Love, Lies and Billionaires

The dining table was silent except for the plates and cutleries which seemed to be having a discussion which echoed through the room.

Of all the faces which included Maren Nathan and Alexander, Maren’s was the most clouded and she picked at her food like it was prepared with too much vinegar.

She stole glances at Alexander from time to time, but he didn’t seem to notice as he was caught between eating his food and his phone. She turned to him again, but this time, he caught her gaze. Making her turn away quickly.

“What’s on your mind?” He asked, but she just shook her head. “You can’t tell me that. You’ve been quiet for the past few days now. What’s bothering you?”

Maren took the risk and looked up at him, meeting his eyes. She searched his

expressionless face for the slightest sign of emotion, but she got none.

The annoying part was there was worry in his voice when he spoke. But his face sent a different message. She turned back to her food and to Nathan, who was quietly eating at her side.

Her mind raced, searching for the right words to start with. “Is there anyone trying to get to you?” She finally asked, keeping her eyes on the food in front of her.

“What do you mean?” Alexander asked, his voice getting curious. He dropped his cutlery on the plate and pushed it forward, indicating he had lost interest in taking another bite.

“Other than William, who else are you rivalling with?” She asked again.

Alexander leaned back in his chair and stared into space like he was trying to think. “I’m not sure I have an accurate answer to that.” He said and paused. “I mean there are a lot and there are some I’m just a threat to,” he added, a hint of pride in his voice.

“Why do you ask?” He asked, now looking in her direction.

“I’m being threatened” she blurted.

” How?”

“I received a letter a few days back”

“And what was in it?” Alexander asked.

“Mummy, I’m done eating,” Nathan said when dropped the glass of juice he held to his mouth.

“Alright then,” Maren replied with a brief smile. Rose appeared from within to clear all the plates on the table. Including Maren’s, which she had given up earlier. And when she was done, she took Nathan by the hand and led him up the stairs.

Maren stayed silent for a while, as if reminiscing on if she can trust him.

“Go on, what was in the letter?” he urged.

“It said I know who you are,” Maren replied, keeping her face away. At first, when she had read it in her office, she hadn’t taken it seriously and took it as a joke, but as she left her office, it began to bother her a little.

And now that she had said it out loud to someone, she felt scared.

Alexander was quiet for a while, then he scoffed out of nowhere, earning him a pissed stare from Maren.

“Really?”

“Sounds more like a joke to me,” Alexander said. “Looks like someone is playing a prank on you, trying to scare you or something”

“Well, whoever it is, is doing a great job.” Maren shot back. “But what if it’s not?”

“If it’s not, then maybe you have a new rival in your company. You see, that’s the thing about being successful. You become a threat to others, Maren.” his eyes were now glued to his phone’s screen.

Maren almost rang her nose in annoyance. ‘Look at this man school me about owning a company,’ she thought. “This doesn’t sound like some rival, Alexander. A rival doesn’t send a letter saying I know who you are”

“Well then, it’s a prank. You really shouldn’t be over thinking this,” he said absentmindedly. “Besides, what do you think the person knows about you?”

Maren’s heart skipped a beat at that question. ‘What did the person know?’ her mind repeated. She turned back to Alexander and stood up. “I have no idea,” she began, making her way out of the dining room.

“Why don’t you take a break?” Alexander’s voice came from behind her. “Take this week off. You seem a lot stressed.”

“Yeah, thanks”

*****

The car pulled up in front of the third park in the city, which was less crowded and mostly opulent kids went to, to avoid being scolded by parents who trained their children differently.

As soon as the engine stopped and the car door was opened for them, Nathan dashed out of the car towards the entrance where a guard stood.

Maren watched as the guard bent a little to his eye level and said some inaudible words to him before letting him through.

She smiled as she watched him run in excitedly, but he halted when he got to the middle of the large ground, which was surrounded by play equipment and about a dozen children using one or another.

“What’s wrong, baby?” Maren asked when she got to where he stood. She noticed the expression on his face. He was scared.

Maren frowned, as she knew his fear was her fault. She hadn’t let him mix with kids his age. He had only grown up knowing she, Rose, and her mom.

“It’s okay, baby. They’re friendly,” Maren said with a smile.

“Really, mummy?” His voice was low as he kept his eyes on the little creatures all over the place.

“Of course. I’m sure they’ll want to be friends with you.”

He was quiet and just stared in the distance. “Promise?”

“I promise, Nathan. They’re all your friends, okay?” She assured him, not even sure herself. “Alright, why don’t you go play?” she added.

“Okay,” he replied and began walking towards the main ground. Maren stood up and watched him go before looking around for a place to sit and look after him.

Settling down on a comfortable steel bench, watch him approach a little boy who was playing with some toy cars to get her with a girl who seemed more interested in the cars than the boy.

She smiled as she watched them welcome him, happy to have one more person in their company. Suddenly, she felt like a proud mom all over again.

“Maren Blackwood?”