A BILLIONAIRE'S DEVOTION

PART -4-

HAPPY READING

Reyon Menture POV

"Put it on."

"No!"

"Come on princess."

"No."

"Redella..."

"No way."

"Grandma is making cake pops I will get you three if you put this on." I put three fingers out trying to bribe my two-year-old niece with cake her favourite.

"Po- pops," she smiles mischievously.

"Yes, now let's get you dressed."

"Daddy gets me pop, pops," she says watching me in my face.

"You're lucky I love you, lil girl," I say picking her up and taking her to mum.

"Uncle you serious," she smiles.

I shake my head walking to the kitchen.

"Mum get your granddaughter," I say putting her on the kitchen island.

"Princess are you giving your uncle a hard time," mum asks.

"No..." She shakes her head vigorously.

"You sure you're being good, Ella," mum inquires.

"I'm, good, girl," Redella says the edge of her lips curling and I shake my head.

If she wasn't so adorable I would probably bite her.

"I know you're grandma good little pumpkin, let's get you dressed," mum says taking her dress and pulling it over her head. Mum is the only person to get her to do whatever she wants and everyone knows it's their special bond.

"Now, go get your grampy," mum takes her off the counter placing her on her feet.

"Go on... bad little girl," I say and she runs out of the room laughing.

I chuckle, my only niece and she practically has everyone in this house wrapped around her fingers.

"So what do you have planned for later," mum says turning to face me.

"Nothing much, staying in possibly continue to work on my teases a little later."

"You know my shoot with Redella is overdue," she says picking back the mixing spoon and stirring the batter in her mixing bowl.

"Not to worry I got you, finals week is a little hectic but I got you."

It is a normal Sunday in the Menture household and my mother insists on a family gathering which was no surprise. Family gatherings have become more frequent with the birth of my niece Redella Perfect Menture the little rascal.

She nod.

My eyes could use a good sleep with the week I had but today would be impossible with everyone coming over in a few.

Living at home had its perks but I can't wait to enjoy my independence and the independent of my own apartment. To cook whatever I wanted to eat, grocery shopping will entail cereals, meat and more takeout than a restaurant.

What? I work out every day.

And best of all, my quiet personal space. Cleaning wasn't on the top of my list but I do not mind the work so I would probably hire someone for the job.

I promise I'm not spoiled but someone needs to get it done.

It may be one of the reasons I love living at home in Northtown with my family. We were originally from the city when dad started Menture enterprise then he acquired his first million-dollar profit. He sold our home and purchase a mansion relocating the family to a more secluded, private residential area. The best area in North town, there was always fine dining, quiet neighbours who lives blocks away, security at every turn and best of all the media wasn't allowed access.

"Go freshen up, your brothers will be here any minute," mum says.

My mother is a boy's mum. After she could not carry another I became the youngest and most precious of three sons. My mother was convinced she wasn't done, she wanted a princess among the princes but every attempt prove futile. After three miscarriages and one stillbirth, dad was done. Dad wasn't putting her through that anymore so he got a vasectomy and mother had a fit.

Looking at her, you couldn't guess she carried and raised three sons. She is a slay queen, vibrant and sassy. I am not afraid to say how much of a handful we were, probably still are...

"What? You saying I stink."

"Boy," she chuckles, "get out of my kitchen. Go on, get," she shakes her head laughing.

Little rascals you might say but my mother was and very much still is capable of handling every one of us. The woman is fierce and the only cute little rascal to get away with murder is Redella and mum let her.

I shake my head as the cute little thing is undressed again, running through the living room in her pamper screaming and dad is chasing after her.

"Catch her Reyon!" he shouts. "I'm getting too old to be running around this way," he adds out of breath his hands on his knees as he leans over trying to catch his breath. Dad huffs and puffs as if he ran through the entire house.

I chuckle.

"I swear Redella will make the old man have a heart attack," Ryon says walking in behind dad, he taps his shoulder and walks over to mum kissing her cheek.

"Come here," I call to Redella but she continues to run and Ryon chaste after her. "You know grandpa doesn't have well oil knees anymore," he says grabbing hold of her as she runs in the opposite direction sending him on his knees and almost crashing into the antique table in the corner.

