A Bullied Billionaire

Riri was used to being mistaken for a tomboy—or worse, gay. She used this to her advantage to avoid problems with her friend, Marimar Bugacay, who was insecure about her. In a way, Riri was safe and not a threat to Marimar's "beauty." Because she didn't look feminine, she was welcome in Marimar's life—and home. She applied as a dishwasher at the beer house owned by Marimar's family. She had no choice but to work and support herself. She stopped studying Architecture because she had no one to support her. She planned to resume her studies once she saved enough money. She really wanted to be an architect, just like her father and two older brothers. She mustered the courage to talk to Marimar's brother, Dante, about working and studying, but his response was a disheartening, "It's not in the budget." "I'll pay for it," she argued. "Your course is too expensive, Riri," interjected their mother, Aling Andeng. "Why don't you just study massage therapy? Auring, who works across the street, earns a lot from foot massages." "Reflexology," Dante said. "Right. That's a good idea, Riri." "Yes! Learn how to do body massage too," Aling Andeng added. "At least, in that profession, it's okay if you don't finish as long as you learn something. You'll also know how to massage me. Your hands are too heavy. If you study that, you'll learn where to apply pressure." She had no choice, so she didn't object. It was better than being out of school. "I'll take you to Marimar tomorrow. You'll enroll, but I'll deduct it from your salary, okay?" "Yes, Inay Andeng," she replied. "Thank you." "Alright, serve the food, we're starving." She went to the dining room and served the food. Afterward, she went to Marimar's room to tell her that lunch was ready. After knocking about ten times and Marimar still didn't open the door, she jiggled the doorknob. It opened. As she pushed the door open, she was met with a nauseating smell coming from inside the room. "Oh my God, Marimar! You threw up again?" she asked. Marimar was lying on her back, legs spread wide open like a fish at the market that needed to be sold because it was already spoiled. There were even traces of dried saliva on her cheek and the side of her mouth. "You're so disgusting," she said, shaking her head. "Where did you go last night? That's why you didn't leave your room all day, you're still hungover. They're waiting for you in the dining room. Come downstairs and have lunch. I'll clean up your mess first." Marimar didn't even flinch. She just frowned and hugged her pillow, which had dried vomit on it. Riri shook her head; she was used to cleaning up after Marimar. She was tired of complaining, so she just endured it until she became completely immune to the disgust. "Marimar! Come down. Later, Inay Andeng will come up and—" Suddenly, she was thrown against the wall. Seeing Marimar standing by the bed, she realized what Marimar had done. Another f-ing flying kick—and she didn't know how many ribs were broken. "Ouch!" she cried out. "What did I do to you?" "That's what you get for being a nosy person like you! You think you're someone, acting like that towards me. You're so shameless!" "I-I'm just worried about you—" "Hah! And you're going to act dramatic now!" Marimar lunged at her and pulled her hair. She slammed her forehead against the wall. Thankfully, it was made of wood and not cement, but it still hurt. She winced. "Ouch! Stop it, Marimar!" Marimar kicked her once more before finally stopping. She grabbed her robe and marched out of the room. Riri was left crying while cleaning up Marimar's mess. If her mother found out about Marimar's drunken vomiting, she would be the one to get in trouble with Aling Andeng and her sons. They would surely tell her that she was irresponsible for letting Marimar sneak out at night. Worse, they might even make it seem like she was the one who planned it. Brother, where are you? Save me from here... "You, Riri, huh? You're so dramatic. I'm the one who became your assistant," Marimar scoffed as they walked to the vocational school offering Reflexology classes and other types of massage. Riri looked at her. Marimar was wearing a tangerine tube blouse and, as usual, her denim shorts were incredibly short. She paired them with four-inch wedges. She looked like a Christmas tree with all the jewelry on her body. Riri didn't know if her skin could even breathe with that much makeup on her face. "I don't know why I'm so kind and fell for Mother's trick of accompanying you! You're like a child, needing to be accompanied to enroll! Hmph!" Marimar said with a roll of her eyes. "It's just Inay Andeng who's insistent," she reasoned. Secretly, she was worried about being short on money. It seemed like she could still get some money from the Php5,000 reservation fee for her classes. The number of students accepted was limited. "Aw, s***! Elmo's coming!" Marimar's smile suddenly widened, but her voice remained sharp, almost inaudible. "Don't act cute, you i***t. I'll throw you into Lolo Turne's copra pile... Hi, Elmo!" "Hi, Marimar... Riri." Elmo, who looked like a jueteng collector, smiled at Riri before turning to Marimar. "So, Maring? Are you going to bet?" "Hmph! You're teasing me again. Don't pay attention to my Shih Tzu, or she might follow you home," Marimar said, referring to Riri. Riri remained silent. She was used to Marimar's barbs. Marimar often made it seem like Riri was her lackey. At first, Riri protested, but eventually, she got used to it. She accepted it rather than experience Marimar's physical abuse when she complained. "And please, don't call me Maring? You're so yucky, Elmo!" the witch added cutely. The jueteng collector just smiled. "Okay, place your bet. What number?" "Ten-fourteen. Eighteen, with a payout of two pesos. If my number wins, you get a bonus kiss from me." Riri still didn't say anything. They met several people—mostly men, young or married, as long as they were good-looking—who chatted with Marimar. Riri was mistaken for Marimar's lackey several times before they reached their destination.