The Billionaire's Gem

Chapter 4

~~~~~~~~~

The Boss

~~~~~~~~~

Claire didn't wait any longer for the blonde's response to the pissed Gustav Winston. Almost running, she has to grip the stairs railing to keep herself from tripping since wearing high heels is not really her thing.

As much as she's intrigue by the billionaire, she don't wish to further lengthen their interaction. Who knows what he'll do next just to make her hand him the necklace?

Her free hand touch her necklace again. What did he even saw in this piece of jewelry that he seemed to be so interested? It's not even real.

Her steps slowed.

Or is it? Unlike Gustav who's dealing with the real thing since he's a freaking rich guy who's crazy with jewelries, thus the frequent jewelry auction, she can't even distinguished the fake gold from real gold for the life of her.

So how can she be sure?

Claire internally groaned. At times like this, she wished her parents are still alive so she can ask someone atleast. Or maybe, her grandparents. Because it's theirs in the first place.

She tapped the earpiece and get back to Chrissa. "Hey, I'll go ahead. I'll send you the pictures later tonight." She look around and meet Chrissa's gaze who gave her a nod. The woman is still busy talking to a couple of guys in their business suits.

"Heading home?"

Claire almost gasp at Jordan's sudden appearance near the exit. "You startled me!" He laughed. "But yeah... I'm done here so..."

"I'll accompany you." Jordan's hand snake to her waist that she had to look back and watch where his hand lands. "Let's go?"

She nodded. At the corner of her eyes, she saw the blond and Gustav.  The blond girl pointing at someone at the stage while Gustav's  hooded eyes were on her that she unconsciously quickened her pace.

Feeling the damp in between her legs, her face burned at the memory. How embarrassing! She can't to be trapped in his arms again. After that scene earlier, she can't trust herself not to be seduced by the billionaire.

Because if she's to be honest, she wanted more.

And for a simple, jobless girl like her... how often will that chance come?

"Hey beautiful, my friend's going to Club Red to celebrate. Wanna come and join us?" Jordan said. "You can leave you car here and I'll call someone to pick it up–"

"Thanks, Jordan," she warmly smile, "but I'm beat and I want to be home. I'm not really comfortable with clubs anyway. You go enjoy yourself."

"Oh," he expressed obviously disappointed. "I'll see you around some other time then?"

She nodded and head to the car Chrissa lend her.

Reaching the condo, Claire immediately send half the pictures she took to Chrissa. And like what they agreed upon, her payment for the job will be reflected before she send the rest.

While waiting, she took the accessories off her body. She took her time gazing at the necklace which Gustav took interest, remembering not only the look he gave to the jewelry but also the desire in his eyes as they exchange fervent kisses while he groped her to his hard musled body. She shook her head, dismissing the thought to go further. She carefully put the jewelry back to it's box then stripped her clothes off and went to the bathroom. She stood there, feeling the cold water from the shower when her mind went back to her kissing scenario with Gustav Winston.

Claire has to shook her head again to clear her mind from the s****l thoughts but her hands moved as if it has a mind of its own. From her neck, her hands trailed down, cupping her own breasts, her thumb playing with her tip. All while imagining it was Gustav's hands and fingers. Feeling the heat, her other hand trailed down to her damp mound to touch it. Something she never done before.

Her ringing phone halted the act. She purposely put it in a louder ringtone so not to skip the news she's waiting. Turning the shower off, she stepped out to walk near the opened medicine cabinet where she put the phone. 

"Hey, Chrissa..."

"Good job! I know you can do it. See? It's not that hard isn't it?"

Claire chuckled. "It's actually nerve wracking. I can't believe you're doing that like it's nothing. Really."

Chrissa laughed  "You'll get used to it. Anyway, check your account. It's half the amount we agreed. Will send you the rest after I receive the rest of the pics."

"Oh! Right! Thanks, I guess. And ahm... I... I don't think I'll do this again, Chrissa."

