A Billionaire's Secret

Milena's POV

I'm not a morning person but today is an exception. A smile adorned my face at the mere thought of being a captain. An airline officer. It's been my dream besides business management.

Finally, I'm about to pilot a plane. It's both of us actually: Logan is one of the friends I have in the academy. We grew up together, in Sweden and he's going to be my copilot.

Choosing a copilot is one of the hardest things ever but I trust Logan besides I'm good at piloting.

Don't get me wrong this isn't the first time I'm piloting a plane just that this time Logan is the copilot which I have always been.

I looked around my cream and blue-colored room and stopped by a photo of my family.

" You're proud of me, right? All I want is to make them proud, my parents; especially mom, who's been through a lot since she had me and my younger sister Isabella.

Dad had groomed us into who we are currently. Though it's hard to please him I know he's doing it for our sake. Mind you my prestigious family isn't the type you read from romance novels.

My ringing phone brought me out of my thoughts though I could guess who it was.

" I hope you're ready for your big day? Don't tell me you're still sleeping, Milena? Well, he's not completely wrong. I'm still in bed.

"Dad! Of course not. Are you coming? I asked while grabbing my toothbrush then quickly checked the time. The last thing I want is to be late for my inauguration as I'll like to call it.

" Sure princess when you have decided to come home. I'm busy filling in for you so, get out of bed" he complained like he always does and hung up.

He's joking, right? Dad wouldn't miss my assignment. Well, we'll have to see.

After having my bath I opened my walk-in closet and smiled as soon as I saw my new uniform with four lines in blue ink. The idea of wearing one for a long time kind of brought butterflies to the pit of my stomach.

I'm excited.

Getting off the elevator I find Logan outside waiting for me by the car with the front door opened, his hand on his forehead. Ah, a salute. I'm touched by his kindness.

" Today is your big day. Ah, there it is. That precious smile" he cooed then walked around to the driver's seat. He knows how much I hate compliments. I don't find it as appealing as most women do.

" Just shut up Logan. I'm in charge remember" he stepped on the brake pedal revving the engine then helped me with my seatbelt before answering me.

"What can I say you're worth it. You deserve it Milena" I almost melted at his gesture but again everyone in the academy knows that too.

I don't mean to brag but I'm good at piloting a plane. One of my many gifts.

" Yup. I'm getting bored sitting here staring at your annoying face. Play some music" he laughed but kept driving " that hurts. What don't you like about me? Other girls easily get swooned. Someday you'll fall hard for a guy" I didn't let him finish as I burst out laughing. He sneered then smirked like he was so sure. I'll like to see them try because my heart is protected by a lead wall. It's impenetrable.

I laughed again and he frowned a bit offended which wasn't my business. He started it just to get a rise out of me.

" You'll see" he finished while I chuckled then pouts " dating is so not my thing. Can you imagine living with one man for the rest of your life? Or perhaps marry one. How do people cope with that? I asked him for the umpteenth time.

The idea of being committed to a man disgusts me to the core. I'm successful, independent, beautiful, tall, and industrious. Why will I need a man or rather beg for a man's love? There's no way it's happening. He knows that, I know that. Everyone knows it too.

" Because there are actually people who don't want to be alone like you" he finished changing gear.

" I don't see you with your second half though. Have I finally convinced you to stay single? I think I saw a glint of hurt on his face then he smirked as usual. did something happen to his crush?

" I'll find her. Time is all I need" I applauded him on it. You can never tell where and when love happens so I heard from my little sister Isabella who is obsessed with romance novels.

" Good luck lover boy cos you'll need it" he ignored me concentrating on his driving like I was invincible.

Pufft like I care.

We arrived at the airline to find our colleagues assembled in white and black uniforms and a face cap to match. It was a colorful theme.

As an ex-air force officer, I saluted which they imitated. I was thrilled. For the first time in many years, I was proud of myself.

Duh, I obtained six degrees from Harvard and I'm a self-made woman. Fine Dad did all the arrangements but I worked hard for it.

I noticed everyone was staring at me then it hit me. Oh, I'm supposed to salute too and that's exactly what I did. With my hand on my forehead and the other firmly dropped beside my thighs in an upward position then everyone came forward to congratulate me, especially our supervising officer.

With my cap secured on my elbow, I made to board the plane as the captain.

" Milena!! I turned around to find my mom and Isabella smiling at me. I climbed down from the staircase, sauntered their way, and pulled them into a hug

You can say mom gave me a bone-crushing hug anyway that's what I love about her.

