Hiding the Billionaire's Twins (English)

Chapter 3

Holding the piece of paper Amer had given me, I stood in front of the club he directed me to. Almost all the buildings here in La Fera Dos were massive compared to those in La Fera Uno, but out of all of them, the structure right before my eyes was by far the largest. Its exterior was lavish, giving off the impression that only the wealthy elite of Isla Fera could ever set foot inside.

I wasn't picky about the kind of job I took, as long as it was honest and honorable. What mattered most was bringing home money for my two children. Amer assured me he got me a position as a waitress, not as someone paid to entertain men. That was more than fine with me; my sole priority was buying my kids what they wanted.

I didn't want Zav, Zoe, or Amer shouldering the expenses for my children anymore. Nor did I want to ask for financial support from anyone else, least of all their father. When I spotted Rihav at the mall last week, an overwhelming sense of inadequacy washed over me.

He was rich, and I was poor, struggling just to survive. I was terrified that one day, my kids might leave me to go with their father. They were still so young and naive; a few shiny gifts might be all it took to draw them away.

“Miss, are you applying, too?”

The voice snapped my spirit right back into my body. Clasping a hand over my chest, I turned to face the speaker.

“My friend gave me something to turn in. He said I just need to hand it to the owner, and then I can start working,” I told her.

She nodded thoughtfully, placing a finger on her chin. “Ah, so you have a backer. Lucky you! I had a tough time getting in here. Club Highden is one of the biggest establishments here in La Fera Dos, so their hiring process is pretty strict. But don’t worry, I know you can handle it. You’re really pretty, anyway; you’ll easily snag yourself a hot, wealthy dog!” she gushed, practically swooning.

“A dog?” I asked innocently.

She burst out laughing and pulled me toward the building's entrance. “A handsome rich guy, not a dog!” she clarified, ushering me into a room.

I was about to step back out when she shut the door, leaving only a tiny c***k. She whispered a quick "Good luck!" before closing it completely.

Taking a deep breath, I scanned the interior of the room. A woman sat right in front of me, looking my way. She smiled, and I returned the gesture before walking toward her to offer a polite greeting.

“You must be Amer’s friend, am I correct?” she began.

I nodded. “Yes, Ma’am. I am Amer’s friend,” I replied with a warm smile.

Having managed to attend some college, I was fairly fluent in English. It was also the language commonly spoken in the Madreal household, so I had grown quite accustomed to it.

“Amer is right, you are pretty. Are you only looking to be a waitress here at Highden Club? Or would you prefer another position with better earnings?” she asked, gesturing for me to take a nearby seat.

I immediately shook my head at her suggestion. I knew exactly what kind of job she was hinting at, and Amer had explicitly warned me to decline it. “I just want to be a waitress here, Ma’am. Amer mentioned that was the position available, so that’s the job I’d like to take.”

Moistening her lips, she looked me up and down before speaking again. “Sure, you can start later tonight. Don’t be late; three tardies and you’ll be fired immediately. Your uniform is already in your locker. You’ll receive your salary at the end of the month. The owner of this club visits during the first week of every month, so it would be best for you to meet him soon.”

Since it was currently the first week of the month, that meant the owner was in the building. I had no idea who he was, but perhaps I’d run into him later.

Remembering the document Amer gave me, I handed it over to the woman, whose nameplate on the desk read "Tessa." She took it, signed off on it, and offered me a smile.

“Your shift starts at 6:00 PM and ends around 12:00 midnight. I know you live quite far from La Fera Dos, so we provide free room accommodations upstairs. Your only day off is Sunday. Farah will guide you to your room…”

“Who’s Farah, Ma’am?” I asked politely.

“The girl who pushed you in here, she’s waiting outside.” She pointed toward the door.

I nodded and took my leave, as she clearly had nothing more to add. She extended her hand in a dismissive gesture, signaling that I was free to exit her office. I bowed slightly out of respect before stepping out. True to Tessa's word, Farahline was right there waiting.

“Hi!” she greeted me with a bright smile.

It seemed like her smile never faded; even earlier outside, she hadn't stopped beaming.

I wasn't sure if Farah and I would hit it off, but she seemed genuinely nice. I just wasn't used to being around new people besides the twins and Amer. She was gorgeous, fair-skinned, and her toned physique was accentuated by a cropped top and tight skirts.

“You live pretty far from La Fera Dos. What made you decide to work here?” she inquired as we walked together.

We stepped into the elevator, and she pressed the button for our floor. I was completely unfamiliar with the place, so I figured Farah would be a great help in showing me the ropes.

“The pay back in La Meyanda wasn't great, so I decided to move over to La Fera Dos,” I replied.

“Fair point. I actually came all the way from Los Dias myself. Life was tough back home, so I moved here to LFD, too.”

“By the way... do you happen to know who owns this place?” I asked shyly.

I didn't know anything about the owner, and the thought of them being intimidating worried me. I really didn't want to mess up and get reprimanded in front of everyone.

“Sir Haiden owns this building and the club downstairs. He isn't strict or mean, unless you mess up your job.”

