The Hated Billionaire by Erica Frost

Epilogue:

I looked out of the window, feeling a shiver of excitement. It was evening, the lights just switched on in the cars, the dusk soft and pink over the busy, blinking city. I turned around as Brett came out of the bathroom. We were in my apartment, the view over the city wide and bright.

“Christina,” he said, smiling at me. “Are you ready?”

I nodded. “Yes,” I said. My hands could feel the silky fabric of my summer dress, the collar a wide boat-neck, the skirt soft and smooth and decorated with a design of purple flowers.

“You look gorgeous,” Brett murmured. “I think I’ve never seen you in a dress before.”

I chuckled. “I’m not sure if that makes me look gorgeous, or just unusual,” I teased, but his brown eyes were wide and glinting with arousal. I knew that he meant I looked good.

“Christina, you look so lovely. I don’t know how I’m going to keep my hands off you, but I don’t want to spoil your makeup.”

I giggled. “Brett! You are sweet. And I have to admit, you look gorgeous, too.” I wrapped my arms around him, running my hands down his back. He was wearing a black suit, the jacket fitting perfectly across his broad shoulders, the white shirt so sexy and just begging to be unbuttoned, I thought with a delighted grin. I kissed him, then put on more lipstick as he wiped his mouth, grinning at me.

“I reckon we should go now,” he said after a moment, looking at the clock. “It’s about six o’clock.”

“Yeah,” I nodded, feeling my heart lift with excitement. “Let’s go! We’ll get there in plenty of time, I think.”

He nodded and kissed me, but tried not to kiss off my lipstick again.

We went down to his car, both laughing and breathless. I was so excited and I could tell he was too. I wondered if he – like me – was also nervous. I couldn’t help feeling a bit apprehensive – after all, this was the first time we were going to make an appearance together at work.

We drove through the streets, which were still crowded with evening traffic. I looked out at the cars, at buildings with neon signs, at the traffic-lights ahead, and felt so completely happy. It was as if when I was with him the world was another place. I smiled happily, just too full of joy to keep myself from grinning.

We arrived at the big high-rise building after a half hour’s drive and we parked in Brett’s parking-place. He helped me out of the car and we went up to the reception area together. I held his hand, my heart thudding. My hand tightened in his, my heart racing.

“I’m sure they’ll be very happy to see us,” Brett murmured.

I nodded, swallowing. “I suppose.”

We smiled at each other. He also looked nervous, but he was trying to look calm. I loved him for that, just as I loved him for everything about him.

We stepped out of the lift.

I looked at the crowd. We were facing everybody from work, and a lot of investors besides. They were dressed in black suits or bright dresses, the smell of wine and perfume strong around them. I gripped Brett’s hand, feeling my body tense with nerves. They were all looking at us; a wall of eyes and designer suits and I could feel myself wanting to just walk away.

Then, suddenly, Neela stepped to the front of the group. “Christina!” she greeted. “Hey! So great to see you! Hey, Mr. Caden. So good to see you here.”

I relaxed instantly as some other people nodded, and some smiled. Somebody else came over to talk to Brett, while Neela talked to me. She was tall in heels, with wide trousers and a beautiful sparkly top. Her long hair was styled in a relaxed chignon and she had crystal earrings that blinked in the lights. Her eyes were even brighter as she grinned at me.

“Christina! You look amazing! So good to see you here! And that dress is stunning…” She looked across at Brett, who was talking to the CTO but glanced at both of us, a warm grin on his face.

I smiled. “I’m so happy, Neela,” I said. She raised a brow, looking at Brett Caden.

“He’s stunning, isn’t he? So weird, I’ve only just noticed. I’m so happy for you, Christina. So happy.”

I felt a wide smile stretch my lips. “Thank you, Neela. Really…you kept me sane when I really needed it. I’ll never forget that.”

She laughed. “You’re very sane,” she said. “I’m not sure if I can say the same for myself…come and look at the new font for our logo and you’ll be able to judge for yourself.”

I laughed and embraced her fondly. “You know what I mean,” I teased gently.

She nodded. “I’m so glad you’re okay. And that you’re so happy.” She gestured at Brett, who was deep in discussion with two shareholders, not looking round for a moment.

“I am. I never thought I’d find someone so wonderful, someone who understands everything about me.” I watched him where he stood, his back straight, his hair soft in the light from the overhead lighting.

“He seems to be a really nice guy,” Neela agreed, though she sounded so surprised that I giggled.

“Yes, he really is,” I replied after a moment. “He’s a wonderful man. He’s accepting and understanding and supportive…” I trailed off, seeing her grin deepen.

“You really are happy,” she said.

“Yes,” I agreed. “So happy.”

We talked a bit about her work, and gradually the conversation drifted around to the topic of my father. I hadn’t spoken to him since he had turned up and tried to convince me to pay his debts. After all, he had very nearly gotten me killed, and on top of all the trouble in the past I didn’t really feel like trying to be vulnerable with him. I held no hatred for him, but I couldn’t feel safe around him. Since he was now let off the hook with his debt, he had agreed to try and treat his gambling addiction, and Brett had organized for him to attend a rehabilitation run by a doctor with a huge success rate. We both had every hope that he would receive the help he needed.

Other than that, I felt free of the burden. I also felt free of the terror that had been lurking in my heart for years. I was starting to heal, helped by the gentle love that I received from Brett.

Slowly, I was discovering that love was unconditional, and that I didn’t need to deserve it. That Brett and I loved each other and it was a gentle, beautiful thing that we shared.

I was talking to Neela when Brett came over, just finishing with the investors. He grinned at me, shook Neela’s hand when I introduced him, and stayed to chat for a bit.

“She’s nice,” he said when she’d left. “I’m glad you have such a good friend.”

“She’s a wonderful friend,” I agreed warmly. “And she’s your head graphic designer.”

“It’s great,” he agreed. We both drifted over to the big posters where Neela’s latest work was displayed – not only had she designed them overall, she’d done the layout for each one. We read through them, nodding admiringly at her work.

“Shall we go outside?” Brett asked, gesturing at the reception-area in general. “It’s pretty warm, when so many people are packed in.”

“Yes,” I agreed. I reached for my jacket and shrugged it on; a soft cream-colored blazer that matched the dress exactly, as if it had been bought together. We went out onto the terrace.

“It’s a beautiful evening,” Brett said, coming to lean beside me on the rail.

I nodded. The city was stretched out below us, the car lights bright in the grayish dusk. I could hear the distant noise, but it didn’t disturb me. I was too busy taking Brett’s hand in mine, feeling the soft warmth of his fingers as they held onto mine.

“I’m so glad to be here,” Brett said. His fingers tightened on mine; his expression soft. “I mean, here with you. I guess it took me a long time to realize that we both feel the way we do, but I finally got it.” He chuckled. His body leaned against mine, warm and firm, and I rested my head on his shoulder.

We stood looking out over the city.

After a long moment, enjoying the silence, I turned to face him. I looked into his eyes, and my heart raced at the softness and care I saw in them. I smiled, unable to conceal how much I felt or how deeply I cared about him.

“I love you,” he said softly, reaching forward, his hand cool on my face as he gently cupped it with a palm. “I am so glad to be here with you, dearest Christina.”

“I love you too,” I said, bending forward and kissing him, feeling those warm, firm lips part under mine, my heart racing as he drew me into his arms, his body warm and firm as he pulled me close. “I love you so much, dearest Brett. I couldn’t be happier.”

We kissed.

*****

THE END

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