The Billionaire's Princess

CHAPTER FOUR

The shrilling sound of the alarm going off pulled Killain from the haze of sleep. Groaning, he slapped at his phone until the noise ceased, squinting his eyes to check the time – it was 8:30 am. He made a heavy sigh, still laying in bed as the events of the previous night filtered back into his mind: the bar, the drinks, the laughter, and then… Arianna.

Killain opened his eyes and surveyed the room. The early morning light filtered through the blinds, casting slats of sunlight across the bed. The sheets were a tangled mess,his shirt and pillows scattered across the floor, a solid reminder that last night was real. He glanced to the other side of the bed and found it empty. A soft laugh escaped his lips because unlike most of his bedmates, she hadn't stayed. Intriguing.

He couldn’t shake the image of Arianna—her vulnerability, her defiance and her wildness. She somehow unlocked a part of him that he didn't know existed.

He checked his suit pants and drawers for her business card hoping to send her a text but he couldn't find it anywhere.

He raked his hair in frustration trying to trace back where he left the card but he could not remember. He sighs in defeat, walking towards the kitchen.

After throwing on some workout gear, Killian headed to the hotel gym. The familiar rhythm of his routine helped clear his mind, but the thoughts of Arianna kept intruding.He finished his workout and headed to the bathroom to shower.

Killain was all cleaned up and dressed in his usual sharp suit, ready for the day when he received a call from his trusted secretary, Tony.

"Morning sir, a call came in from your father last night”

“What was it about?”

“Your presence is needed back in London. Mr Justice of JK enterprise is cancelling the contract they signed two months ago and it's causing an uproar at the company.” Tony informed him

“Do they know about the penalty fee if they cancel?” He asked

“Yes sir, he is willing to –”

“Have my flight book at this very moment.” Killian interrupted him.

“I have sir, and the flight leaves in the next 20 minutes.”

“Bring the car around.” Killain ended the call.

Killain half-listened as Tony went through the information he got from Mr McLeod’s P.A but his mind was stuck on Arianna. In about an hour they arrived in London and his car took them to the company.

_____________

As soon as Killain stepped out of his car the media surrounded him throwing tons of questions at him like that of bees fighting for honey.

“Mr McLeod, why is JK enterprise pulling out of the contract?” A lady asked

“Will this affect the stock market?” Asked another.

“Was the merge in Paris successful?”

Killain kept mute and with the help of his security team he made it into the building.

“How did the media get a wing of this?” Killain asked Tony.

“I have a feeling someone within sent the information.”

“I need you to find out who.”

“Yes sir.” They parted ways the moment the elevator stopped on the Chairman's floor.

Killain walked in on his Father and his junior brother, Damian at the conference room

“What is the media doing outside the company?” Killian shouted

“Mind your tone, son.” His Father warned.

“How was Paris? I hope you brought good news, because I can't handle another disappointment.” Damian spoke up.

Killian scoffs “Disappointment? I left London just for a week and you couldn't handle one single company.”

“Oh please, like you would have done anything differently.”

“Hell yeah, I will be damned if I let our biggest shareholders back out.”

"If you both can't act as brothers then at least act as partners" Mr McLeod yelled out.

"I can't have him as my partner, not even my rival," Damian answered

"Thank goodness, you are not the heir then." He confidently replied.

“Because you are the President doesn't make you the CEO" Damian clenched his fit.

"Why don't you try earning a position for yourself?" Killian smirked.

"ENOUGH"! Dad slammed his desk. “If this continues I will as well make someone else the CEO.” He threatens

At seven years old, Killain McLeod watched as her father brought home his new family. He had never known his mother, who had died giving birth to him, so perhaps it made sense that his father sought companionship elsewhere. He announced that Killain would now have a younger brother, a boy of six, and a new mother to call his own.

As the years passed, however, Killian came to understand that this was his father’s family, not his. Despite being born into what seemed like a life of privilege, he had struggled endlessly to carve out a place for himself, fighting for every bit of progress that had brought him to this moment.

“Killian, how was Paris? Was the merge successful?”

“Yes it was. We signed the contract, and it has been forwarded to your mail.”

His Father gave a nod in approval

“I expect both of you to find someone to fill in JK enterprises.”

“Why don't we sue, we could claim defamation of the company.” Killain suggested

“I don't want to drag the issue any longer. Mr Justice stated he wants to sign a deal with some Russian company and he doesn't mind paying the cancellation fee.” His Father explained.

“He is paying double the amount, to me it's a win-win situation.” Damian spoke up

“Use your brain Damian, their withdrawal will affect our stock market. Do you think anyone would want to do business with us after this? Because of that withdrawal, we have lost about seventy percent of our future revenue.”

“He is right,” Mr McLeod supported Killian. “This is why I need you two to find me a better company or someone.”

“Yes sir.” They answered in unison.

“Leave!!.” He ordered

Both left the office , entering the elevator at the same time.

“I was with Elaine Smith two nights ago.” Damian said with a smirk on his face

Killain scoffs “oh really! Congratulations but there was a picture of her with a supermodel at a hotel last night.”

"You can't have it all Killian."

"I am not trying to". He stepped out of the elevator and turned to him “Good Luck baby brother and say hi to Elaine for me.” He walked away.

The fact that Damian thinks something was going on between him and Elaine made him smile at the sheer foolishness. Yes, he had gone out with her a few times—she was undeniably attractive, captivating, and thrilling. But to actually date her? That was a line he’d never cross. He’d rather spend his life alone than end up with someone like her.