Rapine: Abducted by the Billionaire

by Charlotte Rose

  “You are very beautiful. I’d like to take you to dinner, and get to know you,” he says as our eyes meet.

  “Listen,” I say as sharply as I can muster, “I’m really not interested. I…”

  He interrupts abruptly again. “That’s fine if you are not interested, but I’m a very straightforward man. When I see something I really want, I go after it,” he says very boldly.

  Tanya chimes in now, “You know Julian, clearly she’s not interested and she’s engaged, as in, to be married soon, so please kindly leave.”

  He insists further, “You know Cheryl, nothing stops me from getting what I want. The moment I laid my eyes on you I knew I wanted you to be mine,” he says with clear and unmovable determination in his eyes; the kind of resolve that I see in competing Olympic athletes.

  I look away from him and out through the window at the pitch-black sky and the glittering lights dotted about in the city, as if looking away will somehow get me out of this situation and the uncalled for come-on.

  The waiter comes by with the drinks for my girlfriends and Julian and leaves to attend to others.

  “That dress looks stunning on you,” his voice lingers as I see him still staring at me from the corner of my eye. “You know, I am a very wealthy man, and I would take care of you beyond your wildest imagination. That man of yours could never measure up.”

  I turn back to look at him. “I appreciate the compliment, but I’d appreciate if you’d leave,” I say as politely and firmly as possible, but feel that it came out a little too harsh. I quickly add, “I’m very happy with the man I am with.”

  His angular jaw tightens as he gives me a fierce, penetrating stare. He remains perilously silent and unreadable for a brief moment and finally says, “As you wish,” but he makes no motion to leave. He sips at his cocktail, piercing me with his gaze, and looking deep in thought.

  My friends sip their cocktails and don’t say a word, as they wait for the man to leave. The situation has become awkward and uncomfortable for all of us.

  He looks down at the engagement ring on my finger and comments nonchalantly, “Great ring, but I would get you a better one,” then he gets up to leave, and says, “Great meeting you ladies.” He walks off in a breeze until he disappears as mysteriously as he came.

  “Wow, that guy was kind of pushy, if you ask me,” says Yula.

  “Kind of pushy?” I question Yula. “He was creepy.”

  Tanya chimes in. “Wow. Well in my opinion, he has a very confident vibe, definitely my type of man. If I wasn’t with my husband, I’d go out with him.”

  We order a few more cocktails, starting up our lively chatter again after the awkward interruption.

  We spend the evening chatting away and giggling like schoolgirls as the relaxing effects of the alcohol make our words less coherent and our sentences more funny and witty. It’s strange how no matter how mature a woman gets, if she’s with a group of her closest friends and under the influence of alcohol, she reverts to her high school years.

  At 12:46 a.m., Tanya’s husband calls and insists she comes home. She calls her private driver and makes her way out.

  I check my phone, no missed calls or text messages from Derek. Strange. He usually checks up on me when I’m out late with the girls. Yula and I both call our private drivers and leave.

  I come home, get undressed, and decide to skip the shower because I’m feeling very dizzy. I have to hold onto the side of the wall as I walk toward the bedroom.

  When I get to the bedroom, I find Derek sleeping on his back, so I slide under the white silk sheets in my usual spot at his side, tuck my head into the side of his neck and rest my arm on his chest. He immediately pulls me into his arms, and I lay my head on his chest. He is still asleep but subconsciously still takes me in and brings me close to him. I much prefer this to sex with him. Every woman has a natural desire to be touched and held tenderly by the man she loves. I am no exception. I crave being held by Derek every night. I fall asleep instantly the moment I close my eyes.

  I wake up startled, and look at the bedside clock. It’s 3:46 a.m., and I glance at Derek who is still sleeping soundly. I had a strange dream about the mysterious man. I dreamed that he convinced me to go out with him and kissed me, then I woke up. I would never do that. I love Derek and no man could convince me he is better than Derek. I lay on my back, stare up at the dark ceiling, and force myself to go back to sleep.

