The Billionaire's Pixie

A Real Gentleman

Grumbling I watched as my dear little sister was laughing her ass off. She even had the nerve to wipe away a tear. She didn't seem uncomfortable or on the verge of puking her guts out so at least she was doing better. Nina reached for her cup of tea and took slow sips of her peppermint tea.

“Glad you could have a good laugh.”

She smiled in her cup, forcing herself not to laugh again. She’d spill tea all over herself so I was glad she didn’t burst out in loud laughter.

Though I was glad she was looking better than a few minutes ago.

“Come on, it’s pretty funny that Owen managed to push you to do this.”

Sighing I leaned back against the couch, annoyed with Owen and his demand. The man had the right to demand this of me since I did hurt Joy but he knew how I felt about going out like this.

I hated it.

“What did you do?” Nina asked, “Broke his console? Called his favorite show boring?” She asked joking but if she knew the truth she’d get pissed.

I knew how she felt about Joy these days, the woman was definitely scratched off her friends’ list.

She looked at me all wide-eyed and surprised, “You did actually break his console?” She asked quietly.

“I slept with Joy.”

I should have been more delicate about it, but I knew eventually I would have spilled it to her anyway. Nina and I always shared our burdens, knowing we could only trust each other with the deep dark secrets. Outsiders could use our secrets against us to destroy everything our family has built.

Her amazing husband was still recovering from the damage his image took when his ex-assistant went public with their affair.

It did take him down a notch, so there was that.

“You what?” Nina asked quietly, maybe still in shock from what I confessed to her, “How did that happen?” She shook her head, making a face, “No, I don’t want to know.” She took a deep breath and let out a tired sigh. Her shoulders lowered again while she looked a little more composed, “Are you two back on again then?” She asked.

I was impressed at how calm she stayed when asking that. She was getting better at keeping her emotions at bay. The little smile which spread across her face was creep though. So forced and fake looking.

“Relax.” I told her, “I’m not getting back together with her, I made that much clear.” I smirked at my sister who raised an eyebrow in question, “She called me a big jerk and complained to Owen about me. So now I owe the guy.”

Nina placed her hand on my shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze, "You can do this. Owen wants to impress someone, all you have to do is have a drink and smile charmingly at her friend. You don't have to actually do the social thing. If she wants to start a conversation you can buy her a drink."

Nina was something else, it’s what made that guy latch onto her with everything he had. If Lucas had done that Jacob never would have won her over.

Honestly, the one to blame here was Lucas. He should have tried harder.

“So I should just get the friend drunk, is that it?” I asked her, joking about her very serious advice. I understood what she was trying to say. She wasn’t wrong either. The friend wouldn’t notice. Buying her a drink or two would save me the forced polite small talk we’d have to go through.

“If you don’t want to talk just buy her a drink.” Nina shrugged, “Before you know it you’re on your way back home. Owen will be pleased and you can go back to either your series or whatever game has won you over this time.”

Smiling I placed an arm around her shoulders and pulled my sister carefully closer, giving her a side hug, “You know me so well. What would I have done without you?”

She rolled her eyes to me, “Yeah, I get it. You can stop joking around now.”

She tried to pull away but I kept her in place, “All joking aside, I do appreciate you, Nina.”

A smile spread across her face, “I appreciate you too.” She told me and then pulled away and I let her, “Now can we actually finish our tea?” She asked, “I long for another cup.”

I let her relax on the couch and took her cups to make us a fresh cup. It was a good idea to pay Nina a visit. She had been feeling a little off these days but today it seemed she was fine. As I made my way back to the living room after making us another cup of tea I joined my sister on the couch again. She eyed me suspiciously.

“I am curious though.” She reached for the cup I offered her and blew on the surface before taking a small cautious sip, “Why did you go there with Joy when you said you made it clear to her you’re not getting back together?”

She didn’t want to talk about it before but a few minutes to herself made her overthink things.

I sighed, “I visited her at the coffee shop and everything was fine but then after work, she showed up at my place looking anxious. Her behavior concerned me, I invited her in and things just went from there."

