A Baby In The Billionaire's Gate

TS International Group, a leading company in NY city had a business from many sectors; from hotel chains, construction industry, large department stores, entertainment firms to amusement parks. People who lived in NY City might not know their mayor, but they had surely heard of Travis Santiago, the leader of his big family businesses and one of the most sought-after business giants.

Mr Santiago was not only successful and rich, but he was also an absolutely fascinating man who looked more gorgeous than most women. It sounds unreal, but one should see him to say this was true. In addition, he was so smart and intelligent that he could defeat his competitors without them noticing. People tagged him as a "playboy" because he appeared in many various magazines coupled up with his very appealing appealing appearance, his smile alone can melt the heart of any woman and that made people tag him as the "Ladies Man".

News had it that Travis favorite girl is Shriya Gu, his personal assistant because she's always over him like an ants does to sugar. They are always everywhere together. Asides Shriya, no woman has been seen together with Travis.

*********

The busy building of the company became silent totally the moment a black Audi RS3 drove into the drive way.

"CEO is around"

"Boss is here, silence everyone, silence" the workers whispered around each other. They knew better not to make unnecessary noise and even mistakes. Linda, a lady in the finance department quickly straightened her skirt then she bent and started gathering pieces of some files that were flying around.

Those whose desk were not in order hurried to put them in order, In TS, a little mistake can make one loss his or her job because the CEO, Mr Travis Santiago lives the life of a perfectionist.

As his steady strides approached, the silence held still. Travis is a very handsome man even when he's not smiling. Ohh he doesn't smile at work, he only smiles in magazines or whenever he's out for a public appearance.

Behind Travis was Shriya, his personal assistant and the only closest person to him, which made Shriya gained a lot of respect from the workers too. They thought they would loss their job if Shriya doesn't like them. At times, some of the workers bring gifts specially for Shriya.

"Sir, we've completed the concept for ismar stall"

"There's a telecom with Mr buleni in 15minutes about the sponsorship" Shriya told Travis as she took steady strides equally to match his pace.

"Water" Travis said in a low voice and Shriya lowered the files in her hand and quickly hand him his water which he collected so fast.

He opened the water and was about to drink but he suddenly paused when he saw some sheet of papers flying around. They were from Linda's desk. He frowned and hit her table loudly. Linda jerked back in fear.

"What's all these?" Travis asked, now in a low voice.

"Why are all these sketches flying around?" He asked.

Linda fiddled with her fingers in fear. Oh no, she can't bear to loss this precious job. Travis may be so cold but one thing about him was that he doesn't treat his workers badly. All what he demands is their proper service and dedication to work.

"I asked a question, Linda. Why are you so careless?" He demanded.

Linda's words came superfluous. She looked at Shriya with a pleading eyes as she(Linda) couldn't bear to talk back at Travis.

Shriya smiled. She gently placed a hand on Travis shoulder.

"Sir, I'm sure those files must have flied out itself. Linda is a very dedicated person" Shriya said. "We still have a public appearance to make in the next ten minute" she added, trying to change the topic.

"Tell Alex to get the cars ready" Travis replied and left Linda's desk.

Linda heaved a sigh of relief. She knew deep down that she owe Shriya another set of gifts for always helping her out whenever she gets in Travis lane.

"I need information about someone, I will send you the name" Travis said to Shriya who was following him from behind.

"Okay" Shriya replied.

"Your Mom called four times this morning" she told.

Travis let out a smirk that Shriya wish she could see again. She knew the reason why his mother had called him four times in the day.

She had called to talk about marriage to Travis.

"When the car is ready, call me?" Travis replied and walked straight into his office.

"Your Mom is calling again, what should I tell her?" Shriya asked but Travis already left.

*****Night*****

Mrs Lila, Travis mother was worried. She has been trying to reach her son for the past few days but he wouldn't pick her calls. He had stopped picking her calls just because she's always telling him about marriage.

"When will Travis get a woman to bear his heir? Remains an unanswered question in Mrs Lila's thoughts.

"I'm lossing my patience, why isn't he picking up. Does he thinks I have nothing better to do" Mrs Lila seethed.

"The apple doesn't fall far from the tree" Thomas, Travis father stated as he gently descend from the stairs.

"As long as it doesn't fall on my head" Lila replied, she throw her phone to the couch.