  It’s Monday, 7:45 a.m., and I do my leg stretches. I walk into the bathroom and notice a beautifully wrapped gift waiting for me. I open it. Wow, Bond No. 9 perfume in a bottle studded with glittering Swarovski crystals. The bottle itself is a work of art. I take a hot shower with Sonya Dakar body wash. I apply Sensai lotion on my face and body.

  I go into my walk-in closet, slip on a white La Perla bra and panty and a white Stella McCartney sheath dress, and put on makeup. I spritz on Shalini perfume and walk into the kitchen.

  I pour myself some civet coffee. I sit at the center of the kitchen island, beside the newly arranged white calla lilies. I run through the day’s appointments on my calendar, taking my time and sipping my coffee. I grab my iPad and send off an e-mail in reply to the wedding planner confirming the menu choices and flowers, which took me a few weeks of debating and deliberating to make a final decision. I notify her that our wedding ceremony will be at St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

  It’s 8:15 a.m., and I leave the penthouse to start the day. My private driver takes me to a two-hour Pilates class, brunch with my girlfriends, a facial and hot stone massage, an anti-aging acupuncture facial, a hair trim, shopping for some beauty products, and finally back home to get ready for dinner with Derek.

  Derek calls me to inform me to dress well as we will be attending a fundraiser hosted by Derek’s associate.

  I put on an emerald green evening dress by Stella McCartney, Christian Louboutin emerald pumps, and a $3 million dollar diamond emerald necklace by Chopard that I got from Derek on my last birthday.

  Derek hires New York’s best makeup artist to come to our luxury penthouse apartment to do my makeup every time we go for some special event or gala.

  It takes one hour to do my makeup and Derek arrives home shortly after. He puts on a Kiton K-50 suit, and our private driver takes us to an upscale charity fundraising gala. The fundraiser has a four-course dinner and a very impressive speech by the event organizer. He discusses solutions for ending crime, poverty, and homelessness. The speech itself is a masterpiece, but what really makes the crowd attentive is his enthusiasm and genuine concern about the world’s issues.

  Unfortunately, Tanya and Yula are not at this event, so I’m forced to make small talk with the women who are there but I maintain a cool distance, as I know how catty some billionaire’s wives can be. I prefer having a few close and trustworthy friends and the rest I keep at a distance and as acquaintances.

  At 11:55 p.m., Derek decides to make his exit, and we head back home. When we get home, Derek attacks me like a raging bull. He gets me out of my dress within seconds. It’s a night of especially rough sex, but I will recover tomorrow at the spa.

  It’s Tuesday, 6:57 a.m., andI do my leg stretches. I notice I am getting more flexible and able to spread my legs further apart. I take a hot shower with African Botanics body scrub.

  After the shower, I apply Perricone MD moisturizer on my face and body. I go into my walk-in closet, slip on a canary yellow bra and panty by Victoria’s Secret and an Emanuel Ungaro canary yellow pencil dress. I put on makeup and style my hair into loose waves. I spritz on Vera Wang Princess and walk into the kitchen.

  I drink my morning health smoothie, and decide to skip coffee because I am craving a green tea instead. I put on metallic Yves Saint Laurent heels and a matching clutch and leave the penthouse.

  The private driver takes me to the nearest DAVIDsTEA and I order a matcha green tea latte. I pay and grab my drink, and when I turn around to leave I see the mysterious man from Top of the Standard.

  �
��Hello there,” he says as he flashes a smile.

  He is wearing a tailored black suit with a black shirt and a black tie. He looks very handsome in all black. I feel my cheeks flush instantly.

  He takes my wrist gently and kisses the dorsal of my hand. I see some expensive-looking watch dazzling from his wrist.

  “You again,” I say without a thought.

  “Yes, me again. I suppose it was meant to be for us to meet again, don’t you think?”

  I blush again as I recall my dream of him the night before.

  “How is your fiancé treating you?”

  “Very well, thank you for asking.” I try to remain polite.

  He eyes me with curiosity, and replies, “That’s good to know.”

  “Well I have to run, hope you have a good day.” I smile politely and step forward to leave, but he gently grabs my arm to stop me.

  “Please stay. I can’t get you out of my mind since meeting you. Would you like to have breakfast with me?”

  “I can’t,” I respond firmly.

