Billionaire's Touch

Episode 3

Melissa stepped out of her office building, greeted by a torrential downpour. She rummaged through her bag for her umbrella, but before she could find it. A sleek, black umbrella appeared above her.

It was Miles, he held an umbrella above her, his expression stoic. "Let's get you to your car."

Grateful, Melissa nodded, and they walked together. As they reached her vehicle, Miles opened the door for her. Melissa smiled, thanking him. But just as she settled in, Miles turned to leave, his movements abrupt.

"Miles, wait!" Melissa called out, confused.

He paused, his back to her. "I have a meeting."

Before Melissa could respond, Miles vanished into the rain-soaked evening. Melissa's thoughts swirled. As she watched Miles disappear into the night, Melissa felt an inexplicable pang in her heart. She arrived home and receives a call from her best friend, Kayla, she visits her the following day and they discuss about Miles and Xavier.

"This Italiano got you intoxicated, girl" Kayla said.

After their conversations, Melissa decided to return the umbrella Miles gave her. She arrived at his house, it seemed empty, her footsteps echoed as she took each step.

"Anyone home?" she called out. There wasn't any response. After many failed attempts of finding anyone she decided to return home, as she stepped out of the house, she realized there was someone in the garden. It was Miles, he was asleep on a hammock, she didn't want to wake him up, so she dropped the umbrella beneath the hammock. She turned to leave and he held her hand tightly, she was frightened.

"Please don't go! " He sounded distressful.

She was shocked to see that he wasn't awake, she tried to let go of his grip but it was very firm. In order not to wake him up, she lay beside him and soon she fell asleep too.

Melissa woke up in a majestic room.

"Coffee?" Miles asked holding a cup of coffee.

"Have you been standing over there waiting for me to wake up?"

"Actually, no….Coffee?"

They conversed a little, she told him the reason for her visit and she later returned home.

As Melissa got home, she received a disheartening call informing her that Xavier had been kidn*pped and a huge amount of money was needed. She sent the money without delay. The abductors fired a few gunshots during a call they placed and they informed her that Xavier's dead, she heard shouts and groans. Her world crumbled and she became despondent.

After weeks of Melissa's reclusiveness, her doorbell rang. She ran to open the door hoping that Xavier will show up. But it was Kayla, she smiled and made way for her to pass, she told her what had happened Xavier. Kayla consoled her and helped her around the house.

Melissa pulled her and hugged her," Thank you so much Kayla, you're a really good friend, I really needed this"

"Love you, Lissa" Kayla replied and left.

Kayla was a few blocks away from Melissa's house, then she dialed a number.

"Hey Romeo! Making Melissa head over heels in love with you wasn't part of the plan." Sounding irritated.

"I played my part. It's not my fault she's a softy" he protested.

She ended the call and walked away.

Melissa dressed up and went over to her mother's house.

"You look pale!" Mrs. Patrice said.

"It's nothing" She replied.

"Anyways, hope you're keeping Miles company? He really needs someone to talk to, living all alone in that mansion of his is quite terrifying." Mrs. Patrice said.

"He lives all alone? Without workers?"

"Yeah, he's been a loner since his teenage years."

Melissa looked a bit worried.

It was 7pm and Melissa decides to head back home. She requested for an uber, while waiting she decided to stroll leisurely through the neighborhood and she noticed a black flashy car following her and she increased her pace and instantly regretted her refusal to sleep over at her mom's.

***

"Finish off whatever you started with your hearthrob, because you're all mine now" Kayla said to Xavier.

He held her waist and said, "You belong to me" he pinned her to the wall and kissed her.

"We're rich!" she exclaimed with joy.

"Oh, yes we are!" Xavier answered. They throw cash in the air, jubilating.

"Oh poor Lissa!" Kayla looked at Xavier and they both burst into a hysterical laughter.

"You wicked soul" Xavier said still laughing.

"I know right? You should have seen her, she looked like a bereaved old lady, staying indoors for weeks without proper upkeeping, crazy 'init?" She scoffed.

He looked a bit worried and asked, "She's been going through all that?"

"Hey! Are you worried about your little hearthrob?"

"Let's forget that, it's time to celebrate" He lifted her from the ground and made a spin.

***

The driver made it obvious that he was following Melissa. The car came close and the driver rolled down the glass of his car and said.

"Mind if I give you a ride?"

