The Billionaire’s Lover

CHAPTER 1: The Black Mask

DOES IT EVER CROSS YOUR MIND how the world works on top of the highest building? The more prosperous your life is, the more you will have people on your side who can be either your alliance or your enemy to drag you down even further during your downfall. The act of being biased and arrogance are much more evident—arrogance to look down at those below them is severe.

Everyone thinks that being on the top always has privileges and those who are born with it are either selfish or just born to be the puppet of their own predecessor. The expensive clothes, comfortable life, sparkling champagne glasses, connections, and prosperity—that all comes with being able to live above others. The feeling of being ahead and the feeling that you are bigger than those below you, for everyone, is a fulfilling satisfaction,

…but not for me.

For the past 26 years of my life, I have felt nothing but the tight grip of my mother’s vicious hands on my neck—suffocating me to my lowest and putting me in a depressing moment at most times. It should always be her words above mine. You should do this. You should be this kind of girl, lady. You should be this kind of woman. You shouldn’t show mercy to those below you. You should just… embrace your life—making me proud and obeying all of my words. All those words… I heard them from her like I was really her puppet rather than her daughter.

All actions. All decisions. Every person involved in my life. She needs to know about it. It makes me wonder, is it because she is my mother that she is capable of doing that? Should being my mother be enough for her to make my life as miserable as it could get? Indeed, prosperity exists but the feeling of tranquility, setting aside the pressure, never disappears. It should and always has been following her is the only way to make her proud and that… I hate it.

“Ms. Cruz,” I stopped playing with the strands of my hair, tilting my head a bit to hear. “They have arrived.”

My eyes returned to front of the beautiful view of New York City. They arrived. That only meant one thing—another torture inside my own jungle where I could barely walk on my own feet without being watched by a wicked adult. I want to end it but surely, there is no way to escape until all this ends. It’s funny how I am already this old, but decisions in my life are still not up to me.

It is even funnier to think that she has the right to decide for me and knows what is best for me, when all she gave me was… intense pain and frustration.

A heavy sigh escapes my lips slowly with my shoulder rising up and down at the same time.

“Time for another sham.” I whispered.

I turned around to face my secretary as a smirk formed on my lips at the same time. It's another good day for them for me to ruin. I pick my red lipstick from my bag, looking at myself in the small mirror on my desk—putting on that seducing lipstick that always puts her on edge of anger. The only way to keep up with her is to show my disapproval and disobedience in a different way. That’s the only way to win.

My eyes squinted as the smirk on my lips formed again, satisfaction filling up my whole system. I looked up to my secretary as she put on the same satisfied smile I had—indeed, my only comrade at that time.

“Let’s get the show on the road… again.”

Before walking out of my office, my eyes landed on the glass desk nameplate placed on the very front of the table.

Ashley Nicole Cruz

General Manager

A scoff escapes my lips, turning my back from that ridiculous nameplate. How funny it is to actually believe that position meant something when all of my decisions have always been declined? Declined by the only Chairwoman of our family business—Royal Sky Group of Hotels. Many people have desires to have that kind of nameplate, but they never know how disgusting it is to be in that place when the people around you are not responsible enough.

All eyes were on me as I passed by each employee. Each of them mirror this kind of sense of admiration in their eyes—male employees take their eyes from head to toe and women look at me in jealousy for all the attention I got. Who would blame them? Besides having all the privileges in my life, I have all the physical traits that they probably wanted.

I stand tall enough to be a model who walks on the runway with a lean body—proportional bust and waist, narrow hips. I was even offered both an exclusive and non-exclusive contract to become a model by the agency where my friends are signed. Apart from that, my natural dark brown silky hair with natural slight waves that ends up to my armpit, my natural reddish-pink colored curvy full lips that goes along with my pale skin, bright brown eyes, long eyelashes and pointed nose. All of that was enough to make women around either adore me or hate me.

They want to be me, without knowing how hard it is to live the kind of life that I have. I am indeed passionate about my work and intelligent—that makes those people in the business world adore me—but behind that is a different Ashley that my mother would never want to exist. A witty and outgoing yet… seductive enough to steal any other woman’s man, except for the one in proper attire seated in his chair with all smiles.

“Finally! Our General Manager has arrived!” Mr. Young exclaimed upon my arrival, which I returned with a smile.

