Her Broken Billionaire

Chapter Three

Jordan

I leaned back in my chair and stretched. It is seven and most everyone has gone home by now. I only have this week to get things done before I leave for my reunion on Friday. I don’t have a choice but to stay later. At least it helps to keep me distracted from thinking about what I am going to say to Alaina when I see her Saturday night.

I have woken up several times over the last two weeks having that dream about Alaina. It doesn’t help that it seems like I see her everywhere. I just need a fix of her. I need to see her, smell her, and hug her if she’ll let me. Once that happens, I can get her out of my head and focus back on my life as it currently is. I turned off my computer and grabbed my car keys from my desk drawer. I can get through this. I just need to stay strong for a few more days.

Jocelyn had gone home at five. I glanced at her empty desk before turning to lock my office door. As I turned back, I caught a flash of navy blue that reminded me of Alaina’s prom dress. The woman wearing the navy-blue blouse had dirty blonde hair that was similar to Alaina’s. She even appeared to have similar th*ghs as I remembered Alaina’s.

Stop it brain. Stop seeing Alaina everywhere.

The woman turned toward my direction and I stepped behind the thick pilar at the top of the stairs. It was enough to hide me. I peered carefully around the pilar, and my heart raced. But how? I asked myself. She is more beautiful than I remembered. She was standing around the area of the firm we hired to do our accounting last year.

Has she been here the whole time? No, she couldn’t have been I would have seen her. I have had conversations with Tasha at her desk and Alaina was definitely nowhere to be seen. I conversed with myself as I watched her.

I fought with myself to go and talk to her. I really just wanted to go to her and gather her in my arms and kiss her telling her with my mouth how much I love her. How much I have always loved her. Hasn’t she realized that my asking her to lose our virginity to each other was my way of showing her how much I wanted to be with her? When I pondered that thought I realized I never told her either night we were intimate that I was in love with her.

Alaina had come with my family that summer after junior year for a camping trip. She could only stay two days as her mom came to pick her up after the weekend. Her mom was going on a vacation with her boyfriend that week and she was sending Alaina back to her dad’s house early. Alaina and I had shared a tent together while my parents and brother stayed in the RV they had rented. We didn’t care.

I made love to her more than once that night. I loved waking up to her curled into me. It has probably been one of the best mornings of my life so far. I just held Alaina to me as she still slept in the early morning hours.

I had every intention of making love to her all week, but Charlotte Anthony ruined it for me. It was one of the last times I saw her too. I looked for her our senior year waiting for her to arrive to her mom’s house. I knew she would immediately come over and hang out with me at her first opportunity.

She never came. I learned she only had to attend one class once a week to graduate and I guess I kept missing her even when I tried to wait for her. She even denied going to senior prom with me. She said she couldn’t afford to go.

Neither of her parents would help her and she was saving money for college. I almost didn’t go, but a mutual friend of ours Stacey asked me saying we could go together as friends. I relented and went to prom with Stacey.

I practically missed her at our graduation too. She hadn’t come to any of the practice events, and I only realized she was there when she lined up and was one of the last students called to walk across the stage to receive her diploma.

I sought her out after the ceremony was done. She had run out quickly and I got caught up with other classmates and my family. I found her at her mother’s car. It didn’t surprise me when she was there alone.

Memory

I caught up to her as she was putting the key in the door to unlock the car. “Alaina!” I had called out. She scrunched her eyes and looked as if she was pondering getting in the car and driving away. “What Jordan?” “Where are you going?” I asked. “I’m going home my mom only let me borrow her car so she wouldn’t have to come with me tonight.” She commented with no real emotion behind her tone. I sighed. I didn’t know what to say to her. I love you. Don’t go?

“Where have you been? Why haven’t you come over to my house since you got to your mother’s?” I accused her. I regretted it immediately on what I was asking and how I was sounding. “I have been busy. I am sure you have too. How many schools have scouted you? How many have you visited this year?” She asked. She wasn’t wrong. I had been busy too, but I would have worked things out to spend as much time with her even though I was busy.

“Why don’t we hang out tonight?” I asked hopeful. “I can’t.” “Why not?” “I just can’t.” “That’s not good enough I want to spend time with you. How about tomorrow?” I asked. “I’m busy.” “The day after?” “Busy.”

“F*ck, Alaina why are you avoiding me?” I hollered. She closed her eyes and I instantly regretted saying those words to her. The next words to come from her mouth broke me. “You need to let me go. I don’t want to hate you.”

I took a step back as if she had slapped me hard across the face. She took that opportunity to get into her mom’s car and drive away and out of my life.

