The Billionaire's Passion

The delicate china felt warm in her palms. Tea. She was being served green tea. In this very hot weather? It was so like Grandma Su to serve her guests hot drinks, no matter the weather.

Chandra Chandler stared long and hard at the light steam rising from the cup toward her face, fascinated by it. It wasn't long, though, before she lost herself in her own thoughts again. Instantly, she felt that dull pain piercing deep within her heart and the absence and loneliness after losing her beloved Grandma Lin.

It will get better, she reminded herself. It will.

"Chan, dear?"

Chandra jolted back to reality when she heard the soft, gentle voice calling her the name Grandma Lin had given her. Chan, which was a shortened version of Chandra, Grandma Lin had told her when she'd been a child meant "the moon" in Cambodian. The old woman said it was perfect for her, as she'd been born during the full moon at midnight.

"I'm sorry?" she queried the elderly woman sitting across from her.

Grandma Su glanced up, her dark eyes-full of wisdom and enlightenment-boring deep into Chan's own light-brown ones.

"You've just lost another loved one," she said.

Chan gave Grandma Su a slight smile, her hands gripping tightly to the cup of tea.

Yes, she'd just lost another loved one. It was her grandmother from her mother's side of the family, who she fondly called Grandma Lin. The kind, gentle ninety-year-old woman had passed on only three months prior from old age.

There were only the three of them now: Chan and her two younger sisters, Dara and Soriya, who happened to be named according to the time of their births as well. The second sister Dara's name meant the star, because she'd been born in the early dawn when the star of Venus was shining bright amongst the dark sky. The youngest sister Soriya's meant the sun, because she'd been born during midafternoon when the sun had been at its warmest and most brilliant.

To be frank, the girls had been orphaned since both their parents had died many years before Grandma Lin. Their mom passed away from cancer when Chan was eleven and dad from a bunch of teenage drunk drivers when she was seventeen.

"I'm so sorry to have turned up without informing you first, Grandma Su," Chan said politely to the old lady who was her grandmother's best friend. "She asked me to come and see you. She was quite persistent." She chuckled a little at the reminder of Grandma Lin's stubbornness. She took another sip of the green tea. The warm, mild liquid soothed her, and she sighed pleasantly.

"It must be very hard for you and your sisters," Grandma Su said. "Lin was my best friend. And now she has left me." She sighed. "But for you, my dear, it is best you move on." She placed her hand gently on top of Chan's, a gesture of comfort.

"It's hard," Chan said, bowing her head. "But I am determined to move on."

"Lin would be proud of you," Grandma Su said. Then she placed her fingers under Chan's chin, which surprised her, and urged the young woman's face up slightly so she could look at her properly.

Chan wondered why Grandma Su was examining her face so intensely. The old woman was staring at her smooth, round forehead, slanted eyes, straight nose, plump lips, and chin.

"A beautiful face," she said. "You've bloomed late, Chan."

Chan had to chuckle at Grandma Su's remark, since she had no idea what the woman was talking about. She knew for certain she didn't have a beautiful face, nor had she ever bloomed. She didn't think she would ever bloom at all if she were a flower.

"A mix of yellow and white," Grandma Su said. "A lovely cherry blossom."

At this point, Chan couldn't really help herself and had to ask, "What are you talking about?"

"Hush, dear, I am reading your face," Grandma Su said. "Ah, phoenix eyes and a beautiful nose."

Chan chuckled. "Thanks, I think," she said. She didn't think her nose was ever beautiful.

"You're entering a new phase in your life," Grandma Su said with a note of concern. "It seems there will be challenges."

"Challenges?" Chan asked, her heart skipping a few beats.

"Lin was concerned," Grandma Su said. "She asked me to read your fortune two years ago. That is why she insisted you come to see me."

"But why?"

"Like I said, dear, she was concerned about you."

"That I won't move on?"

"That and many other things. She worried about your future, Chan, about your career, your health, but especially about your future soul mate."

"But why?"

"You've spent all your time taking care of the family, but now it is time to take care of you. You'll meet him. There will be challenges, like I said, but every relationship needs work, dear, so you must trust yourself. You must trust your heart. Your fate does not define your future. It is you and your actions that define your future. Remember that, Chan.

