Falling for the Billionaire Dad Next Door

Chapter 9 : Under Construction

*Oliver*

We dined al fresco on a rooftop adjacent to Clover Park, while hunched over on small stools, sharing slabs of somewhat putrid, porous, and jalapeno oil-soaked cooked stinky tofu.

"The best stinky tofu I've ever tasted," Peter remarked. On a tray off to the side were grilled fish with a sweet and sour miso sauce, along with crispy deep-fried oyster mushrooms seasoned in white pepper.

I was surprised to find that I was really enjoying this vegetarian-style meal. Peter had been spot on to suggest this type of dining to try and impress my potential client, Mr. Yuxuan. He had been hinting at how much he missed stinky tofu, prepared just like his nai nai used to make it. It had done a simple online search to find out what or who nai nai was. When I discovered it meant grandmother, I had managed to tell him how I also missed a good bowl of butter vegetable soup, just like the one my nai nai used to make.

Peter had been quick about figuring out the best Chinese restaurant in town, which served traditional Chinese cuisine served in an authentic Chinese family outing setup.

I sat back and watched as Mr. Yuxuan lapped up the food hungrily. The gratified sounds he made caused me to turn and wink at Peter. I was sure we were going to nail this proposal.

“This is good tofu, yes?" he asked.

“Definitely. Only the best for all my clients," I said, trying to show my optimism at a chance to land the huge contract he was offering for the design and building of an underground rotating garage for his hotel.

“How long do you take to do everything?" he asked.

I paused as I wondered if the question was referencing the project implementation, or how long it took to find this restaurant. I looked at Peter to see if he could help.

“Probably a couple of months," Peter replied.

I nodded my appreciation to my best friend.

“Couple means two, no?" Mr. Yuxuan asked.

“No. Couple means plenty," Peter said, waving his hands for impact.

Mr. Yuxuan looked worried by the answer. “Why so long?"

“Mr. Yuxuan, a project of this size needs precision for both the design and construction. A rush job might end with the structure collapsing. I take my time to make sure that I give you only the best. The greatest of things take time," I said and smiled. I grabbed a cup of Pu'er tea and sipped it.

“Argh. I like. I wanted to see if you change your standards to please me," he said as he sipped his own tea.

“Oliver. Fancy meeting you here," a voice I knew so well said from behind me, causing my blood to run cold.

I turned to see Richard walking toward us. What was he doing here?

“Richard, hello," I said coldly. I hoped he wouldn't start talking about Gia, or how I had abandoned his beloved daughter at the restaurant a few nights ago.

“I didn't know you liked Chinese food. Stinky tofu out of all dishes. But yet again, you do have the same kind of palette when it comes to dating. No one in a skirt is safe when you're around. Look how we had a business arrangement, and boom, you started f*cking my daughter."

I feel my blood begin to boil. It seemed like he was purposefully trying to sabotage my business deal. It wasn't a secret that Mr. Yuxuan's had multiple construction projects out to bid. I knew Richard was well aware of Mr. Yuxuan's identity. Was he trying to punish me for breaking up with Gia?

I smiled stiffly up at him. “I met Gia before we did any business together."

“Is that so? So you used my princess to gain access to me. You are such a savvy businessman. How long did you continue to sleep with her after our business together concluded? It's not like you need to continue to sleep your way to the top, boy."

I paused. Fury roared in my chest and clawed at my skin, begging for some kind of release. I clenched my fists as I tried to keep the rage hidden under the surface. This was not the right time or place to lose my cool.

“I'm in the middle of something here. We'll talk later," I say and smile.

“So, when are you going to see my daughter next? Or have you moved on to your new biggest client's daughter now?" Richard wasn't relenting.

I chose not to answer that. Was he trying to act like he didn't know that I had broken up with Gia?

“Mr. Yuxuan, so how are you enjoying Santa Monica?" Peter asked. I knew he was trying to divert attention from the nasty exchange.

“It is very interesting," he said. He nodded at the food in front of him and glanced quickly at Richard.

I couldn't tell if he was upset by Richard's intrusion, or buying into his blatant attempt to disrupt the meeting. I wanted to bang my head on the table, or just hit myself with one of the platter lids.

“Dinner and free show," I said, nodding to Richard.

He fumed, his fists shaking at his sides.

“Oh, don't mind Mr. Beck here. He's just acting out one of his movie roles," Peter said.

