LOGINShare
Chapter 22: AN UNEXPECTED BOND
Last Updated:
2025-03-03 16:42:42
Related chapters
IT'S A JOB, NOT A RELATIONSHIP, MR. BILLIONAIRE Â Â Â Chapter 23: Unspoken Emotions
Islaâs POVDaniel pulled up in front of my apartment building, shifting the car into the park as I reached for the door handle. The evening had gone by too fast, filled with lighthearted conversation and laughter that made me forget, if only for a moment, the weight I carried on my shoulders."Thanks for tonight," I said, turning to face him. "I had a really great time."Daniel smiled, his usual easy-going expression softening. "Me too. Iâm glad we finally had that dinner."I nodded, feeling the warmth spread through me. He had been nothing but kind and supportive, and spending time with him always made me feel comfortable. It was rare to find that kind of ease with someone, and I appreciated it more than I could put into words.As I stepped out of the car, Daniel suddenly spoke again."By the way, next Saturday is my birthday."I turned back, raising an eyebrow. "Oh?""Yeah," he said, leaning casually against the car door. "Iâm throwing a party, and Iâd really like you to come."I he
Last Updated : 2025-03-03IT'S A JOB, NOT A RELATIONSHIP, MR. BILLIONAIRE Â Â Â Chapter 24: THE PAST AND THE PRESENT
VICTORâS POVSeeing Isla working hard every day gave me mixed feelings. I admired her dedication, her drive to prove herself, and the way she handled challenges with determination. But at the same time, a part of me felt uneasy.I wasnât sure if it was because I was proud of her for becoming stronger or because I was afraid that, in her pursuit of success, she would forget about me.I tried not to dwell on it too much. After all, seeing her grow, watching her push forward no matter what, was inspiring. She had potentialâundeniable, limitless potentialâand no matter where she ended up, she would shine.That thought brought me some peace.A week passed quickly, and soon, Daniel's birthday arrived. It was a day I never forgot because, for as long as I could remember, we had always celebrated it together.I drove to his house, a familiar place filled with warmth and memories. The moment I parked, the door opened, and Danielâs mother, Margaret, stepped out with a welcoming smile."Victor,
Last Updated : 2025-03-04IT'S A JOB, NOT A RELATIONSHIP, MR. BILLIONAIRE Â Â Â Chapter 25: UNWELCOME REALIZATIONS
VICTORâS POVI stood frozen in place, staring out of the study window.Why was Isla here?I hadnât expected her to show up, yet there she was, standing at the entrance, speaking to Daniel. And whatever she said must have been funny because Daniel threw his head back, laughing as if he had just won the lottery.My grip on the curtain tightened.Were they really that close?From where I stood, Daniel looked too happy. He leaned in slightly, hanging on to her every word. Isla, on the other hand, was relaxed, completely at ease. She even playfully nudged his shoulder at one point.I frowned.That was supposed to be me.I stayed in the study longer than necessary, flipping through a random book, pretending to read while my thoughts raced.But eventually, I had no choice. Dinner was starting.Taking a deep breath, I walked downstairs and joined the guests. The room was filled with lively chatter, old friends reminiscing, and laughter ringing through the air. Daniel, of course, was at the ce
Last Updated : 2025-03-05IT'S A JOB, NOT A RELATIONSHIP, MR. BILLIONAIRE Â Â Â Chapter 26: Unfinished Words and Unspoken Feelings
ISLAâS POVDanielâs voice lingered in the air, his words carrying an unspoken meaning that made my heart race."Isla, have you noticed that my mom likes you very much? She has been urging me to marry. I said I haven't met the right person, but now..."I felt my cheeks heat up at his words. What was he trying to say? Was he joking, or was there something more? The weight of his unfinished sentence settled between us, making my heart pound in my chest.Just as I opened my mouth to respond, a deep, commanding voice cut through the air."Isla, I need to talk to you about the project."I turned quickly toward the voice, my heart skipping a beat when I saw Victor standing at the top of the stairs. He was looking down at us with an unreadable expression, his dark eyes sharp and intense. It was as if he had been watching us for a while, assessing the scene before deciding to interrupt.Daniel, who had been cut off mid-sentence, chuckled and shook his head. "Victor, do you ever stop working? I
Last Updated : 2025-03-05IT'S A JOB, NOT A RELATIONSHIP, MR. BILLIONAIRE Â Â Â Chapter 27: STOLEN MOMENTS AND RISING TENSIONS
