Billionaire's Dalliance

"What?" Noah's eyes widened in shock. "This isn't possible please recheck it. There has been some sort of mistake, please check it again."

"Mam, I have already checked it 10 times. In fact, I am still looking at it." The man behind the desk said with conformity. "Your seat has been upgraded to first class."

"This isn't possible." Noah said with confidence. "I think you are confusing me with someone else. There is no way my seat could get automatically upgraded to first class when I have bought the tickets of economy class."

"Mam there is no mistake your seat has been upgraded to first class. If you don't believe me you can see it for yourself." Saying this he turned the screen towards Noah.

Noah nodded and looked at the screen. She matched her ticket number with the one on the screen. Her eyes popped wide open as she checked the last line of the information that was reflected on the screen.

Economy Class

Remark: UPGRADED TO FIRST CLASS.

"But how this... this is just-" Noah couldn't believe it.

"Mam, now if you believe me can you please step aside? You are holding up the line." he said politely.

Noah turned around only to get angry glares from the long line that had formed right behind her.She mumbled an apology and stepped aside.

"Mam the first class lounge is that way. You can wait there as there is some time for your flight." saying that he got busy with his work.

Since Noah had no other choice she quietly entered the lounge and sat on the plush couch.

"What the hell is happening with me. How is this possible?" Noah shook her head while closing her eyes. "How come my seat got upgraded to first class when I bought the tickets for economy class?"

All of a sudden memories of the last few days flashed in front of her eyes. Her eyes snapped open as all the pieces started to fall in place.

"Oh God, how did I not see this before?" Her breathing hitched as realisation struck her like lightning. "This isn't the first time things like this happened to me."

"First all my bills got cleared because I won some "LUCKY DRAW" and the amount that I won was more than enough to clear all my debts."

"Secondly I got some "SCHOLARSHIP" that neither I had any idea about nor did I apply for which took care of my college fees."

"Out of nowhere, my landlady started acting so sweetly when she belonged to the bloodline of Hitler. She didn't even taunt me when I failed to pay this month's rent on time because of bank holidays. Instead, she said that she completely understood and asked me not to worry about it. Though I paid the rent the very next week still she didn't create any drama and accepted the rent without any fuss."

"And now this... My Nanny is not well. Her condition is very critical. Mom and Dad had asked me to reach Chicago soon. I would have gone by train only but fortunately, I have saved a part of the lottery money which came into use this time. So I brought an economy class ticket to Chicago but when I checked in I was informed that my ticket had been upgraded."

"Coincidence can happen once, Luck can favour a person once, maximum twice or thrice not every now and then."

"The kind of thing that is happening to me the way things are happening isn't normal."

"I don't why am I feeling that something has changed which I am not able to see. Something has happened that I have no idea about."

"Though I know one thing that I am being watched over, I don't know whether I should be scared or should I feel safe and secure. As I don't know whether I am being watched by A Guarding Angel Or A Guarding Demon.."

••••••••••••••

"Just like you expected she did get shocked when she came to know that her ticket had been upgraded to first class. She got her ticket checked at least 10 times. She was constantly saying only one thing. "THERE HAS TO BE SOME SORT OF MISTAKE AS SHE BROUGHT AN ECONOMY CLASS TICKET SO HOW WAS IT POSSIBLE THAT HER TICKET WAS UPGRADED TO FIRST CLASS." She would have continued to argue if she wasn't reminded that she was holding up the line. She finally gave in and entered the first class lounge where she waited until her flight was called. It's been just five minutes since she boarded her plane. She will reach Chicago in exactly 75 minutes. Harry will take it from there." The voice from the other end spoke.

"Good." His voice was too formal. "I ordered something else too, is that done?"

"Yes sir, the seats next to her are booked by us only." The voice replied.

"All of them?" he questioned.

"Yes sir, all the seven seats that surround her seat have been booked." The voice answered. "but..." the voice said hesitatingly.

"But what... Mr. Ian Marshal?" he asked grimly. "What is it? Speak up Now."

"Sir, I think she has started to become suspicious. It was quite clear from her face that she knew that something was definitely up. Sir, I honestly don't think it will take her long enough to realise that everything that has been happening with her from the past couple of weeks isn't just a coincidence or her good luck." Ian finally uttered those words out. And then he felt silent as he was expecting to face the wrath that had the potential to blink him out of existence. He was ready for it.

