The Billionaire’s Lover

CHAPTER 2: Lingering Kisses

IT FELT SO HEAVY. My mind was distracted and all I could think of was him and his whole presence. It’s not the intimidating aura that he has, but a different feeling that I never had before. It’s a new feeling that somehow feels both familiar and unfamiliar. But I don’t know how I should take it.

Countless murmurs surround me in a blur, but I cannot understand any of them. There was a feeling of discomfort because of those indistinct voices. My vision is slightly blurred. The random lights inside this club are not helping either.. Rather, it is only making me dizzy even more. My hand found its way to touch my head—massaging to try and ease the pain, but it was merely impossible. The pain was both bearable and unbearable, yet unexplainable why it was happening.

As my vision became clearer and I could hear some noise already, the pain was still there. The next thing I knew was, I was already seated on the couch with the glass I was holding earlier already gone from my hand. Marley is seated next to me—looking all worried and fear evident in her beautiful face. Chris and Mich were panicking as they stood a meter away, giving enough space for me. I didn’t even notice that Lindsay was already with us because of what happened.

“Hey, can you hear me now?” Marley worriedly asked, caressing my cheek gently.

“What… just happened?” I murmured in a small voice.

“You just suddenly stumbled. We kept calling for you but you wouldn’t respond,” she explained, escaping a sigh of relief after.

“You were also whimpering in pain. Lindsay almost made a scene downstairs if it weren’t for Mich, because Marley can’t bring you back to your senses.” Chris added with the panic still obvious in her face.

I felt so weak. It was the first time I had been in such a position—except for those times when I woke up suddenly crying from a dream that I can barely remember. The pain that I felt was so heavy and somehow unbearable for me to handle. It was the kind of pain that I don’t even want to have again. But that pain… I felt it just by looking at him.

“Do you feel dizzy? Do you want to go back to the hotel instead?” Marley asked again, softly toned.

“If you want to go, then go. I’d rather have you take some rest back in the hotel than keep you here when you are in that kind of state, Ash.” Lindsay tried to convince, but I shook my head in response.

“I’ll be fine.” I helped myself sit up properly with Marley still guiding me. “I think… I’ll sit here for a while. All of you can go downstairs and have fun first.”

Despite being hesitant, Chris, Lindsay and Mich still went off to have fun with the other guests. Marley stayed beside me to make sure that I am fine. They tried convincing me to go back to the hotel and rest instead, but I didn’t get out of my mother’s grasp this week with the help of my secretary, just to go back there and take rest because of a mild headache. I think they are just overreacting.

“Are you sure you’re really okay now?” Marley once again asked.

I let out a sigh, growing a little tired from her repeated questions. She has been asking me the same question for minutes now and it was the only thing that came out of her mouth. I know how worried she gets about me, but I didn’t expect her to overreact this way. She’s acting like the kind of headache and pain I felt is such a big deal—not in a worrying way of getting sick, but in a way of being scared of something.

“You can ask me the same question many times but my answer won’t change. I’m really okay!” I exclaimed. She let out a sigh that grew a slight curiosity in my mind. “Seriously, if you keep acting like that, I’ll think that you’re hiding something from me.”

In a flash, I caught her flinch—trying to make it not obvious. But at some point I wasn’t sure if I was just hallucinating or the effect of my headache was still getting to me, but she really did flinch. Something is wrong with her.

“Why are you acting so weird?” I suspiciously asked her.

She gulped hard, changing her attention to the table where our glasses and bottle of alcohol were. “I’m not. I’m just worried.” she seriously defended.

I kept my eyes on her, watching. She gulps down the remains in her glass like she needed it so badly at this kind of moment. The remainder were all gone and the next thing she does is pour another then gulp it like some kind of tasteless water. I know that she’s planning to get wasted tonight, but I don’t think that is what this is all about.

We stayed in the VIP section for a few more minutes to calm down. The whole time, Marley just kept drinking in a stressed state that made me afraid that she would actually pass out later on. It’s like we ended up with me looking after her drunk ass instead of her looking after me. She didn’t even say anything and just left the room with a glass in her hand, stumbling a bit on her way out to go downstairs and join the fun. I have a clear vision in my head that I will be the one who will be taking care of someone later.

I was left alone in the room with only a little alcohol in my body. Usually, the moment I got to the club, I ended up drinking so badly that Marley had to be the one to stop me from time to time. This time is different. I felt distracted, despite not trying to be one. I could drink and gulp down any alcohol that is available but I can’t focus on having fun when it is the main reason why I came here in the first place.

It was all because of that black masked billionaire.

