My Homeless Billionaire

Chapter 9

Felicia was always jealous of Thandi—the personal maid to Dion. She had ideas of him falling in love with her. It was common for billionaires to fall in love with their maids. Dion took Thandi everywhere he went. This was for professional reason, but Felicia did not believe so. She always wanted to get rid of Thandi—she just hadn’t figured out how to.

“You went to see your father. Did you take off with her?”

Disgusted by Felicia’s insinuation, Dion scoffed, “What?”

“She’s pretty. You don’t pay attention to me. Do not be surprised by my insecurities.”

“She may be what you say, but she’s not my standard. I don’t go for those.”

Thandi was taken aback by Dion’s response. She had no romantic interest in Dion, but it did sting hearing what he said about her. Dion did not care, he had no filter at all. Liam did laugh at her, it was a mimed laughter and he started patting Thandi as if rubbing off the pain in her heart.

“I will make it up to you—”

“You won’t! You never do!”

Dion knew he had to hush her again to keep her calm. She was a lot of work. She would do that on purpose—that was the only time he would give her attention. “I promise, I will. Just give me time.”

“Dion, I want them gone.”

“Liam and Thandi? They cannot go. I want them here with me. Hush now, Felicia. I will not bend that much for you. They are staying. Now just go back to your home. I’ll fly back to come see you.”

Felicia smiled, “My home?” he did not know what that smile was about. He only answered. He wanted her gone already, “Yes.” She kissed him as she always did before she left. Felicia was Dion’s girlfriend; they had been seeing each other for a few years now, less than 3 years.

Dion was surprised when he walked into his house and found Felicia. She held a glass to him. He did not take it, “What are you doing here?” he asked instead.

“I’m home.”

“You shouldn’t be here. I said I’d fly back.”

“You said I should go to my home. And my home is here. Where you are,” she smiled, especially since she saw how displeased he was. She loved that she could get to him. He pulled back his jacket from her, “Leave it!” He went to his room, she followed. The glass and the wine were still in her hands. “Are you angry that I’m here?”

“No,” he actually was and Felicia could see that, but she loved how he did not mention it. She never appreciated his honesty, anyway. She would rather have him pretend to be happy and enjoying her company than have him telling her off. He pulled his tie off and Thandi put it back in his closet. Thandi helped him take off his shirt and threw it among his laundry. Felicia never liked that. She always felt threatened by how close the female workers would work on Dion. It was uncomfortable for her have to see any of that. “I made us dinner.” He was leaving the room, she gave him the glass and again he did not take it, instead he said, “You know, I hate wine.”

“Oh, s**t. How do I keep on forgetting that?”

He made way to the dinner table. Everything was placed well. When Felicia found Liam correcting some bit of errors she was not pleased, “What are you doing?”

“Miss.”

“Don’t ‘miss’ me, alright? Just stay far away. There’s your corner there.”

Indeed, Liam had to stand aside and watch the people have their meal. Felicia wished she could dismiss the young man, but she knew Dion would not allow her. Thandi was lucky that she was done for the day. She had gone to her room. “I hate your cooking,” Dion let the words slip out of his mouth.

Felicia would not take that from Dion, “Listen, I’m no bad cook. You said, you’d make it up to me—”

Dion got up—

“—now sit down because this is where it starts!” Dion listened to that voice. It was loud, it went with a screech. “Baby…” she was going smooth now. “Everyone loves my cooking. And you, you just won’t touch it. Must everything you eat be cooked by a certified professional?”

“I don’t want stomach bugs.”

She was starting to get upset, she got up with a bang of her palms against the table, “I don’t need a certificate to cook! I mean…” she toned down. Much calmer now, “I can get creative… for my handsome, loving man.” She forked more salad, “Open up?” he had to let her push that fork with the salad through his mouth and he did. “There.”

“When are you leaving?”

She gave him a scary look and he addressed himself, “…because I would like to spend quality time with you,” he choked on those words. They went with a deep scratch in his throat. Now, she smiled—it was sweet of him making an effort like that.

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Weeks passed on like the speed of light. So soon it was a month later and already the employees behaved as those in ITSU. Maybe a bit worse since Dion was the sole CEO and no Gabriel to talk him down every now and then. It was very easy for the male employees to hate him too quickly, but the ladies felt they still had that little love for him. They thought he was a handsome devil.

Five people got dismissed already in that single month. All for different reasons. One was absenteeism, another may had been delays on submission of work and so on. The remaining employees learned to look presentable at all times and behave highly professionally. Dion took no nonsense at all. He gave no smoke-time for smokers, he gave no bonus for incredibly amazing work, he extended no leave period, he made sure that each one kept up with time, among many more. He made sure to be that perfect example that they all followed. He was not a day late or absent from work. He did check-ups on every employee he had, stating from his janitors to the managers. He was a control freak.

Dion may had been working like a dog at the office but he was still making sure to be available for Felicia. He knew her well with her tantrums—he would much rather comply with her than to listen to her nag. Felicia knew how to play him well, she dragged him to every shop and spent his money wildly. He saw nothing wrong with that. That was his way of keeping his woman. Dion believed that women were naturally drawn to men with resources because that gave them certainty that he would take good care of them. Spending his money on his woman was one of his greatest flex.

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One morning, Dion found Liam sitting at the dining table. He had his face hidden in his elbows that circled on the table. “Liam.” Liam got up. It was after some time that he finally gathered his strength to stand on his own. He was hiding his face from his boss. “Liam?” Dion went around the table to find his face. He saw it. It was looking terrible. His lips were horribly dry, cracked and white. His eyes sunk in and around was a dark shade. His skin had made scales and many tiny bumps. “You keep getting worse.”

“I am fine.”

“Shut up! I hate liars!” Thandi walked in. She saw that Dion finally caught Liam. She stood where she was and remained silent. “See the doctor. I shall get Thandi to book you a flight back to Johannesburg and set you an appointment with my GP.”

Liam finally collapsed onto the chair he had risen from, “I promised Daphne I would not leave your behind.”

“My behi…” Dion realised that he did not want to know what that meant. “Liam, I cannot have you looking like a zombie anywhere near me. I have an image to protect!”

That is all he cares about? An image to protect? People have quit this job being his butler but I have stayed regardless. Still, not once can he say he cares for me. Who does he think he is? He has finally hurt me today.

“What happens if you die in my house? I will be called a murderer.”

I first lied saying it’s a minor headache, then a cold, nausea, faintness and I also said that I was only homesick just so that I would stay with him. And take care of him. I lied so much just so that I wouldn’t have to leave him. There’s no hope for this man, I’m done.