The Billionaire's Secret Lover

Chapter 19: Michael

I wake up very late this morning after speaking to Nina on phone yesterday. I rode my chopper to work

this morning to see that the reporters instead of reducing were increasing each passing day.

“Good morning sir, ”Aurora greeted me as I step into my office “ Mr. Andrea Is here to see you”.

“Send him in right away,” I said as I arrange files on my desk.

The door opens and Andrea walks in looking as smart as ever “Mon Ami, Michael” He said as he

shakes my hands and sat down on the chair opposite me.

“Andrea!” I call smiling“To what do I hold this surprising visit from you”.

“You're asking as if you don't know why I'm here”.

“Oh!, the pictures,” I said as I recall, “ I thought you said you will mail it over”.

“Yes, I wanted to do that but when I saw the news, I decided to come over in person,” He said as he

hands over the envelope containing Nina's and I pictures from the photoshoot.

“She's a very beautiful girl and exceptionally natural too,” Andrea said as soon as I start scanning the

pictures.

Andrea wasn't exaggerating when he said she was beautiful and natural. She is exquisite even without

makeup. A smile form on my lips as I remember her mouth on me, the night before.

“Hmm!” I cleared my throat, I shouldn't be thinking about that right now “You're right, she is really

beautiful ” I replied as I look at him smiling.

“That's why I'm here,” Andrea said. I was confused as I look at him, my body stiffening. Does he want

to date her?.

Andrea notices my facial expressions and laughs wholeheartedly“ Wow!, Michael you need to see your

face right now”.

I ignored him“ What do you mean by, that's why you are here?”

“I mean, when I go through her pictures I discovered that this exactly what we need at Lush Beauty '

Beautiful and Natural '” He said as he looks at me, shrugging.

I look at him stunned and glances back at Nina's picture to see exactly what he meant. I smile proudly,

happy that she belongs to me and me alone, she's my woman.

“I see what you mean” I replied staring at him“ What do you suggest we do?”I ask him.

He threw his hands up in the air “ You are the boss, I'm just an ordinary photographer” He replies

shrugging.

“But if I may put in something ” He continues,.

“Ok, go on” I reply as I sit back on my chair, giving him my rapt attention.

“Deborah Melton contract at Lush Beauty is over today, I'll suggest that instead of renewing it, we can

sign Nina in,” He said.

“Wow!, a brilliant idea,” I said smiling” Why didn't I think of that?. Ok, Aurora will get the paperwork

done, I will speak with Nina today and probably, the signing will be done tomorrow”

“But there's one major problem,” Andrea said as he looks at me, holding up one finger.

“And what's that?” I ask him about to get impatient, as I have a meeting with all the managers of

Thompson's Empires.

“Your Father”

“What happened to my father,” I ask him curiously,

“Deborah Melton is your fiancee, your father will be furious if he finds out you didn't renew her contract

”.

“Andrea leave my father out of this. This is business and I don't mix business with pleasure”

I stood up “ I have a meeting in thirty minutes and I want you to be present ”.

He also stood up and shake my hands about to leave“ Ok, boss, see you at the meeting” He said as he

walk out.

I sat back down as I stare at Nina's pictures in my hands and compare it to the one I used as my

wallpaper, I took a picture of her when she was sleeping soundly in my room.

“Sir!”, Aurora called, walking inside “ The meeting time is set, everyone is already on sit”.

“Ok” I stood up and grab my suit and briefcase. This meeting is just me and all the managers of

Thompson's group of companies. Andrea will be present since he's the new manager of Lush Beauty,

though he's not aware of it yet.

I walk into the meeting room with Aurora right behind me, as soon as I entered, everyone became

quiet. That's how feared I am among all my employees.

They were probably discussing what was on the news. I don't care. I sat down at the head, while

Aurora sat beside me, she will be taking down an important point said during the meeting. They were

twelve in general, six on my left and right.

“ Now, let's go straight to why you are here” I search all their faces to see that they were all listening

with rapt attention.

“The media has made our job easier for the past two days now. The focus is on Thompson's Empire

and I'll like to take advantage of the situation ”They all clap for my business brain and smile to

themselves.

“Mr. Leonardo has been arrested for embezzlement of the company's fund” They started murmuring

among themselves with surprise written all over their face.

“Mr. Alexandro will take over the management of Thompson's Hotel in Italy” I continue as I ignored their

murmuring.

“But sir…” He stood up“ I'm the manager of Lush Beauty” He continues nervously.

“Not anymore, Andrea will assume the management of Lush Beauty, effective from today,” I said, he sat

down still satisfied that he got to manage the hotel. Everyone congratulates Andrea who looks at me

shocked.

I turn to Andrea“ By tomorrow, we'll be signing in a new model for Lush Beauty” He nodded happily

“Aurora will give you a call so you can get the paperwork ready”

“Yes sir, ” He replies happily as he sat down.

“Aurora!" I said as I look at her“ Hand him, the files for Thompson's Hotel in Italy” I said as I pointed to

Mr. Alexandro. She searched through my briefcase, when she finally saw the files, she handed them

over to him wordlessly.

“ Here, in the files are the area of renovation that the hotel needs, I want it done before next week”

“ But sir… that's eight days from now. Don't you think it's quite too soon?” He protested rapidly.

