Warming the Billionaire’s Bed

Chapter 3- Creepy

I watched Kyle return to his car while I continued my short errand. I headed inside the store, and when I was about to pay for the dog food and treats, Don, the cashier, told me that I could use the change for a one hundred dollar bill the man I was with earlier had forgotten.

“No,” I declined, “Keep it, Don,” giving him another one-hundred-dollar bill. He had perhaps thought I knew Kyle.

“Maybe another cold pack for that bruise,” Don kiddingly said before giving me another can of cold beer and a bottle of wine. “Oh, take this. Congratulations, Elisha,” I thanked Don and left the store with Nana Delia’s stash.

Upon arriving home, Nana Delia welcomed me with a big hug. “Congratulations, Elisha,” she said. I hugged her tightly. “Oh! God! What happened?!” she asked me after seeing the now blue bruise on my forehead.

“Oh, carelessness,” I winced before telling her what happened.

“My lord, Elisha. I’m glad you only got that. Let Ferdi call your brother’s insurance company to handle his car,” Nana Delia carefully brushed my hair.

“No!” I objected, thinking about Kyle’s offer to help.

“Why so?”

“Ahm, nothing…the man’s driver would take care of it to save me some hassle,” I explained.

“Whatever, Eli. Let’s put ice on that,” Nana said before looking at Ferdi. He quickly left to prepare the medkits for me. Ferdi was the head driver, and Nana Delia was the head housekeeper.

“Okay…” I simply agreed.

“Ferdi and I wanted to see you graduate, but this stupid preparation hindered us. I’m sorry,” she apologized once more as we walked inside the mansion using the kitchen’s back door.

The elderly couple had planned to attend my graduation and had been looking forward to it, but they could not do so due to the unexpected news of the wedding.

“No worries, Nana. Shall we go back to work now?” I asked.

“No! of course!” Nana Delia objected, “You will rest and eat the food we made for you,” she said while attending to my bruise this time.

I scowled at her and looked at everyone in the kitchen. “Huh?” I skeptically asked.

“Your mom just left with Scarlett,” Nana Delia answered me.

“But how about the preparation for the party tomorrow?”

“We already finished half of it, and your brother said they didn’t need to make it grand and special since he planned to leave after the ceremony,”

“I hear you,” I said, smirking.

A while later, we started to gather outside the back garden. Ferdi and Delia, together with our three housekeepers, began our mini-celebration. Mom wasn’t there at the moment since she was busy pampering herself for the wedding the next day.

After some time, Justin arrived from his fishing trip. He greeted and congratulated me and was sorry for not joining me. I understood since he was under so much pressure about the wedding, although he still had a say on it. I guess Justin wanted to get over it.

“What the hell is that, El?” Justin asked, noticing the bruise I partially covered with my hair. I told him what happened, and my brother just shook his head and snorted.

“Yeah. He didn’t mean it, and it was my fault,” I snorted back, rolling my eyes.

“Okay. I have something for you,” Justin said, showing me his car key and five hundred dollars cash.

“Oh, no… not you too….” I mumbled, staring at it.

“Stop. Just take it, it’s not that much, but I know you will need it,” Justin winked at me.

“Thank you,” I murmured, hugging my brother before taking the key and cash. Looking at my hand once more, my eyes widened when I realized it was the key to his sportscar Lamborgini. “Huh?!” I skeptically asked. “I just messed up Tommy’s car, and you are giving me this one?!”

Justin laughed. “I don’t mind. Tommy probably mentioned that I would be backpacking for six months, right?” he said.

“Six months!?” I gasped, “Yes, I knew about it, but that’s too long!”

“No, it’s actually a year.”

“Justin?!”

“A year. You know, to escape this mess. I needed to get separated from Scar so our divorce would get easily filed and approved after the merged,” Justin explained, “So that’s my key for Gini. Please take care of her.”

“No… I mean, it’s too precious for you! I have Tom’s car, and I probably didn’t need it once school started,” I honestly said.

“Tom’s car is old. You need a good one.”

“Justin…this is too much. You know me, and mom would probably ask why!”

“I know. I will tell mom. But please, keep her for me, or else Scar will use and take her,” Justin reminded. I got his point, so I had no choice but to accept it right away.

“Thanks, I’ll take care of Gini then,” I promised.

“Of course, you will,” Justin said.

We continued our celebration by eating, drinking, and opening the gifts they gave me. It was such a lovely experience to feel the love of the people working in our household. They were the real family to me.

Later on, we went back to work to finish the venue. The flowers they ordered finally arrived, so I helped Nana Delia with decoration. I was busily transferring them from the floor to the dining table when I felt a sudden hard thud on my shoulder, making me drop the flower vase.

