The CEO Billionaire Collection

ALEX

“So, how goes the deal in... where are you again? Willow-something?” The voice of Sebastian, “Seb,” Mongomery, my closest friend and comrade-in-arms in New York’s financial world, drifted from my phone. He’d started off with a smirk, sipping from a crystal-clear glass I knew held his favorite Scotch.

God, how to even begin. 

I sat back in the plush chair provided by the Willowbrook Elite, taking a moment to admire the surroundings. While I was used to the stark modernity of New York penthouses, this room blended contemporary elegance with rustic charm. Large bay windows framed with light drapes let in the golden hues of the setting sun, casting a glow over polished wooden floors. The delicate blend of vintage and state-of-the-art design was almost metaphorical, given my current circumstances.

I glanced over at the phone, Seb on the screen, his expression one of total eagerness. Seb was a financial genius, but damned if he didn’t love his gossip. 

His slicked-back platinum blonde hair shone under his office’s ambient lighting, setting off those keen gray eyes that missed nothing. Despite the call's intended purpose — to discuss the intricacies of our latest deal — I could sense he was eager to poke fun at my new environment. Seb looked as impeccable as always; bespoke suit perfectly tailored to his tall frame, giving off that New York City elite vibe.

“Willowbrook,” I corrected with a raised eyebrow. “And things are progressing. It's not as fast-paced as the city, but it has its...charms.” I leaned back.

Seb chuckled, “Charm is not really your scene, Alex. Now, let’s get to it. How’s the Mayer deal shaping up?”

I briefed him on the business aspects, the complications and potential avenues of profit. But through it all, Seb watched me, those gray eyes keenly observant.

“Alright, spill it,” he suddenly said, cutting me off mid-sentence. “You’ve got that look. The one you get when there’s more on your mind than just business.”

I frowned, unwilling to be read so easily. “It's just business, Seb. The same as always.”

He scoffed, leaning back in his own chair, every inch the astute businessman. “Come on, we’ve known each other for years. Since when can you hide anything from me? Besides,” his tone turned playful, “didn’t you mention an Ellie?”

Rolling my eyes, I tried to redirect the conversation. “You’re losing your touch if you're going off-topic during a business call.”

“Am I?” He laughed, adjusting his shirt cuff. “Or maybe you're just getting soft. Willowbrook’s doing wonders for you, I see.”

I smirked, unwilling to rise to his bait. “Let’s just focus on the deal.”

Seb shook his head, still chuckling, but he relented, his demeanor shifting to the serious and analytical co-founder I was accustomed to. “Alright, alright. Business first. But I’m not done with you, my friend. After the deal, I want all the juicy details.”

“As if,” I spoke, but with a small smile. For all his teasing, I knew Seb had my back, especially when it came to the tangled mess of business and personal entanglements. As our call came to a close, I was once again reminded of how important Seb's friendship was to me. He might’ve loved busting my balls, but he was also the grounding force I often needed.

However, as the screen went dark and I found myself alone in the room, my thoughts inevitably drifted back to Ellie. Willowbrook might have its business allure, but Ellie... she was the unexpected charm I hadn’t accounted for.

As the evening dusk descended over Willowbrook, I found myself perched by the window of my room, drink in hand. The town lights below gleamed softly, casting a muted glow that somehow made the town seem both distant and intimate. It was worlds apart from the glaring neon skyscrapers and the ceaseless heartbeat of the city. Yet, for all its tranquility, my mind was anything but.

I took a sip, the burn of the aged whiskey not enough to distract me from the overwhelming onslaught of thoughts. Of all the deals, all the challenges, all the women I've encountered, none had ever consumed my thoughts as Ellie did. It was disconcerting, to say the least.

I was always laser-focused, never one to let emotions or distractions veer me off course. The thrill of the chase, the negotiation, the deal - that was where my high came from. Yet, there she was, an unexpected variable, continually reappearing in my mind's eye.

Flashes of Vegas danced in my consciousness. The heady mix of lights, music, and adrenaline. But above all, it was the memory of Ellie that stood out, sharp and vivid against the blur of that night. The cascade of her hair, the way her eyes captured mine, the breathtaking allure of her during our most intimate moments. There was an intensity to our encounter, a raw magnetism that had caught me off guard.

"Distracting," I said to myself, finishing off my drink and placing the glass on the windowsill. The irony wasn’t lost on me. I had come to Willowbrook for business, yet my thoughts were anything but.

The weight of it all pressed down on me, urging action. A workout, that's what I needed. Something to refocus, re-energize, and realign. I headed to the room's small workout area, grateful now for the hotel's foresight in providing a decent space. The cool metal of the dumbbells met my grasp, and I started with a set of bicep curls, feeling the familiar pull and tension in my muscles.

As I progressed through my routine, the steady rhythm of exercise began its therapeutic work. Each push-up, each lift, served as a form of meditation, allowing me to channel my restless energy and center my thoughts. The sweat that formed on my brow, the steady beat of my heart served as reminders that despite everything, I was in control.

Wrapping up my session, I grabbed a towel, wiping away the sheen of exertion. The physical fatigue felt good, a tangible reminder of effort and progress.