THE BILLIONAIRE'S PLAYHOUSE

ULTIMATUM.

Evelyn's leg shook as she briskly walked into the examination room, she could feel herself falling apart already. She had made her research before taking the exam, of course, she got familiar with her opponents and it was sure to reduce her confidence level. If it wasn't for the good word Gabriel put in for her, she doubted if she'd been scouted for the promotion exam.

How would she? when people of higher stats and connections had bought off slots, she had no choice. But there was a limit, all Gabriel could do was take her to the river, she had to do the drinking. She had to pass the exam, she had been dreaming about it for weeks. You know, how glorious her life would be after she'd aced the exams and moved to headquarters. It would be superb, she would get some time off within the week, which would mean she would get to spend more time with Danny.

Obviously she would be earning more, she would save up and move to a bigger house with Maya. Or better still, drumrolls... she would get a bigger house and move in together with Danny, it was always about Danny. She was in the equation too, she told herself that a lot. But she had to pass first, there was the fear of getting dip shitted. She had accessed the examinees and was pretty let down by her results.

Ronnie, the first guy at the front was related to the mayor, Detranada the girl behind him is the ex-wife of one of her superiors. Saul who was sitting on the opposite was loaded, the mother-fucker was the heir to some family fortune or something. The girl behind Saul was bald, Evelyn couldn't recall her name or who she was, but she seemed to be everywhere and fluent with everyone, Evelyn was certain the girl had better chances than her. Eunice was everybody's girl, shawty's been working in that branch since God knows when and then there was Alexa. Evelyn sighed, she didn't have to analyze Alexa's case, she knew her rise to fame.

Evelyn could hear her heart pounding as she sat, visibly trying to look like she got it all under control. Her temperature rose, her head was spiraling out of control. She fought the consistent nudge urging her to take the easy way out, to bail. She didn't have to move to headquarters, she could still stay there. The pay was shitty, but she could manage.

* * * * * * *

" You thinking of bailing? "

Evelyn turned to her right as she spotted Alexa smiling deviously at her.

" What? "

" You're thinking of bailing right? " Alexa repeated.

" Why would you say that? " Evelyn was more concerned about how Alexa knew.

" One, you just confirmed my thoughts with your question, and two... " Alexa shook her head, carefully scrutinizing her with a mocking look, " You're trying too hard to look tough, your hands are shaking Evelyn. "

Evelyn's glance went to her shaking hands that were supposed to be hidden beneath the table, " I'm not... I'm not bailing. "

" Right, I want to see you at the headquarters... I guess. It'll be boring there, might need the um

... the distraction. "

Okay, Evelyn was pissed. She bit her lips as she turned her gaze from Alexa. surprisingly, Alexa's mean talk gave her the confidence boost she so desperately needed.

" Hey, Lexy. " Evelyn called with a bolder tone.

" Lexy? "

That's it, she was going to go for it. She was going to do what Maya has been begging her to do for ages, she was going to choose violence. This wasn't nice, but it was the right thing to do. She had tried her best to evade Alexa or have any confrontations with her. But it seemed like Alexa was begging for it, and she was going to give it to her.

" Since we're both going to headquarters, I must say... I feel sorry for you. " Evelyn pouted.

" Excuse me? " Alexa was amused, " Sorry for me? "

" Yes, how are you going to thrive there? "

Alexa chuckled, " What are you talking about? "

Evelyn took a deep breath, " I'm going to pass this exam because I worked hard for it... obviously, " She smiled, " Can't say the same for you though. "

Alexa's composure drastically changed, her brows lifting as her gaze settled.

" What do you__

" Common, give me a break. We both know that you either sucked d**k to get here or you're gonna do it later, either way, you're still sucking d**k. "

Alexa furiously glanced around to observe the crowd and to her dismay, they were all watching. " Evelyn! "

" But it's okay, here is your domain. What I'm worried about is... we're headed to a much more sophisticated, bigger, and fully equipped place so... " Evelyn paused right in time to give Alexa back that mocking smile she once gave her.

" Evelyn don't you dare. "

" I'm wondering Lexy, which d**k are you gonna suck first? "

Alexa twitched, her feet springing up to action. It appeared to be happening at the speed of light but unfortunately for Alexa she was interrupted.

" Stay put, the exam starts in a few minutes. " The voice of a woman was heard at the front of the class.

