The Billionaire’s Hidden Heiress

Johnathon

POV

Charlotte would not stop sulking about the damn ring. As we stepped outside the most prestigious jewelry store there was, Luxe, she continued to pout, as I took her hand and dragged her none too gently inside. She needed a ring for the engagement party, so by god, I was going to get her one. To access the complete chapters for free, visit Jo b nib.com. I was not going to listen to anybody badmouth me because I had failed to get the one thing that was traditional for a blasted engagement party. This place was expensive and I expected Charlotte to perk up, but her expression was sullen as we walked inside the brightly lit store.ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

There were rows and rows of jewelry. The light was dazzling. I blinked sa saleswoman came rushing up to us. "Welcome to Luxe" she gushed "how can I be of service to you?"

The woman was pretty with long blonde hair and blue eyes. I gave her an appreciative look as I pushed Charlotte forward slightly "We're looking for an engagement ring" I informed her tightly "would you be able to show us what you have in stock that might fit her finger? We're hoping to leave with the ring today" I added pointedly, when Charlotte tightened her lips and said nothing.

The woman gave us a tentative smile. Charlotte glowered at her. "Right this way" she chirped, leading us towards the back, an uncertain expression on her face.

We stopped in front of a large display of diamond rings. The woman stood there politely.

"Do you know what kind of ring you want?" she asked cheerfully "did you have a particular type in mind."

"A black diamond" Charlotte grumbled, "worth millions."

The woman was confused. I was irritated. I leaned down to whisper in my fiancee's ear "Charlotte, enough about that blasted ring. Your grandfather refuses to hand it over. Just pick something else that you like. There must be something here that you want." My tone was almost desperate. I had never seen somebody so intent on having something before and sulk so much after being denied it.

"I'm afraid we don't have any black diamond rings," the woman said apologetically, as Charlotte stared at her "but we do have a lovely large square one with smaller diamonds surrounding it. It's a vintage style and it's currently on trend right now. It's very popular with the elitists."

It was also very expensive I thought with a wince. Charlotte's expression didn't change. I sighed. "We'll try that one," I said reluctantly.

The woman carefully pulled it out of the display. Charlotte stiffly held her hand out for the woman to try the ring on.

It didn't fit. It was too large for Charlotte's finger. The woman apologetically pulled it back off Charlotte and looked back down at the display, her eyes scanning the various rings. I looked down too, but I was no help. I couldn't care less what the ring looked like. I wanted Charlotte to speak up for heaven's sake. This was her ring. She had been complaining about wanting one and now that we were picking one up, she'd gone mute on me. I was irritated.

"Charlotte, please just look" I pleaded, as the woman glanced uneasily between us both "otherwise you're going to end up with a ring that you hate. You were worried about the photos remember" I reminded her.

Charlotte tightened her lips and then gave an enormous sigh. It seemed I had reached her or maybe her vanity was getting the best of her, because she finally looked down into the display, her brows creasing together in concentration. She tapped her fingers on the glass. I saw the saleswoman wince but she held her tongue. Right now none of us wanted to anger Charlotte.

Charlotte narrowed her eyes. She looked as though she was seeking a ring in particular. Finally, she pointed, her perfectly manicured nail at one and the saleswoman nodded eagerly.

"That one" Charlotte's voice was demanding.

The saleswoman pulled it out and handed it to Charlotte to try on. I held my breath as Charlotte slid it onto her ring finger. If this didn't fit, I could see my fiancee throwing a major tantrum or having a meltdown, something I did not want to happen. The ring slid easily onto her finger and held there. A perfect fit. Charlotte studied her finger moodily, a cross expression on her face. Why had she picked this ring if it was making her angry? I didn't understand. She held her hand out for me to look at. "It's a nice ring," I said lamely.

What else did she want from me? The ring was a simple oval design, pure diamond, with smaller diamonds enclosing it. It looked old-fashioned or vintage if that's what the saleswoman called it, but it suited Charlotte. Charlotte scowled. "This is the same design as the black diamond ring of my grandfather's," she said sourly, staring down at it "I guess if I can't have the real thing, a duplicate or similar one is better than nothing," she said with a dramatic sigh.

Back to the bloody diamond ring again. I wanted to throw my hands up in exasperation. Instead, I gritted my teeth and forced myself to be patient. "So do you want this ring then?" I checked with her.

Charlotte sighed and then nodded, looking dismal. She slowly slid the ring off and handed it to the smiling Saleswoman. The saleswoman looked delighted. She was going to get a nice fat commission out of this, I thought a little bitterly. The price was extravagant but not nearly as much as it would have been if it had been a black or pink diamond. I guess I should be thankful for small mercies.

"I'll just ring this up," the woman said before looking at Charlotte "or would you prefer to wear it out of the store?" she asked.

"No, he needs to give it to me at the engagement party" Charlotte's voice snapped.

The woman blinked and then nodded, quickly making her way to the register. Charlotte scowled.

"I'll pay for this and then why don't we go get dinner or something?" I murmured.

She shook her head "No, you can go to dinner while I go home. I'm really not in the mood" she said pensively.

Naturally. I tried not to let her words get to me. She was entitled to feel like she was. It was upsetting that she couldn't have the thing she wanted. But was it wrong for me to feel like she was being a big baby about it? I reminded myself to be patient with her. I reminded myself about the connections she had, the money at her disposal but this time it didn't perk me up as it usually did. "15 million please," the lady said respectfully.

I winced. I paid, taking the small bag in my hand. The woman handed me back my card and I put it in my wallet, placing my wallet in my pocket and heading out to Charlotte. She was holding her cellphone and looking mutinous. "What's wrong?" I asked. She looked upset "My grandfather just told me that the invitations have been sent. He sent one to lan Grant. I'm so embarrassed" she whispered, the blood draining from her face "I told him not to send one to him, but he said that would be offensive to the Grants. Damn him" she said angrily, hanging up "damn that old bastard to hell" she choked out.

I didn't understand it. "Why are you so upset?" I asked confused.

She clenched her hands into fists. "Because" she spat out, flipping her hair over her shoulder "when I was younger I had a crush on lan Grant and one day I decided to ask him out. I'll never forget how humiliated I was when he turned around and told me that he didn't date ugly girls on the inside" she choked.

Ouch. "Well you probably won't even see him" I said soothingly.

"Trust him to ruin my engagement party" Charlotte wailed, stomping towards the limousine, her heels clacking loudly on the ground, other passer by's watching us with interest and shocked looks on their faces "I hate this old man. I hate this old man" she wailed "why won't he just die already and leave us in peace" she yelled, slamming the door to the limo open and climbing inside.

My bad day had just gotten worse. I hesitated, debating whether going out to dinner on my own was still an option and Charlotte poked her head out, a malicious expression on her face.

"Hurry up" she snarled "I have to go and speak to grandfather over the invites he sent out" she shrieked.

Oh boy. I ducked my head and headed to the limo. The driver calmly shut the door as I sat opposite Charlotte whose facial expression was glacial. Not a word was said as we approached her family home.