SUBMITTING TO THE BILLIONAIRE MAFIA LORD

ONE

PRESENT DAY

It has been ten years of missing my mother’s love, ten years of pain and mistreatment from Amber and her daughters, and ten years of lacking my father’s love. I don’t know if I should be asking God for another chance to resurrect my mother and let me see her for just a few seconds and tell her how much I miss her or just to live with the truth.

Life has never been the same since she died. First came the accident that took her away from me, then came the time to adjust to the new changes, and then came the nightmare my father brought home in the name of love and family.

I still remember how nice Amber was to me for a few weeks after she moved in with her daughters. Life was easy but then came the nightmare of having to do every house chore in the house. In my whole life, my mom had done everything to make sure I never strained, but Amber was different; she made sure I never used any of the machines in the house.

I would wash the dishes, clean the whole house by myself, and wash everyone’s clothes, including my father's, who, by the way, never bothered to check on me or see how I was doing. I was convinced he had something to do with my mother’s death, but why did he despise me that much? Was he, my father? Or was I adopted?

Nevertheless, today is my birthday, and I am turning Yes, 24. You heard me right. My wish today is for everything to go back to the ordinary, but I guess normal is not in my dictionary anymore.

After I graduated from high school, my father did not see a reason to pay for my college, so I was forced to stay at home and be my stepsisters’ nanny. I complained and got tired until I got used to the kind of life, I was going through with hopes that one day I would be able to save enough and move out of my father’s house.

I am not an outdoor person because I never really get the chance to hang out, but at least I have a friend I can rely on, Brandy Mandy. She is the only thing close to a sister I have. I met her during one night of my escape to a club near my home.

Don’t get it twisted, I am not a club kind of lady, but when Brandy has a job at her workplace, she usually invites me to help her around, and I get paid. Money is the key goal and the only thing that can help me escape my stepfamily’s mistreatment, mockery, and bullying.

Amber is out as usual to meet her friends, and Stacy and Mylee are in college, so it is just me in the house. I got a call from Brandy, and I am excited to pick it up.

"Hey girl, I am glad it is your call. How is it going?"

"You know? Nothing much; just work and work. How are you doing? "Is the she-devil back from whatever hellhole she went to?" She asks, and I laugh.

"Your hate is prominent, but she is almost back. "You have something you want to talk to me about?"

"Yes, there is an opening here tonight; we need one more bartender, and I was hoping you would help me out. I mean just you and me. The pay is good, $500 for the night; the boss will be here tonight, and it is going to be fully packed." She states this, and my heart skips a beat.

That is the kind of man I will have to work for almost a month to get, and just serving drinks to get them is not such a big task.

"Are you kidding me? I am in. Let me get ready to meet you at your place before Amber comes back and blocks from going out." I say this as I rush to my room to change.

"Yes, I was hoping you would say that. And before I say something bad, what is your father’s opinion on this? "Why is he so silent about everything?"

"Oh, let’s not even get to that." My father is a big coward and doesn’t even deserve to be called a father." I said, and she chuckled on the other end.

"Let us talk more when you get here, my love; I am waiting for you. Just take a cab, and I’ll pay, and there's no need to look for an outfit; I have lots of clothes that can fit you." She urges, and I nod, forgetting she can’t see me.

"I will see you when I get there. Thank you for this opportunity, Brandy."

"Anything for you, my love." She says this before she hangs up.

I know I have an opportunity to grab a lot of money tonight, so I must do my best not to disappoint Brandy. After changing into something casual and making sure my room is not a mess, I head downstairs and immediately get into the awaiting car; I can’t risk Amber finding me at home.

The drive to Brandy’s place is short since she doesn’t live far from where I live. When I get to her apartment, I text her, and she proceeds to pay for the cab. Then we proceeded to her house.

She lives in a nice one-bedroom apartment, and I always wish I could afford that kind of house and just be at peace.

"I told you we could live here and just co-exist like sisters, but you are still stuck with that she-devil." She says as soon as we get in the house, and I shrug.

"I don’t want to be a burden to you, Brandy. "I have nothing to call mine—no college degree, no job, no assets; my name screams poverty." I shoot back, and she chuckles while looking at me.

