The Billionaire’s Pawn

LONDON

The grand opening of the new LH branch was successful and crowded with shoppers. I was glad the last thing I did was something I could be proud of, even if it were my last day as the CEO of LH.

“Can I get a picture with you?” A teenager asked.

“Of course.” I put my arm around her as I smiled before she took the selfie.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

I noticed another girl browsing through dresses, one of my designs, but she hadn’t chosen anything. She checked the tag price and sighed. My guess was the dress was above her budget.

I went to her. “Do you like it?”

She looked at me and nodded.

“What’s your size?”

“Um, I can’t afford that once.”

I picked one in her size. She was a little bit round. So I chose a large size for her. “Try this on.”

“Um, I’ll check on other items.”

“Don’t worry, this one is on me,” I whispered, winking at her.

“Aren’t you the owner?” With eyes wide, she whispered back.

“That gives me the right to give you a discount, but this one is free.”

“Whoa.” Her brown eyes widened even more.

“Go ahead. Try it on. I’ll be here once you’re done.”

I went to one of the cashiers. “Put one midi-dress on my card.”

“Sure, ma’am.”

I found Neke walking in my direction. “You okay?”

“Yeah. Why?”

“I’ve been watching you for hours, and you look like you have something on your mind.”

“Yeah. I just have a lot on my mind right now,” I admitted.

“May I know what?”

“My life, Neke. I’ve been holding my life together for two years since that terrible incident happened because I didn’t wanna make the same mistake. But I’ve proven something, not just being Linus Vanderford’s daughter. I’ve accomplished something I didn’t imagine I could do on my own. I’m a successful businesswoman and CEO. The only thing I wished had succeeded my relationship.”

“It’s not too late.”

“I think it is.”

“You can just swallow your pride, talk to your husband, and apologize. Everything will be fine. What’s the real reason, London? That must be huge that you chose to let him go than fight for him.”

“There’s a lot of things you don’t know about my life. You’d be disgusted if you knew.”

“I doubt it. You’re best friend, and I’ve accepted you for who you are, not because you are Linus Vanderford’s daughter.”

The teenager came to me with a smile from ear to ear.

“It fits, isn’t it?”

“Yes,” she replied shyly.

“You know this is one of my designs?”

“It’s beautiful. I like it, Miss Vanderford.”

“It would be my honor to see you wearing this.” I took her to the counter and helped her settle the receipt.

“Thank you.”

“It would look beautiful on you.”

She went to buy an accessory to match her dress. Then she came back to thank me again. “Thank you so much.” She was grinning the whole time as she walked out of the shop.

“You have a good heart, London.”

“My good heart can’t even save my marriage,” I told her the truth even if I was bleeding inside.

“Maybe you can now,” she said.

“What made you say that?” I asked as I followed her gaze, and it landed on the man just coming inside the shop. Today was the first time I saw him again in three weeks. He looked even more gorgeous in his dark blue tailored suit. His walk alone exuded power and confidence.

I swallowed hard as he seemed to be looking for someone. The moment our gazes locked with those magnetizing and intense eyes, I felt something awakened inside me. My heart began to pound. My skin began to warm.

When he walked in my direction, Neke met him halfway. “Look who’s here if not the white knight in a blue suit.”

“Good to you too, Neke.” He smiled at Neke.

“I’m happy to see you, really.” Neke then left us alone.

“Hi,” was his first word.

Our first meeting since we separated was different from how we met two years ago. I couldn’t feel the warmth in his voice. I couldn’t see the excitement in his eyes. I felt nothing more than shame, and all my hopes crumbled before me.

“Hi.” I tried to smile even if it hurt me.

“Can we talk somewhere silent?”

“Of course,” I replied out of excitement. “There’s a restaurant around the corner.”

“I’m afraid I can’t stay longer.”

Oh.”Okay. How about in your car?” Crap. It came out wrong. “Sorry. At the back. Follow me.” He followed suit as I went through the door to the staff room.

“Congrats, by the way. This is great.” Then his gaze dropped to my fingers. He noticed that I was still wearing his ring.

