Deceiving The Billionaire

Chapter 2

MAYA

"Oh what a day…"

I heaved a sigh as I came to a stop in front of the door to my apartment. I tried to unlock my door but the door knob simply clicked open. I frowned, I was certain I locked my door this morning. But I cared less to start recapping, I simply threaded inside. I was immediately welcomed with sounds from my TV, and dim lights emanating from my parlour. 

My frown deepened while my heart gradually picked pace. I might not be sure of many things today but I was certain my TV wasn't turned on when I left for work. I swallowed as I took slow and quiet steps across the narrow way leading to my parlour. With every step, my heart seemed to thump louder. I was certain, someone broke into my house. But I kept on charging even though I was defenseless. 

As I tried to peek into the parlour, the lights came on. 

"Hey! You're back finally." Said an overly familiar voice as she popped out of my parlour holding a bowl of popcorn.

"Ana!!" I screamed almost collapsing. "What are you doing here you scared the s**t out of me." 

She burst into laughter immediately while I clung to my chest trying to calm my racing heart. 

"You think this is funny, I thought there was a thief in here." I groaned but she kept mocking me with her incessant laughter. 

"Would a thief be watching a movie in your house?" She responded with laughter still minted in her words. 

"How are you even here in the first place?" I queried while I wobbled into my tiny parlour which Ana had already turned into a mess. "And look what you did to my parlour?! What's all this mess and what's with this creepy horror movie you're watching?!" I pitched, irritated at the popcorn scattered across the floor.

"Hold your horses Maya." Ana shrugged me off casually as she jumped on my couch. "I just came to spend some quality time with you but then I found out you weren't home so I used one of your spare keys." 

"Is that why you had to turn this whole place into a mess…" I groaned as I relaxed on the other couch. 

"Now before you get comfortable go take a shower first." She muttered whilst dumping tiny amounts of popcorn in her mouth. 

"I'm too lazy to do that…" Another light sigh escaped my lips.

"Would you still be lazy if I joined you?" She teased with a sinister smile.

"Shut up." I hissed and she chuckled. She was wearing one of my white tops and a pair of red shorts. I wondered how long she’d been here. 

"You came late today." She uttered with her focus on the screen and I heaved a sigh, recalling my day ordeals. 

"Yeah something happened at work today," I mumbled and she glanced at me with a concerned expression. 

"You got fired?" 

"What? No! Why would you say that?" 

"Well, lately things haven't been going so well with you at work, besides it's the only reasonable explanation why you came late. I'm sure you cried out your pain somewhere," she mumbled nonchalantly. 

"I wasn't fired just so you know!" I scowled at her and she let out a laugh. 

"I was just teasing you. So tell me, what happened?" 

My lips curved into a tiny smile. "I got a big project!" I chirped and her eyes instantly flared up in excitement. 

"My goodness! It's been so long!" She lurched at me swiftly, causing her bowl of popcorn to fall but I was too happy to care. "I'm so happy for you Maya." She said sweetly while she embraced me. "...We need to celebrate this tonight!" 

"No no no!" I said in a rush. Knowing my best friend, we would probably end up dead drunk. "It's just a project, it's not like I achieved something big." 

"What a way to ruin the fun Maya." She said and I could picture her rolling her eyes as she released me from her embrace. "So tell me, what's this project about?" 

"I'm not sure I'm allowed to say it. It's quite confidential I think," I mumbled feeling a slight pang of guilt surge in my chest. 

She raised a brow. "Oh really, how dangerous can it be if you tell me?"

"I wish I could say it but…" 

"I guess I just have to make you drunk to spill it out!" 

"Ana."

"But come on, I really want to know. I cross my heart, I won't tell." 

"Nope!" I turned away but she kept on persisting and in the end I gave in. "Fine, but you seriously have to be tight lipped about this. I can't risk losing my job!"

"Just tell me already…" She groaned.

I took a deep breath, thinking of the right point to begin. "I'm to write an article on Desmond Hunter. Something that could possibly tarnish his reputation slightly. I'm not proud of it but I have no choice."

"Wait, the same Desmond Hunter we all know?" Her eyes widened and I nodded in response. "My goodness, I can't really say if this is good news or not. I mean Desmond Hunter of all people. How do you intend to get close to him because I'm not sure this man would be inclined to entertain a journalist like you." 

"My Editor worked that part out, I'll be going for an interview at Hunter Hotels in three days' time." 

I could clearly see that she had doubts and was probably scared a bit but I honestly couldn’t blame her. Desmond Hunter was a powerful billionaire after all. 

"I don't know Maya but I'm quite worried, why would your Editor choose you for something this big. Couldn't he have found something less risky," she asked, sounding worried.

"I wish I knew the answer but I can't refuse. This is my chance to finally get my career going, besides I have to pay off that debt… It would be hard but I have to pull it off." 

She gave me a small smile. "I know you can but you have to be prepared for the worst situation that can ever happen. Guys like him are scumbags. Nothing but idiots."