I went to give him a peck on his cheeks, doing the same to Mrs. Young, before turning my attention to that man. He puts on an attractive smile, keeping his eyes on me as I approach him in silence. My eyes raked his, from head-to-toe, before putting on a slight fake smile to match his sincerity.

“Matthew,” I called, kissing him on his cheek.

I felt his hand go on my back in a gentle touch, letting it rest there, as I placed my hand on his broad shoulder. Matthew Young, the man I would like if only he wasn’t the guy who was arranged for me for marriage by our parents. He stands tall with a lean body that is supposed to attract me. His hair is a soft looking brown color, slightly tanned skin, thin lips and narrowed brown eyes. He could even pass as a model but he is the current CEO of their business, so it’s merely impossible to happen. All that can surely attract everyone’s attention… but not mine.

“You are looking great as always.” he whispers in a sweet tone as I respond with a fake shy smile, batting my eyelashes once, but still… he wouldn’t react differently. Still the same gentleman he is.

Sitting with these people—my family and his family—makes me want to puke. All they talk about is business and when this whole arranged marriage will be held. The urge of wanting to storm out of this room is high instead of listening to their nonsense and my mother’s continuous complaints about my performance which Mr. and Mrs. Young don't see any problem. It’s only her who sees every action as a problem anyway.

Besides, who does she think she should blame that on? She makes the decision; I execute it according to what she says. I’m sure she is not stupid enough to not know it was her mistake. But she had to use me as someone to pass on the blame. How ridiculous.

From: Marley

party in LA tomorrow, u up for it?

I found it. My escape. A smirk of secrecy forms on my lips as my eyes immediately find my secretary’s. It only took her one glance to get what I meant. She really gets me. There is no doubt that she is the best secretary I have had since I was appointed and I have no intention of letting her go.

“Sir, ma’am, sorry to bother, but Ms. Cruz has an appointment to attend in Los Angeles in a few hours. She needs to be on a plane now to attend it.” she told them.

“Can’t you see that we are still in the middle of family lunch?” my Mom says, trying to contain her tone.

Come on! Burst out! A little fun before I leave will be great.

“Oh… no, no! It’s okay! We shouldn’t keep a woman when she has business to attend to.” Mr. Young turned to me with a gentle smile. “You should go, dear.”

As always, I give my apologies in the most fake, sincere way possible. It’s only them who are fools to fall for it. Sometimes, it is really useful to have the position that I have. I don’t hate all the responsibility that comes along with that position. It's the way my voice is not acceptable or heard enough because the Chairwoman comes in the way. Even my sister’s—who is the current CEO—gets rejected some time. If only she isn’t nosy enough, I would probably enjoy working in this empire she has been trying to maintain.

The flight to Los Angeles was long enough for me to gather my thoughts once again. I left behind all the thoughts I had about our family business as well as that ridiculous arranged marriage I am involved in for a fun week in a different city. I also gave my secretary a week off since she originally lives in Los Angeles and it was her only opportunity to visit her family again after months. It’s still a win-win situation for both of us—me having the best week of my life and her spending time with her family.

“Are you planning to get laid the moment you arrive there or what?” I heard Marley say as she stared at me in the mirror, checking me out.

“What do you think?” I seductively murmured.

I’m already away from my mother’s grasp again… why should I restrain myself from being her fake perfect daughter still?

I wear a metallic-textured knit mini dress that ends on my mid-thigh. It is a plunging cowl neck with a self-tie on the back, leaving it open. It has a high split on my outer thighs giving a whole view of my left legs up to my hips and the string of my underwear. It hugs my body perfectly with its body-con silhouette style. I paired it up with silver rhinestone heels and a gold hoop earring to complete the look.

As I look into the mirror, my cleavage is out, my hair is all down—with a messy wave style— and my smokey make-up that emphasizes my eyes well, there is nothing to hide. I really broke from my mother’s grasp like a teenager who barely had her freedom. It was all or nothing indeed.

Weeks of working and faking all that perfect attitude in front of my mother, partying with Marley in different parts of the state is just what probably keeps me alive. I do love my career and have been molded to take over that spot since then. But if it really weren’t for my mother’s tight grasp, I wouldn’t go and run away quietly while doing all these things that are against her obsession with perfection—fake perfection if I may say. If it weren’t for her, my sister and I would probably still have the time of our lives now without any worries.

“So who's going to be at the party tonight?” I asked, retouching my nude lipstick.

