UNDESERVED ROMANCE WITH MR. BILLIONAIRE

Chapter 10: Impending Cold War

While Richard and I were trying to build our own world within the penthouse, we were not aware the world outside was beginning to burn.

Nora Hayes sat in the back of her father’s limousine, her perfectly manicured nails digging into her leather clutch. She looked very beautiful in a sharp, cold way, her blonde hair pulled back into a tight bun and her eyes the colour of ice water.

"He’s avoiding me, Daddy," Nora complained, her voice trembling with bottled-up rage. "Richard hasn't returned my calls in three days, and Ned is being even more evasive than usual."

Mr. Hayes, a man who believed every problem could be solved with a check book or a threat, sighed. "He’s probably just stressed about the merger, Nora. There is nothing to be upset about, the Jones boy is a workaholic and you know it."

"No Daddy," Nora snapped. “That’s not the issue; I think it’s something else. He looks... different, lighter. I spotted him leaving the office early, he has been doing that lately, and the Richard Jones that I know never leaves early. Something is definitely going on and I intend to find out"

She impulsively pulled out her phone and dialled a number. "Lucas? It’s Nora; I need a tail on Richard. I want to know everything about him, where he goes, who he sees, and most importantly who is staying in that penthouse of his. If there’s a woman, I want her name, her history, and every other detail about her. Do you understand?"

By the following morning, Lucas, a private investigator, sent Nora a lovely and captivating photo of Oma relaxing with Richard on the penthouse balcony.

Nora’s face twisted as she zoomed in on the photo. She saw a beautiful and innocent looking girl with the chocolate skin, the youthful glow, and most importantly, the way Richard was looking at her in the background, with a tenderness he had never once shown Nora in twenty-six years of closeness and friendship.

"So, the Ice Prince has a little pet," Nora hissed. "A nobody, A little waitress from the gutter; we shall see"

She scrolled through the file Lucas had compiled. Oma Johnson, 18 years old high school graduate from Oakhaven County. Disowned by her father.

A cruel smile spread across her lips. She didn't just see a rival; she saw a target. She knew about the merger, and the pressure Richard’s parents were under, and was ready to use all the information at her disposal to fight Richard.

Nora took the information to her father. "Daddy,” she said, turning to her father with an unsettling coolness. "I think it’s time we moved the merger meeting to tomorrow. And tell Arthur and Elizabeth Jones that I’ve found something their son is hiding. Something very expensive, but also very interesting."

“Really? Then tomorrow it is my angel”

Nora felt thrilled in anticipation of the ‘blast’ that is forthcoming.

That night, Richard came back late.

I was worried, something didn’t seem right. I became restless and paced the living room, my hand on my growing stomach as I felt a nagging sense of dread; a soldier’s daughter’s instinct that the boundary had been breached.

When the elevator finally opened, Richard didn't look like the man who had been laughing with me the night before. His face was a façade of "steel blue" coldness. His tie was loosened, and he looked as if he had been in a physical fight.

Richard? What happened? I asked in a panicked tone.

He walked to the bar and poured a glass of scotch, his hands shaking slightly. "My parents know, not only them. Nora knows too." He stated; his voice dropping to a very low tone.

My heart skipped. How?

"It doesn't matter how," Richard said, turning to me. He walked over and took my shoulders with a desperate grip. "Nora’s father is threatening to pull the merger and my father is threatening to strip me of the firm if that should happen. They want me to kick you out, Oma. They called you a gold digger, a manipulator, an opportunist and a lot of things I can't even repeat."

I backed away, my hopes dashed and the old familiar feeling of being a "disgrace" rushed back.

“Then maybe I should go.” I said, “I can't allow you to lose everything because of me. You’ve worked your whole life for that firm and it’s not worth letting it go just like that.”

"No Oma," Richard snarled, the sound echoing through the mansion. "Let them take it if they want to! Let them take the money and the titles! I have spent ten years of my life building a legacy for a family that would discard a human life for a percentage point. If being a 'Jones' means I have to be a monster, then I’m done being a Jones."

“Richard, you can’t halt your perfect life and throw away everything that you have built over the years in one second because of me. Just allow me to leave; I will definitely be fine.”

“You can’t leave Oma” he said and pulled me into his arms, burying his face in my hair. "You and this baby are the only real things I have; I’m not letting you go, not for all the mergers in this world."

I didn’t struggle, I didn’t cry. What I felt at that moment was more than tears. I saw my life which was gradually taking shape, shattering again and I was willing to leave Richard out of my chaotic situation and face the harsh world alone.

But as we held each other in a comforting embrace, and before I could gather my thought together to respond, the phone on the marble counter began to sound. It was a text from Ned.

“Richie, check the news. Nora just leaked a 'blind item' to the tabloids about a billionaire’s secret pregnant mistress. They’re coming for her, Richie. Get her out of the house without further delay, I am on my way”. The text sounded very urgent.

The war had moved from the boardroom to the front door of the mansion, we were almost taken unawares, there was no time to waste thinking, we needed to be battle ready.