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

when I had breakfast with Dominic, I thought things would keep going that way but 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

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 his life for

try to convince myself that I might be thinking too much and this is just about business and nothing

and it's the first time we're meeting up since Flavor

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 before. Maybe he got over it. I

we make our way down the quiet street with beautiful tall trees, he keeps looking back and I furrow my

everything okay with you?" I

this so many times but I don't think I'll ever get over how

my own

have them around but the way I

them. Are you ready to begin working next week?"

counting down the days and then I'll

don't have to go through that

but my living conditions are currently not the best. When I begin working next week and I move into my new apartment, that's when

embarrassed. That's

know, but I can do so much better. In fact, I would've been doing so much

and I don't want him to

much. He should've been back by

he's definitely working hard," he

long time and now that it's happening, he won't let these business opportunities just slip away from him. There's actually more for him here as Dominic needs to introduce him to certain investors, but that

believe he allowed you to spend time

I raise my

so comfortable with his

husband," I proudly

I guess he's one of a

"He is."

times when I feel I'm getting closer to Dominic and then others, when I feel like we're

okay?" Patrick

"Yeah... I'm fine."

about Dominic,

"What? No."

have to lie to me. I know you are. I can

you really study my

did." He

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

door open for me and I plan to just shake his hand, which already makes me feel awful after what happened last

for spending time with me," he says, getting

and I'm glad I came because I've been studying

I guess I'll see you

"Yeah."

handshake, but he grabs onto it and pulls me closer for a hug. It's so unexpected that I'm not even able to react. The

my waist seem to tighten and I get

now," I say

He drops his hand and takes a step

a chuckle, then get

begins, I look back at him and he lightly kicks the

my head against my seat, thinking about what made him hold me the way I did. Next time, I'll make sure it doesn't