  “How about just chatting for a few minutes? At least finish the latte here.” He glances at the large cup held in my hand.

  “I have to go, my private driver is waiting for me.”

  “Just sit for a few minutes.”

  I consider his request, my curiosity increasing with each moment longer spent gazing at him, but instantly my logic resurfaces and warns me not to be seen conversing with this man. What if Derek finds out? He is a powerful man with associates and friends all around New York. I could be seen at any moment and the news quickly would reach Derek.

  “I must go.” I free my arm from his grip and walk away in a rush, sensing his eyes on my back.

  I hop into the Rolls Royce and slam the door, my heart pounding, and my throat all dry. I feel my cheeks burning. Why does he make me feel so flustered? I compose myself and inform the driver about my first appointment of the day. We drive off and I don’t look back.

  However, as we drive away, physically I am present in the car, but mentally, I am still with him, recalling how unbelievably indomitable and unrelenting he is.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Wednesday; 8:05 a.m. For breakfast I simply have a fruit smoothie, and run off to a 90-minute Bikram Yoga class and then to two appointments. The first is a chiropractic treatment to maintain spinal health and the second appointment is for an acupuncture facial.

  It’s 11:45 a.m., and I come to change into an understated dark gray shift dress with black Gucci pumps and I’m out the door a few minutes later. My private driver drops me off for lunch on Fifth Avenue.

  It’s a lovely, sunny, warm, cloudless day. My friends and I have decided to meet for lunch at a great little sushi spot at 5th and Madison. They fly fish in from Japan and we really enjoy the chef's omakase. We also order a bottle of Sake and get a little buzzed.

  We chitchat about our latest expensive purchases and gifts received from our men. Yula mentions she received a Cartier Secret watch with phoenix décor. We get into a discussion about wristwatches and all agree that women’s wristwatches should look like a piece of jewelry and not a watch.

  After lunch, we all go shopping together on Fifth Avenue as per our usual monthly routine. We browse Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue, Lord and Taylor, Henri Bendel, Origins, Sephora, L’Occitane, Ted Baker, St. John, Kate Spade, Jimmy Choo, Versace, Pucci, Dolce and Gabbana, Gucci, Prada, Escada, Fendi, and Louis Vuitton. We make a few large purchases with our men’s funds.

  We stop at Caramello for a scoop of gelato. Then we are on our way to our last store for the day, Victoria’s Secret. As we stroll leisurely, and casually glance into various store windows, all our eyes are magnetically drawn to a male figure in the distance. A very well dressed, attractive man is rapidly approaching us as we make our way along the street. All our eyes are on him.

  “Male model coming through,” Tanya whispers to us. Regardless of her taken status, she never hesitates in appreciating wealthy and good-looking men and occasionally flirting with them.

  We are almost right in front of the store, when he reaches us, pauses right in front of us and examines all the shopping bags in our hands.

  “Hello ladies, enjoying a day of shopping I see,” he grins.

  My eyes automatically scan him up and down. He is dressed in an expensive-looking, black tailored suit, black shirt, black silk tie, Dolce and Gabanna DG2027B sunglasses and a glittering watch radiating from his wrist as the bright sunlight radiates off it. His jet-black hair is cut short Ivy League and styled spiked up. He looks fucking hot.

  “Yes we are,” Tanya says, staring at him. “Our last stop for the day, Victoria’s Secret.”

  He shoots us a boyish smile, flashing bright, pearl white teeth at us. “Victoria’s Secret, one of my favorite women’s stores.”

  He approaches closer, and I get a whiff of his exotic, spicy, manly cologne. He even smells so fucking good.

  Recognition hits me suddenly. Oh my God, it’s the mysterious man. It’s Julian. My heart palpitates in my chest and my throat tightens.

  “Ladies, what’s your secret for all looking so beautiful?”

  Tanya flashes a bright smile back at him, ogling him. “Soins de beauté.”

  “Oh yes, beauty treatments, those always make a woman more beautiful, but you ladies would do just fine without them, since you are all naturally beautiful to begin with.”

  “Thank you,” Tanya coos. She bats her false eyelashes at him.

