The billionaire I was forced to live with

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“These Americans are so entitled; what gave them the right to hold your building hostage?”

“Mom I handled it. Everything is fine now.”

“They are always protesting something Arjun; they protest meat, protest people, they even protest their own government. So many activists. Too many things are being activated in this country.”

After my mom showed up at work unannounced she successfully convinced me to go shopping with her for some ‘quality mother son bonding’ and all through the car ride, she has done nothing but complain about the protesters she met outside the building. She’s been lamenting about how American law supports so much unlawfulness. She honestly sounds so racist it’s concerning.

“Amma let it go; they have every right to express themselves some people just get extreme with it. And they have some pretty solid causes.”

“Ohh I know. It’s just not fair how they disrupt people’s lives. I know global warming is real, But you waving a banner in my face while I’m just trying to get to work on time is not going to stop it.”

“The goal is to create awareness mom.”

“Okay I’m aware, now what.”

“Well if enough people care enough and put in effort it can be slowed down.”

“You sound just like them.”

“I was one of them, remember?”

“I remembered the day you drained out all the gas from your dad’s car because you refuse to let your family be part of the problem.” She says laughing. “He made you push it to the gas station.” She’s laughing so hard she’s gasping for breath

Of course she remembers who doesn’t?

I just shake my head and look out the window while she continues laughing her heart out.

The mall is one of those high end ones with luxury stores and boutiques.

“Welcome back Mrs. Raj. We’ve prepared the pieces you asked for, if you would just follow me to the VIP room.” A consultant greets us as we enter the store.

My mom smiles and follows her inside. She gets us settled in the room with some champagne.

“I thought you were coming with your daughter?” The consultant asks

“She couldn’t make it from London, so I’ve appointed my son and favorite child to be my chief opinion giver.” She smiles widely at me while she says it

“Flattery won’t change the fact that I’m here against my will.” I sigh

“I didn’t exactly bind your hands and feet and throw you in the trunk, now did i?” I don’t speak. The consultant leaves to get the jewelry, leaving me and my mom in the room. “You should feel honored to have such a privilege bestowed upon you.”

I stand up, Grab her hand and kiss it gently. “Serving you is always an honour Mrs. Meera Raj.” This makes her laugh and I take my seat with a wide smile on my face.

How am I supposed to love another woman as much as I love her?

I might put up a cold front outside but with my mom, I melt. It’s like I’m a completely different person.

The consultant returns and I immediately return to my usual cold composure. She sets the tray on the table.

The most beautiful Polki set I’ve ever seen on a woman was there, rested against deep burgundy velvet. Some Other consultants walk in with more trays of stunning jewelry.

“I’m paying for this aren’t I?”

“Of course.” She lifts one necklace and shows it to him. “What do you think?”

It looked elaborate, and heavy and shiny. She knew what she wanted she just wanted to hear me say something.

“It’s perfect.” I smile

“You barely looked at it.”

“You like it, don’t you?”

“I do but does it look breath taking?”

“Mom, you could wear overalls and a baseball cap and you’d still be perfectly stunning.”

“You’ll make such a fine husband Arj. You love with all your heart just like your dad and it is a good thing.” She places her hand on my cheek. I gently grab it and plant a soft kiss on her palm.

“We’ll take this one. “ I tell the consultant

“Excellent choice, we do have a new collection I feel you’ll be interested in.” She walks out and returns almost immediately with another tray.

One of the necklaces catches my attention; it’s a delicate white-gold design with tiny diamonds surrounding a simple pale green gemstone. It’s not the biggest or brightest. It’s simple, elegant, and quiet. My gaze lingers longer than I realize.

“You have good taste Mr. Raj. It’s the only one of its kind. The designer saw it in a dream and woke up immediately to create it. He said it’s a one of a kind necklace for a one of a kind woman. We don’t know when or if he’ll recreate it.”

My gaze doesn’t leave it, not immediately.”

“I’m sure it’ll find its way to a truly special lady.” I say averting my gaze and returning to my usual cold composure. That’s what makes being out with mom, I have to be her son and still save face.

After we leave the jewelry store, we decide to have an early dinner at one of her favorite restaurants.

