A Taste of Mr. Billionaire

“LET'S BREAK UP.” The words shattered the silence of my office. For a moment, I thought I misheard her. “Stop fooling around, Babe.” I chuckled and shook my head. “Busy ako. Let's talk later.” “I am not,” she replied. “Let's end this, Caius.” I looked up from the documents I'm reviewing and darted my eyes to Celeste who is standing in front of my table. She's wearing a simple black dress that complimented her figure. Her face is emotionless and cold. The diamond ring I slipped onto her finger to ask her to marry me glimmered beneath the lights. “What?” I asked with my brows furrowed and straightened my back, showing her that she got my attention now. “Is it because, I missed dinner last night? I'll make it up to you—” “No.” Without hesitation, she pulled the ring off and placed it on my desk, ending our three years together. “Maghiwalay na tayo, Caius,” she said with a fainted smile on her lips. “Why?” I asked again. Hinilot ko ang batok ko at tumayo dahil mukhang ibang away na naman ito. “You really didn't know?” saad niya at tumawa nang pagak. “Celeste...” I mumbled her name. “I don't have the power to do this kind of joke.” “I never loved you, Caius.” My forehead knotted. “Come on, Babe. Don't do this—” “I never did.” I froze. Her words struck like a bullet in my chest, digging deeper. Pinagmasdan ko ang mukha niya, nagbabakasakaling makita ang ibang expresyon. But her face remains cold and calm as if she already rehearsed her words. “I don't believe you, Celeste,” I replied and walked towards her, but she stepped back making me froze again. “I said yes to your proposal, Caius because I need your wealth,” aniya at ngumisi. “Hindi kita mahal at kahit kailan, hinding-hindi mangyayari 'yon.” I clenched my jaw and curled my fist so hard. “No! You're lying. Stop this nonsense, Celeste now!” “No, Caius! You listen, ayokong pakasalan ka.” She breathe. “Ayokong makasama ka habangbuhay.” “Babe, look at me,”I told her. “I am looking—” “No!” I paused. “Look at me the way you used to.” “Stop, Caius.” Her eyes remained empty. “Ito ang totoong ako. Ang totoong ako na hindi ka minahal.” The air left my lungs as pain spread to my heart. Hindi ko alam ang dapat kong isipin dahil wala naman kaming malaking away nitong nakaraang mga araw. “I... I gave you everything,” wika ko at humakbang ngunit umatras siyang muli. “I needed your money,” she said without remorse. “I needed your name, your power, and an access to your empire.” “If money is what you wanted,” I almost whispered gritting my teeth. “... I am willing to give you every cent.” She laughed. “Kaya ang dali mong lokohin. Because you fell in love with me with just one f*****g click. Bilyonaryo ka nga pero uto-uto ka Caius.” She tossed a thick folder on the floor. The documents scattered everywhere. Pinulot ko isa-isa at napaawang ang aking labi sa aking nakita. Muli akong tumayo at pinakita sa kaniya ang mga papel na hawak ko. I crumpled it on my palm and tossed it back in front of her. I can feel the rage slowly rising through my head. I trusted her. Bank transfers, confidential contracts, account statements, and documents that have my signature that I don't remember signing. Every transaction has been approved through my private accounts which only she has the access. My breathing became heavy as I realize what my company is facing right now. My f*****g millions are gone! “What the f**k is this?!” I blurted out. “I took what I deserved,” sagot niya at tumalim ang kaniyang tingin. “You stole from me!” “News flash! I did, Caius.” She smirked. “I f*****g did.” “You wanted to destroy my company?!” I growl, grabbing the vase on my table and throwing it out of my frustration. Napaigtad siya sa nakita pero isinawalang bahala niya iyon. “I sold your secrets to your competitors too. I want to watch your downfall.” Marahas akong napatingin sa kaniya. Silence filled my four sided office. Too quiet, I can't hear anything except the loud beating of my chest because of anger. She wanted me fall. The woman I offer my world with, wanted me to lose everything, right in front of her eyes. “You planned this,” I chuckled in frustration.“You f*****g planned everything!” She nodded. “For three years.” Kumunot ang noo ko sa sinabi niya. Because exactly three years ago, we met at the bakery shop. Napayuko ako nang unti-unting pumapasok sa aking utak ang nangyari. She doesn't love me. She infiltrated my company to seduce me and destroy everything from the inside. But why? “So, every smile...” “It was fake, Caius.” “Every kiss...” “Fake.” “Every I love you...” “It was... empty.” Fuck. I looked at her with tears burning behind my eyes. I feel like my chest is being ripped apart and it was f*****g hurt. “The cakes...” My voice finally cracked looking at the slice of cake on the table she gave me a few hours ago. “You baked them for me. Was it real? Or you just bought it somewhere...” This time she smile. “They were... real.” “Of course,” I chuckled again as I remember I almost die because of her cake. “And you used it to poisoned me...” “I want you dead,” she laughed. “God, Caius! You survived that!” “Celeste Dizon!” I roared her name. “Please... Stop.” “No, Caius.” “You know I would've given you everything. I would've burned the world for you. I would've chosen you over my empire. ”I took a deep breath. “Then why? Why destroy me?” She looked at me straight in the eyes without a glimpse of guilt. “Because watching a powerful man fall in love...” She smiled. “...made destroying him even more satisfying.” I couldn't breathe. The woman standing in front of me is not the woman I swore to love forever. Or maybe she never really exist. Because everything was a big lie. Everything is a mask. “Kneel hard, Caius. Because you will never rise again after this,” she said and turned her back, walking straight to the door. I clenched my fist. “Dare me, Celeste. Because when I do, you will regret everything.” She smirked and left. Nanghihina akong napaupo sa aking swivel chair. Nakatitig sa mga papel na nakakalat sa lapag. Dumako ang tingin ko sa litratong nakapatong sa lamesa. It was our third year anniversary. Marahas kong dinampot iyon at tinapon hanggang sa nabasag. Kasunod niyon ay ang sunod-sunod na tawag mula sa aking cellphone at company phone. At alam ko kung ano ang kakahinatnan nito. “Goddammit!” My scream echoed through the room, carrying every ounce of my rage and regret. I didn't lose because I was weak. I lost because I fell in love with that venomous b***h. The same b***h who smiled while she shattered me into pieces. I swear, I will find her. And I will make her f*****g pay for destroying me. Triple and painful.