My attention turned to the glass window once again, feeling this temptation to stand there again. I didn’t stop myself and let my instinct take over. I stood in front of the glass window and stared down to see everyone having fun. There are some who are still dancing and I could get a clear view of my friends’ whereabouts from up here. Everyone is just having a blast while I was left here… not knowing exactly why.

I took a deep breath, inhaling and exhaling like I was in such a terrible state. What happened earlier shouldn’t be something I need to worry about anyway. It shouldn’t even be the reason to hinder the fun I should be having now! For some reason, I just had to think about it properly. But no matter how much I thought about what it was all about, I couldn’t find any answer that I needed. Rather, I can’t provide an answer for myself.

“Why are you even stressing yourself too much, Ashley?” I whispered to myself.

The main goal in coming here is to run away from my mother’s grasp and have the best week of my life. I could barely have those but it’s all ruined! I shake my head, trying to get a grip of myself.

“Let’s not waste the night, Ash.” I convinced myself.

Without any hesitation, I picked up my glass and the bottle of alcohol—pouring the liquid into the glass. I gulped it down in one go before pouring another. Once I’m drunk, I’m sure I will forget about all of this anyway. I probably won’t even remember everything that happened and will happen tonight once I wake up.

As I walked down the stairs, going straight onto the dance floor with my friends, I was welcomed by a handsome-looking model. It was obvious in his tall height and strong presence. But it doesn’t bother me enough. He puts his hand on my waist, letting it rest there, as I put on a playful smile. The game is about to start now.

As soon as my back came in contact with his body, I felt a hot breath between my lower ear and neck. I tilted my head to the side, giving him more access to my neck. He wrapped his arm around my waist—caging me, as if afraid that I would run away from him. Oh dear, I won’t… not tonight… not now.

I let my hips sway as he moves along. I could feel his hard member poking me on my back, making me put on an immediate smirk on my lips. It has always been so easy to turn them on. May it be from the outfit, from the way I talk or just a simple glance. It always ends up with them giving in—just like I give in to them. I turned to face him, wrapping my arms around his neck—giving him an intense look. In just a split second, I felt his soft lips on top of mine.

He was eager. The way he moved his lips was aggressive yet seductive enough for me to focus on him—temporarily forget whatever that happened before this. My hand reaches behind his head, tugging on his heart to deepen the kiss. His hand traveled from my waist—drawing circles in there—before it went down to my bum, squeezing it, making me moan into his mouth.

“Do you want to go upstairs?” he says in between kisses, panting after that make out sesh in the middle of the crowd.

His eyes directly went to the second floor, directing to the VIP room that is reserved for our circle. I broke my gaze from the room and looked back at him with my lips slightly parted. I pulled him towards me, making sure my lips came in contact with his ear to whisper.

“You’re hot… but no.” I removed his arm from my waist, pushing him away from me.

I put on one last smirk before turning to my back—leaving him in the crowd. There has always been a guy like him in every place we go. One second, they are flirting with you and trying to get into your pants, but the next thing you know, they are trying to invade your privacy that wasn’t meant to be invaded by anyone unknown.

I stopped next to the security guard near the entrance. “Outsider in the middle of the dance floor.” I whispered.

He didn’t hesitate to march forward to the dance floor to get that guy. It’s a pity. That guy is a total hotness. If only he weren’t here to spy so he would have something to post in the tabloid the next day, then I would gladly give in to him. He is already inside. Why not just enjoy the fun instead of ruining it for himself? He just wasted a once in a lifetime opportunity.

“What happened out there?” Chris questioned the moment I arrived at the bar section, eyeing the security guard who was already guiding that guy out. “Weren’t you making out with that guy?”

“I was… until he revealed himself in the dumbest way possible. He should have just seized the opportunity.” I groaned in annoyance. I gulped down the glass of vodka that was placed in front of me—letting that burning sensation be felt down my throat. “I didn’t even get a chance to know his name.”

She scoffed, shaking her head in return. “I’m sure there will be more out there. After all, you’re good at finding the good ones.” she sipped her glass before a smirk formed on her lips. “You get laid tonight or not, just make sure you will be walking out of this club with us afterward. Got it?”

“You’re taking me as if I slept in a random guy’s house after having sex.” I rolled my eyes with a little sarcasm.

“You said that yourself. Besides,” she shrugs her shoulders innocently. “I’m just stating facts here.”

I pushed her a bit in disbelief. Both of us stayed in the bar section, gulping down any drink that was served to us. I don’t know why, but the bartender kept on serving me vodka and Chris didn't even bother scolding that bartender, instead, she kept asking for more. I already lost count after gulping down my fifth shot because this girl kept distracting me from it.

