The Billionaire's Revenge

Chapter 5

Leah

“What do you mean you can’t refuse the offer? You don’t have to go through with it. It’s not like he’s holding a gun to your head Lee.”

It was Wednesday evening and Madison was sprawled over the couch in my sitting room, absent-mindedly giving her two cents on my situation. Her eyes kept rounding ridiculously while she squealed, her attention on her screen.

“You don’t get it, Maddie. It’s my parents' legacy. My dad worked really hard to keep the winery functional. I can’t…I just can’t let it go”

She glanced at me briefly before returning her attention to her phone “Yeah I understand your sentiment towards the winery. So what did little Noah say” She giggled “I bet he’s hiding from you right now in the farms of Hudson Valley.”

I groaned. She had no idea. After I left Cesare’s office, I marched to his apartment, my eyes seeing red. But the sneaky weasel found a way to avoid me. All I got was a text telling me he was “super duper sorry” and a million heart emojis. Well, he couldn’t run forever!

“Wow, you’ve got to see this Lee!” Maddie squealed and rushed over, pushing her screen in my face.

“Do you think this is where you’ll be staying? Girlll this is a castle! He’s got so many houses, but this one? I have a feeling this is THE house.”

I yanked the phone from Maddie, scrolling through the pictures. It was weird to think of Cesare living in a house like this. Cold, without a soul, and arrogant CEO? He seemed more of the penthouse type, dull lifeless colors, and minimalistic decor. The vintage mansion on the screen looked like..a home, like the owner had a soul.

“It doesn’t matter where I’ll be staying Maddie, it's still a job. For all I care it could be in a cave somewhere and I’ll still feel the same way. I just want to get this over and done with”

“Don’t be such a bummer! What’s there to be upset about? How I see it, this is just like a vacation. Beautiful home, a clear pool to swim in, beautiful view ” she sighed, clearly visualizing the image in her mind. “Just enjoy the show. Besides” she wiggled her thin brows suggestively “it doesn’t hurt to have that fine specimen of a hunk to keep you company.”

I glared at her, “Oh shut up Maddie.”

“What?” She giggled “I’m just saying. If I were you, I’d be warming his meals and warming his bed. I bet he’s a possessive lover” she sighed dreamily.

Oh, Cesare was possessive alright. My face turned crimson red at the memories that came surging in. I quickly resumed packing my stuff before Madison would notice my face. She would grill me till eternity for answers if she did.

I didn’t tell her about the history between Cesare and me. It was bad enough that she thought this was the universe's way of landing me with a lover, if she knew we used to be lovers? Maddie would be booking a wedding hall the next minute.

“And I bet you need to come back to reality. Helloo, Earth to Madison?”

“Yeah whatever” she chuckled, “just be carefree for once Lee. Let your hair down. Enjoy the moment and if he makes a move at you, girl you better be spreading those legs wider than the ocean.”

“Maddie!”

“What! A man like Cesare Conti doesn’t come twice. Hell, lots of women don’t even experience that at all. Besides, you’ve not been with a guy in what? Five years? How on ea—”

“Can we STOP discussing my intimate parts and actually focus on getting my luggage packed?”

“Okay pumpkin, whatever you say.” she winked at me, returning her focus to her phone.

Geez. Some quiet and peace.

I resumed stuffing the suitcase with my clothes, concentrating on folding them meticulously so I could avoid the chaos in my head.

How on earth was I supposed to survive six whole months living with Cesare? The man was a menace. Considering what happened in his office last time, I’d do well to avoid heated encounters with him. I sighed, earning a side glance from Maddie.

I couldn’t be delusional and think Cesare cared. In fact, this whole thing was probably a segment in his well-orchestrated ruse of revenge. It didn’t matter that it’s been nine years since I made the worst decision of my life. It didn’t matter that I wished I could take it all back.

I bet he’d eat a bug rather than let me explain.

Cesare would probably never forgive me and if we ended up in bed together, he would just be scratching an itch he had and get back to treating me like vermin. He already showed, quite shamelessly too, how he felt about me.

Just good ol’ lust.

I couldn’t let my guard down with him.

I could do it, in six months I wouldn’t have to see him anymore. Six months and I could just get back to my peaceful and unexciting life, forget that this ever happened. Forget that he ever happened.

I don’t know why the thought of that made my heart feel like it was ripping.

My phone dinged, a text message popping in.

7pm, Friday night.

Oh lord!