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  "Rei!" I greeted my brother who was sited with my father in his massive office.

  It was a long board room table with twelve seats. Reinaldo was sited on my father's right side because he was his right hand man in all things. Cheryl, my younger sister always sat on his left because she was the apple of his eye. I on the other hand being the black sheep of the family sat on the furthest seat directly facing Wayne Bellingerre.

  Wayne Bellingerre!

  What a man my father was! We never saw eye to eye on anything other than our clearly defined distaste for each other.

  His partial treatment towards his children was obvious. He adored Cheryl never punishing her for any misdeeds but he would beat the living daylights out of Rei and I for the smallest misdeeds. As soon as I was at his height -six feet- when I was only seventeen, I had stood up for myself.

  I threw my first punch at him then and hit him in the jaw. He had hit me back and the retaliation went on and on until Rei got in the middle. Since then, Wayne Bellingerre had never laid a finger

  on me again.

  "Reinaldo... Lyons, thank you for showing up." He said as he set foot in the room.

  Rei mumbled a greeting as I ignored the old man. I could have been clubbing at the hottest club in town but I was here sitting and waiting to hear the rumblings of an old man.

  "I called this meeting to discuss something serious. I have been unwell lately as much as I hate to admit it." He said facing my direction.

  My father had been making secret appointments to various specialists around the world. He had gone from medical healers to spiritual healers. I had looked into it and I knew what was wrong with him but it was his secret to tell.

  "I was diagnosed with a cardiovascular disease three years ago and it is fast taking shape. I am not sure how long I have to live because I can drop dead at any second; to Lyons's delight."

  I smiled at him and he frowned. My father always believed that I wanted him dead. It made him uneasy but it thrilled me because it caused him sleepless the nights. Despite his major faults as a father, I still cared for the old man.

  "The reason I wanted you both here is to make clear that I want to appoint a new acting CEO to Bellingerre Consolidate."

  Reinaldo smiled to himself as I leaned back in my seat waiting.

  "Lyons, you will be the new acting CEO of Bellingerre Consolidate."

  Maybe I hadn't heard Jim right or perhaps he had realized

  Reinaldo is actually incompetent.

  I smiled ruefully and chuckled to myself. Reinaldo didn't seem pleased.

  "What the bloody hell did you just say?" I asked.

  "I thought you have always wanted to be CEO." My father stated with a little confusion in his silver eyes.

  I stood up and walked towards my father. I stood behind him and placed both of my hands on his shoulders. I gave them a light squeeze and then leaned down and whispered in his ear.

  "I'm not going to shame you in front of your favorite son... I.don't. want. to.be.CEO.of.your.bloody.company." I spelled out.

  I patted him on the shoulder and winked at my brother before walking out on them.

  I had just turned down the position I had always coveted since I was a young boy yearning for my father's approval. I was my own boss now with my own money and I didn't need to prove anything more to him. Living under Reinaldo's perfect shadow had made my life hell as Wayne Bellingerre found fault in all I did.

  "Tony wait!"

  I turned my head once I was out of the mansion and saw Reinaldo running towards me.

  "What do you want?" I asked curtly.

  "To talk. What did you say to him?"

  "Why? Did he have a heart attack already? Is he dead?"

  Reinaldo frowned at me and then pushed his jet black hair back.

  "Look, I know you and dad have your own issues but you haven't been around to see the toll his condition has on him. Cut him some slack Tony!" Reinaldo chided.

  I hated his inconsistent and irrelevant self righteous bubbling.

  "I haven't been around because he kicked me out. Have you already forgotten? Weren't you just standing there as he cut me off and kicked me out?"

  "That was your own fault for disobeying his wishes for you to work for him."

  "You smug little prick!" I snapped. "Not every one is a bloody boot licker like you!"

  I must have hit a wrong nerve because Rei attempted to take a swing at me and I was agile enough to dodge it before he caught me on the jaw.

