Drawn to You: The Billionaire’s Second Wife

The world came to rest on Vanessa’s shoulder, she could notice the change in the rate of her heartbeat.

She has been breathing faster than before, and it skipped repeatedly when the name ‘Xavier’ hit her ears.

This is a damn mess that she’s into already. How on earth will she explain herself to Xavier and ever be believed? Who will ever be a witness that she knows nothing about the money?.

It’s time for Lilian to murder her entirely, she had always wanted to do that all this while.

This lady will never give her a listening ear, she won’t let her explain herself for goodness sake. And she’s so sure that Xavier will believe her.

She got on her feet and walked towards the dining where Lilian sat busy with her cellphone and meal too. She got seated opposite her trying to draw her attention.

“Lilian, you wouldn’t let me explain anything. To be honest, I know nothing about that money, that’s just the way I saw the cloth with that of Chloe…” Nessa uttered politely.Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

The lady sitting opposite her didn’t make a move nor did she say a word. For over fifteen seconds, Lilian didn’t take a glance at her.

Vanessa tried touching her.

“Get your filthy hands off me. How can I help you by the way? Do I have any business with you?” Lilian yelled with her eyes widened.

Nessa swallowed deeply, her voice was so high that anyone outside would hear her.

“We aren’t quarreling Lilian. You have to believe me, I don’t know anything about the money in Xavier’s pocket. How do you expect me to give you his dirty wear that I found together with that of his daughter? It doesn’t make sense, that’s why I decided to wash them…”

She shook her head slightly trying to comfort herself. This is heading to where she isn’t aware and doesn’t care to know.

“I think I’ve tried explaining myself to you, go ahead with any decision you make.” Nessa got on her feet.

“I’ll only keep this a secret on one condition, and that’s if you will accede to leaving this house.” Lilian started when she was about to leave.

The sentence rang like a bell in her ears twice, she knew that’s the only option she could give because she has been wanting that to happen.

She was seated again while her face chiseled. “If that alone will be the reason for you to shut your mouth, then go to hell for all I care. Lilian, you can go ahead and tell Xavier anything you wish. I’m not scared of any action he’ll take. Neither is work the most precious thing in my life…”

Lilian watched her leave the dining room and back to the laundry room, but she didn’t try stopping her this time.

An aggressive smile appeared on her face rather, she is well convinced that Xavier won’t take it likely with the lady if he hears this.

Vanessa continued with her laundry, she wasn’t thinking about the incident this time. All she wishes is to be through with the work and leave for her bakery.

When Xavier is back, she will hear from him directly.

She focused on the laundry and went through it, she left the house immediately to her bakery.

*************

In the evening time, Chloe and her siblings were back from school. She opened her room to how breathtaking it is.

Everything is new to her sight. The bed cover and blanket have been changed, and her dirty clothes have been washed too.

Happiness filled her heart as she inhaled the sweet scent flowing around the room.

She pulled out her school uniform and climbed on the bed. It dawned on her that Vanessa isn’t around by that time, but she believes the soonest she will arrive.

At a time, she thought of leaving to meet her at the bakery, but she thought against it and laid down. She feels so weak at the moment and needs some rest.

Chloe dozed off she wasn’t aware of when Vanessa came into her room. She tapped her leg, waking her up.

“Are you gonna sleep tonight after this time?” Nessa questioned her jokingly.

She smiled, wrapping her arms around her. “I missed you so much, ma’am Vanessa.” The words left her throat.

Vanessa lifted her into her arms, she felt so sluggish.

“Sorry for disturbing your sleep, but you need to take your shower and then wait for dinner,” Nessa announced to her.

She nodded. “Okay, how about dad, is he back?”

“I don’t think so, but you can check yourself.” She replied and let her down.

Chloe left the room to the sitting room, her eyes studying every part of it in search of her dad. He wasn’t back yet, the only people in the sitting room were Ben and Lilian. She believed Tracy will be busy in the kitchen.

She left the room to the veranda but couldn’t find her father’s car parked in the garage, now she believed he wasn’t back.

While heading towards the stairs, she found Vanessa moving to the kitchen. She followed her instantly.

“Tracy, do you need help? I can support you.” Vanessa referred to Tracy who only spared her a glance.

