The Billionaire’s Lover

CHAPTER 3: Unexpected Event

I FOUND MYSELF staring outside the glass wall with the gigantic view of New York City at night. The tall buildings' lights, lights from the cars on the road and the bright stars above sparkle in my eyes like a shining diamond that I would never get tired of seeing every single night. It never changes. I am still in love with this city.

My mind is clouded with many thoughts of whatever might happen tonight. Even the supposedly calming scenery in front of my eyes does not help enough to distract me from those overwhelming thoughts that never left my mind for days now. I wasn’t sure if it was just the effect of being self-deprived the past few days with the countless papers I faced because of the sudden trouble in our business, or if it was really just because of the hint my mother gave me.

you MUST come no matter what.

Was I really just overthinking? But it was the opposite of the loud thumping of my heart with only the thoughts of going to the Young’s mansion. Despite the fact that I have been there countless times now, I can never get used to being surrounded by a family that I never chose to be part of. It’s not about their personality—the Young’s are purely kindhearted and are very good at business, which is why I tend to regret being pretentious in front of them some other times—but the fact that everything is all arranged by force, not by my choice, is what I’m most uncomfortable with.

If I were being honest, Matthew is already a good shot. He has every great personality I could find in a man—an understanding man with a clear goal in mind and family oriented despite having all those privileges in life—but I just can’t accept how fate led us to meet each other. I sometimes thought that if we met outside the arrangement, then things might actually go smoothly between us. Right now, I just see the both of us as a puppet that my mother would gladly use to keep her stance.

“I assume you are not planning to stay here the whole night?” a small smile formed on my lips upon hearing my sister’s voice. “Urge to run away, has it?”

“That won’t ever disappear.” I simply answered.

I heaved a deep breath in my tight dress before turning to my back, facing my sister. My lips parted as I couldn’t help but be stunned by her whole look. She has a gold colored long dress in mermaid style that shows her curves well and an o-neck line. It is sleeveless with elegant tulle embroidery. One can mistake the dress as close to a high impact nude illusion because of the color of it, but nonetheless, she looks beyond admirable in it.

If one were to compare both of us, many would point out how perfection embodies my sister more than I have. She has the intelligence that many women in the business industry are envious of, combining it with her innocent-looking yet intimidating aura that made her look above everyone else in the industry. Even before she became the CEO of our family business, many of our company partners had given their whole trust to her because of her previous achievements—she graduated from an elite university with both a masters' degree and a bachelor's degree, she was even an academic merit recipient during her time.

She has the ability to pursue her clients in the simplest and easiest way possible without any hassle. That must be the reason why even our mother sometimes sees her as competition despite having a higher position and being our own-blooded mother. My sister doesn’t stand down on her belief and would always stand up for what she thinks is right. It’s always her who is opposed to Mom’s decisions, which mostly led to their arguments that I truly enjoy, because I get to see how far she could get mad—whoever it is she is against. That is why, in my eyes, she is the most perfect future Chairman of the Royal Sky Group of Hotels.

“Are you all ready for the party?” she says, eyeing me from head to toe. “You look stunning, by the way, sis.”

“Not as much as you are.” I put on a small smile, sitting on the single couch. “Don’t you think something feels… odd… about this party?”

“What do you mean? It’s just Matthew’s Amah’s birthday. What is there to feel odd about it?” she crossed her arms while looking down at me.

“We have been attending his Amah’s birthday for the last two years now, but this year was the first time I heard Mom say it’s a must for me to come to the party.”—I tilt my head a bit to the side—”Like she is trying to portray something else… something bigger than just a simple birthday party.”

For the last three years that Matthew and I got involved in an arranged marriage—the first year was just merely about introducing one another and getting to know more before the announcement of an engagement was set the following year up until now—I have met his Amah for many times now that I could barely count it with my hand. She is a sweet, sweet woman who obviously adores me so much just like I do her. Everyone in their household respects her the most and it was like she still got the upper hand of their family.

As someone she adores, I am indeed glad to keep her company from time to time whenever she visits our city or whenever I am in Singapore. But every year, on her birthday, the Young’s will always hold a big event to celebrate it with their closest family friends, business partners, as well as some politicians who know them well. It is a highly exclusive party and usually a perfect time to announce the life events of a family member. The fact that Mom wanted me to come so badly… It keeps giving me strange ideas that I don’t even want to have.

“Are you talking about the possibility of announcing her grandson’s marriage date?” I nodded my head simply, looking far away outside the window.

