The Billionaires Too (#2)

The Stranger

At least 72 hours had passed and there was still no sign of Logan.

Jorge had asked some of his best IT experts to track him down the same way he had done with MJ. He and Thuso had sent out a search team, and had gone to all the places they thought he would be, but he was not there.

They had just returned from their search, and were currently at Jorge’s, looking completely exhausted.

Anita came down the stairs, wearing tracksuits and takkies. “Any luck?” She asked as she headed to the kitchen.

“No!” Jorge said tiredly.

“This is so unlike the boss to disappear without trace.” Thuso sighed.

“Your dinner is served!” Anita announced from the kitchen doorway.

Jorge sighed and forced himself to get up. As tired as he was, he was also hungry and would not miss a meal. “Come on, Thuso.” He gestured for Thuso to follow him. “Aren’t you going to eat with us?” Jorge asked Anita when he noticed only two plates on the kitchen table.

She wiped her hands off and turned towards the door. “I am going to get some fresh air; it’s quite boring here without MJ.” She admitted.

“Where is she?” Thuso asked as he took his seat.

Jorge snorted. “Decided to go back to Sonya’s apartment after dumping me.”

Anita smiled and shook her head. “I’ll see you later, gentlemen.” She said before she left the house.

Anita loved the sight of the beach and just the feel of the sand, and she was grateful for Jorge’s beach house, even though it was secluded from the rest of the beach where the public usually went. It was like Jorge’s own little island, but he still fenced his house.

She walked out of the gate and took slow steps towards the beach, thinking about how life would have been if she were not MJ’s PA. Not that she regretted it, but she had big dreams. Planning MJ’s party reminded her of her dreams. She had wanted to be an event organiser; planning big and small events like weddings, parties, functions, etc. However, it was all impossible; she had no money to study further or even start a business.

On the other hand, she loved her job at Billings Corporations. Not only had she found a good job, but she also found family and friends in the Billings siblings. Yes, they were different from other people; they were a very extraordinary pair.

Jorge was kind, funny, loving, humble, and very fair. Not to forget the looks; he had girls throwing themselves at him all over the world, and of course, he was a walking, breathing sex god.

Then there was MJ, a very beautiful young woman with a cold personality and a heart as hard as a rock. She was a dictator and a ruthless businesswoman who did not care who she crossed to get what she wanted. A woman who smiled when nobody was watching. A woman with secrets and a dark past.

Her thoughts were interrupted by shuffling of feet behind her. She looked back to see a silhouette of a man approaching her, but she could not tell who it was. She turned around and continued staring at the waves moving against the sand. The person sat next to her and drew his knees closer to him, and hugged them; mimicking her actions. They sat in silence for fifteen long minutes, just staring ahead of them while thinking about their own hardships.

“Have you ever wondered how life would have been like if Man had no hearts?” The voice spoke up. The question took Anita by surprise. She glanced at him and quickly looked away.

She thought about the question and took in a sharp breath. “The same way it would have been without glass.” She said after a while. The man looked at her in awe; not the answer he had expected. Anita looked at him. He was wearing a black hoodie; she could not see his face, but she could tell from his voice that he was a troubled man. But she could also tell that he was smirking at her. “A heart is like a glass; it can break and shatter to small pieces if not handled well.” She whispered.

“True.” The man nodded, and silence fell again. Anita wondered who this man was, and what he was doing at the private beach. “I don’t think we have met before.” He said after a while and extended his hand towards her. “I’m Carlyle.” Anita stared at his hand and bit on the inside of her mouth.

“Rafaela.” She said and shook his hand, but she quickly pulled her hand out of his, shocked by the jolts of electricity that ran through her body.

“Is that what people call you?” Carlyle asked.

“No, is that what people call you?” She asked, a smile tugging at the corner of her lips.

“No. What do they call you?” He asked, his voice filled with amusement.

“What do they call you?” She shot back, causing him to laugh. She joined in on the laugh, and found herself enjoying his company.

“Well, it was nice meeting you, Rafaela.” He said, brushing off the sand from his pants.

Anita felt a rush of emptiness when she realised that he was leaving. “You are leaving already?” She asked before she could even stop herself.

Carlyle chuckled. “Yeah.” He sighed and shoved his hands in his pockets, and started to walk off. Anita watched as he walked away. She sighed and turned around when he was a bit far. “Rafaela?” Her head snapped back when she heard her name being called. She saw Carlyle standing in a distance. “You forgot one thing!” He shouted.

“And that is?” Anita shouted back, tugging her hair behind her ear.

“Glass is replaceable.” He shouted and paused for a second. “But a heart, love - is priceless.” He said and jogged off, leaving Anita with a throbbing head. She walked back to the house, a lot of questions running in her head.