Billionaire’s Lost Angel

One month later.

Lotus woke up as the first rays of sunlight peeked through her bedroom window. Stretching her arms, she stretched her body, feeling a rush of energy flowing through her veins.

She was beginning to put her past behind her. All that remained in her mind was how to sail through her plans this time without the help of anyone. Not even a man who claimed to love her to the end.

Today the day she would resume her work at one of the most influential modeling brands in New York, after her successful surgery, no one in her past life could recognize her.  As she sat up on her bed, her gaze fell upon Sarah who was meticulously ironing her clothes, a frown formed on Lotus’s lips. She wondered how Peter sacked such a beautiful soul who was always willing to help.

Sarah turned, noticing that Lotus was awake. “Good morning, Lotus. I’ve prepared your clothes for the day. You don’t want to be late for your interview, now do you?”

Lotus furrowed her brows and said gently, “Thank you, Sarah, but I don’t need you to do my chores. You’re not my servant. We are about the same age and have you forgotten that we are to act like sisters? If someone walks in on you doing this, they might suspect” She paused for a moment and continued, “I would appreciate it if you acted like one.”

Sarah sighed. “I’m just really grateful you brought me along with you. But if that is what makes you happy, I’ll stop doing them.”

Lotus smiled gratefully, relieved that Sarah understood what she was trying to do. She wasn’t going to use Sarah to get what she wanted, instead, she hoped that Sarah would be a better version of herself. Everyone deserves a second chance. But to her, a bunch of people didn’t deserve that second chance in her life.

Lotus got dressed and Sarah for dressed as well.

They walked out of the apartment building and hailed an Uber they had ordered earlier. The sleek black car arrived promptly, and they hopped in. It was their first time visiting the renowned fashion and modeling company, the epitome of glamour in the city that never sleeps.

Entering the grand hallway, they couldn’t help but notice heads turning as they passed by. Lotus, with her striking beauty, had an aura that captivated people, and it was evident in the glances and whispers around them. Confidence radiated from her, and Sarah couldn’t help but admire her friend’s poise.

They were soon directed to Caleb Cameron’s office, the owner of the prestigious company. As they entered, their eyes met a magnetic gaze. Caleb is a tall and finely dressed man with mesmerizing blue eyes. On seeing Lotus his heart race licked and he began to pick a liking to the beauty in front of him.

Caleb, his voice laced with admiration, said, “Lotus, my dear, you look more beautiful in person. You have the look we are searching for. I’m happy to inform you that you’ve got the job.”

Lotus, aware of the fake charm she carries, smiled coyly, gracefully accepting the compliment. “Thank you so much, Mr. Cameron. I’m truly excited to work with you.”

Caleb, his eyes still fixed on Lotus, asked casually, “Are you married, Lotus? Or have you ever been married?”

“No, I’m not married and I’ve never been married,” she responded, trying her best to sound believable. In the right and actual sense, Lotus wasn’t married anymore, but, she could not accept the fact that she wasn’t married to Peter anymore.

Sarah, puzzled by the exchange, gave Lotus a questioning look, searching for an answer.

Lotus leaned in and whispered. “It’s just a part of the game, Sarah. We have to impress him.”

Sarah, though hesitant, nodded.  She introduced herself to Caleb, her voice filled with sincerity. “Hello, Mr. Cameron. I’m Sarah, Lotus’s sister, and I’m here to support her every step of the way.”

Caleb, pleased and intrigued by Sarah’s loyalty, welcomed them both warmly. “It’s lovely to meet you, Sarah. I’m glad to have two remarkable women joining our company. I promise you a good stay here.”

—–

Later that day, Lotus and Sarah sat at the small dining table in Lotus’s cozy apartment, surrounded by the delicious aroma of the meal they had just prepared. The sunlight filtered through the window, casting a warm glow on their faces.

