The Billionaires (#1)

37 || Surprises

After Logan left MJ at the restaurant, MJ went back to the office and worked on the documents Logan had asked for, and highlighted in some points and edited them. There was only thirty minutes left of work, and she was almost done with the documents. Who could have thought she would actually follow one of his orders and really work for him? She shook her head and sighed.

The minutes flew by and it was home time. Logan knocked on MJ’s door and walked in, holding his jacket and briefcase in his left hand, and his phone and keys on his right. His shirt was hanging out, his tie loose, and his hair a mess. He looked tired.

“Hi.” He greeted and gave her a small smile. He did not know how to approach her after his behaviour earlier; if he wanted his plans to work, he would have to practice patience. He had to accept that May Smith could not and would not tell him the truth on the spot, thankfully, his behaviour did not jeopardise his plans, and May Smith was still here.

“Hi.” She greeted without even looking at him. “I’m almost done with this.” She said, typing on her laptop.

“It is home time.” Logan reminded her and walked towards her desk.

“I know, just a few minutes.” She gritted and continued typing as if he was not even there.

Logan sighed and walked around her desk. “This can wait.” He closed her laptop.

Anger coursed through her and she looked at the closed laptop as she tried to stay calm. She did not understand why, but her mood had darkened since they came back from the restaurant.

It would have been better if her therapist were around, that way she would not be struggling with calming her nerves. She was on a brink of a breakdown, and Logan Parker was not helping the situation; her therapist would have referred to this as a trigger. Logan was a trigger to her episodes, and in order to stay calm, one had to keep away from the trigger. But how was she going to do that within his building?

“Why the hell did you do that?” She asked as calmly as possible. “After all the work I put in.” She gritted, her face turning red from anger.

“It is not such a big deal; you can work on it this weekend, and besides, you are still going to recover that document, it has been automatically saved.” Logan said with no regret. “Meet me downstairs in five; the staff is hosting a welcome party for you.” He ordered and left her office.

MJ slammed her hand on the desk and growled in an unladylike way. She ran her hand through her hair, removing her hair-tie in the process, and closed her eyes. It took her a while to take in Logan’s words and as if controlled by an unnatural force; she grabbed her handbag and threw in her things, and then she stormed out of the office. Seconds later, she was in the ladies room, and was leaning against the wall, trying to catch her breath.

She felt like she was trapped in an airless balloon and she could not breathe. Every second that passed felt like the walls were closing in on her. Her sight was blurry and sweat was falling down her face in merciless rivulets. Shivers were roaming all over her body and she did not know whether it was getting hot or cold. She staggered towards the basins and balanced her body against it as she stared at herself on the mirror, and she did not recognise the person she was staring at.

The person who stared back at her was not her; they had the same hair, same eyes, same nose, same lips, and they were wearing the same clothes, but she was not her. The girl staring back at her was not MJ Billings; she was a little girl with dark secrets and fears. For a moment, it was like she was in a different place.

For a moment, she was back in the streets of London, trying to walk past a swarm of people.

For a moment, she was back at that orphanage, sitting alone at the corner with the other kids laughing at her. Calm down, MJ. You need to pull yourself together. June chided, and MJ wished it were as easy as it sounded.

MJ was agoraphobic. She was scared of people and crowded spaces, and she preferred to be alone rather than in confined spaces with people talking in loud voices like it was windy while they stood next to each other.

She hated socialising and meeting new people. She found most people fake, and only did things because they were obliged to. She was pretty sure that if she were to join Logan and his employees downstairs, everyone would try to have a conversation with her. Logan was doing quite a good job today at getting back at her. Of all the things he had done to her, this had to be the worst.

MJ took in deep breaths and opened her eyes to stare at her reflection once more. June was right; she had to pull herself together. She turned on the tap and splashed her face with cold water, and then she took a paper towel and wiped her face. She fixed her hair with trembling hands, and applied a pink lipstick.

She skimmed through her bag, took out a bottle of pills, and just stared at it with wary eyes. She had not taken these in a long time because she barely needed them; they were anxiety pills that her therapist had prescribed for her a few months ago, they helped her stay calm. She sighed and opened the bottle, she popped two pills into her mouth and swallowed, and then she drank water with her palm.

