Love Game With The Rebel Billionaire

"Do I need to repeat myself, Ash Cassius?" I asked, feeling irritated.

"First time you've called me by my full name, Sapphire Jade." He smirked, taking the phone from his pocket. "I loved it. Say it again-I'll record it this time." I raised an eyebrow. What the hell?

I lunged for his phone with thoughts of throwing it off a rooftop, or smashing it to bits. But he quickly pulled it away, grinning.

"I don't have time for your games," I said, my voice firm.

He smiled. "Well, I have plenty of time."

"I'm not in the mood, Ash. I'm warning you."

I hate it. Why wasn't he intimidated by me like everyone else?

He took out what was inside the bag he was holding, and my forehead creased as I saw it was a strawberry cake.

"You like this, don't you? I bought it for you," he said, holding the cup out toward me, but I didn't take it.

But my stomach growled so badly, so I stepped aside from my pride for now.

"There's a reason I came here," he said, smiling as I ate the strawberry cake. "If you want to know why, have breakfast with me, Sapphire."

I COULDN'T understand how the hell I ended up here, sitting across from him in a restaurant here in my condo building, eating breakfast with my enemy.

"Were you starving for a month? Slow down," Ash said, seeing how I'd been shoveling rice into my mouth nonstop.Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

I'm only like this because I'm nervous, jerk.

I wanted to say it, but I knew he'd misinterpret it, so I swallowed the words.

"The food is great. You've hired top-tier chefs, huh?" he added, trying to make conversation.

I didn't respond. Instead, I checked my phone, which had vibrated three times. I hadn't answered because I was busy eating.

"Evangeline's been calling me nonstop," I said, showing him my call log. "Isn't that why you're here? She told me earlier that you'd bring me if I wanted to know what she found."

"I wasn't planning to go there," he said, making me look at him in surprise. "I told her clearly-I'm not interested in whatever she's going to show."

I raised an eyebrow. "Then why are you here?"

"Because what I'm interested in is right in front of me."

His gaze stayed locked on me, making me freeze. My breath caught as my heart pounded uncontrollably.

"I just wanted to see you."

My ears were betraying me, making his voice sound sincere... even lonely.

I shook my head quickly, trying to shake off the questions flooding my mind.

"What do you mean by that?" I asked, but he didn't answer.

Acting as if he didn't hear me, Ash continued to eat instead.

I leaned back in my chair, crossing my arms, ready to leave anytime. He seemed prepared too; as soon as he finished eating, he fixed his things.

"I have a lot of questions, but I know you won't answer them... So let me ask just one," I said, hoping he'd respond. "Where have you been? Where did you hide all those years?" Because I've been looking for you.

He didn't look surprised by my question. In fact, he seemed to have anticipated it, the corner of his lips lifting into a small smirk.

"Hell," he said, standing up to leave. "And it was all because of you, Sapphire."

SEEING ASH early in the morning wasn't a good idea. Now here I am, in a sour mood as I arrive at Parker Company.

"Good morning, Ma'am Miller."

Employees greeted me as I walked in; some of them knew me. I was often in their CEO's office when I had nothing else to do.

I simply nodded before walking past them. I had changed my clothes-a white sleeveless shirt, white blazer, and a black pencil skirt partnered with a black high heels.

At the very least, I wanted to look presentable despite my sleep deprivation.

I quickly made my way to the elevator, closing the doors before anyone else could get in. I pressed the button for the 30th floor, where Mason's office was located. "It's all because of you, Sapphire."

Ash's words replayed in my head. I couldn't ask him what he meant because I froze. By the time I gathered my thoughts, he was gone.

I kept thinking about it as the elevator ascended. Our brief eye contact had left a lasting impression-the pain and anger in his eyes were seared into my mind. Why did he seem so mad at me? I should be the one feeling that way, shouldn't I?

Because he shot me.

He tried to kill me.

There's no reason more valid than that.

Lost in thought, I didn't realize I had already reached the 30th floor. I quickly walked to the familiar door ahead.

I knocked on the door, though I rarely did that. Normally, I would just walk in. Maybe today I wanted to appear polite.

"Come in," Mason called from inside.

I opened the door, and there he was-Mason, sitting casually in his black swivel chair. He wore a sharp two-piece suit that highlighted his composed, cold aura.

His elbows rested on his desk, and his face leaned on his palms as he silently observed me.

"Hi, girlfriend," he teased, flashing a grin.

It had been a while since I last saw him, but he hadn't changed a bit-still looking the same and teasing the same way. Despite his cold demeanor toward others, he was just as playful as Haze when it came to me. "Gross, Mason," I replied, rolling my eyes. "Stop it."

He only laughed, raising his hands in mock surrender.

Some employees here thought Mason was my boyfriend. Despite years passing, I never used Parker as my surname. I didn't want Mason dragged into any mess.

Even though Simon's affection for Mason often put me in dangerous situations, I loved him like a brother. I didn't mind doing what I was now, as long as he was happy running the company. Engr. Mason Parker, MBA.

CEO, Parker Company.

Seeing his name plate made me smile. I was so proud of him. He deserved all his success after the sacrifices he made, including giving up a social life while pursuing his MBA. He had to take extra courses since his degree wasn't in business, but he still managed to excel.

Shutting the door behind me, I approached the large black couch in front of Mason's desk. Sitting there were Evangeline and Haze, facing each other.

Evangeline wore a white long-sleeve blouse paired with khaki slacks and white heels. Haze, on the other hand, sported a new haircut, his slightly messy hair adding to his bad-boy charm.

He also had a black piercing in his right ear and wore a khaki coat with matching slacks. I raised a brow as I glanced between the two of them. They looked oddly coordinated. "Did you two plan your outfits?" I asked seriously, noting how they looked ready for a party.