THE BILLIONAIRE'S HIDDEN HEIRS

CHAPTER 5

I felt the coldness in my hand as I sat, waiting for customers. I wasn't sure if Rihav was really here or if I misheard Ella's statement. Her tone might have been exaggerated, so there's a possibility that I misunderstood.

Since there weren't many people in Highden yet, I was just sitting. But my suspicion from the moment I stepped into the building was correct. Almost everyone here seemed wealthy, which was evident in their attire and accessories.

"Wait, Fay, are you okay?" Farah asked from her spot, biting her lollipop.

She had already done her makeup, and her beauty stood out. In this backstage area where they prepared their makeup, she offered to do mine, but I declined. She applied some powder and a bit of lip shimmer. I wasn't skilled with makeup, and I couldn't afford it, so I felt a bit out of place with what they did earlier.

"I'm okay," I replied with a smile.

She looked at me, holding my hand, "Why are your hands so cold? Are you feeling cold because of what you're wearing? I'll tell Boss Tessa to change your uniform." She suggested.

I shook my head, "It's fine. Maybe my body just needs to adjust. I'm not used to being in an air-conditioned place. I'm more accustomed to the warmth of the sun." I explained.

I just wanted to avoid any issues about being new here. I didn't want additional problems.

"You seem really tense, girl. What happened? Don't tell me you're scared of them," she said, referring to Ella and the others.

Hindi ako takot kay Ella takot ako sa sinabi niya ang pangalan ni Rihav. Paano kong narito ang lalaking iyon?! Walang wala ako sa kanya.

I shook my head again, "Not those people. The truth is..." I still found it challenging to decide whether I should tell Farah my problem or not.

I hesitated because revealing that issue might lead to negative assumptions about me. I shook my head again and said I had nothing to share.

I wasn't sure if I could trust Farah or not. We had just met, and we didn't know each other well. Sharing my secret might be the end of our budding friendship.

She gently squeezed my hand before speaking, "I understand that we've only recently become acquainted, and I see in your eyes that you don't trust me yet. I will respect your decision, Fay, but if you're ready to tell me, I'm here. You're my only friend here..." her voice softened with those last words.

I glanced at her, her eyes adorned with colorful makeup and her vibrant red lipstick complementing her. I could see her looking wistful, gazing into nothing.

I took a deep breath, "D-Do you have a customer named... R-Rihav?" I struggled while saying that.

She looked at me and nodded, "Yes, Mr. Rihav Stallone Madreal? He's the one everyone flocks to. How do you know him?" she asked.

I shook my head, still unsure of what to tell her, not yet ready. For now, I'd try to find out why Rihav was here at this club or on La Fera Island.

"I don't know him; I just heard his name from Ella earlier," I lied.

"He's rich, you know. I heard he's tied down, so we can't get close to him. Even Lyn, Ella's friend, stripped in front of Mr. Madreal. You know what she got?" she said with a smirk, "Nothing. He ignored her; maybe she didn't match up to Mr. Madreal's wife, so he didn't bother. Most of the girls here act like they've never seen anyone handsome and wealthy." She shared.

What was he doing here? Did Dyessie allow him to wander around La Fera Island? Did his wife know? Rihav was always stubborn, and his desires were non-negotiable. In the past, he always had the final say, and I had no right to speak because his wishes were always the ones that mattered.

A Control Freak!

"What is he doing here then? Maybe you just don't see him with a woman." I commented.

"He's a friend of the owner of this club, Sir Haide. He might be here because it's the first week of the month. The truth is, girl, he doesn't approach women here. He comes for a drink and some chat, then he goes home." She continued her story about Rihav.

I sighed, "Maybe he's already married..."

"He does have one; I heard Fabio say so. He loves his wife dearly, which is why he doesn't approach other women. His wife is in Manila, according to Fabio. He's here for business," Farah shared.

Maybe he really loves her. He convinced me before that I was the one he loved, and now? He's entangled with another woman, and he confessed it to me.

But even so, I don't care about him anymore. Even if it was a mistake to give him everything, including what I cherished, I don't regret it because I have two people, I draw strength from, my children.

If he's happy with his family, then I'm content with what I have now. Maybe it's true that we were brought together but not destined, loved but not married. Though it's complicated, what matters is that I felt a bit of happiness, even if it was also accompanied by pain. At least, we shared memories.

"Ah..." was all I managed to say in response to Farah's story.

"Why are you asking about Mr. Madreal? Do you know him or—"

Farah didn't get to finish as we suddenly heard applause from behind, followed by a call for us to get ready as there were many customers outside.

"Girls! Get ready; there are a lot of people outside."

Farah and I stood up simultaneously. She excused herself, heading to the stage. I nodded in response and went to join my fellow waitresses.

I introduced myself as their new colleague, and they greeted me warmly. We all got busier as more people filled the club. Some were cheering and dancing in the middle with Farah.

I didn't pay much attention to that when I heard a bartender calling me for an order. I approached, took the drinks, checked the table number, and lifted the tray.

