MR BILLIONAIRE WANTS A WIFE FOR CHRISTMAS

Chapter 7:

As Linda picked up the phone, her father's voice boomed on the other end. "Why aren't you in the office? Why is Claire, your friend and assistant, taking care of your work? I need you home now, Linda." His words were laced with a sense of urgency and authority, and Linda felt a surge of anxiety. She knew her father was strict, but she had never expected him to be so demanding.

Linda took a deep breath and tried to compose herself. "Dad, I'm not a baby. I went for a little trip and will be back soon. And there's nothing bad if Claire fills my absence," she replied, trying to sound calm and confident. But inside, she was panicking. She knew her father wouldn't take kindly to her disobedience, and she worried about what he might do.

Just then, Andrew's voice interrupted her thoughts. "Babe, who was that?" he asked, his eyes narrowing slightly. Linda hesitated for a moment before responding. "I hung up. Nothing to bother. Just someone from my family checking up on me," she said, trying to brush it off. Andrew's expression softened, and he nodded. "Oh, okay. Let's return to the dinner table."

As they returned to the table, Linda's mind was still reeling from her conversation with her father. She knew she had to be careful, that she couldn't let her father discover her secrets. She felt a sense of unease, knowing that she was living a lie, and that her father's discovery could ruin everything.

The rest of the dinner was a blur for Linda. She went through the motions, smiling and laughing, but her mind was elsewhere. She was thinking about her father, and what he might do if he found out about her fake marriage to Andrew. She was thinking about the consequences of her actions, and how they might affect her future.

As the evening drew to a close, Linda and Andrew retired to their room. Linda felt a sense of relief wash over her as she closed the door behind them. She was safe, for now, from her father's prying eyes. But she knew that she couldn't stay hidden forever. Eventually, she would have to face her father, and the consequences of her actions.

Linda's thoughts were still racing as she got ready for bed. She couldn't shake the feeling of unease, the sense that she was living on borrowed time. She knew that she had to be careful, that she couldn't let her guard down. But as she looked at Andrew, sleeping peacefully beside her, she felt a sense of comfort. She knew that she wasn't alone, that she had Andrew to support her.

As she drifted off to sleep, Linda's mind was still whirling with thoughts of her father, and the secrets she was keeping. She knew that she had to be careful, that she couldn't let her father discover her secrets. But for now, she was safe, and that was all that mattered.

The darkness of the room enveloped her, and Linda's eyelids grew heavy. She felt her breathing slow, and her thoughts grew jumbled. As she slipped into the world of dreams, Linda's last thought was of her father, and the secrets she was keeping. She knew that she would have to face him eventually, but for now, she was safe, and that was all that mattered.

Just then, Linda's phone rang, shrill in the silence. She hesitated for a moment before picking it up, wondering who could be calling her at this hour. As she looked at the screen, she saw that it was Claire, her friend and assistant. Linda's heart sank, knowing that Claire wouldn't be calling her unless something was wrong.

"Girl, your dad isn't going to take it lightly with you," Claire said, her voice serious. "I can't continue to be the boss when I'm not. You need to arrange things. I can't cover for you forever." Linda felt a surge of anxiety, knowing that her father was getting impatient. She had been avoiding him for weeks, but she knew she couldn't keep running forever.

Linda sighed, feeling trapped. "Claire, you know Andrew and I are here for Christmas. And you expect me to just leave and come and be a heiress to...please, please. I've found my peace. You can own the position for a while, or you can leave it empty. Claire, all I know is I can't lose Andrew. Not even when things are getting in place," she said, her voice firm.

Claire's voice was silent on the other end of the line, and Linda knew she had made her point. She felt a sense of determination wash over her. She was done running from her father and his expectations. She was done trying to please everyone else. It was time for her to take control of her own life.

Linda hung up the phone, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. She knew she had made the right decision, even if it meant facing her father's wrath. She turned to see Andrew standing behind her, a look of concern on his face.

"Who is this, and what's up with these strange calls?" Andrew asked, his voice low. Linda smiled, trying to reassure him. "It's nothing to be worried about. She's fine," she said, trying to brush it off.

Andrew's eyes narrowed, and he took a step closer to her. "Linda, I know something's going on. You've been getting these strange calls all day, and you're clearly upset. What's going on?" he asked, his voice firm.

Linda sighed, feeling trapped. She didn't want to lie to Andrew, but she didn't want to tell him the truth either. She was stuck in a web of her own making, and she didn't know how to escape. "It's just work stuff, Andrew. Don't worry about it," she said, trying to reassure him.

Andrew's eyes searched hers, and Linda knew he didn't believe her. But he didn't push the issue further. Instead, he nodded and said, "Okay, if you're sure everything is fine." Linda nodded, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. She knew she had dodged a bullet, but she also knew that she couldn't keep running forever. Eventually, she would have to face the truth, and the consequences of her actions.

Linda walked out to the balcony, seeking some fresh air and a moment of solitude. But as she stepped out, she noticed Alex standing there, his eyes fixed on her. She tried to excuse herself, but Alex stopped her, his voice low and smooth. "You don't need to, I don't bite, especially not young, beautiful ladies like you," he said, his eyes glinting with amusement.

Linda felt a shiver run down her spine as Alex's gaze roamed over her. She tried to brush off the feeling, telling herself she was being paranoid. But as Alex began to speak, his words sent a chill down her spine. "I know my brother might just use you as a business proposal. I know him from young, so what's up? How do you guys meet? My brother never falls in love, he's a player," Alex said, his eyes narrowing as he studied her.

Linda didn't respond, her mind still reeling from the conversation she had with Claire earlier. She was lost in thought, worrying about her father's reaction and the consequences of her actions. She didn't even notice Andrew approaching them, his eyes fixed on her with a mixture of concern and anger.

"What are you doing here, Linda?" Andrew asked, his voice low and even. But Linda was still lost in thought, and she didn't respond. Andrew's expression darkened, and he took her hand, pulling her back into the room. "Linda, are you here to play? Do your job and stop parading around my brother. Mind your business, and if you make me lose, I bet it, I will make this life a living hell for you," Andrew said, his voice cold and menacing.

But just as Andrew was about to continue, Alex cut in, his voice smooth and even. "Lose what, Andrew?" he asked, his eyes glinting with curiosity. Andrew's expression faltered for a moment, and Linda saw a flash of uncertainty in his eyes. But then, his mask slipped back into place, and he smiled, his eyes cold and calculating.