"Why not? What you receive is just a small amount. It can only last for what, two months?"

"I think it'll be fine until I get another job."

"Huh! Then I guess I'll wish you never find one," she giggled.

"Wow! Thanks!" she sarcastically replied before saying goodbye and ending the call.

She returned to the shower and hurriedly finish her bath before any sinful thoughts invade her mind again.

Gustav's image didn't leave her mind though. Up until she lay in her bed, he thought of him– his almost to perfection physique, his handsome face, his deep raspy voice, and sinful lips... She sighed before pulling the cover over her head. 

I'm sure we'll never meet again. It's nice meeting you though, Gustav Lawrence Winston.

The next morning, Claire went to withdraw the money Chrissa sent to her account. Thinking of her debts, she felt rather unmotivated knowing that by the end of the day where she plans to pay every penny she owed, there'll be a small amount left. She already made a breakdown of her expenses for the next month. And in conclusion, the money left won't even be enough for the second month. Damn. She really has to land a job before the month ends.

Taking a deep breath, she shoved all the money she got in her purse and went to the mall to pay the loans she got from two government agencies. Then her phone subscription bill, the condo, the water, and electricity... etc.

The only thing she look forward to pay that day is the grocery. She will indulge herself with good food now that she got some money to spend.

After all, her cravings must be satisfied at least once a month.

At the grocery, Claire's eyes narrowed after noticing a guy in his suit and tie. How weird of him to also pick anything she decides to put in her cart. "For your girl?" she ask teasingly, looking at the sanitary napkin he holds.

The guy's face reddened and immediately drop the pack to his cart. He touched his nape awkwardly while his grip on the cart's handle tightens. "Just following instructions."

She raised an eyebrow. "Instructions to buy whatever I pick?" The guy didn't answer, he diverted his eyes before hastily pushing the cart to the opposite direction. Her smile vanished and rolled her eyes. "What a creep," she mumbled.

She was about to pay in the counter when she remembered she haven't buy that red wine. So she excused her self to the cashier to quickly get the other item. The girl smiled at her, reminding her to be fast as the line is quite long.

"Here," she gave the bottle of cheap red wine to the cashier after rushing to the wine section. It actually took her some time to decide what to buy since her favorite is not available. "How much was it all in total?"

The girl smiled, as she scanned the red wine. "It's 15 dollars."

"Excuse me?"

"The wine's $15 ma'am. That's all you have to pay because the rest was paid already."

Her eyes widened a fraction. "What? There must be a mistake. I don't have company."

The cashier pointed at a guy in a suit. If she's right, it was the same guy who keeps following her earlier.

"Ma'am, can I have your payment now?" she mouthed to the long que behind her, some shoppers are already complaining and glaring at her.

She hesistantly took a couple of bills from her purse and give it to the girl. Confused as hell as to why the creep did it. "Please wrap it safely. I'll get back." She didn't wait for the girl's response and run to the guy's direction. But she only caught the smile on his face as the elevator's door closes.

Three baggers came to her, each pushes a big cart with them. "Which floor, Ma'am?" one guy asked.

Claire blink. "What?"

"Which floor is your car parked? So we can bring your groceries." The other guy said.

She eyed the three and found the red wine in the third guys cart. "I think that's my grocery. The car's on the basement. Let's go." Three of them followed which confused her. "I only have one cart though..."

The three exchange a look but their suppressed smile didn't escape her notice. "They're all yours, Ma'am. The guy in the suit paid for it."

"Yeah," the third guy seconded. "I heard he's following instructions from his boss."

"The boss must've like you, Ma'am. I'm not wondering, you are pretty. "The two chuckled.

She smiled awkwardly. She's really intrigue amidst her confusion. "Did he ever mention his boss name?"

The two shook their head while the other answered. "I saw the card he used. I haven't read everything but it has 'Winston' printed on it."

Claire's mouth formed into an O. That was more than enough information. She never interact with other Winston aside from that billionaire last night.

So it was Gustav?