Page 9 of Billionaire’s Promise

“If you can…” Wendy added cautiously.

“Hi,” I felt better as soon as I saw Wendy’s round face. I realized that my face had turned rather purple from holding my breath in.

“You’re in a car?” My head bobbled, yes. “I can’t see anyone else in the car with you. Please don’t tell me you killed someone and you’re looking for a place in New York to hide the body.”

“No.” I really should’ve just spat out the words, or Wendy would think of another scenario to have me nod to, and really, it was just wasting time. “I think someone is following me.”

I breathed heavily, as if I was about to give birth. If I didn’t get any air into me, my brain was going to explode.

“Car chase?” Wendy’s eyes widened. “In New York?”

“No chasing, no. Following. The same car, for many blocks now.” I tried to say words that made sense. That was one of the reasons I practiced meditation, it wasn’t just a trendy fad that I followed, I really needed it to ease my anxiety.

“Deep breaths, girl.”

I took a few more deep breaths, following Wendy’s instruction through the screen. It was just a simple breathing exercise that I had used and even taught and guided many of my patients through during their fertility procedures. Somehow, it went right out the window just when I needed it.

“Good girl.” I felt like I was being talked to like a puppy. I wasn’t sure if it was the words, or Wendy’s voice, but my anxiety had started to ease. “Listen carefully, you will need to do a sharp turn at the next junction. And no brake, no signal. I repeat. No brake, no signal.”

“Okay. Left or right turn?” I asked.

“Doesn’t matter. Make sure you don’t run over anyone.”

I took another deep breath before turning my steering wheel as hard as I could and felt as though the car almost lifted at one corner. Almost.

“Is the car still there?” Wendy’s voice was loud and clear through the speaker.

I thought for a second that it was all okay now – that I’d made a silly mistake, no one was actually following me. There was no sign of the silver SUV with the poop stain.

Two seconds later, the shit car reappeared.

“It’s back,” I announced. “And driving faster towards me.”

“Okay, listen.” If Wendy was going to suggest another crazy move, I was going to cry. I wasn’t known for my reckless driving. “I’m going to send you a location and you’re going to drive there like nothing has happened, you clear? Just drive normally, okay? No more sharp turns.”

In the middle of New York on a Saturday morning, I had no idea where I was. I couldn’t tell my whereabouts or recognize any streets or buildings. My mind was blank.

“Don’t leave me,” I begged. “I can’t think.”

Wendy’s brow furrowed. “I’m sorry I can’t be a better help. I’ll stay until you get here.”

It suddenly occurred to me that Wendy was actually in New York right now. And she was bringing me to her.

My phone pinged with a notification–the shared location that Wendy had sent. I clicked on it right away and obediently followed the navigation. She said nothing else for the rest of the journey – having her on my screen was enough though.

Along the way, the silver SUV had disappeared a few times–being overtaken by other vehicles–but came back right away each time.

Ten long minutes later, I arrived at an abandoned warehouse. Was this a joke? Despite my sixth sense telling me to run for the hills, I put my foot down on the brake.

So did the silver SUV.

2

Kai

No one knew I was back in New York.

Apart from my security team. Dave, my personal bodyguard, had let them know when I would be landing, and they were told to be on-call and ready.