Chapter 18: DEMIGOD BILLIONAIRE

I rubbed my perspiring palms on the material of my sweatpants as I waited for Mr. Covel to arrive. Having seen sense in Shayetta's suggestion, I had decided to meet Mr. Covel and get his opinion on the idea.

I glanced at my watch, wondering if he’d forgotten. Thirty minutes had passed already. As I was about to dial his number, he walked into the small office.

"Sorry I'm late.” He coughed, using a kerchief to close his mouth. "Traffic."

I nodded, nervous as hell. What if he didn’t agree?

"Okay, why did you want to see me again?" he asked, taking a seat.

I swallowed, interlacing my sweaty fingers. "Well, sir, I've been thinking about what you said the last time…"

He pulled his facial features into a deep frown. "About All That Jazz? Not that again, my dear. I thought we talked about this already. My wife is the most important thing to me, and I wouldn't think twice about selling this place to—"

“Just give me a chance to explain.” I chipped in quickly, sensing that I was losing him already.

He gave me the go ahead, heaving out a loud sigh and relaxing into the chair.

“I think I might have figured out a way to save ATJ and take care of your wife's bills as well."

He sat upright, brows knitted together and a confused look marring his face, but he didn't say anything. At least, that was a start.

“As you know, Christmas is just around the corner. I thought it'd be a good idea if we could have a fundraiser. I'm sure a lot of kindhearted people would be willing to help when they see what we're doing, especially for the kids. We could put up fliers, posters, whatever we need to."

Before he could protest, I continued. "There could be a list of fun Christmas activities for the kids. And for the big finish, there would be a dancing competition to crown it all up." I finished, trying to catch my breath, heart racing.

To my dismay but not my surprise, Mr. Covel glared at me. "Absolutely not!" He thundered, slamming his fist on the desk.

"Yes, I desperately need the money for my wife's medical bills but this…" He gestured around the room. "This is my property, and I can sell it to get what I need. I am not some charity case, Verity. I refuse to be treated like one!" He seethed, reeking of pure displeasure.

For the first time, I saw how the whole situation looked through his eyes and I suddenly felt like a prick for not having realized it before.

"I'm extremely sorry, sir. I didn't think of it in that way. But I assure you, that is not my intention," I said gently, the dejected look on his face prompting me further. "It's just…a lot of the kids…and myself included, we've all found a home in ATJ. Letting it go would be like a painful separation from a loved one." My voice threatened to break but I held it back. Now wouldn’t be the best time to burst into tears.

As I spoke out loud, something clicked within me. Saying this out here to him made me realize again how true it was. If I lost this place, I had nowhere else.

There was silence as Mr. Covel rubbed his temple, deep in thought. My heart drummed and even though it was selfish, I desperately hoped he agreed. After a few moments, he sighed. "Fine…let's give it a try."

My heart leaped in joy as my chest threatened to burst with excitement. Vigorously, I nodded. "I promise it'll all work out as—"

"On one condition."

"Oh." I paused. What now? "Anything at all.” I added. It would be worth it.

"If we're going to do this, you'll have to make sure that by New Year, we'd have gathered all the amount necessary."

I reflected on this. New Year wasn't far away now. Worry tugged at my heart as I wondered if we'd be able to gather that much by then. Nevertheless, I raised my head and nodded. "I think we can work that out.”

***

I wasn't sure why I was so nervous. After my talk with Mr. Covel, I'd informed the parents of all the kids at the dance school of the meeting I'd decided to arrange earlier this morning. Of course, that meant I'd had to invite Lennox as well. Which was a probable explanation for why my palms were so clammy at the moment. It was ironic how regardless of the situation, he still had a way of keeping me on my toes.

My face hardened as I thought of our last meeting and how desperately I didn't want to see his face. But he was Shaye's father after all. And she was part of ATJ.

Despite the ire fueling in my heart at the thought of him, I resolved to ignore him and concentrate on the issue at hand.

A few hours later, I sat in a chair at a small conference room in the dance school, waiting for the last few parents to arrive. After a few minutes tirelessly, I noted that the last person left was the almighty Lennox Wilder. I restrained myself from rolling my eyes. Of course, he'd choose to be fashionably late. Trust the demigod billionaire to keep everyone waiting. As I was about to suggest we start off the little meeting without him, he barged through the doors, effortlessly elegant as usual and permanently clad in a dark colored suit. He stole the attention, and I could swear to have seen a look of colossal attraction feather through the faces of the female population present.

Avoiding his piercing gaze, pinned solely on me, all the way from across the room, I clapped my hands together as I took my stand. I tried to appear more confident than I felt with my shouldered squared for business.

"Thank you all for coming." I smiled, garnering nods from the handful of people present. It wasn't surprising as we'd been quite low on students for years now.

"There's been an unfortunate development." I paused, glancing in Mr. Covel's direction. He gave me a small nod. "As you know, Mr. Covel is the owner of All That Jazz. Recently, there was an unfortunate incident which required his wife to be hospitalized. Now, the only way to foot her medical bills is to sell off ATJ."

I let myself halt for a moment as they began to murmur, surprise evident in their tones. Observing them, I could make out the worry on their faces. All. Except. Lennox. The only emotion Lennox betrayed was a slight flick of his eyebrow as he checked his watch. He sent a fleeting gaze my way, slicing my resolve in half as I matched his glare for a few moments before looking away.

The man spoke, a tinge of distaste in his voice. "Quite unfortunate. If it comes to the matter of saving his wife’s life, then I don’t see what the problem here is. ATJ should be sold.”

My mouth fell open as I stared at Lennox’s unmoved form. I scoffed and scowled at him, unable to hide my displeasure at his insensitive words. “What? Mr Wilder, I’m afraid but that’s not an option. That’s exactly why I called this meeting. We, Mr. Covel and I, believe that the best option is starting a fundraiser.”

Once again, the room was thrown into murmurs. Lennox flicked up an arrogant brow. “I don’t see why the life of this man’s wife should be made into a gamble. But if that’s what makes you sleep at night, then very well. I'm willing to offer a million dollars to clear the cost of it all and buy the place. That way, the kids can get back to doing what they love."

There was another round of murmuring as the parents looked Lennox over; some in wonder, others in disbelief. Mine was in anger.

I sent him a sharp glare across the room. What did he think this was? One of his stupid business meetings?

"I find it unfortunate that you think buying the place is going to solve anything, Mr. Wilder. A fat pocket is certainly not the solution, especially in this situation. Mr. Covel has worked extremely hard for this establishment and I'm sure we'd all like him to keep it,” I stated crisply, knowing it'd hurt what he valued the most—his ego. Teach him not to mess with the wrong girl.

The icy rage in his eyes told me I'd hit the right spot and I held his gaze for a while, ignoring the goosebumps that grew on my skin. Why did I let him have such an effect on me even when I’d convinced myself that I hated him?

The slight whispering of approval from other parents nudged me on as I proceeded to go through my plan of raising a fundraiser step by step. They all seemed to think it was a good idea as everyone chipped in suggestions here and there.

The small smile on Mr. Covel's face sent a streak of joy through me and for once, I was hopeful that ATJ could be saved.