The Matchmaker and the Billionaire (MBBC#11)

18

Louise Rose

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Unease grips me. Something feels off. This is not right.

Two staff members guarded me, and they seemed friendly. I stepped into the elevator, took a deep breath, and smiled at my reflection in the mirror. I knew I looked good tonight. It was funny, but it took me a while to decide what dress to wear until I settled into a simple one—after all, it was not my date.

This is Hendrix's fifth date, and I'm teetering on the edge of a significant decision. I hope that this will be the last one because right after this, I'm going to tell him that I will quit.

The amount of money that was deposited in my account this morning was more than enough for a lifetime. I never saw this coming. We only agreed to the right amount, but Hendrix deposited more than twenty times.

Something's not right. There's tension in the air, a brewing storm to come. I can sense it. What's Hendrix up to? Is it something good or something bad? Who knows? Maybe he has met the fifth candidate, and it happened to be his first love.

Yeah, it must be right. I will just put it up just like that.

The romantic ambiance and alluring scents enveloped me as I stepped in. The staff, initially warm, soon left me alone. I swallowed hard, my heart racing with anticipation.

What is he planning now? Is this his date with that woman? Ugh, how romantic. The anticipation and anxiety are eating me up.

Calm down, Louise. Everything's going to be alright. It seems like this is going to be the last anyway. Hendrix will not go beyond this lavish if she's not important.

"This way, Miss." A voice from behind me made my body spin.

My mouth parted. "What?" I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Was this some kind of joke?

"This way, Miss. Mr. Hendrix Mondragon is waiting patiently for you." The staff's words hit me like a thunderbolt, leaving me momentarily speechless.

I blinked fast. What the heck?

"Oh. . . Is that so?" My heart pounded hard. This is nerve-wracking. Where is his date?

"Okay." I followed the staff, and my pace was shaky.

I get it. Hendrix might want me to witness this. Yes, that's definitely it. I smiled. But then my smile faded when I saw Hendrix from a distance, standing mighty and devilishly handsome. It took my breath away, and my knees wobbled.

Act cool, Louise. You have to act as if this is nothing. But the feeling of impending doom was palpable, like a shadow creeping over me.

"Hi," I said, almost in a squeak.

Hendrix nodded with a smile to the staff, and they all left. I blinked again fast as I looked at him, and he gestured for me to sit down.

I paused.

"W-Where's your date? Don't tell me you shoo her away?" I chuckled as a joke.

"You are my date for tonight. Sit down." His words hung in the air, leaving me stunned and speechless.

"O.K.A.Y." And like a robot, I sat down. I looked at him, and he was not looking at me. His jaw tightened as he drank his water. My heart pounded all the way up to my neck.

Damn, him. Something is going on, and I need to know what it is.

"What happened? I know I shouldn't be asking, but—"

"Let's have a meal together first, and then we can talk about things," he smiled, which put me at ease.

"Okay. Not a problem. Let's do that."

The orders arrived the way I wanted them. We ate quietly without conversation, and every now and then, I looked at him, but he never once looked at me and was just concentrating on his steak. I felt tense. I knew something was off, and I couldn't wait for him to tell me what it was.

Maybe he got the wrong deposit? That's alright because I plan to return the remaining money. Rosy and I don't need so much. We only want our standard fee and nothing else.

"Uhm, by the way, I got the payment, but it's too much. I will wire back the money to your account." I cleared my throat and was about to pull my phone from my bag, which was sitting right next to me.

He wiped his mouth and cleared his throat. Our meal had just ended, and our dessert would be served soon.

"Keep it, Louise. You and Rosy did more than enough, which will help you with everything you need."

 A wave of cold shock washed over me, like I'd been drenched in ice water.

Did he just call me by my name? What the. . . Did I hear it right? Or am I just hearing things?

He chuckled silently, and my mouth slightly parted. He shook his head.

"You are not hearing things, Louise. That's right. You hear me loud and clear, Louise. " His jaw tightened, and his eyes darkened.

Dang it. He caught me. I'm screwed.

"L-Let me explain, Hendrix. It's not what you think—"

"It's alright. You don't have to explain yourself." His sinister look penetrates me deeply.

Heck, my life. What's next now?

"I'm sorry. . ." I'm ashamed right through my bones, and the only thing I can do now is to look away from his intense gaze.

Yeah. I guess this is it. He caught me. What now? What's the point of explaining when he absolutely knew everything.

I sighed and then slowly lifted my chin. I looked at him with negotiation in mind.

"What do you want me to do now?" I bite my inside cheek, feeling the weight of my vulnerability.

Oh, help me, God. I wish the earth would move and the ground would open.

I just want to be swallowed, to disappear from this moment!

Our dessert arrive and we went quite for a seconds. I looked at my cheesecake blankly. Even though it looked delicious I could probably not taste its sweetness.

I picked the fork dessert and grabbed a small amount to taste it. It tastes good—sweet, smooth, and delicious.

"I will return your money, Hendrix. I'm so sorry," I said as I ate.

"Keep it, Louise, and there will be more to come for the business."

I felt the tremors in my right hand.

Damn him. Now, I'm in trouble.

"There will be no more dates from now on. I already took care of them."

I felt another gust of cold wind on my cheek as I looked into his eyes.

"What?" I was thrown off balance, trying to make sense of how Hendrix looked at me.

"From now on, you will become my fiancée, Louise Rose Stewart."

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c.m. louden

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