The One True Billionaire's Heir

Chapter Nine

What about this dress?”, she asked the shop attendant. 

“That's a Gucci Original released at the Sclavania fashion house”

“Urgghh, please. I want something from Casa Grande's, the recent releases”

“Well, in that case, we have just the perfect one.”

The shop attendant took Elena across the room to their collection. The red dress immediately caught her eye. She whipped it off the open wardrobe, admiring the red, flamboyant dress with its studs and pearls. 

“I want it. Pack it up for me”

“That would be $800,000”

She gave the shop attendant her card. 

“Declined”

Elena gave the girl a very disgusted look. The girl tried twice but of course she couldn't gather the guts to tell Elena the same thing. The woman seemed to have some influence.

Her superior was informed to address the situation.

“Madam, I'm sorry but it seems that your account has been closed, more like blocked to go straight to the point”

Elena gave a mocking and belittling laugh.

“You guys had better get your machines working, ok? Because clearly you have no idea who you are talking to.”

“Madam, we've tried multiple times. And if there was an error, our systems would have highlighted us. We've also contacted your bank on the issue. Your card has clearly been blocked”

Elena looked at them, irritated. She knew they had to be right but her ever- growing ego never let her see reason. Who did these low-lifes think she was?

“Well clearly, you guys have no professionalism, this “supposed boutique is an obvious scrap of some old retail store with illegit papers. Count your days, cause a review is coming out of this”

She yanked her card out of the woman's hand and dropped the gown she took on the floor, cat walking out of the store on her Chivochi heels. She drove straight home trying to solve the idea that maybe somehow, Finn had been the one who blocked her card.

Fortunately, Finn's car was parked in the garage when she arrived.

“Babeee… I'm home”. Finn was at their mini bar.

“Hey babe, how was work?”, she said, hugging him from behind.

“Cool. How was your day?” He turned to face her and she placed her hands around his neck.

“You wouldn't believe those miserly shop attendants at the mall today. They declined my card!”

“Interesting…”

“Interesting? Aren't you going to say anything more? How could they decline the card saying insufficient funds? The account's got most of the company's money”

But Finn didn't say anything. Instead, he distracted himself with the glass on the bar top. And Elena got the message much too soon.

“Did you block the account?”

“What?”

She dropped her hands. “Did you block the card?”

“Look babe…”

“What the hell,Finn? What the freaking hell?”

“Calm down Elena”

“Do not tell me to calm down. Do you know how embarrassing today was? I already had that dress and some other items packaged. Do you know how discomfiting it was to walk out of the most respectable boutique with nothing in my hand like some window shopper? Do you know…”

“Stop whining Goddammit!!! Are you dumb? Can't you see the company is facing some crisis right now? If you and your family don't do something about this, everything will crumble to the ground and there'll be no money left for your extravagant spending!”

Elena started sobbing. She was completely taken aback by his yelling. He had never yelled at her before. Realising how frightened she was, he came close to her but she shifted back.

“Elena”

“Don't touch me”

She reached for her bag but he got it first and came close enough. 

“Hey,hey, heyyy ”... Finn said, placing his hand on her shoulders. “I'm sorry but from now on we have to go low-key, for the safety of our marriage. I love you Elena. Mum and Dad are pressuring me to leave but I can't. I'm resisting all that pressure and you have to help me. Or don't you love me enough?”

“I do… it's just that my own …”

“Shh…”, he said, cutting her off with his hungry lips brushing against hers.

“I know you do. It's been an exhausting day at work babe. We should work this heat off.” Finn said, looking at her seductively and tracing her bosoms with his hand. Elena, being too tired to resist, took off her clothes rather hastingly. He did the same and they made love on the couch.

*************************

Elena's mum arrived the next day looking completely distressed. Elena couldn't help the bad news.

“Mum, what's wrong?” Grace could barely breathe. She looked as though she'd been crying.

“Elena… your father's going to lose his company. You have to help him”

“But mum…”

“He just lost another major investor and one of his partners is threatening to press charges,Elena. He's threatening to throw him in prison!”, she said, breaking down immediately.

“Mum, please stop crying”. She hugged her mum, tears welling up in her own eyes too.

“You have to help your father unless we'll lose everything”, Grace said, dabbing her eyes with her handkerchief. After much comforting, Grace stood up to leave. Elena escorted her to the door.

“So when are we going to book the flight?”

“I haven't decided yet, mum. It's hard for me too”

“It's harder for your father!! Don't be ungrateful! He has always had your best interest at heart so you had better get your guts together. The plane leaves on Friday at noon time approx.” She walks down the stairs to her car where her chauffeur quickly gets the door. She puts her shades on and adds just before getting to the car.

“And… get some new clothes on. More appealing ones.”

Elena, having no choice, arrived in Italy two days after. Her father had already made reservations for her in a hotel. Not a very famous one but still a bit classy. She could manage their 3 star rating. 

She freshened up and put on a handless red body- hugging dress. She had gone to the salon back in America to get extensions. She booked her ride and got to Vita Nova Corp. But the whole trip was just a big fat waste.

“I'm sorry, you can't see anyone here except if you have an appointment.”

“Do you have any idea who you are talking to?”

“No. Besides, you have to apply from our head branch in America. He is currently head of the branch”

Elena groaned inwardly.

“No problem”

She left and booked a flight back home the following day.

Now this was her third day at the company's headquarters in Washington.

“I'm sorry ma'am but your appointment was declined. His schedule can't accommodate you this week”

Who was this high and mighty guy anyway? She was really tired of hearing the same excuse from the receptionist every week. She sat down at the lobby as usual, as her mother advised that she did, perhaps maybe he'd pass by. 

Elena went back the next week and the excuse, well, was slightly different. 

“Please take a seat, he's currently unavailable to consider your appointment”

She faked her most charming smile. “Gladly”

After a little while, the receptionist walked into an inner room to receive a call. Elena was left alone in the lobby and attempted to seize the opportunity. But something else distracts. Someone else to be exact. 

She couldn't believe her eyes and the expression was mutual. It was really Asher White walking into the reception.

“What the…” Elena is speechless.