The Forgotten Billionaire

Chapter 19

Randall was obviously taken aback when I arrived. What exactly was it? Were you concerned about being caught by your wife? Or were you frightened of being discovered with a lover because I could divorce you, causing a problem for our company? I simply hemmed and passed them.

I walked directly to the refrigerator and pulled out the pitcher to pour water, but my throat became dry and it felt like something became stuck there. I couldn’t believe he did this in our home.

I leaned against the bar counter, gulping the cold water in my glass. Maybe I was so deep in thought that I didn’t see who entered the kitchen and approached my side.

“What have you been up to?” As he talked and stood by my side.

I laughed at him, then returned my attention to the glass, where I toyed with the perspiration that was moisturizing the outside of it. “I suppose you think too highly of yourself to ask that while bringing a woman into my home?”

As I adjusted my posture and exited the slope, his jaw clenched. So perhaps he dismissed the maids in exchange for the beautiful moments he and Charlotte shared.

“I’m politely asking.” He withstood the coldness with which I treated him. Perhaps that was the truest part of the day we were together. This was the truth, acted cold and seemed like he didn’t care about me. My stomach butterflies seemed to have perished. They appeared to be bored with playing.

“I answered you nicely, and I don’t know or see a need for me to answer that question of yours.” After I finished speaking, I peered out the kitchen window and saw the raptor vehicle pull off.

“Why are you acting like that?” He grabbed my wrist and held it hard, preventing me from moving.

“What ‘that’ are you saying?” I chuckled out loud while my eyes remained chilly. I shook my head, as though dissatisfied with him. I let go of his grasp on me and moved forward to take off his arm.

He yanked my body back to the bar counter. I was a little hurt since my back was struck there. Because of tremendous strength, I almost fell. But before I could recover, I noticed that his lips had already been glued to mine. He kissed me so forcefully that the roughness of his kisses caused my lips to rip.

I pushed him, but I couldn’t even get him to move. He tried to get his tongue in my mouth, but I shut it fast. He was now holding my two cheeks. I intentionally opened my mouth to accept his tongue since he didn’t want to stop. I bit his tongue when I felt his stinging tongue and breath.

I tasted the rust flavor and the liquid on my tongue. I wiped the blood from my lips and slapped him hard on the left cheek. The clatter of my hand echoed throughout the kitchen. He turned his face to the right and put his hand on his face. His face remained the same.

I did not bring up the subject of arranged marriage. It was not like our relationship was in good shape anymore. It also didn’t make sense to me if I brought up the issue with him. I was wearing the ring; we had signed the wedding certificate, and I had made a vow before the Lord. Even though he wasn’t completely honest with me, I enjoyed the months we spent together. In the days when he made me feel like I had a supporter and when he revealed the truth of all his disguises.

My throat seems clogged, as though when I speak, tears that shouldn’t be coming out will. And when I spoke, I would fling everything I detested at him, and when he apologized, my heart would melt all over again. That if he said it wasn't his intention, it was like nothing happened, everything went back to zero. I would be okay again and might return to him.

During the months when I was blinded by what I saw, I let him do everything. I didn’t question why Aunt Helena and he were so close, why he was on the phone, or whether the conversation was shady. I accepted since he claimed he would explain and told me at the right time and day.

We were silent for a few moments until I pushed him, and he backed away. I stormed upstairs and slammed the door behind me. I looked down at my lips, which had gone crimson from the roughness of his kiss and the blood that had gotten on them.

I phoned Ava and told her we were going to meet to discuss what had unfolded. I didn’t want to tell her right now over the phone. Someone texted me while we were on the phone. I wasn't sure who it was, but the message was horrifying to me.

“The secret hides in the past.”

I stood up hurriedly in bed. I thoroughly examined the number, but I had no idea who the owner was, so I contacted Turstin. I got Turstin’s number from him on the way to where Ava and I were supposed to meet the previous time. I waited for four more calls before he answered the phone.

“Hello. Good afternoon. Mr. Turstin Adams speaking.”

I even laughed because he spoke politely on the other line. He looked like a businessman. He even pretended that he didn’t want to attend events, but he captured the stance of a professional businessman. His tone on the other line was also very different from when he and Ava were talking.

“Turstin, this is Ava.”

“Oh! Ava! Why did you call?” His voice returned. It was funny to think that he could balance professionalism with friendliness. I just didn’t know why he didn’t get along with Ava.

“Turstin, do you know anyone who can detect whose number or location texted you?”

“Why? What happened?” Now the voice became a bit serious. How did he manage to vary the voices he used?

“There’s someone who texted me. When I tried to reply and call, it said the number no longer exists. I also want to know what device they use when they contact me.”

“Hmm. Is that so? There is someone I know. Tho, I am not sure if he is still doing what you requested. We can go to him.”

“Really? Thank you! I’ll take Ava with me too. You probably won’t be angry, will you?” I laughed because I just laughed every time I remembered the useless thing they were arguing about when they first met. There was also chemistry because they both didn’t want to inherit their company. In contrast, Turstin took over the responsibilities while Ava fled.

“Why will you even take that masculine act on a woman?” his voice was suddenly irritated.

“We’re going to talk. I’ll just go with you and take her.”

He sighed as if he had no choice but to agree. “Okay then. Anyway, can I know why you want to find the device of the person who texted you?”

“Well, I’ll just tell you when we meet. When will you be available?”

“Anytime.”

“That’s great! Tomorrow then.”

After hanging up, I walked to the kitchen to eat. I thought I was growing deaf in the silence of the home. I didn’t see Randall, nor did I look around the room for him. I just prepared bacon and eggs because I was already hungry and too lazy to make anything else. The doorbell rang while I was eating. I disregarded it because I assumed Randall would open it. It rang once more. When I heard another sound, I stood up to open it.

There was no one at the entrance when I arrived. I poked my head out the door to see who was there. I unintentionally kicked a box as I was ready to walk outdoors. It had a black ribbon on it. When I took it up, it was heavy and appeared to be damp on the inside.

There was no message, just a piece of paper with a smile on it. When I removed the ribbon, a red liquid clung to my palm.

When I eventually opened the package, I flung it and screamed in terror.