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Braxton--Bargain
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2022-07-21 09:51:36
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One Weekend with the Billionaireย ย ย Julia--Apartment
Today has been a different day than most. Almost every day of my life is exactly the same as the last day, so it is odd that I have broken from that norm. I ate my husbandโs breakfast. I took a shower and fixed my hair, even putting on a little makeup. I put on a nice outfit, as if I had someplace to go. I didnโt. But for some reason, I felt a little more valuable than I had in a while, and I guess Braxton Merriweather had something to do with that, even if he doesnโt know it.Even though I look nicer than normal and had eaten better than on an average day, I still have chores to do. I am washing the dishes when my phone rings. I donโt recognize the number, but I decide to answer anyway, something unusual for me. I think I may as well keep up this unusual day with an unusual telephone conversation.I had no idea at the time just how right I would be.โHello?โ I say as I drop my sponge into the sink and dry my hands, nestling the phone between my neck and my shoulder.โHello. Is this M
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2022-07-21One Weekend with the Billionaireย ย ย Braxton--Proposal
I stare at the document on the coffee table in front of the couch in my office. Jeff Thompsonโs signature is on the document, as is my own, but there is one name missing. I have no idea whether or not Julia will sign it. If she doesnโt, Jeff Thompson will be looking for a new job soon. If she does, that still doesnโt guarantee I will finally get what I want. Which is her. Sheโs all Iโve wanted for months, and I am so close now to finally having her in my arms. But there is still a good chance she will turn me down, so as I wait for Springer to return with her to the office, I try to think about something else, anything else. It is difficult. I have presented thousands of contracts over the years, but this agreement is the only one that has ever had me feeling the way that I do now.A buzz alerts me to the fact that Cindy has news for me. โYes?โ I call to her.โMr. Springer has arrived and is on his way to your office,โ she says over the speaker on my desk.โThank you,โ I say, and she
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2022-07-21One Weekend with the Billionaireย ย ย Julia--Proposition
The entire ride to the office, I am nervous. Mr. Springer attempts to make polite conversation, but I can barely say more than, โYes,โ or โno,โ because I am so preoccupied trying to figure out what is going on.We arrive at the building, and he escorts me up to the floor I know Jeff works on. Not that Iโve ever been here before. Jeff will probably be outraged when he finds out I am here now, regardless of what he may have told Mr. Merriweather. I go along, though. What else can I do?Seeing Cindyโs friendly smile has me slightly at ease. My eyes are focused on her, not on the myriad of other faces Iโve seen as I come into the workspace. I had been searching for Jeff but did not see him. Now, as she greets me, I smile and return her embrace. Then, she calls to let Mr. Merriweather know I have arrived, and my stomach twists into knots. What could he possibly want?Mr. Springer gives me a reassuring nod as I hear Braxtonโs voice on the speaker acknowledging that he is waiting for me. We
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2022-07-21One Weekend with the Billionaireย ย ย Braxton--Signature
I can hardly believe my ears. Has Julia just asked me where she needs to sign the document, the agreement that will allow her to come with me for the weekend? I stare at her, my eyes wide, as I contemplate how easy it was to convince her. I am confused. I thought for certain it would be difficult for me to convince Julia that she should spend the weekend with me, but here she is agreeing to it with hardly a word from me.My eyes flicker across the room to where Springer is sitting, not a part of the conversation but present to keep Julia comfortable. I was afraid that she would be intimidated with me here by herself, but I have underestimated this beautiful woman more than once, and I hope not to do that again. Springer is hiding a smile from me, and I look away from him so that I donโt give anything away myself.Before she changes her mind, I move to the stack of papers on the table. โItโs not a long document, but it is thorough. Feel free to read through it. Springer can answer any
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2022-07-21One Weekend with the Billionaireย ย ย Julia--Shopping
