Semua Bab Too Late, Mr. Billionaire : Bab 101 - Bab 110

ANYTA'S POVThe drive back home felt like a fever dream. The city lights of New York blurred into long, golden streaks against the glass of the car, the very car Clay told me he'd rented.I'd believed him, why wouldn't I? Even though the car looked brand new and everything, he had no reason to lie to me.But right now?“Whew, this is crazy,” I murmured under my breath.All I could hear was Laura’s voice on a loop.“That’s Owen Grayson. Owen Grayson. Owen Grayson…”If she was right, then it meant that Clay had not only lied to me, he'd been deliberately decieving me too .It wasn't just about the money; it was the fact that he'd hid something so important from me.Even when I questioned his quickness to spend so much money on me, he'd always re-routed my thoughts.I bristled, gripping the steering wheel until my knuckles turned white.I was angry, irritated, disappointed, shocked…Another sigh escaped as I reached up to massage the throbbing ache on my temple.The scent of floral floor

CLAY'S POVThe morning air was a cooling, almost minty sensation on my warm face as I jogged through the tracks.The dog was internal today, because the sky was bright and blue, with a slight peek of a golden ray through the fluffy-looking clouds.Anyta.She was always on my mind, even at the most inappropriate times.For a man like me, who prided myself on the fact that I had built a very strong emotional discipline, it was a bit humbling to realize the I was in too deep.So deep, it was beginning to feel like borderline obsession with her…her whimsy, her rawness, the things that made her laugh, cry.She could tell me to jump into an active volcano and I'd say “yes ma'am.”She could tell me to stay away from her forever and I woul…“No,” I huffed out, shaking my head slightly. “Too far, Clay.”That was one thing that I couldn't see myself doing. Unless of course it was what she truly wanted…“But no, still.”Gravels crunched under my feet as I blew out a breath and slow down my pace.

ANYTA'S POV“...I don't think you understand, Mr. Emilio,” I said, lowering my voice in an attempt to tamp down my premature victory cheer.“This isn't just something I woke up last night and decided I wanted, it's quite special to me,” I sighed, refraining from going into details on just how special the pieces were to me.So special, I'd actually been paying visits to the sweet old lady who painted them seventy-two years ago, at the Alzheimer's clinic. At first I simply wanted to see who the creator of my favourite art pieces of all time was.But as soon as I understood that old Lana had no family members, at least none that cared enough to check on her, I took it upon myself to go see her at least once a week and it had been going on for over a year now.I was currently pacing the length of my living room, the heels of my pumps clicking a frantic but comforting beat against the hardwood.“This isn't just a 'rare' find. This is the second panel of the Triptych of the Golden Tears. It

ANYTA'S POV The bass in the club was alive. Like a physical entity, thumping against my ribs and vibrating through the soles of my feet until I felt like I was constantly being pumped full of adrenaline and buzz.The club itself was a sea of gyrating bodies, expensive perfume, and the sharp, antiseptic bite of expensive vodka.We'd had dinner at some local restaurant that Laura saw online and wanted to try it. The food turned out really good, and I'd made a mental note to come back“If this drink were any stronger, I’d be able to see the future,” Laura shouted over the roar of the booming speakers as she slid a tray of shimmering green shots across the high-top table.“And in the future, Anyta, you will humour me by at least dancing on a table while I record it for, I'd go viral.”I scoffed, “why don't you dance while I record?”She gave me a “really?” look as she eyed me up and down suggestively, “honey, have you seen your body? I'd literally be booed off the tables if I tried.”I r

ANYTA'S POV“Get it together, Anyta,” I sighed as I stared at my reflection in the vanity mirror, a half-used makeup wipe hanging limp in my hand.My skin was still flushed from the club’s heat, and my eyes looked heavy, and not just from exhaustion.The kiss with Jamie darted into my mind.It had been a “testing the waters” kind of kiss to me, even though I already knew where my heart stood.With an inward groan of frustration, I opened my gallery and scrolled once. There it was. The shot Laura had captured was, honestly a masterpiece.The lighting was moody and cinematic, catching the sharp line of Jamie’s jaw and the way his hands rested a bit low on my waist.“Hmm,” I tilted my head to the side. “Well we do look good together,” I murmured.And truthfully, we did.Post it, a toxic little voice whispered in my head. See if he reacts, he probably will but you won't know unless you post it.“No.” I countered out loud. “I’m not that kind of person,” I muttered to the empty room, dropp