She stared at herself once more and decided that she did not look half as bad as she had expected. No one would suspect that she just had a meltdown. She took in a deep breath and nodded at herself before she left the bathroom and took the elevator downstairs. The elevator came to a still stop and the doors opened, and as soon as she exited the elevator, a loud applause welcomed her, and for a moment, she stiffened. Calm down, you have to hold your head high, and do not let him see that he has broken you. June’s comforting voice rang in her head, and MJ took in a shaky breath, stood up straight, and held her head high.

All the staff members of Parker’s Enterprises gathered in the room and applauded her. Some hugged her while others shook her hand, welcoming her to the company. MJ was grateful when the last person greeted her and left. They had all introduced themselves, but she did not even remember a single name. Logan, Natalia, Mosetsana and Demi were also there, and she could not help feeling like Natalia was watching her intently, but she ignored the feeling and sat on a bar stool in front of the reception desk and sipped on a bottle of water she got from the kitchen.

Chatter and laughter filled the room, and soft music played in the background. MJ felt like running out of the room; this was not her kind of scene, and with every second that passed, she was more tempted to leave. All she wanted right now was to go home and rest. It was Saturday and she was supposed to be sleeping throughout the day.

Logan was keeping his distance, and MJ was glad for that, but her joy did not last for too long. “Friday Blues?” Logan asked and took a seat next to her.

“If that’s your new name, then you should have it changed to Everyday Blues.” MJ retorted without sparing him a glance. Logan chuckled and sipped on his coffee. Coffee? He was drinking coffee at a party? MJ wondered, but did not say it out loud.

“As long as you are my Mrs Everyday Blues.” He smirked, and MJ fought the urge to snort.

That wouldn’t be so bad. June pointed out, and MJ hushed her. “Dream on.” MJ retorted to both June and Logan.

“Thank you for today, I had a great time.” Logan said sincerely, but MJ would be damned if she actually believed him; he had fun making her day a living hell.

“You know, you would look handsome if you were not lying.” MJ remarked.

“Is that a compliment?” Logan asked with a wide grin.

“Don’t get ahead of yourself, Parker.” She rolled her eyes at him. “Thanks for this, I know you planned it.” MJ said, not meeting his eyes; she knew he would catch on her lying eyes.

“Well, this is like tradition, we do this every month end, but as an office party, not a welcome party. I just made it extra special for you.” He said, a charming smirk on his face, though MJ could have sworn she saw his cheeks turning slightly pink.

“Logan?” MJ called, and he turned to look at her. “Are you blushing?” She smirked at him.

“Thank God no one is watching us.” He said and looked around. “What can I say? You make me feel things and do unusual things.” He smiled at her.

“Like looking for your documents on my face?” MJ chuckled and Logan’s eyes widened before he gave her a weird look. MJ caught him staring and she immediately rebuffed herself for forgetting herself.

“That is a great sound. I don’t think I should call you Mrs Everyday Blues, Mrs Parker.” He smirked, and MJ smiled, remembering the events that took place earlier. “You look beautiful when you smile, you should do it more often.” Logan said in a serious tone, and MJ stilled. There was no humour in Logan’s voice; he sounded serious and MJ knew he was not making it up to make her fall into his trap, and that scared her.

“I’m sure you say that to every woman you meet.” MJ shook her head, her own seriousness shocking her.

“No, not really. I told you that you were different from any women I’ve met before. It’s like when I’m with you, I can be myself. You know, like I don’t have to pretend to be someone I’m not.” Logan nudged her. Silence followed and they looked at each other. MJ almost believed him because she knew how it felt to pretend to be someone she was not. But then again, she caught on his lie; he was pretending to be someone else just to get back at her. MJ concluded right there and then - human beings were hypocrites. “You look more beautiful in loose hair.” He ran his fingers through her hair. He did not even know why he was doing this, maybe it was because he had wanted to do so since he saw her, but he never got the chance.

MJ closed her eyes and enjoyed the feel of his fingers in her hair. Maybe this once, she could give in to his temptations; what harm would it do? She opened her eyes to look at him and bit her lower lip. Logan looked at her lips and got off his chair. He took her hand and helped her down, and then he wrapped his one arm around her waist and pulled her to him. He continued brushing her hair with the other while he swayed her around the reception area.

“I didn’t know you were a dancer, Mr Parker.” MJ smirked, not taking her eyes off him.

“Aren’t we all dancers, Mrs Parker?” He mimicked her voice, and she shook her head. Logan’s eyes turned an intense brown.

