Warming the Billionaire’s Bed

Chapter 4- Careful

“Hey, girl. You look so happy… Spill!” Sophie poked my waist while I was staring at my phone. It was Friday, and we were having morning coffee at our favorite spot near our school.

Sophie wanted to double-check her locker and take her pieces of stuff she might’ve forgotten. Mom and Scarlett left last night, so I was free to go wherever I wanted today. As far as I knew, they would be in Cali to spend the supposed-to-be honeymoon trip for the newlyweds. Like what Tom told me, Justin left our town and headed straight to the airport to start his backpacking journey in France.

“Oh, oh, she’s ignoring me!”

“Stop it!”

“I will not stop until you tell me!” Sophie nipped my nose.

“Hey… stop!” I flinched, giggling.

“Hmm…” Sophie propped her fingers on her chin before narrowing her eyes at me. “You are glowing, El. Tell me, are you in love?” she wiggled her brows.

“No! My God, Sophie!” I gigglingly grumbled, sneering as I couldn’t hide my emotions. I wasn’t in love, but I was motivated to wake up today and do some errands.

It had only been three days since I met Kyle, and he had been in my mind since. As he promised, he sent people this morning to take Tom’s car to fix it. Ferdi assisted them while I stayed home to help Nana Delia before meeting Sophie.

“Then tell me, why are you smiling?” Sophie teasingly nudged my armpit.

“Stop! It’s nothing!” I persistently denied it.

Kyle sent me a photo of the car with him. To my surprise, he was at the shop and checking on it. I couldn’t believe he was there and ensuring that my car was given attention.

“Liar! I know you, Elisha!” Sophie snorted, “You’re blushing!”

“I am not!”

Sophie shook her head. “Well, whatever, girl! Just make sure your junks are ready on Sunday!” she said, “We will stay at Sawyer’s apartment while looking for our own place. You know the drill.”

“Yes, mom. I got it,” I nodded, glancing at my phone. My eyes gaped as soon as I saw another notification from Kyle. I quickly took it and read what he said.

‘Your car will be ready early tomorrow. I will personally drive it to you. Shall we meet by then for a coffee? xx’

‘Sounds like a plan.’

‘Where? x’

Inhaling deeply, I typed ‘New Fare Coffee’ and sent him the name and location of my current place. This coffee shop was my usual place to hang out. I knew the people and its menu like the back of my hand.

‘Great place! See you then! X’

Before turning my phone off, I saw Sophie sneakily glancing at my screen. Her eyes almost crossed as she tried to snoop in. I looked at her before nipping her arm. “Sneaky lady!”

Wincing, “Ouch! Who is that!?” Sophie giggled, “When did you learn how to hide stuff from me, huh?!” she snorted.

“Nothing!” I denied. Sophie and I were open to each other, but I couldn’t tell her about Kyle for some reason. I was too shy to admit that I was really into someone for the first time. Sophie knew all my crushes and the guys I dreamed of meeting. Most were just actors. Not the young ones, but the mature older ones.

Kyle was eight years older than me. Nearly seven since I will be turning nineteen two days from now. And that was one of the reasons I couldn’t tell her about him.

I searched for his profile on the internet and thought he would have a social media platform. He didn’t have any, but I saw a better one. Kyle Owens wasn’t that big yet, but it says that he would be the next CEO of Owens pharmaceutical company in New Jersey soon. His mom was a doctor, while his father was a well-known criminal defense lawyer in Pennsylvania.

“Come on, El…”

“Fine!” I yielded. “Just don’t judge me!” Maybe I could spare her some details about what happened to us.

“Why would I?!” Sophie scoffed, “I love you, El. I want to see you happy!”

“Thank you, so yeah. Hear me out,” I puffed before telling Sophie what happened to me days ago with Kyle. I started with the mini incident, showing her my concealed bruise on my forehead. Then, the messages he sent me and the flowers I had received yesterday and today. I even mentioned the coffee date we would have tomorrow morning.

“Did you say his name is Skylar Owens?” Sophie gasped.

“Yes,”

“Damn, girl. He’s a jackpot!”

“What?” I confusedly asked, “What do you mean? Is he that big? I didn’t see much in his profile,” I asked her questions.

“Yup, I know, but he’s the next big guy in the business world! Like, I think next month? I am not sure, but his uncle is stepping down to give him the position,” Sophie replied. I wasn’t sure what she meant, but since she was in the business course, Sophie must really have broad information about people in business.

“So?”