I nodded in understanding. A wave of anxiety washed over me, but I prayed I wouldn't make any mistakes on the job. I really wanted to keep this position so I could buy my children the things they wanted.

Our conversation lulled as Farah became absorbed in her phone. Thinking of her phone instantly brought Hacov to mind, it was the one thing he wanted most. I let out a soft sigh.

Don't worry, my sweet boy. Mommy will buy you one as soon as I get my third paycheck here. You won't have to watch from afar anymore.

A few seconds later, the elevator doors chimed open. Farah stepped out first, and I followed right behind her. The hallway was lined with numerous rooms, each labeled with a door number. We stopped in front of room 21. Farah pulled a key from her pocket and unlocked the door.

“This is your room...” She paused and turned to look at me.

“Fayre,” I introduced myself, extending my hand. She accepted it with a smile before showing me inside.

“This is your room, Fayre. No men allowed in here, or Boss will have your head. The room is fully furnished, so you can go ahead and unpack your clothes. I’ll just grab your uniform from your locker so you can try it on,” she said as we stepped inside.

“Oh, please don't bother! I can get it myself,” I said self-consciously.

I didn't want to be a burden. Being the newcomer, it felt wrong to let her run errands for me.

“I’ll grab it for you; you just focus on getting settled. Get some rest, too; you had a long trip coming here.” She gently took hold of my arms and guided me to sit on the bed.

Rather than argue and draw things out, I let it be. She excused herself to fetch the uniform while I placed my bag on the table. My eyes swept across every corner of the room.

It wasn't particularly large, but the bed was spacious enough for one or two people. Built-in cabinets stood opposite the bed, providing just enough space for my belongings, accompanied by a modest desk and chair off to the side. Despite its small size, the room felt cozy and comfortable.

Standing up, I opened the sole inner door. It led to a private bathroom complete with a toilet and sink. Everything was painted crisp white, making the whole space look bright and clean from every angle.

I returned to the bed and sat down, reaching into my small crossbody bag to pull out my keypad phone. I already missed my kids, even though it had only been a few hours since I last saw them.

They were still fast asleep when I left early this morning. I hated seeing them cry whenever I departed, knowing it would break my heart and tempt me to stay behind. But I was doing this for them, to give them the things they deserved. They never directly asked me for anything; I only found out through Zav and Zoe.

Amer’s phone rang for several seconds before he finally picked up.

“How’s it going over there, Fay?” Amer greeted.

“How are my kids? Did they cry when they realized I was gone? Did they look for me? What are they doing right now? Are you taking good care of them?” I peppered him with questions in a single breath.

I was sick with worry about the twins. What if they were throwing a tantrum or looking for me? They were just kids, after all, and it was only natural for them to react that way when their mother left.

“Calm down, Fay! Your kids are doing fine. They did look for you this morning, though. Both of them cried when they saw you weren't in bed, but thankfully, my little trick worked, and they calmed down. Right now, they’re eating those chocolates I found in your cabinet, they said it's their favorite,” he said from the other end of the line.

A wave of relief washed over me. I had feared the worst, half-expecting to rush back home if they were throwing a massive fit. Thankfully, Amer was a natural at comforting them. The chocolates Zav and Zoe bought certainly came in handy, too.

“And what kind of silly lie did you tell my kids?” I asked sternly.

I heard him chuckle on the other end, letting out a dramatic cough before answering. “Well... I told them I’d go find their daddy as long as they stopped crying. And guess what? It worked like a charm, Fay!”

My blood ran cold at his words. “'Worked like a charm,' my foot, you i***t! What if they actually start looking for their dad because of what you said, Amer?! Rihav cannot see them! What if he takes them away from me just because I don't have money?! For goodness' sake, Amer!” My voice spiked with rising anger and frustration.

Out of all the excuses and lies in the world, why did he have to bring up their father? Didn't he understand how vital it was that Rihav never set eyes on my children?!

“Fay, I’m so sorry! I didn't know what else to do with both of them crying at once. I’m really sorry! I’ll just trick them again and say their dad drowned in soup or something! I promise it won't happen again. Anyway, you probably have to get to work, bye!” he blurted out, hanging up before I could even get another word in.

I let out a heavy sigh. Just wait till I get back to La Meyanda, you’re dead meat, Amer!

By late afternoon, it was time to report for work at Highden. I was taken aback by how short the skirt Farah gave me was. I wasn't overly conservative about clothing, but wearing a skirt that barely reached my mid-thigh made me feel deeply uncomfortable. I wore shorts back home, but never anything this revealing.

Stepping in front of the full-length mirror in my room, I inspected my reflection. I bit my lip as I took in my whole appearance. I hadn't realized just how much weight I had lost after giving birth. The snug top accentuated my bust and brought out my waistline. For the first time, I noticed how surprisingly defined my hips and curves looked.

I grabbed the hem of my top and pulled it back to cinch it tighter, shaking my head as my figure became even more pronounced. My irregular eating habits had undoubtedly contributed to my weight loss. I often skipped meals simply because I prioritized my work over food. The only times I ate properly were when Amer or the Madreal twins were around, as they would scold me if I put work before my meals. Left with no choice, I’d eat just to appease them.

