Semua Bab The Billionaire's Secretary. : Bab 21 - Bab 30

I glower so hard at my plate that the buttery mashed potatoes and peas start to swim in my vision. Mom’s tinkling laughter rings out– a sequel to one of Neal’s sugar coated statements.Across from me, Dad is also brooding as he chews seriously. Judging by the hard glances he sends Neal’s way, it’s obvious he doesn’t like him.“Your mother must be a sweet woman to have raised such a charming gentleman,” Mom giggles again.I snort so hard, they pause and stare at me. Neal is gloating and I want to slap that smirk off his sexy lips.“Were you going to say something?” He inquires with a courteous tone that doesn’t quite match the mischief in his eyes.“I was going to ask you to pass me the salt,” I sass before turning to Mom, “What about your book launch? You haven’t talked about it since I got back.”“Yes about that…well, your father is making arrangements to rent out the community center,” she yaps happily, “The publisher still has to add a few finishing touches as well and we’re

“Tonight?!”James screeches from across the table. We’re having lunch in our usual restaurant and I have just broken the news to him.“This is ludicrous,” he gushes, stabbing his fork in the air. I wonder if he’s imagining stabbing Neal. “You’re not a mindless toy to be pushed around at his every whim…”A headache blooms in the recesses of my cranium and I try massaging it away with my fingers. James rages on and on, his lunch completely forgotten.“…no right to make such demands of you,” he fumes. His face is already tinted purple and he’s panting from exertion. “Please tell me you’re not leaving.”I balk at him, “Why not?”“Because this is the time your family needs you most.”He is right. With Richard in detention, I need to support my parents physically and emotionally. But…there’s no way out of this. I already signed away my refusal rights when I agreed to be his assistant. Besides, he’s going to pay very well for the trouble.Reaching across the table, I grab James’

It takes eight hours to fly from London to Prague. In that time, I get to watch Louis complain endlessly about Neal leaving us to fly alone. “If something came up, why didn’t he let me know?” I shrug, “Maybe it was urgent.” Louis glares at me, “We had fifteen minutes between the pilot's announcement and take off. He has no excuse.” Afterwards, we proceed to play cards and board games and chat about every topic we can think of. When Louis wins me clear for the millionth time, I surrender and give into the overwhelming urge I have been fighting ever since the plane got on air. Sleep. A loud bang wakes me up. I jerk upright slightly disoriented and trying to make sense of my surroundings. Another deafening sound draws my attention to the window. We are thousands of feet in the air and lightening is flashing, illuminating the dark storm clouds. “Cherié, you’re awake.” I look away from the window to see Louis smiling down at me. His silk dress shirt is halfway

A doorbell goes off, jerking me awake. I’m momentarily confused, my groggy eyes try to make sense of my surroundings.“Rise and shine. You have less than an hour to get ready.”I crane my neck around to see Louis lounging one of the twin beds, watching TV. He’s wearing a casual sweatshirt and sweatpants combo.“Get ready for what?” Then it hits me. “Bloody hell!” The fogginess in my head clears when I remember I’m currently in Prague for a business meeting that takes place in an hour.I take a look at the time to confirm and indeed, it’s several minutes past ten. I haven’t even showered.“No no no…how did this happen?” I lament, leaping from the swivel I fell asleep in while trying to go through the countless files Neal sent to my email.I dash to the bathroom.“Any moment now, the boss is going to barge in here demanding to leave,” Louis sing-songs to me.“Louis!”“Okay, okay. I just wanted to keep you updated.”I take the quickest shower I’ve ever had in my life and rush

“Oh James, I miss you so much.”“I miss you too,” my best friend replies over the phone, “Guess who is hosting a movie night at your parents’ house?”“Woah,” I chortle, slapping a hand over my mouth in disbelief, “How did you convince my dad to let you do that?”“I’m not quite sure,” he laughs as well, “But I just had to try. The atmosphere around here is way too depressing and it’s starting to rub off on Ethan.” He pauses at my sharp intake of breath, “Shit. Sorry, I shouldn’t have said that.”“No, it’s fine,” I murmur, my good mood vanishing, “I appreciate you looking out for him.”“He’s a happy kid, Star. And you’re a great mother.”At that moment, a knock sounds on the door. It opens a crack and a handsome, dark blond head peeks through.“Thanks a lot, James. I’ve got to go. Talk later?”I end the call and beckon for Neal to come in. As he enters, I notice he has changed into casual wear consisting of a short sleeved inner shirt and a pair of dark grey sweatpants.But h