"Careful!" mum shouts.

"Got ya!" He says taking hold of her.

"Child did you eat fast food the way you running around here," I say.

"Un- uncle..." Redella says slapping Ryon's hands away but he had a firm grip on her. "You almost finished me too," Ryon says and she smiles that cute mischievous smile of hers.

"uncle you serious," she says with a straight face and we burst out laughing.

"You can't have grandpa running this way," he explains, taking hold of her and watching her throwback with laughter. "Your father and uncle finished him," I say.

"Do not count yourself out," mum says.

"What? I was the best. Don't deny it," I chuckle and Ryon rolls his eyes.

I wasn't but who's going to admit it.

Dad slightly chuckles finally catching his breath "I never knew dressing a toddler could be this much work. Managing a company was much easier."

"Try doing it and working," mum says.

"That is why God created woman, he knew men couldn't handle s**t," dad says giving mum a chaste kiss brushing his lips to hers. Now- that is what I want for myself, a woman to call my own and to watch her eyes glow the way mum is right now.

I can't wait to make her mine.

Mum slaps his chest, "not in front of the baby."

Dad holds his chest pretending to be hurt and Redella laughs. No matter how old my parents are they were always like this, laughing around jokingly and playing with each other. If ever they disagreed everyone knew dad couldn't handle it when mum retaliated so he'd be first to give in. He took his black queen everywhere he went and proudly show her off. They couldn't spend a night without each other either, if dad ever travelled he made sure to carry mum every time. It never gets old to watch and I constantly admire their relationship.

"Hey, Suga, don't listen to the bad word grams say," mum calls to Redella making her giggle. "Let grandma put this on," mum says.

"Grammy-," Redella says stretching over, giving mum a tight hug around the neck.

I chuckle, even though we don't give mum the credit having the family over was a great way to decompress, share old stories and laugh to the point of tears. Even if it usually ends with mom drilling Ryon to get married since she succeeded in her endeavours with Reign.

Following Reign into the kitchen is my sister in law Delsa who waddles into the room holding his hands. She is heavily expecting again this time around it's a boy and I won that bet too.

"Little peach," Reign says reaching for her.

"Good afternoon mom and dad," Delsa says kissing their cheeks. "Reyon, Ryon," she adds and we nod.

I chuckle as Redella jumps off mum and runs to her parents. She reminds me so much of us. Well mostly the older two, they were quite a handful but Reign was always taking care of us. He didn't let us out of his sight even when he and Ryon were up to no good making trouble in the neighbourhood.

"Daddy!" She screams in excitement as she jumps into his arms.

"How's my princess," Reign asks placing kisses all over her face and she giggles.

"Were you a good girl for grandma and grandpa while we were gone," Delsa says kissing Redella's forehead.

"Good, good," Redella shouts out of breath. We burst out laughing and Ryon shakes his head.

"I can't wait until you boys fill up this house with grandbabies," mum smiles contentedly.

Looking at my sister-in-law and my brother I couldn't help wanting the same turn of events in my life. They are married, successful and created a beautiful family. It's always been my goal in life to be a family-oriented man, like my father. To bring home the bacon and a bouquet for my wife. To watch my family blossom and grow- to be proud that I am responsible for the success and prosperity of my future, my journey, my family, my wife and my children. Looking at the great examples before me, made my decision all the more easier to want to get married and start a family. I couldn't wait.

It's hard to not want this when it's all I've seen since growing up.

Mum might think I'm too young, she might think it's too early, she might think it's not easy as it may seem but I know if I find the right woman it will be just right, everything in its place and on time.

I just think I might've found her.

Before Redella it was just dinner twice a month and it usually ends with mom drilling Reign and Ryon to get married. But soon after her birth, it became a family day almost every Sunday. It was a great way to decompress, spend time with my family and just have a good time with my siblings.

We share old stories replaying childhood memories, making everyone laugh even though we probably heard these very stories a million times before

Exactly what I needed a break from reality.

______

Two days later, Tuesday morning bright and early I pull onto Campus for a quick meeting with my counsellor. No matter how I tried to persuade her, noting I handle my business she was always making sure it was her business to check on me.