But what Ian wasn't expecting or ready for was the response that he got from HIM.

"Well honestly I would be seriously disappointed if she wouldn't." HE chuckled.

"Sir, you aren't worried about it?" Ian was shocked beyond measure.

"Why, Are You?" he questioned.

"Sir-" Ian was about to say something but before that only he was cut off by HIM.

"I don't pay you to worry about me Mr. Ian Marshal. I pay you because you work for me and last time I checked I am not answerable to anyone let alone an ordinary employee like you. Your only job is to follow my instructions and complete my orders without any questions. That's about it. You are an employee of mine so you better stick to your limits, understand?" HE spoke way too harshly.

"I am extremely sorry sir it won't happen next time." Ian said in a low voice.

"You better be because next time there is going to be no next time for you." HE retorted.

"Sorry Sir." Ian mumbled. "Anything else Sir?"

"Yes, You need to be in constant touch with Harry. I need each and every minute detail of "HER" each and every single second. I want to know everything about everything relating to her."

"Make sure whatever she needs whatever she wants whatever she desires she should get it immediately. I don't want even a single frown on her face. I don't want any problem to even touch her. I want her safe and protected. Do whatever you need to in order to make sure that her smile remains intact on her face." he commanded.

"Sure Sir, it will be done." Ian assured him.

"Keep me informed." And the next moment he disconnected the call Without even bothering to wait for Ian to finish.

He got off from his seat and took few strides so that he was standing facing the wall on which hung not one not two but twelve huge portraits in super close up all in black and white of Noah.

Though they all were beautiful and of course priceless for him but one picture in particular had a special place in his heart As this picture truly reflects her innocence and pure heart. She was holding a jar with fireflies inside it with a genuine smile on her face.

Raising his hands he caressed her picture. "Beautiful" he whispered. He smiled and looked at the picture and said "I know that this time what's exactly going on inside your head. I know that by now you have definitely understood that someone is definitely up and since I know you too well I know that soon your curiosity will get the best of you and you yourself will find a way that would lead you straight to me."

"Trust me when I say this Noah that you have no idea how badly I am waiting for that day where instead of talking to your pictures I will be talking to you."

"Soon Noah Very Soon I will eliminate the distance between us. I will eliminate everything that is keeping you away from me now. Soon you will be mine. I promise. You won't be Noah Adams for long because soon you are going to be Noah Marcus Grey I promise. Soon you will be Marcus's Noah And soon we both will be Together forever."

"Are you ready for this? Sure you want to do this?"

"Of course, Doctor. What's there to think about? This pregnancy is due to my sheer carelessness. I cannot become a teenage mother and end up ruining not only my future but also my figure. I don't want anyone to know about my recklessness. I am sure my boyfriend would dump me if he found out about this. I can't blame him because like me he isn't ready to become a teenage father either."

His breathing pace began to change as sweats began to cover his forehead.

"Marcus, what are you doing here?"

"Security get this boy out of here."

Rage began to overpower his senses as her voice began to ring crystal clear in his head.

"You are choosing this piece of crap over me. How can you do this? I agree that you and I had some really great time but how can you be so selfish to think that I will let you dominate over my will. We slept together and had a great time but why should I bear the brunt of our intimate rendezvous. I will be the one losing my figure and beauty. Sex for me is just a way to satiate my overly charged hormones but in no freaking way I will let it become the reason for doomed youth. At the end of the day it's my body and I will decide everything related to it."

"I thought you would dump me if you came to know the truth but I didn't know you were so old fashioned and would act like a typical male chauvinist pig who thinks that he can control the life of the girl he sleeps with. Unfortunately that's not going to happen because I can clearly see how unmatched we both are for each other and that's why I am dumping you right here... right now. Ending my relationship with you means you have no right to interfere in my matters anymore, including my body. So get out from here and don't ever show your face to me again. Doctor please get him out of here so that we can go ahead with the procedure of abortion."

His blood boiled as another voice intruded his thoughts.

"I agree you are the father but ultimately it's her call as she is the mother and it's inside her. We can't overhear her reasons as she is justified at her own place. It will be better for you to leave as you are simply creating a scene here unnecessarily."

He began to toss as he could hear his own voice that was begging them and requesting everyone to help him in stopping everything that was going on. He begged, cried, screamed, did everything just in the hope that maybe someone might come to him out but in vain.

