Falling for My Billionaire Best Friend

BASH

My rage is still over the edge. I can’t even think straight. No one else came and out of my penthouse, only Trinity. So, this is all the silence and odd behavior are all about? How did she even know?

I never tell anyone about that journal. I have never gone through the pages of it, and worse, I don’t have any copy of it.

What gives her interest in that?

I hear Edmund’s voice from the doorway since I keep my office door open.

“I’m in here!” I yell from my desk where I use to lean on. I feel like I lost all my strength.

Edmund and Derek are almost in the same sizes, but Derek is a lot younger than him, and he’s in his mid-thirties.

“What’s wrong, Bash?” Derek speaks.

“Have you seen the feeds?” I am referring to the video footage.

Edmund raises his brow. “Video feeds? Yes. Nothing’s off in your parking area, elevator, and outside your penthouse. Why did you ask?”

I clench my jaw. I want to keep this a secret, but they need to know to do their job. “Someone’s interested in the journal,” I tell them, but they don’t have any idea what I’m talking about.

Derek’s brows furrowed. “Who? What journal?”

I breathe deeply. “Someone sent me a text, thanked me, and said I owe you my life.”

“You mean, someone gets inside your penthouse?” Edmund is on full alert, walking out of my office.

“Edmund, it’s Trinity,” I say flatly.

Edmund walks in, looking more confused. “What’s in that journal? Why does it matter to you and Ms. Mallory?”

“Why Ms. Mallory is interested in it?” Derek asks. “Let me see the number who sent you a text.”

I hand my phone to Edmund.

He takes a glance and answers quickly. “It’s Sean Rexwell.”

“What?” My blood boils. How the fuck did he get my number? What is he thanking for? Then it hits me hard.

“Fuck! Follow me.” I grab my coat and my keys before walk out of my office.

“Where are we going?” Derek asks, following me out. “What’s going on between you two and Rexwell, Bash?”

I get inside the elevator and ignore Edmund’s questions.

“Don’t tell me we are going to Rexwell, Bash. I don’t think it’s a good idea. The last time you two met, it didn’t end well,” Edmund reminds when he didn’t get an answer from me.

“Trinity gave the journal to him. I don’t even know how did she know my combination.”

“Maybe she took the journal, but I doubt she’s stupid enough to betray you and hand it to him, Bash. This is a trap. He wants to get your attention, he wants to see you, and whatever he has in his mind right now. I know it’s not gonna be good.” Edmund has a point but I still need to know why Trinity took it and what is the connection of that journal to Rexwell.

“There is only one way to find out, Edmund, and whether you like it or not, I’m going to see that asshole!” I walk out of the elevator.

“You didn’t answer me what’s in that journal,” Edmund insists.

I stop and face him. “I thought you know everything about me.”

“Stop being sarcastic, Bash. We are here to protect you. Our job is to keep you safe, and our job depends on your life.” I know he’s worried about his job, and he’s also worried about me.

Derek hasn’t said a word.

“Then drive me to that asshole,” I push, walking away from them to unlock the car.

“I’ll drive you there, but you have to stay in the car until the area is safe.”

Edmund pulls the car out of my private parking area.

“If it’s my time to die even inside my penthouse, I will still die. No one can stop death,” I reply dismissively.

“What are you gonna do? Confront him? Beat him? Take the journal back if Trinity handed it to him?” Derek finally talks, but he better stay quiet because I don’t want to answer their questions. “We should have a plan, Bash.”

Time is ticking, I don’t care what’s in that journal, but I want to keep Trinity away from trouble and away from Rexwell. He placed that tracker on Trinity’s phone on purpose.

Trinity is in trouble because of me.

I fish out my phone and dial Ranjiv’s number.

“Bash, what a surprise? Though I know you want something from me, and I know—” I cut his long blah blah blah short.

“Track Trinity’s phone,” I say my purpose, and he groans in response.

“Seriously? Can’t you track her all by yourself? Can’t she even stay away from you for a minute?”

“Just do what I say!” I yell over the phone. Trinity is in danger, and he has the time to joke around?

Bad timing.

“Whoa! Okay, okay.”

I squeeze my eyes shut. “Just do it, Ranjiv. I need you to stay on your laptop and watch over Trinity’s phone. Her life is in danger. Can you do that for me?” I say it is a more calm tone.

“Sure, sure,” he answers right away.

“Good. Thanks.”

“If Trinity is in danger, Bash, I think I should inform your dad.” Edmund glances at the rearview mirror.

“Don’t!” I throw him a disapproving glare.

“This is where the people get killed, because of the impulsiveness, wrong decisions, and wrong move,” Derek says slowly.

“I’m not gonna get killed. I just want to talk to Rexwell. We may not in good terms, but we never tried to kill each other.”

“Yet,” Edmund adds.

I check when my phone vibrates. We’re almost near the Rexwell building where Sean’s lair is on the top floor.

“Ranjiv, anything?” I answer.

“This may sound odd but—”

“Just say it, and nothing is odd right now,” I respond.

