USED BY THE BILLIONAIRE

Reine Bellarosa "I do," I said, gazing into the cold, excruciating, and lifeless eyes of my now-husband, Gabriel Feragoza, constantly reminding myself that this is all for Father's happiness. This marriage is just for a little while until Father gives me the company someday, right? After the ceremony was conducted in the church, it was now time for the reception and after-party. The joy on Father's face melted my heart. I have never seen him so happy since Mom died, and I would do anything to see this smile on his face every single day. While all the dancing and joy were going on, I noticed Gabriel walk out of the venue from the corner of my eye. Every single time, his rude and arrogant aura never ceases to amaze me. Who walks out of their own wedding? I danced the night away till it was time to go home, my husband's home, my new home. I couldn't hold in the tears. I cried and hoped for strength and patience. Gabriel, I mean, my husband is still nowhere to be found, and I couldn't care less anyway. I was driven home, and behold, I stood in front of a magnificent building—no, a mansion painted in all white, well-crafted statues of himself and an older lady. I rolled my eyes, thinking, who keeps a statue of himself in front of his home? Uhhh! The arrogance couldn't be more defined. My father owned two businesses: a cocoa factory and a textile factory. We were pretty wealthy, but I bet it's nothing compared to the beauty in front of me. The stairs leading to the main door were white with no trace of dust on them. "Whoever cleans this place must have a lot to do." I was awestruck at the level of magnificence and power the mansion held. I guess it's just as the French say, "La richesse plus qué la richesse." I found my way to the main door and was welcomed by a butler; he didn't speak to me. Weird. He led me upstairs to a room decorated in neutral colors, much to my liking. On the bed were my suitcases from my father's house. I changed into something much more comfortable and went downstairs, as I didn't have much to eat at the ceremony. I was again welcomed by two beautiful ladies who laid out different dishes for me, no words said again. I, however, ate and went back to the room, laid down thinking if this is how my life would be from now on—married to an arrogant man who is full of himself and cares about no one? I fell asleep a few minutes later and was woken up by Gabriel's voice. "Why are you in my room and on my bed?" Startled, I couldn't speak for the first few seconds, but when I regained my speech, I replied as fiercely as I could because I am that lady that wouldn't be disrespected. "Excuse me? Maybe if you were here, you would have told me, then I would know, and your mute servant brought me here, so how would I know? It's not like I want to be with you or with anything concerning you anyway." And for the first time, I saw something in his eyes. I could not really tell, but it wasn't cold, more like pain or sadness. But it disappeared as quickly as it came. "Well, you didn't ask them, did you? Poor wretch." And with that, he walked out of the room. Why would he call me poor? My father was among the top 15 businessmen in society. I have my own money, so why would Gabriel call me poor? I heard him bark to his servants, saying, "Clean up the room on the East wing for me. Mine has already been contaminated by that wretch." For the first time in my life, I felt small, belittled, and unprotected. I wanted to hate Father, but I knew that he would never intentionally hurt me. I was at the verge of tears, but I told myself continuously that it was all for Father's happiness and for a short period of time. If I cry now, it only shows that I am weak, and it only gives him room to try to intimidate me. The next day, I woke up feeling fresh and ready to go to my dad's company. I had my bath and decided to put on a black long-sleeved dress that stops right above my knees, paced my hair in a bun, stepped in my stilettos, applied my red lipstick, and picked up my handbag and walked downstairs. I was met with Mr. Arrogant at the dining table having an English breakfast, and surprisingly, a plate was laid out for me as well. "Why not." I passed by him to the other side of the table, and I may have heard a growl. Not quite sure. We had breakfast in silence except for the clanking of utensils. I was just about to excuse myself when I heard him speak. "And where do you think you are going, wretch?" "I don't think that concerns you in any way, Mr. Gabriel Feragoza. I am a grown woman, and I can go wherever I want, whenever I want." "You are my wife, and I demand to know where you are going by this time." "Wife? Did I just hear you call me your wife? The same wife you call a wretch? I haven't even known you for more than six months, and you disgust me already, Mr. Feragoza. I implore that you mind your business and leave me to mine as well. This marriage is only for a short while, so we can at least tolerate each other while it lasts." The same look appeared on his face, just like last night, but I could see that it was one of pain, and as quickly as it came, it disappeared again. I walked out of the house; luckily, my car was there, probably sent in from my father's house. With my