"Of course, I cannot tell you who he is, but I can tell you he is out there, very bright, just like the sun. Yes, he is like the sun, a warm person who many adore and depend on."

Grandma Su turned her eyes to Chan again and cocked her head to one side, just like a small bird would, scrutinizing the young woman. "Ah, you will be a tiny thing standing next to him. He is a big man, Chan, this sun man of yours."

"I'm not exactly sure I understand what you're talking about."

Grandma Su laughed. "Ah, I see I have captured your interest. Do you want to know about your love life, Chan?"

Chan frowned. No. Not really. She glanced down, blushing a little.

Grandma Su must have noticed the blush. She chuckled and patted Chan's hand.

"Like I said, I cannot tell you who he is, for I do not know myself. Of course, you will understand, dear, once you've met him. And very soon, too. Now then, come along. I will show you my vegetable garden." She dismissed the subject with a wave of her hand and headed out the door.

Chan got up and followed the elderly woman, her thoughts still on the challenges ahead of her Grandma Su had mentioned. And, of course, this future soul mate of hers. Then again, she'd already made up her mind to never marry or enter a relationship. It was just too toxic. Relationships were toxic. Love was toxic. And sex? Yes, that was toxic, too. The worst, come to think of it, and instantly, she felt her stomach knot with dread, that fear she'd always felt.

She felt herself shaking uncontrollably. He's not here, she told herself. You're as far away from him as you can possibly be.

She calmed down and stepped into the beautiful sunshine outside.

"It's good that you take time for yourself," the woman said, nodding her head. "It will be a life-changing move. I assure you."

Grandma Su must have been referring to Chan and her sisters moving to Australia. After all, there was nothing left for them in New Zealand now since their grandmother had died. Well, there were still Amie, their dad's second wife, their stepmother, and of course Lisa, their stepsister. Perhaps, Chan thought, she should stop thinking of Amie as a stepmother. After all, their dad had already passed away years ago. Right now, she didn't want to think about Amie and Lisa at all.

Then of course, there was Dave, Lisa's husband, the one Chan feared and hated most. The one who had whispered empty words of love to her, lies, words that made her feel sick.

She felt dizzy again thinking about him. She reminded herself, You are far, far away from him now. He won't hurt you anymore. He can't.

She said, "I know, Grandma Su. I've known for a long time now that it was time to get out."

Grandma Su turned to look at Chan then, as if she understood the meaning of Chan's words. In a way, Chan knew the woman knew because she was so wise, just like Grandma Lin, who'd known for a long time the torment of her granddaughter's secret. She'd done her best to help her keep the people responsible at bay and, of course, to bring her out from her lonely darkness.

Chan stayed with Grandma Su for another hour, enjoying the sound of the woman's light chatter as she was led about the large garden. Once Grandma Su had given her some of her precious vegetables, mainly water spinach, cucumbers, and peppers, Chan kissed her goodbye.

On her way home on the bus, her mind was on Grandma Su's words. She didn't really believe in things like fortune-telling. More importantly, she didn't believe she had a soul mate. But then, why did she have the sudden feeling it was time? That she was ready? For what? She didn't know and flicked her mind away from that subject as she watched the scenery pass her by.

Sam Harrington frowned distractedly at the piles of papers in front of him, wondering what the heck had gotten into Daniel Wakefield and his team.

Blast it all! They should have had phase one sorted out months ago. Since the commencement of this project, however, they'd only managed to buy fifteen of the twenty houses he had his eyes on. At this rate, his plan to build a luxurious resort hotel right in front of that spectacular beach would never happen. And Sam wasn't the type to allow the will-never-happen to happen.

He'd been an entrepreneur since he'd hit twenty years old, like his father and grandfather before him. His grandfather, bless his good soul, had told him many times when he'd been but a mere boy that Sam had the nose for the money. Sam had an extremely sharp business acumen with the natural ability to see unseen opportunities and sniff out great deals. And this particular zone of the city, which at the moment held a block of rundown houses, was certainly a great deal indeed. Sam refused to let the opportunity to build in one of the most prosperous and fastest growing cities in Australia go to waste.

"Let me take care of it, Sam," Jeremy said, drawing Sam's attention. "Let me talk to them. You're too busy with your other deals, aren't you? Besides, good old Jayden is coming to meet you this month, isn't he?"

Sam had to agree with his cousin. He had three big deals going on at the moment, and one of those was with his childhood friend and business partner, Jayden McCartney, the man who had invited him to his grand wedding a year and a half ago in New York City. Even though he hadn't been there to celebrate with the happy couple, Sam had heard from a very reliable source it was one of the hottest weddings of the decade and Jayden's wife, Alexandra, was a pretty little thing and very likable. That reliable source was his mother, Fran Harrington. Of course, he didn't doubt his mother's words, as she had excellent eyes and exceptional taste.

Sam glanced at Daniel now, who was standing before them nervously, waiting for further instructions as to what to do with this sudden fallback in the progress of their project. The man shifted uncomfortably in his spot, knowing he'd failed his boss miserably. He and his team of seven couldn't even convince the good people along the small, isolated block of Bay View to sell their ramshackle homes for just over a million dollars. It was supposed to be as easy as taking candy from a baby, but his team had misjudged the few who lived there and took things for granted. Now the project was delayed; the deadline was tight, and on top of that, they'd wasted their big boss Sam Harrington's, multibillionaire and head of the Harrington Empire, time and money.

Everyone, Daniel included, respected and worshiped Sam Harrington, a most hardworking, disciplined, generous, and honorable man. Sam was like the sun to them all, giving light to those in the dark and warmth to those in the cold. He helped many grow under his radiance through his ability to save companies that had gone under, startup inventive businesses before anyone saw the opportunity, and do ludicrous deals everyone was too afraid of.

He'd saved many people's livelihoods, and this included Daniel, a fifty-eight-year-old manager who'd been found redundant before Sam took him on. Of course, Daniel knew Sam could have taken on a much younger, brighter man than himself. What had made Sam choose him, Daniel wasn't sure, and to be frankly honest, he was just glad. He was glad to have a job and a regular income to feed his family again and save for his and his wife's retirement. Indeed, he was very grateful to Sam.

Be damned! He'd vowed to work his hardest and smartest to make Sam's empire grow. And that was why Daniel felt rather sick knowing he'd let the good man down thus far. But it wasn't over yet. Daniel was smart enough to know his limitations and knew when to ask for help. And that was what he was here for.

He said, "I will personally make sure we get the rest of the properties by the end of this month, Sam. I just need a little more time and help."

Jeremy chimed in. "We understand how hard you work, Daniel. From what I've heard, you're having a hard time dealing with a few of the owners, aren't you?"

Daniel nodded. "Only two."

"What about the other three of the five who haven't yet decided to sell?" Sam asked.

"Two are getting back to me next week, and one is still thinking about it." Of course, Daniel took the interpretation of not selling as still thinking about it. The exact words were from the three young women who'd just moved from New Zealand, the Chandler sisters. They'd said the property was an inheritance from their dead father and they weren't selling.

Daniel was the kind of man who could tackle a bunch of hard, shrewd businessmen any day of the week to sell properties and make Sam and Jeremy a good bargain in the process. But when it came to the three Chandler girls, he'd lost the battle before he even heard the words not selling from their mouths. He just couldn't force those girls to sell simply because that house was their inheritance, the home they loved. They had that much power over him. That was why he needed reinforcements. That was why he needed Sam Harrington, with his stern personality and firm hands, to deal with the girls. To get them to sell the property.

"Like I said, how about I take care of it?" Jeremy's voice penetrated Daniel's thoughts.

Sam turned his attention to his cousin. Jeremy was right. As of now, the younger man would be the best person to seal these deals. With his good looks, charming smile, and gift of gab, Jeremy would make any stiff old crone smile and agree to whatever pacts he offered.

Sam relaxed back in his leather chair, his eyes on Daniel once again. "What happened?"

