A Wife for the Billionaire
Chapter 56: RICHARD

Chapter 56: RICHARD

"Finally some peace and quiet" I sighed aloud.

This... this period just to myself and the beauty around me remains the favorite part of my day. I could simply be myself up here, so I took off my suit, unknotted my tie and began unbuttoning my shirt.

I watched as the sun finally disappeared, the sky transformed into a kaleidoscope of warm hues.

Soft pinks and blushing peaches bled across the horizon. Orange and coral tones deepened, gradating into burnt sienna. The upper sky transitioned to a brilliant blue, flecked with wispy cirrus clouds, tinted with shades of salmon and gold.

One by one like diamonds scattered across the velvet expanse, stars twinkled into place.

As twilight descended, the city awakened.

Skyscrapers, once mere silhouettes, shimmered with a million lights. The concrete jungle transformed into a tapestry of glittering towers, a symphony of steel and glass. Streetlights cast a golden glow, tracing the city’s arterial network. Cars and taxis, like streaming rubies and emeralds, weaved through the streets. Billboards and neon signs ignited, casting a colorful, dynamic display.

Faintly, I made out the blue and white logo of Bogue magazine like a fashion beacon from far away. Except it felt nothing like a beacon today, just a reminder that they were yet to write about our upcoming collection. Hopefully, Sofia would change that... if the bitch can or will.

I undid the last button, my eyes still taking it all in, the city stretched out, a seemingly endless grid of lights. Venture Park’s dark green oasis provided a serene contrast. The West River’s shimmering waters reflected the colorful sky. The distant hum of traffic, a constant, soothing melody.

I got rid of my shoes, the socks followed. The concrete floor was cold as my feet grazed them.

Occasionally the breeze carried the scent of spices, restaurants, and the distant hint of saltwater, overwhelming that of the flowers.

I stood, unfastened my cuffs and gave myself to the breeze with both hands outstretched, my white shirt unbuttoned and flapping in the breeze, and that was

when I heard footsteps.

I knew who it was even before she made it through the stairs. And so, I didn’t bother looking at her.

I wasn’t really counting, but it felt like 5 minutes passed without her uttering a word. I almost thought she had left, until I heard the shuffle of her feet. Deciding to break the silence since it was obvious she wasn’t going to. Perhaps she has never seen a guy in the state I was, so I said,

"I know I’m pleasant to look at even from behind, but stare too long and I might have to charge you for it"

She scoffed. I smiled.

"Don’t kid yourself, you are not that pleasant looking and my silence was merely because I couldn’t decide whether to disturb you or leave. But it’s clear now which I should have opted for" she returned, her voice heavy with disdain.

Turning abruptly, I quipped, "You were saying?"

I watched her mouth snap shut, stifling the words she had wanted to say. As she took me in.

My messy hair from the wind, my rather inappropriate appearance... her eyes bulged as she stared.

Feeling a bit exposed, I backed the rail, my hands framing in support on both sides. If not for pride, I definitely would have covered myself immediately.

Her eyes seemed to follow all my movements, they rested on my exposed forearms, where tattooed chains circled my arm with the end broken. Relaxing as I recalled the night I got that tattoo, I crossed my legs. I had to forgo the memory as I watched her take in my bare feet. It was embarrassing, and any other would have ordered her away, but I knew the girl before me. She would take it as a win, seeing me shy and vulnerable.

Steeling myself to be calm, I followed her eyes to the tattoos on both sides of my pecs.

Down my chiseled abdomen to my abs. Then to sprinkle of dark hair that led to my pubic.

I have never been nervous under anyone’s scrutiny, but I felt my heart pounding as she swallowed, her eyes trailing to the curves of my hip bone, to the scar that marred my right.

Lower, her eyes went, it felt like she was undressing me with her eyes and for some twisted reason, I felt myself

growing rigid.

I was about to humiliate myself by attempting to cover my bulge with my hands, when she averted her gaze, color flushing her cheeks.

She had been naughty, it was evident in her incoherent mumblings and how she had almost slapped herself.

"Like what you see, huh?" I teased, simpering.

"No" she croaked immediately, her voice telling me all I needed to know.

"Is that so?" I mused, uncrossing my legs and folding my arms, the effort made my shirt hugged to my elbows, so tight I feared it might rip. Thankfully it didn’t as I carefully sat on the rail, very much afraid of the height.