“ I don't care. I want to relaunch it by next week Saturday. And I want it ready before then if you think

you are not capable, I can appoint another person”

“No, I'm more than capable,” He said as he sat down defeatedly. He knows not to argue with me.

“ That will be all for now,” I said looking at them one after the other, they all bow down their heads afraid

of looking me in the eyes.

“Mr. Jean Eudes” I call immediately I sight him sitting in between Andrea and Alexandro.

“Yes, sir” He whimpers sweating nervously. He's the manager of restaurants restaurant in France.

“Well done on your newly launched “La Bite” in France” I congratulate him. He smiles as he bows his

head shy to look mine in the eyes. All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

“I want you all to learn from him, even just after three years as the manager of 'La Bite' he has opened

thirty branches in France,” I said as they all congratulate him and the meeting came to an end.

I walk back to my office, visibly tired, wondering if Nina will accept the offer to be Lush Beauty's newest

model. I doubt she will, due to her clash with Deborah, though I'm not sure she's aware that Deborah

was the model before.

I took out my phone to call the only person she will listen to “ Hello!, Michael ” She said as soon as the

call connected.

“Hi! Lilian, ”I reply “ I need your help”

“You've been needing my help a lot these days” She replies playfully as she laughed.

“I need you to talk to Nina, we need her as a model for Lush Beauty”

“Really!. Do you want to sign her as a model?. Wow!!” She screams, genuinely happy for her.

“ Yes, but I don't think she will accept. That's why I need you to talk to her”.

“Don't worry about it, I will talk some sense into her thin skull”

“Ok. I'll need her response by tomorrow. Thanks again and extend my greetings to Danny”

“Will surely do, take care of yourself and I mean it” She hung up. I smile proudly at myself as I lay back

on my chair and stare out of the window.

“Hmm!, hmm!” Someone cleared his throat as I turn back to look at the person, shocked and happiness

visible on my countenance.

“Wow!, you remember me today. Didn't you?” I call as I stood up to hug him, offering him a seat.

“Of course, why won't I remember the person that makes me lose a whopping sum of one million

dollars,” Danny said as he sat down on the couch crossing his legs.

I raised my eyebrow at him, confused“ One million dollars? How? Why?”.

“ Well, technically it wasn't your fault,” He said as he shrugged “ Lilian and I made a bet concerning you

and Nina, unfortunately, I lost,” He said.

“Really!, what was the bet about? and I just spoke to Lillian on phone now and she didn't mention

anything about it”

“And why will you speak with my wife,” Danny asks to pretend to be annoyed.

“Calm down big boy, I was only asking for her help with Nina and besides, I didn't see any ring on her

finger, that means she is still single and ready to mingle,” I said taunting him.

He jumps up and chases me around my office trying to beat me with a ruler he found on my desk. I

avoided him as he ran and ran chasing me. He finally gives up and collapses heavily on the couch,

breathing heavily. I've missed this.

“You haven't changed a bit, Danny,” I said to him as I slump down heavily on my chair too.

He ignores what I said as he turns to look at me seriously “ Now that you and Nina are back together.

Do you think we'll have a double wedding” He inquires?

The smile fell from my face, replaced with a frown as I look at him “ I would have love that, but there's

still the issue with my parents”.

“Haven't you gathered any solid evidence on Deborah and Austin?” He asked shocked and confused.

I sigh heavily“ None yet. I'm beginning to think that I might probably end up marrying Deborah Melton in

the future ”

“No, don't say that. I'm sure we'll find a way. You both have endured a lot, don't lose hope now” Danny

reach out to hold my hands firmly, I smile sadly at him. I've missed him a lot.

He raises an eyebrow as he chuckles “ So how was it?” He asked.

I smile knowingly“ As good as it has always been. But wait, how do you know?” I ask him curiously cos

I didn't tell him that I had sex with Nina.

“Well, Lillian told me ” Danny replied smirking.

“Hmm!, girls and their gossips” I smile “ What's going on with you? How are the wedding plans coming

on?” I ask him looking at him seriously.

“For now, we've decided to pause the wedding preparations”

“Why,” I asked him stunned, I know how he has always wanted to marry Lilian fast and have kids.

“Lilian thinks the idea of a double wedding is fun and which I also agree with her,” He said looking at

me.

“But..?” I pause as I look at him smiling, “ That idea is not bad, I like it too”

“ You see even you love it, I don't know why Nina doesn't find it appealing” Danny complained bitterly.

“She doesn't like it? Why?”

“Yes, Lilian said when she mentioned it to her, she refused saying you haven't asked her yet”.

“ I will soon do that at the right now” I smile as I imagine how she will look wearing a white wedding

gown.

“Ok, lover boy. I need to be going” He said as he stood up.

“So soon?. I've been thinking maybe we should hang out, just the four of us on weekend. What do you

think?”.

“I like that too. I'll let Lilian know about it, bye, and do take care with your hungry paparazzi ” He said as

he pointed outside.

“Oh! that?. They will leave when they grow tired”.

“How did you come in,” I ask him, surprised he got past the reporters outside without them realizing.

“I'm the king of disguise,” He said as he took out his wig and fake beard.

I laugh at his crazy outfits as he walk out. I gather my stuff and went outside to my chopper that will

take me home.