"Darling, you can get the donkey to the water but you can't make him drink" Thomas said. "Travis won't get any share of my properties if he doesn't get married. And if he doesn't want marriage, he must birth a child before he have an access to my properties all over the world" Thomas said with pride.

Lila took a deep breath and sat her butt down on the soft couch.

"I'm sure he would start preparing to get a wife once I state my conditions to him" Thomas affirmed.

"I hope so" Lila replied. She's happy now with what her husband said. She's sure Travis won't want to loss everything.

To while away time, Lila took her phone from the couch and opened her YouTube app to check if Annie had drop any new videos.

She doesn't know who the girl is but she has developed an unconditional love for this girl she met online. She's a you tuber who does make up tutorials and while at it, she gives words of encouragement to keep her fans happy while doing her make up.

Lila searched for Annie's channel on YouTube and luckily for her, she had just dropped a new video. Lila opened it with delight.

"May God be praised for creating such an epitome of beauty" Those were the words that always slip out of Lila's mouth each time she opens any of Annie's video.

Annie is a lady with the beauty of several women. Mrs Lila is always facinated to beautiful things, maybe that's one of the reasons she loves this mysterious girl greatly.

"They say life is what happens while you're making plans, what I mean is while you think you're making plans. Fate decides for you and suddenly you're in a place you don't know. Sometimes life will push you all the way to the bottom of the pit and then suddenly lift you up the skies, that's why we have to believe in miracles even on worst days. Do you believe in miracles?"

Annie's smile in the video was contagious in the video as she goes about making a make up video.

The video was coming to an end. And it ended alas which made Mrs Lila frowned.

"Annie you could have make this video longer?" Mrs Lila said as thou Annie could hear her.

"Mrs Lila, your son is here?" Mira, Mrs Lila house keeper announced.

"Really?" Mrs Lila asked and Travis showed up from behind in all demeanor of superiority.

"My son?" Lila called happily even though she's so angry with him for not picking her calls.

Travis approached her. He is not a man of many words. Not even of sweet words. He couldn't even give her a warm hug or sweet cheek kisses.

If he continues like this with her, his mother, how then will he do it he gets married?

Mrs Lila was greatly disturbed.

"Travis not even a hug?" Lila requested.

"I'm sorry Mom, I forgot" he rolled his eyes and finally gave her a warm hug with a little kiss on the nose.

"Travis who's your girlfriend? I mean who's the woman in your life" Lila asked.

Travis smirked. "You. You mother. You're the woman in my life. And can we not have this conversation again."

"I can't cheat you to love another" he whispered..

Lila blushed fiery red even though she knows it's an excuse from him so she wouldn't tell him about marriage.

As Travis sat down on the couch, his hand lay on his mother's phone and he mistakenly played the video she was watching earlier.

Lila smiled, waiting for the expression on her son's face. "Travis, isn't the girl in the video beautiful?" She asked.

"She needs to try extremely harder" Travis replied, his tone was neither harsh nor calm.

"She needs to try extremely harder" Travis replied, his tone was neither harsh nor calm. In a swift, he turned off the phone's power button. Lila was bewildered at her son's behavior for some seconds. Her son isn't a gay or is he?

"Travis?" She called, angrily.

"The truth is bitter Mom. She need to try extremely harder and besides, she's not my type of girl, she look like those hopeless Indian women. You know my taste, Mom" Travis winked and at that point, Mrs Lila's words were superfluous. Some seconds passed before she finally found her voice. "What's you type of girl then?" She asked, feeling a little hopeful that her son is not gay.

Travis let out a smirk that covers a lot of emotions. If he wasn't Mrs Lila's son, she would have said her son looks like a deadly devil when he made that smirks.

"My type of girl......" Travis let out a playboy smile, at least he noticed his mother wasn't happy with his expression earlier.

"My type of girl lives in another nation called IMAGINATION" he replied.

Lila would say something but he quickly cuts in. "Mother, why are we having this conversation? You invited me over to dinner, we should be having dinner and not discussing about this right now" he raised a brow.

Lila was disappointed, she would say something to him but the maid interrupted.

"Dinner is set, Sir" the maid was so fluent, and at the same time sending seductive looks towards Travis. One look from Mrs Lila sent the maid away.