Cindy is such a nice person. She makes me feel absolutely welcome as we stroll along next to each other in one of the most expensive shopping districts in the city. Itโs as if Iโm with a friend.We donโt talk about the proposal Mr. Merriweather has made to me. We really donโt talk about him much at all, except for when Cindy says how nice he is and how glad she is to work for him. She says heโs the best boss she has ever had, the best boss she could hope for. She also says not to worry about spending too much money, that Mr. Merriweather will be disappointed if I donโt get everything I want.I find it hard to unabashedly spend someone elseโs money, but I do buy a few things I really like. Cindy wonโt let me look at the price tags as she makes a collection of dresses for me to try on. When I go into the dressing room to try them on, she makes me promise not to look at the price while Iโm in there either. I try to keep the promise, but itโs hard. At least I try on the first one before I
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2022-07-21One Weekend with the Billionaireย ย ย Braxton--Dinner
I could have left work at 4:00. All of my meetings were over with, and I was done for the weekend. But Cindy called me around 3:30 and told me it would be best if I met Julia at the restaurant Iโd planned to take her to at 7:00. The shopping had gone well, and Cindy had arranged for a makeover for Julia. I didnโt think she needed that, but then, Cindy said it would be a nice treat for Julia, so I agreed to it. With getting her nails done and all of the other things that take so long for women to do, as well as eating a fancy lunch at the spa, it was taking longer than expected. Soโฆ I agreed to meet her at Solar and try not to be bitter that I have wasted a few of the precious hours I have with Julia.I stay at work until a little after 6:00. By then, the office is quiet except for me and Springer, who is only still there because I am. I have asked him to trail Jeff Thompson all weekend and make sure that he is not attempting to interfere with anything I am doing with his wife while sh
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2022-07-21One Weekend with the Billionaireย ย ย Julia--Restaurant
The limo pulls up outside of a fancy restaurant. I hold my breath, not sure what to do. Iโve never been to any place like this before. When a man opens the door for me, I step out, wearing the black dress Cindy helped me pick out. I know I look my very best. After the makeover, Iโd looked in the mirror and hardly recognized myself. I think about what Jeff would say if he saw me now. He might not recognize me either.Would Mr. Merriweather?As I walk to the door of the most elegant restaurant I have ever been to, I think about what I will do if this is all a joke. What if I walk in, and Mr. Merriweather isnโt there? Or he says I must be mistaken, and he didnโt want to have dinner with me? I take calming breaths as the door is opened for me, and I approach the maรฎtre D. I expect him to look at me as if I do not belong here, but he smiles at me, a twinkle in his eyes, as he asks, โHow may I help you, mademoiselle?โโHello,โ I say, not sure how I should respond. โIโm meeting someone. Isโฆ
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2022-07-21One Weekend with the Billionaireย ย ย Braxton--Limo
Normally, on the car ride back to my home from work, when I bother to go there instead of staying in my apartment close to the office, I am busy working. Either I am on the phone making deals, or Iโm checking emails. But tonight, the most beautiful woman Iโve ever seen is sitting next to me, and even though thereโs plenty of space between us and it is obvious she is nervous, I would rather have her here than anyone else in the world.At this time of the evening, after rush hour is over, thereโs not a lot of traffic, but it still takes almost forty minutes to get to my house. While we ride, I attempt to ask Julia a few questions, but she is not in a chatty mood. I think it is because she is nervous and decide to leave her be. I wish she didnโt feel that way. I hope I have made myself clear that nothing will happen unless she wants it to.We pull up to the gate outside of my residence, and the driver presses a button in the car that sends the iron gate opening, soundlessly. I am not a f
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2022-07-21
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One Weekend with the Billionaireย ย ย Epilogue--Julia--Europe
