The Billionaires Too (#2)

Up and About Too

The first thing MJ did when she arrived at work the next day was to check with Brianna if she had anything on Cameron, but she was not yet in and her team were not aware of the situation.

It had completely slipped her mind that Brianna was married and had children, and that she had to put up the identity of a real estate agent to her family while at the same time, catering for both her family and the company. They obviously still had a long way to go.

After an hour, the building started to pile up as all the employees returned from the sister branch. It was a sight to behold as MJ felt the air rush into her lungs, it was as if her building had come to life and was breathing again. Chatter and murmurs rose, and for the first time ever, she did not mind the noise.

MJ had resorted to coming to work much earlier than everyone again, and the empty desks where both Anita and Samantha used to reside, bothered her. It was just a reminder of how much things had changed over the last few months and how she was completely alone this time. It was a wake-up call that she needed to make new allies and acquaintances if she wanted to keep her company afloat.

With new motivation, she strode back into her office and started reviewing some of the employees’ profiles, and one in particular sparked her interest.

A soft knock came from the door, and she already knew who it was before she even looked up. "Come in," she said, putting everything away as if she had been expecting this visit.

"Good morning, Miss Billings," Mahalia greeted shyly as she paddled into the room.

"Good morning, Mahalia. How are you doing?" She asked, remembering her talk with Blair yesterday.

"I am great, thank you. And how are you?" Mahalia replied enthusiastically.

She clasped her hands together and leaned back against her chair with her legs crossed while she slowly twirled from side to side. "Couldn't be better," she said honestly. "How can I help you?"

"Actually, there was something I was hoping to speak to you about." MJ gestured at the chair opposite hers. "Thank you," Mahalia said as she sat down. "The phones at the reception haven't stopped ringing since–"

"If this is about the receptionist position–"

"On the contrary no!" Mahalia quickly interjected. "I've been holding the fort and I don't mind at all. It's just that the people that have been calling...I don't think it is business related."

MJ stilled in her actions and sat up straight. "What do you mean?"

"One is Samantha Grayson, she's been demanding to be directed to you, and the other is a +27 number, they don't say anything every time they call."

"I see. Uhm...tell me something, how long have you been working for this company?"

Mahalia's eyes widened in surprise at the unexpected question. "Almost six years," she answered.

"I believe you have been working as a clerk?"

"Uh...yes, ma'am. I have been handling company records and accounts, and I've also been helping most of my colleagues with their files."

"What can you tell me about this company, something I wouldn't know of?"

Mahalia shifted uncomfortably in her seat, her face concocting into various expressions. "I–"

"Relax, this is not an interrogation. Just try to answer from your understanding," MJ said calmly. "Can you see how enormous this building is?" Mahalia nodded hastily. "I have hundred other buildings more or less the same, do you think I have the time to check on every single thing and keep track of everything that happens here and everywhere else?"

"Not all all."

"I can't even keep track of the smallest things, which is why we have different departments in charge of different things."

"I understand." She wetted her lips and sat up straight, raising her chin. "Billings Corporations is like the goto company when you need anything. You specialize in almost everything and invest in small companies, impairing them with the necessary resources to make them greater. You generate billions on a daily and–"

"How would you feel about stepping in as a temporary secretary?" MJ blurted out.

Mahalia sat there, dumbfounded for a second. "Pardon?" She breathed.

MJ pushed her chair in and started paging through some documents. "When they call again, please direct them to my extension."

"Noted! Thank you, Miss Billings, I promise I won't let you down."

MJ smiled. "My door is always open should you need anything. That will be all for now, thank you."

"Thank you, Miss Billings!" Mahalia said as she left.

MJ sighed in relief as soon as the girl left, at least that was out of the red zone for now, hopefully having a new secretary would make things go smoother.

Not even fifteen minutes after Mahalia left, MJ's office line rang. "MJ Billings speaking." The line was quiet for some time, and she frowned. "Hello?"

The caller cleared their throat, and MJ tensed. 'Hi,' Logan said.

"Logan."

'I didn't think you would ever answer. I–'

"Say what you called to say before I hang up on you."

Logan sighed loudly. 'We need to talk,' he said.

"I thought that's what we were doing."

'No, we need to talk. Do you think you can come to the Cape anytime soon?'

She closed her eyes and sucked in a deep breath. After their last encounter, she did not want to face him in the next coming months. She needed to gather herself before deciding on having another confrontation with Logan Parker. "Listen, I–"

Brianna barged into her office. "Miss Billings, there's been new developments–"

'Just this once, please. I promise you won't have to see me ever again.'

"Fine, I'll think about it."

"Thank you." The line went off, and MJ placed her phone down before turning towards Brianna in hostility.

"Ever heard of knocking?" She gritted.

"I'm sorry," Brianna apologised hastily.

MJ sighed and rubbed her eyes. "No, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have shouted at you. You were saying?"

"There's been a new development."

"Has Cameron landed in SA?" She asked hopefully.

Brianna grimaced. "No, we don't have any record of him yet. But we know that Samantha Grayson landed in OR Tambo less than two hours ago." MJ went rigid, her eyes fixated on the desk. "I swear none of us had any idea about this, she's been distancing herself since the whole identity scandal," Brianna said hastily.

What on earth was Samantha doing in South Africa? MJ had been ignoring her since she returned from SA and she decided to cut her off. Hopefully, Samantha's trip was not part of some revenge scheme. "Thank you, Brianna. Will that be all?"

"Yes." Brianna said with her hands behind her back.

"Thank you." MJ said with a dismissive nod. After Brianna closed the door on her way out, MJ released a deep breath and sat up straight as she reached for her phone. What the hell was Samantha doing in South Africa, and where was Cameron? Most importantly, what was she to do about Logan Parker?