All through the dinner time with Travis, Lila wasn't happy. She felt helpless and extremely worried. She hoped one day, her son will have a perfect woman in his life.

*********************************************

"Uncle Damian, I promise my brother took the rent money. He left with the rent money to pay you! Why would I lie to you, we've never been late with the rent money" Annie said gently to the landlord who was knocking on their apartment. She looks so tired from yesterday's work. She did an extra shift for Hannah in the restaurant where she worked.

"It's warm now, should I get you some tea?" She asked.

"What tea?? I'm here for my rent money and you're talking about tea. Just because we are family doesn't mean...." The landlord was saying when Annie suddenly cuts in. "Are you making me to feel guilty now? I told you I'm sorry...my brother will...."

"Sorry?"

"Where does sorry gets me?" The landlord blew hot and cold that Anna jerked back in fear.

"Sorry?? Can I buy some bread with that? Didn't your brother tell you I've been calling about the rent everyday? Then I have to listen to excuse after excuses and you are ungrateful for the special rate I give you. It would be better if you moved!" The landlord threatened.

Annie went numb from the fear of being thrown out. "Hey, you will be blamed if my grandma die from her diabetes and if I break out from head to toe from this stress!" Annie shouted at the retreating figure of the landlord. She was close to tears..

She and her brother hasn't been able to raise the rest money for four months now.

"You're wasting my time, pack your things and get out now" her heart shivered at the last threat Damian gave her.

She wiped her face and rushed in to meet her grandma who was just recovering.

"Annie, my dear who was that?" Her grandma asked.

"Nothing...it's really nothing. I will get your food mother before I go to work" Annie rushed words.

"Our rent is due again?" Her grandma sighed.

"Simeon will sort it out granny." Annie hoped. She rushed into her room and quickly packed her bag for work. Her eyes trailed her almost empty make up kit. She was sad she might not be able to upload any video on her you tube channel till next week because of her inability to get some certain makeup.

Hmmm.

"Even if any money gets into my hand, I would use it to sort out rent" she sighed. She went to the kitchen and served her granny's food before leaving for the restaurant where she works.

*********

"Annie, where have you been? Everyone's been asking me where you are?" Hannah, her college at work and best friend asked.

"I have a problem. My brother hasn't paid rent in four months. I think we are being thrown out. I had to beg on hands and knees" Annie explained. She dropped her bag in the changing room.

"He hasn't paid the rent? You have to move out!" Hannah laments.

"I have to go, as will chat later" Annie sighed and when to the counter so she can start taking orders of the customers.

Someone tapped her shoulders and sge swiveled her head. It was Hannah again.

"Annie, did you see who's here?" Hannah asked.

"Hunh" Annie scoffed before looking.

"Oh no, why are you telling me now? Do I look away?" Annie blurts out.

"He must be the most perfect man in this planet" Hannah said with pride.

"He can't be perfect. He probably has an awful personality" Annie argued.

"I don't think so. He is so good looking not to have a nice personality Annie" Hannah smiled, admiring the gorgeous smile of the handsome young man.

Annie scoffed. There is absolutely nothing gorgeous about that man.

"You have a boring life Annie" Hannah stuttered.

"I love my boring life" Annie smiled happily and walked away with the menu.

Hannah scoffed.

********************

"Hi, dad" Travis beamed lowly and stood from the sweiveing chair he sat on in his exquisitely furnished office. His father's face wasn't smiling at all and he knows what it is all about again.

It's about him getting a "wife"

"Your dad is worried about you dear Travis. I have an important matter to discuss. Do you remember your date with a certain lady?" Lila questioned.

"Yes, I remember" Travis replied.

"She's exactly your type" Lila said.

"I will have to see for myself, mother" Travis said lowly. If his father wasn't there, he won't have this conversation with his mother.

"Believe me, she is lovely, tall, slender, well known, studied in Italy, well groomed, lovely personality. Everything"Lila described.

"I will decided for myself" Travis bite his lower lip.

"Listen Travis, if it were up to you, you would never get married. You know it's because I care right? If everything goes well...you will get married in three months time"

"Whattttt!!!! Come on, I haven't even met anyone yet" Travis laments.

"You are meeting someone today. I think you are going to like her. I've arranged for you to meet someone every week but no one is ever good enough for you" Lila blew hot and cold.