The elderly man knew what Sam was asking about. "Well, you see," he began, "there wasn't much I could do. They don't want to sell."

"Did you perhaps offer them too little?"

"Oh, no, Sam. A very good price we offered. They... well, they just don't want to sell."

Sam sighed and rubbed his temple, wondering himself what these people were like. Perhaps they were holding out for a higher bid. Though, to be honest, a million was a very fair price for those four-bedroom houses out of the city that almost no one wanted to buy.

"They're mostly Cambodian," Daniel chimed in, disrupting Sam's thoughts. "Jolly good people if you ask me." He smiled brightly, thinking about the Chandler sisters once again who lived in number six Bay View Avenue. Pretty lot with disarmingly charming personalities. Bright smiles. Just nice girls.

Sam noticed the older man was off in la-la land and cleared his throat to get Daniel's attention. Daniel jolted in his spot and went bright red.

Jeremy laughed merrily. "Sounds as if you're rather cozy with them, Daniel." He winked at the man. "Now I'm eager to lead the deals."

Daniel looked as though he were about to choke on the air he'd just breathed in. He shook his head furiously. "No. I was just stating a fact."

Sam shuffled the papers and came to a stop. "Number six," he said. "The owner lives in New Zealand? A Mr. Michael Chandler."

Daniel nodded. "Deceased. The property is his daughters' now. Their names are... Hold on a second." He shuffled through the papers in his hands. "Ah, yes," he said as he found the one he wanted. He quickly handed it to Sam. "Chandra, Dara, and Soriya Chandler."

Sam glanced at the report. "Have you contacted them?"

"Yes. Just moved in a couple weeks ago, actually."

"Which are they? The ones who refused or the ones who'll get back to you next week?"

"The ones who are still thinking about it," Daniel supplied helpfully.

"They're from New Zealand, too, yes?"

"Yes."

"And are they migrating to Australia?"

"Ah, that I don't know as yet."

Sam threw the thin paper onto the desk and looked up at the elderly man. "Daniel, as of now, Jeremy will be taking charge of this project."

Daniel sighed in relief. Though, to be honest, he was hoping it was Sam himself who would take charge. Sam was the kind of rare man who had that special gift, the ability to naturally lead and wield great influence. His mere presence commanded authority that not only inspired people to want to work damn hard for him, but made them want to please him, especially the female staff, because, really, Sam Harrington was a damn good-looking man.

Dark hair, brown eyes, tanned skin, and over six feet tall with a lean, toned body-women wanted him. The female employees flirted with him shamelessly at the office, though Daniel knew Sam paid no heed to them. As a single parent, his attention was exclusively for his beloved six-year-old daughter Lilly and, of course, his business.

On second thought, though, Jeremy was very good at negotiating deals as well, in his own way. Daniel was pretty certain things would turn out all right.

Sam said, "Inform your staff, Daniel. I will be coming into the office tomorrow to see the full report."

"Of course." Daniel nodded, and after collecting the folders from Sam's desk, he left the tastefully decorated office and then drove away from the three-story mansion.

It was a few minutes later when Sam voiced his suspicions to Jeremy. "Very unlike you to offer to do deals such as these."

Jeremy laughed, his deep voice rumbling all the way from within his chest. "You got me, Sam. You got me. All right. All right." He sighed and continued happily. "I heard stories, see, of three pretty girls of number six from New Zealand."

Sam eyed his cousin intensely and knew what Jeremy was up to. "Make the deal, Jeremy, and do the dating on your own time. Preferably after the contract is signed."

"I got you, Sam. Don't worry your handsome head over it," Jeremy said as he got up. "Now then, I'm off to see that little rat of yours to kiss her bye-bye."

"Good luck for tomorrow," Sam said as Jeremy walked out the door.

"Thanks, but no thanks. I make my own luck," Jeremy said in the corridor, and his merry laughter followed.

Sam had to admit Jeremy would never change. Good old Jeremy with his happy-go-lucky personality. He had no doubt whatever deal Jeremy proposed, he would succeed. This was partly due to his friendly and easygoing disposition. Not to mention women tended to fall for him the moment they laid eyes on him.