“You won’t believe what I saw earlier,” Sarah began, her eyes widening with excitement. “I was just taking a walk around the neighborhood when I spotted two kids who looked exactly like your children, Lotus! I mean, I couldn’t believe my eyes! It’s just so unbelievable, they looked exactly!”

Lotus’s heart skipped a beat, and her stomach churned with both anticipation and fear. How could this be possible? She had fought tooth and nail to keep her children, James and Jennie, away from Peter and herself.. The move to this new town was supposed to be a fresh start, a chance to build a better future for herself. Then after her revenge, she could reconcile with her children. She hadn’t expected her past to catch up with her so soon.

A knock at the door interrupted their conversation, causing both women to jump. Sarah opened the door and Lotus gasped her heart flying and skipping lots of beats.

“Hi there, ladies, You must be our new neighbors.” Natasha chirped. “I just made some cookies and thought I’d share them with you. I hope you don’t mind.”

Lotus’s heart raced and her palms began to sweat. She forced a smile and tried to appear composed. Natasha gave her a questioning glance and she didn’t know how to react yet

“Oh, thank you, Natasha,” Lotus managed to say. “That’s very kind of you.”

Natasha beamed and looked at Lotus curiously. “By the way, what’s your name? I’ve seen you around, but we haven’t officially introduced ourselves.”

Lotus’s mind raced, desperately trying to come up with a believable response. She couldn’t reveal her true identity, not now. Not when her children were so close. “Oh, my name is Linda,” she replied, her voice trembling slightly.

Natasha nodded. “Well, Linda, it’s nice to meet you. I’ll see you around.”

As Natasha left, Sarah turned to Lotus, her eyes filled with worry. “Lotus, what are we going to do? Those were your children, your flesh and blood. You can’t just stand by and watch from the shadows.”

Lotus sighed, her heart heavy with the weight of uncertainty. “I don’t know, Sarah,” she admitted, her voice tinged with sadness.

Sarah nodded understandingly, her eyes brimming with empathy. “You’re right, Lotus. They deserve to know the truth and to have their mother by their side. We’ll find a way, I promise.”

Lotus smiled weakly “Thank you, Sarah. I don’t know what I would do without you.”

Later that night, Lotus couldn’t sleep, her mind was filled with thoughts of her children.

“Oh James and Jenny, hope I am not making the same mistake as your father.”

—–

Lotus stood before the mirror, meticulously applying her makeup. Today was the big day for her, her first shoot. She was determined to make a lasting impression in the world of modeling. As she carefully brushed her flowing hair, she couldn’t help but feel a tinge of nervousness.

Just then, Brenda sauntered into the room with a sneer on her face. Brenda had always hated Lotus.  Despite Brenda’s constant jabs and belittling comments, Lotus remained unfazed. She knew what she wanted. She had dealt with the likes of Brenda before.

“Lotus, sweetie, do you honestly think that you’ll make it in this industry? I mean, look at you,” Brenda snidely remarked, eyeing her up and down with disdain.

Lotus had perfected the art of ignoring Brenda’s words, her calm demeanor never wavering for a moment. “I appreciate your concern, Brenda, but I’m confident in my abilities. If you don’t mind, I have work to do.”

Brenda scoffed, rolling her eyes dramatically. “Confidence won’t take you far, my dear. Talent is what matters, and sadly, you lack that. I’m sure, Caleb would kick your put the moment he realizes you are good for nothing.”

Lotus suppressed a sigh, turning her back to Brenda as she continued with her preparations. She had learned that engaging with Brenda was like stepping into quicksand-no matter how hard you fought, you only sank deeper. Suddenly, Caleb barged into the room, his presence immediately commanding everyone’s attention.

“Alright, everyone, clear out! I’ll take care of the camera myself,” Caleb declared, his voice exuding authority. Brenda hesitated for a moment, a look of defiance crossing her face. However, Caleb’s unwavering gaze made it clear that her presence was no longer needed.

