Wanted By A Billionaire

*****

“Argghh,” Chalondra groaned as she tried to balance the list before her. It was the expenditures of the hotel, and she needed to sort it out and send it across to Nick before the day ended. She was drained from working all week long without a break. She still had a lot on her plate she needed to handle. The only thing that had kept her sane during these periods was David’s constant calls. She couldn’t wait for their dinner. Although Nick knew about her relationship with David, she was glad he hadn’t mentioned it.

Chalondra felt joy blossom within her when her phone started ringing. The only person who came to mind was David. Hence, she wasted no time answering the call.

“Thank goodness, you called. I was almost going out of my mind here,” Chalondra said as she breathed a sigh of relief. However, rather than the deep timber voice of David she was used to, what she heard was the tiny voice of her friend Natasha.

“I’m glad I called, then!” Natasha said with excitement. Chalondra frowned as she pulled the phone from her ear to confirm it was indeed Natasha.

“No way, girl!” Chalondra exclaimed. Ever since Natasha went on a vacation with Mark, she had neither given Chalondra a call or a text, and Chalondra was pissed.

“I’m sorry. I know I have a lot of explaining to do,” Natasha said.

“You bet you do,” Chalondra said.

“I know, I’m sorry. I was carried away with the beautiful things Mark has been making me experience. I know I should have at least called so that you wouldn’t worry about me, and I have no excuse for my behavior other than that. I am sorry,” Natasha said. Chalondra sighed at this. She also felt guilty that she had been so carried away with work and David that she hadn’t thought to ensure that Natasha was all right.

“Fine,” Chalondra said with a smile.

“Thank goodness! What have I missed?” Natasha asked.

“When are you returning?” Chalondra asked instead. Chalondra couldn’t believe she had gone so long without contacting Natasha. Gone were those days the only person’s calls she received was Natasha now sheen anticipated David’s call almost every time.

“In three days’ time,” Natasha said.

“That’s great. You remember me when you are close to returning,” Chalondra said as she pretended to be offended.

“I said I’m sorry. If you were in my shoes, you would understand me better,” Natasha said, and Chalondra smiled. There was a time Chalondra wouldn’t have been able to make sense of Natasha’s behavior. However, she knew better.

“I understand,” Chalondra said with a smile. She imagined Natasha not thinking about anything else when she was with Mark. This was the exact thing that happened to her anytime she was with David.

“You do?” Natasha asked in surprise.

“Yes, I do,” Chalondra said.

“Girl, where is my friend?!” Natasha exclaimed with excitement.

“I’m right here,” Chalondra said as she chuckled.

“I’ve missed a lot. What happened to you? How did you suddenly understand the ways of love? Give me the details!” Natasha asked.

“What details are you talking about?” Chalondra asked as she feigned ignorance.

“You know quite well what I’m talking about. My gut instinct tells me that there is a man,” Natasha said, and Chalondra couldn’t help but chuckle.

“I knew it!” Natasha screamed as she had just discovered a prize.

“Who is he? When did this happen? I wonder what he must have done to win you over this way! Like girl, I need details!” Natasha said.

“Calm down, babe. Don’t be overly dramatic about this,” Chalondra said as she chuckled.

“Let me be. My friend who has sworn off men now has someone who broke the rules for her. I smell love, and that makes me happy,” Natasha said.

“Wow! Now you can smell love?” Chalondra said as she burst into laughter. She should have known that Natasha would be hyper about this.

“Yes, I can. Now, tell me the details,” Natasha said.

“Well, first of you are wrong about smelling love. What is between David and me is like a mutual agreement,” Chalondra said.

“Mutual what? What does that even mean? Are you trying to pull my leg

or something? Wait a minute, you said… David? Is he someone I know?” Natasha fired off rapidly. She felt bad to have stayed away from Chalondra for so long.

“One at a time, Natasha,” Chalondra said with an exasperated sigh. “About the mutual relationship. We connect on a different level. You know what I mean?” Chalondra said.

“I don’t, but please continue,” Natasha said in an impatient manner.

“Fine, David and I have this hot thing between us. You know when we can’t go a day without talking to each other, how we spend hours on the phone talking about almost everything because we don’t want to say our goodbyes yet. There is intense passion. It’s like there’s no one else is in the room when he is with me,” Chalondra said.

“That sounds like love to me,” Natasha said, and Chalondra rolled her eyes.

“I repeat that it’s not that. You know I’ve sworn off love; that hasn’t changed. See it as two people with crazy chemistry,” Chalondra said and frowned when Natasha went silent on the other end.

“Natasha?” Chalondra called out to check if she was still on the line.

“You are more deluded than I thought,” Natasha said as she broke the silence on her end.

“I beg your pardon?” Chalondra queried with a frown.

“If what you explained isn’t love, I don’t know what else is,” Natasha said, and Chalondra sighed.

“It’s not. I already explained what it is to you,” Chalondra said.

“If that’s what you want to believe, I’ll indulge you. You still haven’t told me who this guy is,” Natasha said. “Wait a minute,” she added before she paused as her mind drifted back to Chalondra, mentioning David Murray and their date.

“Is it David Murray?” Natasha asked, and Chalondra’s silence was all the answer she needed to hear.

“Oh my goodness! This is unbelievable!” Natasha squealed, and Chalondra rolled her eyes. “Of all the people, I thought. David Murray, as in the serial playboy of California,” Natasha said. Chalondra winced at the description but knew Natasha was right to call him that. It was what everyone knew him to be. Hence, it was why it amazed Chalondra that David agreed to stay exclusive. That was part of what made her respect him even more.

“Yes, ” Chalondra said.

“My goodness! This is the best thing I’ve heard from you in weeks. I can’t believe

Cupid’s arrow finally reached you. Who knows, maybe we’ll  have our wedding together,” Natasha said, and Chalondra started laughing.

“Will you stop already? How many times do I have to tell you that there is no love or wedding here? We are attracted to each other, but we aren’t interested in taking it further than attraction,” Chalondra said. “Are you rolling your eyes at me?” Chalondra asked as she chuckled.

“You bet I am,” Natasha responded. “Listen to me. No one plans to fall in love. It just happens, and my dear friend, with what I’ve heard in your voice, you are on your way to doing that already,” Natasha added.

“Will you stop with this?” Chalondra said as she felt her heartbeat thundering at this. Is it possible that I’m falling in love with David? No, Natasha is imagining things. It’s only expected that she thinks so, because she is in love.

“Fine, have it your way. Don’t say I didn’t tell you when it happens,” Natasha said as she smiled.

“What of Mark?” Chalondra said as she tried to change the topic.

“He is somewhere around. We decided to do a little shopping,” Natasha said.

“Girl, I’m imagining the workload waiting for you by the time you resume,” Chalondra said.

“Trust me; I dread returning. I’ve had nothing but fun since I was here. I wish I could just rewind time and start all over again,” Natasha said while Chalondra burst into laughter.

“I can imagine,” Chalondra said.