Justice For The Billionaire's Daughter

DATE.

OLIVIA

Whoever built this hotel was looking for high end clients. Wealthy, not rich. The establishment itself, the architecture, says that the target are the cream of the society. It's an exclusive members only club, and I am just lucky I came in Amos' invitation.

The facilities also ooze class. There's a big golf course, a tennis court, the swimming pool and maybe other facilities I have not seen. The staff are visibly well taken care of. They wear expensive looking uniforms and they welcome the visitors with a lot of glee.

The high and mighty in society meet here to cut deals and I have seen familiar faces, faces that I have only seen on TV and read about them in newspapers. Amos ranks among the mighty in the society judging by how I've seen them treat him.

I dive into the water and remain under for a while as I feel it cooling down my body, relaxing my nerves. When I break to the surface I see him. I don't know how I can unsee what I have already seen but the sight is is irresistible. Amos is bare chested, and he wears a pair of swimming shorts only. His chest is full of muscles and his stomach looks as if it has been sculpted. It has six packs, more defined than those of the Greek god Zeus on top of Mount Olympia.

His chest is huge and his hands are so toned that I can see the biceps and triceps trying to bulge out of the skin. I can't get my eyes off him, and it's as if he has noticed that I'm ogling on him. His thighs are muscular too, and I guess that he uses a lot of his time working out. Muscles of such bulks don't come to people while seated.

“There you are." He says, pointing at me. There's a noticeable bulge in his shorts but I decide to ignore it for the moment.

“The water is so sweet. But you need to find out for yourself." I giggle, scooping some and throwing it at him.

He smiles, then walks to the deep end and dives, and even in the diminishing day light I can see him swimming under the surface, approaching me. I stay at the same spot and wait and when he reaches where I am he breaks surface and touches my hand.

“You are right. The water has a very good cooling effect. I now understand why you like swimming after work." He says with a wink on his eye.

“That cooling effect is priceless. I learnt swimming in our pool back at home under the tutelage of my father. Today I swim even in the ocean." I say.

“Say what? There's a beach just a few miles from here. Maybe I should take you there next." He says. We are still holding each other and I am not sure whether it's a good idea.

The few minutes I was alone in the changing room I thought about it. I can now declare that I am the most confused person on earth.

I like Amos, and all indications are that he likes me too. He has send the message to that effect even though he is yet to state it verbally. This date is not an ordinary coffee date and I am certain there are going to be many others and the topic will be discussed.

What worries me is that I have a lot of baggage with me. I carry with me a huge luggage of revenge. I need to know who was behind the deaths of my father and sister. I need to find the motive.

Also, I know there are people out there looking for me, Michael in particular. It's only a matter of time before he finds out where I am, and he'll not hesitate to kill me. Involving Amos in all this would be endangering his life and I like him so much that I wouldn't want harm to get in his way. I'm at odds at what to do.

“Come on, let's engage in swimming contests. Wait a minute, something is bothering you. I hope you won't mind telling me what it is." He says, bringing me to the present. I realize that I was daydreaming in the middle of the swimming pool and Amos' hands are around me, big muscles threatening to crush me.

“Nothing really. I was just reflecting." I lie.

“Fine. Now, I want us to test who is a fast swimmer. Let's start at that side." He points at the nearest end and we swim towards it. I have seen him swimming and I am certain he can't beat me.

“On your marks, get set, go." He says.

I am in the water already, doing serious strokes and in moments I can see him behind me. I increase my efforts and a minute later I have crossed the narrow section. He finds me resting on the rails.

“You beat me. Tell you what? You are very good in everything you do." He says, trying to stabilize his breath.

“Thanks."

“It's dark now. Let's go back to the restaurant. Our food must be ready." He says. He jumps out of the water and once outside he offers his hand to me. I'm tempted to pull him back into the water but I resist in time.

He pulls me out of the water, but we both lose balance and fall back into the water. I fall with my back to the water but with my expertise this is nothing. I control myself and break the surface. Amos follows suit a few feet away and he closes in. We both laugh at that.

“Let's be careful this time." He jumps out again and pulls me out and this time we do it well. I can't stop laughing at what has just happened.

“Next time we'll come earlier so that we get enough time to do more." He says.

“Definitely." I have enjoyed that little time we have been together. I can't remember the last time I was happy.

“Well, let's get changed." The floodlights have been switched on and I just caught me ogling at me. I guess we are even now.

A few minutes later we are seated at the restaurant devouring the tastiest meat I have ever eaten. They definitely know how to do it. We keep on talking as we eat.

“Tell me, what are your other hobbies?" He asks.

“I know a little golf, having gone to so many golf courses with my father. He taught me but I was a slow learner so I gave up at some point." I say.

“Can I take up from where your father left and teach you?" He asks.

“But golf needs a lot of time, and now I have many responsibilities I don't think I can get the time. I say.

“Fine. When you feel like learning let me know and I'll be right here to teach you." He offers.

“Thanks."

We are through with the food.

“Do you take beer?" He asks hesitantly.

“Yeah, occasionally."

He sends the waiter to bring us some.

The night progresses and time flies as we engage in little talk.

“Do you have a boyfriend?" The question comes out of nowhere. It's the least that I expected from him and I'm taken by surprise. However I compose myself.

