Chapter 10 Hot Billionaire Boyfriend

• “Secure the contract with Mr. Fernandez, and I will leave your company,” Ace replied, his voice equally low, his eyes struggling to leave her lips.
• He swallowed, his Adams apple bobbing as he bit his lips, trying his best to fight the urge gnawing at him to eat those plum lips.
• His hand moved instinctively, reaching for her lips, but before he could touch them…
• “Are you for real?” Zara asked, her brows arched in confusion.
• Ace snapped out of his daze, exhaling sharply as he stood back and turned away, his heart beating even faster.
• Ace nodded, “Unless, of course… you’re too afraid to lose to me.”
• Zara let out a dry laugh, “Well…challenge accepted.”
• Ace turned back to face her.
• “Just don't go back on your words,”
• Ace scoffed, “I don't. But if you are too scared…”
• Zara's phone went off at that moment, cutting him short.
• It was a call from her kids’ new school and as soon as she picked it up, the voice came.
• “Ms. Quinn, please come to the school. Your kids got into a fight.”
• Zara hurriedly picked up her purse, storming out of the office before Ace could say another word.
• ***
• Ella and Ezra stood quietly beside Zara. Their faces looked innocent, except for their messy hair, the bloody cotton on Ezra's nose and the smudges on their faces.
• Mrs. Samson stepped around her desk, her voice calm but firm. “Ms. Quinn, I understand you’re upset, that's why I called you both here—”
• “You're worried about her? My boy's face is completely bruised and this…” Racheal, the other mother paused, showing off the bite mark on her son, Mike’s arm. “I should be the one pissed…”
• “He started it. He deserves it.” Ella interrupted sharply.
• Ella, the mouthy one got into trouble with Mike and Ezra was defending her. Zara could already guess that.
• Racheal’s eyes went wide with disbelief, as she scoffed. “You little brat! How dare you—”
• “Don’t you dare speak to my child like that again,” Zara interrupted, her voice cutting like ice. She stepped in front of Ella and Ezra, shielding them with her body.
• The headmistress quickly intervened, raising her hands in a calming gesture. “Please, let’s not escalate this. Not in front of the children.”
• The two women glared at each other but reluctantly sat down, their tempers barely restrained.
• Though Racheal didn't stop staring at Zara because she looked familiar.
• The children traded accusations, voices overlapping until Mrs. Samson raised a hand for silence. It was obvious who started it, and even more obvious who finished it.
• In the end, Mrs. Samson wisely tried to diffuse the situation, suggesting both children apologize. Though it was done begrudgingly, the apologies were exchanged, and the matter was resolved.
• Though school wasn't over, she suggested the parents take their kids home, offering to pay the medical bills.
• Zara left with her kids, but for Rachel, this wasn't over, especially since she finally recognised where she had seen her.
• ***
• As Zara drove into the parking lot of Crème & Crunch, she pulled her phone from her purse and dialed her mom's number.
• “Mom, please send Nana and a driver to pick the kids from Crème & Crunch. I need to go back to work.” She spoke on the phone while she placed their order.
• Nana was Zara’s old nanny whom the kids have grown attached to over the past month.
• Ezra and Ella chatted happily as they enjoyed their snacks while Zara multitasked, eating while scribbling some designs on her tablet.
• After ice cream and pizza, Zara sent the kids off with Nana, promising she’d catch up later.
• As she waved at the kids, she caught a glimpse of a familiar figure walking out of the eatery while on a call.
• “Gina?” She mumbled, but she remembered seeing an article of her being in Milan for a business trip and quickly shook.
• She walked to the ladies room to wash up and touch up her make up but just as she stepped out, she bumped into Ace who was also walking in the men’s room.
• Their eyes met, and for a moment, they both froze, caught off guard.
• Ace recovered quickly, though, as if nothing surprised him for long. He broke eye contact and started walking toward her.
• Zara smirked. “What’s this? Are you stalking me now?”
• He hesitated, just for a second, before brushing it off. His voice was calm, with just a hint of sarcasm. “Yeah. Because I have nothing better to do. Like running one empire while trying to prop up another that’s falling apart.”
• Zara’s jaw tightened. The jab was subtle, but it landed. She scoffed, stomping her foot in frustration before storming off. She made sure to walk ahead of him toward the lobby, her anger simmering.
• But when she reached the lobby, she stopped dead in her tracks.
• There they were. Ethan and Irene.
• They stood at the receptionist’s desk, too close for comfort. Ethan’s arm was wrapped around Irene’s waist, and she leaned against him, her head resting lightly on his chest. They looked completely at ease, like a perfect couple on their honeymoon.
• Zara’s stomach twisted. Her hands started to shake as she tried to turn away without being noticed.
• Too late. Irene’s gaze found hers.
