The Billionaire's Vendetta

Chapter Two

Kimberly’s legs remained rooted to the pavement as she processed everything Roland had just said about Nathaniel.

She had known that marrying a billionaire was going to be tedious, but she didn’t know how deep things could go in their world. She needed to do something before things got out of hand. But where would she begin?

As the sun slowly sunk, she regained herself and took a cab home.

Walking into the house, her footsteps echoed on the plush carpet. Her mind was so consumed with thoughts that the luxurious interior that once left her in awe was now her prison.

The emotions she had been trying to control slowly surfaced. A mix of fear and anger enveloped her as her beating heart dominated her eardrums, overshadowing the eerie silence of the house.

Matteo had sent the staff away for a while to give them some ‘privacy’, whereas it wasn’t even necessary.

Walking into the room, Matteo’s luxurious cologne that lingered in the air wafted into Kimberly’s nostrils. Its scent was so active that it felt like he had never left.

The cologne resurrected memories of the night of their wedding, just before Matteo disappeared……...

Matteo’s eyes flashed with irritation as he took in Kimberly’s outfit for that night. It was a Victoria's Secret lingerie her best friend had got her, just to make the night special.

“What is this?” his tone was cold and distant, a sheer comparison to the warmth he had expressed at their wedding.

“It’s our wedding night so I thought I’d make it special.” She said, averting her gaze to her entwined fingers. The lingerie was revealing, opposite of the kind of things she usually wore. She decided to change her taste since she was now married.

Matteo’s eyes darkened slightly as he scanned her head to toe like he hadn’t seen her properly.

“Let me make something clear,” he said, his cold tone carrying a hint of irritation, “this marriage was an arrangement between our both grandfathers.”

“I know, and….”

“Let me finish.” He cut her off sharply, “This marriage was an arrangement to make both Woodrow and Nathaniel happy. So, it’s practically for them, not us. When we’re out there, we are a couple, but inside here we are roommates.”

Kimberly’s heart fell in disappointment. She stood silent, too stunned to speak.

After a long uncomfortable silence, she spoke, trying to understand the change in attitude.

“At the wedding……”

“It was all an act, sweetheart.” He said, “I did it because of the press and our both grandfathers.”

Kimberly felt her heart tighten. “But why?”

“My reputation was a stake.” Matteo shrugged nonchalantly.

Kimberly scoffed, “Your reputation? What about my feelings?”

“Your feelings are irrelevant to me.” he said flatly, “I will perform my duty as a husband, but don’t expect any form of affection whatsoever from me.”

His words hit her like a sharp blow to her stomach. She could feel a burning sensation at the back of her eyes. ‘His reputation is more important than my feelings.’ She played the words again in her head several times so it could sink in.

She pulled her transparent rub tightly around herself like a shield, suddenly feeling used and exposed.

Matteo’s expression remained bored and unmoved by her.

When Kimberly didn’t say anything after a while, he fished out a card from his pocket and threw it at her.

“Here, the code is 7786. The card has unlimited spending. You can stop wearing rags now that you’re married to me.”

Kimberly’s eyes were coated with crimson. Her grasp on her rub tightened, her finger strangling the fabric as she tried to stay calm. This marriage was for her grandfather’s happiness, she couldn’t let her emotions destroy it. She had to make it work.

“Thank you,” She forced out, bending to pick up the card.

As she got up, Matteo leaned in closer by a fraction, his left hand holding on to the small of her back. His face was warm on hers as his magnificent cologne wafted into her nostrils, causing her heart to flutter.

“You’re welcome, sweetheart.” He whispered. “Now listen to me, not a word about this to anyone or I will make your life miserable.”

The measured warmth of his tone was heavy with threat, clenching her fluttered heart……

And now, she stood there in the middle of his room, his grandfather’s accusations digging a deep hole of fear and anger, unknowing to him that his grandson was the real monster.

Taking a deep breath, she walked into another door that led to her room. Though the room was as big as Matteo’s, she could feel the walls closing up on her.

Steadying herself, she took her purse and headed out of the house.

The fresh night air evaporated the emotions threatening to consume her. Though its reach cool was comforting, it didn’t change the reality of everything going on around her—the reality of the billionaire’s world.

***

Kimberly arrived at her grandfather’s house after a few hours. The house wasn’t anything compared to Matteo’s, but it was home. She pushed a doorbell beside the front door and waited for someone to answer.

The door swung open almost immediately, revealing her mother, Sarah.

“Kimberly, what are you doing here?” Her surprise was evident.

“I’m sorry I didn’t call before coming mom, can I stay here for a while?” Kimberly’s voice was low, pressed down by the stress of the day—Nathaniel's threats and accusations.

“Of course,” Sara said with a warm smile as she stepped aside for Kimberly to come in. “You can stay for as long as you want dear. It’s your home.”

“Thanks, Mum, this couple of days has been….. a lot.”

Sarah's expression suddenly shifted to that of concern.

“How are you holding up, Honey?”

A heavy wave of trepidation clung to her shoulders, stiffening her breath. ‘I can’t tell my family about Nathaniel’s threats, it will only destroy years of friendship.’ She thought.

“Everything is……” She paused, searching for the right words. “The police and investigators are not making any progress.” She lied.

Sarah nodded in understanding, patiently listening.

“Has Grandpa seen Grandfather Nathaniel lately?” Kimberly’s voice betrayed her true emotions.

“No, dear.” Sarah sighed heavily. “Your grandfather has been worried about him. He hasn’t even responded to his calls or messages.”

“W-what?” Kimberly couldn’t hide her surprise. Woodrow and Nathaniel were best friends. She had never seen them stay more than a day or two without speaking.

The entire situation was destroying years of friendship. She thought

“Don’t think too much about it dear,” Sarah placed a hand on Kimberly’s shoulder, “I’m sure there’s nothing to worry about. He's just really upset about Matteo, that’s all.”

Kimberly nodded absentmindedly, still lost in thoughts.

“It’s getting late, dear.” Sara yawned. “You should go to bed. We can discuss the issue tomorrow.”

“Okay mum,” she said, her voice barely audible.

Sarah gave her a kiss on her forehead before disappearing into the house. Kimberly followed behind and they both pathed ways at the end of the stairs to their rooms.

Taking off her clothes, she headed to the shower for a quick bath.

As the warm water cascaded down her skin, she could feel the tension on her shoulders relaxing, the event of the day that worried her suddenly dissolved.

After a few minutes, she emerged from the shower and got into a fresh cloth. As she settled in bed, the event of the day played out in her head, sending down a fresh wave of trepidation.

The thoughts of Nathaniel and Roland’s warning haunted her, causing her to toss and turn throughout the night. Before she knew it, the morning sun was already rising.

She remained on my bed nonetheless, thinking of the worst for Matteo.

Her eyes soon became heavy and was drifting into sleep, everything that had happened slowly fading away.

Just then, a loud crash and a few voices echoed from a distance, jolting Kimberly from the cradle of sleep. The morning sun she had witnessed was now evening. She quickly scrambled out of bed and ran out of her room, following the voices.

As she ran down the staircase, the voices grew louder and sharper. She stopped when she recognized one of them as her grandfather and the other Nathaniel.

“Step aside Woodrow!” Nathaniel shouted, “I don’t want anything with you but the girl. Where is she?”