Billionaire’s Lost Angel

The next day, Lotus arrived at work, ready to dive into another day of photo shoots, Despite her plans she was beginning to enjoy the process.

She walked through the entrance of the company, just as a model angrily stomped out of Caleb’s office. The woman looked frustrated and upon seeing her, she stopped Lotus in her tracks and warned her to be careful around Caleb, the head of the company. The model claimed there was something off about him.

Lotus was taken aback by the sudden encounter. She had always admired Caleb from a distance, she loved his total ability to guide young models to be who they want to be.  But it was just one woman’s opinion, and she brushed it off as one of those things people say out of anger or spite. Shaking off the encounter, she made her way to the makeup room.

All she wanted now was to climb the corporate ladder, reach the highest position in her field, and build her own architectural company once again. She had been through so much in her past, facing setbacks and people who made her suffer. Now, she was determined to make them all regret ever doubting her.

Just as Lotus finished applying mascara to her lashes, Caleb walked in with a warm smile on his face. “Lotus you look absolutely stunning today,” he greeted her. “The shoot is about to start. Are you ready?”

Lotus smiled back and nodded. “Of course, Caleb. I’m ready whenever you are.”

The photoshoot went smoothly, with Lotus effortlessly striking poses and showcasing the latest designs. Caleb’s expertise was also evident, directing the set and capturing beautiful shots. When it was over, he approached Lotus.

“Lotus, I hate to trouble you, but my mother is sick, and I need to get her some medicine,” Caleb said with a hint of concern in his voice. “Would you be willing to accompany me to the mall to pick up the prescription?”

Lotus was surprised by the request, but she couldn’t pass up an opportunity to show her commitment. She nodded and followed Caleb to his car. As they drove, she noticed that they were no longer heading towards the mall. Instead, Caleb took a different route, leading them to an unfamiliar and secluded area.

Confused and a bit alarmed, Lotus mustered the courage to ask, “Caleb, this isn’t the way to the mall. Where exactly are we going?”

Caleb glanced at her, a pained expression on his face. “Lotus, I apologize for deceiving you. I knew you wouldn’t come if I didn’t use this means,” he confessed.

Lotus’s heart fear and anger bubbled inside her. She demanded an explanation, her voice trembling, “Caleb, what is going on? Why would you deceive me?”

Caleb took a deep breath and looked into her eyes. “Lotus, please, you have to understand. I need your help. My mother is not actually sick.” He explained the truth.

Lotus’s initial anger began to wane as she saw the desperation in Caleb’s eyes. Despite his deceit, a part of her empathized with him. She sighed, her tone softening. “Caleb, you should have been honest with me from the beginning. I would have understood and willingly helped you.”

Relieved by her response, Caleb thanked her profusely. They continued to the mall, this time with Lotus’s consent. But as they browsed through the stores, Lotus couldn’t shake off a feeling of discomfort. Caleb’s gestures were overly familiar, his touch was longer than necessary. She despised the way he treated her as if she were his possession, but she kept her anger in check, knowing she couldn’t afford to jeopardize her career.

After they returned to the office, Lotus needed some space.  She retreated to her office, needing to calm down and clear her mind. But she was soon interrupted by loud shouts coming from outside. Curiosity made her stand up and head towards the commotion.

To her horror, Lotus witnessed Caleb yelling at Sandra, the secretary, for allowing someone to enter the underground room without being noticed. He held Sandra by the neck, shaking her. Lotus’s heart sank, her legs turning weak beneath her.

Her mind raced, trying to comprehend the scene unfolding before her eyes. Who was that person? What was happening in that underground room? The image of Caleb’s violent outburst seared into her mind, leaving her questioning everything she thought she knew about him. Icy fear gripped her, and she slumped against her office door, struggling to process the truth of what she had just witnessed.

“What was that?” Lotus whispered, her voice barely audible.

•••

The next day, Lotus and Sarah sat in their cozy apartment, the sunlight streaming through the curtains. Sarah was bouncing on the couch, gushing about Caleb’s incredible looks and charm.

“Oh my goodness, Lotus, you have no idea how handsome he is! It’s like he stepped straight out of a romance novel,” Sarah exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with dreamy admiration.

Lotus, however, seemed detached, her mind preoccupied. She looked up from her phone and absentmindedly replied, “Yeah, he’s good-looking, I guess.”

