A Bullied Billionaire

Chapter 5

"Yup. I was hired as a junior architect by the company. I had been working for a month when I found out that Bong had referred me. The results of the board exam came out, and miraculously, I was in the top 10 of my batch that year."

"Wow. So, your salary went up? You must be rich now."

"I got an increase, especially when several competing firms offered me higher salaries. But I decided not to leave BISAF. Now, after three years of working there, it's obvious that my life has improved."

"Yes. You're not the skinny Restituto anymore who worked from morning to night just to eat. Now, you're a respected architect. Impressive!"

"Bong didn't want me to pay back my tuition loan, but I insisted. He was reluctant, but he accepted it. After I paid him, I bought this unit. I started furnishing it according to my taste. I bought a second-hand car, and everything I wanted is slowly becoming a reality."

"Your girlfriend is lucky."

He smiled at her comment. "But we're about to go our separate ways, Olga."

"What?"

"Because of my latest project, I earned a lot. But I didn't take my commission. I'll use it to build a house on the lot I bought in Project Three. The construction is ongoing. Then, luckily, I got another project, bigger than the previous one. It's a high-rise building to be built in Alabang. I was the personal choice to be the architect."

"Wow, you're really successful now."

"My name is starting to be recognized, so my fees are increasing. If I keep getting projects, maybe in 5 years—at the age of 34—I'll be financially stable. I can start thinking about marriage."

Olga smiled and gave him beautiful eyes. "I'm still single, Rex…"

He burst out laughing, imagining the comedian Joy Viado. "Oh… the lady's dreaming. Why, do you have a uterus?"

"Yes! Two of them!"

"Oh my…" He laughed and laughed. Because of her association with gay friends, he thought she was also gay. "Maybe when you get married, you won't feel alone and sad anymore," she said, becoming serious, until she suddenly started singing. "You won't be alone. Just call my name, and I'll come…"

"You're so crazy." She became serious. "Hah! Your brothers and sisters will be envious of you."

He just smiled and fell into thought. "Hmmm… Maybe I'll learn to forgive my family for abandoning me. They only remembered me now—probably because my life has changed."

"Maybe so."

"I only think of one thing, Olga."

"What is it?"

"If I didn't have money, I would never be happy. I need it to make others happy. If I don't have it, no woman will stay with me."

"You're such a gold digger." She was being cute again. He sighed and rolled his eyes to the ceiling. When he looked at her again, he was thinking of something else. "Tomorrow at 10:00 AM, I'll meet my friend Dante at a restaurant near the airport to formally meet his sister. So, make my nails look nice."

"Of course. You know I will."

He admitted that he was a little excited to meet Marimar. Her name sounded sexy—mischievous. If she was really popular with men, he wouldn't mind joining the fray. After all, she would be living with him. His smile widened. He closed his eyes. He imagined Marimar as a local version of Thalia. He became even more excited. "Okay. My tip, huh?"

He only realized it when he heard Olga's voice. He took 300 pesos from his pocket and handed it to her.

"Wow! Handsome and generous. That's too much, Rex. Here's your change—" Before he could react, she kissed him on both cheeks. Then, she casually packed her things and said goodbye. He shook his head as he locked the gate after she left.

Even though she wasn't used to waking up early, Marimar was already awake at seven o'clock. She was looking at the full-length mirror in her room in their house in Batangas. Even though she could already hear her Kuya Dante's loud voice, she remained relaxed while doing her beauty routine.

“Marimar! What is it?”

“Well, well…” she muttered to herself, then looked at herself in the mirror again. She smiled. There was nothing more she could do to improve her appearance.

She was wearing her favorite black tube blouse. She paired it with super skimpy shorts that clung tightly to her lower body. Her footwear was high-heeled sandals that many people said looked ultra-sexy on her.

She touched up her natural-look makeup and then tied her long, curly hair in a ponytail. She made sure that some strands were left loose to enhance her look. She wore bangle earrings that were almost as big as bracelets. Then she smiled at her reflection in the mirror.

She knew she was successful and had a strong appeal to men. It wasn't her fault. Now that she was still young and her skin was still firm, she should take advantage of her allure. She would show everyone what she had that she should be proud of.

“Marimar, what is it?” Her Kuya Dante was already angry. “Hurry up! Come down, we'll be late for the flight! I'll be left behind on the plane, damn it!”

“I'm coming, I'm coming!” She frowned before turning away from the mirror.

The truth was, she didn't want to leave their place. She didn't want to leave their house. She had broken up with Tonio—her husband of five years—but her Kuya Dante didn't listen to her. He even hit her. But when he said he would take her to Santa Cruz, Manila, she became quiet and a little excited.

She knew he would entrust her to a close friend of his. Handsome, an architect, and most importantly, single—that was Rex Quinino. She felt a thrill when she heard that information. Well, she didn't have a husband anyway. There was nothing wrong if she and Rex liked each other.

Just the name itself is already enticing! She thought to herself. She smiled as she imagined where Rex would position her at his drawing board once he felt how sweet her kisses were.

"Marimar, Oh my God!"

She panicked when she heard her brother's voice again. When he called on God like that, it meant he was possessed by the devil. “I'm coming!” she shouted back, then turned to her assistant. “Hey, Riri! Are you done packing my things?”

“Long time ago, Marimar,” she replied from the other room. Then she came out. Tall, thin, and with very short hair. She looked like bamboo—flat, twisted, and shapeless. Riri was everything she was not. If you didn't know her, you would really mistake her for a man.

“Oh, okay then. What are you still waiting for?” she said sharply. “Carry all my suitcases downstairs. Be careful with my makeup trolley; everything in there is imported.”

“Yes, Marimar.”