The Billionaires (#1)

35 || Dining With The Enemy

Shannon just stood there and stared at MJ for quite a long time. To say she was shocked would be an understatement of the year. How was it possible that Logan was having lunch with the woman who humiliated him, and how was it possible that this woman was with the same man who insulted her? Was this how rich people lived; dine with their enemies?

She looked between the two to see if there was some kind of tension, but to no avail. “Shannon?” Logan asked, surprised. “What are you still doing here? I thought you had quit.”

Shannon gave him a tight smile. “Logan, I signed a damned contract that says I have to give a notice, so I’m here to fulfil my task before I can leave.” She said through gritted teeth, and Logan rolled his eyes.

“May, this is Shannon, David Botha’s younger sister. Shannon, this is May Smith, Sonya Smith’s sister. She’s standing in for her sister.” Logan introduced them, and Shannon turned to MJ in surprise, but before she could say anything, MJ stood up.

“Would you be so kind and show me the ladies room?” MJ asked, daring her to decline with her eyes.

“Sure.” Shannon agreed and led MJ to the ladies room. “Why are you lying to Logan?” She asked the moment they entered the bathroom, but MJ ignored her and went to stand in front of the mirror. “Hey, I’m talking to you! Why are you-” She started, but MJ shushed her.

“Keep your voice down, little girl.” MJ said calmly as she applied her lip-gloss, and Shannon gasped in offense.

“I’m not a little girl, and don’t tell me to keep my voice down, and besides, there is no one else in here.” Shannon scowled and stood against the door with placed her hands on her hips.

MJ was still thinking of possible ways to keep Shannon quiet. The girl seemed like someone who could not be bought, and was loyal to Logan Parker. She had to come up with a plan to shut her up, because she knew who MJ really was; she had seen the card MJ used to pay the evening she came with Liam. This was the same reason why MJ dreaded coming here, Shannon was not the problem; the problem was Logan Parker.

He was busy digging dirt on May Smith to get his revenge. MJ knew he already knew that she was not Sonya’s sister, but with the way Sonya spoke to her on the phone, she doubted Sonya knew that Logan already knew they were not sisters. If she were just a random person, Logan would not give two shits about who she was. However, that was not the case; she was the woman who humiliated him in front of hundreds of people, and unfortunately, this was where it all started. Now she had to find ways to take care of loose ends, starting with the mighty Shannon Botha.

“I had a lot to drink last night, and my head is pounding, so I’d suggest that you hold your tongue before I cut it off.” MJ threatened in a calm voice and turned away from the mirror to face Shannon who had suddenly lost her voice. “Do you think you can do that?” MJ asked, but there was no threat in her voice. Shannon nodded silently and MJ sighed in relief. “Good. Now, I know it looks bad, but you don’t even know half of the story, so why don’t you and I meet up later on to talk about this?” MJ said and raised an eyebrow at Shannon.

Shannon narrowed her eyes in thought as she assessed MJ. The woman looked harmless, well, apart from her scorching stares and sharp tongue. But then again, killers do not have the word ‘KILLER’ printed on their foreheads.

“Fine, but we have to meet in public.” Shannon said with finality, and MJ rolled her eyes. “I knock off at 2p.m., and then I’m going to campus afterwards, you can meet me there after 4p.m.” She suggested, and MJ gave her one curt nod. “We should probably get back now before Logan gets suspicious.”

“Of course, lead the way.” MJ said and walked towards the door where Shannon was standing, her back firmly pressed against the wall.

“One more thing.” Shannon blocked the way when MJ tried to sidestep her.

“What now?” MJ asked, but Shannon opened her palm, and MJ just stared at it.

Shannon was going to let MJ off the hook, but turns out there are a lot of things to be gained from this. “Look, you are obviously rich, and since you are pretending to be a PA, you don’t have money, so you are not going to pay for the lunch, but I know you are loaded. I hate lying to Logan because he’s like a brother to me. I don’t even know how I’m supposed to handle myself out there, but the good part is that your tips are generous, and if you want me to keep my mouth shut for the time being, pay up; you tip way better than Logan.” Shannon said and crossed her other hand.

MJ stared at the girl in surprise before a smirk tugged at the corner of her lips. Looks like every person has a price out there, looks could be really deceiving. “I knew there was a reason I liked you the first time I saw you.” MJ said, opening her purse. She took out two hundred rand notes and gave them to Shannon.

Shannon took the money, folded it and placed it in her chest. “That’s the only place I know I won’t lose it.” She said as she patted the spot where she placed the money in her bra. “Let’s go.” She said and opened the door before MJ could say anything. MJ followed her and seconds later, they were back at their table.

She was glad to be finally back, Shannon was more trouble than she was worth; her mood had lifted up in a matter of seconds and she was greeting everyone on their way back. Upon arrival, Logan was busy typing away on her phone, and for a moment, he did not acknowledge their presence. “Thank you.” MJ said to Shannon who produced a face-splitting smile.

“You are welcome.”

“You guys took your own sweet time, I was already thinking of sending someone to come and get you.” Logan said and placed his phone away. MJ rolled her eyes, and Shannon continued with her creepy smile.

“I was still getting to know Sonya’s sister.” Shannon chirped in before MJ could say anything, and MJ glared at her. As if sensing her stare, Shannon continued happily, “I didn’t know Sonya had a sister, and I was actually starting to wonder when you got married.” She said with a smirk, and MJ narrowed her eyes at her.

That devious little vixen! MJ thought as she gritted her teeth.

“Yeah, me too. I was quite shocked to find out.” Logan chuckled. MJ looked at him, surprised that Logan had actually produced a happy sound. “And why would I get married to someone else when you are around?” Logan smirked at her, and Shannon glared at him.