  "I will let that slide Rei. Throw another and I swear..."

  He shoved me by the shoulder and I sighed.

  "Rei stop testing my patience." I warned.

  "What? Scared of taking on your older brother? Are you scared you'll lose?"

  I folded my fists beside me trying to remain calm. I was counting to ten but then he shoved me again and this time I gave him a blow hard enough to land him on the pavement. I leaned down and gripped the lapels of his coat and looked him squarely in the eyes.

  "Stay down." I warned.

  I walked away and got my keys from the valet who was wise enough to mind his own business. I slid into my Aston Martin and drove off.

  =================

  Chapter three: Old flame

  I was just getting to my penthouse building after my morning run when I spotted a familiar face standing beside the concierge desk. She smiled at me and I at once remembered her.

  Like Jacob had his old flame Coleen Harrington, so did I. Mine went by the name Brianne De Latour. The De Latours and the Bellingerres have been business partners for many years. Our fathers barely saw eye to eye but Brianne and I never allowed family feuds to get in the way of pleasure.

  "Tony," she greeted enthusiastically when she saw me.

  "Brianne." I greeted back and hugged her briefly. "I'm sweaty, I need to shower."

  "Can I join you?"She asked in a cheeky voice.

  "I would love that!"

  ***

  I zipped up her dress half an hour later after a quickie in my bathroom. I liked Brianne for one thing.

  She never demanded more than the casual sex I offered.

  "News is your father is out to look for an acting CEO after you turned him down."

  I buttoned up my shirt and ran my fingers through my wet hair before facing her beautiful face. It had been a week since I turned down the old man.

  "Who has he chosen?"

  "Who else is there to fill the gap? Only you can be CEO of Bellingerre Consolidate."

  I gave a last glance to the mirror before exiting my bedroom with Brianne following close behind. We sat on the dining table which had been set up by my personal chef. A servant poured us each some coffee as I served some bacon and eggs onto my plate.

  "Won't you say anything Tony?"

  Brianne asked seductively. "CEO is a big deal. It will put you on the map. I know you're doing your self made billionaire thing but CEO of Bellingerre Consolidate will up your game."

  She was a dangerous woman much like Coleen Harrington. She knew what she wanted and she would do anything to get it. Her pushing me to be CEO definitely had a catch.

  "I said no to him and I don't intend to change my mind. My decision is final."

  "Then I am in trouble."

  "What do you mean?" I asked after I had swallowed my bacon and sipped some coffee.

  She played with her bacon before she looked up at me.

  "You know that my father owns 45% of Bellingerre Consolidate, right?"

  I nodded and continued eating my breakfast.

  "He is worried that you father's condition will cause a panic in the company and sink it. He thinks that the best way to avoid that is to show the world that the Bellingerres and De Latours are stable and what better way than a marriage alliance?"

  I almost chocked on my breakfast and I quickly downed it with a hot cup of coffee. I wiped my mouth clean with my table napkin and faced Brianne.

  "What?"

  "A marriage Tony betwee
n me and...

  "I will not marry you! Not in a thousand years."

  She laughed her head off leaving me a little confused. After her laughter faded she sipped more of her coffee.

  "Oh Tony! I wish it was you I was marrying. But it's not. It's Rei."

  I paused and it was my turn to laugh my head off as she stared at me in horror.

  I was relieved.

  "Good luck with that!"I said as I stood up from

  the table.

  My phone buzzed and I looked at the message. It was my personal assistant.

  Lily: I sent the flowers and chocolates to Bianca as requested but she sent them back to your office.

  I smiled to myself and texted back. She was playing hard to get.

  Me: Its okay, I'll handle her.

  I immediately called Simon, my chauffeur and he arrived from the kitchen still struggling to chew and swallow some food. I allowed all my staff members to eat whether I was around or not. I saw no need for them to watch me eat and to have their fill after I'm done. The chef would whip them up meals as often as they would please.

