Hiding from Mr. Billionaire

34 Held back resentment

"Did you hear us?" Agatha breathed.

Reuben glanced at the both of them in confusion. "No," he drawled. "Why...should I have?"

Agatha sighed with relief and shook her head no reassuringly.

Reuben stared at the both of them, confused for a moment. His head flew back as he laughed humorously at the two. "If it's because of your love affair, rest assure yourself that Jasper already knows."

Agatha frowned.

"There's no need to hide it you two," Reuben smirked. "But may I remind you Agatha, Jasper won't approve of this marriage and neither will your father on the matter. We don't want the same thing that happened to that pauper boy yours to happen to Mr. Smith."

So, the rumors were true after all.

"How dare you reference him that way," she seethed. "He meant more than that."

"Last time I checked, it's not a crime to speak the ugly truth."

"Joseph, his name was Joseph. And in case you've forgotten, he was a dear friend who's grown up with all of us since we were children," Vivian's eyes became glassy. "I thought that meant something. Especially to you, since if I don't recall- you'd never let anything get in the way of your friendship."

Reuben's eyes softened. "Things change, Agatha."

"Says you," Agatha shot up from her seat. "You're one to talk, I heard you had the fancy of meeting some Martin girl."

Vivian winced at the mention.

"That's a different situation," he sighed.

"No," Agatha crossed her arms. The little ginger wisps of hair that hung from her bun swayed as she moved restlessly, pacing around the living room. Her mind kept going and going, till she could make of it no more. "It's really not, and until you start realizing that. You'll end up ruining yourself like my brother has already done to himself- plenty of times. I don't see why you men have to be so stuck up and stubborn. Your pride contradicts your fears and pain. You may think I'm stupid and unknowing but I see it all. It's all in your eyes. If there was one thing that I took positively from being in this household away from all my father's ways of business and manhood, it's the honesty and love that comes with the acknowledgement of having keeping people around. Something you two will never know anything about!"

"I never meant to upset you," Reuben said.

"I think it's better if I leave," she muttered.

Agatha's eyes flickered to Vivian, who sat there with her lips parted in shock.

"Take care, Mr. Smith."

Reuben stepped aside with a vacant look to him as Agatha turned heel and stormed out. "Oh," she stopped by Reuben. "And last time I checked, Mr. Smith makes more money than you now. So even if we were having an affair, which we're not- it's a lot better than the likes of you."

Agatha's footsteps ended with the sound of a door slam.

"I apology for that," Reuben said after a long draw of silence. "Agatha is known best for being stubborn and emotional, you mustn't take it to heart."

"I don't think that's a bad thing." Vivian said quietly. "So, you wished to have a word with me?"

"Yes," Reuben replaced Agatha's spot and lit up a cigar. He handed one to Vivian, who reluctantly took it. "First, I want to apologize for my outburst. I thought of you differently and that was very wrong of me."

Vivian choked on a wad of smoke and handed the cigar back to him.

"Are you alright?"

"Yes," she wheezed out.

"So Jasper and I came to an agreement, that I would mentor your whereabouts in exchange for similar pay. From now on wherever Jasper travels, you will go as is business partner. Granted, you won't really be doing any of it. He's just using you to act fair. I don't like it one bit, but if it's in Jasper's interests then- let's just say I'll follow him to the ends of the earth to make him proud. But I still know nothing about you."

Vivian gazed at him solemnly. "Does it matter?"

Reuben shrugged and walked away without a word.

"Well I already know everything about how you met and the contract. So if you wish to get away from Jasper, you won't. I can promise you that."

And he did. The first week went by fast, and before she knew it she was by Jasper all the time. Most of her days spent "working," or rather, observing other people as they worked. She learned from afar the benefits of tunnels, profit margins, and high output. Vivian's mind was further exploring the measures of business development. For once in her life something she thought wouldn't interest her, did. Reuben acted as a nosy body guard around work, monitoring her every movement like he said he would. Agatha helped her sneak in and out of the room for several nights in a row. It was common nature to jump out of bed in the am and strap on a suit. For this Jasper never understood by Agatha began guarding his door by early morning, or why it always sounded like someone tumbling down to death on the stairs.

But the secret did not last long, for one time Agatha slept in for the day and Vivian opened the door- face to face with an angry looking Jasper.

"AGATHA!" he bellowed.

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A/N - Thank you for 400 Reads! that's insane!

sorry this story is probably the most boring thing ever. Finals are coming up the next two weeks for I won't be updating daily again till June. Stay safe lovely readers (: