The Billionaires´Redemption: Starcrossed Lovers

Chapter 8 - Arriving to London

Joy POV

We left Jewel at her place in Boston, and headed toward London in my parent's private jet. Viv and I are besties, although she is a year older than me, we have been stitched together since I have memories. Jewel has always had this little crush over Mike, well little is an understatement, she absolutely loves him, although she hasn't said anything to anybody, not even me, I know for a fact that she is looking forward to get close to him.

I will be moving to London, to study music and plastic arts. Just like my mom, I want to become a renowned artist. Viv studies at Oxford, so our parents decided that we should be living together, so I will be settling at Viv´s place. Viv and I were ecstatic about it, and I can't wait to start school.

Our flight was pleasant, especially the fact that we had the whole plane with beds to sleep and not arrive with a massive jetlag. My mom and dad are so cool that they agreed on drawing us off in Vivs apartment and going to a hotel nearby to let me settle on my own. It was a special request that I had, and they agreed.

Grandpa Bernard lives nearby and I can't wait to go and visit him during my stay in London. My mom will visit grandpa for a couple of days, and then she will travel to an art gallery in Paris to close a deal for her latest collection, before flying back. My dad is a workaholic and it is weird for him to take these many days off, but I guess he wanted to tag along with mom.

I can't wait to hear from Jewel and her orientation day, and the new people she meets. Also I need to talk to her about that little stunt Scotty pulled at the runway. Did he seriously kiss her? What about Mike? I could tell he was not happy about it, but then Why does he care? Her life is turning out to be so exciting that I somehow crave the same emotion for my own.

***

Eventually after a long ass flight, we arrived at London. The city is beautiful and when we stopped at Viv´s place, my mom grinned and took my dad's hand in a knowing way. Viv looked at them and winked.

“Can we go in?” my mom asked excitedly. “It's been a long time…” She mumbled and my dad kissed her forehead.

“Sure, Aunt Rachel. Come up.” Viv said and I honestly saw a little tear falling out from my mom's eyes. My dad took her hand and kissed her on her lips.

“Let's go darling.” He said and they walked in as if they knew where they were heading to. Viv opened the door and my mom sighted.

“Mom, dad… Am I missing something?” I asked curiously. My parents have told us about how they met, and several stories, but somehow we have always felt that they went through a lot of s**t that they are not sharing.

My mom turned around and whispered to my dad. “I haven't been here since I left London to tag along with Gianna. It was right after Patrick.” My dad kissed her and then she continued “From bad memories to awesome ones… “ He looked at her so in love, that it melted my heart.

“Princess, your mom and your aunt Gianna, used to share this penthouse. Viv´s grandpa John McLean bought it after Patrick´s…” My dad started telling the story, but my mom placed a hand over his chest and that caught his attention. She shook her head and he nodded.

“Well anyways, your mom used to live here, with her best friend just like you, and that brought a lot of memories to your mom.” Dad said and I knew he was holding something, and the name Patrick was mentioned twice since we arrived. Now I got curious.

“Ok, Joy. This will be our room.” Viv pointed to a door and I walked in. The room was gorgeous and I could tell that it has been unused for a long time. I had a similar taste as my moms, and it was almost as if I decorated it myself. I could just assume that this was my mom's old room.

“Princess, we will head out… settle in and we will call you tomorrow to see how you are doing. We will visit your grandpa, stop by to say goodbye to you and head to Paris.” My mom have me the rundown for a future couple of days, and I gave them a hug. They are awesome, and I know I am definitely going to miss them.

Jewel POV

Today was a brand new day. We will start classes on Monday. I opened my eyes, and stretched. I decided to go for a run. I prepared myself with my sports gear and took my cell phone and headed out to the park nearby.

As I walked down the street, I was checking my messages. I got a message from Joy showing me pictures of her new place. It was dope, of course it had the Astor signature written all over it. I answered a couple of texts from Josh. I guess leaving for college and my parents taking us is taking a toll on him.

I arrived in no time and pushed play on my running playlist. I was ready to clear my head and put things in order, so I can move forward. I started jogging and I was deep in thought. Scotty said he would call me, but he forgot, maybe he is forgetting about me. Then Mike's kiss replayed in my head, making my heart flutter, and confusing. Also there is this guy Derek, he was a player and I had no intention of engaging with a guy like that, but he has been sending messages.