  "Simon please prepare the car, I'm going out."

  "Yes sir." He answered polity. "May I ask which one?"

  "The Rolce Royce."

  Yes sir, excuse me."

  He dashed off leaving me alone with Brianne. I ignored her curious expression and placed my phone on the table.

  "What is your father hoping to get out of your marriage to Reinaldo?" I asked in an effort to avoid her prying into my personal life.

  "A permanent tie to the Bellingerres. Whose Bianca?"

  "Divorce is always an option." I said ignoring her query over Bianca.

  "If Rei divorces me, we get the 55% your family owns and you remain penniless. Whose Bianca Tony?"

  "Oh no!" I feigned

  sadness. "They remain penniless, not me. My wealth is not tied to that company in any way."

  I ignored her query once more. She had been glancing over my phone when I was texting my P.A

  Brianne smiled and walked up to me kissing my lips softly as if testing the waters to see if I could go another round. I couldn't encourage her, not today.

  I wanted to go and personally speak to Bianca. Going another round with Brianne would only delay my plans.

  "Enough kissing for today." I said placing a finger on her lips. "Talk it out with Rei. I'm sure he doesn't want this either. I have other things to do, you should go."

  I kissed her tenderly and led her to the door. She glanced at me one more time and then smiled.

  "I wish it were you I was marrying Tony. You'd make a remarkable husband. That Bianca girl is a lucky one. See you soon."

  She left and I went back inside.

  Marriage.

  It's bad enough when it's on mutual consent. How hellish can it be when it's arranged?

  "Sir, should I clear the table?" The chef asked.

  "Yes please do. Thank you for breakfast. You get better every day."

  I had recruited him straight from college. I believed in giving people who were starting out a chance.

  "Thank you sir, I strive to please. Excuse me."

  As I waited for Simon to let me know the car was ready, there was a knock on my door. My butler opened letting in my brother.

  He had a nasty bruise on his jaw from the night I had almost knocked

  him out. He examined my penthouse as he walked towards me. I never got any visitors especially from my own family.

  "Are you here for another brawl Rei?" I asked.

  "No. I'm here for something else. Nice place Tony." He said solemnly.

  I pointed to the living area and we sat down facing each other. He looked troubled.

  "What do you want?" I asked impatiently as I glanced at my gold watch.

  I had to go meet Bianca.

  "I wanted to apologize for my indecent behavior last time we spoke."

  My eyes widened with curiosity as I leaned back on the comfortable leather recliner.

  "Are you now?"

  "Yes I am." He said and he leaned forward. "Dad is marrying me off to Brianne De Latour so that we can run the company together."

  I couldn't imagine Rei and Brianne running a company together. My brother would end up being a slave to Brianne's dominating personality. His marriage would be hellish.

  "Too bad for you!" I said as I sampled the summer fruit in yoghurt my butler handed me.

  "Brilliant!" I told Harris, my butler and he nodded and excused myself.

  I gave him a thumbs up to carry on and faced my brother who was being handed a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice by one of my servants.

  "Look Rei, I walked away from all that BS because I knew that he had something up his sleeve. Perhaps he wanted me to marry Brianne. We all know father never gives anyone something as big as CEO without some strings being attached! That's why I turned the old man down. I wish you all the best Rei!"

  I glanced at my watch again drawing Rei's attention.

  "Are you expecting someone?" He asked.

  "No. I need to be somewhere else."

  "Sometimes I wonder how you made it on your own when all you do is rave, eat and sleep."

  I chuckled and sampled a piece of waffle brought to me. I approved and stood up to walk towards Rei.

  "Look, all work and no play makes Rei a dull boy. Look at you! All you do is work. I don't blame you because Wayne Bellingerre chokes the fun out of life. Stand up to him and tell him you won't marry Brianne. Stand your ground."

  He looked unconvinced and he stood up as well his height almost matching mine.