What were they doing and why was her heart rate going wild? It was wrong, but then it felt so right, and perhaps that was why she did not try to push him away. It felt good to be in his arms again and she wondered if he felt the same way, but then she remembered that he did not know whom she really was. “You are so beautiful; you have the ability to have any man at all eating out of your hands.” He planted a soft kiss on the back of her hand. MJ remained quiet and shut her eyes, listening to his fake words and enjoying his touch. “Goddess.” He whispered and kissed her other hand.

The only reaction MJ could muster was a proud smirk. Logan Parker was a goner; he just did not know it yet.

She was enjoying herself, but she knew she had to stop all of this; people were watching and they were talking. She could already see her face all over Daily Sun for the whole week.

MJ pulled her hand out of his and folded both her hands, and then she gave him an accusing glare. “Tell me, Mr Parker; is this how you treat all your PAs?” She asked, and Logan stiffened and shot a look at Natalia who was standing a few feet away from them.

He had a look that MJ could not decipher. Seconds later, Natalia appeared next to MJ and Logan excused himself. MJ was pretty sure that he was going to the nearest bathroom to wash his face because MJ Billings had hit a nerve. She just wondered how deep.

“So, you are enjoying the party?” Natalia asked and took Logan’s seat.

“I’m not a party person.” MJ shot back with a plain face and took her seat.

“Thought as much.” Natalia said, and they sat in silence.

“Where is Jay?” MJ suddenly asked.

She had noticed that Jameson Petersen was nowhere in sight.

“Who?” Natalia asked, surprised.

“Jameson Petersen, he was here earlier, I met him at the kitchen this morning.” MJ said.

“Jameson Petersen does not work here, he works for the rivalry. Good thing Logan did not see him; he hates his guts.” Natalia said with a slight shake of the head, and MJ nodded and stared forward.

“Why does he hate Sonya?” MJ asked, and Natalia stiffened.

“Ha ha! Who told you something so silly?” Natalia laughed nervously and looked out for Logan. “Logan does not hate Sonya, what makes you think that?”

“Because I was not born yesterday?” MJ suggested with a raised brow.

Natalia sighed and bit on her lower lip. “Sonya traded some important info to our rivalry company for money, and Logan found out, and ever since then, he just turned off I guess.” She said, and MJ understood immediately. She would not have kept Sonya around if this was her company and Sonya had betrayed her, and she had no doubt that Logan would have done the same thing if it were not for her brother.

A comfortable silence fell between them and everything was fine until a loud voice cut through the air. “HELLO, FAMILY!” Carmen sang as she waltzed into the building. Natalia wondered where she was the whole week and why Logan had not said anything at all. Usually, he would go ballistic that she skipped work for even a second. It was like he had forgotten about her, and she guessed everyone else had forgotten her because suddenly the music stopped playing and everyone watched her with wide eyes.

Natalia did not understand why everything had suddenly gone quiet; it was just Carmen in a new dress and her blond hair was tied up. Her makeup was still the same, so Natalia did not understand why everything had to stop because of her.

That was what she thought until Mosetsana came to stand next to her chair and whispered in her ear, “Is Carmen…?” She said suggestively, and it was not till the whispers rose that Natalia realised why. She was stunned to silence and she remained still while watching Carmen with a grim expression.

Logan would go frantic if he found out. As if on cue, Logan stepped out of nowhere and asked out loud while staring at his watch, “What’s going on here?” When no one answered him, he looked up and found everyone looking at him. He narrowed his eyes at them in suspense and walked to where Natalia and MJ stood. “Nat, will you tell me what’s…”He trailed off as he spotted Carmen standing at the centre of it all, and it took him seconds to process what was happening, and when he did, his body went rigid and his face lost its colour.

“Missed me, Logan?” Carmen asked in a singsong voice, but Logan did not respond, his throat felt dry as he stared at her. “A welcome party for me? Awww! That is very sweet of you, thank you.” She hurried forward and pulled him into a hug. Logan just stood there with his hands on his sides and did not even move. He looked at MJ and their eyes met, and something passed between them. It was so silent that one could hear a pin drop. MJ and everyone else stood there, paralysed in shock.

MJ was the one who broke the silence when she said, “Well, I guess congratulations are in order, Mr Parker; you are going to be a father!” Logan went even more rigid, if that was possible and the silence grew louder.