in between them, standing in front of her, “Uncle, Uncle,” he said with a small smile.

Vincent looked at Marie and raised both hands before bending down to carry Morris in his arms. “Hey baby boy, are you hungry?” He asked, smiling at him while Marie watched him in disgust.

Vincent didn't even look at Marie again, he turned and took Morris towards the dining room, calling on the cook to make his favorite. He was so happy carrying Morris in his arms that he forgot he had to rush to work.

Marie stood at her front door perplexed, confused about what to do or say, and didn't want to cause a scene of taking him away from Vincent.

She rushed inside, cleared up the bed and immediately stepped out towards the dining room too.

There at the dining, her mom was there but Mr Alessio had left urgently for a meeting. Vincent was seated with Morris on his lap, he was feeding him and Morris was eating happily.

Marie's mom watched grinning widely, but there was no trace of a smile on Marie's face. She looked like she would burst Vincent's brain any moment.

“You both have the same nose and lips, looking like father and son,” Marie's mom said smiling.

Both Marie and Vincent looked at each other at those words.