Brenda huffed and stormed out of the room, flinging the door shut behind her. Now it was just Caleb and Lotus. Caleb wasted no time, expertly positioning himself behind the camera and adjusting the settings. As he began taking shots of Lotus, he couldn’t help but express his admiration for her beauty. Her curves were just perfect and he knew with her he would get to where he was going to.

“You are such a breathtaking woman. Where have you been all this while?” Caleb gushed, his enthusiasm evident.

Lotus blushed at the unexpected compliment. “Thank you,”

They took a few more shots and after that, he offered her to visit him in his office after she got changed.

“You did very well.. more than any supermodel we have encountered during this period.” He said, his appraisal evident.

“My thanks Sir,” Lotus said and settled opposite him.

They talked for a while about their interests and Lotus found out that Caleb was not just a fine man, he had the brains and a very sharp and smart disposition.

—–

Lotus stepped out of the steamy bathroom, wrapping herself in a luxurious towel. Drops of water glistened on her flawless skin as she reached for her phone on the vanity. With a swipe of her finger, she unlocked the screen, only to be greeted by a notification that sent a shockwave through her body. Peter was getting married to Sheila.

A mixture of anger and hurt surged within her. How could he move on so quickly? The thought of revenge filled her mind like a poisoned dagger. She would make sure they suffered for the shame they had put her through when the time was ripe.

Lotus briskly walked over to her walk-in closet, scanning the racks of designer clothes and accessories. She pulled out a slinky black dress, accentuating her curves, and paired it with killer stiletto heels. The reflection in the mirror caused a smirk to form on her perfect lips. Tonight, she would show them what they had lost.

After a few hours of shopping, Lotus returned home with bags overflowing with fashion finds. She meticulously laid out her new purchases, planning her every move. A smoldering fire burned in her eyes, fueled by a desire for retribution.

As the sun set, casting a golden glow over the city, the doorbell chimed, jolting Lotus from her thoughts. She took a deep breath, quickly smoothing down her dress before answering the door.

Caleb stood before her, his handsome features illuminated by the porch light. His warm smile greeted her, easing the tension that had built within her. “You look stunning, Lotus,” he exclaimed, his voice laced with genuine admiration.

She returned the smile, feeling a glimmer of hope. “Thank you, Caleb. Shall we?” she replied, offering her arm to him.

He took it, his touch sending a shiver down her spine. They stepped into his sleek black car, the engine purring to life as they pulled away from the curb. The city lights flickered by, a dazzling display of vibrancy.

As they arrived at a private restaurant nestled away from prying eyes, Lotus felt a sense of anticipation. Candlelight danced on the tables, creating an intimate and romantic atmosphere. Caleb pulled out her chair, a gentlemanly gesture that made her smile in gratitude.

They began with small talk, sipping on fine wine, and sharing waves of laughter. Each word spoken between them felt comfortable, like pieces of a puzzle fitting perfectly into place. Hours seemed to slip away as they delved deeper into conversation.

Caleb’s voice was low and soothing, resonating within her heart. “Lotus, I’ve never met anyone quite like you. From the moment I saw you, there was something about you that drew me in. I’m attracted to you.”

Her eyes locked with his, a mixture of surprise and delight reflected within them. She paused for a moment, allowing the weight of his words to sink in. “Caleb, after what I’ve been through, I need to take things slowly. Can we start by being friends? See where it leads us?”

He nodded understandingly, his eyes never leaving hers. “Of course, Lotus. I want to be there for you, whether as a friend or something more. Take all the time you need.”

The air between them was palpitated with unspoken promises. They finished their meal, the restaurant now empty save for them and the twinkling candles. Caleb rose from his seat, offering Lotus his hand. She slid her slender fingers into his, feeling a current of electricity surge through her veins.

He drove her home, the silence filled with a newfound sense of anticipation. As he parked the car outside her apartment building, they exchanged lingering glances.

“Goodnight, Caleb,” she whispered softly, not ready to let go of his hand just yet.

“Goodnight, Lotus,” he replied, his voice full of promise. He leaned in, placing a gentle kiss on her cheek before releasing her hand.