Divorcing The Billionaire On Valentine's Day

Adeline

ADELINE

“Kris I swear if you utter one more word.” I warned, unable to stop giggling as I slammed the guest room door shut behind me. The coffee Jay left behind for us before heading to work was still in my system, coursing energy through me.

“You even want alone time with him now!” She teased and laughed from the other side of the door like the maniac she was.

I rolled my eyes but waited until I heard her retreating steps before I pulled the phone from my back pocket.

Of course I remember you, some faces are harder to forget than others. I couldn’t help the smile, maybe I was overthinking it or getting too excited, but I couldn’t help it, maybe a part of me still harboured a little crush still. I settled on the bed, getting comfortable despite the harsh sun piercing through the thin windows.

All morning Adrian and I had spoken more than we ever did my entire five years in college. I still couldn’t believe he was the match! I never believed in destiny, but maybe I should.

Had no idea you noticed me to begin with, I began to type but thought better of it. What time tonight? I replied instead.

It was barely a second before his response came in. 7pm tonight. Would you prefer outdoor as in a park or a restaurant?

I was just about to respond when another text came in. Scratch that, you’re a foodie according to your profile, I have a nice place in mind. I smiled . I didn’t have to type it because he went through my profile.

See you soon. My fingers moved on auto pilot.

A smile still played on my lips as I took my time getting ready, I had about four good hours till 7pm. I showered, scented up, threw on the dress Kris dumped on my bed that morning and did some light makeup.

It was a few minutes past six and I was about to add a final touch of gloss when like an hambinger of doom my phone began.

All joy died the moment his name flashed on the screen. My heart beat hard against my chest as I just watched it ring. What did he want? Was he calling to remind me just how much of a gold digger I was? In all the five years we had been joined by the contract, not once had he called me and even when I did he never responded so why now?

Curiosity eventually won and I picked up before the first call could drop. “Grayson?”

“Who else were you expecting?” The audacity everytime he spoke pissed me off more than anything.

“What do you want?” I hissed.

“What I want is for you tell me why you poisoned my son.”

“Do you know who you’re speaking with.”

“Yes, Adeline Archer, my wife. Now answer the question.” The entitled little…

I paused. Not sure whether I wanted to curse him to all hell for uttering such nonsense or correct his blunder. I was not his wife. Even when I still owed him a debt, I wasn’t his wife, so I sure as hell wasn’t now.

“What do you mean poisoned? Poisoned who?”

He made a tick sound with his teeth and tongue like I was stressing him out. “Johnny was rushed to the hospital. Where are you?”

“Where I should be, away from you.” I fired back.

“Come to the hospital. Johnny’s been asking of you all week. You might hate me, but making a little boy suffer for it is low, don’t you think?”

I gripped the phone tighter and wished it was his neck. Do it for Johnny. It’s all for Johnny. Ignore his annoying father, you’re not obeying his command, you’re doing it for Johnny. Johnny needs you.

“Where?” I grinded out.

“Already texted. Be quick.” He ended the call before I could rain colourful words at him.

I swiped the lipgloss across my lips and took one final look in the mirror. Okay good enough. Kris was right, the red body con dress did flatter my complexion and the slit that extended up until my right thigh was the icing on the cake.

I grabbed my purse and rushed out the door.

“Where are you in such a hurry to?” Kris smirked at me like she just caught me doing the walk of shame.

“I’d explain when I get back.” I called back at her, but never stopped till I was out of the door.

The streets were busy as always, my ears blocked with the honks of cars and the buzz from loud conversations between strangers trying to either go to a party or meet their night shifts.

Taxis rushed passed without giving me a second glance. I could order a ride, but that would take too much time. I might hate his father, but he was right, Johnny never did anything wrong and as much as I would love to lie to myself, he was just as much my child.

I waved my arms wildly in the air, not sure what or who I was stopping the only thought, how I could get to Johnny fast enough.

A car screeched to a sharp halt right in front of me. “St Paul on 5th Avenue.” I rushed and got in before he could refuse. Thankfully he didn’t and in a matter of minutes, the huge building towered over me.

I dialed Grayson as I paced the hallway with not the slightest idea where I was supposed to go.

He didn’t answer. Of course.

“Adeline.” My eyes fluttered closed against my will. As always his baritone voice was like rich butter, smooth. He might be the rudest man on the face of the earth, but his voice made it hard to think he was anything but the opposite.

“Where is he?” I demanded. It was already six thirty. Instead of responding, he let me stand there like an i***t. Well, that’s what it seemed like until I met his eyes. They weren’t annoyed or bored like they usually were. No. I had never seem that look in his eyes before. His eyes trailed from my hair in its layered waves, down my entire length, very slow.

I coughed and pulled my hair over my face to hide my reddening cheeks. I was imagining things again.

“Mr Archer.” His jaw ticked, but that caught his attention. “Where is Johnny?”

Again instead of answering like a normal person, he just walked away. Was I to follow him? Or wait?

I kept a safe distance between us and let him lead the way. If he minded, he said nothing about it.

He stopped in front of a room with a sign ‘private suite’ right above. I followed him through and relief washed over me when Johnny with his too cute voice yelled, “Addie.”

I held back tears and rushed to him. I checked his face, neck, body for any scars. “Are you okay? Any pain anywhere?” I checked behind his ears, nothing.

