Cheating The Billionaire

Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Taylor walked into Zac's arms, trembling with fear and anxiety when he opened the door. Surprised, he held her close and gently inquired what the matter was. Her silence could no longer test his patience, when he demanded an explanation. "Taylor what is it? You didn't answer my calls, where have you been the whole time?" he quizzed and appeared pensive.

Mustering courage she clinged to his shoulders and revealed what happened. "I pray I don't meet him ever again, Zac. The guy is ruthless especially with those who lie to him," she felt sorry for the victim and concluded with a tear.

"So Chase Franshaw is Camilla's nephew...wow!" Zac was impressed with the discovery.

"Zac, what's so wow about that? I just witnessed a gruesome murder and all you care about is that Chase is related to Camilla," she frowned and pulled away from his embrace.

"I'm sorry, I hope he didn't hurt you, did he? I was just amused at the coincidence..." He hadn't finished, when she interrupted.

"I'm done with this, he can have me sacked from the boutique for all I care," she tied her hair into a bun and headed for a quick shower while Zac deliberated whether to tell her about his contract with Amethyst Inc. He had attempted many a times to tell her whom he worked for, however seeing how upset Taylor was, he reconsidered the same.

"Chances are she will compel me to refuse his sponsorship, and forgo all the luxury I've acquired... he made a face and had a good look at the plush furniture and electronics. Pulling out the keys to his sports car, he stared at it intently and closed his fist. Keeping Taylor in the dark was the best possible option he thought and decided to divert her mind from all the tension.

The next morning, Chase called up at the boutique and asked for Taylor. "It's the weekend, our manager is available only on weekdays. Is there something I can help you with?" Taylor's assistant enquired.

"Hmmm...no thank you very much," Chase sighed in disappointment and wondered how Taylor was doing after witnessing his other side.

It was true his actions had disturbed her, but all that was long forgotten when Zac treated her out to a movie and a fun filled day of shopping. Much to her hesitation, Zac splurged like there was no tomorrow. As they ended the night with dinner at an expensive restaurant, Taylor made an attempt to know more about his sponsor. "So who are these people sponsoring you in the event?" she played with the last pea on her plate and glanced at him.

Zac sipped on the expensive scotch he had ordered and broke into a sudden cough. "They...they are called Gladiators Corp, they specialize in manufacturing sports cars, " he said only the half truth and avoided her gaze.

"Gladiator, never heard that name before?" She felt amused and raised her brows.

"Nah...I've told you before, but you hardly pay attention to what I say, do you?" He shrugged his shoulders and blamed her negligence towards him.

Taylor shifted her gaze at the pretty lights and recalled the times she went out of her way to please him. He had always been and was her center of attention, yet he claimed he felt neglected and hurt her again. But despite him failing to acknowledge her efforts, her love and affection towards him remained constant. 

On the way back home, he reminded her that they were just a day away from the grand event. "You'll be there to support me, right? I've bought you a VIP pass," he exclaimed. 

"This is one event, I wouldn't dare miss. Have you bought passes for Ben, Sebastian and the rest of the gang?" She asked excitedly. "It's been long we haven't seen them...are they even aware you're participating in the event?" she added.

Zac gave her a sarcastic look and sighed. "Yes they are, but I could get just one pass," he replied and recounted the last time he saw Ben under the flyover.

The following day, Taylor was dumbstruck when her assistant told her about Chase's call. "He asked for you and seemed disappointed, did something go wrong? You know who he is, right?" she asked and intensified her tension.

"Ya I know who he is," Taylor huffed and checked on the inventory to divert her mind.

"Why in the world did he ask for me? Was it for that night's incident?" she bit her nails in anxiety and found it hard to concentrate on work.

"Ahem! Could you help me with selecting a gown for a friend of mine," A client approached her from behind.

"Sure sir, what size are you looking for?" she turned around and held her breath.

"Pretty much the same as yours, a perfect hourglass figure I must say," Chase commented with a smirk.

Numb, Taylor just couldn't figure out what to do. The man she never wanted to see again was standing right in front of her. "Just a minute sir, my sales rep will assist you," she panicked and avoided eye contact with him.

"I would rather have someone more responsive," he refused to be assisted by anyone but her.

Taylor understood the context and got more jittery. Chase noticed her hostile body language and realised she hadn't forgotten anything.

"Taylor, I know what you're thinking about me right now, but I swear I'm not a mafia," He explained. "Look I know you're shaken after what happened that day..." 

"If you aren't planning on purchasing any, could you excuse me? I've got clients to attend to," She shunned him the minute she heard him mention about that incident and walked towards one of the patrons.

Chase sighed but was far from giving up so easily, after all the stakes were higher after sharing the accounts of that night with Phil. "She could care less about losing her job, she's seen you murder him...she can go against you in court," Phil's voice echoed in his mind as Taylor made her client try out dresses.

Determined to win the bet and confirm she wouldn't spill the beans to anyone about the murder, he approached her for a second time, and pulled her inside the trial room.

Their bodies brushed against each other as he locked the door from behind, "Wow, how does one try out clothes in such a cramped up place?" he raised his brows and lowered his arms before accidentally bumping his elbow against her breast. He apologised before Taylor snapped. "Open the door!" she broke into a sweat and felt his breath teasing her neck.

"Look we need to talk! I know this is the least likely of places to have a conversation, so I was thinking if I could buy you coffee at Starbucks down the road?" He suggested eagerly and waiter for her response.