ISLAâS POVVictor kissed me.It wasnât my first kiss, but something about it felt entirely different from anything I had ever experienced before.At first, my mind protested. This was wrong. This was unexpected. This wasâBut the warmth of his lips against mine, the sheer intensity of the moment, made thinking impossible. I placed my hands against his chest, my first instinct being to push him away. My body, however, had a different reaction. A shiver ran down my spine, my fingers curling slightly into his shirt instead of pushing him away.Victor didnât hesitate. His hands, firm and sure, cupped my face, angling my head as he deepened the kiss. The heat between us grew, his lips moving against mine with a mix of frustration, urgency, and something elseâsomething I wasnât ready to name.I tensed, trying to fight against the overwhelming sensation of being completely consumed. But as the seconds passed, my resistance wavered. The way he kissed meâit wasnât just about dominance or contr
Last Updated : 2025-03-05IT'S A JOB, NOT A RELATIONSHIP, MR. BILLIONAIRE Â Â Â Chapter 28: UNSPOKEN PROMISES
ISLAâS POVBefore we left, Daniel looked at Victor and said meaningfully, "Donât forget what you should do." His tone carried a weight that made me pause for a moment. It was clearly directed at Victor, but I had no idea what he meant. I glanced between them, but neither elaborated.Victor didnât respond, but something about the way he tensed told me he understood. I considered asking, but before I could, Daniel gave me a reassuring smile and said, "Take care, Isla."Victor gestured toward his car. "Letâs go. Iâll drive you home."I nodded, not thinking much about Danielâs words. Whatever it was, it was between them.The drive home was quiet at first. I didnât know what to say, and Victor kept stealing glances at me, his expression softer than usual. I could feel the weight of his gaze, and it made my heart beat faster.Finally, I broke the silence."Victor, why did you act like that earlier? At Danielâs house?"His jaw clenched slightly. "Like what?"I turned in my seat to face h
Last Updated : 2025-03-05IT'S A JOB, NOT A RELATIONSHIP, MR. BILLIONAIRE Â Â Â Chapter 29: Unraveling Secrets
Victorâs POVWhen I got home, I still couldnât stop thinking about Isla. No matter how much I tried to push her from my mind, her presence lingeredâher voice, her scent, the way she had looked at me with those wide, uncertain eyes before running into her apartment. I could still feel the warmth of her lips against mine, the way she had responded, hesitant at first, then melting into me. It wasnât just about desireâI wanted her, yes, but there was more to it. She made me feel something I hadnât in a long time. A strange warmth in my chest, an ache I couldnât quite name.But then, Danielâs words echoed in my mind like a glass of cold water splashed over me. "Donât forget what you should do."His reminder grounded me. He was rightâI knew it. No matter how much I was drawn to Isla, I couldnât afford to forget the real reason I had approached her in the first place. If she ever found out that I had initially gotten close to her because of this case, she would hate me. I had no doubt about
Last Updated : 2025-03-05IT'S A JOB, NOT A RELATIONSHIP, MR. BILLIONAIRE Â Â Â Chapter 30: UNSPOKEN TRUTHS
VICTORâS POVAfter Daniel left, I sat back in my chair, staring at the ceiling. My mind was a tangled mess of thoughts.Nickâs story didnât add up. His refusal to talk, his familyâs sudden relocation overseas, and now his connection to Stratos Corpâit was all too suspicious. And now there was Lyra Holdings, a ghost company moving money in the shadows. Someone powerful was pulling the strings, and I needed to find out who before it was too late.But amidst all the chaos in my head, there was one thought that kept surfacingâIsla.Just thinking about her softened my tense muscles. The way she had looked at me before running into her apartment a few nights ago, the way she had responded to my kiss... I wanted to see her. Hold her.A knock on my office door pulled me from my thoughts."Come in," I called.The door opened, and there she wasâIsla.She stepped inside with her usual confidence, but I noticed the way her gaze flickered across my face as if she was checking if I was okay. It was
Last Updated : 2025-03-05
Latest chapter
IT'S A JOB, NOT A RELATIONSHIP, MR. BILLIONAIRE Â Â Â CHAPTER 132: A FUTURE TOGETHER
