A Deal With The Billionaire

EPISODE EIGHTEEN

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CONNECTICUT, UNITED STATE OF AMERICA

THE GOLDEN RESTAURANT

Benjamin Williams walked briskly towards the Golden Restaurant as he tapped away on his phone and also chewing on a gum lightly. He was getting himself distracted from the grumbling of Christopher Crawford on the line.

Thank goodness for the invention of AirPods, Benjamin would have hated having to make a call with his phone pressed to his ear when he needed to send out important messages.

‘Darn it, Benjamin! Are you even listening to me?’ Christopher’s voice came out as a roar causing Benjamin to pull out his left AirPod in a bid to ram his finger into his left ear hurriedly.

The connection went off and came back on when he put the AirPod back in his left ear.

‘Oh my goodness! Christopher, you are so annoying! Obviously I was listening to you. And it is not like I have any choice.’ Benjamin replied with a scoff.

‘All I am saying is…’ Christopher paused and let out a light sigh.

‘What are you trying to say?’ Benjamin asked.

‘All I am trying to say is that we are running out of time. And I haven’t heard from you yet. It has been a few days since the last time we saw each other.’ Christopher sounded frustrated as he let out these couple of words.

Benjamin could easily picture his friend running his hand through his hair constantly, putting it in a rough state or running his palms over his face or rubbing his palms together and also trying to crack his knuckles. These actions are like a usual habits for Christopher Crawford whenever he was bothered or worried over a situation.

‘I know. I know… I promised to get you a woman in a short time. Seriously, I have been trying to get one but I tell you that the ones I have met and discussed with will only foil your plan.’

‘How? Go straight to the point, Benjamin.’ Christopher coaxed.

Benjamin groaned in frustration. ‘Do I really have to explain myself all the time? All I am saying is the women I have met so far aren’t good enough. That’s it’ He stated clearly.

As much as they were desperately in need of a lady to be Christopher Crawford’s fake bride, Benjamin didn’t want any of the ladies he had come across so far because they were just like Jessica Campbell.

‘Fine! I am giving you one week to find me a woman and that’s all you have to provide one, Benjamin Williams!’

‘What the hell, Chris! You aren’t my boss so don’t you dare use that bloody tone with me ever again!’ Benjamin snapped back at his friend only for him to bump into someone too.

He wasn’t look straight ahead. He had been so engrossed and didn’t even take notice of where he was going.

“Damn it!” He yelled out in shock.

“I… am… so sorry.” The leg he had bumped into uttered series of apologetic words.

‘What’s going on?’ Christopher asked from the other line after hearing the ruckus.

‘You know what? Christopher, let me call you back.’ Benjamin informed his friend as he cut off the call.

He stare at the lady. “Oh my goodness! Raven McKenna! Is this really you?!” He called out in excitement as he also pulled her in for a hug.

“Benjamin!” Raven screamed in surprise. “It is so good to see you again.” She laughed heartily as she held on to him.

Raven was just leaving the restaurant after working all morning, taking excuse to leave work for the rest of the day. She intended to visit many more banks as she could to get the money.

Seeing her son in an unconscious state made her so distorted and heartbroken. Raven couldn’t sleep a wink as she watched over him in the previous night. Thank God for make up, she wondered how terrible she would have looked with her baggy eyes and dark circles.

Still, Raven couldn’t believe who she just barged into few seconds ago.

Benjamin Williams had been a part of her life about five years ago when she was still in culinary school and worked part time jobs. They both met at a bar where Raven had worked as a bartender.

Benjamin had found it weird to see a woman serving shots of alcohol at the bar but it intrigued him at the same time. They related so well and he was like the closest person she was friends with back then.

They grew fond of each other and he got to know that she had a three years old son. Benjamin took liking in Rowan’s pictures and he asked after him every time he came around. And he also sent gifts whenever he got the chance to do so.

Raven and Benjamin had kept in touch for a whole year until her phone went missing after she stopped working at the bar and it caused them to lose contact completely.

Raven pulled out of the embrace. “You look so well… and of course good looking. It is so nice to see you again, Benjamin.” She commented, taking notes of his expensive outfits, designer wrist watch, the footwear and fragrance of the perfume.

Benjamin had always been the type to look good and never to be caught not fresher.

“Thank you, Raven. You don’t look bad yourself. To be honest, you have changed a whole lot. It has been how many years now?” He asked.

“About five years.” Raven answered with a smile on her lips.

Dramatically, Benjamin held on to his chest. “Oh my goodness, it has been so long! I can’t believe I missed out on your life for that long. What happened? I tried your line for weeks and months but I couldn’t reach you.”

“My phone went missing and most of my contacts went with it. I couldn’t retrieve all.” She replied.

“That’s too bad. It is so nice to see you again.” Benjamin muttered in excitement.

“Same here.” Raven smiled.

“Oh! That reminds me!” Benjamin snapped his fingers in the air. “How is my boy, Rowan?”

At the mention of her son’s name, Raven couldn’t help the sadness that washed over her expression. And no amount of make up could hide it.