Page 42 of A Billionaire for Christmas

‘Are those Mexican hotdogs?’ Lucca sneaked up behind them. ‘I can still taste them. I ate so many I was sick, remember?’

Levi chuckled. ‘Yep. Who could forget? You threw up over the back of Papa’s head as he was driving.’

Molly watched the two brothers share a friendly look. Lucca put a hand on Levi’s shoulder. ‘That was the best trip ever, wasn’t it?’

‘I made a whole pile of them over there,’ Molly whispered, pointing to the bench adjacent. ‘Help yourselves.’

Freda walked over. ‘Molly, you’re a genius.

I’ve never seen my parents enjoy themselves this much in, like, forever.

Mother is actually eating for once.’ She gasped.

‘No way! Are they Mexican hotdogs? Like the ones Grandma used to make?’ She rushed over to Levi and Lucca and began digging in.

‘And mini fries? This is like the best tasting ever. Can you pass me one of those fishy things, please?’

‘I suppose I’ll be jetting in a supply of these from Mexico for the wedding?’ Levi joked to Freda.

Freda instantly looked at Molly, who pretended to tidy away dishes.

Like a prairie dog, Levi’s ears pricked up. ‘What’s going on? Am I missing something?’

Freda and Molly said in unison, ‘Nothing.’

‘Is everything okay?’ Levi asked them.

Molly admired how astute and mentally quick Levi was becoming around his family. She was finding his empathy increasingly attractive.

‘Service,’ Molly said to Freda and Lucca. ‘Take these melted puddings before they go cold. Freda, you take the cake stand with all the desserts. It’s the last round.’

Levi leaned towards her. ‘It appears you know more about my family than I do.’

Molly felt the hairs on her arms bristle.

He wasn’t wrong. His close proximity was clearing her mind of ways to avoid telling him the truth.

She needed to start with her own. She gazed into his dark eyes.

She had his undivided attention. ‘The reason why I’m here working at the resort is because my business partner had already signed off on the contract months and months before, when we had staff and she was hoping to expand the business, but?—’

They were interrupted by Freda and Lucca approaching. ‘Mother wants to see you, Molly.’

She gave Levi an apologetic look. ‘I’ll be right back.’ Molly wiped her hands clean and went through. Valerie was sitting alone. She beckoned Molly close. Then closer until Molly was bending down a few inches from Valerie’s face.

‘Get the phone now,’ she instructed. ‘When he returns from the bathroom, I’ll keep him talking. It’s on the bedside cabinet charging. Call me into the kitchen when you have it, then you can put it back once I’ve had a look.’

Molly gasped. ‘No. I told you I wouldn’t.’

Valerie dismissed her with a wave of her hand as Armand approached. ‘Nonsense. Just do it.’

‘I will not,’ Molly hissed defiantly. ‘Why don’t you ask one of your children to do it? Or would they also not approve?’

Valerie looked incensed. ‘If you dare say one word?—’

Armand stopped in front of Molly. ‘Molly, merci beaucoup .’ He bowed graciously and thanked her for a delicious meal and an entertaining evening. ‘That was the best degustation I have ever had in my life. A real trip down memory lane. I don’t know how you did it, but it was wonderful.’

‘I’m glad you enjoyed it. You have coffee, liqueurs and a cheeseboard after your dessert, but please let me know if there is anything I can get you before I close the kitchen and retire my staff for the evening.’

Valerie scowled at her from behind Armand’s back. Molly scurried to the kitchen to find the others in high spirits.

‘What a great team we make. Who’s for celebrating in my room?’ Lucca whispered. ‘We’ll leave the two lovebirds to it.’

‘Good idea,’ agreed Freda, downing a glass of wine. ‘I’ll bring a few bottles. Levi, you grab the brandy. Molly, bring some of those amazing desserts.’

‘We’ll sneak through the boot room, so they don’t see us,’ suggested Lucca, smiling.

Levi hung back. ‘What did my mother want?’

Molly winced.

‘She still wants you to steal his phone, even after such a lovely night?’ He rubbed a hand down the side of his perfectly shaped face. ‘How could she?’

Molly shrugged in answer. People. Such strange, unpredictable creatures.

Just as they were about to leave, they heard Valerie say clearly, ‘It’s no good. She’ll have to go.’

Freda stopped suddenly in her tracks, causing Lucca, Levi and Molly to bump into each other behind her. They heard Armand protesting.

‘Don’t spoil this wonderful evening, Val.’

‘I’m not spoiling it. You’ve seen the way she looks at him. It’s for her own good.’

Molly froze.

‘I have no idea what you mean. She’s cooked all this delicious food, and you’re dismissing her? Why, may I ask?’

Oh boy. Now it was Valerie’s turn to fire her. She’d have to get in line.

‘Because I can see the way Levi looks at her. Don’t tell me you’ve not noticed. He’ll fall for that innocent look of hers, but let me tell you, I know a gold digger when I see one. She’s got to go.’

They heard Armand let out a hefty breath. ‘She doesn’t strike me as a gold digger, Val. Why do you have to be so negative all the time?’

‘The wine? She lied about the wine, didn’t she? She’s shrewd, much cleverer than we’ve given her credit for.’

Lucca flicked Molly a guilty look.

‘And I caught her drinking vodka this morning. A whole bottle of vodka hidden in her apron. She’s clearly got a drinking problem.’

It was Freda’s turn to glance guiltily at Molly. She mouthed an apology.

‘And she lied about the catering business, about her restaurant, probably to manipulate Levi into buying it at a higher price. Petra told me she’d rung the number on the contract and was told the owner had died.

Then all of a sudden, Molly turns up. Very much alive .

And Petra was so desperate for staff, she went along with it thinking she’d made a mistake.

Something is off. No. She has to go. That’s final. ’

While Lucca and Freda were making confused faces, Levi was frowning with concern at Molly.

‘I think you’re wrong, dear. She’s a clever girl, yes. I mean, who else knew how to fix the generator? But I think you’ve misunderstood her. It’s time you stopped interfering in our children’s lives and started looking at your own.’

Molly stood rooted to the spot as an almighty row unfurled between the two.

‘She is not good enough for this family. She can’t ski.

She can’t make a decent espresso martini.

She has no clue who the Wertheimers or the Meyers even are, for God’s sake.

’ It sounded like Valerie was becoming hysterical, clutching at straws.

‘And she won’t have her own Centurion membership or offshore savings account or kidnapping insurance ! ’

‘You’re being utterly ridiculous,’ Armand said with exasperation. ‘Since when did you become such a snob?’

‘If you won’t send her away, then I will.’ Valerie was breathing very heavily. ‘In fact, I have an even better idea. I’ll invite Clarice for Christmas.’

Molly had no idea who Clarice was but at the sound of Armand almost choking on his wine, she was deeply concerned for him.

‘You can’t invite Levi’s ex-fiancée to stay with us. She’ll think he wants to marry her after all.’

‘Exactly.’

Molly shot Levi a startled look. Now he looked like he was having a stroke. They heard a chair scrape against the floor and what they presumed was a cloth napkin being thrown down onto the table as it rattled some cutlery.

‘This is our last Christmas together as a family, Val. For pity’s sake, don’t spoil it.’ Armand’s voice cracked as they heard him get up to leave.

‘ Sit back down! ’ barked Valerie. ‘You don’t get to walk away from me. Not this time. Tell me who she is.’

‘Who are you talking about?’ shouted Armand angrily.

‘The tramp you’re seeing!’ Valerie shrieked. ‘Who is it this time?’