THE BILLIONAIRE'S CRAVING.

THE CALL

CHAPTER 7: THE CALL

I barely slept that night.

No matter how many times I turned on my bed, sleep just wouldn’t come. My mind kept wandering back to him—his voice, his teasing tone, the way he spoke so confidently like he already knew I would say yes to whatever he asked.

It was annoying.

And exciting.

By morning, I felt like a complete zombie.

I dragged myself out of bed, my eyes heavy, my body weak from lack of rest. I stretched lazily before heading to the bathroom. The cold water from my shower helped a little, washing away some of the tiredness, but not the restless feeling in my chest.

After getting dressed in a pink crop top and black cargo pants, I walked back into my room and scanned my shelf.

I needed a distraction.

Without thinking twice, I picked up my favorite book, The Billionaire’s Craving, and headed to the living room. I sat on the sofa next to the window, letting the soft morning light fall gently on my face as I opened the book.

“Let’s see if you can distract me today,” I muttered softly.

At first, it worked.

I slowly got lost in the story, flipping through the pages, forgetting everything around me.

Until my phone rang.

I frowned.

Unknown number.

I stared at it for a few seconds before hissing under my breath and turning my attention back to my book.

It stopped.

I smirked slightly, thinking the caller had finally given up.

But then it rang again.

This time, I didn’t even bother looking at it.

“Some people don’t know when to quit,” I muttered, flipping another page.

The ringing stopped again.

Silence returned.

I relaxed into the sofa, thinking that was the end of it.

Then it rang for the third time.

I groaned loudly, clearly annoyed now. Whoever it was, they were seriously testing my patience.

“Fine!” I snapped, grabbing my phone.

Just as the call was about to disconnect, I picked up.

“Hello?”

“Hi.”

The moment I heard that voice, my body went still.

That voice…

My heart skipped.

“Adrian?” I asked softly, almost as if I didn’t trust my own ears.

There was a short pause before he chuckled.

“I was wondering how long it would take you to recognize me,” he said in that deep, smooth voice of his.

I couldn’t help it—I smiled.

“I wasn’t expecting your call,” I admitted, leaning back into the sofa.

“Clearly,” he teased. “You ignored me twice.”

I laughed lightly, feeling a little embarrassed. “Maybe you should have saved your number.”

“Or maybe you should have picked up the first time.”

“Hmm… where’s the fun in that?” I replied playfully.

He chuckled again, and for a brief moment, there was a comfortable silence between us.

“So,” I said, breaking it. “How have you been?”

“I’ve been good,” he replied. “Busy… but good. And you?”

“I’m feeling superb,” I said, smiling to myself as I traced the edge of my book with my fingers.

“Oh?” he said, his tone suddenly playful again. “Are you feeling superb because I called?”

I rolled my eyes, even though he couldn’t see me.

“No,” I said confidently. “I’m feeling superb because I’m reading my favorite book.”

“Wow,” he said dramatically. “So I’m competing with a book now?”

“Not just any book,” I replied. “My favorite.”

“And what book is important enough to steal your attention from me?” he asked.

I smiled. “The Billionaire’s Craving.”

There was a pause… then a soft laugh.

“Interesting,” he said.

“It’s more than interesting,” I replied proudly. “It’s amazing.”

“I guess I’ll have to read it someday,” he said.

“You should,” I replied.

There was another brief silence, but this one felt different—softer.

“I’m sorry it took me so long to call,” Adrian said suddenly, his tone more serious now.

I blinked, slightly surprised by the shift.

“It’s fine,” I said gently. “I understand.”

“I was on a business trip,” he continued. “I’m not using that as an excuse, but I didn’t want you to think I forgot about you.”

I smiled softly.

“I didn’t think that,” I said honestly.

“Still… I want to make it up to you.”

I raised an eyebrow, even though he couldn’t see me.

“Oh really?” I said, leaning forward slightly. “And how exactly do you plan on doing that?”

There was a small pause.

Then—

“How about we go on a date tonight?”

I froze for a second.

A date?

My heart started beating faster, but I quickly composed myself.

“Nope,” I replied calmly.

There was silence on the other end.

Then he laughed.

