Love Regardless: A Billionaire BWWM Pregnancy Romance (4 page)

“
The advancement is steady. I am working on
gaining access to all of records of the casino bar that burned down.
I want to have a personal look towards the evidence for arson.”

Elliot noted, scoffing his scone in one smooth bite. Withdrawing a
custom handkerchief from his suit pocket he wiped his mouth –
his incredibly beautiful, symmetrical pink lipped mouth…

Get it together
,
I hissed at myself.

“
That sounds relatively wise.” He
smiled at me and I nodded, slightly disgruntled at his use of the
word
relatively
.

The large grandfather clock which was embedded in the bookcases
tolled and I sighed. Elliot nodded, understanding.

“
We’d better go.” He said. I
disliked his instant assumption that I would go with him, but I
nodded anyway and followed as he led our way towards the door in
between the cozy mess of couches and stools. The girls behind the
counter were still giggling and I sighed, realizing that I too would
have giggled if I had been seventeen and seen the most beautiful
billionaire in town at my coffee house. He’s with me – an
even more giggle-deserving situation.

This feeling of understanding immediately vanished
as Elliot pushed open the door, allowing a gust of cold hair to sweep
my hair around my face, and we were instantly bombarded by a host of
cameramen snapping pictures at every angle – I instantly felt
smothered. I was taken back as Elliot swiftly swept me behind him, as
the crowd outside the coffee shop grew insurmountably as reporters
from every local newspaper bellowed questions at Elliot –
who
was I? Were we dating? Would this impact the case?

Oh God, I could feel the panic rising in my throat. My eyes were wide
and I felt like crouching down behind Elliot and pretending to be
invisible.

I could have handled that level of scrutiny until one reporter,
brandishing a New York Times microphone announced that he recognized
me from Forbes’ magazine and made the mental leap that I was
Elliot’s lawyer. Shrieking at the top of his lungs, he pulled
up a photo of me from Instagram and brandished in my face. The scene
was swimming before my eyes as my heart rate rose – I had never
been good with crowds, when I wasn’t in control.

On the contrary, Elliot smiled calmly, one hand still on mine –
holding me in place. He raised a hand and silence fell, cameras still
flashing and voice recorders looming.

“
I’m afraid that it’s a
Wednesday and both Miss Greyson and I have to get to the office. If
you’d kindly clear the way...” He prompted, taking a
brave step forward.

And with that Elliot led me through the crowd to the edge of the
sidewalk where his Audi was waiting. Having no choice, I slid onto
the white leather seat in the back. His driver started the car and
the moment Elliot joined me, he took off at breakneck speed at
Elliot’s command. I was slammed into the back of the Audi as we
went careering around a corner, away from the panic.

I was only just beginning to calm down when Elliot reached over and
took my hand. He looked concerned, most genuinely, for my feelings.

“
Are you okay, Clara?” His voice was
thick with concern, but my head was still frantically working to calm
my heart rate.

I nodded and Elliot chuckled, clearly not believing me. Thankfully
though, he didn’t push it. He was clearly far more used to
having cameras shoved in his face than I was.

“
This is my driver, Miles. Miles, this is
Miss Greyson I told you about.”

I smiled at Miles who nodded to me in the rear-view mirror, suddenly
consumed with thoughts of Elliot telling anyone about meeting me.
What would he have said?

“
I’m sorry about that. I didn’t
know that would happen.” He said, both quietly and sincerely. I
knew he was telling the truth from his frown of self-disgust.

“
It’s fine. I’m just not really
used to crowds.” I said, peering out the window. My building
was approaching.

“
That’s understandable.” He
paused as Miles pulled up outside my building. I sighed in relief,
which Elliot didn’t miss – his frown deepened. Miles got
out of the car and held my door open for me. As I moved to step onto
the sidewalk, Elliot took my hand again.

“
Some first date, right?” He said,
positively beaming.

