Page 50 of Billionaire’s Promise

“No, I need you to oversee this.” I demanded. “I’m shy.”

The sound that followed that statement was a weak groan of distress. And weak was right because I should feel weak for being an immature idiot.

“My next appointment is here, and they have been waiting for,” she checked her watch, “quite some time now. Stop wasting my time, Kai.”

“I’m serious, princess.” No woman could resist me when I called them princess.

“Fine. If you’re sure, then wait outside until I’m free.”

Yes! That was exactly what I wanted. Free pass to stay as long as I want – for now. “And I cannot guarantee how long you’ll have to wait. My schedule is very full today.”

Double wham. That was even better. I had been given permission to camp out in her office.

I walked out of her office with a triumphant smile and found the best and most comfortable seat in the lounge to settle in. Believe me, I had time to test every single seat in there.

It was a good thing that Andy, my assistant, arrived today in New York. I gave her a call and had her set up my essentials right there in the middle of June’s waiting room.

Within thirty minutes, I had turned a corner of the waiting room into my personal workspace. I had my eyes closed, meditating as well as trying to get over my jet lag. Andy sat on my side working away on her iPad. Occasionally, I would bark out some words at her. That was because during meditation, my mind would suddenly remember something. Sometimes it was important. Sometimes not. Then at times, it would create some problems. Problems that I didn’t know existed in my life. At times, there were some answers that I had been seeking, usually something that had troubled me for some time. Many of my creative ideas during my meditations had benefited my business.

Andy was no stranger to this behavior. This was something I would do often. To other people, it may seem a little odd. June’s assistant must have reported the situation to her as she peeked out of her little cave and gave me a strange look.

I grinned at her, wondering if she regretted not letting me skip the queue yet. Now her clients had to witness this weird man doing this weird thing in her waiting room. But I pretended to be in the zone and kept ignoring Siti, the lovely assistant, whenever she frowned or huffed in my direction.

Dave was out on his security assignment, a suitable vantage point across from June’s office. Just a protocol – for her own safety. I did this even for myself and it had proven to be very effective. My team had successfully eliminated conflicts before they even happened many times.

Sometimes, it wasn’t anything serious. Mainly opportunity seekers trying to sell their ideas to me in return for an investment.

Or stalkers that wanted to say how much they loved me.

Some just wanted to get a selfie.

The love of the public could be problematic, but my team kept them at bay.

Back home, people love to gossip about celebrities and rich people. Magazines, blogs, forums. They can’t get enough. Some people literally cannot live without them. They love knowing what the celebrities do from day to day, who they are dating, what they are wearing, where they are hanging out.

It’s exhausting trying to avoid them. And that’s why I take every opportunity that I can to stay overseas.

“Ahem,” Siti cleared her throat. “Here’s your Americano. From Starbucks.” Damn right, I had her order a coffee for me. I knew they had a coffee machine. I also knew that I had my own personal assistant who could just go and fetch me coffee. But I loved seeing people with an attitude put to work. If she decided to be rude to me, then she’d have to deal with me being difficult. Besides, I was sure that June didn’t pay her well to just sit there and be pretty.

Lunch time came and there was no sign of June.

No one brought lunch in for her either. I had Andy check with Siti and found out that June often worked through lunch and would skip any food as part of her intermittent fasting regime.

Good thing that Siti and Andy got along. It was almost like they had a code among them as assistants. They talked about everything. It was like magic, as if they shared the same taste – reading the same books, haunting the same cafes, e-shopping the same clothing brands. Andy’s loyalty remained with me, however, and she would tell me later what she found out from Siti. I had no idea just how much information personal assistants know about their bosses until Andy came along. And Andy? She’s very good at digging that information out of those personal assistants.

Five coffees and six hours later, Sit finally smiled in my direction with a condescension that made my blood boil. “Mr. Li? Dr. Bennet will see you now. And it’s now or never. Her words.”

“Thanks, Siri.” I said, using the wrong name on purpose.

“It’s Siti.”

Whatever.

13

June

I frowned as I finally stole a moment to myself to check on my blood pressure. I couldn’t say that I was surprised that it was higher than I expected it to be.