The Billionaire's Wife

04.

Alaric's POV:

Tuesday

Today Sarah will be coming over to my house for a tour then we'll privately go look for an engagement ring, I am not looking forward to it at all.

I haven't texted Mack since Sunday night, I'm giving her the space she needs, but I miss her terribly.

"Good morning Mr. Hale", Ms. Sai greets me.

"Morning", I nod.

"Just a reminder that Mr. Brown and his son are flying in this evening for the meeting tomorrow", she states.

Oh yeah, Mack's father and brother are flying into the city today and my father wants me to tell them about my engagement during our dinner reservation, but I want to until I'm close to announcing it publicly in case a source spills the news beforehand.

Mrs. Brown has a circle of friends and if the news reaches her there's no way she can keep quiet, she always thought Mack and I will get married when we became friends.

I haven't talked to Mack since Sunday night, I'm giving her the space she needs, but I miss her.

I enter my office and sit behind my desk, "what is my agenda for today?" I ask Ms. Sai.

"You have to sign some documents, review the contract for tomorrow's meeting and meet with the marketing team for the new building that will launch in the upcoming months", she reads off from the book that she writes my daily agenda in.

I nod and she places some files in front of me.

"I'll bring in your coffee", she adds.

"No need, I already ate before I came in", I inform her.

"Call me when you're ready sir."

"I'll be leaving early today about 2 pm", I add and she nods.

She leaves.

Dad sent a photo of Sarah so I can keep it at home on my dresser, he thought me seeing her face often might change my way of thinking about her; like if that's going to happen, she isn't a spoilt brat so that's good.

Sarah is pretty no doubt and not an ounce of plastic surgery on her, Mackenzie had done a small adjustment to her lips that was all.

I open the file and get to work.

2 hours later

I enter the marketing department, they are working on a new building and want me to check out so I can approve if it is worth launching.

"Good morning Mr, Hale", the marketing director greets me, she's blonde and a bit older than I am.

"Good morning", I enter her office where the other workers are waiting and I take a seat behind her desk, "so what do you got?"

One of the workers pulls down a projector screen, closes the curtains, and turns off the log. The projector turns on and the director begins to present.

20 minutes later

"That's our idea, I think the location is great and will attract many people", she ends the presentation.

I nod, "when do you plan to launch?"

"In about 6 months."

"Well get to work, I'll be checking the progress month", I get up.

"We are launching?"

I nod.

She grins, "thank you, sir, I'll go talk to the designers and architectures right now."

I leave the department to go on my lunch.

_____

I am waiting by the front door for Sarah, she texted me and said she left home which was thirty minutes ago.

I already have a room set up for her so she wouldn't go in mines.

I see her car come through the open gates.

"She's here", the security guard says, he'll be Sarah's personal bodyguard when she moves in.

Sarah parks her car and gets out, she's still in her office clothing, I guess she didn't change. She's in a fitted dress with black heels, she looks good no denying that. She has no ounce of plastic surgery on her, unlike Mack who did a touch-up on her lips.

"Afternoon, Ms. Barlowe", I greet her.

"Hello, Mr. Hale."

"Shall we?" I let Sarah into the house, the maid takes her jacket.

"Wow", she admires the first floor.

"This way", I lead her to the huge living room to our mediate left; there are couches, a table, a pool table, and a huge flat screen TV, it has a door leading to the dining room.

I lead her to the kitchen next that has a view of the forest and also show her where the laundry room is in case she wants to do her laundry when the maid isn't there.

We walk down the hallway that opens to a room where I can relax with my friends and the sliding door leads unto the patio and down the stairs is where the pool and hot tub are.

"Wow, nice view", Sarah goes to the glass door.

"Yeah it is quite a view", I say in agreement.

Afterward, I show her my office then lead her upstairs, each room has its own bathroom. I show her my bedroom which is the master bedroom that she isn't allowed to enter without permission then I show her the room she'll be staying in.