" Look at you. You know how much I love uniform officers" Isabella squirmed enveloping me in another hug though I think she just wanted to feel better standing near a pilot.

" I'm glad you made it" quite disappointed that my dad didn't show up even though I didn't let it show but mom was quick to notice.

" He sent his regards. He's very busy. I'm sure you'll see him on your next flight" she cooed pecking me in assurance.

I'm supposed to be used to it by now but I guess I can't be. I'm supposed to care cos he's my father.

" I'm so proud of you sweetie. I know you'll do great" I smiled at that. She had always believed in me. I felt her hands on my cheek cupping it then I held her hands and kissed them.

" Thanks, Mom. I'll see you guys in two weeks. Take care of mom Isabella" she rolled her eyes still staring at my uniform.

" You're so beautiful. Let's capture this moment" mom poked her which amused me. That's one of the reasons I love my little sister. She's fun. My eyes widened as I heard a camera flash on my face.

No, she didn't just do that.

So, I opted to stop her but she was ready for me too. It's a big day for me. I'll let it slide.

Just so you know. I'm one to keep grudges for a long time. Very long time.

" It's time captain" Logan's annoying voice ruined the moment.

" I heard you" I retorted then hugged my mom and Isabella but she took another photo instead.

" I'm keeping this" I chuckled then pecked mom.

" Thanks for coming mom, it means a lot" she smiled and then nods.

" Make us proud Lena" I heard Isabella say. She's such a goody-two-shoes so, I ignored her and entered the plane.

Here goes nothing.

It's been four months since I was made captain and dad have been sending me voice messages to return home. So here I am to see the old man but Logan convinced me to have a shot of tequila with him before I face him.

He couldn't be more right. I need something to boost my confidence.

Nothing is certain when it comes to that old man.

Here I am waiting in a private box with a grinning Logan.

" You're a regular here aren't you? He smirked then raised the menu higher to cover his face. Like I care.

" What..." My words died in my throat as I saw an adonis walking towards us. I wasn't one to fawn over pretty boys but gosh he was worth it with his jet black hair which was perfectly trimmed and cascading to his cheeks and the eyes. OMG, I think I'm actually drooling over a guy. I hope no one saw that. How wrong I was cus as soon as I regained myself I saw Logan laughing at me though he was trying to muffle it but seemed to be doing a terrible job at it cos I caught him.

" What are you laughing at? I poked him hard to make him stop and it worked as he coughed or wasn't that him?

" What will you like to have Logan? Miss! I swerved my head around to see his angelic face. Omg, I didn't see him clearly from afar. He looks like a girl up close. Not wanting to embarrass myself further I diverted my gaze elsewhere. I wouldn't want to give Logan any ideas.

" A martini please" I heard Logan say. I can feel the bartender's gaze on me like he was awestruck or was I hallucinating.

" And you Miss? He asked politely but It sounded like he was flirting with me.

Perhaps my lack of experience in dating had me seeing things. I don't remember ever kissing a guy maybe when I was in high school? Hmm.

" I'll have the same thing please" I muttered and that earned me a smile from him. I don't know what happened next cos the next thing I knew was stargazing at his blue eyes which were drawing me in gosh I'll like to drown in them.

Pervert! I know but he's so pretty.

" Two cups of martini on the way" having said that he winked at me and then left while Logan burst into loud laughter. I almost forgot he was here. I guess he couldn't hold it in anymore.

That thug.

" Stop flaunting your big teeth, Logan. It doesn't suit you" I snapped as he chuckled muffling his laughs.

" Am I dreaming? Or did I just witness Milena Ariel Smith drooling over a guy? She actually checked him out" I smacked his head. I don't care if it hurts provided it stops him from making fun of me. I'm human. It's not a bad thing to admire a beautiful thing when you see one. I wasn't going to woo him or chase after him. I'm not that hooked.

Not that I'm admitting it to him anyway.

" Ouch! What was that for? You do know you were a soldier once" I glared at him certain if I had something to hit him with I would.

" Serves you right. Shut your mouth or I'm leaving" he raised his hands above his head but I can tell it was amusing to him.

"I can talk to him you know. He's a friend of mine. Just say the word" I think he's making fun of me now. How I wish this day could end. I'm going to smack him harder than I did before. I raised my hand to carry out my plan but dropped it as soon as I saw the Adonis with our order.

I don't know what's wrong with me today cos I find myself doing weird things like flaunting my hair twirling a few strands in my fingers with my killer smile that can move a mountain.

My smile is contagious at least that's what I have been told.

