Billionaire’s Side Attraction

Javier Lorenzo

I was nonplussed by her words, so I asked… “Why are you here to talk about Lula?”

She darted her eyes into the room. “Can I come in?”All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

“Sure”. I gave way for her to come in. Her appearance was different from the last time I saw her, and she looked pregnant but I couldn’t tell for sure. I closed the door to give us a bit of privacy. “How may I help you!”

She sat down on the chair in the corner and started massaging her feet. I could tell that she was quite exhausted. She pushed some strands of blonde hair to the back of her ear as she looked up at me. Her once bright eyes did not seem as bright as they used to be, and they had bags under them. Her light pink blushed cheeks were dull and puffier than last time. Her skin was not as glossy anymore. Overall, she did not look too good. She spoke faintly. “I need your help, Mr. Javier Lorenzo.”

I went closer with concern. “What do you need help with, ma’am?”

She placed a hand on her chest. “My name is Celia Johnson and you may not know this, but I was Lula’s best friend before she-“. Her words got hooked in her throat, but she continued. “I was the girl who cheated with her ex-boyfriend, Carlos.”

The sound of that name, Carlos pisses me off. “Why is this important to me?” I asked with my hands in my pockets as I watched her.

“I know you are the man in Lula’s life now even if it does not seem that way. I know you both are in a relationship.”

“You heard wrong. Lula and I are not together.”

She chuckled with her hand covering her mouth. She looked so frail that I felt bad letting her laugh. “You are so funny if you think I have not been watching the two of you. You and Lula belong to each other”.

“I appreciate your enthusiasm, Miss Celia but I find it rather hard to believe that you came all the way here to preach about love to me.”

She brought out a tissue wiped her face with it, and even blew her nose. Then she looked for where to throw it, I held up the waste bin for her to throw it in. She continued to speak: “I’m sure you know that Lula and Carlos have reconciled and their engagement still stands.”

I didn’t know that but I didn’t say. I still did not understand the reason for her visit. Yet again, Lula lied to me through her teeth. “Go on”

She shifted in the chair. “I am pregnant with Carlos’s baby and I do not want to be a single mom. I want Carlos to accept responsibility and take care of me and the child.”

I shook my head in bewilderment, still trying to figure out how this was my business. “I do not think that I’m the best person to speak to Carlos Martinez about taking responsibility for his actions, Miss Celia.”

“I know-I know. I just need you to get Lula out of my way. Make her be with you so that Carlos can focus on me. I do not want to lose him. He still loves her very much and as much as I hate to admit it, they look good together.” Her words pricked my heart. Do they look good together? She sniffed: “You understand where I’m coming from, don’t you? You more than anyone understand the pain of unrequited love.”

“Miss Celia, I can’t force an adult to do what they don’t want to do. If Lula and Carlos like each other, then I’ll be of no use.” I shrugged, although deep down, I hated the words coming out of my mouth, but in this case, they were most appropriate. No matter how much I love Lula, she is still an adult and has the right to decide who she wants for herself.

She shot up from her seat with her brows furrowed and her forehead creased. “I will never accept that! Carlos is the father of my child, I can’t let Lula have him.” Tears had started gathering at the edge of her eyes and before I knew it, she had turned into a crying mess. She shed so many tears as mucus seeped down her nostrils.

I went closer to comfort her. “Calm down, Miss Celia-” Her cries grew louder and more annoying. I was tempted to kick her out of my room but I maintained self-control because this concerned Lula.

After crying for ages, her expression turned stoic as she looked me dead in the eyes. “I am warning you, Mr. Javier, get Lula out of there, or else, I will murder her.” There was no hint of a bluff on her face. “A word is enough for the wise.” She walked out of the room, leaving me standing there in shock.

I have no idea who this Celia chick is, but she doesn’t seem to be joking in any way. I grew worried for Lula. I know we ain’t together anymore but I care so much about her. Carlos and Celia are a problem to Lula. I must get rid of the problem…

I checked my watch only to realize that the time was inching toward 11:30 pm. m. I quickly got packed up and went to search for Francisco so we could go home. The waiter directed me to the gallery compartment and I went there.

I stopped when I saw Francisco with Lula together; I was right, I did see her earlier that night.

The two of them were laughing and having fun, but as soon as she saw me, she gaped at me as if she saw the ghost. My chest thundered with rage, not because I saw her, but because I saw her with Francisco. I had already caught them in a compromising position the other time but I ruled that out as a mistake even though the image tortured me from time to time. But Francisco’s next actions pushed me over the top; How dare he kiss her?!