“s**t,” I cursed. It was so hard that I almost tripped on the floor. Fortunately, I didn’t harm myself and quickly recovered from the hard push. “The f**k is that?” I asked, turning around.

“What?!” An annoying lady with a mischievous smile answered me.

I gasped in annoyance after seeing the person who dared to push me. It was Scarlett. “What’s your f*****g problem?!” I hissed, sending her death glares.

“You!”

“The f**k?! What have I done to you!?”

Scarlett smugly smirked at me. “I don’t want those flowers!” she said, staring at the ten tables inside the tent.

“Then order a new one,” I snorted before picking up the flowers on the floor. “I am just helping them fix this,” I calmly told her this time though my blood had started to boil out of irritation. I could stomach mom’s abuse but not this b***h of a lady.

I’ve known Scarlett since I lived here. A wealthy spoiled brat who was obsessed with my brother Justin. My brother never liked her and was just very clingy, if not pushy.

“How dare you to tell that?!” Scarlett snarled.

Standing up, “Leave me alone, b***h,” I murmured but enough for her to hear. Childish that she was, Scarlett started throwing some tantrums. She cried in front of me, getting all the staff's attention.

Seconds later, I saw mom marching toward us. Without a word, she tugged my hair and pushed me to the ground. “What have you done?” she shouted before soothing her precious Barbie doll.

“Nothing,” I simply pulled myself together and ignored her. I was so used to it that not a single tear fell from my eyes, nor did embarrassment engulf me. I sent them death stares and walked away.

Nana Delia saw me, and I couldn’t help but feel bad for the old lady. As much as she wanted to help me, I knew she wasn’t that strong enough. I just learned to be on my own, even having my brothers as my protectors.

“See how ill-mannered she is?!” Mom snarked behind my back.

“Send her away! I don’t want to live with her!” Scarlet seconded.

‘Bithc, I don’t want to live with you either!' I inwardly screamed inside my head as I walked out of the tent and entered the mansion.

I retired to my room, locking it before heading inside the bathroom to rest. Staying in the tub with warm water and bath bombs truly calmed my sanity and heart.

How I just wished my mom didn’t abandon me. I knew I was a mistake, but a tiny hope in me wanted to see and know her. Dad never told me anything about her but her name. Feliz. That’s all. He never talked about their affair, but I could see the sadness in his eyes whenever he mentioned her to me.

I could only recall that dad kept telling me that I was precious. That I shouldn’t think I was unwanted. Even though mom left me in someone’s care, it didn’t mean I wasn’t important. She still loved me enough to make sure I would have a roof over my head.

To be fair, Aunt Tasha treated me just right. She raised me with her two other kids, who had their own families now. Though we didn’t have much growing up, we had enough food on the table. We had a house but not a safe neighborhood and a peaceful home. Her ex-husband tormented us for years, taking money from Aunt Tasha’s hard-earned salary.

Unfortunately, Aunt Tasha died a year after leaving me to my dad. She never told us that she had cancer. After her treatment, she went straight to the hospice and passed away after a week.

It was heartbreaking for me. What consoled me was that she lived a good life before passing away. Dad made sure she would get the comfort she always wanted. He gave her a house near a beach area in Florida where she came from and lived a contented life as a reward.

“I miss you, Aunt Tasha….” I mumbled, closing my eyes to give my mind a rest.

About an hour later, I got up, rinsed, and dried my body. After slipping on my pajamas, I checked my phone only to find a notification from an unknown number. Realizing it quickly, I checked my inbox to see if Kyle’s driver had already contacted me. But I was surprised when I read the message.

‘Hi, Elisha! Kyle here. I forgot my driver took a week off. But don’t worry. I already handled everything myself,’

‘Cool! Thanks,’ All I could reply as my mind went all over the place thinking of him.

I never dated anyone in high school. I wasn’t that bad-looking, though. I have fair skin and am tall enough at five feet five inches height. Dad told me I got my light hazel eyes from my mom.

I had suitors, and some of our schoolmates tried to pursue me in my junior and senior years. I was too occupied to entertain them, plus the curfew mom imposed gave me no choice.

I was about to close my eyes when I heard my phone beep once more. I opened my phone and smiled soon as I read the message.

‘Perhaps a coffee with you to apologize again.’

‘You are forgiven, Mr. Skylar,’

‘I still feel bad, though.’

‘Fine, see you around,’

“Thanks, Elisha x Goodnight!’

I didn’t reply anymore. I was too sleepy to give my attention, plus I was trying to calm myself after those quick exchanges of messages. Kyle was too smooth, but I didn’t mind it. He seemed fine and sweet, and I found no reason to say no to his invitation.

“Goodnight, Skylar,” I murmured before closing my eyes to sleep.

