Her Billionaire's Reckoning

11. Chris

Chris' Point of view

I watched as Zack said goodbye to the two of us before leaving happily.

What is so interesting about the envelope that made him excited? I should have taken a look at it. Knowing Zack, he isn't one to get happy so easily.

Either way, it's none of my business. I've had enough entertainment for the night, so I should leave and attend to my business.

As I turned to leave, a hand grabbed me by the shoulder, and I turned to find Mr. Alfred watching me with squinted eyes. All manner of familiarity and kindness that he had when speaking with Zack was now gone, replaced by suspicious eyes staring down at me. It was as if he finally found the thief stealing from his pot of joy.

"What the..."

"Why is it that whenever you are around, some sort of trouble happens around Zack? Last time you were around, your customer found it convenient to spill their food right by the table just as Zack was passing by." He interrupted me before I could finish my sentence.

"What do you mean by that?" I shrugged off his grip, using my hand to rub my shoulder before adjusting my suit. "I'm sure things like this happen all the time. Places like this just tend to attract crazy customers."

"And you are one of those I guess?" Mr. Alfred spoke again. He just wasn't willing to let it go easily.

"Then why don't you prove your claims instead of throwing baseless accusations at me?" I squared up to him.

"You may be his cousin, but Zack is a good guy and this is one of the few places he finds peace away from all the scuffles. So if you plan to come here and make life here bad for him, I suggest you back off!"

"Whatever old man," I snorted at him. "I have more places to be than here anyway."

With that, I turned and exited the restaurant, angry at Mr. Albert. Just who does he think he is to tell me off like that?

At that moment, my chauffeur, Gibson, drove the car to where I was standing before coming out and opening the car door for me.

I entered the car and told him the address to drive me to.

All throughout the drive, I seethed with anger at the fact that I couldn't find better words to tell the old man off.

How dare he, a mere restaurant manager, try to put me down on an important day like this?

I was busy with my thoughts that I didn't realize that we had arrived until Gibson opened the car door, and I was greeted by a waft of the chilly night air.

Composing myself by adjusting my tie, I put on a bright smile before stepping out of my car.

Two of the hotel employees, a man and a woman, greeted me in their work uniforms.

"Mr. Burke is waiting for you inside, Mr. Vaughn," the woman gestured with a pretty smile. If I wasn't here on business, I would have taken my time to appreciate what a beauty she is, but knowing Mr. Burke, he likely has the two examining my actions.

"Lead the way please," I answered politely.

I was greeted with the scent of lilies as soon as I stepped into the reception.

The hotel exuded wealth, class and opulence. From the delicately carved ceilings, the beautiful chandeliers that were a work of art, the simple but classy furniture, the latest technology and the marble tiled floor, it was as if one has stepped into a different world, and this was the signature of the Burke hotels, the best in the country, where only the richest are found.

Not long after, we entered the elevator and smoothly glided up to the 15th floor where the man's office was.

"Please wait inside, Mr. Burke will be with you shortly," the female employee stated, opening the office and letting me inside.

But despite the wealth that the hotel screamed off, the office would appear to be in a simpler taste.

It was the traditional office, with oak wood furniture consisting of shelves filled with books, a large desk with a globe on it, and chairs by its side.

A careful glance would show nothing of a personal item in the office, meaning that this wasn't the man's original workplace but a meeting point.

Then in front of them were dark brown sofas surrounding the coffee table which was atop a carpet.

"Please have a seat sir. Would you like us to offer you anything in particular? Coffee? Wine? Alcohol? Or some snacks," the woman asked.

"Water will do please," I said with a smile.

"As you wish sir."

The two walked out and I sighed in relief. I had been wary the moment I made those two. Now I can finally breathe peacefully.

From what I've heard of Mr. Burke, if his employees weren't impressed with a client, he could easily cancel the meeting, so I had to be on alert.

In less than a minute, the employees brought a tray with water and some snacks before leaving and twenty minutes later, Mr. Burke, a self-proclaimed king of his own empire, the man who had stood the test of time and who had come from nothing and established himself in the world, appeared, and I stood up, greeting him respectfully.

"Mr. Vaughn. You had been very adamant in your trying to meet me," the grey-haired old man cut straight to the chase, walking to the one-seater at the head and sitting on it before gesturing for me to also take a seat. "And because your grandmother and I go way back, I decided to give you the chance to hear you out."

Mr. Burke was someone who appreciated his time more than anything, so I knew this was his way of starting the meeting without any further pleasantries.

"... as you know, the Vaughn businesses have been trying to expand... we have been trying to build a new resort.... the 25,000 acres of land has already been required and at the moment I need investors like your distinguished self..."

"What kind of resort do you plan to build, Mr. Vaughn?" the old man cut me off. Why won't he let me finish? I was getting to that anyway.

"The first of its kind in the country. It's going to be one of the world wonders and also a tourist attraction which will increase revenue for the country and create a luxurious space for..."

"I mean," the old man cut me off again, and I tried hard to suppress my ager at him. "What kind of world do you plan to create through that resort?"

"Uh, I," I stuttered. I wasn't expecting this kind of question. I was told beforehand that this man preferred sincerity to everything, so I humbled myself, had sleepless nights cramming all the ideas and proposals worked on by my employees, even coming by myself and leaving my secretary behind so she wouldn't steal my spotlight, but this man just keeps getting on my nerves.

"Well, the kind of world I plan to build..."

"I asked because you mentioned a luxurious place," Mr. Burke interrupted me for the third time that night. "That means it won't be available to most people, right?"

"Right," I nodded.

"Then it would only be a space for the rich and wealthy. Hmm, then I would like to hear about the details of the building?"

20 minutes later, I came out of the building myself. This time, Mr. Burke didn't bother having someone escort me, so I maintained my composure, but as soon as I entered the car and Gibson shut the door, I let out an unnerving scream.

I can't believe what I had to go through in the hands of someone who was nothing in the first part of his life. Gaining all this wealth must have gotten into his head.

"Where to next, sir?" Gibson asked from the driver's seat.

"Take me to the bar," I said, taking off my tie and throwing it away at the seat.

"Uh, sir," Gibson was a bit hesitant. "Madam said to take you home in time for the dinner Ma had prepared," he stated.

Madam was how he and the rest of the workers referred to my mother and Ma, my grandmother.

"Forget the stupid dinner and just take me where I said," I replied, sinking into the seats. Stupid family dinner. It's not like I could face that keen woman after having failed to secure the deal.

"Yes sir," Gibson stated, driving me to the one bar I frequented.

At the bar, I requested a VIP parlor and ordered all the best drinks I could think of.

Less than an hour later, I blacked out and some time later, I was woken up by Gibson's voice.

"Sir, it's already 1 pm. Your mother's been worried, calling and asking for you to be home. She says it's urgent," Gibson told me.

"They can't even let me, an adult, enjoy my time outside. No wonder Zack left," I laughed at my own dry joke, attempting to stand up. Gibson quickly caught me before I fell. Putting my arm over his shoulder, Gibson helped me into the car.

By the time we arrived at the villa, my head was already starting to clear up.

I headed straight to my room and landed face first onto the bed, about to close my eyes and go to sleep when I heard the click of none other than my mother's heels.

"What is so urgent that it can't wait until the morning?" I complained.

"Huh," I heard my mother snort. "You have no idea, do you? Well, he is back now."

"Who is back?" I turned to look at her, and mother's face was in a frown.

"Who else do you think? Zack of course?"

"What? What do you mean he is back?"