THE BILLIONAIRE'S DESIRE

CHAPTER 21

She had been terrified since she awoke that the man would do something undesirable to her. Daniella locked her gaze on his back as he made his way to an empty table to have his breakfast. Ortega joined him shortly afterwards, and she overheard them laughing. Were they referring to her? She ought to learn! Daniella retrieved a plate and filled it with her preferred breakfast before joining them.

"May I join you, gentlemen?" She gave Ortega a lovely grin but frowned at Marcus. There is no other opportune moment for her to interrogate Ortega about his relationship with her stepmother.

Ortega was immediately aware of the woman who had joined them. Daniella Reyes was Marcus Madrigal's first employment assignment. Paloma's email photo does not do credit to her genuine appearance. Daniella was more beautiful in reality than in the photograph, and he wondered if Marcus wasn't drawn to her due to their proximity. "Certainly, Miss Reyes," he said professionally, "I'm sure you're already familiar with my acquaintance here." He was your guardian in Hong Kong," he stated, oblivious to Marcus's scowling countenance.

Daniella confirmed that Marcus was speaking the truth regarding his part-time job at a detective agency. "Indeed, he just informed me about that last night." She responded.

"I see," he murmured, his eyes darting through the crowd in search of someone.

"Are you on the lookout for anyone?" Daniella inquired after observing Ortega's constant gaze on the multitude of visitors.

"I didn't notice Lian; isn't she supposed to be here for breakfast?" Ortega posed the question in such a manner that they would be unaware of his relationship with Lilian.

"Lian?" She was unfamiliar with the surname and furrowed her brow.

"He was referring to Lilian, Dani." Marcus felt compelled to notify Daniella of Ortega's fascination with Lilian.

Daniella sent a warning glance at Ortega. "Do not even consider it! Lilian is not a frivolous woman with whom you may waste your time while you are here!"

Marcus laughed as Daniella reprimanded Ortega. Ortega's look was priceless, and it would have been wonderful if he could show it to Samuel and their other friends.

"Miss Reyes, I have no intention of playing with your sister." Ortega responded.

Daniella was so preoccupied with glowering Marcus that she missed Ortega's departure to meet Lilian, who had just arrived on the beach. "How did he get there?" She inquired as to when Ortega would depart.

"Over there," Marcus said, indicating Daniella as the location of Ortega.

She followed his finger and noticed Lilian being prevented from leaving by Ortega. "Is he normally this way?" She was inquiring.

"In the manner of what?" He inquired when he was unable to comprehend her inquiry.

"He's a womanizer," Daniella muttered, grimacing at the prospect of Lilian being his prey.

"I concur, but leave them alone. "I'm certain Lilian was unmarried," he said. "By the way, the weather is ideal for swimming. Marcus rose to his feet to obtain further food, but Daniella stopped him. "What?"

"You are not permitted to swim!" She admonished him.

"However, why not?" He inquired and continued walking towards the buffet table till he developed an appetite.

"Well, if you truly desired to swim, you may do so. Simply do not remove your costume!" She admonished him.

"I'm sure I'll be excused if I tell everyone I'm your spouse," he joked, aware that Daniella was enraged.

"What are you doing, Marcus?" She yielded when confronted by the man who delighted in seeing her worked up.

"Why are you not concentrating on your daughter, Dani?" Simply leave me alone," Marcus said, jerking her hand away from him to obtain more food.

Daniella was taken aback when Marcus approached the buffet table. She was daydreaming when she heard her daughter's voice and turned to see Patty and AJ. "Why did you bring her here, Patty?" As she picked up her daughter and kissed her chubby cheeks, she bit her lip. She made it quite plain to Patty last night that the youngster was not to be seen by the guests...particularly the man who had just departed.

"Miss Ella, she will not stop weeping." Patty was terrified that she would disobey.

"I comprehend. Are you famished? Simply assist yourself, Patty. "I'm going to take AJ back to the house," she announced, sprinting back to the house before Marcus saw her daughter.

"How are you, Miss Ella? Have you already consumed your breakfast?" Patty inquired. She had eaten with AJ at home and was still full.

"I am finished, Patty. "Do not worry," she reassured the woman who was concerned about her lack of food. Daniella rushed up to the house before Marcus caught a glimpse of her with AJ.

When he returned to the table, Daniella was already gone. He was eating alone when Ortega came in a foul mood. "I bet that she turned you down," Marcus said while referring to Lilian's refusal to accept Ortega's charm.

"She did, but she won't be able to hide from me," Ortega stated. "So, why did your hot mother depart in a rush like she was scared?" He was arguing with Lilian when he noticed Daniella carry her daughter and fled the shore in a hurry, and without looking back.

"Was her daughter here?" He has not seen a youngster previously. "Ortega, she was never mine," he replied, correcting his friend's belief that he was romantically involved with Daniella.

"Ah, but I believe she was interested in you, and I believe you feel the same way." He'd been observing Marcus since they arrived on the beach, and he watched how he fixed his gaze on the woman, and his eyes spoke volumes. "Was she yesterday night's ninja?" Ortega overheard Marcus conversing with a female ninja last night in the garden following their epic kiss during the photo session.

"Yes," he said. Only Samuel was aware of his relationship with Daniella, and Ortega was completely unaware. "However, when did you begin to gossip?" He enquired. Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

"Just now," he stated, his interest sparked by last night's reading of the vase's etched name. He was willing to wager that there was more to the narrative that Marcus decided not to share with him. He was meant to inform Marcus before heading to the beach, but he got diverted once again by Lilian.