The Daring Billionaire’s Wife by Lypstical

Liam

Arriving at one of my five star hotels, the manager stands right outside to receive Josh and I. He walks beside me and gets a little too close, still whispering to me in an attempt to know more about my honeymoon.noveldrama

"Come on, tell me. Did you give it to her right on the beach?" He suggestively wiggles his eyebrows.

"You really need to let it go." I shake my head in disbelief.

He continues pestering me and it's only when we're close to the manager that he gives it a rest.

"You know what I love the most about this hotel?" Josh proudly places his hand on my shoulder. "It's the bar and hey, I find so many beautiful ladies here."

I chuckle while shaking my head.

"What?" He furrows his eyebrows.

"I'll never get over how despite traveling around the world and mingling with so many different ladies, it was at my small bar, Jasmine Junction, where I found my wife."

"Now that you've brought her up, I've changed my mind." He clears his throat.

"About what?"

"I was going to suggest that we have a few drinks after the meeting and have some sexy ladies join us, but things aren't the same anymore."

"I see you have a brain. I'm impressed."

"Shut up. I also remember how much Aileen wanted things to be this way. Thinking back to the piercing look in her eyes sends shivers down my spine." He dramatically shivers, then pauses. "Look who we have over there. I guess she really meant it when she said she didn't want to travel with us."

I look over and spot Stephanie, who's in a body hugging red dress that cinches at her waist and slightly above her knees.

"Hey," he gets closer, whispering to me. "We're obviously supposed to get dressed for the meeting in a few minutes so isn't she a little overdressed? I have to admit that she looks good."

I nod, looking on as she spots us and excuses herself, walking away from the group of ladies she's been talking to. Despite Josh standing right next to me, not once does she look at him. She smiles at me, flipping her hair styled in loose curls. She must've had a date or something.

"I know things are still kinda awkward between you two, so I'll be over there." Josh points at the manager and makes his way to her, walking past Stephanie as they greet each other.

She focuses on me again, her eyes never leaving the sight of me as if I might vanish.

"And here he is," she says with a burst of energy, stopping in front of me with a hand on her hip.

"And here you are." I chuckle. "Seems like you had some separate business to attend to over here."

"What makes you say that?"

"Your outfit. There's no way you're ready for a meeting dressed like this."

"Oh, you like it?" She turns around with a giggle.

"It's a perfect fit for you. Anyway, let's get ready to work. It's crazy that I have to jump right back in on my first day of returning from my honeymoon."

"Sounds like you're not done yet." She crosses her arms, her smile fading a little.

"I'm not. It was beautiful out there with Aileen. I'll show you some pictures I-"

"Nope. I'm not interested." She rolls her eyes.

Realizing she's still bitter, even though it didn't feel that way on the dance floor, I nod in understanding.

Suddenly, she bursts into laughter, placing a hand on her stomach. "I'm just messing with you!"

I suspiciously tilt my head. "I don't believe you."

"Look, I've really had time to think about it. No hard feelings."

I sigh with relief. "I'm glad you feel that way. You're one of my closest friends."

"Yeah...friends. Shall we go upstairs and get ready now?"

She leads the way to the elevator, talking about what we could do afterwards but I barely pay attention as I can't stop looking at the picture Aileen sent to me while having a meal with my mother and sister. She looks gorgeous.

"Hey, are you listening?" Stephanie raises her voice a little.

I look up and clear my throat. "Of course I am."

"I don't think so. What do you keep looking at and won't pay attention to what I'm saying?" She curiously gets closer, looking at my screen. "Oh... Look. It's the one and only Aileen Richards."

I chuckle. "Don't tell me she's all you see. My mom and sister are right with her."

"Of course I see them. It's just that she's...she's. She trails off, pursing her lips then smiling. "I only noticed her first because of her bright colors compared to the rest. So, did you

bring the file with last year's data?"

She switches to full business mode, leaving no room to talk about Aileen. Her enthusiasm is something I haven't seen in a few months and with each passing minute, I begin to fully believe we're back to normal.

-

Aileen

With my biological parents not in the same place, the one close enough is my father and right after this, I intend to visit my mother.

Wearing shades and a large hat, I get to the front desk with Meryl and I'm so eager to meet him and get rid of this nervousness that I speak right away.

"Hello. I'm here to see Waylen Guthrie."

The woman at the front desk pauses, raising her eyebrows at me.

"Waylen Guthrie? No one has come to pay that man a visit in so many years."

I glance at Meryl, then back at the woman. "Why?"

"Who would want to visit someone like that? Besides, he's one of the most dangerous criminals we have in this prison."

"Look, it doesn't matter. I still want to see him."

"Please come back next week on Thursday. We don't allow visitors today."

I scoff. "And you couldn't say that a bit sooner? I really need to see him because this can't wait."

"I'm sorry ma'am."

Meryl chimes in to help, but it's the same response and I clench my jaw, unable to believe that I'm about to do this for the first time.

"I'm not leaving this place until I see Waylen Guthrie." My tone is firm.

"Like I said, come back tomorrow." Her tone is a little condescending.

I glance at Meryl and she nods, telling me to go for it so I take off my shades and hat.

"Go to your superior and inform him or her that Aileen Richards would like to see Waylen Guthrie."

The woman freezes with wide eyes for a moment, then scrambles to her feet as she clears her throat.

"M-Mrs Richards, there's...there's no need for that. I'll make the arrangements right away."

I glance at Meryl and she smirks with a nod.

Is it that easy to get things done just by mentioning who I am? I didn't even think the woman would know who I am since I was recently married. I was ready to go as far as mentioning Liam just to make things clear to her, but I guess there's no need.

Now Granted access to see Waylen Guthrie, Meryl waits for me outside as I sit on a chair, looking at the glass that will separate me and him. On the other side of it is an empty chair, which should be occupied any second now. The wait is surprisingly long as it takes a few minutes but finally, the door on the other side of the glass creaks open and I hold my breath, anticipating the moment he comes into my view.