“I tried not to take it that way but, no matter what, there’s no one in their family who is involved in any life-changing agenda. It’s only Matthew. And,” I looked up to her seriously. “He told me that his Amah discussed the marriage just this week during their family lunch.”

“Then that only means one thing. You are right.” she occupied the empty single couch in front of me, leaning on her back while looking at me deeply. “You know this will come anyway, right? The moment you stay silent, the closer you are to having yourself tied up to an unwanted marriage.”

She was right. The moment I decided not to fight back with Mom about this arrangement, the moment I already got myself on the hook. I know and already saw this coming. They won’t make this arranged marriage last longer considering the fact that we are both at the right age already. I think they are being generous enough already by giving me at least almost two years to gather myself. But still, it’s not enough… it will never be enough.

“But you don’t need to worry too much, Ash, okay? If ever your conclusion were right and Mom didn’t bother consulting you about it before the announcement, I will be the first one to confront her for you. But this time,”—she reached for my hand, holding it tightly—”I want you to speak up. Sometimes keeping quiet won’t do you any good. Understood?”

A deep sigh escaped my lips as I nodded in return. Indeed, she is my biggest ally in this family. It will always be and only her.

“Now, don’t stress yourself too much. You look too stunning in that dress to be filled with so much stress.” She tried cheering me up.

Both of us stayed in my penthouse for a couple more minutes before she left me to check on her husband. Sometimes I really wonder how she managed to keep a good relationship with him despite the background of their marriage. It was arranged—just like what is with mine—but both of them ended up loving one another to the point that she doesn’t regret getting involved in that arrangement anymore. Maybe it’s because they learn to love each other while trying to keep up with one another.

The only thing that my sister wants now is for me… not to end up being involved in such an arrangement—which might fail in a few hours now.

Tall trees and forest-like surroundings greeted us upon the car’s entrance to the Young’s mansion. It is a few minutes' ride from the main gate before arriving at the main house. The whole surroundings is covered with tall, giant trees with the estate itself located next to the river—giving that comforting smell of it with the beautiful view of the other side of the city. When I first came here, I was fascinated as well, despite the comfortable, big house that is our family house. I was already aware that the Young’s are one of the richest families in Singapore but I didn’t know their wealth existed here.

I stared at the big estate right outside the car, pouring all those deep thoughts into my head. I wasn’t sure if entering that mansion at this time was the best idea I could come up with. Surely, there will be no escape, but I know the consequences once I stay—the biggest turning point in my life that I might end up regretting for the rest of my life.

But an escape… it’s not possible in the hands of my vicious mother.

“Welcome, Ms. Cruz.” the guard said upon opening the car door.

I gave him a small smile and a simple nod in response. My eyes immediately caught my mother’s piercing eyes on me with that fake smile plastered on her lips—the one she keeps on her to hide her fakeness. She should know that fake agenda she has won’t keep that long. Not every businessman is willing to play tricks with her whenever they have a chance to.

“Ashley,” a familiar, deep, manly voice called for my attention.

The moment I tore my eyes away from my mother, a well-dressed Matthew Young appeared in my sight. He is dressed up in a clean white suit that fits his arms really well. The polo under his suit blazer is unbuttoned in one with a blue handkerchief resting on his suit’s pocket. His hair is neatly styled up—giving that clear view of his handsome forehead—pairing it up with the sweet smile he always puts on.

Anyone can really fall for his charms.

“Matthew,” I responded.

He approached me, reaching for my hand to give the top of my palm a soft peck. “Beautiful as always,” he says in a deep tone.

“I had to. Your amah wouldn’t mind me stealing the show a bit, right?” I joked that it made him chuckle softly.

“I think she will even gladly let you steal it from her.” he sweetly says.

For this party, I decided to push through with a beige colored floor-length dress that had some sparkling beads to make the dress stand out. It's off-shoulder with a strap style and a neck collar covered in beads. I paired it up with silver hanging earrings, a silver bag with my hair styled all straight down and light make-up enough to match the dress.

“But stealing the attention,” both of us turned to our right, seeing my approaching parents, which made me roll my eyes secretly. “is not always right. You are looking handsome tonight, Matthew.”

“You look elegant as well, Mrs. Cruz,” Matthew says.

He gave her a peck on her cheeks and a handshake to my father while keeping on that sweet smile. Sometimes I wonder if that smile is actually the truth or is it really just too good to be true. Even the kindest person in the room can turn into the most fictitious person once encountered by someone who wants to use them for their own benefit. In his case… what is the truth?

