The Heiress and her Billionaire Older Lover

"Mr. Harrington, your daughter would like to have breakfast with you."

I turned back at that. I had been nice enough. Clara asked me to take care of her; nowhere did she say this little girl could run my life.

"I have done the best that I can for you and asked for nothing in return. But you will mind your business, or I will have your ass on the street quicker than you can spell your name."

I turned back to my car, thankful for the loneliness, peace, and quiet on my way back to work. My mind was clouded by thoughts of my wife. The pain I still felt, the guilt I felt when I touched her. I have been with other women quite frequently, I might add, but it was entirely physical.

An activity to pacify my raging loins, but with Isla, it was more. I felt like I was cheating on my wife. I drove into the compound in a foul mood, threw the keys to the valet, and breezed into the lobby of ViVi Global Enterprises. My baby. A place where I could control everything.

"Good morning, Mr. Harrington," echoed through the lobby from the employees passing by as I passed through to the elevator. Once I stepped out, my personal assistant Ethan met me.

"Good morning, sir."

"Tell me, Ethan. Is it really?"

"Uuuuh, no sir." He hesitated before answering. I was already having a bad day; I didn't mind if the rest of the day went that route too.

"Hit me."

"Well, your first appointment this morning is from Mr. Whitmore." He said, Shifting from one leg to the other.

"That's good. I do want to acquire Whitmore Group. They have been our only competitor for years. Why do you think that won't make my day?"

"Because he cannot sell Whitmore Group."

"What? We have been making plans for ages since his brother died."

"He wants to come explain it to you actually."

"You're right. I'm going to have a fucking bad day!" I strolled into my office, my brain coming up with strategies to get the damned man to sell. "What time is his appointment?" I shouted.

"In ten minutes sir!"

"move him to the conference room when he arrives."

*****

Ethan announced to me that Mr Whitmore was waiting in the conference room. I don't understand why the greedy bastard would refuse to sell, I was the only one who could afford it.

"Good morning, Mr Whitmore. My assistant tells me you are hesistant about the sale of the company. What do you want? More money?"

I rattled on before I even took a seat. This was ridiculous. We had been on the same negotiations for almost five years.

"No, no, Mr Harrington. Its not that." Mr Whitmore, a big man who was a few years younger than I was was already seated, dressed in his expensive but drab suit. I never heard of him until his brother died and his attorneys took charge of the company. All he wanted to do from that moment was sell of the company.

"Then what is it this time?"

"Well, as you know, my late brother owned Whitmore Group, and I took charge after he died."

"Yes, he had no heirs. I remember him. Good man." Let's keep it moving. No need to slow down now.

"Well, uh…" he cleared his throat. "Well, you see…"

"Mr. Whitmore, as desperate as I am to acquire Whitmore Group, I do have other things to do with my time. Let's speed this up, please."

"Well, my brother did have a daughter. And the company will go to her or her husband. There are some legal jargons, but the bottom line is I cannot do anything until she signs over the…"

"So, all these years, you were waiting for your niece to come of age. That's it, isn't it? That's why you have been stalling. Wasting my time." I slammed my clenched fist on the table; I had reached my daily patience quota.

Mr. Whitmore flinched. "Well, you see, uh…"

"I would like to continue this order of business with your niece." I interrupted him.

"Well…"

"You know, I knew your late brother. He was a very smart and intelligent man. He could make money from a cup of water. He was brilliant. I respected him. But how is it that you, his brother, are an inconsequential stuttering blob of nonsense? I said… I would like to continue the deal with your niece. Get me Miss Whitmore."

"She is on a trip at the moment." He ignored my insults to give me a straight answer, thank heavens.

"Well then get her back here."

"Yes. I will do that as soon as possible." He nodded quickly.

"Well, then what are you waiting for? Christmas? Get the fuck out of my sight!"

I turned my chair to look out the window, staring out at the bustling city. That's what I get for dealing with stupid and greedy people. How could Whitmore have left his daughter in the hands of this clueless fool?

Ethan entered after my guest had left. "How did it go?"

"You were right. It's going to be a bad day."

"It's still early, sir. Have some faith." He encouraged, but I wasn't hoping for much.

"Could you look for a way to get your hands on Whitmore family legal work? I would like to see the legal clauses on succession myself."

"I will do my best."

"Thank you."

"I scheduled a more relaxing appointment for you tonight, sir." Ethan continued. He knew me so well. After a hard day, I needed some relaxation time.

"Hit me."

"It's Miss Dupont."

"Ah, Selene." Beautiful woman. "When?"

"Tonight. She requests that you stay the night."

I took a deep breath, considering the request. Staying the night was tempting; at least it would get me away from my house and the strange woman in it. My mind went back to Isla; I hadn't heard from James about the doctor's visit.

I needed to know how long this arrangement would take. "Get back to Selene. I will be by her apartment, but I won't be staying the night."

"Noted, sir!"