“I'm not acting anything; I retired from acting a long time ago," Richard replied.

“Oh, yes. I had forgotten. See, all the different characters Mr. Beck has played throughout the years have left him with a bit of a personality disorder. Sometimes he thinks he is a mafia boss, other times he thinks he is a scientist, and there was one time he thought he was a dog that could speak. So he is just a bit cuckoo. Forgive him," Peter said.

Richard's face was beginning to turn all shades of red. “Do you know who I am, boy?" This time the question was directed at Peter.

“You are Mr. Beck. The former famous actor. Father to the famous actress, Gia Beck. I know exactly who you are, sir. Do YOU know who you are?" Peter smirked.

Richard's face had a maroon hue to it now.

“That's enough," I said, stepping in.

I appreciated Peter's attempt to stand up for things, but he was just getting Richard more worked up. It wouldn't bode well for our business dealings if Richard made a big scene in front of Mr. Yuxuan.

“Mr. Beck, if you'd like to talk to me, call my office and make an appointment," I said, handing over a business card.

Richard ground his teeth together, glaring at the card. “You've got to be kidding me!"

“I'm not. This is neither the time nor place to discuss your daughter," I said, keeping things as cool and professional as possible. He was trying my patience, though. “Private matters should be discussed in private, unless you are attempting to stir up trouble."

I glanced at Richard's face, meeting his eyes and challenging him to keep going down that road.

He clearly didn't like being called out; he huffed and furrowed his brow in frustration.

“Currently, I'm in a business meeting and don't have time for your personal drama," I stated firmly. I kept my voice perfectly smooth and even, professional. “Schedule an appointment, and we can have a one-on-one where you can sling whatever you want at me for whatever perceived wrongs I have done to you or your daughter."

Richard's nostrils flared, his cheeks puffing out and face deepening red. It looked like he'd burst at any moment.

“Oh, expect a call from me!" Richard snapped. He snatched the card from my hand and thrust it into his pocket before stomping away.

“What a prick," Peter muttered, watching Richard go.

“You shouldn't have goaded him," I chastised.

“He's just a bitter old man. Let him stew in his impotence," Peter added, laughing as he threw a wave in Richard's direction.

I held up a hand to silence him. “Perhaps we should focus on what we are here for."

“Agreed," Mr. Yuxuan said. “Though this has been entertaining."

“I apologize, Mr. Yuxuan," I said, returning my attention to the table. “I have a rich social life here in Santa Monica and can't always escape it, no matter how hard I try."

Mr. Yuxuan nodded and spooned some noodle soup into his mouth. “I too, enjoy a luxurious social life. I am interested in meeting this actress of yours. She sounds intriguing." He smirked at me.

I chuckled and shook my head. “She's all yours, if you can handle that kind of high maintenance."

“Sounds like my kind of woman," Mr. Yuxuan said with a laugh of his own. He dabbed at his mouth with a napkin and set his spoon down.

“Be careful what you wish for; Gia Beck is in a league of her own," Peter said, laughing louder and tilting his head back.

“Business, my friends, can we get back to that?" I asked, reminding them both why we were there.

We got back to discussing the business arrangement. I was pleased that Richard Beck's intrusion hadn't cost me my deal with Mr. Yuxuan. Most businessmen operating at my level understood the complexities of personal life and life, and how those around us kept trying to weasel their way in.

I wasn't afraid of Richard, even if he had a problem with the way I'd treated Gia and left her. Even if he wanted to dissolve our arrangement, no lawyer would agree to nullify the contract based on Richard's dislike of my relationship with his daughter.

Mr. Yuxuan looked over the paperwork and gave his preliminary approval. Peter took the pages to bring back to the office and take the next steps toward finalization. It would still take a lot of time, but Mr. Yuxuan had agreed to the timeline as well.

All in a day's work.

When I got home, the pool lights were lit up on the professor's patio. I went to my kitchen and poured myself a glass of bourbon. The wine at the Chinese restaurant hadn't been the kind of drink I was looking for.

I could see straight into the pool from the glass sliding door in my kitchen. Even from over the fence, I could see Harper going for a midnight swim, long, lean legs exposed as she slid through the water. She wasn't a very strong swimmer. I could see that from my spot in the kitchen.

It didn't change the fact that she looked like a streamlined goddess in the glittering pool lights as she slipped through the water.

I shook my head and downed the rest of my whiskey. This was getting out of hand.