Sarah’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. “You guess? Haven’t you seen him? He is your boss!  The man is a heartthrob!”

Lotus sighed, realizing she hadn’t been paying attention to Sarah. She had a request to make. “Hey, Sarah, do you mind helping me create a public profile? I want to start gaining some followers.”

Sarah’s eyes lit up, delighted to assist her friend. “Of course! I’ll get right on it,” she exclaimed, grabbing her laptop and eagerly typing away.

As Sarah worked her magic, crafting a captivating profile for Lotus, a flood of followers began pouring in. Lotus’s phone buzzed continuously, alerting her to the growing number of people interested in following her.

Overwhelmed, Lotus turned to Sarah and smiled gratefully. “Thanks, Sarah. You’re amazing at this social media stuff.”

Sarah blushed with pride. “Oh, it was nothing. Just happy to help.”

“I think I need to take a walk and clear my head, Sarah. I’ll be back soon.”

Dressed in comfortable attire suitable for a walk, Lotus stepped out onto the bustling streets. However, her attempts to rid her mind of distractions were futile. Her thoughts kept circling back to Caleb and the strange feelings she harbored towards him.

Unable to resist her curiosity any longer, Lotus decided to stop at a nearby bar. The amber glow of the neon sign welcomed her, and she found herself settling in at the corner of the bar, ordering a drink.

As she sipped her beverage, she couldn’t help but scan the crowd. And then, her heart sank. There, amidst the throngs of people, stood Caleb, puffing on a cigarette as he surrounded himself with women dancing to the beat of the music.

Her jaw clenched with irritation. How could someone as influential and seemingly larger than life as Caleb be found in a run-of-the-mill bar, engaging in such frivolous activities?

Lotus’s gaze remained fixed on him, observing the way he effortlessly captivated those around him. The surge of resentment within her intensified, and without a second thought, she rose from her seat and stormed out of the bar.

As she walked away, she couldn’t decipher what was amiss. She was beginning to feel that things didn’t add up with Caleb, there was more to him that she needed to find out.

—–

The sun was shining brightly as Lotus stopped her car in front of Natasha’s house. She took a deep breath and grabbed the box of cookies, her heart fluttering with nervous anticipation. Then cookies were just an excuse to see her children.

Natasha opened the door and a small frown creased her forehead when she saw the box of cookies in Lotus’ hand. “How did you know these were James and Jennie’s favorite cookies?” she asked, her voice tinged with curiosity.

Lotus smiled knowingly. “I have my ways,” she replied mysteriously, a mischievous twinkle in her eyes.

Natasha shook her head in amusement and ushered Lotus inside. They settled down in the living room, surrounded by cozy furniture and family photos. It felt like a lifetime had passed since they last saw each other, but the warmth between them was still palpable.

“So, how have you been, Natasha?” Lotus asked, her voice filled with genuine concern.

Natasha sighed, “For me, things have been good, but for the kids, they miss their mom?”.

Lotus’s heart sank. “And where is she?”

Natasha sighed. “I don’t know if I should tell you this, but I have a feeling you and Lotus would get along just fine. We have been looking for Lotus for a month now since she came to New York.”

Lotus sank deeper. She didn’t want to talk about it, so she kept nodding as Natasha told her stories she already knew.

They sat in comfortable silence for a moment before the sound of giggles and footsteps filled the air. James and Jennie burst into the room, their faces lighting up when they spotted Lotus.

“Linda!” James exclaimed excitedly, wrapping his arms around her in a tight hug. “We missed you!”

Jennie joined in, hugging Lotus tightly. “Thank you for the cookies, Aunt Linda!” she chimed in, her voice filled with genuine gratitude.

Lotus smiled and ruffled James’ hair affectionately. “You’re welcome, kiddos. I missed you too,” she replied, her heart swelling with love.

After the kids settled down, Natasha and Lotus’s conversation continued. They talked about their experiences, their dreams, and their fears. It felt as if time had rolled back, and they were once again the carefree college friends, ready to conquer the world.This belongs © NôvelDra/ma.Org.

As the afternoon wore on, Lotus glanced at her watch and realized it was time to head back. “I should get going. Work calls,” she said, regret coloring her voice.

Natasha nodded, sadness shining in her eyes. “I wish you could stay longer, Linda. It’s been so wonderful seeing you again.”