A hint of a smirk formed in my best friend’s lips, giving me a clear idea what the party is going to be held like. It’s either going to be full of hot male celebrities or hot bachelor ones. But considering tonight is a model’s birthday party, I have a feeling it will be filled with both. That is just the only benefit of having four models who are your friends.

“Why do you want to know? So you’ll get to pick who you will get laid with tonight ahead of time?” she sarcastically jokes.

I put down the lipstick and gave her a knowing look, pursing my lips with a little smirk and raising my brow, which made her scoff.

“You bet?”

“Slut,” she whispered, shaking her head. “It’s just like usual! Models, celebrities and a couple of bachelors. It’s just the same every single party but… never gets old, ain’t it?”

I nodded in pure agreement. Since I was a kid, I have always been surrounded by people from high-class society. It’s all about glamour, parents molding their children to be that perfect child to boast around with their friends and business partners. Privileges were here and there. All that changed when I came here to the States. I was surrounded by people who were publicly known and adored by others. I meet people who won’t pass my mother’s standard, but I care less because what is much more important is that I am happy.

Happiness probably doesn’t exist in my mother’s vocabulary—unless it’s about business, money and selling her daughter’s off. The only thing that matters to her is how she will be able to keep a business running for a long time after years of continuous success. It’s ridiculous because she is trying so hard when my sister is already the CEO and she’s the Chairwoman. Our happiness? It only exists in my dreams—and in our hidden life that our mother wouldn’t even think of checking out—because it's hers that matters more.

It’s funny actually how she appears to be that great, soft-looking mother who cares so much for her daughters when, in reality, she’s almost just like every b***h out there who wants to get ahead of everyone else with no one exception. I don’t know if she is just being purely selfish or jealous because of the world that we live in now, but nonetheless, she is too ambitious to the point that it suffocates others already. It’s even weird because she always has her eyes on me as if I’m running away from any moment now.

Checking my hair for the last time, I stared at myself in the mirror fiercely enough. “It’s showtime,”

The car stops in front of the private nightclub that I have been to countless times. Unlike usual, no one lined up outside the club. Rather, a crowd of people with cameras in their hands are in two groups—leaving a space in the middle as a path walk. It was all camera flashes and them calling for you to look at their side for a photo once we got off the car. Nothing really stops them, no matter how private the party is.

I think I should be thanking the birthday girl for making this party a masquerade one. It will help me be less noticeable if ever my mother decides to take some gossip and see my possible photos online.

Everyone was pretty unfamiliar with their own masquerade mask. That mask clearly boosts their confidence and ability to socialize so well. I can say the same of me, because it really helps with hiding myself a bit from the crowd—despite my dress being a scene stealer. I have a fancy silver lace mask wrapped around my head while Marley has a black one to match her black body-con dress.

“Look who’s finally here!” A high pitched voice calls.

Both of us turned to our left only to see the woman who never fails to amaze me. Lindsay Potter, the birthday girl and a very good friend of mine, stands tall in her laced-up heels, which makes her stand out even more in the crowd with the added inch in her height. The red double surplice neck tie shoulder wrap hem sequins dress she puts on hugs her body perfectly—making her daily exercises definitely worth it.

“Don’t f*****g tell me you’re already drunk, b***h?” Marley mocked, eyeing the glass Lindsay holds in her hand.

“This b***h can still walk in her four-inch pointed heels properly, so take your guess,” the latter winked, making me smirk in return.

“I bet nothing can even make you drunk,” I pointed out.

“My dear Ashley, you know me so we-Oh hi!” she waved at the guy passing us by after giving him a peck on the cheek.

Many people say that I was an apple in the eye to many bachelors—the reason why my mother had countless choices about whom she would marry me with. But my opinion was different than theirs the moment I met Lindsay. She has long dirty blonde hair, fair skin, a well-proportioned body and a tall height. I remember being mesmerized with her turquoise eyes and defined lips that are perfect for her small face when we first met one another.

She is just the perfect definition of ethereal beauty. No wonder why many celebrities and bachelors are after her since she started her modeling career. Even a royal was once after her glistening beauty. If only she had been willing to be guarded and act like a polite, perfect princess, then I probably have a royal as a friend by now.

“Well, the girls are in the VIP section upstairs waiting for you both. Drinks are already laid there, so you just get wasted and,” she turns to me as her lips rise slowly, “get laid.”

“She dressed up all ready for that, so you don’t need to remind her anymore.” Marley added, making me scoff.

