Love lies and a billionaire’s secret

CHAPTER FIFTY–FOUR–SECRETS BENEATH THE SURFACE

Throughout the week, Justin’s attentions continued. Flirty texts would light up her phone, making her smile despite herself. Small gifts began appearing on her desk – a copy of “One Hundred Years of Solitude

that she’d mentioned loving, a box of artisanal chocolates with a note that read “Sweet treats for a sweet lady.”

Each gesture made Nia’s heart flutter, but it was always followed by a pang of guilt when she caught Leon watching her and Justin interact. His face would darken momentarily before he schooled his features back into a neutral expression, but Nia couldn’t shake the feeling that she was hurting him somehow.

On Friday evening, as Nia was clocking out, Justin appeared again. “Hey there,” he said, leaning casually against the wall. “Any chance I could persuade you to let me drive you home? I’ve got a new car I’m dying to show off.”

Nia glanced at the sleek sports car visible through the lobby windows. “That’s a tempting offer, but I think I’ll pass. Maybe we could grab a quick coffee in the cafeteria instead?”

Justin’s face lit up. “I’ll take what I can get.”

talk to.

As they sat chatting over steaming cups of coffee, Nia found herself relaxing. Justin was easy to his wit and charm drawing her in. She was in the middle of laughing at one of his jokes when she saw Leon walk by, his expression clouding as he took in the scene before him.

The moment passed quickly, but it left Nia feeling unsettled. As she and Justin were saying goodbye, he surprised her with an invitation.

I

“There’s an art exhibition this weekend I think you’d love,” he said. “Would you like to go with me?”

Nia hesitated, her mind racing. “… yes, that sounds nice,” she found herself saying, even as a part of her screamed that this was a bad idea.

Justin’s face broke into a wide grin. “Great! I’ll text you the details. See you then, Nia.”

As he walked away, Nia’s stomach churned with a mixture of excitement and anxiety. She spent the next hour at her desk, alternating between looking forward to the date and agonizing over whether she should Xcancel.

Finally, she sought out Helia, needing a friendly ear. She found her friend in the copy room and poured out the whole story.

Helia listened patiently, her brow furrowed in thought. When Nia finished, she sighed. “Oh, girl. You’ve got yourself in quite a situation, haven’t you?”

Nia groaned. ‘I know. What should I do?”

Helia patted her arm sympathetically. “Look, I can’t tell you what to do. But I will say this be careful. Getting involved with either Allistair brother could complicate things at work. That said…” she smiled softly, “you deserve to enjoy yourself, Nia. Maybe this date is exactly what you need to clear your head. and figure out what you really want.”

Nia nodded, grateful for the advice even if it didn’t solve her dilemma. As she stood in front of her closet that evening, staring at her clothes with growing frustration, she felt pulled in multiple directions. The excitement of a new possibility with Justin warred with her complicated feelings for Leon and the ever- present guilt over her hidden past.

With a sigh, she reached for a dress, still uncertain of what the future

CONTBLAYEDONE STORITERENDATH THE SUREALT

Nia’s

heart fluttered as Justin’s sleek car pulled up in front of her apartment building. The evening had been a whirlwind of art, champagne, and captivating conversation. As she reached for the door handle. Justin’s hand gently touched her arm.

“Wait,” he said softly, his eyes twinkling in the dim streetlight. “I had a wonderful time tonight, Nia.”

She turned to face him, a shy smile playing on her lips. Me too. Thank you for inviting me.”

Justin leaned in slowly, his gaze dropping to her lips for a moment before meeting her eyes again. “May 1?”

Nia’s breath caught in her throat. She nodded almost imperceptibly, her eyelids fluttering closed as Justin pressed a soft, lingering kiss to her cheek. His cologne, a subtle woody scent, enveloped her senses.

As he pulled back, his fingers trailed lightly along her jawline. “Goodnight, Nia,” he murmured, his voice. husky.

“Goodnight, Justin,” she whispered back, her cheek tingling where his lips had been.

She stepped out of the car, her legs feeling slightly unsteady. As she reached her building’s entrance, she turned to see Justin still watching her, a warm smile on his face. With a final wave, she entered the building, her mind spinning with the events of the evening.

Inside her apartment, Nia kicked off her heels and poured herself a glass of wine. She sank onto

her

couch, replaying the night in her head. The art had been breathtaking, Justin’s commentary insightful and often humorous. Yet as she sipped her wine, an image of Leon flickered unbidden through her mind. Shaking her head to clear it, Nia finished her glass and curled up on the couch, drifting off to sleep with a mixture of contentment and confusion swirling in her chest.

The shrill ring of her phone jolted Nia awake, Bleary–eyed, she fumbled for her cell on the coffee table, squinting at the bright screen. It was 2 AM, and Maria’s name flashed urgently.

“Hello?” Nia answered, her voice thick with sleep.

A choked sob came through the line. “N–Nia?” Maria’s voice was barely comprehensible through her tears.

Instantly alert, Nia sat up straight. “Maria? What’s wrong? Are you okay?”

“… …” Maria’s words dissolved into incoherent crying.

Take a deep breath, honey,” Nia soothed, her own heart racing with concern. “I’m right here. Just breathe with me, okay?

For a few moments, all Nia could hear was Maria’s ragged breathing as she tried to calm down. Finally, Maria spoke again, her voice trembling.

“They fired me, Nia. The bar… they said they had to make cuts. I’m out of a job.”

Nia’s heart sank. “Oh, Maria. I’m so sorry. When did this happen?”

“Just… just now. End of my shift. They didn’t even give me any warning. Maria’s voice cracked. “What am 1 going to do? I can’t afford my rent without this job. I’m going to be homeless, and then-”

“Hey, hey,” Nia cut in gently. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, okay? We’ll figure this out together. You’re

t alone in this.”

As Nia continued to comfort her friend, her mind raced with ways she could help. By the time she hung up, promising to come over first thing in the morning, Nia had already decided to take a personal day.

At 7 AM sharp, Nia called Mr. Harlow’s office line, knowing he’d be in early.

“Janitorial department, Harlow speaking.”

“Mr. Harlow, it’s Nia. I’m sorry for the short notice, but need to take a personal day today. It’s an

emergency.”

There was a pause on the line. “Is everything alright, Nia? You’ve never taken a day off before.”