VICTOR'S POVI leaned back in the chair, staring out the window as the city stretched endlessly before me. My mind was cluttered, not with the chaos of the world outside but with thoughts of Sienna. The woman who had unexpectedly come into my life and made me see things from a perspective I never thought possible. She was beautiful, strong, and confident, and I couldnât have been more grateful for her presence. But lately, I couldnât help but feel a strange sense of uneaseâa feeling that things were shifting, and I needed to make sure we were both on the same page.Our relationship had been growing steadily, and weâd reached a point where we were living together. It felt like the natural next step for us. But as much as I loved her, there was something about the future that I hadnât yet confronted. I had spent so much time building my career in the fashion industry, creating a name for myself, and handling the endless demands of clients, but I was starting to see that I couldnât do it
IT'S A JOB, NOT A RELATIONSHIP, MR. BILLIONAIRE Â Â Â CHAPTER 131: THE UNEXPECTED INVESTOR
NATHAN'S POVThe morning light broke through the glass windows of my restaurant, casting long shadows across the polished floors. The atmosphere was different nowâcalmer, more refined. I couldnât help but stare at the space with a sense of pride. This was itâthe culmination of everything Iâd worked for, everything Iâd fought to rebuild after the fire that nearly destroyed me. The grand opening had been a success beyond my expectations, and the momentum was building.New customers were coming in, the buzz around the restaurant was palpable, and I had a growing list of people eager to invest in the business. It was a far cry from the old days, when I could barely keep the place running. Now, I had international clients showing interest, and local influencers were raving about the food. It was almost surreal. If you had told me a year ago that Iâd be in this position, I wouldnât have believed it. But here I was, standing at the helm of a thriving restaurant, ready to take it to the next
IT'S A JOB, NOT A RELATIONSHIP, MR. BILLIONAIRE Â Â Â CHAPTER 130: "FLAMES OF VICTORY"
NATHAN'S POVThere are few moments in life when everything feels exactly rightâwhen every ounce of pain, sweat, and late nights comes together into something that makes you believe in yourself all over again. That was what my grand opening felt like.My new restaurant wasnât just bigger. It wasnât just more luxurious. It was me, reborn.The space gleamed with copper accents, ambient lights, and marble counters that caught the reflection of every glass raised in celebration. The open kitchen concept allowed guests to watch us in action, the aroma of seared herbs, sizzling garlic, and glazed duck drifting across the room. There were private dining rooms now, soundproofed for VIP guests, with curated wine lists and personal chefs. We even had a rooftop lounge with a skyline view that made you forget you were still in the city.I had poured my heart into every detailâfrom the hand-carved wooden sign that bore my name to the recipe cards we handed out like pieces of art. I hired a stronger
IT'S A JOB, NOT A RELATIONSHIP, MR. BILLIONAIRE Â Â Â CHAPTER 129: "SHADOWS AT THE TOP"
ISLA'S POVI had always known Lucas wouldn't go down without a fight. But I never expected him to fight this dirty. Every morning I walked into the office now, I braced myself for the newest headline, whisper, or suspicious glance. My name had been dragged through boardroom gossip, backchannel emails, and anonymous memos. All fingers pointed at one person: Lucas.Ever since I helped Nathan, Lucas had made it his mission to tear me down. He couldnât touch me directlyâat least not in a way that would be obviousâbut his games were relentless. Strategic leaks to the media. Internal rumors that I forged financial reports. Claims that I was emotionally compromised and prioritizing personal relationships over the companyâs future. It was all carefully designed to paint me as a liability.But I wasnât about to back down.At work, I held my head high, keeping my focus razor-sharp. If Lucas wanted a war, heâd get one. Only, I wouldnât fight him the way he expected. Heâd try to rattle me, make m
IT'S A JOB, NOT A RELATIONSHIP, MR. BILLIONAIRE Â Â Â CHAPTER128: "UNFINISHED PAGES"
NATHAN'S POV hadnât planned on stopping by Islaâs apartment, but after another late night of overseeing the renovation of my new restaurant, something in me craved the familiarity of her presence. It had been a long few months since the fire. A long few months since everything blew upâliterally and emotionally.She opened the door with a blanket over her shoulders, her eyes slightly puffy, like she hadnât been sleeping well either. We didnât say much at first. Sometimes silence was our safe space.The new restaurant was finally coming together.I stood in the middle of the main floor, tools still scattered, the scent of fresh paint still clinging to the air. It wasn't just a rebuild. This was something betterâa new version of everything I wanted to be. A statement. A fresh start.But even as I stood there, admiring the polished countertops and the ambient lighting we tested last night, my mind wandered.Victor.Sienna.I didnât hate him. I couldnât. Victor was a good man, even if his
