A Billionaire’s Ruse

Narrator’s POV

As Emily made her way up the stairs to her bedroom, she couldn’t shake the feeling that she had met someone special.

Even though their conversation had been brief, it felt like there was a connection between them. As she changed out of her party clothes and into her pajamas, she wondered if she would ever see James again. She hoped and pray that he comes tomorrow.

She closed her eyes, and she drifted off to sleep.

The next morning, Emily woke up with a sense of anticipation. She had a busy day ahead of her, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that something had changed. She now has someone she could call a friend.

She went about her day, attending classes and working on assignments. She kept wondering if he would honour her invitation.

James, on the other hand, has been waiting eagerly all day for his mother to send him to visit his father at work.

“James.” His mother called him.

“Yes mum.” He said, stepping into the kitchen.

“Take this lunch to your father. And make sure to remember to pick his drugs on the table on your way out. Take your brother along also” It was the happiest news that he had been expecting but why should he go with Jim? Not today of all days.

“But mum, Jim will only slow me down and I told you I’m visiting with Emily. Bringing Jim along will not speak well.” James protested.

His mother smiled at him, ruffling his hair, “why not see it as the more, the merrier. You told me Emily is an only child, I’m sure she would not mind having another friend.”

“That’s true mum. She will love it. Jim, let’s go meet a friend together. Are you excited?” James said, turning to his 6 years old brother standing by the kitchen counter, tickling him.

“Yes James. Let’s go. ” Jim replied, laughing.

James collected the food from his mother and took his father’s drugs from the table, then he went out with Jim.

When they got to the Thortons’ residence, their father was not at his station, so they had to wait for him. James was pacing as he was restless.

Immediately his father came in, they both rushed to meet him and hugged him.

“Father, we are going to the bug house. Emily invited me over but I’m taking Jim along also.” James poured out immediately his father sat down to eat. “Can we go now?”

The father looked at them and smiled, “run along now and don’t stay too long. I’ll be waiting for you both so we can all go home together, okay?”

The two boys nodded and made their way to the main building.

When James knocked on Emily’s front door that evening, he was nervous. He knew that he had been drawn to her at the party, and he was hoping to see her again.

As she opened the door, she smiled at him. “Hi, James,” she said. “You came?”

James stammered for a moment, not sure what to say. Finally, he spoke. “Well, I hope you don’t mind? I brought my little brother along.”

“Oh, hi James’s brother. My name is Emily. What’s yours?”© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

“I’m Jim.”

“Nice to meet you Jim.” Emily said and they all fell into an awkward silence

“Can we come in?” James asked politely

Emily hesitated for a moment, then nodded. “Sure. I am sorry. My bad. come on in,” she said.

Emily’s POV

James and Jim stepped into the entryway, and I closed the door behind them.

We stood there for a moment, unsure of what to do or say until his brother pulled at him arm and I quickly recollected myself.

“This way please.” I said leading them to the living room.”Have your seat please. I will be right back. Please feel at home.” I said as I made my way to the kitchen to meet Regina.

She had the tray ready already. I took it from her and mouthed a thank you.

“Be careful, miss.” She said

I was so happy she read into the situation. She had added another cup of tea to the tray and more biscuits. Good old Regina.

When I got to the living room, James stood up to assist me when he saw me coming. I served them a biscuit and a cup of tea.

“I hope you like the biscuit?” I asked Jim.

“Yes. It’s milky.” He replied, smiling widely.

“You know your biscuits Jim. That is a bonus point for you.” I said, giving him a high five.

Finally, I turned to look at James. “So, what would you like to do?” I asked.

James thought for a moment, then blurted out, “Your house is really big, and quite spacious, the colours and everything, it is beautiful.”

I was sure he wanted to explore the house, but he did not know how to say it. “Let’s go to the garden.” I said, dragging him along. Jim followed us naturally.

“It’s cool here”, he said touching the beautiful flowers close to the water spring.

“Everything is beautiful in here.” he said as he laid on the low lawned grass.

“Yes it is, you know this is my favourite part of the house. You know you both could be coming here whenever you are free. We can all. play here together.” I offered.

“We will take you up on that offer Miss. Thorton. Let’s shake on it.” James said, trying to look like an older person and we all laughed.

I was so happy having friends to play with, “Let us go play together in the tree house.” I said and we went there and played house for sometime.

“Now I see why my dad loves his job.” James said coming down from a tree.

I chuckled, “Yeah, your dad is really doing a great job in the gardens.” I commented.

“Would you like to swim?” I said, pulling off my dress and jumping into the pool. Jim joined me immediately after he pulled his top and shorts and we both played, splashing water on each other.