Billionaire Temptations: Rich, Ruthless & Obsessed

Chapter 22

Chapter Twenty-Two

Emily

I was in the shop folding some sweaters that had just come in when I heard the bell above the door chime. I looked and saw a man and woman step inside.

“Good afternoon. Welcome to Emily’s Edge.”

“Thank you,” the woman said with a smile as she went to the wall where the dresses were.

Once I was finished with the display of sweaters, I glanced over at the couple and couldn’t help but notice the man staring at me. The moment I looked at him, he turned away. Not thinking too much of it, I walked over and asked if they needed any help.

“This is a lovely shop,” the woman spoke.

“Thank you. Is this your first time here?” I asked.

“Yes. My husband and I are visiting. We’re thinking about moving here. We’re from Seattle.”

“Nice. Well, welcome to the city, and if you need anything, just let me know.”

“We will. Thank you.” She politely smiled.

The whole time I was standing in front of them, the woman’s husband kept staring at me, and even when I looked at him, he didn’t look away. It bothered me, and I felt very uncomfortable. As I stood behind the counter, trying not to notice his excessive stares, Katie walked in from lunch.

“I’m back.” She grinned.

“How was lunch?”

“Excellent! Guess what?” she screeched with excitement.

“What?”

“Alex passed the bar. He is now a full-fledged licensed attorney!”

“Ah, that’s wonderful, Katie.” I hugged her.

“We’re going out tonight to celebrate, and we want you and Jackson to come.”

“I’d love to. As for Jackson, I don’t know. I’ll have to call and ask him.”

Picking up my phone, I dialed his number.

“Hello, beautiful.”

“Hi there. Katie and Alex are going out tonight to celebrate because Alex passed his bar exam. Do you want to go?”

“Unfortunately, I can’t. I have a meeting tonight at seven with a client who’s interested in some property.”

“Oh, okay. I just thought I’d ask.”

“If I were available, I would go. But you have fun tonight.”

“Thanks, Jackson. Good luck with your meeting.”

“Thank you. I’ll talk to you soon.”

After ending the call, I set down my phone, and a feeling I couldn’t quite describe washed over me.

“Are you okay?” Katie asked.

“Yeah. I’m fine. Jackson has a meeting tonight, so he can’t make it.”

“Too bad. But we’ll have so much fun.”

“Yeah.” I gave her a small smile.

Disappointment hit me like a ton of bricks. Out of nowhere, and BAM! I shook it off the best I could, trying to understand why I felt like this.

“Excuse me,” the woman from Seattle spoke. “May I try these on?”

“Of course.”

Grabbing the keys, I unlocked one of the fitting rooms.

“If you need a different size, let me know.” I smiled as I walked away.

I could feel her husband’s eyes staring at me as I headed back to the counter.

“Excuse me, miss?” He approached.

“Yes?” I nervously responded.

“I know this may sound strange, but do you know a woman named Karen Wade?”

My heart fell to the pit of my stomach.

“She was my mother,” I replied.

“Was?”

“She passed away two years ago.”

“I’m sorry.” He looked down. “You are the spitting image of her.”

“You knew her?”

“Yes. A very long time ago. I apologize if I kept staring at you. You have her smile.”

“Thanks. What’s your name?”

“Gregory Davis.”

I held out my hand. “I’m Emily Wade. It’s nice to meet you.”

“Are you the owner of this store?”

“Yes, I am.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Emily. One last question, and I hope it’s not too personal. May I ask how old you are?”

Why would he be asking me that? I thought to myself. That was an odd question to ask someone out of the clear blue.

“I’m twenty-seven,” I spoke with an odd tone in my voice.

“I figured as much. You’re very successful for your age. Good for you. I’d best be getting back to my wife.”

“Thank you. It was nice speaking with you, Gregory.”

“Likewise.” He gave a slight nod and headed back to the fitting room.

Jackson

“Good to see you, Jackson. It’s been far too long,” Leon spoke as he stood from his chair and shook my hand.

“Good to see you too. It has been a while, hasn’t it?”

“How’s your father?”

“He’s well. Off traveling the world.”

“Living the dream life.” He smiled. “So, what prompted this meeting?”

“You’re renting a shop to a friend of mine, Emily Wade.”

“Ah yes, lovely girl. Turned the space into a cute little clothing boutique. What about her?”

“The shop next to hers closed, and she was thinking about utilizing that space and expanding.”

“That other shop is the same size as hers.”

“She wants to knock down the wall in between the shops and make it one larger shop. She’s going to talk to you about it.”

“I’m afraid I can’t let her do that. I don’t like expansions. What if the business fails and I’m left with one oversized space? Plus, she’s only six months into the other lease. It’s too much of a risk and one I’m not willing to take.”

“Her shop is doing fantastic already, so I think an expansion would help her do even better.”

“I’d have to charge her triple the rent, plus I’d want a year upfront. Come on, Jackson, you know the business.”

“So, there’s no way you’d work with her?” I asked as I took a sip of my drink.

“No. I’m sorry. Those are two separate buildings and I want to keep it that way. Actually, I already have someone interested in the space. He wants to put in a nutrition shop.”

I sat there, contemplating my next move. This was something she really wanted and if I could make it happen for her, I would.

“How much for the two buildings?”

“What?” Leon laughed. “You can’t be serious.”

“I am,” I spoke deadpan.

“They’re not for sale.”

“Everything’s for sale.” I smirked.

“Is she your girlfriend or something?”

“No. She’s just a very good friend with a dream.”

He sighed as he stared at me for a brief moment. His eyes narrowed. “One million for each property.”

I couldn’t help but laugh. “Come on, Leon. That’s double what the going rate is. Don’t forget, we’re in the same business. You didn’t even buy those buildings for half that much.”

“Inflation, my friend.” He smiled.

“So, you’d agree to sell to me if I paid you two million dollars?”

“Yes. I would have the contracts drawn up tomorrow if you wanted.”

I extended my hand to him. “You’ve got yourself a deal.”

“Are you sure you know what you’re doing?” he asked.

“I know what I’m doing.” I finished off my drink.