The Billionaire's Chosen One

Bailey's POV "Mom, Mom, what is wrong?" Hearing my mother's cough, I turned off the water rushing out of my faucet and sprang out of my room. There was a toothpaste lather around my mouth, but I didn't bother to wipe it up, Mother came first. Inside her room was dark. I fondled my hand on the wall, searching for the switch. Finding it, I turned the lights on. "Mom!" I couldn't even hear my scream. They were loud and frightening. On the floor lay my mother, coughing and panting for air. Her nostrils were filled with blood and her hair was sticky with mucus. I picked up my phone and dialed 911. The caller answered. "911, what's your emergency?" "My mother, she's on the floor, she's dying, come save her," I said, breathlessly. I didn't wait for an answer. I flung my phone and ran off to meet her. Soon, the paramedic came rushing in. A nurse well above her fifties ran in with younger nurses. Her eyes were kind and she patted me. "What happened?" "I don't know. I just heard her cough and this happened." My eyes were filled with tears already. She was all I had. My father was involved in an auto crash, and since then, Mother had been the only one available. She took her hands in mine. "She'll be fine." I look up at the clock. s**t. I was late for work. After speeding up with the paramedics, I threw up a flimsy blouse and a short skirt as my boss had instructed. In his words, I had to look hot for the customers. I threw on my apron with the company's logo tapered on my breast, then I went off to work. My mind went to Mother and wished she was all okay. She was all I had. "You're late. Again. Let me guess, your mother had another episode." It was my boss, Aaron. His hands were crossed around his waist waiting for me. I nodded shamelessly. "How many times do I have to remind you that this is a workspace? You don't bring your matters into this place. Make sure they don't crash. You hear me?" "Yes… yes sir." My voice was shaky. "Good. I hope you hear me, because the next time this happens, you lose your job." I couldn't afford that, but I nodded either way. Working as a waiter in Aaron's restaurant was the only way I could pay house rent and still cover little for Mother's ailment fees. Father left us in debt, so there was no money. Waiting around for a customer, I filled myself with a hot cup of steamy coffee. I didn't like the taste of black coffee, because it tasted like my life, but right now, I needed to drink in my life. I took in a sip when I heard my name. "Bailey," Aaron shouted. I ran away from the kitchen and went off to meet him. He was seated in his chair. "You called for me, sir." "Yes. I got news from Sharon that Mr. Silver is in our restaurant." He was giddy when he said it, so it was a sign the man was very important. My eyebrows knitted each other. "Who's Mr. Silver?" He hit his pen hard on the table. "Goddammit, Bailey, you don't know anything. Mr. Silver is the richest man here in Manhattan. He owns many of the shopping malls and owns a bazillion of companies all over the US." I needed to know where he was going and why I was suddenly part of the plan. I was just a waitress. "I want him to come back to our restaurant, and maybe, bring his friends down. You know how good it'll be if this is the rich men's hang-out. You should think of the money I'll make." "How do I come in?" "Good question. I want you to go serve him. You're the most beautiful waitress here and he will be impressed by what he sees. That way, he will come back." "I don't think he will like me that much. Maybe you should send Sharon." Aaron shook his head. "No, you're perfect for this job. Now go make me money." With that, he sent me out of his office. I breathed out heavily as I thought of what to do next. I straightened the creases on my skirt and I made sure my hair looked perfect. I couldn't mess up this opportunity for Aaron. "Good day, sir, may I have your orders?" I cleared my throat and asked a little above a whisper to make my voice seductive. Reaching him, I found out that he wasn't just rich, but at the same time, he was handsome. With sparkly silver eyes that danced around in pride and his trimmed hair that beautified his face, he looked like a Greek god with his perfect body and white, sparkly teeth. I was starstruck and couldn't breathe when my nose came in contact with his expensive cologne. "I'd like a cup of coffee. No cream, a little sugar." His voice was stern and straight, no room for jokes. My smile deflated at once as I went to get his order. Going back to the kitchen, I met Aaron's straight eyes, he mouthed: "Do not disappoint me." I poured a cup of fresh tea and added a little sugar to it. My stomach was in knots when I was done. I took deep breaths and crossed my heart. I had to do this right. I placed it in a tray and tried to walk graciously even though my legs were killing me. I couldn't take my eyes off his handsomeness and his gait. He smelt of money and his confidence was something intimidating. Just a few steps from him, I thought of Mother. I didn't know how she was faring in the hospital. I was spooked. Before I knew what was happening, I misplaced a few steps and tripled over, showering hot coffee in Mr. Silver's tailored suit. I begged that the ground opened up to swallow me. In fear, I got up swiftly and dabbed a tissue all over his body and the affected area. He couldn't take my touch because he pushed my hands away. His jaws were set right, his fists were curled into a ball ready to hit anybody. His glistening, silver eyes felt like fire and my body shook more. "I'm so sorry, Mr. Silver, I didn't know what came over me." "Do you know how much I bought this suit? How much have you cost me at this point? This is better in the trash." His voice was like thunder and lightning raining down on me. The thing left was an elocution. Everyone in the shop looked up at the both of us and waited for the result. The staff of the restaurant came out, too, and shook their heads. I was a loser. "I deeply regret my action, Mr. Silver." "You see what is wrong with poor people? They think their unfortunate lives can buy them out of the situation they get themselves in." He read my name off my name tag. "Regret, Bailey, doesn't pay for a twenty thousand dollar suit." "Then, I'll pay back the suit. Even though I don't have the money, I will pay in installments until the twenty thousand is complete." I didn't know why I said this, because I had no money, and my mother lay in the hospital, fighting for her life. We needed money to keep our apartment, too. I raised my head to see him smiling and a crinkle forming behind his eyes. "You'll pay me back the twenty thousand dollars?" I nodded foolishly. He turned to other of my coworkers. "Where is the owner of this place?" My mind raced. What was he about to do? Sharon led him straight to Aaron who was surprised to see his coffee-ridden shirt. Before he could react to the suit, Mr. Silver's voice filled the full room. "I want her fired." "Mr. Silver?" he asked. "Your employer ruined my twenty thousand dollar suit and I want her gone." Aaron looked at me in anger. "You had one job, Bailey. One and you failed. You heard the man: you're fired." Heat rushed all over my body. I couldn't even beg because I knew there was no turning back. I had nowhere to go. Mr. Silver smiled. "Let's see how you pay back the twenty thousand dollars that you speak of. Which you must pay." Tears streamed down my eyes and pain engulfed my full body. There was no way out. I was done for.