Nina narrowed her eyes on me, “Your visit to the coffee shop resulted in her wanting to jump your bones?”

I made a face, “I rather not discuss that with you.”

She brushed it off with a wave of her hand, “There is something more to that, Nick. You must have realized that too.”

It was odd her behavior but it could be that she longed for something which felt familiar and comforting. Our relationship hadn't been bad, it just wouldn't work out when our families didn't get along. Family was everything to both of us. Neither one of us would want to give it up. So the break-up was necessary.

Joy knew that too.

“I wouldn’t brush her visit off like that.” Nina told me, “And that’s all I’m going to say about that. Let’s order in pizza. You should eat something before going out.” A massive grin spread across her face again.

“You’re right.” I smiled at her, “No need to look so smug about this. It’s just one evening out. I can deal with that.”

She grabbed her phone, ready to order us some pizza, “Whatever you say.” She sang.

Pizza did sound good. Paying Nina a visit did the both of us some good. I wouldn’t brush her words aside either. Maybe there had been more to Joy’s intentions. The woman made it clear to me that she didn’t want to see me. But if she had been struggling with something I was sure she’d pay me a visit soon.

***

Loud crappy music blasting through the speakers and people moving around everywhere, dancing or crowding around each other while talking loudly to make a conversation over the loud music wasn’t my definition of having a good time.

I hated it.

Owen, however, looked excited to be in this popular nightclub. He threw his arm over my shoulder and pulled me in close, he didn’t have to speak too loudly since we were close.

“She’s in the VIP room.”

“Lead the way.” I motioned for him to walk ahead.

Owen cleared a path and I just followed, I was hoping the VIP section was a little less crowded. The security guy let us pass, greeting Owen as if he was a regular. Maybe he was, I apparently didn’t know him that well.

The minute Owen walked through a slender girl with long brown hair wrapped herself around him, holding on for dear life. I wondered if he could still breathe with how tightly she held onto him. He hugged her back and slowly pushed her off him. She swayed a little, the girl was already drunk.

Great.

Owen placed his arm around the girl's shoulders and pulled her close, letting her rest against him. She seemed to appreciate it. She could barely stand on her own feet so of course, she appreciated Owen taking all her weight as she giggled away.

“I’m going to call her a cab and make sure she gets home, the bar is over there.” Owen nodded to the sleek looking black bar with neon blue lights, “I’ll join you in a bit.”

Owen didn’t look at the girl in a way it stated he liked her. I assumed she was just someone he knew. Also not a client or maybe she was. I didn’t care, I needed a drink if that was what he’d be dealing with all night.

“Let me know if you need help.”

“You can order me a drink.” Owen grinned at me.

The girl in his arms perked up, “I’d like a gin and tonic.”

Owen pulled her close again when she reached for me, “It’s time for you to go home, Maddy.”

Owen took care of his friend as I made my way to the bar. Getting that drunk wasn't cute at all but to each their own. Maybe someone thought it was attractive. Ordering myself a bourbon I sat down at the bar and tried to relax.

Reaching for the glass I blinked when it got snatched away from me right before my eyes.

“Thanks, fancy boy.” That familiar voice made me cringe, “I needed that.” She sipped my drink without a care in the world, “This is the good stuff too.” She sat down beside me, “Really appreciate it.”

“Great, glad you enjoyed yourself.” I gestured to the bartender to get me another one.

Her eyes took me in, I could feel her eying me up and down but I refused to look at her. She didn’t seem bothered with my silence though. She carried on, all confident sounding which was bordering towards arrogance.

“You look tired, rough day behind a desk?”

I sighed, finally giving her my attention which she craved for apparently. Tinkerbell was dressed to impress tonight. I had to admit that she looked great in her little black dress. It was so tight that it showed off all her curves. Not to mention how long her legs looked in it while I knew she was a lot shorter than me.

She looked great, that however, didn’t make me less annoyed with her.

"Would you care if I told you I did have a very tiring day behind my desk?" I asked her, "We don't know each other so of course, you don't care. You just enjoy being a b***h to everyone around you, don't you?"