My duty started early the next day. The catering and event organizers came in on the dot. After fixing myself and putting on makeup to hide my now black and bruised forehead, I went down to assist Nana Delia.

I couldn’t help but feel bad about her since she was sick two weeks ago. I asked her to rest and let me handle the rest, but she didn’t agree. She wanted to get over with the party and rest.

“Just wake your brother up,” Nana Delia told me, “The bride and her bridesmaid are already preparing,” she added.

“Okay…” I nodded and headed back upstairs. I knew Justin’s three closest friends would be his groomsmen and they would come here soon. I knocked on his door before slowly opening it. I deeply gasped when I saw a naked lady sleeping alone on Justin’s bed. I knew it wasn’t Scarlett since the lady got brown skin and curly hair.

“Is it time?” I heard Justin’s familiar voice inside his bathroom. He then left wearing his bathrobe before looking at the sleeping woman.

“Yes,” I snorted.

“Okay. I’ll just take a shower. Please wake her up,” Justin nonchalantly told me.

“Is… is she one of the bridesmaids?” I couldn’t help but ask.

Justin narrowed his eyes and nodded. “I guess. I was too drunk to ask,” he winked.

I would have reacted differently if the situation favored my brother. But this time, I was on his side. It might be wrong, but I couldn’t care less about the circumstances. “Go, I’ll wake her up. Just make sure you didn’t knock her up,” I kiddingly mumbled.

“I’m safe,”

“Good. Now go!”

“Thanks, El,” Justin said before entering the bathroom.

I walked towards the sleeping beauty and nudged her. Her face wasn’t familiar, but I wasn’t sure what my reaction would be during the ceremony. “Miss… wake up….” I shook her.

The lady stirred up quickly, her eyes flickering as she tried to see where she was. “Oh…” she grunted.

“You need to wake up. The bride is waiting for you….” I playfully said,

The lady suddenly jolted up this time. Her eyes went wide and seemed petrified upon realizing where she was. “f**k,”

“It’s fine. Your secret is safe with me,” I promised.

She then looked at me with her big brown eyes. “Damn!” she panicky said, standing up before picking her clothes on the floor. She wore them so fast that her undies were inside out. Soon as she was done, she just left my brother’s room without looking at me.

I couldn’t help but laugh this time. I wasn’t judging, but Scarlett’s choices of friends truly surprised me. After chuckling for some time, I left the room and headed back downstairs.

I welcomed Justin’s groomsmen, Vic, Mac, and Toff. I kiddingly told them to go upstairs and help Justin since he was too sad about this wedding.

A few hours had passed, and the ceremony started. About fifty people were witnessing the garden wedding, including me. The lady I saw in Justin’s bed was indeed one of Scarlett’s bridesmaids. I was surprised to see them smiling and laughing as if she hadn't betrayed her friend.

After the priest pronounced the newlyweds, I left the venue and headed back to the kitchen to eat. I took my phone out to check it when I saw a couple of notifications from an unknown number.

Soon, I realized that it was Kyle’s number. He sent me a couple of messages, and the first truly amazed me and almost gave me a heart attack.

‘Good morning, Elisha. I know you might find it creepy, but I cannot get you out of my mind, even though we just met once. I hope I didn’t give you a heart attack. And if you may, I would really love to have a coffee with you,’

“Damn it…” I mumbled, feeling my blood rush on my face. Even though I couldn’t see my cheeks, I knew I was as red as a tomato.

“Elisha!” I suddenly heard Ferdi call my name.

“Yes?” I turned around.

“Are you sick?” Ferdi quickly asked, but I paid more attention to the bouquet of beautiful red roses in his hands instead of answering him.

“No… I’m fine….” I finally spoke.

“Good. This one is for you. There’s a card inside,” Ferdi told me as he gave me the flowers. “I shall go now and check the people outside,” he said.

“Thanks…” My heart was thumping inside my chest as I thought about what had just happened. First, the messages and now this bouquet. “Kyle…” I mumbled as I checked the card. I wasn’t wrong. It was indeed from Kyle.

‘Again, I truly hope I didn’t creep you out, Elisha. I couldn’t help but think about the bruise on your forehead. Please say yes, xx.’

“Oh, God…” I murmured, looking at the flowers. I wasn’t used to this kind of attention, but deep in my heart, something was telling me to say yes and agree to have a coffee with him.

Though it sounded creepy, the way Kyle acted towards me yesterday was fine enough to see how nice he seemed to be. Inhaling deeply, I took my phone and typed my answer.

‘Yes, it’s creepy, but I want to give it a shot. I’ll let you know where I want to get the coffee later. By the way, thanks for the roses,’

‘Sweet. Thank you, and see you soon. Xx’ Kyle quickly replied, astounding me.

xx