Love, Lies and Billionaires

Maren sat in front of the mirror, staring at her reflection. Her face was void of expression as she admired the neck piece she wore. As she did, the diamonds on her wrist shone in the bright light which illuminated the room.

“Ma’am,” a maid stood at her half-opened door, with a pleasing demeanour. Maren turned in her direction slowly. “Master said to call you down.”

“Alright,” she said in a quiet voice and turned back to the mirror when she had left. It was dark out and Alexander had made her dress up exquisitely for the gathering they were going for.

In minutes, she made her way down the stairs. Her silver heels made soft clicking sounds on the ground as she walked. Quietly, she got to the sitting room where Alexander stood facing the window, waiting for her.

She made sure to arrange her red, flowing body con dress before he turned to her. Slowly, he turned to view the presence in the room and paused unwittingly.

His eyes travelled from the hair on her head to the shoes on her feet. The more he stared, the more flattered she got. She looked away. The off shoulder hand strap of her dress fell further down her hand and she reached out to pull it up.

“No, leave it that way. I love it” he finally said, making her turn to him. He placed the glass of wine which he harboured in his hand on the table nearby and walked over to her.

Slowly, he placed his hand around her waist and reeled her closer to him. His Adam’s apple bobbed up and down as he stared at her lips. Maren thought she would melt if he kept up with staring at her.

Then he leaned in and gently placed his lips on hers.

“Mummy?”

They both disentangled and turned to the tiny voice behind. Nathan stood there in his pyjamas, staring at Maren with the saddest but cutest eyes he could. Rose stood by, worry plastered all over her face.

“Oh Nathan, you should be in bed. It’s late, you know” she bent and picked him up. Careful not to ruin her makeup.

“Where are you going mummy?” Nathan said, his hand was on her earring, carefully examining it.All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

“Not anywhere far, baby. I’ll be back before you even know it” she assured him, the guilt of spending only a little time with him in the past week washing over her.

“I’m going to wait up for you.” He replied to a note of finality in his voice.

“Now that’s so sweet, Nathan. But you don’t need to worry. I’ll be back soon, me and Alex.”

At the mention of Alexander’s name, Nathan turned to him as if just realising that he was also in the room.

“Alex, will you bring my mummy back early?” his voice was soft, making his words sound more like a plea.

“Your mom will be back before you know it, little man.” Alexander said. He walked closer to where Maren stood and flashed Nathan his killer smile. “Who’s a brave little man?”

Nathan didn’t respond, he just looked down at his fingers, which he had intertwined. “Come here,” Alexander said and took him out of Maren’s hands.

“Who’s going to hurt Alex if mummy doesn’t get back early?” Alexander asked again. Nathan slowly pointed to himself, raising his head to look at Alexander. Alexander raised his brows. “Oh really? You’re going to hurt Alex?”

Nathan gave a nod and a small smile. “Okay, now I’m scared,” Alexander said and Nathan chuckled. “I promise, I’ll bring mummy back soon so you don’t have to hurt me alright?” Alexander finally said, taking note that they were running late.

He tickled Nathan and set him on the ground. He extended his fists for a fist bump and Nathan took it heartily. “Now go to bed, little soldier,” he said and ruffled the little boy’s hair.

“Bye mummy” he said, hugging his mum by her leg, then walked further to where Rose sat and followed her upstairs to the room.

*****

The ride to the venue wasn’t long, but it was a really silent one. Lately, Alexander has been acting all weird but caring and Maren wasn’t sure she liked it.

The only reason that kept her going was the fact that her son had formed a strong bond with him and they seemed to really get along with each other.

While still deep in thought, the car slowly came to a halt and flashes from different angles blinded all occupants of the car. The guards who had occupied the car which had followed them quickly came out to control the crowd, keeping them from touching either Maren or Alexander.

As soon as they got inside, Maren felt what it felt like to be in the presence of the elite. She unconsciously kept her hands locked into Alexander’s as they walked further into the hall.

“Now there he is,” a well-polished man in a three-piece suit called and walked towards them with a smile. He had firmly gripped around a glass of wine.

“Uncle Harry!” Alexander said cheerfully, and disentangled himself from Maren to hug the man. On first look, he had a very young visage, but Maren could guess he was in his late fifties. “You made it”

“I did make you a promise, didn’t I?” his uncle replied and broke the hug, not after giving him a hearty pat on the back. “There was no way I was going to miss this one, you know. Your dad is going to kill me if I did”

“I really am glad you came,” Alexander remarked, maintaining the widest grin she had ever seen him put on.

“Nah, no need for that. I’ll be leaving soon anyway,” he said, and they both laughed. They stopped and uncle Harry finally noticed Maren’s presence. “And this must be the wife.”

Maren almost rolled her eyeballs in disgust. Being called ‘the’ wife made her feel like an item. “Nice evening, sir,” she managed to say, in the nicest way she could. With her brightest, false smile.

“Such a lovely lady,” he said, looking her over. Okay, that one made her smile a little genuinely. I’m sorry I couldn’t make it to your wedding and my baby brother has to be the one to accompany you to the altar,” he added.

“Oh, no worries. Duty calls, I guess,” she replied and gave a dry chuckle.

“My, I am loving this one Alex,” he said and looked straight at someone who had just walked into the building. “I have to run along now. I’ll catch you guys later.” He said and walked away from where they stood.

“Shall we?” Alexander said and placed his arm for her to take. She could feel the tension in his body as they locked arms. She really was learning new things about this man.

They strolled in silence towards the stage where Alexander’s father stood, speaking to some people. Maren took the time to look around and someone in the midst of some other people caught her attention.

A shiver ran down her spine as William’s laughter rang through her ear. Alexander noticed her countenance and followed her gaze. William turned almost immediately, and they locked eyes.