“Girl, are you ready? Our shift is about to start!” I heard Farah call out from the hallway.

I adjusted my outfit one last time before stepping out. I was immediately greeted by Farah, whose outfit was entirely different from mine, I wasn't even sure what her job role was. Her skirt was even shorter than mine, and her top consisted of a black bra paired with a see-through crop top. She also wore thigh-high stockings and tall boots.

“Why do you look so shocked?” Farah asked with a soft laugh at my reaction.

I blinked repeatedly. “Why are you dressed like that? What’s your job here?” I asked curiously.

I wasn't trying to pry, but her outfit genuinely startled me. It left very little to the imagination. Didn't she feel self-conscious? Here I was, feeling uneasy in a short skirt, while she was practically bare.

“Call girl...” she replied softly, her eyes narrowing slightly. “You’ll see me performing on stage later.”

I nodded slowly as we entered the elevator to head down to the club. I understood her profession and had no right to judge her for it. I didn't know what circumstances drove her to this line of work.

We shouldn't judge a person without knowing their story.

That was a lesson ingrained in me since my college days. We couldn't completely avoid societal stigma, but compassion should always come first. Everyone has feelings, and harsh words can cut deeply.

“Quiet all of a sudden? I know... you’re probably thinking I’m dirty, bad, or unchaste. Someone unacceptable to society because I’m just a pleasure girl.”

I looked at her and quickly shook my head. “I’m not judging you for your work, Farah. You must have your reasons for doing what you do. Honestly, I admire your strength for enduring it, and for pushing past all the cruel things people say about your job.”

She offered a bitter laugh, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “We live in a judgmental society. People talk about my job as if I’m filthy, without ever bothering to ask why I had to do this in the first place,” she said, the pain evident on her face.

“Just ignore people like that, Farah. You know who you are, don't give them the satisfaction of a response.”

She gave a faint smile, though sadness lingered in her eyes. “Sometimes I can’t help it. I snap back at them. It’s hard when people look down on you so much,” she sighed deeply.

Her words made my heart ache. I wasn't the type to confront others; I usually kept my head down because I knew my own truth. Yet, I often wondered if staying silent only encouraged people to treat me like trash. I never quite knew where I fit in or how to navigate people's perceptions, so I usually just followed my instinct to stay quiet and avoid conflict.

“Unless they cross the line, it’s really up to you whether you react or not. Just remember one thing, don't let life's hardships beat you down. There's always a rainbow after the rain, as they say.”

She burst out laughing. “I really want to be your friend!” she squealed playfully.

I knitted my brows. “Why? Don't you have friends here?”

Farah immediately shook her head. “Not really. I guess you’re the only one,” she said with a chuckle. “That is, if you’re willing to be my friend.”

A smile broke across my face. I was trying to open my heart to trusting people again. Though it wasn't easy, I could tell Farah was different from the women I had met before. I had a feeling we were going to be genuine friends.

“Of course I am!” I answered quickly. “But why don't you have friends here?” I prodded gently.

Before she could answer, the elevator doors slid open, and three women stepped in. Their revealing outfits suggested they worked in the same line as Farah. One of them shot me a cold, calculating glare from head to toe before stepping all the way in.

I almost wished the doors had shut on you, I thought silently.

“Well, if it isn't Farah the b***h,” the woman sneered. “The grand home-wrecker herself. Are your nights with Fabio over, or did he finally get tired of you?” She let out a trashy laugh.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about, Ella,” Farah shot back.

Though trapped inside the tight space of the elevator, the tension between the two was palpable. Everything had been fine moments ago, but the second Ella walked in, the mood turned suffocating.

“Playing innocent, are we?” Ella rolled her eyes, turning her sharp gaze toward me. “You’d better stay away from this b***h, sweetie, unless you want her stealing your man, too.”

I chose not to engage. Instead, I subtly stepped closer to Farah, slipping my hand reassuringly into hers. I could feel the sheer malice radiating from Ella's glare; it was sharp enough to pierce through skin. Though I didn't know the full story, I stood firmly by Farah's side. She wasn't a bad person.

We remained quiet as Ella and her companions gossiped among themselves.

“Sir is here tonight, and he brought his friends with him,” one of Ella’s friends announced.

“Looks like we hit the jackpot tonight!” another squealed.

“Fabio is mine,” Ella declared pointedly. “Lyn, you take Cydrile. And Karen, you get Rihav.”

I froze, paralyzed by the sound of that last name.

Rihav is here?! What is he doing in a place like this?! Why of all places... Isla Fera?!

My knees went weak. I shut my eyes tight, fighting for a deep breath as my hand naturally flew to my chest to steady my racing heart. Pure terror seized me.

When the elevator doors finally opened, one thought echoed relentlessly in my mind: Fay, you have to be extremely careful tonight. He cannot see you. Avoid his area at all costs and stay hidden. That is what you must do, Fay.