My Billion-Dollar Relationship With Mr. CEO

Heart’s POV Throughout my years of living, I have made three big mistakes in my life. One: rebelling against my father. A hundred thousand art school debt and low-paying roles later, I remain as an unknown actress. He was so disappointed in me that he kicked me out. It took a toll on my parents’ marriage because my mother took my side. In the end, they got divorced and now I am left to earn for both my sickly mother and myself. “Look here!” a cameraman yells and I turn to my left to give my sweetest smile. It’s the red carpet for the biggest gala of the year. As I pose, there are barely any flashing lights. I’m used to it by now. I don’t have the fame, I’m even struggling to pay rent. “Hey, step back already,” a staff member hissed and motioned in haste that I should leave to the side so they could make way for a popstar that just arrived. I sighed but I couldn’t show that I’m upset. I walked to the entrance of the venue silently. “Don’t worry, Bri.” Therese, my manager, appeared from the sidelines. “You just need to look pleasing. Who knows, maybe a director would be enthralled to take you?” She gave me a reassuring grin. I smiled back at her. “Yeah, you're right. I’ll give this my all.” Psyching myself up, we blended in the crowd. I have to prove that I made the right choice. I’m already deep in this that I cannot turn back so I must claw my way up. Mingling with others, hoping I make a good impression and they remember me after this event is easy. I’ve been doing this for a while now, waiting for my big break. However, I keep checking my phone. To: Steven Are you really still not talking to me? Let’s meet after work to fix this. I bit my tongue and stared at the screen. No replies. It’s been a month yet he refuses to communicate with me saying he’s busy or he suddenly has a conference trip. I’m growing tired and suspicious but I try not to think about it. There’s currently a lot on my plate. Bills to pay, jobs and sidelines to attend to… The last thing I need is to mull over my dying five-year relationship. “Hey, Bri?” Therese pulled me back to my train of thoughts. I lifted my gaze at her and gave an apologetic smile, “Yes? Sorry, I was distracted. What is it?” “Isn’t that Steven?” she asks and gestures in a distance ahead of us. Here goes my second biggest mistake. Two: Apparently, dating a lying cheating son of a b***h. I stared at Steven who was smiling and flirting with the blonde woman snuggled in his arms. She was kissing his cheek and whispering in his ears as they laughed about something. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. As if he sensed that someone was watching him, Steven looked in my direction and locked eyes with me. I felt a sting in my chest. “I need to breathe,” I told Therese abruptly and scrambled to get away from there. I found an empty balcony around the back of the venue. I went to the railings to calm myself. It’s dark outside. Anger and betrayal consumed me. Deep down, it crossed my mind but I tried to trust him more than my gut. Yet he does this to me. That blonde woman… I was sure it’s Ginny. My rival out of all people! He knows this. How could he?! My nails dug into my pal. I’m not sure if my teary eyes are from the hurt or rage anymore. The only thing I am certain is I want to slap those two right now! “Heart,” an excruciating voice spoke behind me. I snapped my head to where it came from and met with Steven. I couldn’t help but lash out, “So this is what you’ve been so busy with lately, huh?!” His expression remained serious, “We both know this isn't working out,” is all he could say. I gaped at him, I wish I heard it wrong. Then I guess this is the man I stupidly chose to be with. “You’re not even trying to make an excuse,” I scoffed and glared at him. “I have to move forward, okay?” He raised his voice and gave me a sharp look. “I can’t be stuck like you.” I stared at Steven, seeing him for who he truly is. Perhaps he always looked down on me. He was just waiting to break it all off and he picked the worst way possible. “Well, I’m sorry for the imposition,” I gritted out and shoved past him, closing the door with a loud thud. Therese was observing me when I came back, asking how I am. I didn’t answer her and simply drank one wine glass after the other. I need to not think about it or I might do something drastic in public. Steven on the other hand, didn’t seem to be bothered. He went back to his new girl Ginny. They were linked together like disgusting snakes. Sometimes he glances at me, plastering his happy expression. One time I met eyes with Ginny and she smirks at me, leaning to give Steven a kiss as I watch them. She definitely did this on purpose! Hatred swelled through my veins, I was blinded by anger at that very second. There are moments that you get swallowed by irrationality and loathing. So here comes the third biggest mistake of my life. My glare didn’t leave the two. I made sure I have their attention from across the room. Especially Steven. Grabbing the arm of the first man who passed by, I yanked him closer to me. I didn’t have time to look and I pulled him by his necktie. “Kiss me like you want me,” I said and tiptoed to crash his lips into mine. ** Ace’s POV It was an evening of the same old conversations. “You’re not getting any younger, Ace.” “I brought my daughter here today, you should meet.” “What’s your preference when it comes to women?” Had it not been rude to roll my eyes and walk away from the distinguished guests in my party, I would already be out of here. It’s not enough my parents were breathing in my neck about marriage, I have to hear it from strangers and the media too. What annoys me is that I’m not even dying. Thirty five is arguably not that old—yet everyone keeps on pestering me about this ridiculous matter. Just as I was walking across the hall deciding I am done for the night, the answer to my problems came in the form of a strange woman pulling me in front of everyone. “Kiss me like you want me.” Her lips moved on mine. For a second, I couldn’t process it until I felt her hands on my nape tugging me down. My eyes automatically closed and I relished the taste of strawberry in between. With my hands snaking around her waist, I deepened our kiss. The chatter of clicking cameras, flashing lights, and the need to catch our breath made us slowly retreat from each other. I watch her hooded eyes and everything fall into place in my head. Perfect timing. A mob of reporters started gathering around us. I gripped her waist closer to my side and looked in the crowd with full composure. Before I could see regret fully take over her gaze, I leaned down and whispered to her ear, “Congratulations, you just earned yourself a billion-dollar man.”