What am I even doing?

" Here's your order and an extra for the lady" I heard him say placing a cup of pudding in front of me.

Does he like me too? I mean I know I'm a beauty but still, it's hard to believe an adonis like him would actually notice me with the baggy pants and shirts.

" Oh. You .. you don't have to" I stuttered. Why do I have to stutter? Get a hold of yourself.

" It's on the house beautiful," he said smiling and to be honest it reached his eyes.

So I accepted his gesture and dig in expecting him to leave but he was staring at me instead.

Okay! This is creepy.

" I'll like to be alone now thank you I wanted to say but I couldn't find my voice instead I dropped the cutlery and pushed the dish toward him.

He scratched his head and then gave me an apologetic smile but it was too late. I hate creeps.

You must be wondering what Logan was doing. Well, my friend is busy sipping his wine while reading a magazine of nude ladies.

How comforting. I'll deal with him later.

" I'm sorry for staring. I wanted to know if you needed anything else" he said scratching his hair. I must have missed something before cos I noticed his name was imprinted on his uniform.

Of course, waiters wear badges I wanted to scold myself. Let's not embarrass ourselves further.

" No offense Mr. W but I will like to be left alone' I told him honestly. I'm done making a fool of myself.

He seemed hurt by my words good cos that's who I am.

" My sincere apologies miss" I ignored him surfing through the internet. He left afterward.

' do you have to be rude? I'm sure he meant no harm perhaps he was fascinated by your beauty. You do know you're gorgeous right! I growled then walked out on him to wherever my legs carried me. I didn't care.

He's unbelievable but he did say I'm pretty. Pfft like I don't know about it.

Honestly, I didn't mean to be rude to him. I just can't help the way I talk to the lower class.

Now that I am calm. Where am I? I looked around to find myself in an attic. Time to call Logan. It seems to be a bad idea cos I realized I didn't take it. Just great.

I turned around and walked back the way I came. At least that's what I thought.

Luckily I was on the right track. Soon I found myself outside the bar and sighed. Hands on my sides I sauntered to the door but saw Mr. Adonis or what was his name again? Leaving the bar to be precise my heart was pounding like I just run a marathon in the field.

I was gonna ignored him but he was in the way.

" Hey, I wanted to apologize about earlier. can we talk somewhere else if you don't mind? My shift is over" he offered with eyes locked on mine. Gosh, this man can really hold gazes. I cringed under his gaze lowering my eyes elsewhere only for it to subconsciously dart to his groin. I quickly averted my eyes back to his recalling he asked a question.

Oh, fudge!

" Hmm, I don't have a ride. Let me get my purse" he hums pivoting out of the way giving me access to the door. I bypassed him and hurried into the bar looking for Logan.

I was panting by the time I returned but he was gone.

Oh crap! What am I doing?

As the saying goes every disappointment is a blessing. Maybe fate was doing me a favor. Imagine my secured heart beating for a common bartender. That's it for the day.

This is Logan's fault, he brought me here on purpose now I'm stuck with an image of him for the rest of my life though I doubt it'll take that long.

Who gave birth to him?

Omg, I sound like a stalker.

My thoughts scared me so I decided to hail a taxi home since I didn't bring my car which could be delivered if I call home but I wanted to surprise them.

" Leaving without me? Sorry for keeping you waiting, I had to get gas. I wouldn't want us to be stranded in the middle of nowhere" he explained. Oh, wait it's the adonis. My lips tugged into a smile which he returned and then climbed down from his motorcycle.

Oh crap, I hate motorcycles but he is an exception.

I'll go anywhere with him.

A helmet was draped over my head like a kid. His calloused warm hands brushed against my cheeks while he was fixing the knots. I realized we were close. His masculine scent was exhilarating. Bolts of electricity surged through me. I think he felt it too cos his eyes met mine immediately. Hours seems to have passed and none of us was ready to make a move.

I'm not doing it. I rather stare at his blue eyes.

Suddenly, he moved away running a hand through his hair walking towards the bike, and climbing it after putting on a helmet.

" It's all done" I was blushing like a tomato at this point but I nodded nevertheless and joined him on the motorcycle.

" You can hold onto me. I'm a fast driver" I stared at his back fiddling with my hands on my thighs trying to keep them away from him but he beat me to it as he started the bike. It came as a shock for me as I quickly grabbed his shirt for my dear life.

" Are you okay? I'm sorry I thought you were ready" he apologized. I have to say something unless he'll think I'm scared of rides.

