Deadly Romance with a Billionaire

Chapter Two

'I’m gonna become Mrs. Chaz Montenegro soon!'

I can’t stop giggling while my sight couldn’t depart from the shimmering diamond in my ring finger. When the Bugatti pulls up in front of my house, the driver opens Chaz’s car door first before running to the other side of the car to open mine.

“Thank you.”

Drew, Chaz’s personal driver, smiles then slightly tilts his head forward.

I slide my hand on Chaz’s arm and before my finger could press the doorbell, the front door screeches open, standing behind it is my mother whom perhaps been waiting for me all night long and her facial expression doesn’t jibe with her smile.

Chaz takes mother’s hand and pats his forehead on her knuckle. “Mano po.”

An awkward pause mantles the cool breeze. It takes a moment before Chaz lulls the silence.

“Sorry for bringing Nichelle home this late.”

“As long as you'll escort her home or you'll call me if she can't be home, I’ll feel fine.”

“I will, I promise.”

“Anyways, you three should come in.”

“As much as I would like to…uhm…," Chaz glances at me then shifts his sight back to my mother. "...auntie, but Nichelle and I have to attend mom's grand opening for her new cosmetic line tomorrow. Having said that, I would like to take this opportunity to invite you too so that you and Nichelle could finally meet my mom.”

Mother looks at me before switching her gaze back to Chaz. “I’ll pass. Maybe next time.”

My shoulders slouch and so does my spirit. I have to put an end to this conversation before it gets even more uncomfortable. “I want to take a rest now and you should too, mama.”

"I'm sure both of you are tired. We'll be going now." Chaz presses his lips on my cheek before hopping back to his Bugatti while mother and I head inside our house. Before I could reach the stair, mother speaks so I turn around to meet her gaze.

“Can we have a chat?” she asks, almost hesitantly.

“Of course!”

We walk towards the living area and sit next to each other. She takes my hand and slowly rubs her thumbs on my diamond ring. I scan her face, expecting for a reaction.

“So, you said yes to him huh?”

“How did you know?”

“First, there’s no way that this ring which looks so expensive is just a gift from him. Second,” she pauses then winces her eyebrows before continuing. “He asked for my permission.”

I move my body back a bit. “That means he has your blessing?”

“Not really. I told him that I’m all for whatever makes my daughter happy.”

“I’m very happy.” All the positive emotions that I had when Chaz popped the question earlier surge again. My other hand immediately reaches for my eyes, wiping the tears that are threatening to fall down.

Finally, she offers me her genuine smile, something that I wish she could do for Chaz.

“Can you be a little softer to Chaz?”

She titters. “I’m trying. He’s a good guy.” Then her expression reverts back to being serious. “But I just can’t ignore the fact that he’s a Montenegro. I guess what I’m trying to say is, I want you to have a life away from the public’s eyes.” She then stares at my father’s photo which is hanged on the wall.

I slip my hand off hers and grip her hands instead. “Mama, you did great raising me. I’m sure papa is proudly watching over us wherever he may be now.”

“I’m sorry if I’m being overprotective to you. What can I do? You’re all I have left.”

“Ma, I’m 25 now. I’m no longer the weak young girl that needs her mom’s protection. This time, I’ll be the one to protect you.”

I wrap my mother’s figure around my arms while my hand kneads her back.

“You don’t have to but thank you. I promise to be nicer to Chaz next time."

********************************

The just-risen sun’s light scatters in the area as soon as I draw the curtain open of the only window in my bedroom. While I blow my hair dry, my mother enters my room with a large box in her hand then lays it on my bed.

“What is that?”

“No idea. But it’s from Chaz,” she replies as she saunters behind me.

She takes the hairdryer from my hand and do the job herself. Once my hair is dried and straightened, she coils it into a loose bun and leaves some bangs hanging on my forehead.

“You should hurry now. Chaz might arrive anytime soon,” she says, kissing my cheek before leaving my room without waiting for my response.

“She’s right. I got to hurry but I must look good too.”

I dab a thin layer of foundation on my face and neck, draw my eyebrows to make them look bushier, paint my cheeks and lips coral and with one final survey of my refection in the mirror, I’m done. I walk near my bed and remove the lid of the box to see what’s inside. A small upward curve appears at the corners of my lips when my eyes get a glimpse of Chaz's gift - my outfit for the day! I put on the pair of silver stilettos and the silky beautiful black dress which perfectly accentuates my small waist and compliments my pale skin then I twirl two or three times, appreciating its flowy skirt. When I’m about to put the lid back on, I notice a much smaller box inside. My hands judder when I take off the small box’s lid – a set of jewelry, a silver necklace with what seems to be a sapphire pendant and a pair of earrings decorated with the same blue stones.

Toot! I jerk when my phone suddenly rings. It’s a text message from Chaz.

[Sun, 9:45 AM - Just arrived. You ready?]

[Sun, 9:45 AM - I am. Be right there in a minute.]

I hurriedly run downstairs while putting the jewelries on. There's Chaz in the living area, waiting. His sleek hair is gelled away from his forehead which makes his chiseled face more noticeable. He takes my hand as I move closer to him.

"You look beautiful," he whispers.

The huff of air from his mouth to my ear causes me to titter and smile.

"And you look handsome," I reply.

"I should be...coz we're a perfect match," he says.

After bidding my mother goodbye, we ride in Chaz's yellow Lamborghini. My heart races with Chaz’s car. I don’t know what people should expect from someone like me in this kind of event. I’ve seen Chaz’s parents before but never really talked to them due to certain circumstances, one in particular is they are always surrounded by the media. My nervousness keeps on escalating as I intertwine my fingers with each other.

“You okay?” Chaz places his hand over mine. His dark grey eyes spew nothing but warmth and comfort.

“As long as you won’t leave my side, I’ll manage…somehow.”

“I promise I won’t entertain any interviews without you by my side.”

I smile before lying my head on his shoulder. About half an hour later, we arrive at a huge piece of property where the mainstream medias are cramming the porch of the building. I swallow a lump of air in my throat the moment my stilettos touch the asphalt tiles. Chaz stands next to me and puts my arms around his. The blinding flashes of the cameras and the buzzing words from the people surrounding us make my heart pound aggressively as we make our way in to the building. My eyes agape in disbelief after seeing famous celebrities and powerful tycoons right in front of me. I can’t describe how I really feel. Am I mesmerize to meet these personalities? Or am I stress out because I don’t fit in?

“Hey, smile,” Chaz whispers in my ear.

I force to stretch my lips from ear to ear especially when I notice that Chaz’s mother is walking closer to us. Mrs. Montenegro looks elegant in her white suit and large jewelries which embellish her ears, neck, wrists and fingers.

“Mom, there’s someone I want you to meet,” Chaz says.

I clasp his arm tighter when my jaw starts to numb from faking a smile even though my soon-to-be mother-in-law doesn’t even look at me. Mrs. Montenegro puts her hands on the arms of a young woman beside her who’s wearing a pink form-fitting jumpsuit which emphasizes her tall and slender physique.

“Chaz, there’s also someone I’d like you to see. Veronica Chiu, remember her?”

'Who? Veronica Chiu? The supermodel?'

Chaz doesn’t say a word, not even budge a muscle. My heart sinks as I desperately try to read Chaz’s face.