Beyond the Billionaire's image

Chapter 1/1

"Ms. Muller?" The call rudely interrupted my quiet morning. I yawned, not bothering to check the caller ID, and answered it promptly.

"Yeah, who is this?" I scratched my head, lazily making my way into the bathroom. Glancing at my reflection, frustration crossed my face as I cursed under my breath upon spotting a couple of pimples.

"Damn, periods."

Napakahirap talaga maging babae. Simula pa lang noong bata ako, lagi na lang akong nagdadalamhati dahil dito. Hindi ko matiis ang mga pervert na laging nag-aabang. Oo, isisi mo lahat sa mga boobs ko. Napapabuntong-hininga na lang ako sa inis, parang sinisisi ko ang dibdib ko sa lahat ng kahirapan na na-experience ko.

Bakit ba kasi may boobs? Ipatanggal ko kaya 'to?

The phone vibrates again as I continue pacing around. Umaalog ito kapag tumatakbo at gumagalaw lang ng kunti. Kung pwede sana itong i-donate, binigay ko na. An'dami pa namang mga flat sa mundo. Hindi naman malaki talaga pero mas convenient talaga sa aking size cup A o kahit wala nalang size. Kainis!

"This is Attorney Gomarez from the Philippines, and I would like you to know that your father wishes for you to come back for his last will and testament."

I paused. I blinked several times and glanced, thinking it might be a wrong call, but the number displayed was indeed from the Philippines.

"Testament? I didn't even receive calls from my father for years. He was dead? Are you sure that I need there?"

I don't hate my dad; it's just that we're not on good terms. Even now, he harbors resentment towards me. I don't recall Dad being ill, or perhaps he was, but I didn't have the time to check on him. Why would I, anyway?

"He is not yet dead, Ms. Muller, but he's ill and he wants to see you." I ended the call frustrated.

After my grandpa died, they always bothered me. They wanted to use me to help their business. Not to boast, but I'm good at reading people. I know how to play and manipulate, which is why my talent is heavily utilized in the casino. I can easily solve problems if I have to but I'm lazy so I won't.

I even got suspended from some of the casinos in New York. If they know my name, no one dares to fight me. Except nalang kung matigas ka at hindi ka umiyak mawalan ng pamumuhay.

Why would that old man want me to go there? I'm just his daughter to his mistress. I don't want any trouble, especially since I prefer not to engage with my toxic siblings.

I clicked my tongue and began to call my team. "Hey, doin'?" bungad ng isa sa team ko.

"I'm returning to the Philippines. It seems like you'll be taking over my role."

Natahimik ang kabilang linya. Alam ko, it can be shocking. I love my job pero mukhang kailangan ko muna 'tong iwan pansamantala.

"You're coming back, right? You can't just leave your job to me."

Napahilot ako ng sentido. I don't want to leave my job, especially if we have a big job next month. Pero wala akong choice.

"Yeah, I'll call you when everything is settled."

Binaba ko na ang tawag at dumiretso sa banyo upang mag-shower. I guess, this is my time to face my goddamn life.

I wore my signature black suit, paired with black trousers and flat shoes. I brushed my hair and put on the wig before donning the black sunglasses.

Before I go back to the Philippines, I should enjoy myself here in New York first. I will attend my next target casino, which, to my knowledge, just opened this month.

-----

The roulette wheel turned and the ball danced around. It felt like magic was in my hand. I quickly put my bet on one number. Amazingly, the ball stopped right on that number. Everyone around was shocked and started to cheer.

I smirked and rested my arms on my chair like I'm a guy. Seriously, I'm just tired of winning straight but I'm enjoying my enemy's angry expression.

The casino staff shared worried looks, knowing about the legend that had become famous in their establishment. They labeled me a legend for silly reasons—I'm just here to play and have fun.

My competitor, a man who thought he was the best at tricking people in gambling, was very angry. He used to believe no one could beat him, but now he knew he couldn't win against me. I smiled secretly; he was the one I planned to beat tonight. I even hired someone to find him.