• Zara froze. Her chest tightened, her heart racing. She pressed a hand against it, like that might steady her. Her eyes shut as she mumbled to herself, “Not here. Not now. I am not ready for this.”
• Nearby, Ace had stopped walking. His attention shifted from his phone to Zara. She was standing there, rigid, her fingers trembling as they fumbled with her phone. Something was clearly wrong.
• Zara’s thoughts raced. They can’t see him. Not here, she thought frantically.
• She spun around, but Ethan and Irene were already too close.
• Ethan’s eyes narrowed, and he let out a scoff. “Wow. I thought it couldn’t possibly be you.”
• Zara blinked, her throat tight.
• “You disappeared with my kids and changed your number. How dare you?” he asked, his voice sharp and accusatory.
• Zara didn’t respond.
• Her silence only seemed to push Ethan further. His voice rose. “I’m talking to you! Ran out of money and here for the child support?”
• “Child support?” Zara asked, finally turning to face them. “You can shove that up your ass.”
• Ace scoffed from a few deets away, ‘How did she fall for that?’
• “And as for the kids? I have full custody. I have the right to take them wherever I want.” Zara added.
• She turned to leave, but before she could take another step, Irene grabbed her wrist.
• “Zara,” Irene said, smiling sweetly, “We’re still friends. You could at least say hi.”
• Zara’s stomach churned. She stared at Irene, her voice cold. “Friends? What kind of ‘friend’ steals the other’s husband?”
• Irene’s smile widened, like victory. “Still bitter? I get it.” She leaned closer, her voice dropping. “But I can’t help it. He’s just… amazing. Especially in bed.”
• Zara’s chest tightened, but she refused to let Irene see her crack. Not this time.
• She turned her attention to Ace. In that moment, an idea sparked in her mind.
• Ace looked almost expressionless, except for his clenched jaw as he stared at Ethan that gave him away.
• Without missing a beat, Zara strode toward him, her heels clicking against the tiled floor. She slipped her arm through his and plastered on a bright, almost-too-wide smile.
• “For once in your life, cooperate,” she hissed through clenched teeth, her nails digging lightly into his arm.
• Ace blinked, his brow arching slightly, but he didn’t pull away. Instead, his lips curved into the faintest smirk as he let her lead him toward Ethan and Irene.
• “Did I tell you I snagged this hot billionaire for my boyfriend?” Zara announced, her voice light and teasing as she glanced up at Ace. “He’s quite the upgrade, don’t you think?”
• Ethan’s eyes narrowed, scanning Ace from head to toe with barely concealed hostility. Irene, on the other hand, couldn’t hide the spark of interest in her gaze as she openly admired him.
• Zara didn’t miss it. Her smirk deepened as she placed her hand on Ace’s chest, her fingers lightly tracing the fabric of his shirt.
• Ace stiffened slightly, his jaw tightening as he glanced down at her hand. “What are you doing?” he muttered under his breath, his voice low enough for only her to hear.
• “Winning,” Zara whispered back, her smile never faltering.
• Then she took a step closer to Irene, whispering, “Don’t let his gentlemanly look deceive you, he's a monster. In bed.” She giggled seeing her flushed face. Then she moved back to take her position beside Ace.
• “You can’t steal him.” Zara’s smile sharpened, even as her nails dug crescents into her palm behind her back. “He’s not cheap like your Ethan.”
• Irene’s cheeks flushed, and she quickly straightened, glancing nervously at Ethan, who was now glaring at her.
• “What an accusation!” Irene snapped, her voice rising. “You must be delusional to think I’d—”
• “Save it,” Zara interrupted, waving her hand dismissively. “You’re not his type anyway.”
• Ethan's jaw tightened, “You want me to believe you are actually dating…”
• Ace leaned in, tucking a strand of hair behind Zara's ear, his grip around her waist tightening harder than he realized. His jaw flexed, a flash of heat in his eyes.
• Ethan’s smirk faltered instantly, but Zara’s pulse did too.
• She swallowed as she looked up at him, locking eyes.
• For a second, everything else disappeared into a blur.
• “How’s my acting?” Ace asked, his voice a husky whisper that sent chills down her spine.
• Zara swallowed, “Realistic,” she mumbled before she could think.
• The moment was undeniably satisfying. Watching Irene panic and Ethan stew in his own jealousy felt like a small victory.
• But just as Zara began to savor the moment, a sharp voice cut through the tension.
• “Ace?”
• Zara froze.
• It was a voice she hadn’t heard in years, but one she’d never forget.
• Her stomach dropped as Gina Bennet marched toward them, her heels clicking with practiced precision. Her piercing gaze flickered between Zara and Ace, her perfectly sculpted brows furrowing in confusion.
• Gina’s eyes narrowed, her gaze slicing straight through Zara before snapping to Ace.
• Her voice cracked like glass, low and lethal,
• “If I didn’t know better, I’d swear you were the one engaged to him. Not me.”