I had lost track of myself and realized Alaina wasn’t near her desk anymore. I looked around and saw her move to the elevators. I wanted to follow after her, but I don’t know what to say. I carefully made my way down the stairs and saw her get on the elevator and the doors closed. I made my way to the desk I saw her near. It was neat and simple. There were no pictures of family, no pictures of animals, just no pictures of anything.

I glanced at her calendar, and she had reunion written in red and circled. At least she is going to the reunion. Maybe I can figure out how to approach her now that the initial shock of seeing her is out of my system.

I realized now that the woman’s th*ghs I was staring at two weeks ago were Alaina’s. I inhaled deeply. I could smell her scent lingering and she smells good. There was a hint of vanilla and apple. It made me think of apple pie with vanilla ice cream on top.

I wanted to look through her desk and see if I could find her address or anything more about her life now, but I refrained. I made my way to the elevator and made my way down to leave. I was stopped dead in my tracks and hid this time behind a huge potted plant between the elevators.

“Now, you make sure you share with your wives. I don’t need them thinking I’m trying to steal you away from them.” She admonished Daryl and Clinton. “Do we have to?” Clinton fake whined. “Yes.” She scolded him. He nodded and they smiled with each other. “Goodnight.” She said as she left. They called goodnight after her.

I collected myself again in such a brief time and walked towards the security desk. “Goodnight, Clinton. Goodnight, Daryl. Wait, what do you have there? It smells so good.” I stopped. “Oh, Ms. Alaina made us some of her sugar free goodies. She has a real talent. She should be running her own bakery or something.” Daryl replied.

“Want to try?” Clinton asked as he presented a tin full of chocolate chop cookies and some brownies. I didn’t want to be rude. I reached in and took one of each. I popped the brownie in my mouth and chewed.

There was an explosion of fudgy chocolatey flavor. It was really good. I couldn’t resist and ate the cookie quickly. It was just as good. I had closed my eyes and I think a small moan escaped me. “Good. Huh?” Clinton remarked.

“These can’t be sugar free. They’re so delicious.” I answered him. They beamed at me. “They are. My wife loves Ms. Alaina’s goodies. It has prevented her from eating the normal sugary versions and she has lost ten pounds since only eating goodies Ms. Alaina makes.” Clinton explained. “Yeah. My wife has lost seven pounds.” Daryl added.

“You should talk to Ms. Alaina. She works on your floor. Ask her to make you her goodies I bet she will.” Daryl commented. “I’ll do just that. Goodnight gentlemen.” I said as I moved off to the parking garage. It hit me as I walked to my car that maybe some of the food, she posted pictures of are her sugar free goodies Daryl and Clinton were referring to.

~~~

I covertly stalked Alaina for the rest of the week. I would go home and have to tend to myself because she is gorgeous not that I didn’t think she wasn’t gorgeous when we were kids. She could be a model if she wanted to be she was looking so good.

I took every opportunity to stare at her th*ghs though. They still had a hold over me all these years later. I removed my shoes and placed my loose belongings in the bin waiting for scanning at the security checkpoint in the airport.

I decided to fly home instead of driving it was the fastest way anyway. I was running late after I got off work because Jeremy had a last-minute crisis that I need to tend to. I have time and won’t miss my flight, but still, I don’t like rushing.

I made my way through the checkpoint and had the guard scan me with his wand. I collected my bin and put my belongings back into my pockets and my shoes back on. I made my way to my gate. I could see the crowd of people waiting in the waiting area at the gate.

I was about to find a place to sit down when something caught my attention out of my peripheral on my right side. Alaina was sitting there with James waiting to board. I moved to the left side and behind a group of people standing there because there were no more seats available. I pulled my baseball cap out of my carry-on bag and put it on. I turned to keep myself mostly turned away from her but where I could watch her from the corner of my eye.

I should have thought that she would fly too. I swear I could smell her apple vanilla scent from here. I wanted to internally groan because my body wanted to react to it. I closed my eyes and willed myself to remain composed.

Thankfully, the workers began announcing the boarding and they were calling disabled passengers and first class. I watched to see if Alaina was getting up to approach to board, but she didn’t move. I made my way to the line to board. It wasn’t a long flight, but I can’t sit in coach I get recognized usually.

I kept my eye on Alaina as my ticket was checked for boarding. I made my way onto the plane and was guided to my seat. The flight attendant went through the routine asking me if I needed or wanted things. I declined. I didn’t know what I was going to do. This flight is going to be more difficult now that I know she is on it with James.

~~~

I am amazed I managed to get off the plane and collect my bags without Alaina detecting me. I had rented a car and it was waiting for me when I arrived at the rental place in the airport. I drove to the hotel where the reunion was happening. I had rented one of the suites. It was bigger than I needed, but it was on a secure floor and private elevator. I am sure Alaina is probably staying here along with other classmates that no longer live here.

