A CHANCE TO LOVE A BILLIONAIRE

CHAPTER 6

LIYA***

“Sure, I will be coming,” I composed myself, choking back the emotions.

“Good girl, now clear up the table and get ready,” he instructed, sounding serious,as if fighting back the tears in the very way I was doing. I had never been faraway from my parents for too long; leaving them behind always made me sad.

After lunch, I cleared the table and washed the dishes, then my mother helped me pack. We filled the room with laughter, jokes, and good memories. It took us forever to pack because we were too chatty, but eventually we were done.

After packing, I picked up my cell phone and dialed the last caller on my call logs.

“Hello, sir,” I spoke when he answered the call.

“Yes, Ms. Liya, have you thought about it?” he gently asked.

“Yes, Sir, I have no problem coming there if everything is ready,” I said, searching for a hint of resentment in my mother's eyes, but all I could see was approval.

“Alright Ms. Liya, will send someone to pick you up,” he said, his voice sounding jovial.

“Sure,” I doubtfully responded.

Subsequently, I excused myself to the function that was taking place since I had pledged to offer whatever help that I could offer. As I moved, I developed a bittersweet sensation as the thought of leaving my parents hit me once again. I just could

not shake it off my mind.

I moved past the crowd that was facing my direction.Their piercing stares threw me off balance, and I missed a step. I eagerly developed the urge to see some of those who had locked their eyes on me.

As I twisted my head in their direction, I turned my head to check; my heart skipped a thousand beats as my eyes locked with the stranger's eyes whom i met at the market.

I was clueless about his eyes on me. Was he spying on me? I thought.

What shocked me the most was the row he was sitting in, the row of the honorable,the nobles, and the donors. Was he one of the billionaires? The donors? Howwould I have possibly fallen for a high-ranked person?

Butterflies kept parting in my stomach until I spotted the facilitator, Mr. Robby, who was standing at the far end of the crowd.

He finished talking to one of the children, and then I approached him. I pushed back the thought of the strange man as I approached the facilitator.

“How are you, Liya?” he greeted blissfully, stretching his hand towards me for a handshake, which I cheerfully accepted.

“I am fine thanks, how about you? Mr. Robby?” I responded as we gladly shook hands, then we pulled away.

“I am fine, thanks. I actually thought you would not come,” he said, wrapping his hands around the files he had carried.

“I spotted you from afar; actually, I have brought my contribution, though it is little,” I said, unfolding the money in my hands.

“It does not matter as long as you pour your heart into your giving,” he encouraged as he patted me on my shoulder.

I sighed and said, “Well, here is what I have,” I added, handing over the $9 to him. He stretched both his hands as he collected the money.

“Thank you so much, we appreciate your generosity,” he said, looking directly into my eyes. “Oh, I am so sorry, I need to go,” he added as he rushed to leave, but then I stopped him and said, “Please do not mention my name. I do not want everyone to know I contributed,” I said, my eyes pleading for his understanding.

“If you say so,” he said, then he left.

I turned to leave, but then my eyes bumped into those blue eyes again. My heart jolted out of its position. Why do I keep on meeting eyes with him? I thought fighting back the scene.

I moved past the crowd until I felt a warm, tender hand on my shoulder. My pulse paused, and my eyes widened in surprise. Is he the one? I thought. ‘It can’t be him,’ I debated.

I tilted my head over to the side where the hand was coming from. It was a man in a black suit. I looked over his muscular arm, which frightened me. My eyes widened even more, and my mouth opened in protest, but then he said, “I am sorry to scare you. I did not mean to,” he said, taking his hand off my shoulder.

“It is okay,” I said, putting myself in order.

“Madam, my boss wants to speak to you if you do not mind,” he calmly spoke, pointing his eyes towards the other direction.

I concentrated my eyes on where he was looking, and there he was; the strange man standing, his tall figure unmoving like a stature. His blue eyes glared patiently at us with his arms crossed.

My heart raced, wondering what was going on. I felt my body beginning to jerk slightly in nervousness; my legs were about to betray me, but then I was in the crowd; I would not afford to embarrass myself in public and in the presence of a stranger.

“Me?” I asked surprisingly, pointing a finger at my chest.

“Yes, Ma’am,” he confirmed, making me startled.

“That is strange,” I muttered beneath my breath.

“Pardon?” he inquired, glancing at me.

“Oh sorry, it is nothing. But why does he want to see me?” I queried.

“I am not sure, Ma’am,” he responded, slightly bowing to me.

“Oh okay," I spoke with confusion and a substantial number of questions circling in my thoughts.

When he saw the confusion on my face, he reassured me, "Do not be confused; I'm sure it's nothing serious," and his words calmed my racing heart.

Then he left and whispered something to the strange man before I walked towards him.

I looked up towards the stranger, then boom, our eyes matched. I pulled off my glance and pretended to look somewhere else as I moved towards him, and eventually, I reached where he was after what felt like forever.

“Uhm, you called for me?” I stood one meter apart from him, facing him, my heart pounding uncomfortably.

“Oh yeah, uhm I-I,” he stammered, and he could not clearly form any words out of his mouth. I was startled.

‘cough cough’ he cleared his throat before saying, “Actually I remember seeing you back there at the market,” he said, maintaining his composure, which was impressive.

“Yes, Sir, I am the one,” my heart kept on beating harder against my chest as I spoke. My legs were not unsteady against the ground; I felt like I was about to collapse to the ground. I could not believe it that I was finally talking to him.

“So you are from around here?” he asked, seeming to change the topic of the conversation.

“Yes, sir. I live on the other side of the road, though it is a bit far,” I said, looking down at my fingers.

“I need help,” he said, making my stomach jolt with butterflies. I wondered what help he would possibly need from me.

“What can I help you with?” I stammered.

“I do not know why I am suddenly developing a headache and my stomach is aching; do you know any shops nearby?”

I watched his lips move in harmony as he spoke. They were small and cute; the way they were buttoning and unbuttoning when he spoke was very captivating.

I felt my lips adjusting to a smile until his voice took me out of my trance when he said, “Hello, are you okay?” my eyes widened in shock at what was happening to me. I gulped and said, “Uhm, uhm yes I- I,” I stammered, trying to remember what he said earlier.