Addicted to the Billionaire

-18-

I wake up feeling oddly happy, and it takes me a few minutes to remember why, but when I do, I have to smile. Xavier Reyes wants me. He might even love me. I pause a while to think on that word. Love. It leaves a happy rush of butterflies in my stomach.

I get out of bed and reach into my bag to check if I have a message from Xavier on the iPhone and, luckily I do.

Xavier: Happy birthday Candy. See you later. x

I felt myself smiling like crazy as it hit me that I was eighteen today. And best of all, Xavier had remembered.

I got out of bed and, within ten minutes, I was bathed and dressed, combing out my unruly hair. I was wearing my best pair of jeans and a blue off shoulder top with white sneakers. I rushed downstairs and almost doubled over in shock to see my father sitting at the table drinking a hot cup of coffee while my mother was cooking.

When they caught sight of me, my mother rushed up to me and gave me a huge hug.

"Happy birthday darling", she said in a loud voice as she hugged me. My dad folded his paper and looked at me, while I stood awkwardly. Finally, he broke the silence with a loud, "Well Candace, I guess you'll want to stay out late tonight. Your curfew is by eleven, and I expect your friend has already briefed you about the birthday celebrations."

I could just stand there shocked. My parents were acting nice, yet it seemed fake and oddly loud.

I sat at the table while my mum served me pancakes – I can't remember the last time she did that for me, and I can see why. She's a horrible cook, and the pancakes are burnt and crunchy. I find eggshells in mine. After a few bites, I politely push my plate away, and tell them that I wouldn't want to be late to school. I rush out and get into the car that Eric has waiting outside for me.

***

Eric drops me off at the parking lot, which is strangely empty, and I make my way up to the school building. I walk into the school and met Audrey standing by my locker, tapping her nails impatiently.

"Happy birthday girl", she smiles giving me a quick brief hug.

I smile, before her nails catch my eyes. She has gotten them done, and now they are sparkling pink, and very long.

"I like your nails", I say, and she smiles while admiring them for a few seconds.

"So did your boyfriend give you time off work like I asked?", she says with a smile.

"What do you mean?", I asked.

"I told him that it was your birthday and asked if he could give you a day off to celebrate.", she clarifies.

I hadn't heard anything, so I reached into my bag and pulled out my iPhone. A new message was waiting for me.

Xavier: You have a very persuasive friend. Enjoy your day off.

I smiled as I dropped the phone back in my bag, and looked up to see Audrey looking shocked.

"Was that a freaking iPhone?", she squealed.

I realized that Audrey knew almost nothing about Xavier and I, so I told her everything that had happened between us. When I was done, she was silent for a few minutes and had an expression that I couldn't recognize.

Finally, she spoke. "I think his playing you Candy', she said calmly. I was about to retort when she held up her hand for me to stop speaking before she continued. "Think about it, he just wants to use you for sex or something, maybe he has a child fetish. Why would a billionaire want to date a highschool kid? It's not as if you're that pretty or anything. I think that you're being naïve.