Last image that made him shudder and woke him up was the one when he was tossed out of the premises by those who were laughing at him wholeheartedly.

He was not on the street rather he was at his home on his bed. His breathing was uneven, his whole demeanour was covered in sweat, he as always was shaken from within as he got back into the real world from the state of unconsciousness which felt too real to him a few seconds before.

He had been having this nightmare for ages now. But the only difference now was that he could smile after getting up from it as his mind reminded him of the consequences that each one of them faced later who wronged him that day.

Closing his eyes he took several deep breaths and calmed himself down. Then stepping down the bed he simply picked up his cell phone. He walked closer to the balcony where wind had picked up and was now soothing him as it gently caressed him.

However the moment his eyes laid on her face all the previous images that were haunting him simply dissipated into thin air.

His eyes turned gentle as he caressed her picture on his cell phone's gallery while mumbling to himself. "How can someone so pure and naive exist on this planet till today? In today's world where everyone is busy betraying the other person, how can you exist whose main aim in her life is to live for her family? Have you ever considered that you might be born in the wrong era, my love?"

Then he sighed and looked ahead while keeping her face behind his close eyes "Thank you for just breathing Noah. Thank you for everything my love. Your existence is enough to silence my inner demon. My only regret will always be that you were not my first. Had that been the case I knew you would have made my life worth living. But I guess in order to realise the importance of Star one needs to experience the pit of darkness. So I guess everything that happened was important so that I could understand how precious you are. I still thank you for just finally walking into my life when I was already dead from inside and giving me hope for a future with you. You might not be my first Noah but I promise you would be my last"

•••••••••••••

"Please Nanny just one more time this is definitely the last bite I promise." Noah made a cute puppy face while she extended her hand in front of her grandmother to feed her.

"No Noah I can't, my stomach is full." Nanny shook her head while she held Noah's hand so that she couldn't feed her anymore.

"Nanny please for me." Noah tried to emotionally blackmail her but unfortunately Nanny knew her too well.

"Noah, don't you dare play the "Please-For-Me" game with me and stop trying to coerce me with your emotional blackmail strategies. As it is, you have fed me way too much food. I just can't eat anymore, Noah." Nanny took the plate from HER hand and kept it away on the bedside table.

"Oh ho Nanny, why are you cribbing like a five year old girl? You know you have become so weak because you don't pay attention to your health. Do you have any idea what Mom and dad must have gone through when they found you unconscious on the floor of your bedroom's washroom."

"Did you for once think that what I must have felt when Mom called me up to tell me about your critical condition. Man, you have no idea how difficult these last 72 hours were for us. We could have lost you Nanny forever." Noah choked as she uttered the last sentence.

Her eyes were brimming with tears. But keeping a grip over her emotions she continued. "And why do we go through all this because you are too stubborn to listen to anybody. You take care of our entire family but you simply exhaust yourself by overworking yourself."

"You don't take care of yourself. In fact you simply ignore your health. On top of that you don't listen to anyone. Whenever Mom tries to take you to the Doctor for your routine check up you simply deny and when she tries to take you there forcefully you silence her by scolding her. It's because of you and your stubbornness we are here in this hospital." Noah shook her head in annoyance.

"But enough is enough Nanny." She said looking straight into the eyes of her Grandmother. "Since you have decided that you will not take care of yourself so I guess it's high time I take charge. From now on you will do exactly what I will ask you to. And I don't want any arguments or discussion. My words are final."

Noah picked up the plate from the table. "So like I said No More Arguments. If I have said that you will have to eat this means you don't have any other choice and you have to eat it." Picking up the last piece of the food she once again extended her hand in front of her Nanny's mouth. "Now come on, have this quickly."

A lone tear escaped Her Nanny's eyes and she felt the unconditional love and warmth of her granddaughter. Before Noah could notice it SHE wiped it away and the next moment she smiled. Without any further arguments she opened her mouth and let Noah feed her the very last bite of the food. "That's like my good girl." saying this Noah got up and pecked Nanny's forehead.

Noah picked up the glass of water from the bedside table. "Water." Nanny simply nodded and took the glass from Noah's hand. "Noah my medicine."

"Oh right." Noah opened the drawer of the bed side table and pulled out a packet of medicine. Taking out three tablets from three different pouches of medicines she extended her hand in front of her "Here."

