𝐎𝐜𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐁𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐞

Chapter Twelve

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"What the hell did you want, money?"

Imani didn't know he could hurt her as much as he had when he looked at her like she was a cockroach beneath his boots, but it seemed there was a lot he could say that would still hurt.

"I don't care about your money."

Her tone and the serene stance made Matthew angrier than he already was. How does she get to be that calm when he is about to explode, thinking about her using him for what he could provide her and this boy she liked.

"Really? I don't believe you?"

Imani shrugged, bending to pick up her robe. She wanted to dress up because she didn't want to provide fodder for gossip. Her life was private, she kept to herself, and she wasn't about to compromise that for a man who thought so little of her. She didn't even understand what happened. One minute they were happy, and the next thing, he was glaring at her in disgust.

"I don't care whether you believe me or not, Mr Ocean." Imani pointed, brushing her fingers through her hair to bring some order. She needed to leave, walk out of here and never see this man again, but first, she had a request to make.

"I don't know what just happened here, but I want to ask something of you." she paused, her look pleading with him, but Matthew laughed with scorn, "of course you do."

Imani narrowed her eyes, wondering why she ever thought he was nice and beautiful. While she secretly conceded he might be one of the most beautiful men she had ever seen, no one, other than a naive, idiotic person would refer to him as nice—he was unpleasant and a bastard, and unfortunately, she was naive and an idiot.

"First of all, I don't care about your money, keep that...whatever amount of billions you have managed to accumulate", she motioned with her fingers mockingly, "but I would like to keep this job."

Matthew shrugged nonchalantly. She was beginning to really detest that shrug.

"Don't ask for me anymore; I'm sure Ben will get you someone else." Imani felt a lurch on her heart when she said that, but she annoyingly put it aside, albeit grudgingly to say her final piece. She knew there was a part of her that would miss him, especially that crooked smile that he often threw at her when she said something funny or hilariously strange or his witty side that had her laughing out loud in those few hours they had managed to spend together.

Matthew didn't believe that was all she wanted; he kept expecting more, but it didn't come. She stood there looking hurt and confused, yet he didn't believe her.

"You're not about to blackmail me, are you?"

Imani's eyes popped wide in disbelieve. Why the hell would he think that.

"I said I don't want your money, but unlike you, I have a small boy under my care," she said in a harsh emotional voice.

"What?" Matthew's voice was soft, almost inaudible.

"I have come too far to lose everything because I was stupid enough to think a billionaire like you would like me." even saying that loud embarrassed the hell out of her. She felt her face flush, her fingers trembling, wishing the ground would open up and swallow her.

"What do you mean you have a small boy under your care?" he boomed, moving to where she stood. Imani stepped back, glaring at him, warning him not to get closer.

"That is none of business. " she softly said, shaking her head. "I never want to see you again; I bet you feel the same way about me too." she sounded tired, and Matthew began to feel the pounding of his at what he feared he had miscalculated.