That was one other thing I tried not to

let people see - my fear of heights. Masking it, I said,

"Can’t really say I’m surprised. I understand you would rather chew your tongue than admit it, but at least this time you can’t claim your cherry cheeks are as a result of surprise or discomfort"

I saw her curse inwardly, her cheeks turning a darker shade of crimson as she made another attempt to slap herself. I was enjoying every moment, I dare say it beat the view behind me.

"Don’t be so sure it’s not as a result of the same things" she managed.

"Keep lying to yourself." I said and to further prove my point, I maintained my former position, my hands back on the rail, leaving my chest exposed.

"Anyway, why are you here?" I went

on seeing that it will be a while before she spoke again with my chest as a distraction, "Or was it simply to devour me with your eyes? Lord knows what going on in that gainsaid mind of yours"

"Eww,"she quickly offered, "you are disgusting"

"Yes I am" I admitted, "can also say the same of you, if not, how could you fathom if you weren’t thinking of it yourself?"

The wind ruffled the flowers, filling the air anew with their intoxicating fragrance. It played with her hair, blowing strands askew and revealing her earrings that twinkled like a star.

At that moment, she simply looked... breathtaking.

And if not that she really pisses me off, I would’ve fucked her right there and

then.

She shivered, hugging her coat and the gentleman in me thought of lending her my jacket, but I seldom listen to that voice.

Dismissing my last statement, she started, "I had reservations about the supposed assignment you gave me and um_"

"You can’t do it,"I supplied, cutting her off. "Typical of you to get cold feet"

"No, that’s not it." she quipped, glaring at me, "I mean, it’s impossible, but for Harry I’m willing to try, it’s just that I... um_"

In the little time we’ve battered, I have gotten to know her. And for her to stumble with words could only mean what she was about to say something important... or dumb.

"If this is the part where you tell me that that letter from Anna was forged, then spit it out already and be done with it, heavens knows I had my doubts" I cut in.

"Can you allow me to speak?" She snapped. "Doubt it all you want, but that letter came directly from Anna and Lord knows if it wasn’t for Harry, I wouldn’t even be considering this_"

"Not even for the job I might offer you?" I asked, enjoying the rage that twisted her face each time I interrupted her.

"Not even for the job you are offering" she hissed. I made to interrupt her again, but surprisingly the bitch silenced me with a raised finger. Then, she continued, "especially if it’s to the detriment of another, and by that I mean Cole, the young man you’ve offered the job to already or have you forgotten?"

"Of course I haven’t!" I snapped, enraged by her gesture that wasn’t supposed to work, but somehow did and the implication that I had forgotten about Cole Trail.

"Then what’s your game... allow him to start work tomorrow and... and fire him the next day if I succeed or what?"

I hated losing my cool, especially to someone as insignificant as her.

"That’s precisely it," I answered, crossing my legs which was just a ploy to get a grip on my rage, "who knew for your denseness you could actually come up with such an accurate prognosis, well done. Hope I’ve cleared your reservations_"

"Of course you haven’t!" she interjected, the tables turned. "How could you possibly think of doing something so

sadistic?"

"If it helps, the guy you are talking about, spoke highly of you. He practically begged me to give you the job instead, and I don’t think he would take it to heart if I grant him his wish, or do you?"

She staggered backwards. Her gaze fell to her feet and I could tell she had been aware of that piece of information.

"Are you surprised?" I queried when it was obvious she wasn’t going to answer. "Well, don’t be, I guess you have a thing for making people fall fo_"

"Grant him his wish," she repeated, cutting me off a mild sentence, "after allowing him to believe the job is his. Who does that?"

"Me, obviously. But if it would help you sleep, I will have Vera call him tonight and tell him that after careful reconsideration, we decided to give you the job. Are you happy now?"

"Of course not!" she practically wailed, then softly as if assuring herself, "I can’t do that to him. He doesn’t deserve that"

"Suit yourself, Mother Teresa." I said, turning away from her, "But remember you have two days before Harry loses his, so I suggest you get on with it"

"But I_"

"If you don’t mind, it has been a long day and I’d like to puff a stick. Run along, unless you haven’t seen enough, should I turn or do you prefer the back view?"

And to my greatest astonishment, she... left. No retort, no witty remark, no snappy response... she just left.