Sam wasn't surprised. Jeremy had the looks of a Scandinavian male model, with his sandy-blond hair, hazel eyes, and boyish smile. He was very sure the three girls would fall for his cousin in an instant, like most women, and agree to their offer without a second thought. So Sam decided he had nothing to worry about.

Relaxing, he picked up the mug of black coffee and took a sip as he gazed out across his spacious office to the massive glass window that overlooked the blue sea beyond. The sun was in the west, just about to set in another hour or so. It gave off a distinctive beautiful orange glow across the mass expansion.

The scenery took Sam's breath for a second. Again, he felt that contentment within him, the appreciation that he had succeeded and gained so much in his thirty-three years. He counted himself as one of the lucky few and felt it only right he give back by helping those in need, those who wanted help to better their lives.

And yet... Yet at times he felt as if something was missing, especially during the lonely nights when he'd just lay there, staring into the void, feeling empty and cold inside.

A knock sounded at the door, drawing Sam's attention. A second later, Jim Mane, Sam's personal assistant, appeared.

Jim, a man in his forties with brown hair and gray eyes, came into the office with his tablet in hand, ready as usual for instructions. "I heard the project isn't going too well. Just saw Daniel. What time will you be going in to see him and his staff tomorrow?"

Sam glanced at his watch and noted it was just after five thirty in the evening. He didn't forget he'd made a promise to take his darling daughter Lilly to the Pacific Fair shopping center for the evening, since it would be open late on a Thursday. She'd been asking him to take her to buy new books to read.

"Make it nine," he said to Jim as he got up. "That will be all for today. See you tomorrow."

"See you tomorrow," Jim replied as he watched his boss head out the door.

Sam walked through the maze of corridors and then went down via the stairs to the ground floor of the house. He walked toward the east wing and then went in through a door. He saw Lilly reading her favorite children's book, the Sacred Sword series by Anna Chan.

"Hey," he said.

Lilly lifted her head, a smile plastered on her cute face. Noting him, she threw the book to one side, rushed off the sofa, and raced into his wide-open arms.

"Daddy!" she called out delightfully. "Are we going to the bookstore now? Are we?"

Sam chuckled and kissed his daughter fondly. "Of course. I made a promise, didn't I?"

Lilly smiled brightly and nodded her head. "Yeah, you did. You never break promises. I love you, Daddy. Can we go now?"

"Of course, sweetheart." Sam lifted his daughter and tossed her high, to which Lilly squealed excitedly.

Some two hours later, with shopping done, Sam found himself with his daughter at the night market along the beach, exploring since they had time to kill. The place was busy and crowded, full of energy and entertainment. After popping in and out of a few stalls, Lilly finally found one she was excited about. It was a stand that sold posters of cartoons, anime, and manga. The little girl was enthusiastically browsing through posters of Pokémon. Sam was behind her, curious and wondering if these were related to some of the cartoons currently on TV that his daughter loved to watch.

"This is Pikachu, Daddy." Lilly pointed out. "He's an electric type. I love him. He's the cutest. He's so smart, too. Oh, and he can do a lot of stuff like thunderbolt."

Sam laughed. "Do you like any of the posters?"

Lilly cocked her head to one side and thought about it for a moment. Then she browsed through more of the other posters.

It was then a group of Asian tourists shuffled amongst the crowd, and Sam felt a petite body shoved against him. Thanks to his quick reflexes, he turned and caught her on time, embracing her in his arms before she had the chance to fall to the ground. Instantly, a spring scent greeted him seductively, lingering about his nose with a promise.

She felt warm and so damn soft in his arms, Sam simply wanted to continue holding on to her for a bit longer.

She murmured, "Sorry," straightened herself, and then, without looking at him, started heading away, leaving Sam a little more than bewildered.

He watched her, fascinated at the slim body as she walked. Sam was interested. He wondered if she was one of the tourists as she lifted her camera and started taking photos.

"I don't like any of them," Lilly said finally, drawing Sam's attention. He reluctantly flicked his gaze from the beauty to his daughter.

"Come on, then," he said, nudging Lilly away from the stall and heading after the young woman.