I miraculously made it into the private elevator without being recognized yet. I tossed my bags into the bedroom I was going to sleep in. I looked at the complimentary basket of goodies left for me. I tore into a prepackaged brownie because I was starving and though it is still dinner time I don’t know if I want to sneak out to get dinner or order room service.

I took one bite of the frosted brownie and spit it out. It is a gourmet brownie, but it doesn’t compare to Alaina’s sugar free one. I guess I will need to decide if I want to leave or stay in. I secured my baseball cap tighter on my head.

I left my room and made my way to the elevator. I made it to the lobby. I stepped cautiously out to scan the lobby and survey the area. “Can I.” “Shush.” I said and put my finger over my lips to silence the female bellhop who spotted me.

She nodded. I gestured her away from the main lobby. “Is there a back way out of here?” I asked quietly. “Yes, Mr. Green, but you’ll have to go through the kitchen.” She replied. “Can you lead me?” I asked. She nodded and guided me to the kitchen and through it.

Our presence went unnoticed as she led me to the door at the back of the kitchen. The bonus it was near the parking garage for the hotel, and I made it to my rental car without any detection. I am going to make sure she gets a huge tip from me.

I drove to my favorite Chinese food dive across town. I ordered all my favorites to go. They had my order filled quickly and I was back in my rental. I had to laugh as I was pulling back onto the main road I passed by James and Alaina, and they were signaling to turn into the parking lot where I had just been. I wanted to speed to get back to the hotel the food smelled amazing, and my stomach was growling something fierce.

I parked and made my way to the back kitchen door. I was hoping maybe somebody would let me in. I didn’t have to worry. The bellhop girl was standing there speaking with a kitchen worker guy. “Hello, Mr. Green.” She greeted me as I approached.

“Uh, hi. I’m sorry I forgot to ask for your name.” I apologized. “I’m Lynn.” She replied. “Jordan.” I responded. “Do you need help sneaking back to the elevator?” She asked. “Please.”

“I’ll talk to you after shift.” She said to the guy, and he nodded, and they kissed quickly. “Boyfriend?” I asked. “The best one.” She replied happily. I nodded. “You know Mr. I mean Jordan. Uh, I am working through the late afternoon and evening shift all weekend. If you need any further assistance, I would be glad to help.” She offered.

“Good to know Lynn. I just don’t want to be bombarded with so many people before I have to tomorrow night. Oh, could you tell me if there is an Alaina Anthony checked into this hotel?” I asked.

“Yes. She rented two of our single rooms.” Lynn offered the information. “Where?” I asked. “First floor rooms one oh five and one oh six. They’re some of the hotel’s cheapest rooms.” She explained. “Thanks.” “Anytime.”

We reached the elevator. I reached into my pocket and got my wallet out. “Here.” I said as I handed her a hundred. “No. That’s too much.” Lynn refused my tip. “Trust me Lynn, you earned it.” She took the bill with unsure hands. She looked into my eyes and smiled.

“Here.” she said as she pulled out a small notebook from the pocket of her vest it had a small pencil threaded through the metal spiraling. “If you need anything even if I am not here just call or text me. I’ll help you.” She said.

She handed me the piece of paper and it had a number on it. “I just might do that Lynn, but you have to accept I will be tipping you for your assistance.” She paused and thought about it then nodded. “Goodnight, Lynn.” “Goodnight, Jordan.”

My cell was ringing by the time I got back into my room. I placed my food on the table and looked at who was calling. I answered it. “Hi mom.” “Jordan, where are you?” She demanded. “I’m in my hotel room about to eat some dinner.”

“Hotel room? Why didn’t you come home? I cleaned your room for you waiting for you to get here. Now you are going to miss Alaina when she visits tomorrow for lunch. She is bringing her new boyfriend. Did you know she had a boyfriend?” My mom rambled into the receiver.

“No, mom Alaina and I haven’t seen each other in ten years. She didn’t keep contact with me.” I replied as I pulled my food out of the bag. “Really? I thought you had gotten past graduation night.”

I was in a depressed mood after Alaina drove away from me after graduation. It took mom several days of prying before I told her what happened. She had suggested I call her and smooth things over. I tried but no one ever answered or returned my messages, so I just stopped calling.

“I’ll try to stop by tomorrow mom, but if not, I will see you Sunday. I’m going to eat now. I haven’t eaten since breakfast.” “Oh, well please try. We want to see you. Goodnight, sweetheart.” “Goodnight, mom.” I ended the call.

I feel bad, but I am glad I know now that Alaina was planning to visit my family. “I’ll just stop in for breakfast and leave before Alaina gets there. I’ll just tell my parents I have a massage booked and I can’t cancel or change it because they are booked solid this weekend.