Page 54 of A Billionaire for Christmas
‘Oh, come on. You must have women throwing themselves at you all the time.’ Valerie was speaking to Levi the same way you’d fob off a child. ‘I refuse to believe you spend all of your time working and none of it enjoying yourself.’
This was the most excruciating family dinner Molly had ever endured.
‘I do enjoy myself. I enjoy work,’ Levi replied tightly, leaning his elbow on the cluttered table. ‘Please stop trying to fix a problem that doesn’t exist. And don’t think I don’t know what this is about. I’m not going to allow you to marry me off to some second cousin with big teeth and a large forehead just to protect the family fortune.’
Valerie pretended to look innocent. ‘I have no idea what you mean. It doesn’t matter who any of you marry. Just make sure they are from the designated gene pool and preferably titled. And not too opinionated. Is that too much to ask?’
‘We all know you are after grandchildren, Mother.’ Freda chuckled. ‘Something to do. I mean, seriously, how bored are you to want children to look after? You could just volunteer at a school or something. Buy an orphanage.’
‘Pardon me for wanting the best for my children. I just want to see you all settled and happy instead of sowing your wild oats all over the place.’ Valerie gave Lucca a piercing stare before she turned back to Levi. ‘At least tell me you’ve met someone.’
Levi flicked Molly a look. ‘No. No one special.’
Molly rolled her eyes. He was going to make her suffer.
‘I’m very happy, Mother! In case you were wondering,’ yelled Lucca down the table. He and Toby clinked glasses. ‘AndI’ve met someone.’
This caused everyone to stop what they were doing.
‘You have?’ Valerie beamed. ‘Who is she?’
Lucca looked from Toby to his mother. ‘Someone we already know. Someone talented. Funny. Warm. Kind. Clever. Surprising.’ He took a long swig of his drink. ‘Someone just like me.’
Molly noticed two pink spots forming on Lucca’s cheeks and wondered if he was talking about Toby. Surely Lucca’s family would know if he was gay? But then, nothing would surprise her. Compared to her own family, this one didn’t seem very close.
‘Tell me who she is,’ demanded Valerie.
Lucca shook his head, smiling enigmatically. ‘Not a chance.’
‘You’re always gazing at yourself in the mirror,’ laughed Freda, her eyes shining brightly. ‘It was only a matter of time before you fell in love with your own reflection. I think you can legally marry yourself now. Is that a thing?’
Lucca was quick with a retort. ‘I’ve always been madly in love with myself. Someone had to show me some affection growing up.’
‘Who is she then?’ asked Valerie again, topping up her drink.
‘It’s a secret,’ Lucca said, winking at Molly as though she was in on it somehow.
Why? Why drag me into it?
‘Good Lord, it’s not that dreadful woman with the red hair who keeps hanging around, is it? There’s something very hard about her. She’s nothing but a glorified stripper. She’s always inviting herself to my charity functions. If you’re going to waste yourself on the hired help, then at least choose someone who’s respectable.’
Molly didn’t dare look at Levi.
Lucca straightened in his chair ‘You’re such a snob, Mother. I’m not telling you who it is. Besides, this family is full of secrets. Why should I be any different?’
Poor Toby. Molly wondered if that was the motivation for Lucca’s discretion. Toby would never be accepted by Valerie into the family. He wasn’t rich like them. He was a commoner like her. She dreaded to think what Valerie would say if Levi had given in to temptation. Maybe this was the real reason he had been so reluctant to start a relationship with her. It was just as well things had turned out as they had. Molly was not impressed with the way Levi was behaving and was going off him by the second.
‘I don’t have any secrets.’ Freda pouted.
‘Apart from the secret drinking problem that we all politely ignore?’ Lucca held his hands up as Valerie and Freda began to protest.
Armand laughed at them arguing. ‘Children. Who’d have them? Now, Toby, about that golf tournament. Can you sign me up?’
Within minutes, Lucca, Toby and Armand were back to discussing handicaps, and Valerie was back to meticulous wedding planning, every accusation having been successfully swept under the carpet. Molly took a peek at Levi while he was in conversation with Freda. At least he had dragged his irate gaze from her. He seemed furious about her being here.
‘But I don’t wantonefive-day, colour-themed jackass wedding, never mindtwo.’ Freda was arguing her point to Levi. ‘So please stop saying yes to everything Mother wants.’
‘What did I do to deserve this? I’m just trying to help,’ Valerie butted in. ‘You do have family in both countries, don’t forget.’ The conversation round the table was heated enough without the matriarch throwing her weight around. ‘The wedding is going to be in all the magazines around the globe. You have to keep up with trends, isn’t that right?’