Nanny took the medicine and gulped it down with water in one go. Taking the glass back from her Noah made her lie on the bed. "Now you take a rest. I am going out to see what's taking Mom-Dad so long." Nanny nodded.

Pecking her forehead again Noah walked out of the room. She hardly took 20 steps when she saw her Mom who was walking towards her only.

"Mom what happened?" Noah questioned. "What took you so long and where is Dad?"

"He is trying to get the answers to some questions." Jenna's (Noah's mom) words confused Noah.

"Answer?" Noah's eyebrows creased. "Answer to what?"

"I don't know Noah but something is definitely wrong." Jenna's words send Noah into panic mode.

"Wrong? What's wrong Mom?"

"Noah you know that Nanny is much better right now but still she will be kept under observation for a few days." Jenna said, looking at her.

"Yaa I know So?" Noah was still confused as she couldn't find a connecting link between the two things.

"So the doctors asked your Dad to pay the bill in advance." before Jenna could continue Noah cut her in.

"So is it about the money? I mean, did the money get arranged or not?"

"Of course Noah everything was sorted at least monetarily." Jenna's words confused HER even more.

"So what's the exact problem?"

"The problem is when we went to deposit the money the receptionist refused to accept the money." Jenna's words really annoyed Noah.

"Why what's the hold up? How can they do something like this? What's stopping them from accepting the money, tell me mom?"

"Noah relax, it's nothing of that sort in fact they have a valid reason for denial." Jenna's words made her curious. Shaking her head she asked

"And that is?"

"How can they accept the money again when they have already accepted it once." Jenna's words didn't make any sense to her.

"Again what do you mean by that Mom." SHE looked at her mom.

Jenna didn't need to say anything as the very next moment realisation hit Noah like a bolt of lightning. "You mean..."

"Yes." Jenna could see that finally Noah understood what she wanted to say to her.

"Who, When, How," Noah questioned.

"That's exactly what your Dad is trying to find out." Jenna replied.

"Can't we track the source?" Noah asked.

"The entire bill was paid in cash. So that gives us a dead signal right there." Jenna answered.

"Do they remember who made the payment? They have CCTV footage right, we can check it from there." Noah's Nohi Drew Mode kicked in.

"Do you really think we wouldn't have tried that? That's exactly what made me late. Me and Your Dad were going through that only. But unfortunately the receptionist doesn't remember the face of the person who deposited the entire cash And since CCTV footage only showed the back of the people who were coming to pay the bills so even the footage wasn't of any use." Jenna shook her head in annoyance.

"How much Mom?" Noah looked at Jenna. "How much money?"

"8 lakh rupees" Jenna's words shook Noah to the core. "What 8 Lakhs?"

"Yes." Jenna nodded.

"Man, This doesn't make any sense. Who would..." Noah stopped abruptly as Once again past events flashed in front of her. "Oh Man"

"What happened?" Now Jenna got worried looking at Noah's stunned expression.

"Huh?" Noah looked back at her. Shaking her head she replied "Nothing"

"Sure? Are you okay?" Jenna was worried.

"Absolutely Positive." Noah replied. "Anyways Mom please go and stay with Nanny I will help Dad."

"Okay." Mom nodded her head in assent. "Oh By the way did she eat anything?" Anxiousness was clearly visible on Jenna's face.

"Of course she did, how can she not" Noah smiled. "I made her, in fact she must have fallen asleep by now."

"Good job Noah, I am impressed." Jenna patted her shoulder.

"Thank you, Thank You." Noah smiled. "Okay enough of self appreciation now you go in I am going to help Dad we both will be back soon."

"As you say Mam." Jenna teased. "Both of you come back soon, okay."

"Sure thing." saying this Noah walked away while Jenna got back into the room.

As soon as Noah was alone once again all the thoughts that she successfully suppressed in front of her mother bounced back immediately in front of her eyes.

"What the hell is happening? First, all those things and now this money thing. Mom is right, something is definitely wrong, Really wrong. But unlike other time I simply can't overlook the fact as this time Something is definitely up Or Someone is definitely behind all these things that has been happening with me for the past couple of weeks. But who? That's a question I need to find the answer to And I will Because I need to find out who is behind all this Because I need to find out reason as to why that person was doing all these things? Because I want to know who this person is and why this person is so interested in my life? Because I want to know why that person is helping me? Because I want to know what this person wants? I might not know the answers to the above questions as of now but soon I will find out all the answers to my questions By hook or by crook."