My mouth firmly formed into a horrified O shape, he nodded to Miles
who closed the door, hiding him from view as he sped away.

I had barely recovered from the shock of his words – date,
date, date was playing on repeat in my head – when a tap on the
shoulder caused me to jump wildly.

“
Oh, I’m so sorry!” The man
exclaimed, clearly abashed. I instantly recognized him as the man who
frequented my building’s lobby every day in the hopes of
talking to me. He was the same shabbily dressed man that Charlie had
warned me against.

“
No, it’s fine. I’m just a
little jumpy this morning.” I said, my voice breathy, half of
my mind still racing down the road in the back of Elliot’s town
car. Focus.

“
I only wanted to talk to you for a moment,
Miss. If that’s okay.” I took time to really look at the
man, and to see passed his shabby suit. His skin was dark, but still
a few shades lighter than mine and although his hair was cropped
short I could see graying roots forming around the edges. His eyes
were the color of molten ash as he looked at me imploringly. I smiled
graciously, trying to put him at ease. I remembered all too well what
it was like to be uncomfortable in the presence of success –
that discomfort is what drove me to achieve the scholarships I did.

“
I’ve only got a few minutes, I’m
afraid.” I said, pointedly looking at the large, crystal clock
which hung over my building. I was late as it was, and my staff was
undoubtedly groaning in my absence, as never in four years of my
firm, had I been late.

“
Oh that’s fine Miss.” His voice
was raspy as he was clearly nervous. I watched him wring his hands
together anxiously and smiled wider. “My name is Carl Teller.
I’ve applied for the internship in your office several months
ago, but I never heard back.”

Ah yes, now I remember. My office had one paid internship place
available every six months – after which the candidate may be
considered for a full time position as a legal assistant – the
job was incredibly lucrative. If I remembered correctly Denise and a
few of my other clerks had been training a Harvard-graduate just a
few weeks ago.

“
I’m afraid the position has been
filled, Mr. Teller.” I made to walk on, but he stretched out an
arm, face crumbling. Pity alone stopped me, this man was much older
than I was, and yet here he was. I felt guilty instantly, thinking of
my father and his email I never replied to.

“
Is there anything I can do, to get in? I
can’t explain to you how much I need this job Miss Greyson.”
And he didn’t have to explain – his appearance, as though
he’d been sleeping rough, was enough.

I mused, conflicted. After-all, it was my firm and I could hire and
fire as I pleased. Acting on a whim I asked,

“
Have you got a resume?” Carl smiled
widely, reaching into his tattered briefcase and handing me a crisp
envelope thick with paper.

“
I’ll see what I can do for you, Mr.
Teller.” He smiled again, tears welling in his eyes.

“
Thank you so much, Miss Greyson. I can’t
tell you what this means to me.”

I smiled again graciously, before stepping away and finally, after
what seemed like an obstacle course of a morning, making it inside my
building.

*****

After four hours of intense paperwork, and making notes about the
casino fire, the sight of Denise barging into my office was almost
welcome. I looked up from my papers, head still held in my hands. My
thick-rimmed reading glasses were slipping off of my face as Denise
slowed her walked as she approached my desk. It wasn’t at all
like her to enter without knocking.

“
What’s wrong?” I asked quickly,
taking a sip of water to clear of my mind of the details of arson,
building deeds and insurance claims.

“
I’m sorry to interrupt you Miss, but
Jeremy from Intakes just sent this up.” I sat up now, and
clapped my hands. The office lights turned on instantly as the
evening darkness was creeping in.

“
What is it?” I said, holding out my
hand to Denise.

“
The Evening Harold
.”
Denise spoke calmly. I peered down at the newspaper in my hands and
saw the front page headline. I groan inwardly, half cringing and half
smiling.