  He examines me. “So, Cheryl, we meet yet again.”

  My face heats up, and my throat is suddenly so dry. “Hello,” I croak. Why am I so sheepishly shy with him?

  “So what are you ladies doing after your shopping expedition?”

  “We are going to grab a latte, would you like to join us?” Tanya says sweetly, still gawking at him. She’s appreciating the view for as long as she can.

  “I’d be delighted ladies, but I don’t want to intrude,” Julian says politely. “I have business to attend to, but if you don’t mind it’s on me.”

  “Sure,” Tanya and Yula say at the same time.

  “Then, I’ll walk with you.”

  We abort our last store and stroll toward Starbucks just a few blocks away.

  At the Starbucks, he takes our orders as we take our seat. Within minutes he’s back and hands us our drinks. He takes a seat to join us and peels off his sunglasses, tucking them in his front suit pocket. Our eyes meet, and my breath catches in my throat. His blue eyes are captivating. I can’t breathe. I tear my eyes away from his and take a deep breath.

  “You ladies are all taken I assume?

  “Yes,” Yula and I chime in at the same time. Tanya doesn’t respond. What’s wrong with her?

  “Of course, the best are always taken.” He gazes at Tanya. “And you too?”

  “Yes, I am,” she responds hastily.

  I glance back at him. He leans forward in his chair, legs spread wide, in a dominant style. He eyes shoot straight to mine.

  “Cheryl, my offer still stands. I will not give up,” he whispers, his gaze swiping over my face, his expression smoldering, intense, bold, and it sends a thrill through me.

  He glances at his watch suddenly. “Enjoyed the pleasure of your company ladies.” He stands up, broad and tall, throws on his sunglasses, and leaves in a breeze.

  “That’s the guy from before.” Tanya states the obvious.

  “Yes,” I mutter.

  “He’s really attractive,” Tanya says stridently.

  “My husband is away on a business trip. Would you girls like to do something in the evening?” Yula asks us, changing the subject.

  “Why don’t you girls come over for dinner tonight,” Tanya says, as she takes a sip of her latte.

  “Sure, that sounds good.” Yula responds.

  ‘Yes, I’d love to.” I take a sip of my latte.

  “Okay, let’s make it 7:30,” Tanya says. “I’m off girls. I’ll see you all for dinner tonight.” Sh
e hugs us both and leaves.

  “Do you think this guy is following you?” Yula asks as she takes a sip of her latte.

  “I’m not sure, I’m starting to suspect he may be,” I whisper.

  “I think you should tell Derek. This guy seems really intent on going out with you. He doesn’t care that you’re engaged. That’s a red flag.”

  “It’s just so strange though. I mean how would he always know where I am? It’s just not possible. Maybe it’s just a coincidence.”

  “Well, honey, technology available these days, who knows right? If you see him again, you should consider the possibility that he is tracking you.”

  I take a sip of my latte and consider what Yula told me. I have only heard about tracking someone using their phone number. How could he be tracking me if he doesn’t have my phone number?

  We finish off our lattes and part ways. I come home and change into a long-sleeved blue dress by Escada and blue Jimmy Choo strappy sandals.

  I text Derek and let him know I’ll be at dinner with the girls tonight. I touch up my makeup and hair, and I’m out the door.

  Tanya’s home is beautiful. It’s a classical style penthouse with contemporary accents on the Upper East Side. There are floor-to-ceiling windows that open onto a terrace with a glass rail. Tanya ushers me onto the terrace. We both take a seat on the plush beige couch overlooking the busy city below. The European maid comes and hands us each a Flirtini cocktail.

  Tanya takes a sip and grabs my hand. “So tell me about this Julian guy. I think he’s following you.”

  “I’ve been considering it.” I take a sip of my cocktail. It’s one of my favorites, sweet and light.

  “Darling, what do you expect? You are beautiful of course, and that’s what wealthy, alpha men do; they pursue what they want.”

  “I just don’t know if I should tell Derek.”

  “Don’t tell him just yet. It’s obviously a challenge. Did you hear what the guy said! He said he would get you a better ring. If Derek and Julian were in a room together, I’m sure there would be a brawl.”