Taken By The Arrogant Billionaire

“What? Did I do something wrong? Why do you look and sound like you could kill me at any time? She yawned again.

“Did you not see it?”

“See what? Just go straight to the point”

“You are all over social media”

“Oh, really? Why would – wait, what!” She thought for a while and screamed. “WHAT! This is a misunderstanding. A very big misunderstanding. Why would I be on social media? I… I’ll call you back” she struggled to press the right things.

“Let me save you the trouble” Layla threw her phone at Valerie. “The top three trending searches are about you…. and your boss”

With her hands beating fast, and her hands shaking she scrolled through.

THE PRESIDENT OF SMITH INDUSTRIES IS BEING PLAYED BY A DANGEROUS VIXEN.

JARED SMITH HAS A MISTRESS.

THE PRESIDENT OF SMITH INDUSTRIES IS CHEATING ON HIS FIANCÉE.

Such headlines went on and on. Valerie stared at the picture attached to it. It was a picture of them holding hands. They were staring at each other, smiling and looking like a couple in love. Jared’s face was very visible, but only a side of hers was, so basically so one would know who she was if she stepped out. Only those who knew her before would recognize the person in this picture as her. She clicked on one to check the comments. She was terrified. They were all cursing her. They had even started a trend! #boycottthemistress.

She scrolled through the comments.

“I wish I could meet that bitch and plunge a thousand knives into her to teach her a lesson! #boycottthemistress.

“Oh! Poor Jane. She must be crying right now, all because of that witch! #boycottthemistress.

“Ugh! I feel like puking right now. Someone is just so disgusting! #boycottthemistress.

“If shamelessness was a person! #boycottthemistress.

She collapsed on the bed, completely dazed.

“What was in your brain going out with him like this at night, alone. He is a public figure. Paparazzi are looking to find even a speck of dirt on him. See what has happened now, and you have also been dragged into this. Congratulations” she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. As if millions of people cursing her wasn’t enough, her friends were not supporting her. Valerie felt even worse, and her eyes clouded with tears. Layla saw how hurt she was and sighed, fixing her expression to a less angry one. She held her hand.

“Listen to me, I know you like him, but -”

“I do not like him!” It sounded more like she was convincing herself.

“Yes, you do, so don’t interrupt me again. Jared Smith is your boss. A public figure. Do you know how many million of girls all over the world have a crush on him? Also, there is a high possibility that he will become the head of the Smith family in the future. Take what happened to Dylan Smith, for instance, you think that was an accident? No. It was planned. When it comes to wealthy families like that, there’s no such thing as accident. It is bound to happen in a powerful family like that. Can you handle that?” Valerie had begun to cry, but Layla didn’t stop. “And even if you agree to date him, you think his family will accept you? Trust me when I tell you that the only reason Sandy was accepted into that family was because she was pregnant with a child of that family. But you don’t have any advantage. Loving him-”

“Stop”

“Loving Jared Smith will only hurt you”

“That’s enough”

“Do you think he truly loves you? If he does, why didn’t he get rid of his fiancée?”

“Stop it, Layla”

“You need to get rid of the feelings you -”

“I SAID STOP!” She screamed so much that her voice broke. Her face was extremely red.

“Go away. Leave me alone”

Layla felt guilty that she had pushed her too hard but she wanted to make her see reasons.

“Call me if you need me”

As soon as the door closed, Valerie buried her face in the pillow to muffle the sound of her sobs. She went to the living room ready for work, looking like a zombie. Layla shook her head and helped her with make-up. She had seen some make up artists do it before filming, so she was quite good at it.

She was called into his office immediately she arrived.

“You called for me, sir”

Jared narrowed his eyes. He thought he detected a hint of coldness in her voice.

“Is everything okay?” They were just fine yesterday. He also noticed she was avoiding making eye contact with him.

“Yes. May I know why you called for me, sir?”

He kept silent for a while before speaking, asking what his schedule for the day was.

“If that is all, I’ll take my leave” she turned to leave, fearing that she might burst out crying if she continued hearing his voice. He hadn’t realized what was going on yet.

It left him extremely confused. What changed?

There was a knock and Will came in. “You need to sign this sir” he did immediately and stretched the file to him. Then he realized Will was staring at somewhere else with a bizarre look on his face.

“Hey! Take it”

“Oh!” Will quickly accepted it and turned to leave, only to run back to Jared.

“What is it?”Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

“Boss, don’t you really know?”

“Know what?”

His boss really did not like surfing the internet, but he should have realized something was wrong when the workers were whispering at each other.

“You should check the internet yourself”

He picked up his tablet and the more he saw, the more veins popped out. He slammed it down and Will flinched.

“So this is it. This is why she has been giving me the cold shoulder”

“It’s worth it” Will murmured.

“What did you say?”

“Nothing”

“I want all articles like these brought down. I don’t want to see even one of it resurface. Do you understand?”

“Yes sir”

Will came back minutes later. “Boss someone is here to see you”

“I don’t want to see anyone”

“Boss, it is your brother’s wife”

Outside the office, Valerie was unable to speak when she saw Sandy. What was she doing here? She could not as her anything or show that she was acquainted with a big shot’s wife. Sandy smiled at her and entered Jared’s office.

“Why are you here?” Jared asked.

“Can I sit?”

“Of course. Please do. Is there something you would like to have?”

“I’m fine, Mr Smith”

“Please call me Jared”

“Can I speak to you informally, too?” He nodded. “Okay, Jared. I’ll go straight to the purpose of my visit. I’m sure you have seen the article about you. Everyone has seen it. And it is indisputably you and my friend in the picture. I want to know what you think of her. A lover? A plaything? A-”

“I don’t think of her like that”

“So is it a lover then?”

He kept silent. The only sound in the room was the sound of his index finger hitting the table.

“I want you to know something. My friends are my second family. I will never forgive anyone who hurts them, even if that person is you. All the family members know already, and it only a matter of time before grandfather calls you to the old mansion. I don’t want to bring Valerie into this. You know how ruthless grandfather is” She took her purse and stood up. “Please know where she stands in your heart” she turned to leave. Her hand was already on the door knob when Jared spoke behind her.

“Do you love my brother?”