"I saw nothing that night!" She replied and puzzled him.

"Sorry, come again!" he furrowed his brows.

"I said I saw nothing that happened that night. I was at home and not locked up in your office. So you can rest assured and forget about it like I did," she said boldly and pushed her way towards the door before exiting 

Realizing now wasn't the correct time, he quietly left but not before slipping a under her files. Taylor returned to her desk and grimaced at seeing the note that read, "I'll be waiting at Starbucks at 3:00 pm..."

Crushing it into a ball, she flung it into the bin and carried on with her routine. At dot 3:00 pm, she glanced at her watch and was reminded about his note. The thought of Chase waiting for her made her feel uneasy as the minutes passed. She feared he would call or drop by again, but to her relief he didn't.

That night she left early to give Zac the perfect surprise party before his big racing event. She prepared his favourite dishes, lit the whole place with candles and invited their friends over. As she got dressed , Duke, Jerry, Sebastian, Laura and Mellisa arrived with beer. 

"I'm so glad you all could make it, where is Ben?'' She enquired and craned her neck.

"He's not in town, but gave his best wishes to Zac," Mellisa lied as they waited for Zac.

"Well, I'm happy his friends are around him. Tomorrow is his big day and he needs all the support from you guys," Taylor smiled while Jerry and Sebastian exchanged glances at each other.

"Is it? I assumed we would be the last source of support he would need, after all you two have progressed and moved on," Jerry taunted before Mellisa reprimanded him.

"You know how blunt Jerry can get....but honestly even I was a bit surprised you invited us. The both of you just disappeared from our social circuit," Mellisa confessed.

"I'm sorry I couldn't keep in touch with you guys, but I'm sure Zac does, after all he spends most of his time at the practice track, right?" Taylor said.

"Uh...yes we do see him there, but he avoids acknowledging us..." Mellisa whispered before the door bell rang. 

"Surprise!" Taylor greeted Zac at the doorway and startled him.

As predicted by Jerry, Zac wasn't too happy finding them there. The look of disappointment was obvious over his face and Taylor noticed it too. "I invited them over to cheer you up for tomorrow's event, shall I get you a drink?" she asked nervously.

Playing it cool, Zac pretended it was okay and thanked everyone for coming. Throughout the party, it was Taylor who made conversations with the guest while Zac remained aloof. After they wished him luck and left, Taylor complained about his sudden hostility towards their friends.

"Taylor, why don't you get it? It's time we make new friends and leave the old ones behind. You're known by the company you keep, and I don't want to be known by some amateur drag racers," He quoted and stunned her.

"Amateur drag racers....isn't that where you began your journey from?" Taylor crossed her arms in bafflement.

"That's the least thing I would want anybody to know. I'm a professional now, better register that in mind," he got furious and warned her curtly never to bring up his past again.

The next morning Taylor woke up alone in bed. She looked around for him before finding the breakfast table laden with a fine spread. On closer look she found a sorry note left by Zac along with the VIP pass.

"Sorry about last night! Be there before the race begins, I need your support. Love Zac..." She read it and broke into a smile seeing the efforts he took to make up for last night's argument.

Eager to see Zac at the racing event, she hurriedly left for work and informed the whole staff that she would leave post noon to see Zac at his first ever Auto Racing National Championship event.

"Wow, you're one lucky girl!" the sales rep complimented her while she gingerly went about doing her work. As she looked up her mails, she came across the one sent by Chase.

"What is wrong with this guy?" she grumbled and opened it only to find a request to meet up and clear the misunderstanding. He also mentioned the fact that her job was secure and he wouldn't reveal the details of their argument at the boutique that night.

Frustrated she signed out of her mail box and realized she was going to be late for Zac's first race. Rushing up, she hurriedly hailed a cab and head straight to the arena.

She felt overwhelmed when she walked into the VIP balcony. The seats were sold out, the place was bustling with enthusiasm and energetic crowd. Taylor looked at the race track from where she was seated and noticed Zac receiving a prep talk from his manager under the banner which sponsored him. His racing car was being monitored by the pit crew. Taylor's joy knew no bounds when she noticed how dapper he looked in a professional racing suit. 

With fingers crossed and baited breath, she said a silent prayer before the race kick started with the flags going down.

Taylor's heart raced as she watched Zac competing against the toughest of racers on the track. He had to complete 150 laps before time and prove his metal. Taylor got worried every time he stopped over at the pit lane to change tires. As the seconds passed she kept glancing at the score board and realized he was still leading at 18th position amongst the 32 participants.

It was a nail biting experience for her until Zac amazingly bet everyone on the race track and finished in first place. Thrilled, Taylor cheered and jumped in joy when the announcers declared Zac, a new entrant as the winner of ARNC.

Tears streamed down her face when she saw him on screen, being honoured by the award presenters. He was mobbed by the press and was ecstatic seeing that he had gained new fans. The reception was unbelievable, never in his life had he experienced so much attention and praises for his driving skill.

Taylor however wasn't allowed to meet him until he came out looking for her. "Where were you, I wanted you to be a part of my victory!" He cried in happiness and embraced her. 

"They wouldn't allow me in, so I considered waiting out here!" She replied. "Oh Zac, I'm so proud of you! I knew you would nail it, I love you," She cried and kissed him before they left to celebrate his victory.

Back in the pit lane, the driver who finished second walked towards Zac's manger and took off his helmet. "He's a fast one! I'm finally convinced he can do the job," Chase ran his fingers through his hair and passed on his helmet to the manager.