Effort ‘di ba? Na cha-challenge kasi ako kapag alam ko kung sino ang kalaban. Kailangan ko ring malaman kung saang casino sila pupunta. But honestly, I searched for a known man in Casino World, a man who I despise the most. Siya ang dahilan kung bakit lagi akong nasa Casino, para hanapin ang tarantadong pumatay sa lolo ko. But I can't find him and that is so f****d up.

Hinahanap ko siya kahit saan at hindi ko man lang alam kung sino o saan siya pumupunta pero naaalala ko pa ang mukha niya. He killed my lolo in front of me, in front of this f*****g games I was playing today. That is the last time na nakita kong naglaro ang lolo ko. I was 19 that time at 25 na ako ngayon. Six years and I don't find that motherfucker.

Dorotel hit the table hard, making the chips fly everywhere, and yelled, "This is crazy! Luck can't always be this good!" His loud words made everyone in the casino look at us.

I looked at him, my voice sounding a bit playful, "Luck, my friend, is just a little part of the game. Maybe it's time for you to learn that.”

He stormed out of the casino, leaving behind a sea of bewildered onlookers. I guest this is my time to out of the scene. Kanina pa ako rito at baka ipakaladkad na naman ako ng kung sino.

Sinadya ko talagang talunin ang gunggong na ‘yon dahil narinig kong tauhan siya ng lalaking kinamumuhian ko at kapag nalaman ng mga kasama niya na nakalaban niya ako, alam kong hahanapin nila ako. I just want to lure them out.

I smiled at the monitor, knowing someone was watching my every move. I waved my hand and started walking towards the exit when I heard footsteps. Too many footsteps that I thought were coming from the men who had been observing me earlier.

The one guy wearing a yellow round sunglasses with a cigarette in his mouth approach me. Kasama niya rin ang mga sa tingin ko'y alipores niya. Maangas niya akong tinitingnan sabay luwa sa kaniyang sigarilyo at tinapakan ito sa makintab niyang itim na sapatos, mas makintab pa sa kalbong kasama niya.

Kalmado lamang akong nagmamasid sa kanila habang pinagitnaan nila ako. Sa nabibilang ko ay higit bente silang lumalapit sa akin. Sus, ang kunti. 'di tulad ng nakalaban ko last year na hanggang isang daan talaga dahil natalo ko ang amo nila kaya gusto nila akong iligpit agad.

I'm not that small; I'm 5 ft and 10 inches tall and my waistline is 26. Well, if I apply for modeling, maybe I'll be accepted right away. Too bad, I don't like posing like shits.

"The legendary gambler is here. Nice to see you, Poker ace."

Tumaas ang kilay ko sa tinawag niya sa'kin. Everytime I came in different casinos, ito na talaga ang tawag nila sa'kin. But I heard that someone have this name a long ago.

"How may I help you, gentlemen?"

Kunwari kong iniyuko ang aking ulo at hinubad ang aking Panama hat at nilagay sa aking dibdib upang batiin sila.

Dahil nga ay mababa ang boses ko, hindi nila malalaman na ang harapan nila ay may tinatago palang naglalakihang bundok sa loob ng suot na damit.

Kailangan ko pang ipitin ang dibdib ko para hindi masyadong halata dahil ang ayoko sa lahat ay ang minamanyak ako. Nakakadiri. Naiisip ko palang ay malalaswang mukha at paghawak sa balat ko ay tumataas ang balhibo ko sa batok.

"We will just retrieve what was taken from our boss," he said. Tumango ako ng ilang beses.

"Is that so? But, I don't remember whoever that was. What is the name again?"I tilted my head to show that I forgot, pero totoo naman talagang hindi ko naalala. Sa daming nakalaban ko, halos hindi ko na matandaan ang mga pangit nilang pagmumukha.

May kinuha ang lalaking nasa gitna ng nakarolyong papel na malaki at mabilis iyong binuksan. Nablanko ang tingin ko dahil kailangan pang apat na tao ang humawak dahil pinatarpauline pa nila ang kanilang boss.

"He is our boss. Did you see how magnificent he was? He's the richest and most generous man on earth!"Exaggerated na sigaw ng lalaking nasa kanan.