As I walked through the crowd, I felt the occasional bump from the people around, making the drinks sway. I was still unfamiliar with every corner of the club, so finding the right table took me a couple of minutes.

The number I was looking for happened to be next to the wall. I approached them with a smile, trying not to look like a grumpy waitress.

"Good evening, sirs. Here's your order," I said cheerfully as I placed their drinks on the table.

The three men looked at me, and from their faces, it was evident that they were quite inappropriate. I'm not judgmental, but as soon as their eyes landed on my chest, that's when I drew the line. I quickly placed the bottles of alcohol on the table before excusing myself.

Just as I was about to leave, one of them grabbed my arm.

"New here?" he asked, his gaze still lingering on my chest.

With my revealing outfit, it was inevitable that I would attract inappropriate attention from some patrons. He wasn't even drunk yet, but here he was.

"Yes, Sir," I replied, not wanting them to think I was being rude. I didn't want any complaints to reach the owner, or I might lose my job. How else would I be able to afford the cellphone Hacov wants?

"You want extra income? One night for 20K?" alok niya.

I shook my head, "You can offer that to other girls, sir. I'm a waitress here, not a call girl." I said it without hesitation but instantly regretted it.

What if I get fired?

"I like you already; that's what I want, someone who fights back. How about 50K?"

"Still a no, sir," I tried to retrieve my hand from his grip, but he tightened it even more, "Sir, I still have work. If you want some pleasure in bed, go to the girls on the stage. They are willing to serve you," I added before finally pulling my hand away.

I saw anger in his eyes due to my words, and he forcefully grabbed my hand again, pulling me towards him. Fear gripped me. I struggled to break free.

"i***t, Sir Haiden might scold you if you force yourself on his girls here. You know what he can do if any of his employees get harassed," the man in front of him warned.

Without hesitation, the man pushed me, and I almost fell into his lap. His push was strong, and I hit my forehead on the edge of a table. I screamed in pain.

Since the bar was loud, not many people heard me except for the women sitting at the nearby table. Instead of helping, they glared at me and called me weak.

I stood up, touching the area that collided with the edge of the table. I felt wetness and checked my hand, noticing blood coming from the point of impact. Holding my forehead, I looked at my hand, now stained with blood. I glanced at the men, and I saw compassion in the eyes of their companions who had spoken earlier. As a sign of respect, I bowed before finally leaving the area.

I walked away, heading straight towards the exit. I bumped into a few more people due to my fast-paced walk.

"Ouch!" I exclaimed as I hit my forehead on something, even though my hand was covering it. Despite the protection, I still felt pain.

I continued walking away, almost limping. It was a disastrous first day! What if Sir Haiden decides to fire me? I hope not.

"Ouch!" I winced as I touched my forehead, still feeling pain even though my hand covered the area.

" Aphro?" I stopped at the familiar voice. Only two people called me by that name. I slowly lifted my head.

"Sean?" I said upon seeing the man.

Sean grabbed my hand, which was still covering my forehead. I allowed him to see the injury. His eyes widened when he saw the cut on my forehead. He quickly removed his coat and wrapped it around me.

"What happened to you, Aphrodite?" There was anger in Sean's voice as we walked away.

We were far from the crowd, now standing outside the club in front of his car. I continued to hold my forehead; the bleeding showed no signs of stopping.

"Damn, answer me, Fayre Aphrodite!" Sean raised his voice, hitting his car in frustration.

I jumped at the sudden outburst, now realizing how angry Sean was. This was a different side of him, something I hadn't seen since our time in La Meyanda. He looked completely different, even more handsome. His family was wealthy back then, with extensive land in La Meyanda; now, they were probably even wealthier.

Even with the changes in Sean's life, it appears that he hasn't forgotten about me. It has been a long time since we last saw each other, probably back in college. He left La Meyanda and went abroad, and I had to stop schooling because we couldn't afford it anymore.

He was also the first person to address me by my second name. I don't know why they named me that; I'm no Aphrodite. I'm not a goddess with extraordinary beauty.

"Aphro, are you just going to stare at me? What happened to your forehead, and why are you dressed like that?" he asked again, trying to control his emotions.

"What are you doing here, Sean? You're back from another country, and you didn't even—"

He cut off my words with a loud curse, "I was the one who asked first, Aphro. What happened to your forehead, and why is it like that?" he spoke calmly and placed his handkerchief on the wound on my forehead.

I sighed before responding, "I work here now," I answered.

He raised an eyebrow and then sighed, "How about that?" he said, using his mouth to point at my forehead.

I really couldn't do anything as Sean was in front of me. "I was pushed by a customer inside. I declined his advances, and that's when my forehead hit the corner of the cement."

Anger covered Sean's face after I spoke. He pulled me closer and held my waist. He took the handkerchief from my forehead and personally wiped away the blood.

"f**k, whoever did this to you, I'll make sure it's their last day on this earth," he said firmly while wiping my forehead.