“Thanks.” I smiled again, even if it was forced. “Congratulations to you too. I heard you begin working at the Hover.” I actually stalked him. He posted a photo of him in the Hover two days ago.”

“Thanks.” A moment later, we fell into silence.

“I’m here-” we said the same thing at the same time.

“I wanna talk-sorry. You’re saying?” I asked.

“No. You first,” he told me.

“No.” I shook my head. “You came here to talk to me. That must be important.”

“Oh, yeah. I received the notice. I came here to say that I agree with your decision. My lawyer will contact your lawyer. So, by Wednesday, we will sign the agreement, then they can finalize and forward the documents in court.”

I swallowed hard and blinked rapidly. We were getting a divorce. So it was going to be over.

My world stopped spinning.

“I will settle a financial support-”

“I don’t need your money.” I glared at him. I was offended.

“Babe-London. It’s not a charity. Or you can have my house. Aren’t you and your father not on good terms?”

“I’m not broke. Donate your money to the people in need.”

“Okay.” He checked his watch. “I have to go. Thanks for your time.” He didn’t even think twice. He just walked through the door without looking back.

I tried hard not to break down. I drew all the strength I had left as I looked up.

My life was falling apart. I was going to be jobless once I walked out of this shop and also lost my husband, the love of my life. And the worse part, it was not because of my father. It was all because of me.

I found Reed in the parking lot. “I wanna go home.”

“Sure.”

No matter how hard I tried to hold my tears, my eyes had minds on their own. I wiped them away while trying to find my phone in my bag. I put it back. Then what now?

Reed noticed me crying.

“I’m getting a divorce. Yay,” I told him as I cried.

“I met Cade a few minutes ago. I didn’t know he came to tell you that. I’m sorry, London.”

“I just became jobless. On Wednesday, the divorce will be processed. After this, I’m packing my things and moving out of the house, and I’ll be homeless, too. Jeez, the story of my life.”

“Don’t decide while you’re emotional.”

“My father just gave me two weeks, Reed. And this is your last day with me because I can’t afford to pay you when I don’t have a job anymore.”

“It’s okay. I’ll be here for you until you find a job. You don’t have to pay me. My contract with your father will end next month anyway. Then I will be free unless my boss assigns me to another client.”

“My life was just perfect months ago. My world is falling apart right now, and I don’t know how to put it back together.” I wiped my face. “I need to look for an apartment.”

“I can help you with that.”

“Thank you.”

***

I woke to the hush-hush around me. I didn’t realize I was so exhausted that I fell asleep on the couch.

“What’s going on?” I saw Neke ordering around to men and women carrying boxes. I blinked twice to make sure I wasn’t dreaming.

“Oh, you’re awake. Good. Do you wanna wrap these couches too?”

Confused, I just stared at her.

“You’re moving into my apartment. It wasn’t as big as your house, but I was looking for a roommate. Some of your things, though, need to be in storage.”

I nodded as I smiled at her. There you go, I cried again. This time Neke pulled me into a hug.

“It’s okay. My apartment is yours, too,” she said as she patted my back. “It’s gonna be okay. I promise. I also resigned.”

Shocked, I pulled away. “Why in the hell did you do that?”

“I only worked there because of you. Now that you’re not there anymore, I don’t see any reasons why I should stay. I’d rather push paper than work for your replacement.”

I let go of a shaky breath as I nodded. “So we’re both jobless then.”

“Yes. Does the Hover is looking for designers?”

“Stop it.” I went to the kitchen, pulled out the wine, poured it into two glasses, and we tossed.

“Forever.”

I sipped my wine and could feel her eyes on me. “He came to remind me that we’re moving forward.”

“Oh, God. No.” She put the glass down.

“Yes. It’s happening.”

“I’m gonna talk to him. Is he nuts?” She propped her hand on her hip. Her eyes narrowed at me.

I held her hand. “Don’t interfere. He wants this too.”

“I swear if I see him again, he will get a punch from me.”

“It’s okay, Neke.”

“No, it’s not. I’m gonna knee Striker on his big-dick.”