The Billionaire's Muse

3🌸

Chapter Two

VIOLET

My face is full of smiles as I hand my card to the cashier to pay for the jewelry. I have never been happier to spend money on something. My dress is perfect, and I have found the perfect jewelry set to go with it. The dangling silver earrings and matching necklace complement the dress beautifully. One of the other customers even pointed out that they make my colour “pop,” which is a win-win for me. I take one last look at the set in my hands. It costs a fortune bur it's perfect. I can already imagine the dress under the bright lights at the fashion show, the blue satin catching everyone's attention. Maybe this is exactly what I need. Maybe tonight will finally be the night someone notices my work. I hand it to the cashier to pack it up.

“That's a beautiful set you've got there.” A cool voice cuts through my thoughts. I look up to find a man looking at me. He's so tall that I have to strain my neck to see his face properly. He looks oddly familiar, but I can't place him. Why should I? He's at least six-foot-three, with bright blue eyes and dark hair that looks like it hasn't seen a comb in a while. There's something intimidating about him, something that makes the entire atmosphere around him feel different. It takes all my willpower not to take a step back. And he smells like... Strawberry? Why does he smell like strawberry?

“Thank you,” I reply simply because I really don't know what else to say.

He turns to the cashier. “Do you have a replica of that?”

The cashier glances at the jewelry set in my hand.

“No, sir but we do have a few other similar designs available, like—”

“I didn't ask you that, did I?” the stranger asks, his voice suddenly cold. There is a smile on his face, but it doesn't touch his eyes. He looks sinister. I know it shouldn't concern me, but it does anyway.

“He's just doing his job, you know,” I blurt out angrily before I can stop myself. The stranger turns to me. His gaze is piercing. For a moment, neither of us says anything then he lets out a low chuckle and shakes his head. It's almost like he can't believe I just said that to him. He turns back to the cashier.

“How much does her set cost?" he asks.

“Why's that any of your business?” I snap.

“I want to buy it.” He says it as if that explains everything.

“I'm not interested,” I say curtly, hoping he'll get the message and leave me alone.

“I'll pay ten times the price.”

My mouth drops open but I close it quickly. “If you're so wealthy, then I suppose you could get something better.”

He raises an eyebrow. “How much does it cost?” he asks the cashier.

“You can't answer that!” I say quickly.

The cashier ignores me like this whole issue didn't start because I was defending him.

“It costs $2,999, but it's going for $1,999 on discount.” The cashier says it with a bright smile, like the man wasn't rude to him five minutes ago and I desperately fight the urge to smash both their heads together.

The stranger doesn't even blink. “I'll pay $50,000. Pack it up.” The cashier's face lights up instantly.

“You can't do this to me!” I say, my voice rising but they both ignore me like I'm not even there. The cashier begins packaging my jewelry set for the blue-eyed stranger while I stand there, seething in anger.

“What the f**k is this?” I yell angrily, my manners long gone. He smiles and I want to punch him in the face or better still, bury him six feet under.

“I gave you a choice, but you didn't take it,” he says, shrugging.

“You have to be crazy! What makes you assume that I would give up my jewelry set just because you asked me to?” i ask defiantly.

“I didn't just ask,” he says smoothly. “I made you an offer.”

I stare at him intensely. I'm sure he can feel my hatred for him burning through his skin.

“You're an asshole, and you will pay for it,” I say angrily.

He simply gives me that cold smile. Except this time, there is a hint of real amusement in his eyes.

“I don't mind paying for it. I have enough miney afterall. Pick another set, and I'll pay for it,” he offers softly.

I form a V on my chin with my thumb and index finger and pretend to think.

“Hmm.”

I look around the display. Then I point directly at my original pick.

“I think I'll have that one.” He bursts into laughter and, unfortunately, I think his laugh is the best sound I've ever heard. His smile is even worse. It's beautiful. So beautiful that I almost forget that I hate him. Almost. He quickly catches himself and slips his mask of cold indifference back into place, although the amusement in his eyes remains.

“I'm serious. Make a pick, and I'll pay.” He looks dead serious about it.

“No, thank you,” I say, glaring at him.

“You can't reject my offer.”

“Well, surprise!” I say dramatically, giving him my sweetest smile.

He stares at me for a moment then he slowly scans the store. I follow his gaze to a short, thin, balding man mopping the floor near the entrance. He looks exhausted, completely unaware of the strange little battle happening between the blue-eyed man and me. The stranger begins to walk toward him. My gaze follows him. What is he up to? He takes the small jewelry box from the cashier and walks over to the man. I follow from a safe distance but I don't get too close. He exchanges pleasantries with the tired man.

“Here you go, sir. I'm sure your wife will appreciate the gift.” He hands him my- his jewelry set. The man's eyes widen. He looks very surprised but then who wouldn't be? He looks at the necklace, then at the stranger, as if he's looking at some kind of hero and I shake my head.

“Oh my God. Sir, I—I don't know what to say. I don'tthink I can accept this. This is worth more than my salary.” He says as tears gather in his eyes. He starts mumbling his appreciation, still baffled.

“There's no need to thank me.” The stranger gives him a small smile before turning around and walking back toward me with a mocking smile plastered on his face. I'm so angry that I can already tell my face is as red as a tomato.

“Why did you buy it if you didn't need it?” I ask cooly. I'm surprised by how calm my voice sounds.

“Because I can,” he answers simply.

I stare at him. Of course. Of course that's his answer.

"Because I can."

Who even says things like that? I cross my arms.

“Fair enough.” I say with a shrug then turn around and walk out of the store with as much dignity as I can muster. I make it three steps before I hear him laugh behind me but I refuse to turn around. If I do, the police will have a case of murder on their hands and I can't go to jail before attending my fashion show. Absolutely not. I won't let him ruin this for me. I keep walking. My heart is beating faster than it should, and I blame the anger. Definitely the anger.

Not his stupid blue eyes. Not his stupid beautiful smile and definitely not the fact that, for some strange reason, I can't stop thinking about the way he laughed..I step outside and take a deep breath.

Finally. Fresh air. I pull out my phone and check the time. I have a few hours before the fashion show. I should be thinking about my dress. My shoes. My makeup and most importantly, my jewelry. Instead, I'm thinking about an arrogant stranger who just spent fifty thousand dollars on a necklace he didn't even want just to spite me. I shake my head.

Some people have too much money. I slip my phone into my purse and start walking. Whatever. He can keep his money and the stupid jewelry set. I have a fashion show to attend. And tonight, I'm going to make sure everyone remembers my dress. Even if nobody remembers me.