She didn't look offended, the sparkling in her eyes told me she was humored by it. Raising her glass to her lips she finished that drink as if it was water. If she wasn't careful she'd end up like Owen's fried.

So f*****g cute.

She smiled prettily at the bartender, even batting her lashes at him for good measure, “Can I get another one?” She asked, “It’s on him.” She smiled, nodding at me.

I sighed, nodding in acceptance, “Right, it’s on me.” I muttered.

“Okay, so I don’t normally do this because I’m not that great with emotional talks and all that but you’re a nice guy despite my best efforts to get under your skin so I owe you.” The playful smile dropped, she looked more serious, a lot more like a decent human being and motioned for me to go ahead, “So I’m all ears, tell me about your problems. I’ll listen and maybe even give you advice if you want.”

Me buying her a few drinks didn’t mean we were best buddies all of the sudden. She thought otherwise though. Her whole attitude changed, but she did get under my skin so I wasn’t in the mood to share anything with her.

“Thanks for the offer, but I’ll pass.” I grabbed my drink and got to my feet, “Enjoy your drink.”

I was about to walk away but Owen stopped me, placing his hand on my shoulder and giving it a reassuring squeeze, “Sorry that took so long. I just had to make sure she was okay, you know.” He eyed the bar, “What? You didn’t get me a drink?” He asked playfully.

“I think I stole it.” Tinkerbell raised her glass to Owen who got a familiar glint in his eyes, “Charming as always I see.”

Owen looked happy to see her but he also didn’t have that look in his eyes. It was the kind of look that man always gave my sister. Owen didn’t look at her like that so I assumed she was also not the woman he wanted to spend some time with tonight.

He did glance around, looking for someone.

Or her.

Tinkerbell sighed, tearing her gaze away from Owen, “She’s not here.” It was the first time she didn’t sound smug or emotionless, she cared for Owen.

So it was just me she decided to be a b***h to, she must have really wanted to play that game.

“You know how she is.” Tinkerbell spoke quietly, “She got a wild hair, jumped on a plane and will be somewhere in Europe in a few hours. Possibly France or maybe Rome. Could even be in Spain.” She knocked her drink back and faced Owen, “She doesn’t care about anyone but herself, I thought you we aware of that.” She whispered the last part.

Owen looked uncomfortable. He wouldn’t say it but I knew he was looking forward to his meeting with that woman. The way Tinkerbell spoke about her told me it wasn’t the first time she had done it. So I wondered why Owen was looking forward to seeing that woman.

She sounded awful. Tinkerbell had more decency than that woman and that said a lot.

Owen sat in the stool I occupied a few minutes ago and ordered himself a drink, “You’re friends with her.” He said as he glanced at Tinkerbell.

Tinkerbell, however, looked at me as she answered him, "I can’t drop her, we’ve known each other since middle school. What’s your excuse?” She asked, trailing her eyes back to him, “Aside from being charmed by her good looks and sweet little promises of nothing.”

Owen chuckled, “Always giving it to me straight.” He glanced over his shoulder, “This is Amber.” He pointed at her, “She’s not the nicest girl around but she never hides the truth. Also a great photographer I heard.”

She smirked, “You know, I do okay.”

Owen wasn’t leaving, he was going to get shitfaced at the bar since his woman just left without a word. He deserved better than that. I couldn’t leave him now. So sucking it up I sat down beside him and sighed.

“Fine, let’s get shitfaced then.”

Owen grinned at me, “A real friend.” He gestured to me as he looked at pink haired woman known as Amber apparently, “He might seem like an emotionless uncaring jerk but he is the nicest guy out there, I promise.”

The intense stare I received from Amber made me want to look away but that would make me seem weak so I stared right back at her. She already got under my skin but didn’t know it, I’d like to keep it that way.

“I know, he’s a real gentleman.”

The way she said it didn’t sit right with me. It almost felt indecent but Owen didn’t seem to notice so maybe I was just overthinking things when it came to her. I ignored her completely and focused on Owen. He needed someone to drink with and forget about that woman who played him.