The Billionaire's Gem

Chapter 5

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Invitation

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The baggers leave after putting everything in place, bidding her goodbye and thanking her after she gave them tips. Claire exasperatedly eyed her groceries which filled the car's trunk & back seat. How is she going to bring these all to her condo? And what will her neighbors say if they see her hoarding stuffs like this? Because this never happened before.

Ghad, that Winston! Looks like he's not giving up on her necklace.

Still annoyed, she started her car and drive home. She already got this, it would be a shame to just throw it away.

It's a blessing, Claire! Consider it a blessing and be grateful. She reminded herself.

She's unloading her groceries when a couple of delivery guys wearing WHL uniforms approached her in the parking lot.

"Need help?" one asked.

The other smiled sheepishly, probably noticing the uncertainty in her face. "We're delivering some package in 18th floor, but the owner's not yet home so..."

Her brow arched. "18th floor? Who exactly, if you don't mind me asking?"

"A certain Ms. Josephine Claire Roces."

She halted from unloading another grocery bag. "From who?"

The two exchange a look before the first guy answered. "It has no sender's info."

"Is that even possible? Why do you guys accepts such shady transaction? Haven't you thought that it could be something illegal?"

The two chuckled. "We're sure it's been handled properly before dispatching is made."

"Don't you usually drop it in the reception area?"

"The instruction is to give the package personally to Ms. Roces. Do you know her?"

"No." Deliberately lying, she lifted two grocery bags each for her arms and turned her back to leave. She's not even walking for five minutes and her muscles ache from the discomfort already. But she hold it in and walked faster.

She wanted to prepare and eat the food she craves, drink her wine, and sleep peacefully tonight.

When she returned to the parking area, the delivery guys are still there. They immediately stood up after seeing her arrival. The two exchange looks and nudge each other, as if deciding who's going to talk to her. She ignored them and open the cars trunk to unload another batch of her groceries, then she opened the backseat door to unload some more.

"Ma'am, let us help you." She wasn't able to reply; the two already took her groceries. Every single one of them.

"I can do this," she said in a firm voice.

"Which floor are you, Ma'am?" the bulky one asked, the leaner and younger guy is already heading to the elevator.

"We'll help you first and then we'll leave. It's not bad to accept help especially when it's being offered for free, you know." He smiled.

That hit a nerve. Combing her hair, she sighed and followed the two. Silently pressing the 18th floor button, she stared at the younger guy who keeps on fidgeting, a worried expression in his face. "Is it heavy?"

Surprised, the guy shook his head right away. "No."

"Then what's the problem?" she really feel like there's something more with these two.

He look at the older guy before answering. "No big deal. We'll just lose this job if we can't deliver the package to you, Ms. Roces."

"The receptionist told us it's you," the older one said.

Claire's jaw dropped. She's caught, although embarrassed, she didn't apologize. "But did she hear that right? "What the hell? That's crazy!"

"Well... nothing we can do but leave if you don't accept the package."

They reached her room and let the guys dropped the bags in the front door. They seemed nice but she can't fully trust them and just let them in. They turned their back and sad faces that she sigh in defeat. "Give it to me so you guys can go home."

"The package?" face lightening,  the younger one asked eagerly.

"Yeah. I can't bear you guys to lose your job so..."

"I'll get it!" the younger one sprinted back to the elevator.

"Thanks!" the one who remained said, the crease on his forehead gone. 

Claire only give the man a small smile. as she continue to drag the grocery bag inside. She's jobless so she know what it's going to be like. And it's not fair for these men to be kicked out just because of her.

They waited for a few minutes and the guy got back with four packages from a well known online shopping brand. She signed the documents as proof of her receiving it and bid goodbye to the two who keeps on thanking her. She rolled her eyes, feeling guilty for some reason.

So the first thing she did is to savagely open those packages. Which contain dresses and  high heeled shoes and matching rose gold jewelries. A set of clothes & accessories that would be perfect for an evening meeting. They're from the Lawrence clothing line, and Lawrence Jewelries... coincidentally owned by Gustav Winston himself. And that includes the WHL Express where those delivery guy works.

As per the older man earlier, the Winston's were so distrusting with other couriers that they started their own. Perfect since they have an online shopping that caters all over the globe. Not to mention the jewelries and gems that Gustav took interests a couple of years ago.

She scanned the expensive items on her couch. Is he bribing me now? Showering me with this kind of stuff so I'll give him the necklace? She's about to put everything back to their boxes when she noticed an envelope. She opened it and saw a printed invitation.

Dear Ms. Roces,

Wear these and I'll send someone to fetch you by tomorrow evening.

I know you said you don't plan on selling the heirloom, but I am deeply interested in the item.

Come and hear my offer in exchange of the necklace.

Expecting you,

G.L. Winston

She angrily put the items back to the boxes and leave them be in a corner. Expecting my ass! She's not going anywhere. She already has a plan for tomorrow and that is to go job hunting.

She played the stereo, look for the music she likes and hummed to calm herself as she fixed her groceries and prepare her feast for the night.

She planned to enjoy this 'me-time' tonight. Her worries and anxiety has no room for the occasion. Certainly, not even the billionare's interest in her jewelry must dampen her mood.

****

The next morning, clad in her office attire s***h job hunting clothes, and light make-up, Claire nervously fixes her hair as she waited for her name to be called. It's her first interview for the day and she crossed her fingers she'll get some good news since she kind of give up the other job invitation for this. It was a young fashion and beauty  magazine publication company, maybe five years since it started but it's gaining favorable reviews so here she is.

"Ms. Roces?" one of the hiring assistant who's probably in her forties came out in one of the offices.

"It's me," she said, raising a hand.

"Please come with me."

Claire was confused as the woman went to an opposite direction. The other applicants were interviewed on a different room. "I am sorry, but I didn't know there's second panel."

The woman didn't answer her, only give her a look she can't decide if she's pitying her or if she's nervous for her. she pressed her lips to stop herself from asking further. They boarded the elevator and she saw her pressed the highest floor.

"You're not qualified after the initial screening," the woman said as the elevator move upward.

"But I was lining up still for the initial screening."

The woman pouted, like she's been caught in a lie. "Really?" she shrugged. "There must be a reason why they said that. And don't give me that look, I was just following instructions. I swear to God, that was what they told me and instructed me to bring you to the presidentials private office suite."

"What?" She started to panic and eyed the elevators door. "Why the presidential suite?"

"They have an offer for you. And I heard it's better than the job you are applying for."

"Who am I meeting then?"

"See for yourself."

Undecided whether she'll run or not, her protest got stuck in her throat when the elevator opened. The woman lightly nudge her to step out. "You're not coming with me?" she asked upon noticing that the woman didn't take another step.

She shook her head. "At your right, there's another elevator. Press the P button and it'll bring you to the presidential suite.  Goodluck, Ms. Roces."

The elevator door closed before she can rush back.

Claire took a deep breath. "You can do this!" She bravely head to the private elevator, followed the womans instruction and soon enough, she found herself in a grand presidential office suite.

"Hello!" she called nervously, thanking her voice for not cracking up.

She heard a ding sound and the elevators door opened once again. Her knees almost buckle when she recognize the man's strikingly handsome face. Her hand gripped the back of the sofa where shes's standing. "Gustav..."

He smirked as if he's enjoying her surprised look. "I invited you nicely, but it seems you have no plan to meet me.  So here I am."