“He’s from Philly. That’s what I know,” Sophie shrugged her shoulders, “He’s hot and rich,”

“Ugh! I thought you knew him well,” I rolled my eyes.

Sophie chuckled. “Not really, though I saw an article about him. You are pretty, El. It was such a nice move for him to feel sorry about what he did to you and your car, but….”

“But what?”

“Be careful. Skylar is a player. I know he was sorry, but who knows….” Sophie crossed her arms over her chest, “As I said, you are beautiful and smart. I wouldn’t wonder if he says that he likes you because you are a likable person,” she stated.

“Stop beating around the bushes, Sophie,” I scoffed, “Tell me honestly what you feel?” I asked Sophie.

“He’s old for you,” Sophie murmured, wiggling her brows.

“Come on,” I grumbled.

Sophie squinted her eyes before giggling. “Hmm… it’s too early to judge since I don’t exactly know him. He’s a Bae. He has no records on the internet. No histories of lady’s he dated, but I am not sure,” she sneered.

“How did you know all of this?!” I was astonished. I agree that Kyle was hot and handsome, but I didn’t think Sophie was into him.

“Oh, I think I visited his profile when I saw his twin sister Samantha years ago,” she casually said, shrugging her shoulders.

“Oh. He has a twin,”

“Yes. Samantha Amanda Owens. She’s a lawyer. I knew her because of grandma. Sam and Kyle were in her class in grade school,”

“Oh….cool..” I could only say. I was oblivious, of course.

“Yup. But…” Sophie paused, clicking her tongue.

“Sophie…” I arched my brows. I knew she wasn’t telling me honestly what she felt about him.

“Okay, Fine! I don’t believe this guy is a one-woman man person,”

“So? It’s only a coffee date….”

“Stop it, El… I don’t think it would only be a coffee date. I won’t say you're naïve, but the flowers and those messages? He likes you, girl. He’s into you!”

I winced. It didn’t take me much to realize what Sophie meant. “Damn, you are right,” Kyle had already told me that he couldn’t stop thinking about me. I would say the same thing about myself. It had only been three days, but the attention was spot on.

“I would say this again. Be careful. Kyle is much older than you. Knowing how rich and gorgeous he is, I don’t think he’s an easy man to deal with. You know what I’m saying?” Sophie raised her brow at me.

I understood what Sophie meant. She wasn’t wrong. A man like Kyle wasn’t the kind of person you would trust with all your heart. He could be a player, and I could be his recent pursuit. “I hear you, Sophie. I’m glad you’re here with me,” I thoughtfully expressed, side-hugging my dearest friend. She was right. I need to guard myself.

“No worries. I’m glad you picked this place for tomorrow.”

I looked and scowled at Sophie. “So you mean it’s okay to meet him tomorrow?”

“Did I say it’s not?”

I chuckled. “Well, yeah. You said I should be careful and be smart,”

“That’s my girl. Like what you said, give it a shot….but….”

“I know…” I murmured. Fairytale love stories weren’t real.

Sophie and I continued hanging out. We spoke about our plans for next week. We would leave on Sunday and use Tom’s car instead of Justin’s. As much as I would love to drive his car, it was too much for me. I decided to let Ferdi take care of it until I came back to get more of my stuff once we found a place in New Jersey.

Later that afternoon, I went home only to be greeted by mom’s angry eyes at the door. Her face was flushed, and I could see the throbbing veins in her neck. I didn’t expect to see her today as I thought she left last night with Scar.

“Where have you been, you stupid lady?!” She scornfully yelled at me.

“I… I went to school to get my things from my locker,” I calmly answered her.

“Where’s your brother’s car key?” She snarled again, hands on her waist. This time, I quickly observed how she looked. The bags underneath her eyes told me she hadn’t had enough sleep.

“Why?” I simply asked back, yet the next thing I knew, mom whacked my face with her hand.

“Don’t you f*****g ask me why? I need your brother’s car!”

“Justin gave it to me,” I simply answered, rubbing my face she just slapped. It was bad but not as bad as I had before.

“Give it to me! You have no right to take it!”

“No, I will give it to you if he says so,” I strongly disagreed with her request. Mom had a bad gambling habit, and I was certain she asked for it because she needed some money. I spoke to Justin before he left, and he stated that I shouldn’t give it to mom.

Mom was about to attack me again when Nana Delia grabbed and hugged me to protect me. “Here,” she said, showing the car key to her. “Take it, just don’t hurt this girl,” she pleaded.

“Nana… it’s okay…. You shouldn’t….” I murmured, wincing as I thought about what would happen next.