I kept running and increasing my speed. My thoughts were all over the place, and I was completely immersed in my own mind, when a tap on my shoulder startled me, up to the point of almost tripping.

“What the f**k?” I asked and then my eyes locked with those green ones that I love to hate, or better said hate to love.

He raised his hand in surrender “Easy there tiger.” Mike said and I rolled my eyes at him. I can't believe how infuriating Mike is turning out to be.

“Well you never interrupt a runner in the middle of their jog. So whatever attitude I give you is entirely your fault.” I said in an angry way.

“Hey, I get it… and I am sorry.” He said, again raising his hand in surrender. I walked away from him, I was honestly fed up with him. I am a really patient person, but I just can't handle him.

He walked fast to catch up with me, and grabbed me by my arm, making me stop. “Look Jewel. I need to talk to you.” He asked and I shrugged my shoulders. At this point in life, I could care less about what he has to say.

“Well you are talking, so continue or leave me the f**k alone.” I spat back at him. I really was not in the mood. Maybe I am getting my period or something because I am never this moody.

“I meant, in private.” Mike said and I rolled my eyes. Then turning around to face him I rolled my eyes.

“Look Mike, we were childhood friends, but you have been absolutely weird and insane these last few days. I know I haven't seen you for a while, and honestly I don't know you anymore. So whatever you want to talk about, you can say it here and let me get on with my life, please…” I said in a serious voice and his expression was one of hurt and anger, mixed with regret and tenderness. Talking about being all over the place.

“Ok have it your way.” he said and I crossed my arms in front of my body, pushing my breasts up from my top. He lowered his gaze and gulped down, but my attitude brought him back to my face almost immediately. He locked his eyes with mine and time stopped.

Mike POV

I made my way to the park, knowing well that I would be running into Jewel. Somehow my gut knew she would be there. And as always my gut was right, she was there. It took me a minute to realize that I was standing in the middle of a park, following her with my eyes, like a hypnotized snake.

The way she seemed to float around the track, her jogging pants showing every curve, her top with an open back. She is a piece of art and I can't believe that yesterday I kissed her.

Regardless of my shitty attitude, I was jealous as hell about finding out that Derek met her, also I was livid to know that she had caught his eye, and she was his next target. Sometimes I have no idea why I behave like an i***t and an asshole around her.

I startled her and got her angry within the first minute of our conversation. It hurt me when she said that she didn't know me anymore. Honestly I don't blame her. I wanted to talk and she agreed on doing it in a public place. Maybe kissing her made her afraid of me.

“ Yesterday at orientation, people saw you going around with Derek Smith. He is a massive player, please stay away from him.” I said to her trying to be as friendly as possible.

“Come on Mike, Don't you think I can figure that out?” she rolled her eyes and continued “He can be a player, but I m not stupid, you know?” She said, taking a deep breath. “Anyways, thanks for the information.” She said and walked away from me. But I was not having it.

“Please JBear… Promise me to stay away from him.” I said using the pet name I gave her since we were kids. She shivered hearing it from my lips after a long time.

“Look Mike, like I said thanks for the tip. But honestly why do you care?” She said and then continued “You asked me to stay away from you, I am doing that, or at least trying. Now you want me to promise you s**t, as if you are entitled to it… Just answer me Why do you f*****g care?” She was getting restless and I locked eyes with her.

We were about five steps away from each other, and I felt compelled to close the distance. Also I wanted so badly to pour out my feelings for her. To let her know that she has become my first thought in the morning and the very last one during my nights, that these last two days have been hell just wondering why I feel so many things for her. That I am asking her to stay away from me, because I don't trust myself around her. That when I saw her dancing with Scotty I saw red, when he kissed her I was vivid and that knowing that Derek wants her for himself, makes me scared of losing her to my best friend. I wanted to tell her that ever since I kissed her she stole my heart, and that I am falling for her hard.

I wanted so badly to blurt everything out to her, but I managed to push all my feelings aside and finally said. “I care about you. I have known you since you were born, I would hate for a guy like Derek to hurt you, and somehow, I feel responsible to warn you, just like I would have warned Viv about it.” I explained and regretted it immediately, I compared her to Viv, and just in that moment I knew that I had doomed every chance to get to her.

“Fair enough, Mike. Now let me ask you something, in the name of our very old friendship…” She looked at me and paused. She took a deep breath and said.” Would you, Please stay away from me…”