Tiningnan ko ang larawan sa tarpaulin at napangiwi. Ginawan na nila ng advance tarpaulin ang boss nila para sa lamay. Mga tarantado talaga.

Naglinis nalang ako ng tenga gamit ang aking hinlilit at kalmadong hinipan iyon sa harapan nila. Nagpapahiwatig na wala akong pakialam.

"Hey! Did you hear us?!" Bulyaw ng panot.

I cast a weary glance in their direction, my eyes heavy with fatigue and a hint of disinterest. A lazy, almost resigned sigh escaped my lips.

"I don't think you can beat me, losers."

Nangugat ang noo ng iba dahil sa tinawag ko. Handa na akong sugurin any minute.

"What did you just say?!" Bulyaw ulit ng panot. Hindi niya ba napapansin na kapag sumisigaw siya, kitang-kita ang makintab niyang ulo? Mukha siyang itlog!

"Don't talk with your butt assholes, if you want to fight me-- use your f*****g punch."

Kalmado parin ako diyan. An'daming satsat, may gagawin pa ako bukas. Ilang araw nalang akong magtuturo at uuwi na ako ng Pilipinas. Mukhang pansamantala munang mananahimik ako dito 'ah.

May naalala pala ako. Kinuha ko ang maliit na notebook sa loob ng aking damit at nagsulat.

I wrote down the things I need to buy for the set. Fortunately, in just a few days, the movies I'm working on this month will be finished. It's time for a break.

"Are you listening?!"

I put the pen to my chin to think.

"Uhm, I forgot the last thing I buy. What would it be? Oh right!"

Sinulat ko iyon at tada! Tapos na. I happily looked at it and placed it back inside my clothes. The attire I'm wearing has pockets inside, so it won't fall.

I quickly saw the fist coming at my face and grabbed it with fast reflexes. The man looked surprised, raising his eyebrows in disbelief at how quickly I reacted.

"I told you, don't bother me," I warned, keeping my tone steady.

Sa kabila ng babala, sinubukan niyang saktan ako gamit ang kanyang kabilang kamay, ngunit madali kong naiwasan at mabilis na sinipa siya sa panga. Biglang umurong ang kanyang ulo, at mukhang nagulat at nasaktan siya.

Nang subukang sipain ako ng kalbo, hinawakan ko ang kanyang binti, na nagpawala sa kanyang balanse. Sinuntok ko siya ng malakas sa ilong. He winced as blood started to come out of his nose. He moved back a bit, trying to get himself together.

Even though they kept trying to attack me, I moved easily, dodging their hits without any trouble. Each move I made flowed into the next one. In just a few minutes, the guys who had been so aggressive were now on the ground, defeated.

Sabog ang labi, may dugong tumulo pa sa kanilang mga ilong at bali-baling buto. Ngumisi ako. Galing, kaya lang ay nakakadiri talaga silang tingnan.

Lahat ng mga tao ay nakatingin-- gulat at takot ang rumehistro sa kanilang mukha. Hindi ko iyon pinansin at nilampasan ang mga nakahigang mga lalaki.

A single person clap caught my attention. Napahinto ako ngunit hindi ko nilingon kung saan galing ang tunog na 'yon.

"Interesting. Very interesting!" Aliw na anas nito.

Naramdaman kong huminto ito ng ilang kilometro sa akin pero mas pinili kong huwag itong tingnan.

"I've been observing you, Poker ace." May nakakalokong saad nito."Meaning --I know who you are."

Para akong binuhusan ng tubig nang marinig iyon. He knows me? Sinisigurado kong walang sumusunod sa akin. How does this bastard know my identity? No, I shouldn't let my guard down. Tinatrap niya lang ako upang hindi ako makahanda.

"Let's see.." Pangbibitin nito sa ere.

I was getting really nervous. This guy was making me so mad. I was so angry I felt like I could hurt him. Darn it!

But I knew that if I got angry, things would get worse. I would be doing exactly what he wanted. I couldn't let that happen. I had to stay calm.

So, I tried my best to ignore him and not listen to the mean things he was saying. But...

"You're working on a set."