“Okay. Her phone is not moving, and it says it’s in the cemetery?” he answers with hesitation.

“There are many cemeteries here, Ranjiv. Be more specific.”

“I know where it is. It’s at Mr. Tennings’ grave,” Edmund answers.

“Where?” I ask Ranjiv.

“East cemetery.”

“Stay there.” I hang up. “You’re right, Edmund.”

He drives us to the main road, and I think we’re heading to the East Cemetery.

My stomach flips at the thought of Trinity is with Rexwell. It will kill me if Rexwell hurts her.

Why does she connive with that asshole? What does Rexwell want from that journal? But did really Trinity give the journal to Rexwell? I don’t even know what Rexwell was thanking me for; about the journal or maybe not. So many questions forming in my brain right now, but there is only one way to figure out; to see Rexwell.

Edmund parks the car nearest Tennings’ grave. I notice the black sedan parked a few yards from us. It’s now confirmed that Rexwell is indeed here, and Trinity is with him.

I blow a shaky breath, closing the door of the car behind me.

“Don’t make any stupid move, Bash,” Edmund warns me.

“I’m not stupid.”

After a few steps, Trinity and Rexwell come to view. They’re standing side by side but not close enough for their skin to touch.

Three men in black suits and shades just like Edmund and Derek are wearing. They have earpieces, and I’m sure they’re armed.

Trinity’s eyes widen, and the color drains from her face when she notices me walking towards them.

“What a surprise to see you both here,” I say sarcastic enough to clench Rexwell’s jaw.

“I thought he doesn’t know you’re here,” Rexwell says to Trinity through gritted teeth.

“He doesn’t,” Trinity snaps. She looks tense, sad, and terrified.

“Bash, make it fast, and we need to go. I feel off, and I don’t even like a bit to be here.” Derek is on full alert, scanning the area like hawk eyes.

Of course, what’s good right here? If we’re not surrounded by the dead.

“You shouldn’t be here, Bash,” Trinity says, her lips tremble.

I feel my eyes sting. What is she up to? Why do I feel that this meeting is not going to do any good for us?

She took something from me, but I can’t get to be mad at her. She’s with the man I dislike most, but I can’t make myself hate her.

“You shouldn’t be here too, Trinity. You shouldn’t be here with Rexwell,” I reply.

Rexwell snorts. “Yeah? Like I have a choice.”

“This is not what it looks like, Bash,” she says.

“But it does seem to me, Trinity.” I walk closer, and she raises her hands to stop me.

She doesn’t move though, and my eyes widen. I’ve never been confused in my entire life than today. I’m hurt, and my heart is broken.

“What the fuck is going on?” I stop walking and glare at them.

“Bash, just go and trust me, please?” Trinity’s tears fall down on her cheeks.

“Trust you? Just tell me, what’s going on then I’ll go.” I almost beg her as I look  atTrinity in the eye.

“Bash!” Edmund calls my name from my back.

I turn my head, and that’s when I see men coming. Five men, the other four, I know they’re working for the man in the center.

I know they’re European, probably from France because I know exactly who’s that man of late forties in the center.

Xavier Oscar François

One of the richest men in France, who owns one of the biggest sea and air cargo companies in Europe, but happens to be one of the most dangerous people and allegedly accused of being involved in gun smuggling.

“Bash Hughes, good to see you in person, and in such circumstances like this.”

Fuck!

How did Trinity get involved with these people?

My stomach flips. I have to swallow back the bitter taste in my throat. “What brought you here, Mr. Xavier?” I ask, shaking the hand he offers.

He grips my hand tightly. “I have business with Mr. Rexwell and Ms. Mallory,” he answers with his deep baritone voice with a fake smile on his face—a smile that shakes and shivers me with fear, but I can see that he is not expecting me to be here.

Now I know what he wants from them, but what he wants from that journal? He walks away from me to face Rexwell and Trinity.

My heart thuds with fear. I’ve never been scared in my entire life. We could’ve all die in here when everyone makes a wrong move. He has four men; taller and bulkier and looks dangerous. I only have two. Rexwell has three.

I can sense the tensions in the air. Everyone is on full alert like an eagle about to claw its prey.

“Bash, don’t move,” Edmund whispers.

No matter how much I want to move, I can’t, because I feel my legs wobble with fear. I’m beyond terrified. I close my eyes and take a deep breath to calm myself.

When I open my eyes, I notice Rexwell hands the journal to François. My nose flares, and my jaw clenches.

“Don’t,” Edmund hisses. He may have noticed my reactions.

Francois waves his hand to his men after flipping the journal open. I think he just wants to assure that he has the right journal.

There is nothing worth wasting time on that journal unless I missed the important part. It’s all but Tennings’ confessions, and he didn’t even mention any names, but I remember the words he scribbled.

François is long gone before I can process. Everyone sighs deeply in relief when I hear the wheels screeching on the asphalt, indicating that they’re gone.

Beware of the Fox? These four words are keep playing on my mind even Francois is long gone.

Fox?

FOX

Fuck!

François Oscar Xavier.

François Oscar Xavier is the Fox.