Filed to story: The Regretful Billionaire: An Unpredicted Reunion
Although he knew he would learn nothing from them, he still had to keep up the act.Otherwise, how else would Luke believe that he had nothing to do with them and that it was all Zeke’s plan?
However, Eustace knew that even if Luke believed it was all Zeke’s doing, he would only stay quiet. He still needed Zeke’s support, as he and Xavier hadn’t been that close. But Eustace didn’t mind. As long as he had planted the seed of doubt, it would one day sprout.
Danika looked at James before her in the restaurant, feeling conflicted.
Although news of Jolene returning to James’ side hadn’t been shared publicly, people still knew of it, including her.
These past few days, she wondered how she would talk to James. On the one hand, she had no idea how, and on the other hand, things were delayed because of Eustace.
And today, James invited her out. She wanted to talk to him to understand what was going through his head. However, she still hadn’t thought of a way to go about it.
“Mr. Birkett has returned, Danika. You can go see him when you have the time,” James said.
She nodded. “Alright. I’ll visit him sometime in the next two days. Do you want to come together with me?”
“I wont. I wasn’t really his student, either. On the surface, I was, but I hadn’t really learned from him.” James knew his worth.
Mr. Birkett was a world-renowned painter. James was sent by his family to study with him, but he didn’t have the talent, and Mr. Birkett didn’t want to refuse the Windsors.
Hence, he recognized him as his student only superficially.
But Danika was different.
She was talented and willing to learn. Mr. Birkett liked her very much and didn’t accept any other student after her.
“Mr. Birkett doesn’t care about that. He’d be happy if you went to see him.” Judging by his personality, Danika thought she would be tested again if she went.
She grew nervous. She hadn’t been practicing her art lately. The little time she had left was spent on physical training.
The more she thought, the guiltier she felt, and the more she didn’t want to see him
Who Do You Think You Are?
She did not continue with the topic and decided to bring up Jolene. ‘I hear that Jolene did not follow Rowena in the end.”
“Yeah.” James nodded and then smiled. “I knew you would ask about this.”
“I was just curious about what you were thinking. Otherwise, I’d worry.” Danika thought that Jolene could not compare to James. However, if James accidentally liked Jolene back, she could do nothing about it.
She was worried that something like that would happen, which was why she was so anxious to ask him the question.
James ate and looked out the window as if considering his answer. Danika grew anxious.
After a while, he said, “I wasn’t really thinking. I just thought a free nanny would be nice. I wouldn’t be the one at a disadvantage, anyway. Why would I refuse?”
“You’re not someone who has to cut back on a nanny’s fees,” Danika said. This excuse was a stretch. It was unbelievable.
“Well, I just thought it would be too easy to just let her go like that. Making her stay is a sort of punishment for her.”
Danika looked at him, her expression grim.
James retracted his gaze and saw her expression. He was a little surprised. “What’s with that expression? Do you think I like her?” James laughed as he said that. “Don’t you worry. I’d never fall in love with such a toxic woman,” he promised.
He had already laid it out in such a way that Danika had no reason to continue talking about it. They were close, but she couldn’t interfere with his matters too much. But if James one day truly fell in love with Jolene, Danika would have to seriously consider if she could meet Jolene without wanting to punch her face.
They left after the meal. On the way home, Danika received a call from Graham. He was just asking about her day, as usual. Danika told him she was fine, and she learned that he had a lead. Although Danika thought it wasn’t enough to find even a single person, she kept quiet.
She knew that it was good for Graham. With a goal in mind, he seemed more energetic.
On the other side of the city, James went back to Windsor Villa.
Jolene was waiting for him on the sofa. When she saw him, she hurried over. “Why are you back so late? The food is cold. I’m going to warm it up now.”
“There’s no need. I’ve already eaten,” James said.
Jolene was stunned. Then, she looked upset. “Could you give me a heads up if you plan to eat out? I…”
“Do you honestly want me to tell you everything about my schedule, Jolene? Who do you think you are?” James sneered, his tone mocking. He sat on the sofa. “A maid should act like a maid. I’ll eat out if I want to eat out. You don’t have to manage me.”
