The Hidden Billionaire

1.4

Serena’s POV

I made the call to Declan. Like a schoolgirl, my finger twirled a lock of hair. Cynthia watched as I did it. There was something in her eyes that compelled me to place the call on speakerphone. We both listened to it as it rang. A solemn voice answered the phone. “This is Declan. How may I help you?”

Internally, I squealed. His voice could melt the polar ice caps with how manly it sounded. “Hello?”

Clearing my voice, I spoke when Cynthia looked at me with pleading eyes. “Hi Declan, it's me, Serena. I was wondering if you and Makena would like to join Cynthia and me for drinks? Mrs. Mari said we can leave early.”

There was a pause before he spoke. “…I don’t think that’s possible.”

Shuffling on his end and then another voice spoke. Deeper. More authoritative. “This is Beau. He and Makena will be there. I’m heading home to Marina. Is she all right?”

“Yes, she seemed fine. I mean, it was a bit touchy when she had to deal with her mom and sister.”

Cynthia interjected. “She handled it beautifully too, sir. If you were there, then you would’ve been proud of the way she handled herself.”

“Good. Good. I’ll give Declan the company card and this dinner? You did say dinner or was it drinks? Either way, it can be considered a team-building exercise. Enjoy your night.”

Assuming he handed the phone back over to Declan. There was another pause and then Declan’s voice came clearly through the phone. “Sir, Makena doesn’t like to fraternize.”

Words were exchanged. Then he sighed into the phone. “Declan?”

“Ah, excuse me. Sorry about that. Makena and I will be there. Was there a specific place you wanted to go?”

Turning to Cynthia, she shrugged her shoulders. A second later, she snapped her fingers. “How about we go to Bennie’s sunset? It’s a bar and grill. They have great burgers and drinks. Even private rooms in case we didn’t want to be bothered.”

Wiggling my eyebrows, I understood what she really meant. We can have our alone time to pester him about personal questions. “Oh, I’ve heard mixed things about that place. The food and drinks are good, but sometimes the people can be annoying. Unless you’re in a private room.”

“That’s doable. I will bring Makena there. Or we can take a taxi there… yeah. Thanks to our generous boss man. We’ll get a taxi. And if for any reason we drink too much. We have a way home.”

“That sounds like a plan. I think we have the best bosses in the industry.”

“I agree.” Cynthia nodded her head.

“Just you wait. You’ll see that my boss is a demon. Whereas yours is an angel.” He sighed wistfully. “You have the better boss.”

“I can make sure you have no boss if you keep that up.” Beau’s voice came through the phone loudly.

“You won’t get rid of me. Our relationship transcends work and time.”

The two of us looked at each other, eyes wide. Her mouth was open. I cleared my throat. “Uh, well, we will see you two at the restaurant. It’ll be fun to get to know you both and why you and Mr. Jackson have a relationship that transcends work and time.”

Ending the call. Cynthia was already on her phone. Looking up the address to the bar.

Twenty minutes later, we were outside the restaurant. The neon sign lit up blue and pink. It was just my style. “How have I never come to this place? it’s just what I would be into.” Looping my arm around Cynthia, we walked inside.

Music blaring. A couple of pool tables. Wall-to-wall bodies. The bartender was busy with a sea of customers clamoring for a drink. I was in my element. The music immediately had me moving my body. shimmying to the beat. “How about you talk to the bartender about a private room? I’ll be over here dancing.”

She nodded her head. I continued to dance while watching the door. Several guys came up to me wanting to dance. Each time, I politely shook my head and held up my hand. Signaling, I didn’t want to dance. Some men didn’t know how to take the word no. As I tried to politely push them away. Declan intervened. He was wearing a navy-blue sweater vest, black slacks, and a short sleeve dress shirt. The rimmed glasses on his face stood out. “The lady doesn’t want to dance with you.” Placing his hand on the guy’s wrist. His forearm flexed as he tightened his grip.

The guy shook him off in disgust. “It’s just dancing. Not like we trying to do anything else.”

“She doesn’t want to dance with you. Can't you see you’re making her uncomfortable?”

The men looked at me. The thin line in place of a smile was evident to me and Declan.

“She looks fine to us.” One of the guys, bigger, poked Declan in the chest. “Why don’t you bug off nerd boy!”

He sighed. Adjusting his glasses. Then wrapped his hand around the finger, punctuating a bruise into his chest. “I’m not a nerd boy. I’m a grown man. Please leave the lady alone.”

The bigger guy raised his free hand, balling it into a fist. Before he had a chance to punch Declan. Makena stepped in the middle of it. the other patrons were all watching the drama unfold. Cynthia stayed at the bar, watching. “With this area, I’m sure the police would be here within fifteen minutes. Strike him and you’ll spend a night in jail. Maybe the entire weekend. I suggest you put your hand down and leave these two alone.”

He eyed her up and down. Then let go of Declan. “Whatever. If I see you here again, my fist will become acquainted with your face.” He left. His friend next to him made a snide remark. “Looks like nerd boy needs a woman to stand up for him.”

Declan gave a forced smile. Then proceeded to dust himself off. “I appreciate you stepping in Makena, but what would you have done if he turned his disgusting hand onto you?”

“I know how to defend myself. I’ve taken self-defense classes.”

Cynthia rejoined us before the two of them could get into an argument. The air seemed charged between the two of them. Whether or not she liked him. I was certain I was enamored with Declan. And I assumed Cynthia was too. This would make for an interesting work dynamic. Three women fighting for the capable assistants’ eyes. One of us would win or none of us would. Mentally, I screamed, “Let the wooing begin.”