“How’s work?” Mom asks while we wait for our food

“Busy.”

“Mark called yesterday.”

“Did he now?”

“Mm-hm. You have a roommate.” She has this smile on her face.

“Trust me; it’s a very unpleasant and temporary situation.” I groan

“She seems nice. Mark said she's lovely.”

“She’s not, trust me.”

“At least she’s pretty?”

I pause.

“I fail to see how that’s relevant in this conversation.”

The waiter comes back with our food and I dig in immediately, I didn’t realize how hungry I was.

Should have eaten the food Elena packed.

“What was her name again?” mom asks. I roll my eyes because I know where this is going.

“Sabrina, Brie, Shepherds.”

“Awwwn, pretty name.”

“I guess.”

“What does she do?”

“Get this.” I put my spoon down and lean in closer. “Nothing.”

She just stares at me blankly

“She’s a f*****g Nepo baby."

"How do you know?"

"She spends her days on shopping sprees, she has cooks, cleaners, assistants and she gave all of them the door code so they can go and come as they please. She obviously has no sense of responsibility All she does is spending money.”

“You seem to pay a lot of attention to her.”

“I live with her mom; it’s hard to ignore her.”

“You’ve known her barely a week. At least give her a chance to show you the kind of person she is before making up your mind. You think you’re studying her but your just looking for what you need to justify your assumptions.”

I don’t say anything. The conversation eventually shifts from Brie to the ceremony, to Pooja. We basically just talk laugh and catch up.

We take her back to her hotel; Dad’s on a work trip and she doesn’t like being home alone so she’s staying at a hotel. After dropping her off, we head back home.

As I walk in, the first thing I notice is the furniture. Everything had been set up, all the décor properly placed. Even the plants had been arranged beautifully, both our styles were perfectly blended. The space felt different, it felt like a home. But it was quiet, No music, footsteps, no mess, just space. It doesn’t feel normal, it feels………empty.

I shake the thought away and go straight to my room to shower and unwind. I lie on my bed and stare at the ceiling. I can’t relax so I just go to the kitchen to cook.

Nothing fancy just some chicken fried rice. I put on some soft background music while I work. Chopping vegetables, mixing spices, stirring and frying. Perfect peace.

I’m halfway through the dish when I notice movement in my peripheral vision. I turn and see Brie standing quietly in the doorway. Various shopping bags from designer stores in her hands. She doesn’t speak, she just watches.

“I didn’t hear you come in.” I say breaking the silence

“Yeah clearly.” She smiles.

She reaches into one of the bags and pulls out a small gift bag.

“I got you something.” She says handing me the bag.

“You did?” I ask wiping my hand on my apron and taking the bag from her.

‘You did?’ Of course she did you dimwit she’s literarily handing it to you?

I look at the bag then at her, then back at the bag.

“Why?”

“Look Arjun, you might treat me like s**t for no reason but I don’t have the strength to return the favor. I don’t hate you…..i actually respect you, sort of.” She turns to walk away but I stop her.

“I think I might have made too much.”

“Wow, Arjun Raj made a mistake. I’ve definitely seen it all.”

“I didn’t but in case you haven’t had dinner you could maybe….eat.”

“Are you asking me to have dinner with you?”

“I’m asking you to eat food.”

She thinks for a second, looking between me and the food on the stove. I realize she’s mocking me for how I reacted to her gift.

“Sure why not, let me just go get comfortable.”

She leaves into the hall way.

I open the bag in my hand and inside it is a ball point pen with the phrase one signature at a time engraved onto it

Wow, bribing me with stationery I see

I force back a smile and place it back into the bag.

I serve our food on the island and open a bottle of wine.

She hops onto one of the stools and I just stand there, waiting for her to take a bite. She suddenly stops and stares at me.

“If you poisoned this, you’re doing a terrible job at hiding it.”

I mentally face palm myself and take a seat beside her.

She finally takes a bite and her eyes light up. “This is amazing. You cook this good and you let me hire a cook?” She ravages the food, like she hasn’t eaten in months.

I smile a bit feeling satisfied and finally relax and start eating.

Watching her eat my food made her look so normal. Maybe hating her is a little too much, I could just strongly resent her. But for this night she's just Brie.