Filed to story: The Regretful Billionaire: An Unpredicted Reunion >>
“What’s her name?”
“Quinn Blue.”
The web browser she had opened up was filled with information about Quinn Blue.
Danika had been lauded as an academic when she was still in school and even after. But after seeing all the records and accomplishments this woman had, she suddenly felt inferior. Quinn had both intellectual and athletic prowess, as well as developed several humanitarian projects.
Danika shook her head, trying to shake away the sensation from her mind.
Quinn was beautiful, yes; an academic, yes; but that was none of Danika’s business. They were two different people.
She shut her laptop, deciding to have a talk with Eustace about that woman. If he really only thought of Danika as a substitute, then they might as well end things. She wasn’t about to be someone else’s substitute.
A knock on the door made her jump in surprise.
Could it be Eustace? Did he rush over after hearing what happened at the store?
Danika hurried to the door, hope gathering in her heart. It had been so long since she’d seen the man in person.
When she opened the door, she froze in place.
“Are you alright, Danika? I came over right after I heard what had happened at the store. Don’t you worry, I’ll take care of everything for you,” Christopher explained, seeing how upset Danika looked. He thought she was reacting from the shock at her store.
Disappointment tasted bitter in Danika’s mouth, along with self-depreciation.
How could Eustace not have heard about what happened to La Vie Jen Rose Designs when even Christopher had? Was he so busy that he couldn’t even come to see how she was doing?
“No need. I can take care of this myself,” Danika refused. She hadn’t worried about the copycat issue at all. Felicity could never have guessed that she had cameras installed in her private office and in her study. All she had to do was get evidence of Felicity meeting up with Yvonne to end this farce once and for all.
All she needed was time.
“I know you don’t like me, but you shouldn’t have to deal with all this alone. Do you really want to risk seeing your hard work go to waste and your brand close shop?”
“I really don’t need your help. I have all the evidence I need.” As annoyed as she was with Christopher and his ulterior motive, she was still grateful for his offer to help.
Seeing how serious she was, Christopher sighed with relief. “Good then. Just let me know if you need any help.”
Danika’s doubtful stare bore straight into his soul.
“I promise I just want to help you out. I don’t expect you to repay me with anything.” Christopher shrugged. Yes, he wanted Danika to be with him, but he wasn’t that shameless to prey on her in her time of need.
Danika smiled. “Really? So, you won’t make me be your girlfriend?”
“Only if you want to-”
“Nope.”
Christopher huffed, then asked, “Have you had dinner, by the way?”
Danika shook her head. She didn’t have much appetite since the incident at her store.
“I’ll treat you then.” Christopher grinned.
“No thanks.” She just wanted to stay at home alone.
“How about…we eat here, then? I’m not too hungry, so you don’t have to make me much,” Christopher said cautiously.
Danika stared at him incredulously. “You expect me to make you dinner?”
“Of course,” Christopher responded flatly.
It wasn’t like he knew how to cook.
Christopher stared at the bowl of instant noodles and reconsidered marrying Danika.
Was his grandfather toying with him?
Danika shot him a look. “You’re lucky to have something to eat right now. If you don’t want any, you can leave.”
Most men were probably like Christopher, she thought; never lifted a finger to cook or clean for themselves. Eustace was a rare one, for sure.
Danika felt a little sad at that. The thought of not being with him anymore, of not eating his cooking ever again, was terrible.
“You really went all out, huh.” Christopher sat down to eat the noodles. He was hungry, after all.
Danika ignored him and quietly ate her food, wondering when to meet with Eustace again. Before that, she’d have to deal with her company. She couldn’t let Yvonne frame her for copyright infringement.
Christopher didn’t leave after finishing his meal.
“Why are you still here?”
“Let’s chat for a bit, hm? You’re not busy, are you?” The man lounged on her couch. He couldn’t just leave after finally stepping into Danika’s apartment.
“Who says I’m not busy?”
Christopher grinned. “Then busy on, busy bee. I’ll be right here. Won’t interrupt you.”
Danika glared at him, but he pretended not to see. Instead, the man began to swipe away at his phone. With a sigh, Danika grabbed her laptop and got to work.
“What are you up to?” Christopher asked. The clicking of her keyboard was distracting.
“Hacking into some cameras.”
Christopher sat up, surprised. “You know how to do that?”
Danika rolled her eyes. “You think I’m just here to look pretty?” She wasn’t going to waste her breath any further with Christopher.
Christopher coughed awkwardly, ashamed to reveal that he had thought so before. He knew she was a doctor but didn’t think more than that, until now. Danika was way different than he had grown to expect.
“Are you a hacker?” he asked, standing behind her to peek at her laptop screen. He marveled at the camera footage Danika had tapped into.
Danika swiftly shut her laptop, glaring at him. “What nonsense are you talking about? No, I’m not.” “Of course, of course,” Christopher held his hands up. He knew the truth, even if she denied it. Where’d you learn all this, by the way?” According to his research on her, she had grown up in a small village in the countryside. There was no way she could’ve learned how to hack into things there, right?
“My mentor taught me,” she replied swiftly.
Well, Christopher hadn’t any leads on that.
“You really don’t need help with your company? It won’t be easy to deal with Yvonne now that the Blooms are backing her up.” In truth, he wasn’t worried about the Blooms at all.
Danika sneered. “Wouldn’t you know more about the Blooms than I do? Plus, they’ve got enough on their hands right now to deal with.”
She figured Yvonne’s move today had gone uninformed on the Blooms’ end. They likely hadn’t approved of it, nor would they.
Christopher nodded. “Good point. Yvonne is really something.”
Danika grinned. “Oh, so you’re interested in her? I can introduce you two.”
He gazed at her in shock. “You’re really trying your best to kick me out, huh?”
Just then, someone knocked on the apartment door.
“I’ll get it,” Christopher said before Danika could stand up, already walking toward the door.
The door opened to Eustace standing before it, much to Christopher’s surprise.