I am the woman in the painting now. Itโs finally happened. When I first envisioned this beautiful scene, a man and woman with their arms around one another, standing in front of an ancient landmark with the Italian sun glinting as it dips below the horizon, I didnโt know for sure that I would ever occupy this space. But here I am, my arm around Braxton, his around mine, as we gaze at the sun setting behind the gorgeous scene before us.What makes it even more amazing is that we are not alone. In front of us, our children, our daughter Braxi and our son Julian, are running around, playing chase, and having the time of their lives. I never knew true romantic love until I met Braxton, and I never knew how full my heart could be until four years ago when the twins were born.Sometimes, I think back to my life before Braxton, when my days consisted of staying at home, cleaning, cooking, doing laundry, only getting out to go to the grocers. It was a meager existence, one that wouldโve never
One Weekend with the Billionaireย ย ย Julia--Going Home
Iโm fine. I feel fine, anyway. My hand is still wrapped in gauze, and Iโm told I may need more surgery down the road. I will definitely need physical therapy, but thatโs okay. Braxton says heโll pay for the person to come to the house so I donโt have to go to a clinic for my treatments. Heโs even volunteered to find a therapist who will move into the house so I can have it every day. It amazes me how different it is to have a plethora of money at oneโs disposal, but I will have to get used to it because, as the wheelchair takes me to the waiting car, I know I will be with Braxton forever now.I get out of the wheelchair, which Iโm only sitting in because the hospital staff insists itโs part of their dismissal policy, and Braxton helps me into the car. Itโs been three days since I was rushed to the hospital, and I am anxious to get out. I am anxious to go home--back to the place where Braxton and I fell in love.Once I am in, Braxton closes the door behind me and slides in on the other
One Weekend with the Billionaireย ย ย Braxton--Standing By
โMr. Merriweather, perhaps it would be better if you waited in the hallway,โ Detective Margaret Folk says to me in a no nonsense sort of tone that tells me she is not used to having anyone disagree with her.I might be the first.But before I can even open my mouth, Shawna is speaking up on my behalf. โI see no reason why Mr. Merriweather canโt be in the room while you question Mrs. Thompson, unless of course, she would prefer for him to leave,โ my lawyer says.Det. Folk arches an eyebrow, but itโs clear that Shawna is just as bold as the other woman, and when the investigator looks at Julia to see what she would like to do, Julia says, โI would like for him to say.โShawna doesnโt gloat, but she does take a moment to introduce herself to Julia. โItโs nice to meet you,โ she says, offering her hand. Julia shakes it lightly as Shawna tells her her name and says, โYou have nothing to worry about.โJulia smiles at Shawna, but I can tell sheโs nervous. She doesnโt want to be having this co
One Weekend with the Billionaireย ย ย Julia--Hospital
I am floating. I donโt feel as if I have a body anymore. I am only a spirit, hovering above the earth a little ways. I canโt feel a single thing--not my hands or feet or inner organs. Even my head feels lighter than air. My memory is hazy, and all I can recall is that something awful has happened. For a few moments, I try to remember if thereโs a chance I am actually dead, and I feel like I am hovering above the ground because I am doing just that. Slowly, the memories come back to me. Just as they sink into my mind, reminding me about the window, about the pain and the blood, about the horror of seeing Jeff lying there, not on top of the car but partially through the roof of the vehicle, the feeling of my body begins to sink in as well. I can feel my eyelashes fluttering on my cheeks as I attempt to open my eyes. I can feel my hand resting on something soft. A bed, I think. My legs are stiff. My other handโฆ I canโt feel it at all. Itโs as if I only have one now. Remembering what hap
One Weekend with the Billionaireย ย ย Braxton--News
I lie awake, staring at the ceiling above my bed, unable to sleep, though itโs getting late, and I know I have to go to work tomorrow. I canโt help but stretch my arm out across the bed, which I find cold and empty. Julia should be here, but sheโs not. My thoughts return to her. Where is she now? How is she doing? Is Thompson with her? Is she hurt? Does she need me? My mind refuses to slow as all of the possibilities circle around. I wonder if I will ever be able to get her back.My phone is on, just in case she calls. I get all sorts of emails all time of day, so it is constantly chirping. I have learned to ignore it. Until I realize it isnโt just chiming to let me know an email has arrived. The phone is ringing.Hastily, I pick it up from my nightstand, praying that itโs Julia, but when I see that it is Stringer, my heart races just the same. I pray he has good news, that heโs gotten Julia back, and they are on their way to my home.โStringer?โ I say upon answering. โWhatโs going on
One Weekend with the Billionaireย ย ย Julia--Fall
Glass grinds into my knees as I am tugged against the windowsill. Jeff is doing his best to pull himself back up into the apartment, but my grip on him is slipping. My knees are on fire as the glass slices deeper and deeper. I grab the windowsill with my free hand in an attempt to keep myself from flying out into the night air, but the broken glass cuts deep into my palm. Blood coats the window ledge and begins to drip down, red raindrops flying toward Jeffโs face.He is terrified. No longer drunk, the reality of what is happening has him sobered. He has my wrist and is trying to pull himself back up, but he is too heavy for me to lift. I hear Stringer coming to my aid, but Jeff reaches up with his other hand and grabs hold of me, and I am pulled further out the window. Glass digs into my chest, scraping down my stomach. I see the street below, and terror grabs hold of me even more strongly than my husband. With my last effort, I grab ahold of the window with my other hand as my legs
One Weekend with the Billionaireย ย ย Julia--Back
The driver wanted to help me carry my stuff up the stairs, but I insisted that he leave me. Now, I am standing outside of the familiar apartment door where I lived with Jeff for over two years. It seems foreign to me, like a place I was never meant to be in the first place. The fact that Iโve come back here of my own choice seems surreal. I stand staring at the door for a long moment, unable to force myself to take this last step. Iโve made it this far. I just need to go inside. I just need to speak to Jeff and let him know that Iโll stay with him as long as he promises to leave Braxton alone. The fact that he didnโt choose the money tells me that heโs so focused on winning, he isnโt thinking straight. I know this isnโt about me. Itโs about allowing another man to dictate his fate. Jeff refuses to let that happen, even when that other man is a billionaire and his boss.I hear footsteps echoing up the nearby stairwell and know I need to go in. I donโt need neighbors seeing me standing
One Weekend with the Billionaireย ย ย Braxton--Alone
Sheโs gone. I can hardly believe it. Iโm still standing in the foyer, near the window, where I watched my driver take her away, wondering how in the world Iโm going to function without Julia here.I have no idea. Everywhere I look, Iโm going to see her. Every room I walk into, Iโll smell her perfume. Every time I lay down in my bed, Iโll feel her beside me. Iโll see her near the pool, at the dining room table, in the gardens. Andโฆ in her art room. How can I possibly go into that room again without feeling the ghost of her?Itโs obvious to me that Julia is making a huge mistake, but I canโt change her mind. It was clear to me when I saw her face that she was resolved and wasnโt going to be swayed. The idea of her walking back into that apartment, of her trying to live with Jeff Thompson again, as his wife, makes my skin crawl. I canโt bear to think of him touching her. Tears sting my eyes, and I have to rest my hand against the windowsill to keep from doubling over as a wave of nausea
One Weekend with the Billionaireย ย ย Julia--Packed
Braxtonโs face has my heart leaping up into my throat. After my initial statement, letting him know that I have to go, I donโt know how to explain myself to him, to tell him that I canโt stay or why.โWhat do you mean you have to go?โ Braxton asks, taking a few cautious steps toward me but stopping well short of touching me. โWhy would you need to go?โI clear my throat, swallowing hard. โBecauseโฆ itโs for the best if I do.โHis eyes widen in shock. โFor the best? For who?โโFor everyone,โ I tell him. โEspecially you.โโNo, Julia,โ he says as he shakes his head emphatically. โIt is most definitely not best for me.โI disagree with him. โBraxton, I heard what happened today. Jeff didnโt take the settlement, right?โHe doesnโt answer, only continues to stare at me, unblinking. I donโt need him to answer. I already know I am right.โFor him to turn down that sort of money, it tells me he will be relentless, Braxton. Heโs never going to stop. Never. He wonโt leave us in peace. I need to g