“The party will start in a few minutes. Shall we go in now?” Matthew suggested, as Mom immediately agreed.

Both her and Dad went in first with her arm clinging to his. My sister and her husband followed as well—making sure to give Matthew a greeting as Mom decided to steal the attention for her alone. Matthew then offered his arm for me to hold, which I could never refuse his generous offer as always.

The party is indeed filled with people coming from high-class society. Everyone is dressed in international and local designer suits and dresses. Some of them are too dressed. Some are lacking while some are just… in the middle. But nonetheless, the smell and sight of richness are everywhere.

To be able to stand out in the crowd filled with these people is to be close with the hosts. Being a close acquaintance to them means their attention is directed to you despite the divided attention from time to time—including greeting other guests for a short while and checking the whole party. The moment you walk into the party next to the host means you are already an apple in the eye of everyone in the room. Their attention will be kept on you the entire night. But because of that, I wasn’t sure if it was meant to be a good thing—for my mother it might.

We roam around the whole place, greeting their guests together like every normal couple in their own party. I couldn’t escape because the last thing that I wanted was to embarrass myself in this crowd as well—knowing most of them were waiting for that moment. We met and talked with each of them along with his cousins whom I have met countless times already, both in business and at casual events.

It’s still fascinating how they were never really bothered about the set-up their cousin and I are in. Was it because they were once in the same set-up before? After all, it’s pretty common for high-class society to get involved in it, despite the arrangement being too old-fashioned for this era.

Everyone clapped and showed full respect as the presence of Matthew’s Amah came to light. She became the star of the show just as she should be as she walked in the middle while greeting everyone with a big smile plastered on her lips. I couldn’t help but have the same one because it feels contagious and something I can never fight with. That big smile fully embraces her soft-looking face, which I always find comforting to look at.

She stood in the front middle of the room with Matthew’s parents at her side, along with her other children. Matthew also excused himself to join his cousins at the front for a possible photo-op later on. A happy birthday song was played across the room as everyone played along with the entrance of a four-tier cake, stopping in the middle. Amah blew the candles as the songs ended with everyone cheering for her. What a beautiful sight.

“I would like to thank everyone who managed to come and celebrate with me…”

“Mom told me to take you with me in the front.” Matthew suddenly says, covering his grandmother’s voice and appearing next to me.

“Why? I can stay and wait for you here instead.” I insisted—feeling that something is up.

“I’m not really sure why, but she insisted. She said we'd find it out in a few.”

All I could do was let him take me with him with my arm in his. I stood awkwardly next to him, feeling everyone’s eyes on me. They are probably thinking why I am on his side when I am not even officially part of their family yet. Despite everyone in this room knowing that both of us are engaged, I still don’t know the full right to stand in my spot for now.

“Surely, everyone wants this night to be one of the memorable parties we have been to. That is why, I wanna take this opportunity to make an important announcement.” Amah turned to our side, making me feel that loud thump in my chest. “My grandchild, Matthew Young, and his fiance, Ashley Nicole Cruz of Royal Sky Group of Hotels, will be finally getting married next month!”

I felt like my body froze and all I could hear was that loud thumping of my heart inside my chest. My body felt cold and my hands were trembling as I held onto Matthew's arm for added support because of my weakening knees. I felt him shift to support me unnoticeable in the eyes of the guests. I was holding my breath unconsciously and was left staring into thin air with my ears completely blocked.

Throughout the whole night, I was left dazed. I wanted to fake it out that I was delighted and excited by the sudden announcement, but I couldn’t. How can I? When that announcement was not even in my knowledge. I knew it was coming and I had a feeling it would, but still… I couldn’t accept it that easily nor even process it properly.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” I argued right away upon entering our home’s main door. “Does my opinion don’t really matter to you now?”

I heard a deep sigh from my mother as she turned to give me that blank face. “You are not stupid, Ashley. I’m sure you already have taken the hint the moment I told you about the party. What you just need to do now is accept it… and be happy. That way… you will make me proud.”

She turned her back once again, leaving on her own this time. I watched her walk upstairs while humming a familiar melody that always gets in my head. She… doesn’t care.

“Make you proud?” I scoffed in disbelief. Laughter filled me as I thought of that sentence more. But it disappeared as I looked up to her with nothing but anger. “Don’t expect too much.”

Despite the countless calls from her, I couldn’t turn. I shouldn’t turn again. I already feel tired of pretending to be the person she wants me to be. The embodiment of perfection, that is the pure lie in my eyes. In the first place, she shouldn’t have expected anything… because now… I will just run away.