My head feels heavy and I start to feel dizzy. I already know that I am close to my drunk state but I can still handle it. I can still hear Chris talk and see everyone on the dance floor properly so that will do the work. But surely, it won’t take me long anymore before I puke my liver out from that vodka.

“Ash,” Chris tapped my shoulder. “The billionaire has been glancing at you for a couple of times now.”

The moment I turned my attention to that direction again, my eyes came in contact with the pair of intense eyes of his. Just that look was enough to make me gulp hard in an unexplainable feeling inside me. It was a mixture of nervousness because of his intimidating presence as well as the feeling of attraction that I never felt before. The previous guys I had s*x with before and had make-outs don’t have this kind of feeling… it’s only him who made me feel this way.

There really is something about him that makes me stuck. Was Mich really right when she said that no one could resist him? Despite that black mask covering a part of his face, he can still manage to attract and be the apple of an eye to everyone in the room. It was in his presence that made him a magnet for girls.

“I’ll just head to the restroom,”

“Don’t tell me you’re going to puke already?!”

I didn’t give Chris any attention anymore and just strove towards the restroom. The moment I arrived, an image of a woman sitting on the floor—knocked up and in a deep sleep—greeted me. If only I hadn't been that distracted earlier, I would probably end up being in the same position as her already now. She is unknown to me, but I should give Lindsay or the security guards a heads up to help her later.

I stood in front of the mirror, washing my hands while feeling that alcohol in my body—slowly getting into my full body. I could barely stand properly anymore because of the growing dizziness in my head and I know by that, I am closer to passing out. Upon washing my hands, I fixed my dress to make sure that it wouldn't reveal any more skin. I think I already showed enough with how bare my legs and arms are right now.

I stared into my reflection and suddenly had that thought again. Those intense eyes behind that black mask. I can never forget how aroused I felt by just looking back into those pairs of eyes. It sucked me in—as if telling me to come and become his. Some sort of connection that is merely impossible, especially when he is unknown to me. It’s his intimidating aura that makes me feel nervous for myself and scared for a reason that I don’t really know about.

The question still remains… who is he?

My question may be answered the moment I got out of the restroom, seeing that mysterious billionaire on his back leaning against the wall with both hands in his pockets. His eyes were directly on the floor, but in a few seconds, they changed to my direction. I couldn’t help but flinch upon another contact with his eyes.

There it is again… I was being sucked in. I want to get close to him. I feel like… longing for him… but for what reason?

I shake my head to bring myself back to senses, passing by him. But something inside me made me stop right in front of him. My thoughts are the exact opposite of my actions and it was so clear… Mich was right. I want him… just like she wants him.

“Look who it is! The talk of town,” I approached him, stumbling onto my heels a bit. He held both of my arms before even falling, making the distance between us closer. “The billionaire.”

Silence was the only thing that I got from him, and a deep stare as if he was looking at something in my eyes. His strong perfume, despite this heated club filled with random sweats, is still enough to smell so addicting. The way his eyes looked down at me, intensely, was enough to keep me in a cage. The feeling of familiarity kicks in once again, but my drunk ass doesn’t stop just lusting over him.

“I heard that you,”—pointing to his chest with my forefinger—”rejected my friend.”

“What friend?” he talked… finally!

I was for a few seconds distracted by his deep, manly voice. So behind that mysterious black mask, intense eyes, and a muscular body was that melting deep voice. I never knew I was this weak and immune to such a voice.

“Mich! Michelle Bassett. You know? The model?” I responded.

“In case you forgot, mostly here are models. I don’t know her,” he answered in a cold way.

That sucks for you, Mich.

I remained silent and kept my eyes on his face. I wanna rip that mask off of it, but I can’t. If I do that, then he will do the same as me. My gaze lowered down to his plump lips, which made me gulp hard. It was that immediate tingly sensation in my stomach that distracted me with my own thoughts. I was left exhaling deeply with my lips parted.

And the next thing I knew… I already fell into Mich’s words.

Tell me that again if you end the night without trying to approach him.

My soft lips landed on his as I moved around, nibbling on them. I was so lost in sensation that I could barely control myself. Maybe it was because of the alcohol that started to kick in already, but nonetheless, I can’t stop… even if he won’t respond the same way. I placed both of my hands on top of his chest—feeling his muscularity—before moving them to his broad shoulder, which made me suddenly stop.

I groaned as that familiar headache from earlier came in once again. Earlier, it was just simple eye contact with him, but I ended up in the kind of situation I never had before. Now, I touched him and kissed him but… it was different. I felt like crying so bad and I wanted to stay in his arms, here with him. What is going on?

