FALLING FOR MY EX BILLIONAIRE DAD

Chapter10

I still stood with my phone in hand, pondering whether to return the call or just let it go unanswered. Maybe whoever it was had dialed the number by mistake; that would explain why they only called once and didn’t bother to ring again. I wasn't accustomed to picking up calls from strange numbers. Usually, it took divine intervention for me to even consider answering them, much less returning a missed call. I often dismissed them as nothing more than annoying distractions. But this time, something deep inside urged me to return the call. Maybe it was an emergency, or perhaps someone genuinely needed to reach me. But who could it be? I barely knew anyone in my life anymore.

I dropped the phone onto my bed, feeling the weight of indecision lingering in the air, and wandered into the kitchen to whip up a quick meal. It had been ages since I had cooked anything at home. Most of my meals had been taken at restaurants and eateries, especially the places where Draco and I used to go together. Ever since our breakup, I had resorted to a nearby diner for takeout, primarily out of sheer laziness and a lack of motivation to cook. Standing in front of the cooker, I felt a wave of nostalgia wash over me, a bittersweet reminder of a life I once cherished. Within minutes, I was done preparing my meal.

“Yum…” I exclaimed as I dug my fork into my plate of steaming pasta. It felt good to nourish myself, even if it was a simple dish. In just a few minutes, I had polished off the meal, my stomach satisfied and my mind slightly clearer. Yet, exhaustion crept back in, and I felt the pull of my bed calling me. Just as I was about to succumb to its comfort, my phone rang again, jolting me out of my daze. It’s normal for a phone to ring, right? But why did my heart leap at the sound? My mind instantly drifted back to the unknown number that had called earlier, and I hesitated before picking it up again.

With a quick breath to steady myself, I glanced at the screen, feeling a wave of relief wash over me when I saw Jackson’s name. “Hello, Jac, what’s up?” I asked, a smile breaking through my earlier confusion.

“I’m good, The Law… I just wanted to check up on you. You said you were going to be off work for three days, but it’s day four already. Are you doing okay?” His voice was laced with genuine concern.

“Ohhh… Jac, I really appreciate you checking up on me. I think I’ll be adding a few more days to my break. Please let everyone know, and make sure you guys take care of the firm until I get back. If there’s anything that needs my attention, please reach out to me,” I replied, my tone more cheerful than I felt. I knew I was ready to return to the office soon, but I wanted to observe how things were running in my absence without announcing my return just yet.

We chatted for a little longer before I ended the call. I wanted to collapse back into bed and let sleep take me, but I also felt a nagging urge to make the most of my day. I knew that the quieter I got, the more my mind would drift back to the tumultuous memories that lingered in my heart.

After some contemplation, I decided to go grocery shopping at a nearby mega-store. I craved the warmth of home-cooked meals and wanted to fill my kitchen with good energy and fresh ingredients.

I plugged in my earbuds and set off to the store. The weather was perfect, bright and sunny, with a gentle breeze that kissed my skin as I walked. The music flowing through my ears brought a soothing rhythm to my soul, a welcome distraction from the chaos of my thoughts. As I strolled along, something caught my eye. It was a poster of a small concert that was scheduled to happen at a nearby bar in a few days, and I felt an unexpected flutter of excitement. “I could attend this, right?” I mused, contemplating the prospect of spending my evening there. Sure, I wasn’t a drinker, but the thought of enjoying live music sounded enticing.

As I walked, I wrestled with my own thoughts. While I had previously vowed to steer clear of new people in my life, the idea of indulging in a one-night stand didn’t seem so terrible either. “Where are all these wild thoughts coming from?” I chuckled to myself, a smirk forming on my lips. Maybe it was the freedom of being alone for a while, or perhaps the thrill of breaking out of my comfort zone was appealing. Either way, the days ahead seemed like it was not going to be so bad.

After getting the groceries and returning home, I set about organizing the kitchen and freezer, ensuring everything was in its rightful place. There was something satisfying about putting my space in order, a small victory amid the chaos of my mind. Once I finished, the exhaustion from the day overwhelmed me, and I collapsed onto my bed. Sleep claimed me almost immediately, wrapping me in its comforting embrace.

Hours slipped by, and I woke up late into the night, my senses still foggy as I blinked against the dim light of my phone screen. My initial instinct was to succumb to the pull of sleep again, but I felt a peculiar urge to watch movies. I needed to feed my mind with stories, to distract myself from my own turbulent thoughts. I spent hours lost in the screen, engrossed in various series, drifting between reality and the fantastical worlds unfolding before me. Eventually, I succumbed to slumber once again, this time in the early hours of the next day.

When morning arrived, it came with a heavy haze. My eyes felt like lead, and my head throbbed insistently, an unwelcome reminder of the late-night binge. The zeal to leave the sanctuary of my bed was practically nonexistent, yet today was the day I had decided to visit the firm. I

Needed to see how my staff was holding up without me. Taking a deep breath, I mustered the courage to push myself off the bed. Every movement felt laborious as I dragged my legs to the restroom to freshen up.

As the cool water cascaded down my body, it worked wonders, extinguishing the remnants of my tiredness and infusing me with renewed energy. I emerged from the shower feeling a bit more like myself, ready to face whatever awaited me outside. Dressing in a casual outfit, I headed to the kitchen to whip up a simple bowl of oatmeal for breakfast. The warm, comforting food settled my stomach and gave me a sense of normalcy.

With a final glance around my home, I grabbed my bag and left for the firm. As the driver navigated through the bustling streets, I felt a mix of excitement and anxiety churning within me. I wanted to see how my staff was managing, but I also feared what I might find. I instructed the driver to drop me off a few blocks away from the building. I didn’t want the car to pull up to the entrance; I craved the element of surprise.

Walking towards the firm, I moved sluggishly, my heart pounding with uncertainty. The sun shone brightly overhead, but I felt enveloped in shadows of doubt. I knew I had a good team, but trust is a fragile thing; you can never be entirely sure of anyone. As I approached the entrance, the familiar façade of the building loomed before me, and I hesitated for a moment, steeling myself before I opened the door as quietly as I could.

The first thing that caught my eye was Piper's empty desk. It was the first thing anyone would see upon entering, and since I hadn’t yet found someone to fill her position, its emptiness raised an alarm in my mind. I needed someone at that desk—anyone—immediately. I walked deeper into the office and made my way toward the production room, where I could hear the lively chatter of my staff.

However, as I got closer, I heard my name mentioned, followed by the nickname they had affectionately given me. My heart skipped a beat. Were they gossiping about me? I pushed the door open and stepped in, my demeanor as stern as I could muster, ready to confront whatever they had been saying.

“What is this about?” I demanded, my voice sharper than I intended. The atmosphere shifted; it became tense and heavy with unspoken words. They all stood there, their faces frozen in surprise, not one of them daring to speak.

“I said, what is this about?” I repeated, my frustration bubbling to the surface.

“The law…” Jackson finally broke the silence, his tone serious. “A black BMW pulled up earlier with a note for you.”

Intrigued and slightly apprehensive, I asked for the note. When it was handed to me, I took a moment to gather my thoughts before my eyes scanned the content. As I read the message, it hit me like a punch to the gut: the note was from someone I least expected. A swirl of emotions, confusion, anxiety, and a strange sense of anticipation crashed over me