“No. So much is going on and I don't think this is the right time." I say it as it is. He changes topic immediately and we move on to other issues like politics, religion and business.

When we leave the hotel at eleven o'clock I am already feeling sleepy, but elated because of the good time I have had. He has signed away a very huge bill and tipped the waiter very generously. No wonder the waiters jostle, fighting to serve him.

Amos drives me home and when I alight he tells me, “I have enjoyed your company. The day after tomorrow is on a Saturday. Why don't we do it again? That ocean, what do you think?"

“No problem, we'll think about it. Meanwhile thanks Amos. I enjoyed too." I say.

I watch him as he drives away and a million questions flood my mind.

“I was beginning to get worried about you." Mr Shannon's voice welcomes me as I walk into the huge sitting room. He is seated before the fireplace where a warm log fire is burning. I suddenly realize that I can do with a little warming up.

“I went out. Remember your advice yesterday?" I ask as I drag a chair. He moves his chair a little in order to accommodate mine, then using a long metal rod he pokes the fire and thousands of sparks emerge then he throws in a few dry planks of wood. I wonder why he hasn't slept at this hour. He always has a very strict routine, and sleeping is strictly at nine PM.

“Wow. Now, tell me more about it." He says, adjusting himself on his chair.

“No, I ain't telling you nothing Mr Shannon. Not before you tell me why you haven't slept already. It's almost midnight." The fire is so welcoming, I feel like getting closer.

“As a matter of fact, I stayed up late because I was waiting for you. I couldn't go to bed before knowing that you were home safe." He says and I regret my earlier statement. I must have inconvenienced him a lot. While I was busy enjoying my time out there someone was worrying about where I was or whether I was safe.

“I am sorry Mr Shannon. I should have called to tell you that I would be late. Now look what I have done to you, keeping you awake at this ungodly hour."

“No. You don't need to apologize my child. I was indeed enjoying the fire and the music. Do you see any signs of me leaving this fireplace anytime soon?" He counters.

“Well, I may as well tell you about my evening." I begin, but then my phone rings, and it's Amos' number.

“Hi. Just to let you know that I have arrived safely." He says.

“Thanks for the information. I am grateful." I say.

“Me too. Thanks for your time." Amos says.

“Goodnight Amos."

“Goodnight Olivia."

I hung up, and Mr Shannon is smiling from ear.

“What?" I ask him, smiling.

“I am happy for you Olivia. You need to enjoy life. Now tell me where you went." He says as he stokes the fire. It burns fiercely as hitherto unburnt logs are overturned.

“Amos took me to an hotel, or a country club that is far away from the city. And it was fun all the way until we left about thirty minutes ago." I tell him.

“I have an idea where that club might be. In fact, I am one of it's founder members, with Mr Marshall, Amos' father. Many of the patrons you saw are my friends or business associates." He quips. “I must add that I own a few shares of the hotel so basically you were at my property." He sounds proud of his business.

“We had a lot of time in the swimming pool, then later took a very sumptuous meal. Later we took down a few beers, and talked." I say. The moments were truly memorable and I feel excited narrating them. Mr Shannon can see my excitement and he urges me to tell him more.

“I guessed that you had gone out, but I didn't think even for a minute that it was Amos that took you." He says.

“His invitation to join him came just at the right time."

“Amos is an honorable man and he is going places. That he had the honor of taking you out is something that makes me feel happy. I can assure you that he will never let you down." He says. I understand him, just another billionaire canvassing for the son of his billionaire friend. Luckily for me, I don't see Amos as a billionaire's son, but as my boss.

“We will see Mr Shannon. Thanks so much for your concern, but now I must leave you. I'm going to take a shower, then direct to bed." I say rising up. The fire has completely devoured the dry planks and now only a few embers remain.

“I must go to bed too. I'm glad that you are going in the right direction. I was beginning to get worried about you. Also, Amos is good for you. Together you can conquer the world." He says.

I want to tell him to stop jumping into conclusions because our date with Amos was nothing more than just a date, but I am not sure of that myself.

“Goodnight Mr Shannon." I say.

“Goodnight my child."

Quickly I take a shower and before I jump to bed I take a look at my phone. There's a w******p notification and when I pull it down I see Amos' message. It says thanks for the great evening.

I wonder about what it is that I am doing, leading Amos on, getting ourselves entangled into a relationship when there is so much that we must do to make things right.

I am at a loss whether I should tell him about my plans for revenge, but if I do I'll be getting him involved.

My past should be mine to deal with, and I can't deal with it right now when the wound is still fresh. I should first heal then deal with my past. After then I can date freely, get married or even go back home.

But I feel so strongly for Amos. If I let him go then I don't know whether I'll get another person who rhymes with me on the same wavelength with him. Also, I don't know what he feels for me and I may devastate him if I turn him away.

But then I realize that I am only doing an hypothesis. Amos has not even asked me to be anything to him. Maybe he doesn't want anything more than being friends. If he ever asks me to be his girlfriend, I'll know what to tell him, but right now, I'll assume that he only wants us to be friends.

“This Saturday, we are going out again. I know he will ask me to be his girlfriend, or introduce me as one. If I don't do anything this Saturday, then I'll get myself somewhere deep." I whisper to myself.

With that I slide into deep sleep.