Lotus gave her friend a tight hug. “I’ll try to visit more often, Nat. And don’t forget, you can always call me if you need anything. You and the kids mean the world to me.”

After exchanging pleasantries, Lotus made her way back home. She felt a mix of emotions swirling within her.

As she entered her quiet house, the phone rang, jolting her out of her thoughts. It was Sarah.

“Lotus, Peter is getting married to Sheila,” Sarah announced, her voice tinged with sympathy.

Lotus felt her breath catch in her throat. The words reverberated in her mind like a cruel echo, tearing at the fragile remnants of her shattered heart. “Already announced, huh?” she managed to choke out, her voice tinged with forced nonchalance.

Sarah’s voice softened. “I’m so sorry, Lotus. I know it must hurt, but you deserve better than Pete. You deserve someone who loves and cherishes you.”

Lotus forced a smile onto her face, masking her pain. “Thanks, Sarah. I’m fine, really. Just another day in the life of Lotus, right?”

She hung up the phone, her steps heavy as she made her way into the kitchen. The aroma of freshly baked pizza and the scent of brewing coffee filled the air, comforting her in their familiar embrace.

But even as she savored the flavors, her mind couldn’t escape the nagging ache in her chest. It took just a month for him to get married to Sheila.

With a heavy heart, Lotus climbed the stairs to her room.

Peter sat at his mahogany desk, engrossed in the piles of paperwork that cluttered his office. The room was grand, with tall bookshelves lining the walls, filled to the brim with leather-bound books. The sun streamed in through the large windows, casting a warm glow on the room. The silence was broken as the heavy wooden door creaked open. Elvis walked in.

“Good afternoon, Peter,” Elvis greeted, his dark eyes scanning the room before settling on Peter.

Peter looked up from his work and smiled. “Ah, Elvis, come in. Have a seat.”

Elvis walked in, his leather shoes making a soft thud against the rich carpeting. They both settled into the plush armchairs positioned in front of the desk. Peter leaned back, his fingers steepled together as he regarded Elvis.

“What brings you here today?” Peter inquired, a hint of curiosity evident in his voice.

Elvis cleared his throat, his shoulders tensing slightly. “You see, Peter, I’ve been doing some digging to find any information on Lotus.”

Peter’s brow furrowed. “Okay?”

“Your aunt, Natasha,” Elvis revealed hesitantly.

Peter’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Natasha?” Peter repeated, disbelief coloring his voice. “But why would she know anything about Lotus?”

Elvis leaned forward, a serious expression etched on his face. “From what I gathered, Peter, it seems that Natasha has been keeping tabs on Lotus. She might know her whereabouts.”

Peter’s mind raced, considering the possibilities. He knew that facing Natasha wouldn’t be easy, but desperate times called for desperate measures.

—

Nightfall came, and Peter found himself in the confines of his mansion. He wandered through the grand hallways, his footsteps echoing against the marble floors. As he made his way to the penthouse, he could hear the muffled sounds of laughter and music drifting from below.

Entering the penthouse, Peter slipped out of his suit jacket and took a seat at the elegant bar. He poured himself a glass of rich crimson wine and swirled it gently, lost in thought.

Just as he was about to take a sip, Sheila, strode into the room with an air of confidence. Her glossy, dark hair cascaded down her shoulders, framing a face adorned with a mischievous smirk.

She approached Peter, her heels clicking on the hardwood floor. “Well, well, Peter. Everything is all set for our wedding. I must say, I’ve outdone myself.”

Peter snorted, setting his glass down with a thud. “Sheila, I’ve told you before, I’m not ready to walk down the aisle just yet. There are things I need to take care of.”

Sheila brushed off his words with a flick of her wrist. “Oh, darling, always so dramatic. We’ll have a grand wedding, trust me. You won’t be able to resist.”

Peter shook his head, exasperation creeping into his voice. “You don’t understand, Sheila.”

Sheila’s smirk remained intact, but there was a glint of irritation in her eyes. “Lotus, Lotus, always Lotus. Can’t you see that she’s just a distraction? A fleeting infatuation. You need to focus on what’s important, Peter.”

Peter stood abruptly, his pent-up frustration evident in his movements. He looked Sheila in the eye, his voice firm. “I’ve made up my mind, Sheila. This is something I need to do. I won’t live with regrets.”

Without another word, he turned and walked away, leaving Sheila standing there, her smirk replaced with a scowl.