The Beautiful Billionaire

LINDEN Something was different with Gustav today. He was calmer, and I couldn’t see a hint of anger, arrogance, and disgust in his eyes. He seemed to have learned his lessons or had accepted that he wouldn’t win in tearing Estelle and me apart.

When the door chimed, I knew it would be Moses, but what surprised me was the person with him.

“Why is Mom with Moses?” Estelle widened her eyes like me. Good question.

“Gabe. Honey.” He kissed my wife on the cheek before he shook hands with my father-in-law. “Gustav, how are you doing?”

“I’m good. How are you?”

“I’m doing good. Thank you.”

“Deirdre, good to see you again.” Gustav kissed his ex-wife on the cheek.

“You look good, Gustav.” Deirdre smiled. From what Estelle told me, they couldn’t stand one another, but today seemed different. I didn’t see bad blood.

“You look beautiful as always.”

“Thank you. I eat organics, sleep early, and do yoga.”

“Mom.” Estelle hugged her mother.Content from NôvelDr(a)ma.Org.

“Honey, I love your shoes.” She looked down at my wife’s sneakers.

“Well, my feet hurt when I wear high heels, but I don’t have swelling.”

“Fedal edema.”

“Yes, nerd.” Estelle rolled her eyes at me.

“You should not. I know you’ve been wearing heels for a long time, but it’s not safe for pregnant, and you have to be careful with your back.”

“Tell her that, Deirdre, because sometimes, when it came from me, she didn’t listen.”

“Thanks, Mom.” She leaned in and whispered, “Why are you with Moses?”

“I invited your Mom to join me. I told her that I would be meeting you. She came with my jet. It conserves fuel and energy.”

“You heard me?” Estelle’s cheeks were red.

“I may be separated from my husband, but Moses and I are just friends.”

“Wait. What? Since when? Why haven’t you told me?” She blinked in disbelief. “Oh, my God, Mom. I’m so sorry.” She hugged her mother. “You should have told me.”

“Dean and I have been separated for six months, but it’s mutual. No bad blood. We’re friends, really good friends.”

“I’m sorry to hear that, Dei,” her ex said. It was sincere enough.

“Oh, no. We’re good.” She swatted her hand.

“Do you know anything about this?” Estelle held my wrist.

“No, baby. I am as surprised as you.”

“You were away at that time, and you had a lot on your plates. My marriage is not your problem, honey. And really, Dean and I are still good friends.” She looked at Moses. “Don’t get any idea. Moses is just a friend.”

“Okay.” Estelle looked unconvinced, but she let it go for now.

“Well, aren’t you lucky?” Deirdre saw the ring on Estelle’s finger. “It’s beautiful.” Her words were intended for me.

I chuckled. I couldn’t look away from that teardrop diamond ring when shopping. Fortunately enough, Estelle loved it.

“We want to get married in Italy,” Estelle announced.

“Italy. Why Italy?”

“We met there. And I think it would be a good venue-a beach wedding with just family. I don’t want people taking pictures of my wedding day and posting them online. And I wanna get married as soon as possible.”

“So you’re getting married while you’re pregnant?” her mother asked.

“Yeah. It’s also good memorabilia. One day, my baby will see the wedding picture while I was still pregnant with her, and I’m going to tell her it was our second wedding with her daddy, and she was the baby in my tummy.”

“If that’s what you and Gabe have decided.”

“Are you okay with that, Mom?”

Deirdre became teary-eyed, trying to blink it off. “Of course. Well, sorry for being so emotional. Imagine, this year, a lot of things have happened, but there are also blessings. I found a handsome and amazing son-in-law. I’m going to be a grandmother, did you hear that, Gustav? We’re going to be grandparents. And now our daughter is getting married again to the same man. Isn’t it wonderful?”

“It is, Dei.” A small smile appeared on Gustav’s lips.

“You promise me you will walk your daughter down the aisle.”

I watched Estelle’s reaction because she didn’t mention anything about it. She smiled as she looked at both her parents. So it was okay with her then.

“You’ve been awfully silent, boss.”

“I’m just reminded of my son’s wedding. I guess wedding always brings back good memories to me.”

“You should go out and find a woman, women, or man. I don’t judge, Moses.”

“Mom.” Estelle’s cheek reddened. She was clearly embarrassed.

“What? I just want to see everyone happy.”

“You’re very enthusiastic today,” Estelle added.

“I’m sure Striker won’t mind.”

“Mom, please?” She averted her gaze to Moses. “I’m sorry, Moses, if my mom makes you uncomfortable.”

Moses smiled. “Nothing makes me uncomfortable, honey, as long as my friends and family are good. I’m good.” Then he turned to Gustav. “I’m glad you’re here. Join me next Wednesday, will you? I’ll send a car to pick you up at your house. We’ll have dinner with the ministers.”

