The Daring Billionaire’s Wife by Lypstical

Dominic

It's been three days now since Shane gave me his conditions in order to keep his mouth shut and I still haven't been able to figure out who told him about my secret relationship.

I haven't even bothered to tell Vanessa about it just yet. It's not like she can help me. I've decided to handle this on my own and for now, since I've accomplished nothing in the past few days, I'm only left with one choice. It's also the same thing Frank keeps saying to me as we have a drink right now.

"I really don't see any other way out of this for now," he says to me, placing his hand on my shoulder. "The best thing you can do is shut him up for now by giving him what he wants."

"That's the problem. If I do that, he'll just be winning."

"Nope! He's not winning anything. He's showing you just how desperate he is to make money. What sort of victory is that?"

"You might be right about that, but still. The fact that I have to face him and hand him the cash is already getting on my nerves."

He smirks, patting me on the back. "You know what? Do it with a straight face. Shane has never been able to beat you at anything and he obviously wants to take pleasure in seeing you so helpless, but don't give in."

I sit up more, my lips curving into a smile. "You know what? For an asshole, you definitely give great advice sometimes."

He proudly nods. "And that's why you and I are best friends! Cheers!"

After a few drinks, I feel a little tipsy and I head out to meet Shane at the same park.

As I make my way there with the 50, 000 dollars in an envelope, he keeps texting me, as if ordering me around and it all just makes me clench my jaw that he's doing this. I obviously won't let him win by showing him that I still don't know what to do, but it's still annoying seeing him act all bossy.

After I step out of the car, I approach him by the bench where he's alone, holding his head high with a smirk as he looks over at me. He rises to his feet, rubbing his hands together.

"You finally made it. What the fuck took you so long?" His tone is condescending.

Keeping my composure, I drop the envelope at his feet and say, "There's your money. Now, pick it up."

He pokes his cheek. "Did you seriously just do that?"

"You wanted your money and it's right at your feet, so pick it up because no one else is going to do it for you. Go on."

His smug expression fades as he crouches down and picks up the money.

"There you go." I smirk, looking down at him.

As he rises to his feet, he looks up at me with so much hatred but that just makes me fix my necktie.

With a sigh of satisfaction, I say, "I have so much work to do, so I'm leaving now. See you next month."

It takes him a moment to speak and even if he had something to say, I wouldn't stand here and listen. I've already given him too much of my time.

The further I walk away from him, the more I expect him to say something, but he doesn't and that makes me hold my head high with a chuckle.

It shouldn't take me that long to figure something out. The only reason I would want to do this again is just to see him pick up the money from the ground.

Though I have that sorted for now, something else has been on my mind since I left Carmella's apartment and it makes me so mad that I might drink until I forget about it.

Vanessa

it's been quite the opposite. He's barely home and he seems so distant again, like there's something on his mind. I never even get the chance to ask because he barely speaks to me. Each time I hear

or maybe not. Whatever it is, has taken up all his time and he hasn't even been to the orphanage or the children's hospital and I know this because the staff tell me everything. Even though I would like to guard my feelings so I don't fall for him any deeper, it doesn't mean I don't care about him and whatever he seems to be going through, I wish he could speak to me, but why would he? Who am I in

to convince myself that I might be thinking

late afternoon and it's the first time

out to be really awkward and it was all because of me and the signs that I gave him, but now that we're here today, it's not as awkward as it was

way down the quiet street with beautiful tall trees,

with you?" I

think I'll ever get over how

for my own

you to choose when to have them around but the

chose to keep it that way. Enough about them. Are you ready to begin working next week?"

honestly, I can't wait. I've been counting down the days and then I'll

on. You don't have to go through

are currently not the best. When I begin working next week and I move into my

never be embarrassed. That's what

can do so much better. In fact, I would've been doing so much better by now if not

don't want him to

much. He should've been back by now, but he has so much

age, he's definitely working hard,"

these business opportunities just slip away from him. There's actually more for him here as Dominic needs to introduce him

mentioned Dominic, I can't believe he allowed you

wouldn't he?" I

his wife constantly spending time with

I proudly say to

he's one

"He is."

when I feel I'm getting closer

okay?"

"Yeah... I'm fine."

about

"What? No."

don't have to lie to me. I

really study my face that

I did." He

gets less and less awkward and I'm certain it'll continue, but that's until it's time for me to leave as

plan to just shake his hand, which already makes me feel awful after what happened

with me," he says, getting

and I'm glad I came

guess I'll see

"Yeah."

It's so unexpected that I'm not even able to react. The bodyguards can tell and they attempt to step in but I hold up the palm of

arms around my waist seem to tighten and

go now,"

a step back while

chuckle, then get

him and

thinking about what made him hold me the way I did. Next time, I'll