Mom quickly took the key from her hand, “You filthy slaves, get out of my house!” she shouted at us before turning away, leaving us.

“Are you okay?” Nana Delia ignored my mom as she looked at me, cupping my cheek.

I nodded, “Yes,” I lied. My face was tingling from the slap, and I knew it would bruise again.

“Let’s go….you should’ve given it,” Nana Delia tugged my hand and led me to the kitchen. “I didn’t know she would come back soon,” she whispered to me while taking ice from the fridge.

“I know. but you shouldn’t have given her the key….” I simply murmured.

“Then what, Elisha?” Nana Delia scoffed.

“I don’t care anymore.”

“Elisha,”

“I’m leaving on Sunday. I will not see her for some time, plus Justin gave me that car to take care of,” I explained, taking the ice bag from her and pressing on my now swollen cheek, “I need to tell him,”

“I will explain to him what happened,” Nana Delia hugged me, breathing in. “Although I will miss you here, mi jiha. I would rather not see you here and know you are safe than be here and receive this abuse from your mom,” she cryingly said.

“Nana… stop…” I hugged her tight, “I will visit you often and call you every day,” promised the crying old lady.

“I know you will, but it’s just me…I can’t believe you are leaving in two days. And worst, on your birthday,” Nana Delia broke the hug and cupped my red cheek, “Can we celebrate it tomorrow?” she asked.

Inhaling deeply, I simply shook my head. I will meet Kyle tomorrow for coffee, and I can’t make any plans at the moment for some reason. “No, but maybe we can do it tonight?”

“Are you busy?”

“Sort of… I’ll help Sophie pack her stuff,” I lied, “Plus, Nana, we already celebrated it two days ago. It’s fine,” I thoughtfully said.

“Okay. Let me just help you pack your things today. What do you say? Then I’ll cook snacks and eat them in your room?” she suggested.

“Great idea, Nana,” I smiled, clutching her hand, “Thank you,”

“You are most welcome, mi hija,” Nana Delia hugged me tightly once more.

Nana Delia and I talked for more while she helped me fix the things I would bring on Sunday. I told her about my plans once I moved out. The old lady was happy that I was finally doing what I had always dreamed and planned for years.

“They will call you soon, Elisha,” Nana Delia said about the school I put my application to. “If not. There are so many universities and colleges all over the states here on the east coast,”

“Yeah. I am not in a rush, though. I will enjoy my break and perhaps work while waiting for the new school year,” I calmly agreed. Most universities will start by September. I still have three months to spare, though I was already hoping to meet all the requirements before it happens.

“Yes, darling,” Nana Delia smiled. Later on, one of our housekeepers, Nita, came in with our snacks and drinks. She helped us clean my room, and I gave her the stuff I didn’t need anymore. Most were dresses and shoes I no longer wear.

It was already dinner time when we finished. Nita and Nana Delia had already left me to prepare the food. While waiting for their call, Justin and Thomas called me. I told my brothers about what happened to Justin’s car, minus the slap mom gave me.

“Goddamnit,” Justin irritatingly said, “I’m not angry at you, El. I just hate what mom did. I clearly told her that you will have my car and not Scarlett!” he added.

“It’s fine, Justin. I’m sorry, though,” I replied.

“No, it’s okay as long as you have something to use for yourself. I’ll deal with it later,” Justin stated.

“I agree with him, El,” Tom chimed in, “I know your car is old, but let me see if I could get you a new one,” he added.

“No! Stop, Tom,” I quickly declined, “I don’t need a new car. Yours is fine,”

“That’s already yours, El. Just reminding you,” Tom chuckled.

“Yes, thanks, but please don’t think silly. I don’t need a new car,” I snorted.

“Fine, just let us know if you need anything,” Justin offered, “Well, tell Tommy because I’d be very busy on the road in Asia,”

“I will,” I murmured. I knew I could always ask for help from them, but I didn’t seek one if I could resolve it myself. They were great brothers. However, they had their own lives to deal with.

I bade goodbye to my brothers when Nana Delia called my name for dinner. This time, she said that mom had finally left the mansion. I was about to leave my room and join the people downstairs for dinner when my phone rang. I quickly took it and checked who it was.

Kyle.

‘Hey, Elisha. I’m so excited about tomorrow. See you later! Xo’

‘Likewise’…. I typed it first, but I changed my mind. I erased it and wrote a new one. ‘See you!’ I simply replied, albeit my heart was happy and excited about tomorrow’s meet-up.

PS, I’m still preparing for the contract application. I will update this, albeit slowly. xx love you all.