I didn't mind, I just had two meetings back to back this morning and today was the usual busy Tuesday at the company.

But with my tardiness on Friday I expected the email I got bright and early Monday morning.

I never mind the work, it was what I saw around me since I was a child and I couldn't wait for my turn. I love the adrenaline of it all and securing my bag was even worth it. So hard work wasn't my problem, I was built that way following my father and brothers.

Being as busy as I am day in, day out it was hard to keep friendships so I hadn't much and those who were around weren't close. My counsellor was concerned and had every problem with that, she find every excuse in the book to get me into her office and talking. Secretly I think she likes me or likes the attention I give.

I chuckle to myself.

She is an adorable older lady with slightly grey hair and even though innocent on my part I love to compliment her to get out of her office much sooner than she would let me. Parking my car, grabbing my briefs, I take long confident strides in my navy Armani suit walking straight to her office.

Today was class as usual but not until two in the afternoon, for the last two remaining hours. My schedule at Menture enterprise worked around my schedule here and I didn't have a problem juggling anything. On rear occasions when I do have an unplanned meeting or some unforeseen circumstances, my brothers were there to fill the slack.

"The famous Menture," Darius calls out jogging his way towards me.

He and I met freshman year and thought we talk, hit a couple of clubs and have the same classes we were never close in my eyes. No matter the years he has known me, he never takes my name, it was always the famous Menture, rich boy or the billionaire and I hate it.

Being born to money didn't make us arrogant, haughty or condescending, it didn't make us use our affluence to get ahead. It was always hard work, twenty-four-seven, three-sixty-five. If anything it made us work harder to stay at the top. My mother made sure we never looked down on anyone and the way dad's family only saw money before they saw the person, she was sure to remind us where we came from and it wasn't right.

"You know if you take my name maybe we can become friends," I say looking away from him to seal my impatience.

"Man, please... We friends," he says curling his lips to the side and slurring his words.

"Mhm."

"You looking sharp as always billionaire but miss Garcia isn't in a mood," he says when I give a bored look, unimpressed with his usual name-calling.

"Nah don't worry she likes me," I say and he chuckles.

"Aight billionaire, let's see how it goes because the old bat gave me an extra assignment and put a hold on my internship," Darius says.

"Hmm," I nod but until I assess the situation for myself I wasn't going to wrack my brain and work myself out of shape.

"Aight rich boy let's see how she crinkle this expensive suit you got on hay," Darius says straightening my breaks.

"Don't worry about me," I say.

"Later rich boy," he says. We said our goodbyes and went our separate ways down the hallway.

Taking a breath I open miss Garcia's door, walk inside and clothes the door behind me.

"Mr Menture, have a seat son," she says politely looking up at me.

"Good morning miss Garcia, how pretty you look today," and immediately she smiles showing lipstick on her teeth and pats the bun to the back of her head. She adjusts her coat and shift in her seat.

She smiles "thank you Mr Menture."

"You're always welcome Ms Garcia."

"Mr Menture our goal is to see you thrive and you have exceeded in your endeavours. You have balanced every aspect of your academics and reached your full potential from the beginning of your journey here at Harvard University. The Dean asks for a report and after reading my evaluation he has assumed that you will acquire the summa c*m laude," she says.

I nod.

"It is the highest honorary title the school offers to signify your majors earned but you have to deliver in your final exam, so no pressure," she smiles.

"Thank you I definitely have that covered," I say.

"Ok, that would be all and make sure you're on time Mr Menture," she says taking notes on the pad she has in front of her.

Well, that was easier than I thought.

"Have a great day Ms Garcia," I say with a smile, please at the news.

"Same Mr Menture and keep up the good works."

I nod exiting her office.

Walking out of the building, a smile on my face, I look across campus and there she is.

I didn't expect to see her across the street looking fine in a navy pencil skirt, matching blazer, white on the inside and matching shoes.

Damn, she makes that look so much better. She looks up and down before crossing the street.

She is not getting away from me this time, I had to know her name so I begin to jog across campus in pursuit of her.