A Secret Affair with the Billionaire

08

“What are you doing here? Why are you here?”

There are so many questions in my head as to why he keeps showing up in front of me and telling me things as if he knows me. However, one thing I only want to know is how he managed to enter this private event.

His strong physique and facial features that are enough to make him stand were never familiar to me until he kept showing up. He does look familiar with his almond green eyes and feels like I have seen somewhere already before we even meet. Even his deep voice that sounds like it keeps playing with me feels like I have heard it somewhere before yet can never remember where and when. Among all of that, I only have one thought.

Why does he keep showing up in front of me and giving me such kind of warnings when he doesn't need to?

“Technically, I was invited even though I didn’t want to be here at all.” He exclaims, shaking his head. He lowered his hand this time and looked at me instead. “It kinda is your fault because you will be getting engaged.”

My brows furrowed in confusion. “What does me getting engaged have anything to do with you being here?” I harshly said before stepping back, creating a space between us. “And I would rather prefer if you keep your distance away from me. I am not comfortable having someone I don’t know near me.”

He stared at me for a while before a small chuckle escaped her lips. “It’s funny how I am still a stranger to you when… I have seen you in your drunken state already.” He pointed out, making me even more confused.

“What are you talking about?”

Instead of giving me an answer, he took out something from her pocket and handed it to me. It is a familiar silver bracelet with a butterfly pendant in it. I study the bracelet before noticing that it belongs to no other than me!

“How did you get this?” I questioned with eyes judging him already.

“I don’t know if you remember, but the night when someone has been trying to hit on you at the club, I was the one who protected you from him.” He revealed, proudly and confidently. “I took you away from him before he could even bring you somewhere. When you were taken away by your guards, I saw this on the floor and took it, thinking that you will look for it, but you never did.”

If we are on the same page, the night he was talking about was the one when someone dared to approach me that night and was trying his luck in business. I don’t remember much from that night because I was so drunk, but one thing for sure, it was Elijah who was there to save me because he was the one who took me home. It’s impossible that it is this unknown man.

“I don’t care about that now. What do you want? Why do you keep showing up in front of me?” I questioned nonstop.

“Like I said, I just came to give you some advice.” He said without any hesitation. “How about you try to make choices in your life this time so that you wouldn’t be the one hurting in the end?”

My brows furrowed in anger. “What the hell are you talking about? What do you know about the choices I make? Who the hell are you?” I bombarded him with questions.

Instead of giving me an answer, he extends his hand, opening its palm for a handshake. “I’m Timothy… Timothy Lucas Young, someone who is concerned for you.” He introduces himself.

Timothy. I had never heard such a name before.

“Why would you be concerned about me?” I questioned once again, but he only smiled in return.

Before I could even say another word, I heard someone call for my name, making me turn around, only to see my brother standing there. He waved his hand at me while I only smiled. I turn around to excuse myself from Timothy, only to find no one in there anymore. I tried to look around but he is nowhere to be found at all.

Where did that man go?

“What are you looking around at?” Francis asked with so much curiosity. I look at him, not exactly knowing what to say. He raises his brow at me, confused by my action. “So?”

“N-Nothing! Just forget it.” I shake my head, pushing the thought away. “You were looking for me?”

“I am. The party is about to start, so we should get going now.” He said, offering his arm for me to hold.

Everyone’s eyes were on us the moment the party started. It was just as we expected wherein Dad and Uncle didn’t even waste any time to announce about the partnership and the marriage between Elijah and I. I could feel everyone’s eyes on me the entire time and the longer it lasted, the more it felt uncomfortable for me already.

I was never someone who was interested in people's attention yet my father always managed to have everyone’s attention on me. He always said that I need to always have people looking up to me like I am ahead of them. It was his main goal, that is why not even my biggest effort is enough for him.

For him, I need to be perfect… but I always failed to be one in his eyes.

