Running From the Billionaire

I rang the bell to my cousin Ingrid’s house and stepped back to wait for her. The door opened a minute later, and there she stood.

Her mouth dropped open in surprise. To prevent Mr. Benson from finding me, I didn’t tell Ingrid I was coming to visit.

“Ha…Hailey? Oh my God, what are you doing here?” She hugged me tightly, making it difficult for me to breathe.

“Nice to see you too, cousin,” I said.

She let go of me and gave me a once over. “I don’t understand. What are you doing here? You didn’t call, or text…” she said, her tone laced with caution. I didn’t blame her—if she showed up on my doorstep unexpectedly, I would be suspicious too.

“Can I come in? I promise I’ll tell you all about it,” I told her.

“Oh yes, please, come on in.” She pushed open the door and ushered me inside.

I dropped my bags by the front door and made my way to the living room. I flopped on the couch and sighed deeply. Finally, I was away from Mr. Benson. He wouldn’t think to look for me here. Good job, Hailey.

Ingrid brought over some snacks and drinks, then sat next to me on the couch. “As much as I would love to be the kind hostess and let you rest, this is out of character for you, and I’m way too curious. So start talking, lady,” Ingrid demanded, leaving me no option but to tell her everything. Which I did.

I told her about the company takeover, Mr. Benson and his controlling behavior, and the tingles his touch gave me. I even told her that I hoped me being so far away would mean that Mr. Benson would finally leave me alone.

Ingrid stared at me as though I was an alien from another planet. “You…you came here to hide from your boss? The boss who made you feel alive for the first time in your life? Who made your heart race and your stomach fill with butterflies? That’s the boss you’re hiding from?” Ingrid asked, her eyes wide.

I nodded, confused as to what she was getting at.

“You idiot! You don’t run from people like that. Feelings like that are so rare. You…you hang on to those people with all you’ve got. You ran away from a once in a lifetime opportunity, oh you stupid, stupid woman,” she shrieked.

What the hell? Not her too! I thought she would support me.

“Ingrid, the man is dangerous. He’s so powerful; he can destroy me with a snap of his fingers. And I don’t just mean my heart. He’s so rich that he can destroy my entire life. I came here to avoid the danger that surrounds him. Forgive me, but I’m not a fan of tears and blood,” I snapped.

“Don’t give me that excuse, Hailey. Don’t give me the excuse that you came here to ‘avoid danger.’ You haven’t spent enough time with him to know if he’s even dangerous! You heard some rumors, got scared of the intense feelings of lust he causes in you, and you ran. And I’m not going to stand for it,” she said.

I huffed and crossed my arms. “You don’t underst—”

“Oh, I understand all right, but I’m not having it. You, missy, are not going to be staying here for more than a week. You will go back to New York, and you will give this man a chance. I’m not going to take no for an answer!” Ingrid shouted.

I stood from the couch, my emotions all over the place. “You know what, Ingrid? Screw you! I thought that by coming here I would find my cousin welcoming me with open arms and offering me a place to regroup. But no, you want me to go back to the man who stalked me, threatened me, and will make my life miserable. I thought you were family, but no, you’re worse than a stranger. Don’t worry, I’ll be out of here in a couple of days.”

I stormed into the guest bedroom and slammed the door shut before crying myself to sleep.

***

I woke up the next morning with thoughts of Mr. Benson running through my mind. Was Ingrid right? Was I too quick to dismiss him and my growing feelings? I briefly thought of him going to the office this morning and not finding me there like he commanded. Was that the right choice? Did I really want to be rid of him forever?

I sighed. I wasn’t going to find the answers by lying in bed and staring at the ceiling. I got out of bed and dressed in skinny jeans and a bright yellow top. I went to the kitchen looking for Ingrid, thinking I should apologize, but it was silent and empty. Hmm, guess Ingrid isn’t home.

After rummaging in the fridge and the cabinets and coming up with nothing to eat, I decided to go to the corner store to find something for breakfast.

As I walked out of the store, I was so busy thinking about how long I would stay in Canada and what I would do next that I jumped when a black Range Rover cut across my path and stopped right in front of me. I was so startled that I dropped the bag carrying my groceries.

The back door opened, and I swallowed as Mr. Benson exited the vehicle. His black suit fitted his body like it was made for him. And as I thought about it, I realized that it probably was. His muscles bulged under the suit jacket, and I had to clench my fist to keep from fanning myself.

“Hello, Ms. Pritchett,” he said as his eyes swept over my body.

I sighed in frustration.

“Mr. Benson,” I mumbled. Damn. I was caught.