"You are funny, Riley. But when you make up your mind, you know this is like your home, and who told you a college degree is a measure of poverty and richness? Look at me struggling with life—just a mere bartender with a college degree. You can still make it, you know?"

"Yeah, yada, yada, yada. I have heard that countless times. "Why don’t you show me some of the clothes you have?" I ask just to evade her long lecture about how life is like a game.

"Sure, just continue avoiding this topic; I will be here to remind you." She insists, and I shrug.

After nearly half an hour of rummaging through her clothes, we finally settled on the best dresses for the night. I have done this bartending job before, so I will know the drill as soon as we get to that famous club.

The club is packed full of rich guys and strippers all over the place; money can surely buy happiness, contrary to what people say.

After changing into the club’s attire, we head straight to the bar. "What was the point in wearing these skimpy dresses when you knew we were going to put on this basic uniform?" I ask as I mix the drink.

"That is because we have a three-hour shift, then we can party after this. Who knows? You might get laid tonight." She jokes, and I shake my head, baffled.

"No, Brandy. "I don’t want to get laid; that is not the reason why I am here, and you know it as well."

"I am just saying you need to get laid for you to lose that attitude." She adds.

"Okay, can we not talk about my s*x life while at work?"

"Yeah, you got it." She raises her arms in the air dramatically, and I nod.

The club is in a great mood with people dancing to the music, the rich seated in the VIP sections chatting amongst themselves while the strippers are busy dancing seductive moves on the poles half naked with their perky boobs out.

"Hey, do you mind doing the serving while I use the bathroom for a few minutes?" Brandy asks out of the blue, and I roll my eyes at her.

"Why would I do that?" I ask daringly, and she looks at me with pouty eyes.

"Please." She begs, and I exhale sharply.

"Fine, just make sure it is a quickie and not a whole ten-minute show."

"What?"

"What?" I mimic.

"What are you talking about?"

"I saw how you two were looking at each other, and I knew that was the reason you wanted to go to the ‘bathroom’." I point out her billionaire boyfriend.

"No, that is not the case. I am going to use the bathroom." She insists, and I let her go.

However, I fail to understand why she still insists on working when she has someone who can take care of her without a hustle.

"He is a married man, Riley. This is like a symbiotic relationship; he gets the s*x and I get the money, but I still have to work." I remember her words and just smile to myself.

"And what is making you smile all by yourself?" A voice startles me, and I turn to look in that direction, only to come face-to-face with the owner of the club.

I have only seen him on TV and in the news but have never had the chance to meet him eye-to-eye. This is the first time I have seen him, and my feet are wobbly. I can feel the energy draining from my body.

"Damn, he is so cute!" I whispered to myself, not knowing I said it distinctly.

"Yeah, I know that pretty. "Where is the other lady?" He asks, and I cover my mouth in total embarrassment.

"I am sorry Sir… I didn’t mean to say it that loud. Brandy left to use the bathroom, and I am helping her tonight." I stutter, and he just smiles, picks up the empty glass from the counter, and pours himself a glass of the expensive scotch.

"What is your name, pretty?" he asks, and I clear my throat noisily.

"My name is... Riley… Riley Anderson." I stammer.

"There is no need to feel pressured, Riley." I would like to know you more. So, why don’t you and I speak somewhere private? I am not trying to kidnap you or anything, so don’t feel cornered. "Everyone in here knows me, Alessandro Ricco." He boasts, and I laugh nervously.

"I don’t understand what you are saying; should I leave my post?"

"Yes, someone else can take over from you. You know what? I will pay you $10,000 just to talk to you. I am having a shitty day, and you seem to be the only person who can listen to me. Plus, I am avoiding my guys over that table, so what do you say?"

"Yeah…sure…" I stutter, and he smiles and orders his bodyguard to direct me to his office upstairs.

I don’t know what I am thinking, but $10,000 is a lot of money to start my life in another city far away from my wicked family, just for talking to him. Hell yeah, I am taking that chance and grabbing it with both hands.

As I follow the bodyguard behind me, I can’t help but imagine how it is going to be—life somewhere else far from this city that is full of memories of my late mom. I had no idea that this was the night my whole life was going to take a new turn—a night that changed everything for me.