“Logan.” She gritted her teeth. “Just call me when you are ready to order.” She said and walked away from the table, but not before winking at MJ. For the first time since they arrived, MJ relaxed. She seriously thought that Shannon was going to rat her out, but turns out that the girl could be…smart. If milking money out of her, could be considered to be smart.

“So, Mrs-” Logan started, but MJ cut him off.

“Miss Smith or May.” She picked up her menu and started browsing through it.

Logan placed his hands on the table and leaned forward. “Tell me about yourself.” Logan asked seriously, and MJ tensed.

“What do you want to know about me?” MJ cleared her throat to disguise her nervousness. Now that was not a question she expected; what was she supposed to tell him? How was she supposed to describe a person that did not exist?

“Everything.” Logan said almost softly. “Where you come from, your educational history, relationship status, your birthday, and your gender-” MJ choked on his last comment. He chuckled and cleared his throat. “I’m sorry about that; it’s just that sometimes I find it hard to believe that you are a woman. You just have that aura. Do you read romance novels?” He asked randomly.

MJ was used to that stipulation; some of her employees thought she was a man, but that was only because of her name and because they had never seen her in person. To top it off, there were no pictures of her on the internet. With that said, she had no social media accounts; her name only came up now and then, here and there. Jorge was officially the face of Billings Corporation although she had started the company. So it was not a surprise that people thought she was a man.

However, coming from him…Logan Parker did not know who she was, but his words were like a blow to the gut. “No.” She answered plainly and harsher than she had intended. Why was she acting like this? All he asked was if she read romance novels, not if she was a man. If she wanted to pull this off, she would have to stay calm and think rationally.

“Oh, well! When you do you will hear a lot about this cold CEO’s and rich people, who are heartless and emotionless-”

“Like you?” MJ asked. She was failing miserably at practicing patience, and it was going to cost her. She just hoped that Shannon would come back sooner to save her from this misery.

“Like you.” Logan smirked, and for a moment, MJ felt like he knew and he was baiting her.

Calm down, MJ. If he knew, he would have said something by now. Her inner voice said, and MJ took in a deep breath and bit her lower lip. Logan had started his revenge, and he seemed to be winning today because all his good actions were coming with bad blows and they were like a punch to the gut. If MJ wanted to survive the remaining thirty minutes, she would have to beat him at his own game. “Well, I am not a rich CEO or billionaire.” She sighed and rolled her eyes, hoping that he bought her act.

“But you act like one.” Logan deadpanned. MJ dropped her menu and looked at Logan with narrowed eyes. She wanted to ask him why, but she could not even find her voice. “The way you dress, the type of clothes you wear, the way you walk, the way you talk, and your attitude - everything about you.” He said nonchalantly as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. MJ lowered her head and cautiously looked around, hoping that no one was looking or listening. “Are you okay?” Logan asked with concern. MJ did not miss the mockery in his voice, and the triumph dancing in his eyes. The bastard! “And oh! About the novels...” He picked his menu and covered half his face with it so that she could not see the look on his face, but MJ was smarter than that, and the smug look on his face was irrefutable. “I would personally suggest that you start with Fifty Shades of Grey.” He cleared his throat, a smirk plastered on his face. “Unless you would prefer making our own Fifty Shades?” He said suggestively, his voice filled with humour.

Why did her face suddenly feel hot? “Waiter!” MJ ignored his last comment and called over a waiter, and Logan laughed behind his menu.

Shannon came to them, holding a notebook and a pen. She flashed a toothy grin at MJ and pretended as if Logan was not there. “May, are you ready to order?” She asked. Logan cleared his throat and they both turned to look at him, but he continued looking through the menu, and they both rolled their eyes at him and continued talking.

“Can I please have some of your samosas on your local special; I haven’t had those in a while.” Shannon gave a small smile. “Add Chicken salad and a huge glass of Stoney, I heard it is good for a hangover.” She said, eyeing Logan.

“No wonder you are so stone cold.” Logan remarked, not taking his eyes off the menu.

Shannon looked between the two and cleared her throat suggestively, earning herself a glare from MJ. “Okay, will that be all?” Shannon asked MJ, and eyed Logan over her shoulder.

“I’ll have the same, except for the Stoney. I’ll have an orange juice.” He said, placing his menu down.

“Coming right up!” She wrote Logan’s order down and left.

“You were about to tell me about yourself.” Logan said to MJ, and she groaned. He was not going to let this go.

“You go first.” She said with a tight smile, and Logan gave her a big smile.

“If that’s what it takes to get you to talk…” He winked at her. “Oh well, you already know that my name is Logan; Logan Jason Parker.” He said with a proud smirk. “I am 32 years old. I was born and bred here, and I finished my matric here. So, basically, I’ve spent my entire life here. I have a brother and sister overseas. I am the richest man in Africa and I am an eligible bachelor with the looks and the necessary reputation.” He winked at MJ. The arrogant bastard! MJ thought. “But I think I’m getting married soon.” He smirked. “Your turn.”

As if on cue, Shannon appeared with their food. “To eat.” MJ said with a smirk, and Logan glared at her and clenched his jaw.

Shannon placed their food on the table. “Mr Parker, please call me when you are ready to swipe.” She winked at him and walked off.

They started to eat in silence, and MJ was glad. However, Logan was unimpressed about how their conversation turned out. Dealing with May Smith was going to be harder than he thought. They finished eating, and it was time to pay the bill. Logan paid the bill only, and did not tip Shannon, and then he left MJ at the restaurant.

“You see, you tip better than Logan.” Shannon said and winked. “Anyway, I stay near UCT, don’t look for me; I’ll look for you. See you later.” She said with a smile and left. MJ sighed and got up, and then she also left the restaurant alone.