Taken By The Arrogant Billionaire

“Thanks for bringing her home” Sandy said gratefully, as Jared laid her on the bed. He nodded, straightened his back and was about to leave when he felt a soft and small hand grab his, and pulled him down. As a result, he fell directly on top of her.

“Don’t go” she mumbled, still asleep. Sandy discreetly pinched her.

“Ouch!” Valerie winced, slapping her hands away.

“I’ll be on my way now” he said, standing up, casting one last look at The Sleeping Beauty. He had felt so reluctant to stand up. Her body was so soft. Sandy nodded.

“I’m so sorry about this” he shook his head.

She closed the door after them, cocked her head to the side, wondering why the almighty Jared Smith would bring his drunk employee home. Was he really… but he had Jane. She didn’t want to think much of it. Her friend’s happiness was her happiness, but at the same time, she didn’t want her to be a third party in someone else’s relationship.

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

The full effect of veisalgia was slowly kicking in as she managed to peep through the slender opening.

This was here room. How did she get here? She was at the KTV parlour, right? She managed to sit up, placing a palm over her head.

She walked downstairs, meeting only Layla in the kitchen.

“Good morning, drunken beauty” she mocked.

“My head hurts so much”

“That will teach you not to drink so much next time, but then again, this isn’t a first” she chuckled. Valerie didn’t find it funny.

“How did I get home last night?” She asked, as she drank a glass of water in three chugs.

At the mention of last night, Layla remembered the question she had been meaning to ask. She stopped what she was doing, and faced Valerie squarely, crossing her arms.

“What?” She wasn’t comfortable under Layla’s watchful eyes.

“Your boss brought you home last night” she announced. It took a while for Valerie to process what Layla said.

“My boss? Are you kidding me? You are joking” She brought the glass of water close to her mouth. He didn’t even know she was there, so how was that possible?

“I’m serious, Valerie. Jared Smith brought you back home” she asserted.

Valerie studied her. She really didn’t look like she was joking.

“You… you’re really not kidding?” Layla nodded.

“Oh my God! I’m doomed. I’m so doomed. How did he know I was there? He would definitely think of me as irresponsible. What do I do now?” She raked her hands through her hair. Should she call him to apologize? No, he would not want to be disturbed on a weekend? Should she wait till Monday then? Several thoughts were going on in her head.

Layla watched her reaction intently. It wasn’t that of someone who had the hots for her boss, but there was no crime in asking.

“Is there something between both of you? I mean, are you in love with him?”

” Of course not. Why would you think that?”

“Then is he in love with you?”

“No” she replied incredulously. “Why all these questions?”

“Don’t you think it is weird for him to bring you home personally?”

Valerie had no time to reply, and they heard the sound of heavy retching.

“Oh no!” Layla dashed off to Sandy’s room, Valerie, hot on her heels.

Sandy bent over the sink. Nothing came out, but the retching still continued.

Layla patted her back, while Valerie looked on in worry.

“Are you alright now?” She asked, as Sandy rinsed her face. She shook her head. Her complexion had paled drastically.

“This isn’t a good start” Her morning sickness was getting worse, and she felt so irritated. She could lash out at any time. Also, her baby bump was beginning to show. It was just a little. Not obvious to outsiders yet. It was definitely going to cause a stir in the neighborhood when she goes around with a big belly without getting married. Especially the neighborhood aunties. They were always after scuttlebutt. She sat on the bed on the bed.

“Bastard. This is all his fault. I’ll never forgive him for putting you through this. I wish I knew him, so I could kick him in the balls. Damn” Layla cussed in anger. It made it even difficult for Sandy to inform them that she received a marriage proposal from the ‘bastard’.

“Anything you want to eat?” Valerie asked. Sandy shook her head. She would throw everything up. That was a surety.

She remembered something and scurried up to get dressed.

“Where are you going?” Layla inquired.

“I have to visit mum. She will be discharged today” she said without thinking.

“Discharged? What happened?”

Only then did she remember that they knew nothing about it.

“Just a minor accident. Nothing serious” she shrugged, but Layla was having none of it.

“We promised not to keep secrets from each other, didn’t we?” Sandy exhaled. Right, they made that promise on their college graduation.Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

“Fine. Loan sharks beat her up” she admitted.

“What?!” They were shocked at the news.

“Is she alright now?”

Sandy shrugged. “I guess so”

“But, you can you go alone. I could go with you, you know” Valerie offered.

Sandy chuckled. “Deal with your hangover first”

“Then, I can go with you. I am not busy today. My artiste has a fever” Layla chipped in.

“It’s alright guys. I will be fine”

“You’re sure”

“Of course”

She took the train and arrived at the hospital. Only her mum was up, her dad was asleep.

Leah looked behind her daughter for any sign of someone, but was a little disappointed.

“Hi mum” her mum kissed both her cheeks.

“Handsome Mister didn’t come with you?” She finally asked what was on her mind. Sandy tried to remember who she was talking about.

“Oh, you mean Dy- my boss?” Her mum nodded. “He a busy man, so he can’t come. Why do you ask?” she said simply.

“I wanted to thank him”

“Don’t worry. I’ll do that for you”

They left the hospital and boarded a taxi to the house.

It was just as they left it. The sight of it brought tears to her mum’s eyes. Sandy got to work, clearing the mess, refusing her mum’s offer to help. She soon got tired.

“Are you okay?” Her mum asked. “You look so pale” Sandy didn’t want to give anything away, so she smiled widely, ensuring her she was fine.

About an hour later, she stood in the kitchen, doing the dishes, when she heard the sound of a car stopping. She ignored it at first, thinking of it as the neighbour’s, but when she looked up through the window and saw an expensive car – a Maybach.

Her brows furrowed. It was definitely not a neighbour’s car. Not many people owned this kind, and it even stopped before their house!

At that moment, she heard a firm knock on the door. She took off her apron and went ahead to answer it.

“Butler Gomez?” She was shocked to see him. What was he doing here, and how did he know?

“Hello, Miss Cornell” she looked behind him and saw the car. Only the chauffeur was visible. She wasn’t sure if there was someone in the back.

“How may I help you?”

“Mr Smith would like to see you”

“Mr Smith? You mean Dylan?” The poor butler almost had a heart attack hearing her call him by his name.

“No Miss. Their grandfather”

Sandy’s heart rate accelerated. Why did he want to see her? She was so scared of that man.

“Okay” she closed the door. Luckily, her mum was asleep.

The butler led the way and watched as she entered the car.

“He….. hello grandfather” she stammered. He had dark glasses on and a panama hat. He looked so intimidating. He beckoned the butler in, and they drove to the nearest café.

Sandy wrapped her hands around the coffee cup, like she was warming herself around a campfire. She felt so cold inside.

“I know you are wondering why I called you” he paused. “I know about your pregnancy” She looked up. “I have a request for you. Leave Dylan alone. You’re not the right person for him. You will pull him down” Her brows creased so much at this point. “And as for the baby, you will give it to us” he ordered.

Splotches of red surfaced on Sandy’s neck, signifying controlled anger but simmering hot under the thin layer of skin.

“Excuse me!” The mention of her baby had her freaking out. Every fear she had for him suddenly flew out of the window.

She watched him stretch out his hand to the butler who gave him a small book and a pen. He tore a part and she realized what it was. A blank check!

“Name your price”