Wanted By A Billionaire

Chapter 7

“Are there any other things I need to take note of?” Nick asked Chalondra as they both did the inspection of the hotel. They usually did this most times to check the activities of the others as well as places in the hotel that needed attention. They reached the ground floor when a delivery man entered with a bouquet. Chalondra and Nick didn’t pay him any attention until the delivery man moved towards the receptionist, and the receptionist pointed in their direction.

The delivery man started moving towards them, and Chalondra gave him a puzzled look.

“Good morning,” the delivery man greeted. “I have a delivery for Ms. Davies.”

“I’m Ms. Davies,” Chalondra said as she stared at the tulips in his hand. She wondered who had sent them. It didn’t take her long to get her answers. The last time she had received flowers was from David. Nick watched Chalondra with intrigue. He had no idea Chalondra had a love interest. He didn’t interfere in the personal affairs of the members of his staff, but he was intrigued about Chalondra because David asked about her once in a while during the past week. Nick knew his friend and hoped Chalondra hadn’t fallen for David’s sway. Nick knew how it always ended. He decided to ask David about it.

“I’ll drop these off to Clara,” Chalondra said as she faced Nick. It was at this point Nick noticed that the delivery man had gone, and the bouquet was now with Chalondra.

“It’s fine. You may return to your office. We’ve done most of the things we set out to do,” Nick said.

“Okay, sir,” Chalondra said with a smile. She left Nick and walked towards the elevator. She was surprised that the flower had no card. She wondered if David had intentionally done that. At this, she thought of David for the umpteenth time that day. She had thought of nothing else than him after their dinner yesterday. She hadn’t expected him to make the offer he had made. She brought the bouquet to her nose and inhaled the fragrance. She wondered why David had sent tulips. She smiled as she got to her office. She had barely taken her seat when she heard a knock on the door. With a puzzled expression, she called out, “Come in.”

“Good morning,” Clara said as she entered Chalondra’s office. Chalondra was surprised when she saw another bouquet of red roses.

“Good morning, Clara. Is there a problem?”

“No, you have a delivery,” Clara said, and Chalondra frowned as she stepped forward.

“There must be a mix-up somewhere. I already have my delivery,” Chalondra said, and it was Clara’s turn to frown.

“The delivery man said this is yours,” Clara said, and Chalondra was amazed.

“Okay, give it to me,” Chalondra said before she collected the bouquet from Clara. Chalondra turned it around. It didn’t take long before she spotted the card sitting in the middle of the bouquet. Chalondra plucked the card and checked it. She found David’s signatory handwriting inside before she read the content.

“You may leave,” Chalondra said as she raised her head. Clara nodded before she left Chalondra’s office. It was at this time Chalondra returned her attention to the card.

Hello Beautiful,

Thank you for a wonderful night. I’m looking forward to more of it. How about dinner tonight?

Chalondra smiled as she read this. She grabbed her phone and dialed David’s number. He didn’t waste time answering the call.

“You go all the way out, don’t you?” Chalondra said as she beamed.

“What can I say? I do the little I can,” David said.

“Thank you for the flowers,” Chalondra said.

“You deserve more than that,” David said, and Chalondra stared grinning at this.

“What do you say to dinner?” David asked.

“I’m sorry, but I have to work really late today,” Chalondra said, and David sighed.

“How about we do lunch?” David couldn’t help but ask.

“Let me see…” Chalondra said as she pretended to think about it.

“I could pull a few strings with Nick for you,” David said, and Chalondra frowned. She didn’t like the idea of David using his means to get something for her. She wanted him for him, not for the material things he had to offer. “No,” Chalondra said.

“Okay,” David responded without any argument. “Can you fix lunch?” he asked while he patiently waited for her response. He hoped she would agree to it.

“Yes,” Chalondra replied, and David felt hope blossom within him.

“Perfect, where do you have in mind?”

“Anywhere is fine. Anywhere far from Carnero’s,” Chalondra said with a smile.

“Okay, when does your lunch start?” David asked.

“Lunch starts in the next five hours,” Chalondra replied as she checked the time.

“I’ll come and pick you up,” David said.

“No, send me the address. I’ll meet you there,” Chalondra said.

“Okay,” David replied.

“I guess we’ll see in a few hours’ time.”

“That’s too long a time to see you again,” David said as Chalondra chuckled.

“It’s better than nothing,” Chalondra said with mischief.

“Definitely.”

“Then, don’t distract me from work, so I’ll be able to make it for lunch,” Chalondra said.

“Fine, I have a meeting now as well,” David said.

“Okay, we’ll see during lunch,” Chalondra replied.

“Yes, we will,” David affirmed.

*****

“Thank you, Mr. Lynn,” David said as he shook the hands of his new business partner. They had deliberated for hours after he had ended the call with Chalondra, and Mr. Lynn had finally agreed to David’s proposal.

“It’s my pleasure,” Mr. Lynn said as he firmly grabbed David’s palm. He was glad that the meeting was fruitful and it was finally over. Now, he looked forward to his lunch date with Chalondra. Hence, he wanted Mr. Lynn to be on his way.

“I’ll have the rest of the documents mailed to you, and we will move on from there,” David said.

“Okay, I’ll be expecting,” Mr. Lynn said.

“Do have a nice day,” David responded.

“Do have a nice day, too,” Mr. Lynn said before he left. David released a sigh of relief before he marched towards the elevator. He had sent the address of the restaurant to her some hours earlier.

David’s phone started ringing when he stepped into the elevator. He pulled out his phone from his pant pocket and realized it was Nick calling. He was surprised at this but answered the call.

“Nick,” David said as he pressed the button that would take him to the ground floor.

“David, it’s been a while,” Nick said. David admitted in his mind that it was. He couldn’t remember the last time he had been at Carnero’s.

“Yes, it has. How have you been?” David asked.

“I’m good, and you?” Nick asked as the elevator pinged and halted at the ground floor before the door opened.

“I’m good. How has it been over there?” David absentmindedly said.

“It’s been boring without you. Are you going to be coming over tonight?” Nick asked. David recalled times he wouldn’t have passed on the offer. However, Chalondra changed all that for him because no other woman mattered except her.

“I’ll pass,” David said as he reached his Aston Martin and met Brandon waiting for him. Brandon had resumed work three days back.

“Is there a problem, David?” Nick asked.

“I can’t remember the last time you’ve stayed this long without coming around. Asides from that, you’ve been out of the media lately,” Nick said. David knew his friend was right. This was the longest the tabloids had gone without taking a picture of him unawares with his flings. David mused as he thought of what the tabloids must be thinking about his sudden change of behavior.