IT'S A JOB, NOT A RELATIONSHIP, MR. BILLIONAIRE Â Â Â CHAPTER 127: WHEN LOVE FINDS A HOME
SIENNA'S POVI donât know when exactly it happenedâwhen Victor stopped being just the man Isla used to love and started becoming the man I couldn't stop thinking about.Maybe it was in the little momentsâlike our late-night phone calls, or how heâd drive across town just to bring me food when I had a long day. Maybe it was in the way he looked at me, as though I was the only thing in his world that made sense. Love didnât hit me like a train. It came slowly, gently, until suddenly I couldnât imagine my life without Victor in it.I still remember the way he asked me to move in with him. We were sitting on his couch, legs tangled together under a throw blanket, watching an old rom-com. I had just made a snarky comment about how unrealistic the couple in the movie was, when he turned to me, his voice calm but deliberate."What if we tried it?"I looked at him, confused. "Tried what?""Living together. You and me."My heart skipped a beat.He smiled when he saw the look on my face. "I kn
IT'S A JOB, NOT A RELATIONSHIP, MR. BILLIONAIRE Â Â Â CHAPTER 126 TITLE: "SMOKE AND SECRETS"
SIENNA'S POVWhen Nathan told me about the fire in his restaurant, my heart dropped. The words came out casuallyâlike it was just another rough dayâbut I could feel the weight behind them. I stared at him, waiting for him to say it was a joke or maybe an exaggeration. He didnât.âWaitâwhat?â I asked, almost breathless. âYour restaurantâĶ it burned down?âHe gave me a quiet nod, eyes slightly distant, as if replaying the moment in his head. âLast night. Caught me off guard.âI stood frozen in his living room, my fingers tightening around the edge of my phone. âOh my God, Nathan. Are you okay?ââIâm fine. JustâĶ pissed.â He rubbed his hand through his hair. âEverything was gone. Tables. Kitchen. DÃĐcor. Even the cash register melted.âI moved to sit beside him on the couch. âDo you know what caused it?âNathanâs jaw clenched. âIâm sure it was Lucas.âThe name sent a wave of anger through meeven though I don't even know who he hisNathan then told me how he had been making him and Isla liv
IT'S A JOB, NOT A RELATIONSHIP, MR. BILLIONAIRE Â Â Â CHAPTER 125: FEELINGS, FLAMES, AND FRIENDS
SIENNAâS POVIâve always liked having things figured out. Plans. Boundaries. No room for surprises.But lately, Victor has been nothing but a surprise.He asked me out yesterday.And the strange part? I wasnât shocked.Not because I saw it coming, but because deep downâif Iâm being completely honest with myselfâIâd been waiting for it. Hoping for it, maybe. Even if I didnât want to admit it.Thereâs been thisâĶ spark between us. A silent pull. We dance around it every time we talk. We laugh too much, our conversations last too long, and we look at each other just a second too slowly.There were never any secret feelings. No big, buried truth. Just a growing, electric sort of chemistry I kept ignoring.Until I couldnât.Until he asked me out.And I shouldâve told him before he did. I shouldâve said, Hey, this thing between us? Itâs not just you. I feel it too.But I didnât.And now heâs launched the idea of us, and Iâm floating somewhere between giddy and terrified.Because I like him.
IT'S A JOB, NOT A RELATIONSHIP, MR. BILLIONAIRE Â Â Â CHAPTER 124: A PROPER KIND OF TROUBLE
VICTORâS POVThere were exactly three things I was good at: solving problems, handling pressure, and pretending like I wasnât slowly falling for Sienna Collins.The last one? Not going so well lately.She had this habit of showing up in my head at random timesâduring meetings, workouts, even while I brushed my teeth. Iâd hear something funny and instantly think, Sienna would laugh at this, or smell something that reminded me of the cinnamon scent she always carried, like she rolled in fresh bakery air every morning.It was annoying.And addictive.We hadnât called it anythingâwhatever this was between us. We hadnât kissed. We hadnât confessed anything. But the tension? It was there. Palpable. Thick enough to stir with a spoon.So I did the only reasonable thing a grown man with mildly obsessive thoughts could do.I planned a date.A real one. With no interruptions, Just her. And me.And possibly a small romantic ambush.---I picked the spot carefully. A rooftop garden restaurant in