“Coming from you?” I raised my brows, giving some judging looks.

“I dressed much more decently than you, b***h, so don’t you try to come at me.” she argued.

I shook my head, rolling my eyes at her. Lindsay left us right after to greet her other guests for tonight. The club is all packed and everyone is just dancing in the middle of the dance floor. A clear sight of some couples making out on their own spots and couches was seen on our way upstairs, but it did not shock me anymore. It’s a usual scene from every single night out and I usually end up in the same position anyway.

“Where’s Mich?” I asked Chris upon seeing her alone on the couch on her phone and casually drinking alone.

“Downstairs,” her eyes went outside the big glass window as a smirk formed her lips. “With a billionaire.”

“A billionaire?” I repeated.

“Isn’t she out with that hot French model she met in Paris just two days ago?” Marley pointed out, occupying the spot next to Mich.

The latter just shrugged and just gulped down the remains in her glass. As I sat on the couch, she poured the alcohol into two empty glasses, handing each to me and Marley. Christie Williams, a model and another good friend of mine. Just like Lindsay, many people have their eyes on her as well as one of the well-known public figures out there. The only difference between them is that Lindsay is an actual social butterfly, while Chris prefers to stay low as possible despite the fame.

“Surprising to see that you managed to run away from your Mom this time, Ash. I heard your dear fiancé came to see you this week,” Chris pointed out.

“You should be glad that my secretary knows when to butt in at the right time.” I put on a proud smile, thinking of how I was saved from that horrible lunch—though it was not really that horrible time, but maybe I can call it one with the presence of my self-centered mother. “I just gave her an eye and she immediately came up with a lie for me to go here. Sometimes I’m really thankful that I am packed with appointments from different cities.”

She shakes her lips, chuckling softly. “You should give her a raise then. After all, she has been working for you for years now.”

The door widely opened, revealing another woman with a scowling face—as if she was so ready to fight someone any moment now. She occupied the space next to me, slouching as she crossed her arms to her chest. I raised a brow, eyeing my other friends before giving her my attention once again.

“You got dumped or is he not that great?” I straightforwardly asked.

“The former,” an ‘o’ formed in my lips, suppressing the teasing smile to form. “What did he do?”

“He just suddenly told me to leave him alone! Right in front of other people!” Mich complained, raising her voice a bit.

A model gets dumped by a billionaire? That is… slightly unbelievable, especially with the mesmerizing beauty that Mich has. If you even add how intimidating and seductive she looks, I bet no one would even dare to reject her. But I guess the time has come. Who would even think that my world-renowned model friend would be dumped in this club? It’s funny just thinking about it.

“Maybe you aren’t his type?” Marley frankly told her, earning herself a glare.

“Then the other girls who flirted with him before me weren't either?” My brows arched in confusion. “Cathy went before me but she was asked to leave him alone too, after a couple of minutes. It’s the same with the other girls before her too.”

“I guess we found another billionaire for a player, and I think a demanding one as well.” Chris smirked, sipping from her glass. “Where is he sitting now?”

“East side, third couch.”

The three of us immediately stood up from the couch, settling in front of the glass window to look for that billionaire in question. The moment I managed to locate his spot, his face could barely be seen because of the dimness and the girl who was trying to get her way into him. But he does have this intimidating aura around him already.

“He does seem interesting,” Chris commented.

“Mesmerizing, you mean,” Mich argued. “They said he is a self-made billionaire from the Philippines who is here for business only. Lindsay told me that guy was just a plus one to her bachelor friend. You know that girl is not fond of plus ones but she gave in when she saw him. A total hotness in the flesh.”

“You’re exaggerating.” I shook my head, smirking.

“Tell me that again if you end the night without trying to approach him.” Mich provoked me, making me raise a brow at him. “You never know Ash. Maybe the next time we see you down there, you are already making out with that hotness.”

I scoff in disbelief. “Impossible.”

The moment my eyes went back to that guy, it felt strange. The portion of his face around the eyes is covered with a simple plain black mask, but his white dress shirt with three buttons unbuttoned was enough to make me feel hot. How can he even manage to have such an impact?

As the lights went on his section again, it hit me. The sudden heaviness in my chest, a slight headache and a shaky breath. I felt scared. Disappointed. Hurt. Crying. All sorts of pain that I don’t want to have. What is happening? That black mask… who is behind it?