* * * * * * * * * *

Maya counted her footsteps as she journeyed to where Gabriel was, she had gotten his text. She was anxious of course, who was she kidding? she was scared. Especially with what Evelyn revealed about her suspicions of Gabriel. There was no way Gabriel knew the details of her side-hustle, but that was the issue. If he was indeed weary of her, he would be open to thinking just about anything. Not that she wasn't guilty, but Gabriel didn't even know her crime.

She wanted to be with him, she loved him. But Gabriel wouldn't understand sacrifices, he wouldn't understand why she had to do it. She was grateful for Gabriel giving her the silly pep talk of being one and patient with one another. How could he know what patience is? he had a well-paid job, and a fabulous house and his future is pretty much mapped out for him, and he had a lot to offer. But what about her, she was a joke. Before she got her official journalistic job she'd been a mess, taking shitty jobs, and almost getting raped. She had dreams, she wanted to open her beauty store.

But as life would have it, she became another mess at her supposed better job. Not until hope found its way to her, she would have been a fool not to accept. Now she had a lot to offer Gabriel, just like he offered her. She was worthy of him, she wasn't just a liability. She would save up enough money from her side job and open up her beauty shop, that would be a dream come true for her. She would finally be proud of herself, she would finally be able to look herself in the mirror and not want to throw up. She didn't plan to do it forever, she would quit. She was almost there, Gabriel just had to be patient... it was his turn to be patient.

* * * * * * *

" Hi, Gabriel. " She replied walking into the room. It was packed, Gabriel sat across a man she'd never seen before, and just a few meters away from the door was Danny. Maya gasped when she realized the unknown man is her boss.

" Hi sir, I'm Maya Lang and I'm a__

" Gabriel, make it quick, we'll be waiting in the car. " Cameron stood up as he fiercely strode past Maya and out of the office, Danny left behind him.

" That was weird. " Maya replied in shock.

Gabriel chuckled as he rushed over to her, giving her a tight hug. As they parted ways, Gabriel's right hand still cupped her waists while his left smoothly arranged her misplaced hair. " I missed you so much, baby. "

" I missed you too. " She meant what she said.

" Really? " Gabriel asked.

" Stop that. " Maya chuckled giving him a jovial thump on the shoulder.

Gabriel pulled her in for a long kiss, " Uh, I missed you so much. "

Maya giggled, " Me too. "

They both rejoined for the kiss and staggered back to the table, Maya's hands locked on his shoulders and his on her waist. Just when it seemed like the fire was about to get hotter, Gabriel pulled away from her. He backed her, strolling behind her.

Maya knew something was wrong, his actions just confirmed it. " Are you okay? "

" We need to talk. " Gabriel's heavy voice was heard.

Maya flinched, " Okay? I'm here, what's up? "

" We can't talk about it right now, our boss is literally waiting for me downstairs. "

Maya nodded, " Ooh. "

" Tomorrow night by 9 at Freckle's, not too far from where you live. "

Maya was concerned about Gabriel's level of directness, " Okay? "

" I have to go now. " He walked back in front of her giving her a peck on the forehead. Both his hands clenched her cheeks as he stared blankly into her eyes, " You'll tell me the truth then. "

Maya's initial response was to freeze before she broke free from Gabriel's hold. " What truth? "

" You know the truth, the truth as to why you've been lying, scheming, and deceiving me. That truth. "

Maya couldn't believe it, Evelyn was right. " What are you talking about? lying? scheming__

" Yes, I know what I said. " Gabriel sounded chill as ever, but his eyes told a different story.

" Are you accusing me of something? " Maya had to find out if he knows.

" I'm saying, I know something is up, I know it's not good and I want you to tell me. That is the essence of our meeting at Freckles. "

" What? you've got to be kidding me. " Maya sounded appalled, but she was relieved, Gabriel still had no idea.

" I'm still willing to listen to you, so show up. "

" Babe__

" If you don't show up, I'll take it that you value whatever your secret is to this relationship. "

" Gabriel! " Maya was losing it, " You can't be serious. "

" All you have to do is show up and explain to me. It's that simple. "

There was a long pause, Maya stood at the table utterly in shock as she replayed their conversation nonstop in her head while Gabriel stood in front of her monitoring his composure.

" I'll be expecting to see you by 9? "

Maya was mute.

" You can't lie to me, you should know by now. "

Maya remained mute.

" I love you. " Gabriel replied giving her the final kiss on the lips as he exited the room.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Maya immediately drew out her phone dialling Evelyn's number as she panicked and paced around the room.

" b***h listen to me, I'm f****d! "