It was Miles.

"You scared the hell out of me" she replied.

"I've seen" he chuckled.

"I have never seen him smile nor chuckle. So it's frightening things he laughs to? What a sadist!" She thought to herself.

"Care for a ride?" He asked again.

"I had requested for an uber"

"Okay then, wait for your Uber"

She seemed scared, so she agreed to his offer.

"Wanna grab a drink?" He asked while driving.

"Is that okay with you?" She replied.

"I wouldn't have asked if it wasn't"

"I'd love to" She agreed.

It was a luxurious night club. They sat at the VIP area with personalized service.

Miles ordered some drinks, Melissa had too much to drink and she became boozy. She was an open book at that moment, she held his hand and asked for a dance.

He declined and she danced all alone. She stopped dancing and sat back.

"Why do you stay alone in that mansion of yours, huh? Paranoia?" She asked.

He ignored her question and said "Get up we've got to go, you're drunk"

"No I'm not! Just a bit tipsy" and she started laughing.

"What's funny?" He asked.

"You are such a serious-minded person. What do you do for fun? Nothing? I knew it!" She exclaimed and continued laughing. "You should do something fun once in a while. So tell me more about yourself" she said.

They stayed up late into the night sharing their interests and desires.

"You know what you need?" She asked.

"What?"

"Love!" She exclaimed. "You aren't bad after all"

"Bad?" He asked.

"What I mean is that, you aren't completely arrogant and toxic as I thought you were. There's a soft spot in your heart that makes you a bit humble, just a bit!" And she burst into laughter.

"Ouch, you just hurt feelings" holding his chest.

"So you have feelings?" Still laughing.

"Of course I do" He paused. "And feelings for you too" he continued, looking intently into her eyes.

She gazed intently into his eyes also and she slumped onto his chest, sleeping.

He carried her in his arms into his car and drove her to his house because he couldn't take her back to her mom completely drunk.

She woke up the next morning with a splitting headache. She turned and saw Miles sitting by the side on a armchair. The moment was a bit awkward for her.

Miles began, "I didn't know where you lived so I brought you to my place. Here's a glass of water and I made you breakfast too."

It was a breakfast burrito with scrambled eggs, black beans, and avocado wrapped in a whole-grain tortilla.

She collected the water and sipped it

.

"Thanks, Miles. This looks nice" She continued. "Do you…"

" Do you…"

They coincidentally speak at the same time.

"Go ahead. Ladies first." Miles said.

"Do you remember what happened yesterday? Because I can be a blabbermouth when I'm drunk." She gave out a awkward smile.

"I don't think I do" He replied.

"Wait, you were drunk, too?" She asked.

"Just a bit tipsy" They looked at each other and burst into laughter.

He continued "I don't get what's funny"

"Nor do I" holding her head."

She took a bite out of the burrito and complimented him.

An awkward silence followed after and Miles broke it.

"Still not wearing your ring?" He asked out of nowhere.

"I..I..just.." she stammered. "I need to go"

"Okay! I'll drop you off"

"You don't have to"

"I insist. See you in 10" He left the room and waited for her outside.

She got home and her doorbell rang. She checked her breathe before opening the door. Melissa's eyes widened in shock, her mind racing to process the impossible.

She felt like she was dreaming, like this was some cruel joke. But as Xavier's eyes locked onto hers, filled with warmth and love, she knew this was real. Melissa took a step forward, a gentle smile spreading across her face. "Xavier?," she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion.

Her knees were weak and she slumped onto a chair nearby, Xavier rushed to her side, dropping to his knees beside her. He took her hands in his. "I'm so sorry, Melissa," he whispered. "I know you thought I was gone, but I'm here now. I'm alive."

Slowly, Melissa's shock gave way to joy, and she flung her arms around Xavier's neck, holding him tight. "I thought I'd lost you forever," she sobbed, her body shaking with sobs.

Xavier wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. "I'm here now, Melissa," he whispered. They spend the rest of the day together.

Miles called and she muted the call.

"Who is it?" Xavier asked.

"Nobody" She replied.

***

The following week, Miles invites Melissa to his house to help him make dinner.

"Why does he need my help? Rich people and their problems" She scoffed.

"So you now speak to yourself?" Xavier asked from behind.

"Your absence drived me pretty nuts, you know" Laughing.

"I'm here to stay, my love" hugging her.