Billionaire's Naïve Lover novel Chapter 4

Melvin Baker was their neighbor and his sister, Shelly was her classmate so he often visited them. Their families were not exactly friends but neither were they, enemies.

“Hey, Darcy! Done with your work?” He looked around curiously then asked. “Have the new buyers left?”-

Darcy was surprised as to how did he come to know about it then said. “Yes, he just left. How come you know about it?”

“Was that black Bentley his that left a whole ago?” Melvin asked with a hint of jealousy underlying his tone. “I was at the nearby café and saw it leaving.” He explained when he the suspicious looks on Darcy’s face.

“Yes, it was his,” Darcy confirmed.

“Well, today I was crossing the manor and saw that it has been repainted and looks like people are ready to move in,” Melvin explained.

Darcy just stared at him for some time thinking about what he had just said.

“I am sorry Darcy! Melvin apologized immediately after he saw Darcy’s gloomy expression. “I shouldn’t have mentioned it, knowing how to hurt you were when you sold it to that Harris fellow. “But sooner or later they will move in.

“It's okay you don’t have to as I have moved on. I had beautiful memories of that place and that’s what matters. I am just happy that he did not demolish it altogether.” Darcy said in one breath.

Only she knew how she felt, it was very hurtful to think her grandfather’s manor had been sold out to a complete stranger. It was usually used as a guest house by the government and they got the revenues but now it was sold out because of their financial debt. At least Darcy could remember her beautiful memories of her childhood days there. She knew that her dad was happy at his own villa which he had made on his own and where he could work freely without any interference from his parent’s when they were alive but she had a very happy time with her grandparents in the manor so she was very reluctant to sell it. But now it was gone.

“I have heard a lot of gossip about Gale Harris he is termed as the most eligible bachelor in Ireland but he never showed any interest in marrying anyone. I wonder if he is gay.” Melvin said looking very amused and happy. He had heard from his father that his grandfather was a very shrewd businessman but after his father’s death Gale’s dad had left Michigan for good because of his lady love. But what intrigued him more was Gale returning to Michigan and re-establishing his grandfather’s old broken factory. Was there some hidden conspiracy?

Darcy turned towards him and asked. “Why are you bothered? You will be anyways leaving Michigan soon, right?”

He shook his shoulder and looked at her with warmth in his eyes. “ Well, the condition of the factory is just like yours, although we are not in debt like you, comically we are not that stable and if I take the job in New York I will get paid really well. In that ways, I could work there a few years then return. I can’t help it, Darcy.” He added resentfully.

Darcy felt uncomfortable, whenever she spoke anything about Baker’s company. She somehow felt that Melvin could make a turnover and save his company from closing down but he had already received a job offer from a prestigious company in New York and they were paying him really well. So he decided to leave after all the economy of Michigan was deteriorating day by day.

Although they were rivals in business they had grown up together and attended the same school. Melvin was senior to her and his sister Shelly Baker. Shelly was her only friend in Michigan.  Melvin’s father was a very ruthless businessman, who would do anything to get what he wants so Darcy rarely went to their house but Melvin was closer to her brother Louis when he was around so he came to their house very often.

“But surely your father wants you to stay back,” Darcy asked curiously.

“Well, yes he does, but you know you know our ideas don’t match and we both have a different way of thinking, so I don’t think it would matter.”