“I’m not trying to manage you.” Jolene had no idea what had come over him. He was perfectly fine these past two days. Yet, he had gone back to how he was previously.
“Come here.” James beckoned, wanting her to sit next to him. Her heartbeat quickened. She sat nervously next to him. “What’s up?” James said nothing, merely grazing his hand over her face, curling a strand of her hair between his fingers. “Danika thinks that I’m keeping you here because I like you. Isn’t that hilarious?”
Your Feelings for Me Are Repulsive
Jolene was shocked to her core. ‘Why…why would she think that?”
She was extremely agitated. She really wanted to know if James had any feelings for her, any at all.
“Now that I think of it, you think the same, don’t you? You wanted to leave, but then you came back.” James was no fool. Jolene’s actions were weird. She definitely had an ulterior motive.
Jolene was fearful of his gaze. She waved her hands quickly. “What? I don’t It
“Really?” James straightened his back, leaning toward her.
With the close distance, Jolene was utterly dazed. Ever since that night in the hotel, they had not been this close. She could hear her heartbeat, beating a mile a minute.
In her frenzied state, she suddenly said, “That’s right. I thought you liked me, even if only a little bit.’
James smiled. But it was not a smile that heralded good news.
In the spur of the moment, like a crazed woman, Jolene kissed him instead of pulling back.
For a moment, James had no idea how to react when the warmth pressed to his lips.
His dazed state seemed to encourage her. She placed her hands on his chest. However, his confusion didn’t last for long. He snapped back to reality, and Jolene was flung to the ground.
He wiped his lips in disgust. His fury was indescribable.
“Like you? As if you’re worthy of it!” In one swift motion, he swept everything off the table. It was enough evidence of his anger. “How could I love a vile woman like you? Are you fucking mad?’
James kept on shouting, and Jolene was curled up on the floor, not responding.
She was feeling a flurry of emotions. James’ words were harsh, but she wasn’t upset. In fact, she felt a small ecstasy from her kiss.
He grabbed her neck. “What are you thinking? Do you think I wouldn’t dare to do anything to you?”
He did not see any fear on her face at all. It upset him.
“I like you, James,’ she said.
Her sudden words stunned him.
Was she fucking insane?
Who would want to be liked by her?
James flung her away. “Your feelings for me are repulsive.”
Jolene was upset; pain shot through her heart, but she did not show it.” Really? I’m sorry for what happened. I didn’t want it, either.”
“You!” James pointed at her, so angry that he was at a loss for words. He took a deep breath, willing himself to calm down. “Kneel. Do not get up without my permission.’
He felt that he had to punish her. Otherwise, she would begin having delusions.
Like her? What sort of a daydream was that?
“Alright.” Jolene didn’t retort. She didn’t think that it was a cruel punishment. As long as James kept her there, she had a chance with him.
She tasted his lips today. The next time, she would have him entirely. She was filled with determination, like a predator that had found its prey.
James didn’t know what was going through her mind. If he did, he would have gone berserk.
After dishing out her punishment, James went back to his room. He didn’t want to see her for a minute longer.
I Want to Give Up
Jolene didn’t end up kneeling until the morning. She was so tired at night that she had dozed off. She thought that James would scold her harshly in the morning. However, when she woke up, he had left the villa, and she had a blanket around her shoulders.
She looked at the blanket, smiling.
Danika had no idea about what had happened between James and Jolene. After her meal with him yesterday, she had no other intentions of interfering. It was between them, after all. Although Danika didn’t like Jolene, she couldn’t break them up on purpose.
She didn’t want to care about it any longer, opting to let things unfold naturally.
She went to the hospital to work. It was just like any regular hospital day but with different patients.
Sometimes, when Danika looked at them, she’d wonder if she could save more people if she were stronger.
“Doctor.” A tiny voice interrupted her thoughts.
Danika looked down, seeing a young girl. Her mother was currently under Danika’s care.
She bent over and patted the girl on the head. ‘What’s up?”
“My mommy told me to get you.”
Danika nodded and followed the girl to the ward.