" No, it's okay. You can go" I muttered wounding my hands slowing around his waist. There goes that feeling again.

" Ready? He asked this time which I was grateful for while I tightened my hold on him. I think I heard him chuckle then we were on the roads driving to God knows where.

To be honest, I didn't know where he was taken me. I didn't care perhaps I didn't ask somehow I trusted this stranger.

HE seemed slow for a motorcyclist that I started to doubt if it was his. What am I thinking of course it is. Maybe he was riding slowly because of me. He'd say he was a fast driver.

Whatever it is that was happening to me, I want to find out. I have to. I waited till he stopped in front of a big mansion.

" We are here" he helped me down from the bike offering to remove the helmet but I beat him to it. Only if he knew who I am.

" Oh, you can do it. I thought you couldn't. My bad' my eyes narrowed at his statement. Wait, does he know something I don't?

" Why will you think that? He shrugged with a hand pointing to the mansion indicating we should go in.

" You know, you're a girl and girls are girly" this is hilarious. I'm quite sure I can kick his butt if we were on a battlefield. Damn men, always underestimating women.

" Go figure. So, where are we? That seemed to amuse him more. I could tell he was trying not to laugh. He must think I'm a dummy if only he knew I find him attractive.

" A mansion. It belongs to a friend of mine. He lent me the keys before traveling. Come in, you'll love it here" I sincerely doubt that. Going sightseeing isn't my thing. He held my hands and led me in to be honest there was nothing old about the interior decoration.

The pieces of furniture were covered with white fabric but still, it looked beautiful, the floors were neat and sparky. That friend of his must be really rich to afford the maintenance.

" The real surprise is this way. Care for a drink? He asked filling two glass cups. He seemed to know his way around the house.

" Sure. So, about this friend of yours. What does he do? He stopped pouring out the wine from the bottle like I just hit a nerve. His shoulders tensed up then he relaxed, poured the wine, and handed me one.

" wanna play? I swerved around to find him taking a seat beside a piano. A really big piano. So I hummed and stood in front of him in anticipation.

" It'll be nice to watch you play since I can't play," I said without meeting his eyes. My grandma did offer to teach me but it wasn't my talent. Either I play the wrong notes or I end up ruining it besides I was studying for my master's then.

" It's never too late to learn" the Adonis reached for my hands and I reluctantly placed them on his and followed his leads while he sat me down.

" Let's start with the basics" he scoffed. I didn't argue with him cos I love how his hands feel on mine.

Slowly he placed my finger on the keyboard with his fingers showing me the right key to play. I hope I know what I'm doing at this junction, I want to jump at him, run my hands through his hair, chest perhaps taste his lips even if it's for a slight moment but I couldn't instead my heart was pounding so loud that I feared he could hear it.

I couldn't take it anymore then I stopped playing. His eyes met mine questionably.

" I don't think I can learn. It's not my thing" I tell him withdrawing my hands from his but he didn't let go. Doesn't he notice the effects he has on me?

" Did I do something wrong? What an innocent guy. I'm sure a lot of guys would have taken advantage of my predicament by now. Too bad we're worlds apart.

" No, it was amazing but I'm not a fan" I lied through my teeth. He sighed and then helped me up pushing strands of hair from my face.

Oh, God!

"There's more" my eyes were glued to his face that I didn't notice when we got to the yard.

A waterfall was in the middle of the yard. Did I mention how big the yard was? It was vastly different and natural. Whoever owned this place lived in paradise. It looked like a garden in a fairytale with birds, butterflies, and lots of flowers.

" Wow"

" I know. It's beautiful, isn't it? He pointed to the sky. My gaze followed his hands and I noticed there was a windmill.

"A windmill?

" Yup. C'mon let's tour around then we can talk about ourselves"

Traveling around the world and all, it wasn't my first time seeing a windmill but I haven't seen them up close.

" Can I know your name now? I mentally spanked myself. Of course, he wanted to know me better not that I know his. Maybe he thought I knew his name only if he knew what my thoughts were.

" Milena Ariel Smith" his smile faded then he looked away from me. Gosh, that hurts. I released my hand from him about to call it a day but he wouldn't let go. Momentarily, his adorable eyes were glued to mine again then he cupped my cheeks. I couldn't help but gasp from the sudden contact. Warmth surged through me. With my eyes closed, I tried to savor the moment.

" Julian Carter" I heard him say or was it a whisper? then I felt his hot breath on my face while he cupped my other cheek and then leaned his head slowly towards mine. I think he's two or four feet taller than me.

Then he captured my lips.