The Billionaire's Ex Girlfriend (2015)

Chapter Two

“Ms. Day, you are exactly what we’re looking for.” Elliot Higgins stood.

Serena stood as well. They shook hands. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to start immediately.”

Elliot beamed. “Eager, aren’t we?”

Serena thought Elliot is a nice guy. He was young and full of energy. He’d been excited to give her the job, even after she’d explained that she’d never worked on a case of this magnitude. To that, Elliot had told Serena a little about himself.

Elliot had approached Troy for the Human Resources position long before a job posting had gone out about it. The resort, back then, had just been a large plot of land with tons of metal. The construction team had been on the scene and Troy's office had been a trailer at the site.

At first, Troy had told Elliot he’d wanted someone with more experience, but Elliot wouldn’t take ‘no’ for an answer. Elliot’s previous HR work had been for local businesses around Miami, which gave him some knowledge of the job and he thought himself good at it. Elliot seemed to enjoy telling his ‘underdog’ story. He’d moved about his seat while he spoke. His grey eyes and gleamed.

Serena looked into those silver eyes when she spoke next. “I am eager. I want to get the bad guy and quickly.”

The door behind her opened. Serena turned and stopped dead in her tracks. So did the intruder. Troy. He was more handsome than Serena remembered.

“Serena?” Troy closed the door behind him. He was taller. He’s been just a teenager the last time they’d seen one another. But the boy was all man now. His blue eyes narrowed as if in anger. “What are you doing here?” His voice was deep, rough. Rougher than she remembered.

His rage caught her off guard. Serena didn’t get a chance to speak before he spoke again.

Troy addressed a very confused Elliot then. “You caught her? Is she the one?”

The one? “The one?” Elliot asked, voicing Serena’s own mental question. Serena was lost.

It took Troy three quick strides to reach Serena. His masculine presence overpowered her. He looked down at her, invading her space. His breath warm. His eyes full of hate. He grabbed her wrist. “I’m turning you in,” he sneered.

It took a moment for Serena to catch up, and when she did, her fury matched his. She snatched her hand away from his grip. “You think I’m the one trying to destroy your business? Are you mad? Why would I do something like that?”

Troy laughed a deep throaty sound. “To get back at me, of course! Because I wouldn’t go out with you after we had sex!”

Serena was appalled and a little embarrassed.“You’re crazy. That was almost ten years ago. You didn’t do anything worth remembering, much less anything that would make me want to seek revenge.” Serena was lying about the ‘not remembering’ part, but she needed to knock his ego down a notch. Someone had to.

Nothing worth remembering? Troy scoffed. She was lying. He could see it in her eyes. The touches of green sparks in them had darkened. Her face had turned red. She nervously tucked her plush bottom lip between her teeth. Troy's eyes went there. She released the lip then. It glistened. She was still beautiful. Even more so, but she was still a liar. Troy was just about to tell her so when Elliot began to cough, intruding on their moment.

Elliot grabbed his briefcase. “I don’t think I should be here during this conversation.” He grabbed some papers from his desk, a few from his drawer, and headed towards the door. “Serena is the hired P.I. My job is done here. Have a great day!” Then Elliot was gone, leaving the two ex lovers alone.

Troy took a step away from Serena. Serena, a private investigator? And she wants to work here? He’d see about that. Troy went around to the other side of Elliot’s desk and took a seat. He gestured for Serena to do the same. She did.

She adjusted herself comfortable into the seat and then proceeded to rest her arms on the chairs’ arms. She waited. Her eyes still angry.

Troy felt foolish. He shouldn’t have made his statements in front of Elliot. It was unprofessional. He took a breath. Maybe Serena was right. He was losing his mind. “So, you’re a P.I. now?” He asked. He didn’t know he knew anyone in the profession. Elliot might be is head of HR, but Troy would have the final say as to whether or not he allowed Serena to keep this assignment.

“Yup,” Serena didn’t move a muscle. Her small hands gripped the ends of the chair arm, turning her knuckles white.

Troy sighed. “I’m sorry-”

“You should be,” cut in, becoming animated. “How dare you parade your sex life in front of people? That was none of his business,” she pointed a thumb towards the door, gesturing in the direction Elliot had left through.

Troy wiped a hand down his face. “Serena, I’m sorry. It’s just… seeing you was a shock and at a really bad time.”

Serena leaned in then. “Your really bad time is why I’m here. I’m here to help you, Troy.”

Serena seemed sincere, but Troy just didn’t know who to trust anymore. He didn’t know who his enemies were and who his friends were.

Troy studied her. “Why would you want to help me?”

They both heard the question that was not being asked. Why would you want to help me after what I did to you?

Serena smiled, her face lit up. “You’re paying me right?”

Troy laughed. “Yeah, I’m paying, but what am I paying you for? How do you plan on catching the guy?”

Serena leaned back into her chair. “Well, tell me what issues you’ve been having.”

Where to start? Troy closed his eyes, searching his mind for the first incident. His eyes opened when he remember. “We had a power outage, but luckily the backup generators hadn’t been touched. They kicked in. Then the laundry machines were sabotaged. Someone cut the wires. Kind of hard to run a water resort without towels. Then the computers started to glitch. The list goes on from there.”

“Sounds like your guy knows his way around electric stuff. I’ll need files on all your employees and access to your security system and every camera on the premises. I’ll need a card that gives me full access to all the common rooms and permission to interview anyone in or around the resort that I see fit.” She stood then.

Troy stood as well. “Done.” He came around the desk and held out his hand.

Serena looked down at it. After a pause she took it. His hand was rough, which was very unexpected. It sent a shiver up her spine. She took her hand back. “Let’s get started, shall we?”

Troy led the way.