"Eight lakhs?" Eric's eyes widened in horror. "Have you lost it Marcus? What the hell is wrong with you?" Eric shook his head in disbelief. "Since when did you start helping people?"

"Pretty much since the time when you started thinking that I will actually answer your questions." Marcus snorted as he finally looked up at him. "Eric do I need to remind you that you work for me it's not the other way around? I didn't hire you so that you could even dare to question me. I pay you so that you will follow each and every instruction of mine without any question."

Marcus got up from his chair and walked around till he reached the other end of the table. Putting his weight on the edge of the table he looked straight at Eric and said. "See this is exactly what the problem is with people like you just because we talk nicely to you out of nowhere I don't know how you all start to live in this delusion that you are the boss and we will follow your instructions that's exactly why every now and then it's important to keep reminding you people about who the actual boss is which in this case is me." Marcus said, pointing towards himself. "Now stop wasting my time because unlike you I don't have time to waste just do as you are told."

"Yes sir." Eric replied looking down. "I apologise for crossing the line sir."

"Mr. Eric Brick, keep your apologies to yourself, save it for someone who actually cares don't you dare repeat this mistake next time or else there will be no next time for you. Am I making myself clear to you?" Marcus retorted. Eric simply nodded.

"Good." Marcus walked towards him and stood in front of Him. Resting his hands at Eric's shoulder HE spoke "You are one of my most valued employees Eric. I really respect you for your work but that won't stop me from blinking you out of existence if you ever dared to repeat this kind of mistake." He paused.

"Your only job is to follow my instructions and complete the work that's been given to you. What I do with my life, whose bill I pay How I pay it, that's not your business so don't you dare interfere in that. My personal life is not your concern but it won't take me a second to destroy your personal life if you ever chose to interfere in mine ever again." A shiver ran down his spine as Eric realised what Marcus's words meant.

"I hope you are getting my point." Marcus asked, looking straight at Eric who was looking down.

Eric simply nodded as his mind wasn't able to form a coherent sentence anymore.

"Good." Marcus smirked and walked back towards his seat. "Now go and do what you have been asked to do." Sitting back on his chair he continued "Stay in touch with Harry and Ian and whenever they mail you any invoice just make sure the payment of the same has to be done immediately without any questions or delay you need to clear all the bills instantly without wasting a single moment." Marcus looked at him. "Am I crystal clear?"

Sensing Marcus's gaze Eric finally looked at him and replied. "Yes Sir it will be done"

"Great." Marcus pulled his cell phone out of his pocket and got busy with it. So without even bothering to look at ErIc he said dismissively. "You may leave."

Eric nodded his head and walked away. Closing the door behind himself he let out a heavy sigh.

He was about to get back to his work when he heard someone saying "What happened Eric Are you okay?"

Eric turned around only to find Jenifer standing in front of him with concern etched on her face.

He shook his head "Marcus sir has lost it."

Jenifer chuckled. "Tell us something we don't know." Picking up the bottle of water that was kept on her working table she passed it to Eric who took it gladly and gulped the entire water in one go. "Isn't this an old news Eric, sir is always cranky don't you know him Eric he has always been like this?"

"Of course I know him. I have been working with him for the past 6 years now of course I am used to it but..." Eric stopped all of a sudden making Jenifer curious.

"But what, Eric, don't talk in riddles, say clearly what you want to say." She asked with curiosity.

Eric sighed and finally looked at her. "This time it's different Jenifer"

"Different Means?" Now even Jenifer was curious.

"Jeni, I have never seen him like this. This time he is behaving so differently as if his life depends on it and he won't even mind killing someone if that person tried to cross his path." Eric answered.

"My god this means this time it's really serious?" Jenifer was shocked too. "I wonder what it could be, maybe it's something related to him or his work because Marcus Grey doesn't love anything more than his business and of course himself" She added.

"That's exactly where you are wrong Jenifer" Eric shook his head. "This time Marcus sir is not doing all this for himself or for his business at all." Eric replied.

"Then?" Jenifer questioned.

"He is doing it for someone else." Was all Eric could say.

"Someone else?" Even Jenifer's eyes widened in shock. "Who?"

"That I have no clue about." Eric answered. "But the only thing I know for sure is that whoever that person is has become..." Before Eric could say anything else Jenifer finished his sentence.

"BILLIONAIRE'S ADDICTION"