Billionaire Temptations: Rich, Ruthless & Obsessed

Chapter 6

Chapter Six

Anna

I landed in New York City, and when I went to get my luggage, I saw Franco standing there waiting for me with a smile on his face.

“Bonjour, Madame.” He held out his arms.

“It’s so good to see you.” I smiled as I hugged him.

“How was Paris besides fucking the sexy American?”

“It was nice. I did a lot of shopping.” I grinned.

Franco grabbed my luggage, and we headed to his car. When we arrived at his Tribeca apartment on West Broadway, he took my luggage upstairs and into my bedroom, the one he had designated mine since the day he moved in and the one I stayed in every time I came to visit him. I threw myself on the queen-size bed, and he lay next to me, grabbing my hand and holding it tight.

“I’m so happy you’re here to stay, Anna.”

“Me too.” I glanced over at him with a smile.

“I hate to ask this, but have you talked to Matthew at all?”

“No. I haven’t.”

“You know that you need to put closure on this situation,” he spoke.

“I know, and I tried to call him, but he blocked my number. So then I went on his Facebook page, and he blocked me there too. I called his office phone, and Sam, his secretary, told me he told her not to put me through if I called. You’re the only one who will understand why I did what I did. You’re the only family I have left.”

Franco Stiles and I had been best friends since we met each other in the ninth grade at boarding school. His six-foot stature, perfect black hair, and dreamy brown eyes captured my attention. I greeted him with flirty eyes, and right off the bat, he told me he was gay. Of course, he was. After we graduated, we both attended Harvard University, where I obtained an MBA, and he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Art. He was born with a gift and talent for fashion and was now the proud owner of Stiles Designs.

“Oh, by the way, I sold your dress.” He smiled.

“You did?”

“I had a client come over, and she took one look at it and had to have it. I only had to do a few alterations.”

“You didn’t tell her how the dress ditched the groom and ran away, did you?”

He let out a light laugh. “No. I told her I made it for a friend, and the wedding got canceled. So, do you have any idea what you’re going to do now? Technically, you don’t have to work, but I know you get bored quickly.”

“I was thinking about getting a job.” I smiled. “Something simple.”

“Like?”

“I don’t know. I’ll have to look online.”

Franco looked at his watch.

“Shit. I have to run.” He kissed my forehead before climbing off the bed. “I have an appointment at the studio. I’ll be back later, and we’ll order in.”

“Sounds like a plan. I’m just going to get settled.”

After he left, I unpacked and put everything away. I felt as if my life was in shambles, but at the same time, I felt free as a bird. I knew eventually, this day would come. The day my father would disown me. I tried to please him once I entered adulthood, but it's quite difficult when the bond between a father and daughter is never established. He would tell you that my little stunt at the wedding was just another cry for attention. I had done some pretty shitty things to get his attention back in the day, and that landed me at boarding school in Connecticut, all the way on the other side of the country, so far out of his hair that he didn’t have to deal with me anymore. I accepted it and was now grateful he sent me away; otherwise, I would never have met Franco. And from that day on, I never underestimated my father again.

I plopped myself down on the comfy black leather reclining couch, and as soon as I opened my laptop, my phone rang, and it was Franco.

“Hello.”

“Thank God you answered. I got so swept up with you being there I forgot my design book in my office. Would you be a doll and bring it to me? My client will be here in five minutes.”

“Of course. I’ll be there soon.”

I grabbed my coat, put on my knit hat, grabbed his design book, and hailed a cab to his studio. When I walked inside, Franco was standing there talking with a woman who appeared to be in her early fifties.

“Thank you,” he sighed as he kissed my cheek.

“And who is this lovely young woman, Franco?” The woman smiled.

“This is my best friend, Anna. Anna, I would like you to meet Jules Warren. I’m designing her wedding dress. One that is simple yet classy.” He grinned.

“Nice to meet you, Jules.” I smiled as I extended my hand.

“It’s lovely to meet you, dear. I don’t mean to be pushy or rude, Franco, but I’m on a bit of a time limit.” She sighed heavily.

“What’s wrong, Jules?” Franco asked as he flipped open his design book.

“I’m having trouble finding someone who’s a perfect fit for one of my clients. His personal assistant is moving out of state, and he isn’t dealing with it very well. Her last day was today, and his company hasn’t found a replacement yet, so he called me to send someone over temporarily.”

“Anna here is looking for a job, and temporary is her thing.” He smiled.

I shot him a look. Jules brought her index finger up to her lips as she looked me up and down.

“Hmm. Do you have corporate experience, darling?”

Franco walked over and hooked his arm around me.

“Are you kidding? Anna was the personal assistant to Clyde Baker of Baker Industries for years.”

“Really?”

She seemed highly impressed.

“Yes, I was.” I smiled through gritted teeth.

“Why did you leave?” she asked.

“Well—I’ve been wanting to move to New York for a while, so I took the plunge, and here I am.”

She reached into her purse and pulled out her business card.

“Here is my information. Email me your resume and references tonight, and I’ll be in touch after I receive them.”

“I will definitely do that.” I nodded.