It has a balcony with a view of the huge back garden after the pool.

Sarah gasps and walks out onto the balcony, the sunlight hitting her chocolate brown hair.

I return downstairs and call Sarah's bodyguard and driver so I can introduce them to her, they will be under her service once we announce our engagement.

Sarah comes downstairs a few minutes later.

"This is Cooper your personal bodyguard and Flynn your personal driver, they'll be working under you when we make our announcement", I explain to her.

"What? I don't wan-"

"You have no say in this, it is for your protection, the paparazzi will never leave you alone once we go public", I cut her off with a stern voice.

She rolls her eyes, "fine, but I want to drive my own car sometimes", she states.

"We have to get going now, we'll take my car, my security will follow in another vehicle."

"Why can't I just follow in my own car?"

"We don't want to attract too much attention, I'm sure they know what your car looks like", I point out.

"Let's go then, I have things to do", she gets her jacket while Cooper and Flynn leave.

***

"Good afternoon Mr. Hale", the owner of the jewelry store greets me.

"Did you sign the waiver?"

He nods.

"I can sue you 2 million dollars if this gets out", I remind him and Sarah's mouth falls open.

"I understand Mr. Hale, congratulations Ms. Barlowe, you're such a blessed woman", the owner says to Sarah.

"Thank you", Sarah says awkwardly and I chuckle.

"Call me when you have made a decision, my worker will show you a wide variety of rings to choose from."

"Go ahead Sarah, choose a ring and make sure it stands out", I step aside for Sarah to go closer to the glass case.

Sarah watches the rings carefully.

15 minutes later

Sarah has a hard time picking the perfect ring, I know this is something special to ladies so it will take time, that's why it was better I just get a ring and propose; save more time.

Sarah's eyes fall on a ring longer than the others she scanned through bingo. She picks up the other ring that is next to the one her eyes were on, why did she do that?

"This one", Sarah admires the ring, I guess she likes it.

:"Will you want any engraving in the inside?" The worker asks.

"The ring will be ready to pick up in a couple of days."

We leave and go back down to the underground parking lot, it was a little past 4 pm now.

"I'm hungry", Sarah states.

"Let's go then so you can go home and get something to eat."

She rolls her eyes.

She doesn't need to stay in my house longer than needed plus she had things to do as she said.

I get into the driver’s seat and Sarah gets into the backseat, I drive out of the underground parking lot and unto the street.

My phone rings, its Mack.

“Hey Mack”, I answer through my Bluetooth earpiece.

“Hey I was calling to say dad and Jaden are on their way”, she says.

“I’ll see them tomorrow, how are you?”

“Good, remember the guy that I told you will be escorting me to the gala?”

“Yeah?”

“Well he asked me on a date, we’re going tomorrow.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, I’m so happy.”

“If he hurts you…”

“Don’t worry dad and Jaden already warn him”, she chuckles.

“I’ll see you soon then.”

“For the gala.”

“We’ll video chat after your date tomorrow?”

“Of course, I’ll call you definitely.”

“Great, bye.”

“Bye”, she hangs up.

“Mackenzie has a date huh?”

“Why are you so surprised? She’s pretty”, I scoff.

“I know, I thought…”, she trails off.

She thinks Mack is interested in me.

“Never mind.”

When I get home, I gladly send Sarah off in her car, finally, she’s gone.

“Sir, do you want me to follow Ms. Barlowe undetected?” Cooper asks me.

“Yes, Mr. Barlowe already has some of his men following her when she’s out alone and they know about you as a new addition so it’ll be fine”, I explain.

He nods.

“You can start tomorrow”, I add.

I enter my house and go to my office to review the contract for tomorrow’s important meeting. Mr. Brown always thought Mack and I would end up marrying each other, sadly his dream was crushed because his daughter is going on a date with another guy and I’m getting married.

It's 5:40 pm now, I got some work to do.

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