New York Bachelor Billionaire Taken
By Self-made Lawyer

Underneath the photo was a horrid photo of myself and Elliot from
this morning outside the coffee shop. Elliot was standing defensively
ahead of me, one arm gripping mine. Despite the chaotic scene the
photo captured, Elliot still looked like he was carved from marble –
poised and perfect. His skin was smooth and eyes were sharp. I sighed
deeply as my gaze fell on me. My eyes were widened in horror, and my
hair was slipping out of its professional braid. My coat was slipping
off one shoulder and worst of all; my eyes were eagerly trained on
Elliot. With that look alone I had backed up all of the newspaper
stories in a heartbeat. I looked simply enthralled by him.

And I was.

I sighed and rubbed my temples exhaustedly as I looked again at
Elliot’s angelic alabaster skin compared to my mouth contorted
in panic. We could not be more different. I took a moment to flick to
the feature pages and read enough to see that the whole story was
about how he was dating the lawyer that was destined to defend his
case against his sister in a few months. This was bad, very bad.

“
Thank you, Denise.” I said, quietly,
still scanning the article.

“
No problem, Ma’am.” She said
and turned to leave. It was not until the sound of her clicking heels
had nearly reached the door when I remembered.

“
Actually, Denise, can you come here a
moment?” I slipped my glasses back on and pulled an envelope
from my handbag. “Can you see that this man joins our
internship program?”

“
But… the space has been filled Miss,
weeks ago.” Denise said, slowly taking the envelope.

“
We always have room for more. And this man
needs it.”

I ignored Denise’s perturbed face and looked back down to the
paper thinking that there would come a time when I needed such
kindness and I could do with building up all of the good karma I
could.

*****

Darkness had fallen by the time I had finished with the casino fire
reports – it had taken me twice as long after reading the
article about Elliot and I. My mind couldn’t help but jump from
one thing to another with little consistency. And a short text
message from Elliot hadn’t help my concentration.

I’m sure you’ve seen the
paper. There will be more come tomorrow morning. I’m sorry but
like I said – some first date. – E.

A first date – I suddenly wanted many more first dates, even
ones filled with paparazzi, panic and bad press.

I had text back a quick reply, my lips pursed. Elliot ought to
understand the effect that this would have on his case. The rumors of
him dating his lawyer would add to those rumors of his
less-than-serious opinion of the accusations at hand. His sister
would be favored instantly.

I think it would be wise if you found
yourself a new lawyer. – C.

His reply was short and sweet but annoyingly to the point.

Not a chance. – E.

I turned my phone on silent after that – I was evidently going
to have to defend Elliot whether it was deemed advisable or not.

Denise had come into my office with another cup
of coffee around half past seven in the evening and I had told her to
go home – she had three young children and I wasn’t going
to need much assistance. After that, the building lights went out and
my office was the only solitary light to be seen on this block.

It was nearly ten before I chucked a pen at the wall in front of my
desk in frustration and decided that enough was enough. Snatching up
my coat, scarf and bag I decided to leave everything until the
morning. I was in desperate need of sleep. I called for Charlie and
waited down in the foyer. The stars were bursting in the sky, hidden
by the city lights, but still visible.

As I trotted down the granite steps to the car and Charlie, a women
approached me. I had barely made it ten paces before I was forced to
stop by her nimble-fingered grip which wrapped around my upper elbow.
I saw Charlie start forward out of the corner of my eye, but I waved
him back.

Pulling my arm from her grip I looked at her astounded. Her skin was
porcelain white and her hair was raven black. And yet her caramel
eyes….

“
Miss Greyson, I am sorry to bother you, but
do you mind if I have a word?” Her voice was like silk over
glass and then I knew who she was. She was younger than Elliot.

“
Who are you?” I demanded, waiting for
my worst fears to be confirmed.

“
I am Ophelia Cresham. I think you know my
brother, Elliot.” I sighed, resigned that I was right. Her
caramel eyes matched Elliot’s perfectly – although the
rest of her looked incredibly different.

“
I’m afraid I don’t have time
for this.” I took a step forward, recognizing that she had
probably been waiting outside my building waiting for me to emerge
since close-of-business.