2. Will
I fixed up the button of my suit as I got out of the car.
As I walked straight into the reception of my organization, I couldn’t help but notice that it was more crowded than usual.
“Anthony,” I called out for my personal assistant as I paused at the entrance, looking around at the various faces.
“Yes, sir.”
“Why is the reception this crowded? What do these people want?”
“Oh, they are here for the loan, sir. The registration for the small business loan starts today, sir.”
“I see.” I took in a breath as I looked around until my eyes rested on her.
Looking closer, I took a few steps toward her direction to confirm what I was seeing. Then, she turned fully and met my gaze.
“Elizabeth?” I said to myself as we locked eyes for a few seconds before I averted my gaze.
“Let’s proceed, sir. You have a long day ahead,” Anthony said from behind me as I looked at her for a short second before looking away and proceeding to my office.
I couldn’t help but wonder what she was doing here. Elizabeth was my sister’s best friend. They had been friends ever since they were both nine years old.
It’s not that I cared. I had other matters to attend to besides my sister’s best friend and their silly jokes. But seeing her here was quite unexpected.
I mean, what could she be doing here? Was she here for a loan as well or something else?
Not like it’s your business,I heard a voice in my head calling me back to order.
Right, I had more important things to do than to worry about some lady. Getting into the elevator, I let out a breath; it was another workday.
“What is my schedule like today, Anthony? You said I had a long day ahead of me.”
“Oh, yes, sir. Umm, you have a meeting with the Chinese investors by ten a.m. Then, one of our VIP clients will be coming over to see you by eleven a.m. We also have to go out to inspect the new branch. They seem to have completed the finishing touches you asked them to include at the last visit. Then you—”
“Okay, just a pause there, Anthony. We would take it one after the other, okay?” I said as I got off the elevator.
Where does it end? When does it end? Working all day every day was starting to become exhausting. One would think that with the number of accomplishments I have been able to achieve, I should relax on working. But the opposite is the case. I guess what they say is true—the rich are never satisfied.
“Bring me the briefing for the Chinese investors. Let’s get started with that, shall we?”
“Yes, sir.”
Watching Anthony leave, I stood behind my desk in my exquisitely designed luxurious office, befitting the status I hold as a billionaire.
As I looked outside my floor-to-ceiling window view, overseeing the busy and beautiful city of New York. As I looked out, appreciating the beautiful view of the city, I couldn’t help but have my mind drift back to Elizabeth.
Though it was none of my business, a part of me was curious as to what she was doing here at my office. Surely, Lydia would have told me if Elizabeth was coming over for the loan or to get something done. At least Lydia would have tried to put in a good word for her.
“Yes?” I said the moment I heard a knock on the door, breaking me out of my thoughts.
“Here is the briefing you asked for, sir.”
I looked at the document Anthony pointed at me and took it from his hand before settling into my seat.
“Sorry to bother you, sir, but we also have a pressing matter on our desk.”
“What is it this time?” I asked, confused.
I could see the worried look on Anthony’s face, and it only got me more curious.
He opened his tablet and placed it in front of me, showing an article that, I assumed, was about me.
“What is this?”
“Sorry, sir, but this article written about you has been circulating widely, causing people to question . . .” I could see Anthony hesitating to finish his sentence.
“Question what?”
“Question your sexual preferences, sir.”
“What?”
I grabbed the tablet and began reading the article. Just the headline alone was enough to infuriate me: “Will the Billionaire: Single or Not?”
“I already asked the legal team to sue the writer for defamation and spreading false information, but we can’t prevent people from believing what’s written in his article.”
I let out a sigh. This issue with my relationship life was becoming increasingly frustrating, and for reasons I couldn’t really understand.
“Good.”
“But, sir . . .”
“Come on, say what you have to say.”
I noticed the hesitation on his face. “I don’t mean to pressure you, sir, but I feel it will be best if you counter their claims. We have been getting calls from our clients, and all of them are curious to know whether the rumors are true or false.”
“So what are you suggesting?”
“It might help if you went on a few dates here and there, sir. It could put a stop to the public gossip and prevent further spreading of defamatory rumors.”
Anthony had a valid point, even though I didn’t agree with it. I still could not find a compelling reason why I should disclose my personal life to the public. It’s my business whom I choose to date or not.
The idea of dating someone didn’t appeal to me in the slightest. Some might find this peculiar, but based on my experiences, I understand the complexities of love all too well. While many perceive love as brightening their lives, I see it as a facade. Love is painful.
“You can go, Anthony.”
I watched him walk out of the office, closing the door quietly. I let out another breath at the thought of the challenge on my desk.
The last thing I wanted to be bothered about was relationships and love, but people seemed to be all out on my case today. I read through the article to the end, and it only got me further riled up. I knew reading through the comment wasn’t going to do me any good, so putting the tablet away was the best option.
Will is gay?
The words from the article kept replaying in my head, and the audacity of the writer began to annoy me. I never really cared about what people said about me; the opinions of others never bothered me. But if my clients were calling in about it, then I had to put an end to it once and for all.
Anthony’s solution might just be my way out. I could ask him to find me a random lady to go out on a date with and have our pictures taken. That way, we could silence the gossip.