keys already in my bag, I headed for the office, hoping to be in a better mood by lunchtime. I arrived at the office, and my team presented me with a wonderful surprise: cakes, chocolate, and wedding presents. I have always been taught by my mother that, regardless of the position I find myself, I should always treat people as equals, which is why I am really friendly with my team. We play around a lot, but when it comes to making money and securing contracts, they know it's time for business. I worked all day, from one meeting to another; we were receiving calls from different clients. It was surprisingly a hectic day. At lunchtime, I was completely exhausted. I decided to have lunch in my office, and slowly but surely, my mind drifted to Gabriel Feragoza. What was that look in his eyes? Was he really hurt by my words, or was he putting up a front? I couldn't figure it out, no matter how I tried, so I left it. It's not like he was important anyway. After lunch, I did a lot more work and headed to Gabriel's house. I arrived, and as usual, the mute butler came to welcome me. The beautiful mute ladies came to take my bag upstairs, and when I sat on the bed, they surprisingly took my feet and gave me a foot massage . I was startled, but I knew I needed it, and so I didn't complain. A few minutes later, my meal was brought upstairs, I had dinner, and I was knocked out. I woke up by 10 a.m. the next morning, and I had no plans of going to work for the rest of the week, so I guess I would just stay home and be bored. I took time out to explore the mansion, found the rose garden and the sunflower garden. It was so beautiful. I took in the peace and quiet of my environment and basked in the clean fresh air. I took the time to call my dad, ensured him that I was fine and being treated "well" by everyone. I continued to look through the garden for a while; then, from a distance, I noticed Gabriel. What was he doing? Was he playing with a puppy? And he was smiling? I approached him with hopes that I would get to know my so-called husband better for the first time. "Good morning, Gabriel. I never knew you had a puppy. What's his name? Can I pet him?" I was met with a cold stare, one that could pierce a person's soul. His eyes were filled with rage and pure hatred. "Did I do something wrong?" "Your presence irritates me," he said. "You are nothing but a poor wretch who just goes after respectable men like me and uses them for your own benefit. I never want to see you around me," and with that, he walked away. I was stunned, at the verge of tears, but no, Reine Bellarosa never cries for nobody, especially not an arrogant man. The week passed by in a blur, no sign of Gabriel, and I didn't care. I was at peace, and I was happy without him around. The following week came, and I prepared to go to work as usual. I put on a pink long dress that accentuated all my curves with a thigh-high slit at the back, I put my long black hair in a ponytail, got a green stiletto, took a green handbag, applied red lipstick, and lest I forget, my new seduction perfume. I felt beautiful and powerful. I stepped out, and Gabriel was sat at the table again. I passed by him, and this time I most definitely heard a low growl. I had breakfast, and just as I was about to leave the house, I felt a strong arm pull me back, and within seconds, I was in Gabriel's arms. He stared at me with an emotion I couldn't decipher. "I don't like it when other men know the scent of my properties." With that, he let go of my hands and walked out, leaving me dumbstruck and completely speechless. I couldn't quite understand what he meant. His arrogance was top-notch now. After talking to me like garbage over the other day and abandoning me for the rest of the week, you come and say incomprehensible words to me. "He is most definitely bipolar," I said to myself. I arrived at the office feeling happy and beautiful, but I noticed a gloomy face on everyone. I entered my office, and on my table were resignation letters of half of my staff, including my teammates. That was not the issue; the issue was all the staff who resigned were males. It was then it dawned on me. Gabriel Feragoza!! I drove with rage to his company, barged into his office, and demanded answers. "Why did you make all my staff resign? What have I done to deserve such cruelty from you?What type of a monster are you? A team I have worked hard to build, and you take it away from me without compassion?A man like you deserves every evil that comes his way. You are so arrogant and self-centred, all you know is money. You deserve every hurt and every heartache that comes to you, Gabriel Feragoza. I hate you, and I pray you rot in hell." With that, I stormed out of his office, into my car, drove for five minutes, and parked the car on the curb, and the tears that I have held back during the past week came flooding. I wasn't angry; I was hurt and exhausted. Those poor people had families to feed. I have always been good to people, so why do I have to suffer with this type of a man? For the second time since I got married, I felt alone and unprotected. I, Reine Bellarosa, cried my eyes out and took my mind to six months back when I first met Gabriel. "Is this really my life now?" "Is this really it?"