Chapter 239 - The Wrong Guy
"Do you want me to help you forget him?" He offered, leaning closer. "He is a scumbag who dares to bring tears to such beautiful eyes. He doesn't deserve to be in your mind."
She pushed him away, smiling through her tears. "No thank you. Two wrongs don't make a right."
Roland was speechless. Did she just imply that he was the wrong guy?
"Your loss, Bella. But if you change your mind, you can look for me." He slid his business card across the table, making her laugh.
"You are quite the risk taker, aren't you? What if I'm a paparazzi in disguise? I could twist around the truth and get some perfect headlines out of this little encounter."
"You can't be one of those. I know one when I see them." He scoffed.
"But I can still sell your personal contact number to the media. I'm sure there are tons of agencies trying to get into your personal space and well, I could get revenge on actors." She smiled with a hint of a threat, which only made him burst out laughing. "I've met many people and you are definitely not one to kill someone for another person's mistake."
"I don't know if that should be a good thing. Thank you, nonetheless." She didn't intend to ever contact him but pocketed the business card just in case.
Roland had just left when her phone rang. Why was Liam calling her? She was almost nervous picking it, since they rarely called each other.
"I lost my wallet." He complained on the phone.
"Hello to you too. This is the Wallet Finding agency of Imperium, Bella Sparks speaking. Wait. Sorry, Bella does not exist but she can help you find your wallet if you explain why the hell you are not calling your parents for that kind of thing." She was tipsy and soon after she spoke the words out, she slapped her forehead. Liam must think she was crazy. He definitely did, because the line went silent for a while before he spoke again.
"I froze my cards but it will take time to get new ones. Could you please pick me up?" He asked.
"Not interested. Ask Desmond." She threw him an answer, which made him groan.
"I don't want to poke that devil. He must be with his girlfriend or daughter or both."
"You are an idiot. Don't you think you are calling the wrong woman? You should be using this chance to spend time with your beloved."
It was a careless response, but Liam thought it was an excellent idea.
"You are a genius. Thank you!" He exclaimed.
"Don't mention it. Bella Sparks is always ready to help."
On the other end, Liam was confused. What in the world had Natalie smoked?
Never mind. He had to get Ximena to pick him up.
The woman had blocked him long ago, so he could only call Zaria. She would definitely help him out if he acted pitiful.
He must have been riding on a ton of good luck because when he called, Ximena was next to Zaria. It was not difficult to convince her to pick him up. All he had to do was say that no one could help him out but Zaria, and he didn't think it was safe for her to wander about on her own.
The woman fell for it and agreed to come.
He was still reeling in happiness, checking his phone every few minutes while waiting for Ximena's call when a young woman, probably not a day older than twenty, approached him.
"Hey, you are Liam Preston, right?"
"No. I'm not. You got the wrong person." He denied his own identity, knowing that the girl was probably seeking gossip.
She looked embarrassed. "Oh no? But you look so much like him! You are so handsome. Can I take a selfie with you?"
"Can't. I'm not a public figure." He thought the girl would leave , but she was persistent.
"That's a bummer. Then can I hug you at least?"
Were young women so brainless these days? What would happen if he was a psycho killer or a potential kidnapper and she gave him a hug out of the blue? He could use the chance to kidnap her since in the eyes of anyone who would witness it, they knew each other well enough to hug. He was yet to voice this out when the young woman launched herself into his arms. Of course, Ximena would choose this moment to arrive.
"Sorry I'm… just a big fan. I'll get going." She scurried away just as Ximena closed in.
She glanced at him and didn't say a word but he knew he had to explain.
"Ximena, she…" He started.
"You don't need to explain yourself to me. I'm not your girlfriend or anything." She interrupted, in the words that stung the most.
Although she had already dismissed him, he proceeded to explain. "She's a crazy fangirl. I didn't willingly hug her. I was in shock too."
"You are more careless than her." She rolled her eyes. "What if she was not a fangirl but someone who wanted your life?" Her hypothesis was extreme but it was not entirely impossible so that could not be overlooked.
"I'm glad you came to pick me up." He smiled.
"Don't mention it. Anything to make sure Zaria doesn't go out at night." She led the way to her car. "Since you lost your wallet, why didn't you call your parents or chauffeur?" She asked with a frown.
"My phone went off." He responded, and didn't need to glance at her to know that she was frowning as her brain processed all the loopholes in his answer. She burst out laughing.
"Fine, you caught me." He admitted. "I just wanted you to meet up with me. You have been ignoring me."
She didn't know what to say to that so she continued walking. "I'm sure you don't actually need a ride, right?"
"I'll call my chauffeur." He took out his phone, only to turn it off before he looked defeated. "I guess lies do eventually catch up on us. I'm out of battery."
"Use mine." She handed out her phone.
He swiftly unblocked his number and dialed a few digits before once again feigning defeat. "I can't remember all the digits of anyone's contact number."
"You should know where your car is parked, right? You can walk there." She took back her phone.
"I do but it's at my villa. I asked the chauffeur to go back after dropping me off and I'd call him to pick me up later."
She had to hand it to him. Creating sure win situations for himself at all costs must be one of his innumerable talents.
"Fine. I'll drop you off." She let him enter the car.
He was overjoyed but he didn't let it show in fear that he would be kicked out. He estimated that he had twenty minutes to convince her to go out with him. It was a long time but when it came to her, nothing left his mouth. He stared at her for most of the ride and when they were just a few miles away, he had to say something.
"I have a few suggestions for Morel Beauty. Do you mind discussing them?" He asked in all fake seriousness.
"Right now?" She slowed down, almost as if she didn't want the ride to end either.
"No. I have too much work to do right now." He threw in an excuse. He didn't have any suggestions. It had been a way to get her to agree to a meeting but if he had time, he would come up with one. "How about tomorrow? We can discuss over dinner."
"I will be too busy tomorrow. The only day I have free is today." She challenged, making him wonder if she had seen through his bullshit.
In case she hadn't, he couldn't risk letting her get suspicious so he bit the bullet.
"I can squeeze in some time right now if you don't mind."
"I don't." She pulled up in his compound. She was unfamiliar with his villa, since he was the one to go to her apartment ever since they met. His villa was everything like she expected. Grand with intricate decor and a humongous library that took up nearly half of the second floor, where he brought her to discuss. She knew that he liked reading but he wondered if he really read all these books or was just addicted to the scent of paper.
He had his butler bring tea and freshly baked cookies which he placed on the small round table. She sat opposite him and waited for whatever he had to say, which was probably some made up nonsense.
"In a few weeks, I'll return to Preston and Fort Group." He announced.
"I see. But why did you even leave in the first place?" She wondered. It was clear that the company had skyrocketed ever since Lucy stepped in and temporarily took his place but why did they need to do that? Lucy could have contributed in other ways if all they wanted was Twilight's influence.
"It was all for Ms. Roatta and Zaria to bond." He picked up a cookie at the same time as she reached for one, and their hands brushed against each other.
She withdrew hers and wanted to pinch herself when her face warmed in embarrassment. How could such brief contact make her blush? This was the man who had practically touched her boobs before.. She blushed even harder at the thought of his touch.
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