“Addie, I’m fine!” Johnny giggled and ruffled my hair like he always did. If it was anyone else, I would bite them, but it was Johnny. “You look pretty, are you going on a date with daddy?”

I didn’t need to look behind me to know daddy was trying to burn through my skull with his eyes.

I tried to laugh but it just came out anxious and awkward. “No, I have something more exciting planned.” I whispered in his ears and tipped his jaw gently.

He giggled and like fire to anything, it melted my heart. “Want me to get you something?”

He nodded furiously but before I could respond, the Grinch of summer cut in, “Adeline has to leave now.” He moved forward till it was hard to ignore his presence like I would love to.

I could tell Johnny wanted to protest and that would not end well and would mean me being late for my date. Not happening.

“Don’t worry, I’d come see you again soon, okay?” I said and planted a kiss on his forehead.

He nodded enthusiastically, “Okay.”

Grayson was like a bouncer as he all but pushed me out of the suite. “What?” I snapped immediately we were out of earshot.

“Why did you try to poison my child, Adeline?” He pinned me with a glare, then just like the Grinch, his lips stretched wide in a knowing smirk, he folded his arms as he drawled, “If you wanted to extend the contract, all you had to do was ask, I haven’t signed the papers.”

“You haven’t si- you know what, I don’t care. I don’t have the time for all this.” I spat and turned to leave. His fingers wrapped around my arm before I could take one step.

“Don’t you dare walk away from me.”

“Then don’t you dare accuse me of something as stupid as poisoning a boy I spent the past five years taking care of!” I hissed, beyond pissed that the thought would even cross his mind, just how lowly did he think of me?

“Well his allergy was triggered by seafood, something you should have known before keeping a meal containing the very thing for him in the freezer.” He snapped, his eyes wide, his grip on my arm tighter.

“And what about you, huh?! Even if I tried to use his allergies against him, shouldn’t you know what your son is allergic to.” He flinched, but still didn’t pull away.

“So you did try to poison him to get to me.” It wasn’t a question, it was an accusation.

“No I didn’t.”

“But you just said you could have meaning you thought about it and mother said you were at the house earlier, how can you possibly still lie?” He spat with disgust all over his face.

“I’m not! The last time I was at the house was when I packed my stuffs. My only crime was making Johnny his favourite meal and keeping it in the freezer before leaving!”

“So you did cook for him, just admit the truth for once, you tried to trigger his allergy with a mackerel to make it seem like I need you to take care of my son, didn’t you?”

“Of course not, I don’t even add any to the grocery list, how about you ask his new nannies what they really fed him.” I fired back, the blood rush to my brain insane. I struggled against his hold but he didn’t even flinch.

“Where are you going?”

“None of your business.”

He forced a harsh breath through his teeth. He was quiet for a long minute, not saying anything, just watched me.

He leaned in closer till I could feel his harsh breath against my cheek, smell the cologne that made me want to give in to whatever he asked, “Adeline where are you going dressed like that?” Two can play.

I leaned even closer, till I could feel his breath on my lips. My heart thrashed against my chest when his eyes lowered. It had been for a millisecond but there was no mistaking it. I felt it too.

I moved to his ear and whispered, “None of your business. Back off.”

I used his brief distraction and freed myself from his grip. I was out the door and hailed another cab in minutes. I showed the driver the address Aaron sent and we began the dance through the heavy evening traffic.

The entire ride, my heart pounded in my chest. The whipping air from the open windows did nothing for my flushed cheeks. What the hell just happened? What was that? It didn’t matter. I had a date with a very handsome man, a man that was thoughtful enough to go through my profile again to make sure our first date was at a place I wanted.

The car slowed to a stop in front of a fancy building. I paid the driver and stepped out into a much quieter part of town.

I’m here. I texted as a man in a suit pulled the door open for me, his eyes glued to my neck the entire time. I hoped it was my neck.

Look to your right. I did and for the second time that night, my heart picked up its pace, but for entirely different reasons. Aaron stood up the moment our eyes met and all the memories came flooding back, he hadn’t aged a day!

“You look amazing.” He smiled and offered a hand. I took it like my life depended on it and let him lead me to the table he came from. He pulled out a seat.

“Thank you.” Not sure which I was thanking him for exactly. I tried for a smile and hoped it was one.

“You have to be the first lady I’ve met that arrives right on time.”

“Oh, is that a bad thing?” I smoothed the fabric of my dress, drying my sweaty palms.

“Definitely not. I admire it.” He smirked, his eyes never leaving mine.

“Okay, good.” I sighed in relief.

“What would you like? I already got red wine, your profile said you preferred that to white, hope you don’t mind?”

“Let’s have the wine first.” I chuckled nervously. He popped open the bottle and poured me some. I took slow sips, careful not to spill any on my dress.

The wine was like a magic elixir, worming it’s way into my muscles and sending my fear and anxiety away. “Okay, now I do feel hungry.” I chuckled and took a few more sips before dropping the glass.

“Got you.” He said and called a waiter.

The night went easily after that. Aaron was easier to talk to than I expected, but like every good thing in my life, he had to ruin.

“So this is what you couldn’t wait to get to?” The hairs on the nape of my neck stood on end. Was this man stalking me?!