  "Not everyone is as hard headed as you are Tony. Some of us can't afford to be rebels."

  I patted him on the back and escorted him to the door.

  "Rei, my schedule is not to rave eat and sleep. I only do those things to reward myself after a hard day of work. You have a choice to make here. You aren't chained to Brianne. Walk away."

  "And hand the De Latours our family's legacy?"

  "Build your own legacy Reinaldo... don't die protecting somebody else's."

  After Rei left, I left too.

  I was going to look for the one girl who had dared to turn me down.

  I got to her hotel a few minutes later. I was standing right outside the door when I heard the sound of laughter. I guessed there were a few girls in there.

  Taking the risk of being turned down in front of an audience, I knocked the door.

  A dark haired girl opened the door and gawked at me. She looked stunned to see me. Another dark haired girl popped

  her head out and almost dropped her jaw.

  "You're James Lyons!" She squealed. "Girls it's James Lyons!"

  "The billionaire?" Another girl asked just before they all crowded in the door way.

  I counted six girls but neither of them was Bianca. On any other day, I would have been thrilled by the audience in front of me but I was intent on finding Bianca.

  "Morning ladies, I'm looking for Bianca." I told them but they were all still staring.

  "That's enough ladies, stop gawking at the man or you'll tear a hole through him."

  I smiled at the deep voice and turned to meet the emerald eyes.

  She was even more breath taking up close.

  "Bea Bianca."

  "James Lyons, I trust these girls got your morning started at a jolly note."

  I smiled at her and noticed the girls were still staring at us.

  "Not as much as seeing your beautiful face love."

  "Aren't you the charmer? Well chop chop mate, what do you want?"

  "You."

  I watched as her eyes bulged and her cheeks flushed for a moment. She was as beautiful as a blooming rose in spring. She made my insides knot just by breathing.

  "James Lyons, can we talk somewhere else?" She asked a little more serious faced.

  I followed her down the hall and into an elevator where we remained in awkward silence. No doubt she had not counted on me telling her
the truth so bluntly.

  I did want her. I wanted her so badly it hurt.

  We wound up in a café where she ordered a cup of tea and I did the same.

  "What did you mean by that?" She asked.

  "Just that, I want you. I sent you flowers and chocolates this morning and you sent them back."

  "I didn't mean to bruise your ego but I hate roses."

  "What do you like?"

  She narrowed her beautiful eyes and smiled seductively.

  "I guess that's for me to know and you to find out."

  I loved a challenged and the fact that she was taunting me like this meant she wanted to play hard

  to get.

  What she didn't know was that we won't be playing her little game long.

  "All I want is one date. One date. If you dong want me after that, I'll stay away."

  She frowned at me.

  "You have to earn that date James Lyons." She told me as I watched her touching up on her lipstick.

  How badly I wanted to sink my teeth into those full luscious lips. No doubt she was doing it on purpose, wetting my growing appetite for her. What I was feeling was raw sexual hunger for the emerald eyed beauty.

  "What can I do to earn it?" I asked her.

  I was never one to beg but Bianca had me down on my knees.

  "I want a golden clawed bathtub. Not gold coated, pure gold. Get me that and I'll go on a date with you."

  Without wasting another second, she walked away smiling to herself.

  She wanted a bloody golden clawed tub?

  Bloody hell!

  =================

  Chapter four: A mile

  Bianca's POV

  "Good morning my lady."

  I paused and stared at the silver haired man. He was in a prim grey suit and was standing beside a white Rolce Royce Phantom with gold rims. The car boasted of opulence. Was he some sort of a sugar daddy?

  "Morning." I answered apprehensively.

  "Forgive me please, I haven't properly introduced myself. My name is Simon. I am Mr. Bellingerre's chauffeur. He asked me to meet you today."

  So Tony was still pursuing me?

  I had thought the insane demand would have put him off.

  Bloody hell! What if he succeeded? I would have to go on a date with him.