“Nope?” he repeated. “That’s all I get?”

“I’m busy,” I said, trying to sound serious.

“Busy?” he asked. “Doing what?”

“I’m also going on a business trip,” I replied without missing a beat.

He laughed again, this time louder.

“Are you trying to play hard to get?” he asked.

I smiled, crossing my legs comfortably on the sofa.

“I don’t try,” I said confidently. “I’ve always been hard to get.”

“Is that so?” he said, clearly amused.

“Yes.”

“Hmm…” he hummed thoughtfully. “I like that.”

I felt a small flutter in my chest.

“Alright,” he continued. “If tonight doesn’t work… how about tomorrow?”

I stayed silent, listening.

“A trip,” he added. “Just for two days.”

That caught my attention.

“A trip?” I repeated slowly.

“Yes,” he said. “Just you and me. I promise you’ll enjoy it.”

I glanced at the book still resting on my lap and smiled to myself.

“I guess I’ll have to cancel all my important appointments with my storybooks,” I said, pretending to sigh.

He laughed softly.

“I’ll make sure it’s worth it.”

“I hope so,” I replied.

“I’ll pick you up by 10 a.m. tomorrow,” he said.

“Okay,” I said, nodding even though he couldn’t see me. “I’ll be waiting.”

There was a brief pause before curiosity got the better of me.

“But where are we going?” I asked.

“Surprise.”

I sighed.

“You’re not going to tell me, are you?”

“Nope.”

“Not even a hint?”

“Not even one.”

I shook my head, smiling.

“You’re annoying.”

“And yet… you agreed to come with me.”

I bit my lip, trying not to smile too much.

“Don’t get too confident,” I said.

“Too late,” he replied smoothly.

I laughed softly, feeling my cheeks warm up.

“Your voice sounds sweeter than before,” he added suddenly.

I blinked, caught off guard.

“Thank you,” I said shyly, twirling a strand of my hair.

“So… did anything interesting happen on your business trip?” I asked, trying to change the topic.

“Nothing out of the ordinary,” he replied. “It was actually quite boring.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. Except for one thing.”

“What?” I asked, now curious.

“One of my clients told me I should marry his daughter,” he said casually.

My expression changed instantly.

“And what’s funny about that?” I asked, my tone slightly sharper than before.

He chuckled.

“Is Miss Honey jealous?”

I sat up straight.

“Why would Miss Honey be jealous?” I replied quickly. “She’s above that.”

“Of course she is,” he said, clearly amused. “My apologies, Miss Honey.”

I rolled my eyes.

“Please,” I muttered.

He laughed again, and I couldn’t help but smile.

“Well,” I said after a moment, stretching slightly. “I should go. I need to eat breakfast. I’m suddenly very hungry.”

“Breakfast?” he repeated. “Are you serious? It’s past one in the afternoon.”

I blinked.

“Oh.”

Then I shrugged.

“So?”

He sighed softly.

“I don’t want you skipping your meals,” he said, his voice suddenly filled with concern.

For a moment… I didn’t know what to say.

“Thanks,” I said quietly.

There was a short silence between us.

“I think you’re eager to get off the phone,” he said after a while, his tone slightly softer.

“No,” I replied quickly. “I’m just hungry.”

He chuckled.

“Alright then. Go eat.”

“Okay.”

“See you tomorrow.”

“See you tomorrow.”

“Don’t keep me waiting,” he added.

“I won’t,” I said.

“Good.”

I smiled.

“Bye, Adrian.”

“Bye.”

The call ended.

For a few seconds, I just sat there, staring at my phone.

Then suddenly—

I jumped up from the sofa and started spinning around like a child.

I couldn’t stop smiling.

“I’m going on a trip,” I whispered to myself excitedly.

The house felt strangely peaceful.

For the first time in a long time… everything felt light.

I hugged my book to my chest and laughed softly.

“Looks like you’re getting replaced for two days,” I teased the book.

Then I headed to the kitchen to finally eat my “breakfast.”

But even while eating…

I couldn’t stop thinking about him.

About tomorrow.

About the unknown surprise waiting for me.

And for once…

I wasn’t scared of it.

I was excited.