Tracy felt a fire burning in her. “I don’t need any help from either you or your colleague. But the assurance is that the meal isn’t for everybody.”

Vanessa smiled, she wondered why the children hated her presence including that of their father’s fiancee.

She didn’t bother saying a word again.

“Sister, who bought the food and everything you used in preparing it? It’s dad, right? You don’t have the guts to stop anyone from tasting that food, not even ma’am Vanessa.” Chloe declared to her hearing.

Tracy turned fully facing them, she found Chloe gripping Vanessa’s palm so tight.

“And you didn’t bother mentioning the other jerk, or she doesn’t matter to you too? Okay, she isn’t part of us right?” Tracy referred to her sister who kept contorting her face.

“She should be here with you as our stepmother is in time to come. But the truth is that I hate everything about her. I don’t know anything about her and I don’t care to know because my babysitter’s here with me.” She concluded and drew Vanessa with her as they left the kitchen.

Tracy wasn’t able to say a word again, rather she kept thinking about what Chloe just uttered about Lilian.

Anyways, she had already hated her and so her presence in the kitchen is a waste.

**********

Dinner was served in the dining room and everyone was expected to move to the dining room. Chloe has been lying on his father’s thigh since he came into the sitting room.

After Tracy had announced the food, she left for the stairs to go get her cellphone.

Her movement quenched when she overheard a sentence that seemed awkward to her hearing.

“You heard me well, Xavier. I caught her myself with the cloth on her palm while she was about to do some laundry for Chloe.” Lilian stated.

Tracy climbed down the stairs and moved towards them. He found the strategic expression on her father’s face.

“Go upstairs and call Vanessa, I want her here immediately.” He ordered Ben.

Chloe got seated beside his father, she never believed all Lilian uttered to be true.

She had observed that Lilian hated Vanessa, and didn’t want her to be employed at first. So she believed the lady could frame up an accusation so Vanessa would be sacked.

“Vanessa, is that true?” Xavier questioned her.

Her eyes narrowed as she glanced at Lilian who looked off. She doesn’t need to be told what the question is all about.

“It isn’t true.” She replied.

Lilian turned towards her, “You’re trying to deny the offense you committed huh? Vanessa, don’t ever forget that I caught you. Aren’t you the one I caught this cloth with?”

She spread the cloth wide to everyone’s sight. Chloe screamed and ran towards her, taking it off her palm.

She hissed loudly while glaring at Lilian, and then she noticed how shocked her father was.

“How dare you lay your hands on my clothes? Don’t try that again.” She ordered and moved to her dad.

She dropped the cloth on his thigh and turned to Lilian again.

“Where is the money? Just get it for me.” She declared again.

Xavier let his palm open and she took the money from him.

“I already know that you hate her, and so you’ll be looking for something that will lead her to lose the job. But I promise you, she won’t lose the job, rather you’ll lose it.” Chloe assured her.

Her father tapped her cheek. “How did my clothes get into your room?”

She smiled. “You’ve forgotten, right? The night before I had an accident with ma’am Vanessa, you had this cloth on me and gave me the money for cupcakes. You said I should be saving it for future purposes.”

“Are you sure it isn’t the night you gave both of us $10?” Ben started pointing at Tracy.

He nodded.

“This is $10 too. I dropped the money in my pocket and slept off, then it slipped my mind taking it the next day.” Chloe explained further.

Xavier glanced at Vanessa who stiffened at a place without saying a word. He knew the lady would feel bad.

Chloe rushed toward Vanessa feeling sorry. “Forgive me please, it’s all my fault. I forgot to take the cloth back to dad, and then the money kept it in my bag. Don’t be angry please.”

She rubbed her hair assuring her of being fine. Just as Chloe left her, she took a glance at Lilian and then at Xavier.

If only Chloe had slept off, she wouldn’t have hesitated to leave. But then, she made her way to the stairs.

Xavier noticed how hurt Vanessa felt, even before his fiancee, he didn’t mind staring at Vanessa. That expression on her face is one thing he doesn’t love.

He didn’t mind how Lilian felt, but he left them and headed upstairs to go meet Vanessa. Not even Lilian could stop him from her calls.