The Solitary Billionaire Read Free Page B

onions
on a wooden board for a stew she was making.   “He has a noble heart though and I like him,” she continued in a smooth
deep voice.
    They sat a while and Minx
told Matilda about the competition and why she picked the notorious billionaire
recluse, Stanley Marx.  
    Minx looked out the window
and saw glorious lights scattered all over the small Island.   She brushed the few strands of golden strands
from her face and for a moment she felt as if the pall of gloom which weighed
her down since her introduction to Stanley Marx was lifted.
    “How funny, I originally
felt anger towards Stanley Marx but now I feel pity.   He reminds me of a middle aged alcoholic who
likes to wallow in his own self-pity,” she said quite simply.   She noticed Matilda paused, embarrassed.   Matilda frowned awkwardly and raised her
finger and pointed past Minx.
    “I can assure you, there is
no need to pity me,” Stanley Marx said dryly.   Minx felt the colour in her cheeks rise.   Minx stood rather shakily and tried to suppress her nerves.
    “I didn’t hear you
approach,” she mumbled awkwardly.
    “Looks are deceiving.   I am known to be light on my feet when I hear
my name mentioned in conversations I am not part of,” his hooded eyes regarded
her shrewdly as he stood in the shadows of the room.   He sank into a black leather chair opposite
Minx and asked Matilda to make him a stiff drink.
    “Why would a young woman
who has the opportunity to spend a week with any celebrity, choose a middle-aged
alcoholic who likes to wallow in his own self-pity?” He enquired with a deep
belting voice.
    “I wanted to get to know
the man behind the tabloid image.”
    “How do the tabloids
portray me these days?”
    “You are an enigma.   This is probably because you have not been
seen in public in ten years.”
    “I enjoy a solitary
existence, or at least I did.”
    “Honestly, I was surprised
you agreed,” Minx squirmed uncomfortably under his penetrating gaze.
    “I was flattered, but now I
think I made a mistake as I’m in no mood for the company of strangers,” his
tone was stern.   “Tell me, Miss Valour, has
my appearance changed from the pictures in the tabloids?”
    “The last public picture of
you was at the funeral of your wife over ten years ago,” she said as she
watched his facial expression darken.   His entire body tensed.
    “I bid you goodnight, Miss
Valour,” his tone was full of warning as his eyes glittered dangerously.   He left the room abruptly.   Matilda’s long spell of silence made Minx
look at her.  
    “Did I say something
wrong?”
    “It’s best not to mention
his dead wife and son,” Matilda murmured softly as she smiled kindly at Minx.
    There was nothing further
to be said.   Minx bid her goodnight and
left Matilda chopping vegetables in silence.

Chapter Six

    The following afternoon, Minx
Valour was in the middle of a spirited confrontation with the butler.   Her voice was raised and she was stabbing at
the butler with her finger.   She looked
stunning in white tailored trousers and a white chiffon blouse.
    “I’d appreciate if you do not
walk into my bedroom again without knocking.   I happened to be naked,” her eyes blazed with fury.   The butler’s balding head recoiled and his droopy
eyes widened.  
    “The name is Joe and sorry,
I had no idea we had such an important guest,” he gushed with a sneering grin
as he prepared a light lunch for Stanley Marx in the kitchen.
    “Bullshit,” she snapped.   “You are a bloody pervert.”
    Minx did not notice Stanley
Marx enter the kitchen.  
    “I don’t appreciate you
calling my staff perverts,” he gave her a small smile, looking genuinely
amused.
    “I don’t appreciate having
a fat, balding creep enter my room without knocking,” she shouted, watching Joe,
like one would watch a dangerous predator.
    “I must remember that,”
Stanley said, his eyes danced with humour.
    “You seriously need
therapy,” she shouted as