Without much warning, I left him there—not giving him a chance to talk. Why would he wanna talk now when he won’t even respond to my kisses earlier? I stumble and walk away from the hallway and onto the dance floor despite being pushed by anyone that I barely know. My head was spinning and my vision was getting even more blurry with the lights of the disco ball on top and the loud noise. That was all it took to knock me down,

…and the next thing I knew, I was already back on my hotel bed—still in the same dress.

“b***h is finally awake,” Mich’s echoing voice announced upon my entrance into the living area.

“What happened? What time did we get here?” I mumbled.

I have my hand on my head, feeling that pain in there—probably from the hangover. I don’t even remember how much I drank last night nor what happened. All I could ever remember was everything that happened in the VIP room and when I was making out with that guy turned out to be a hot paparazzi. Everything that comes after drinking with Chris at the bar, it's all gone.

“Midnight. You, Lindsay and Marley passed out on the dance floor so early, that is why we had to head back here right away.” Chris answered, handing me a bottle of water. She sat on the high chair next to me, giving me suspicious looks. “What happened to you after getting out of the restroom?”

“What do you mean?” I questioned.

“Well, someone told me that it was IMPOSSIBLE to end up making out with someone last. But then,” Mich leaned forward to the island counter with that iconic smirk plastered on her lips. “Ashley Nicole Cruz is spotted making out with the black masked billionaire.”

My eyes widened upon her revelation, not knowing whether it was the truth or not. I eyed Chris as she nodded with a teasing smile on her lips.

“What else did I do last night?”

Turns out that among the five of us, only two of them actually survived from the alcohol that was served to us. Marley and Lindsay had already passed out while Chris and I were still at the bar, talking and drinking. The two of them were just looking for me. That is why they found out that I passed out on the dance floor as well.

For what I did more, they only told me that besides making out with that eye-catching billionaire, I didn’t do anything worse anymore, which is the first. I usually end up getting all crazy once I’m all wasted. It’s either I be dancing my ass out in the middle of the dance floor or removing a piece of my cloth… which I don’t really know why I am doing so in the first place.

My week in Los Angeles comes by so fast that I can even mistake it for a train that has a wrecked brake. I just accompanied my friends on their photoshoots while roaming around the city like I usually do. I always end up alone because I have such friends with well-packed schedules almost every other day. They are only available at night, so I had no choice but to call in my secretary earlier than possible to take care of some business while I had some free time.

“Ms. Cruz, the Chairwoman is here.” my secretary says through the intercom. Great.

“Let her-” The door opened wide before I could even respond to her, revealing my great mother in her stylish clothes. “Whatever.”

It’s ridiculous how she is still dressed in a pantsuit with her cleavage out in the open. She walks in that kind of outfit inside this company as if she has no shame of herself. She probably thinks she is still too young to wear something like that. If I am not mistaken, she dressed much more than I and my sister do—except when meeting Matthew’s parents.

“Mother, it’s shocking to see you here.” I greeted with a fake smile, standing up.

“I could say the same to you.” She placed an envelope on top of my desk, crossing her hand near her chest afterwards. “Care to explain, Ashley?”

I took the envelope after giving her confusing looks. The moment I opened it, I now knew why she suddenly came here without notice—not like she ever gave one every single damn time she came. At this point, I’m not even sure if I should act scared because of what she just showed me.

“It was Lindsay’s party and I had to come since I was in Los Angeles already as well.” I defended myself—not that it really helps.

“I’m not stupid, Ashely,” she argued. “You left lunch with the Young’s to come there for that party. How many times do I have to tell you to stay away from those girls?!”

Here we go again.

“They are my friends, Mom. Besides, I also took care of some business while I was there. Lindsay’s birthday party was just one of my agendas.” I reasoned out.

It didn’t end there. I ended up listening to her nonstop talk, scolding me for this and for doing that. I don’t even know who had the actual guts to betray me like that to have that picture. She probably had someone who followed me. Maybe it was even that guy whom I made out with on the dance floor! She really is a psycho sometimes.

“Anyway, you are not allowed to go anywhere this weekend.” I raised a brow with her authoritative tone. “The Young’s are having a party and it’s a MUST for us to be there.”

“What do you mean?” I asked before she could even turn her back on me.

“What I mean is, you MUST come no matter what. Do you understand that, Ashley Nicole?” she argued.

All I could do was nod before she left me alone in this room. It felt odd… and suspicious. Something is not right. I felt the need to skip that party. Because if I do, my life might possibly turn upside down.