“I would love to. Thank you.”

Moses stood up. “I have a meeting in two hours. Son, may I have a word?”

“Of course.” I stood up and walked with him outside the coffee shop.

Once we were in front of his vehicle, I asked, “What is it, boss?”

“Tyrion Weston is not in great shape. Ilya’s men got into him. I think the agency set Weston up. The exchange didn’t happen. Instead, a rival mafia arrived, and Weston was caught up in the middle of the shooting. He was shot and brought to a secure location. I’m not sure he’s going to make it. Did Gustav say anything to you?”

Well, I wouldn’t say he deserved it. “No. We only talked about weddings. I’d ask Estelle if he said something. Should I ask him?”

“No. Weston is not your problem anymore. I think he had it coming. Stay out of it, Gabe. I mean it, but be careful.”

“Of course. Thanks for letting me know.” I wanted to ask him something, but I held it.

“What is it?” he asked before getting into his car.

“It’s not my business, but is something going on between you and Deirdre?”

He smiled. “You will know if there is. Deirdre is a wonderful woman, but she said we’re just friends. I have to go.”

“Take care, boss.”

When I came back inside, my wife and her father were ready to leave. Lynx went to the cashier to pay our bills.

“I’d like to stay with Dad for a while. Is that okay?”

I snaked my hand on her waist and kissed the side of her head. “You don’t need my permission. Stay as long as you want.”

“Thanks.”

“I’d like to talk to your father for a minute.”

“Of course.”

“Sir.” I gestured for him to go out first before I followed. I didn’t know how to tell him. Tyrion was his friend or at least his business partner.

Estelle entered the car while Gustav and I went for a walk.

“Is something wrong?”

“No. I just wanna tell you that Tyrion was in bad shape.”

“What happened?” He stopped walking. Judging by his reaction, he didn’t have any clue.

“He was selling firearms to the mafia. He was shot.”

“The Vasilyev.”

“You heard about them.”

“Yeah, but I’m not involved. I swear.”

“The rival mafia arrived. That’s how he got shot.”

“I guess he had it coming. I don’t want to say I’m happy but relieved.” He sighed. “After Estelle signed the contract, Tyrion wanted to take control of Star. I didn’t know what he did behind closed doors until my daughter ran away. I asked a favor once, and I couldn’t find a way out.”

“He threatened you.”

“Something like that. Blackmail, coerced, but he found out about your relationship with my daughter, Cade, and Braddson. So he knew his limits. He gave me that picture of Jasper and the mafia to use against you.”

“Do you think he will come after you?”

“Maybe. I don’t know.”

“You should be very careful. Even if Tyrion died, his son would take over the business. You should double for security.”

“Klayton is useless. No one will follow him.”

“Don’t be so confident about it. Revenge can make people change, redirect determination, and do something unexpected. Do you know your right hand-”

“Murphy. That son of bitch betrayed me. I didn’t know what he did, and he’d been working with Tyrion all this time.”

“So, he was telling the truth then. He said you’re not involved. He wanted to cut a deal with the DEA so that he may have said something about you.”

“Am I in trouble?” Gustav looked worried. I suddenly remember telling him I might save his life one day.

“I don’t think so, but I can gather intel. If you want.”

“That would be helpful. Thank you.”

“Anyway, if you want the share back. I will sell it back to you at the same stock price. Just let me know. I’ll do the paperwork.”

“Why?”

“I saw how Estelle was happy to see you. Just don’t break her heart again, Gustav. I love my wife. She’s my life and my kid. I don’t want to see her getting hurt by the people she trusts. If you are sincere in returning to her life as her father, I’ll give you a chance.”

“So she said. You pushed her to see me.”

“Something about what Moses told me. He didn’t want to give me your location, but I could be persuasive. He said no matter what happened between you and Estelle. You’re still her father. And he always never takes chances for granted. That’s what happened to him and Cade. I’m giving you the same chance, but I don’t wanna see my wife cry.”

“I’ve learned so much in the last few months. Estelle is my blood, but I’ve hurt her. I became greedy, and I was manipulated. But I won’t let her down again. You have my word.”

“That’s good enough. She dropped the complaint against you. Did she mention that?”

“No.”

“Estelle loves you with all your faults.” I extended my hand. “Thank you, sir.”

“No. Thank you, Gabe.” He gripped my hand tightly. “You make my daughter happy. That’s what every father would wish for his daughter.”

We went back to the waiting car.

Estelle opened the window and smiled as soon as she saw us. “What took you both so long?”

I leaned down. “I’ll see you later?”

“Yup.” She kissed my lips softly and quickly.

“I love you.”