BILLIONAIRE OFF-LIMITS

CHAPTER ONE

‘Women are fickle and men are just stupid''

The weather seems to be a joy today even though the climate is not on my side.

'Beep' This is the hundredth time my phone has received a message in the last 2 hours, and it will keep doing so until it goes off.

God! I can't believe my own boyfriend forgot about the happiest day of my life and the audacity of him giving me the 'I was so busy', Ama please forgive me' excuse as if the asshole couldn't go any lower he wouldn't stop calling me.

'He doesn't deserve you' my brother, Reid will always tell me. Running my hand through my thick hair, I sighed in frustration and jerked in shock at the sound of thunder. ''Holy f**k! I hate this rain can it just stop already''. I whispered-yelled to myself and chuckled seconds later, realizing I was acting crazy.

‘AMARIS!!!!', f**k my life! What the hell is his problem now and why in the lord’s name is Reid home now i thought he said he won't be home until after midnight. Dragging my ass out of bed and looking at myself in the mirror I realized how shabby and unkempt I looked contemplating on changing to a more decent outfit or not but again comes that annoying voice 'AMARIS! Are you dead?'

Reid Carsons is my annoying older brother but the love of my entire life, He is the CEO of the Carsons empire, and he rose to responsibility at a very young age when our parents died in that plane crash.

Reid was in his early twenties when the tragic event that shaped our lives even when the board of directors and sleezy family members doubted him, he showed them he is not to be messed with and became a brutal Ceo at the young age of twenty-three.

Since then, Reid has taken the role of both parents in my life and has been raising me since I was sixteen making sure I lack nothing in this world. Now you see why I called him the love of my life.

'I honestly think that asshole needs to know his place'

My feet came to an abrupt halt as if in motion, I know that voice. Why do I know that voice? Please blessed Virgin! Just this once intercede and hear my prayers and let it be that I’m mistaken just this once.

It can't be! What is he doing here? No, it is just my head playing with me again. He vowed that we would not see each other again. ‘We really need to let these old geezers know who is in charge’ he sneers

That voice. It's definitely Malachi Lorenzo, my brother’s best friend and my ex. No problem, everyone runs into their ex now and then you need to be the badass that you are and walk in there like a queen and show Malachi that you couldn't care less about him.

I cleared my throat and fixed my hair as I waltzed in ‘I know you cannot live without me Reid but you need to tone the obsession down’ I said while I closed in for a quick hug and a peck on my forehead.

'Uh you wish, I was only checking up on you to see if you haven't killed yourself because of some trash that didn't remember his girlfriend's birthday'. Reid said. ‘You're a jerk, Fatty’ I said calling him his childhood nickname knowing it would strike a nerve, he looked at me with a death stare, satisfied that I had accomplished my mission I smiled and sat down on the sofa.

‘Darrien was too engaged at work yesterday which was why he didn't have time to call me yesterday’ I tried to defend Darrien. 'Oh, sweet Ama when will your eyes be opened and you will realize how stupid you are' .Reid said in a worried tone.

‘No one is too busy for the one they love Amaris’ Malachi adds softly, his voice too soft for liking ‘Oh hey Mal, I thought it was one of Reid’s lackeys’ I rolled my eyes. ‘C’mon don't be rude, you haven't seen him in four years’ my brother swatted my arms playfully.

‘What! It's not like we were buddies before he left’ I shrugged my hands ‘Sorry for not jumping at the sight of you buddy’ I rolled my eyes again for the thousandth time in the space of two minutes.

‘It’s fine, Reid’ he chuckled ‘We weren't that close’ He sounds relaxed and it is irritating because how can he sit there and not be affected by my presence? I watched his every move, I can't help it. He combed through his brown hair as he brushed the hair covering his eyebrow to the back imitating a slick back.

'I can't believe you forgave the scumbag already my god what has that boy done to my sweet little sis'. Reid laments again. ‘Please stop being dramatic Reid you know Darrien has been busy since he got promoted at work and he apologized already tho I haven't accepted his apology..... yet I'm sure it was not intentional’ I told my brother but it sounded like I was assuring myself more not the other way round.

'I have heard you Juliet, happy birthday my love' he handed me a box that was wrapped with a ribbon, i collected it grinning ear to ear, and slowly opened the present and I saw a card that said '25 reasons why you will always be my favorite i***t'. I scoffed and looked at my brother with admiration and then at the bottom of the stick on the notes lies the real gift.

'No way Reid!' I screamed 'Someone wake me up from this dream right now!' I screamed louder. I looked at my brother and jumped on him 'Don't break my bones jeez’ My brother chuckled. ‘A freaking Audi!’ I jumped as I ran outside to check it out.

'Malachi helped pick the Color, I hope you like it’ My brother said sweetly. I stopped upon the realization. He remembered, I met his gaze as he smiled sweetly at me. I’ve always wanted a car in this color and he is the only one privy to this information.

‘Hey I need to answer this call, it's work’ Reid said ‘We will see tomorrow, no?’ he turned to Malachi who nodded yes, and they both said their goodbyes as Reid walked in leaving me alone with the monster. I’d rather eat onions than be alone with this man.

I turned around and slammed into him, yeah the right time to be clumsy Amaris. Well done. ‘You alright, Dahlia?’ You’ve got to be kidding me. The audacity of this man. ‘No….No…..No…..’ I shake my head fervently ‘You do not get to call me that Malachi’ My voice broke. damnit! I need to pass my message strongly and firmly.

‘Turn around Dahlia’ He commanded

Well, it's about to be a long night….. Mother Mary have mercy on me.