I silently sat in the car with my eyes outside, watching the dark skies with few street lights lighting it up. My mind keeps wandering around yet it only ends up in the words that Timothy said earlier and the engagement announcement. I am not sure how that man’s words keep bothering me, but the one with the engagement bothers me the most.

“Are you okay?” I turned to Elijah with raised brows. He glances at me for a second before focusing back on the road. “You were silent and it's unusual. Are you not feeling well?”

I form a small smile and shake my head. “Not really. I just have some things in mind. Don’t worry.” I assure him. “By the way, I have something to ask.”

“What is it?” He simply asked.

“Do you know someone named… Timothy?” I questioned carefully, making him glance at me right away.

I scanned his face. The calm look he has earlier with probably the only problem he has in mind is attending the party switched to having furrowed brows and angry by my question. His grip on the steering wheel became tighter as well, making me confused a little.

“What about him?” He only said, not directly answering my question.

Does he know him? From how he reacted, it does look like he does.

“Well, he keeps showing up in front of me many times now. He told me something about trust the first time I saw him in the bar when I was with Hailee. Then earlier, he told me about making the right choice.” I took a deep breath, shaking my head. “He even told me that he was the one who saved me from the time that I was drunk. He was there the day when you took me back to my family house.”

“If that is the case, then you should be careful of him.” He advises only without giving me a single look. “He is still a stranger to you even if you know his name, it’s not safe to be just near him and listening to his words.”

“You think so?” I bit my lower lip for a second then let out a sigh. “He said that he is only concerned for me.”

He stopped the car all of a sudden, only for me to realize that we were already in front of my residence. It was so silent in the car that I don’t even know what I should do now. Should I go down already or should I wait until he tells me so?

“Some concerns are not always sincere, Ciara. The only thing you need to know is that mine is sincere.” He pointed out, firmly. “So don’t go around, trusting others easily and listening to their words easily.”

As I stare at him, it makes me wonder if his sincerity is true. He would say that he genuinely cares for me, but whenever he says it, it always makes me wish that it wasn’t just a simple care but… an act of love.

Standing in front of so many people in there while our parents announce our marriage, it makes me think of what they probably have in mind while they look at us. Do they think love is possible between us? Do we look good together? Is an arranged marriage between us actually the right thing to do? But one thing for sure, it makes me think if Elijah can reciprocate my love.

The more I think about it now, the more I just want to spill things out on him. I know that saying those words to him now after telling him that I was completely forced to agree with the marriage will be ridiculous. It will look like I am a massive liar, but… some feelings are never meant to be kept hidden, especially when they are about to explode.

“I know that you think that you can trust just anyone. But believe me, you can’t—”

“I like you.”

I wasn’t sure how but those words just suddenly came out of my mouth before I could even think about it. The moment I realize what I just said, I close my eyes and look away. This is ridiculous!

What will he think now? That I am taking advantage of this arrangement to make him mine? That I am a big liar for telling him that I didn’t want the marriage when in fact, I really do. That I can never be trusted again for lying to him. This is making me insane.

Slowly, I look up to him, only to see him looking at me with that blank face. There is no hint of surprise as if he just didn’t hear me confessing in the most ridiculous way possible. He was just looking down at me as if waiting for my next action. Is he going to keep this up? Because if he does then… I will have no choice but to show it to him now.

I swallowed hard and unbuckled my seatbelt. I faced him and took a deep breath before slowly leaning towards him. Just when I am near his face, he suddenly knocks himself back to his senses and looks away, clearing his throat awkwardly.

This was stupid!

I shouldn’t have done that!

“Ciara—”

“I know! I am sorry. You don’t have to say anything. It was ridiculous. Just….” I took a deep breath, feeling stress. “Just forget it. I’m going now.”

I gathered my things and was about to step out of the car when he suddenly reached for my arm, stopping me. He made me face him as I instantly saw the seriousness in his face.

“I have something to tell you.” I keep my silence, slightly keeping my hopes up. It could be something good… but I was stupid to actually believe it can be one. “I have someone I love.”