The Beauty and the Playboy Billionaire

TWO WEEKS OF CONFUSION

CARLOS

Two weeks after Chloe Grayson's expose, the issue still does not die down. In fact, the media turns my life into a circus. False articles keep on coming, inviting more trolls and fame w****s riding my coattails to gain more followers.

Media camps outside my penthouse and paparazzi follow me around, trying to annoy me by shoving their cameras in front of my face. I can barely open my window without cameras there. I feel like I'm under house arrest.

I keep a low profile by staying away from public places especially the bar. I spend most of my time either in the office working or at home in my personal gym or watching all action packed movies I can find on TV.

I'm also forced to take time off hooking up with girls after some women talk s**t about me on the internet. That I don't date a girl twice, that I don't answer their texts and calls, or that I don't do relationships and girlfriends and am afraid of commitment.

All the write-ups annoy me because they are all true.

My parents are still upset with me, too. I've disappointed even my grandparents. I can't stand it every time we have our family dinner on Wednesday night and they grill me with questions about Chloe Grayson.

What the hell, as if she's connected to me already!

What helps is that my weirdo (but lovable) sister, Agatha, does crazy things that divert my family's attention. She bakes black cookies, cooks pig blood curd, rides public transport while everyone thinks she is a vampire, and punches a guy.

But the focal point of their attention is still always me. Grandpa Wilson calls me often, monitoring if I'm in a safe location. Safe location meaning I'm not in the bar or hooking up with a woman.

It becomes very overwhelming. I'm being treated like a child. It just makes me more determined to stop all of the nonsense and get my normal life back.

Well, I did what I needed to do.

Chloe Grayson made my life miserable. Everyone has turned against me, including my family. I hope that Phillips cutting the potato deal with her father will bring her to the negotiating table with me.

I learned that there are various machinery purchased lately for their family's potato farm under her name. She's passionate about growing more potatoes-as much as growing more followers.

Well, well... you can't have it all, Miss Grayson. Let's see how you take the news.

My office door immediately gets opened. It's Mom.

"Have you seen the stock market today?" she snaps at me, storming inside the room.

"Not yet, why?"

"The Leonards stocks went down! My God, Carlos. This has never happened before. This is all because of Chloe Grayson's expose and the numerous scandals that you've been involved in."

I can't make anything right in Mom's eyes anymore. She'd blame me for every mishap that involves our family and company.

"I'm sure it's not entirely my fault..." I reason, but she cuts me off.

"This is the final straw, I'm done with you! You're out of the board and your position as COO! I'm removing you as heir of this family business!"

"What!" I rake my hair in agitation. "You can't do that to me, Mom. Come on."

"You know I can." One of her eyebrows rises. "You're not acting appropriately for your role in this company. You're supposed to be the heir of this business empire, and yet you neglected your duties and responsibilities. You've only brought the Leonards and Stephens names to shame."

Damn! This is all because of Chloe Grayson. Her name sounded like real problems already. She has really blown it all when I'm trying to come clean with Mom and the board members.

She seems like she has a laid back personality who doesn't know how to argue and avoid confrontation. But seeing her explode a bomb, exposing me to the entire world, looking so dignified and calm... f**k! I want to wipe that smirk off her face. She's a she-devil behind that angelic face.

"I'll make up for it. I swear."

"Really, huh? Chloe Grayson is right. You're a playboy."

"Come on, Mom. You believe her?" I frown. "That woman is just seeking attention to get more followers."

"I don't care if she is. That's her business. What I care about is you! You gave her a reason to get so upset. You took her interview for granted!"

"I had emergencies..."

"Your bullshit emergencies, hookin; up with girls! When are you going to learn, Carlos? We've been througn this too many times already. Do you want me to die of a heart attack?" She clasps her chest, her face suddenly looking pale.

"Of course not. Never think of dying. The universe will hear you." I pat her back to ease her anger.

"I can't keep on defending you, Carl, and paying the media to keep your name clean. Chloe Grayson busted it all, and I'm afraid she's the type of girl who won't be bribed for anything else. She fights for the truth."

"You don't even need to pay the media to keep their mouths shut. It's their job to talk and make stories about people."

"And you gave them reasons to talk about your foolish behavior! Some of them are not saints, they write trash, exaggerate things to make a person look so bad. Dammit, Carlos, you know better than that."

"I know Mom. I'm so sorry."

"Sorry. You always say sorry. That's what you're good at. Grow up for heaven's sake!" She points a finger at me, her eyes murderous. "You did enough damage to our family's name already and the company. The board won't tolerate your stupid acts anymore!"

"I know, and I promise you, Mom, I'll do anything to gain your trust in me again. Just give me a chance to prove to you and the board that I'm worthy of my position as COO. I'm a Leonards and Stephens. I'm part of our company. It's my life, my legacy, and I want to take over the business empire someday. Please Mom..."

Her chin lifts. "Four months. I give you four months only to rehab your image and prove to us that you're capable of sitting on the board. Or else you're out for good! I don't give a damn that you're my son. Is that clear?"

"Very clear." I nod. I know she's very serious this time. "I'll keep my promise and make you proud."

"Let's see." She nods and storms out of my office.

Dammit. I'm in big trouble this time.

Calvin enters my office soon after Mom leaves.

He looks at me with wide eyes and trembling hands. He must have heard my conversation with Mom since the door was open.

"Damn it, Calvin. Don't look at me like that. I won't be off the board and you won't lose your job," I groan and sink into my high-back chair.

"I'm worried, Sir, because I'm still paying for my house. I want to get married soon and have kids. How can I achieve that goal?"

"Nah. How can you start a family when you don't even have a girlfriend?" I shake my head and watched him scratch his head.

"You're right." He clears his throat. "I hope you won't lose your place on the board, because I know that some of those people sitting there would be happy."

"Yeah, those f*****g ambitious c**k heads. They could not wait to kick me out after I missed my board meeting presentation the last time," I grunt and stand up. "What the hell? They can't remove me. I grew up trained to be the CEO of our family's group of companies. All my life!"

"You're right, sir. You have the mindset already to rule your family's business empire."

"I can't allow myself to lose it all because of this damn woman, Chloe Grayson!" I pace, walking back and forth in front of my desk while Calvin's head follows me. "I've worked so hard for the past few months to create a good impression with the board, and now, when I'm on the right track, she ruins it!"

"Well, you cut the Phillips potato deal with her father. You're even now."

I stop pacing and stand tall.

"Seems not. She did more by ruining my reputation." My forehead creases.

Calvin's phone rings. He excuses himself and answers it. His eyes immediately grow big as he looks at me.

"What is it?" I ask.

He hangs up the phone then says, "Miss Grayson is at the Greatwall Restaurant right now wanting to see you. She says she'll only wait an hour for you!"

Damn. It took her four days. I expected her to storm inside my office within two days of yanking the potato deal from her grasp.

She's indeed unpredictable, and I see it as a challenge.

I chuckle. "She's demanding me to go and see her now? She's got some nerve to order me around. She should know who's in charge here. If she wants to see me, then she should come to my office," I say proudly and lean back on my chair. My fingers drum on my desk.

"Mm...hmm." Calvin looks at the time on his wristwatch. "Fifty-eight minutes left, sir."

Do I really want to let my pride get in the way of fixing my standing with my family? No, I need to meet with Chloe. But it sure as hell isn't going to be on her terms.

"Dammit. Okay, I'll see her now." I stand up and fix my tie, one eyebrow rising wickedly. "But inform the media. Make sure that everyone on this planet knows that I'm meeting with her tonight!"