WHEN THE BILLIONAIRE LIKES YOU

THE KEYS, EXPLAIN.

VALARIE

They all come to my house.

I am trying to sleep when I hear some commotion outside and the sound of keys in the keyhole. I knew there would be consequences for what happened earlier but I didn't think it would be this fast.

When I met Albert earlier, he told me plainly that it's me he wants as his girlfriend.

“I am afraid this is not possible.” I had tried to dissuade him but he would hear none of it.

“What do you mean? I want to change your life, and mine for ever. Just say yes and you will see.” He told me. He was standing so close to me that I could smell his sweet cologne.

“But we barely know each other.”

“I know you only too well. I came here fully aware of all the information about this family.” He said. He towerered over me yet I am approaching five and a half foot. Wearing a short sleeved shirt, his biceps and triceps threatening to tear the seams.

“Look Albert, if they find me here I will be in trouble. Just let me go and we will continue with this conversation at a later date.” I lied to him. Just then his phone beeped and it was his Dad calling.

“The old man is wondering why I am away this long. I must go, but I promise you that you are going to hear from me very soon. This isn't over, nowhere near over.” He said as he pecked my chin. The simple act send shivers down my spine. There is no denying it, I felt the need to be near his electrifying presence even if for a few seconds before I go back to confinement.

When he got back to the house I walked to my house and locked it, then switched off the lights and got into bed.

I thought I would sleep but thoughts have kept me awake. I can't stop thinking about the brief encounter I had with Albert. He has really raised my spirits. I have always thought of myself as a lowly human, unable to attract a man but today I am starting to think otherwise. I can attract not only any man but a billionaire, the sone of Mr Richmond.

What has really kept me awake mostly is that this is happening when I was beginning to think about running away from here and finding true love..

Then the visitors outside have interrupted my thoughts. I switch on my bed switch just when the door opens and the two ladies I dread most walk in, looking like field marshals going to some war. I get out of bed and stand facing them.

Behind Stephanie and Alicia are Elsie and their father Jackson Reigns. I know there is trouble when they just stare at me without speaking a word. I know this trick, they want to intimidate me first by just looking at me, but I am not going to let that happen.

“Look at you here, looking innocent or behaving innocent yet you know what you have done.” Stephanie finally says to break the silence. Alicia looks at me with so much hatred in her eyes and I am certain that whatever I'll say to her mother will make her even more angry. I choose to remain silent. Maurice himself speaks.

“Valerie, did you move out of this room tonight?” His question gives me the lifeline. Elsie hasn't told them anything and I only need to deny anything they say. If she had said something then the question would have been different.

“No Uncle. I have been here sleeping since the evening started.” The looks in their faces tell me that they don't believe me.

I don't need someone to tell me that the dinner was a flop.

“Valerie, I warned you not to leave this room earlier. Why did you defy my express orders?” Alicia is almost gnashing her teeth as she asks. I pity her. I know that she had high hopes for this date and now that it flopped, going contrary to her wishes, she's can't be happy.

“I just told Uncle that I haven't left this room. How did I defy your orders when I was sleeping?” I ask as I take a look at Elsie to see if her facial expression changes. Nothing. She won't contradict me.

Alicia lands a very heavy slap on my face, making me lose balance and fall on the bed. However, I get up quickly, ready to defend myself should she try anything else. I feel that the time for me to stand up to mistreatment has come. Clenching my fists, I face her.

“You want to fight me huh? Well, let's see.” She says as she charges towards me in full speed. I duck just in time and she goes past me and hits a table near the bed, knocking it over. It topples, and the books on top of it fall on the floor. She gets up quickly and prepares to charge again, swearing profusely. Her father steps forward and stands between us.

“No fighting in my compound.” He says as he grasps a charging Alicia. He somehow manages to calm her.

“Valerie, you say that you never left this room. Then tell us how Albert knew about you?”

“Uncle, I don't know. Maybe that question would be answered well enough by Albert himself.” I answer defiantly. He doesn't believe me from the way he looks at me.

“How did you get out? Where did you get the keys?” He is now shouting the questions. I have a feeling that this will not end well.

Just then I see his eyes fixed on the bedside table. On top of the table are the keys where I placed them after locking the door. I may need to explain where I got them and this may put Elsie into trouble.

“I want everyone out of this house.” He shouts.

“But father we need to know...” Alicia tries to speak.

“Now!” Uncle roars, veins displayed on his neck, a sign that he may need his medicine soon. Uncle suffers from high blood pressure. “I want everyone out now, except Valarie.”

“Please...” Stephanie tries to speak but looking at her husband's bloodshot eyes she reconsiders her position. She leads Alicia and Elsie out and Uncle bangs the door shut. Then he takes a seat near the door. I sit on the bed. His head is held between his hands for a few seconds, as if he is cooling down. Then he looks at me.

“Valerie, I have tried to be good to you. I have treated you like my own child because you are the child of my brother. Why are you doing this to me? Is this how you repay me for my generosity?” He asks me in a low tone now.

“Uncle, I don't know what you are talking about. I didn't do anything.” I plead.

“Somehow, our guest tonight has disappointed us. We believe that he met you at some point in the evening. We can't figure out how he did it but one moment he was fine, the next moment he was mentioning your name and what does he do next? He walks out on us, throwing our plans into turmoil. What do you know about this?”

“Nothing uncle.”

“I will believe you. Just the way I'll believe the keys on your table.” My heart skips a beat. I know perfectly that I am in trouble. He dials some number on his phone and speaks for a moment.

“Now, you will pay for what you have done.” He says through his clenched teeth.

A moment later a uniformed servant appears, accompanied by a woman.

“Take Valarie to isolation. She'll remain there until she explains where she got these keys.”

“No Uncle, please, don't do this to me.” I plead as the man takes hold of my hand. I break loose, then grab uncle's shirt for mercy. He slaps me so hard that I pass out.