Beauty and the Billionaire

Chapter 2

At about ten minutes to eight, Claire was heading for Pristine Expressions, a popular boutique outlet that was pure luxury. That was where her interview would be held. Mrs Kimberly Rex would be waiting for her inside.

The taxi that had brought her here was backing away from the curb as Claire studied the huge glass building with a bit of surprise. The building was beautiful and even from outside, it was easy to see that the ambience spoke class like she'd never heard before.

She was grateful for having dressed in corporate clothes to a place like this. She checked the address that had been sent her by Mrs Kimberly on her phone, and after confirming that she was at the right place, she headed for the front double doors.

She first had to navigate beyond the parking lot space of the premises. Men and women were walking to and fro the area, alone or with others.

Claire was past the parking space when she saw a familiar face and she nearly rolled into herself. Before her was a dashing man with dark brown hair and matching colour of eyes. His sculpted jaw stood out in his clean-shaven beard and his eyes, deep as they were, were beautiful. Claire found herself staring at them...until the man's gaze moved from another man beside him and cut to hers.

Claire dodged behind a group of women pushing a hanger cart of fabrics past her. She reappeared behind a car, breathing in a sigh of relief.

She did know that hot and eligible bachelor. She had had an encounter with him and it was surprising seeing him here after months...and after what she did.

It had to be up to four months ago when Claire and one of her friends- a work colleague then, named Lily- had been waiting by a curb for a taxi to take them back to their respective houses after a wild party they had attended, when a car- the car of this handsome stranger- had been backing out of another building- a hotel- next to the venue of the party they left from.

It had rained earlier in the evening and it was still drizzling slightly. The floor was wet and some water puddles were spread across the floor. The car driver had driven thoughtlessly over the water splashing water on the two girls who waited by the curb as the car tried to join the road.

Drunk and angry, Claire had shouted at the retreating car at the top of her lungs and the driver had stopped the car a few paces from them.

Soon, the driver came out and Claire and her friend marched up to him angrily giving him a piece of their minds; both of them supporting each other. The driver had apologized insincerely and it was clear that he was indifferent...like the one he drove at the passenger seat.

Claire had watched the bored expression on the handsome stranger's face as he watched them. He had a condescending and domineering air around him and he looked like he couldn't care less about their predicament. That alone was fuel enough to keep Claire going.

While her friend had stopped talking, sensing the importance of the passenger that was being driven, Claire had been less agreeable.

"Can you tell your drivers next time to watch where they drive?" Claire had told the man. "He just drenched us in puddle water because of his carelessness."

The response from the other man had been simple, indifferent: "He will drive as he wishes so long as he takes me where I ask him, safe and unharmed."

"Arrogant son-of-a-" Claire snapped under her breath.

"-A good evening to you ladies. Matthew, at the wheels. Now," the man replied, rolling up the tinted glass of his window while Claire stood shaking in her own rage.

The driver had left the women, heading inside the car.

Claire watched the car back away in anger before a small grin appeared on her face. She pulled off one of her heels and flung it at the car. The heavy stiletto heel hit the front windscreen of the car and cracks appeared. The car stopped.

Lily was shocked at Claire's action. She turned quickly to her: "Girl, he's coming out of the car. He's cominggg!"

"Run!" Was all Claire had said as she took up her other heel and scrambled with her friend.

That had to be like four months ago and the memory was still fresh in Claire's mind. Even the handsome stranger's face was. She recognized him even though she had seen him at night and hadn't spoken with him for long.

Claire let out a breath as she tried to calm herself down. The man probably was just here to order a dress for his wife or girlfriend. Pristine Expressions was very popular and they had the best of designers. That's it, Claire told herself. He was here to purchase something. She wasn't going to leave here arrested for damaging another person's property. If she evaded the man well enough, she could attend her interview and make it out without encountering him.

Claire peered from behind the car she stood by and saw that the man and his companion were gone. The coast was clear. She headed for the double doors of the main building as quickly as she could.

She crossed the lobby and went to the reception area. The receptionist turned to her.

"Hello," Claire said. "I would like to see Mrs Kimberly Rex, please."

"Do you have an appointment?" Was the reply from the receptionist.

"Yes. She said I should see her this morning."

"Seventh floor. Left wing. Last office to the right."

"Thank you."

Claire headed for the elevator, still doing her sweep of the lobby area. So far so good, the man was no where in sight. When she was finally inside the elevator with people she had never seen before, she breathed another sigh of relief.

The elevator bell dinged on reaching the seventh floor and Claire made her way out with a few people. She turned to the left wing and began to walk down the hall.

The offices were made of clear glass and they looked out into the beautiful Chicago skyline. The marble floors were smooth and had a muted colour. Claire passed offices and offices until she reached the last one on the right.

She entered the first door and met the secretary at a desk. She headed for the secretary and informed her of her mission.

The woman called Mrs Kimberly and then turned to Claire. "She willl see you now."

Claire thanked the secretary and headed for the door the lady pointed to. On reaching the door, Claire knocked twice and then pulled the door open. She was inside the office in seconds.

The large room was bordered by pure glass on one end and boasted of luxury with its furniture and fittings. The lights inside were muted and warm and the large office was spacious and airy. White couches dominated the area that did not hold the office table and chairs or shelves.

Claire's gaze turned to the part occupied by people and located Mrs Kimberly, advanced and regal as she was. She had grey streaking her red hair and yet it was fashionable. She wore a prim suit over a dress and kitten heels.

There was a man in the room with her. He was younger and taller, a little over six feet and in an all-black suit. He turned to Claire as she approached the table and Claire almost tripped on her flats. He was that same man she had met a few months ago; that she had hid from at the parking lot.

Crap, Claire whispered under her breath. The man turned from his phone to her as he stayed seated at a couch. He watched her silently. Claire knew then that he recognized her. She took in a gulp as she continued to walk towards the woman seated at the head of the table with two chairs facing her.

"Allison, is it?" Mrs Kimberly Rex asked as she approached.

"Claire," Claire answered."Claire Allison."

Mrs Kimberly gave a negligent wave of her hand. She didn't care. "Get seated," she said.

While Claire sat down carefully and tried to forget the gaze of the man on her, Mrs Kimberly answered a call. After she dropped the receiver saying, "bring her in," she turned to the man seated at the couch area.

"She's here," Mrs Kimberly said to him.

The emotionless expression still on his face, the man said: "How long will she be staying?"

"Until your dear sister, Darla can get her s**t together and take care of her own child," Mrs Kimberly said. "Hopefully, she'll get out of her funk by the time summer holidays are over."

"Divorce is difficult. Break-ups are. This does not give her any right to avoid her responsibility. You let her get away with too much," the man answered.

Mrs Kimberly did not to reply as she opened a file and conveniently ignored Claire seated before her. When the door opened again, a little girl came in escorted by Mrs Kimberly's secretary.

"Granny!" The little girl squealed as she rushed to hug her grandmother.

"My dear!"