******************

"How embarrassing I would have to eavesdrop on my son. I feel like I'm spying" Lila felt uneasy. She had forgotten to the restaurant she made reservations for Travis and Bridget to meet.

"Hello, what can I get you?" She heard an angelic voice bring back her mind.

"Anything....just ....a....salad or something.." Mrs Lila looked up. She was shocked to see the same lady she loves her YouTube channel is much.

She has to be sure but then it's really her.

"Allah be praised" Lila marvelled at Annie's beauty. Her long midnight black hair was pulled in a weave to the back, her edges were so curly and her brows were nearly shaped to feet her oval face. Her eyes were like the skies. Talking about her shape, she has gotten the best shape no man can refuse.

"Ahh calm down, just relax" Lila said to herself, her eyes trailed the tag on Annie's chest and it was really her. ANNIE.

Annie who didn't understand a thing just looked on.

"Okay ma'am, I will bring your order" Annie walked away when the looks the woman was giving her was getting too awkward for her liking.

Annie got back to the counter and still met Hannah smiling towards that mystery man direction.

"Mr Travis Santiago reservations was booked here. No mistake should be made. Etna,make sure everything is in order while Annie should take care of his order" the manager gave orders and left.

"Wowwwww. Mr Travis will be here. Girl you're so lucky to take his order. Awwwwnn" Hannah blushed towards Annie who didn't even see anything special in that.

"Here is he, ohh God!" Hannah melted, her looks were directed towards the entrance.

Annie didn't want to look, but then she has to see for herself who this Travis Santiago is. He's so popular, yet she has never cared to hear gists about him.

Annie looked, she didn't want to accept he is the most handsome man she have ever seen. His curly hair was packed to the back, his eyes were pure gold,his appearances and his face was everything. But not to her, maybe to people like Hannah who would fantasies about everything.

Well fantasies are for idiots and commoners like her have no place with the royals.

"You're lucky!! That's the almighty Travis Santiago" Hannah still whispered and Annie moved her eyes in one roll.

*************

Travis didn't like this at all, but then he had to come even though he is still going to reject the lady.

"Hi, Travis" the lady stood to greet him, she stretched out her hand for a handshake which he rejected.

He sat down. Bridget dropped her hands, embarrassed but she smiled and sat back. Being the most richest and handsome man will come with a lot of things so she has expected Travis to be arrogant.

"My name is Bridget" she started..

"Ohh you're that model that appeared with her ex in daily times magazine" Travis replied and Bridget narrowed her eyes, wondering how he knew about it.

"Listen, I don't know where to start but let me try. I don't think we are on the same page. Looks aren't that important to me. How many people that are following you online doesn't impress me. I want someone to come back home to at night. A real person" Travis uttered.

"But we can try at least. Maybe we will surprise each other, who knows" Bridget says.

"Hold on. Look Bridget, your clothes. Tell me you are someone who is ready to get married. It almost seems as if you are here for a job interview. It's unnatural, like a business transaction. Do you really think I'm buying this? Do I look stupid to you?" Travis asked Bridget who went mute. What he said was true. His mother, Lila is behind all this. She had paid her a huge amount just to impress her son.

"Hello, can I bring you the menu?" The sight of the very beautiful waitress irritates her.

-get away, you are disturbing us" Bridget sheathed.

Travis looked up, his eyes locked with Annie's own and then an idea popped into his head. He already saw her name in the tag.

He stood up and grabbed Annie's arm tenderly

"Annie honey, I didn't know you were working today" Travis said.

"What!! What is going on?" Bridget asked.

"It's not what it looks like, it's just business honestly" Travis pretended Annie was his girlfriend. Annie looked totally confused as Travis continue dragging her outside.

"What's happening?" Mrs Lila muttered from where she sat.

"Travis!!!" Bridget shouted in tears.

"What's happening? Why are you pretending we are couples. This is a filthy trick" Annie blurted out.

Mrs Lila was surprised. Her son has a girlfriend all this while and was hiding her. She thought.

"Travis!!" Bridget shouted, going after Travis who was dragging Annie and in other to make Bridget stop coming, Travis slammed his lips on Annie's lip.

Annie was shocked, a total stranger just stole her first kiss.

The first touch of his lips was so slow and drugging, Annie reacted immediately. Then the bite of his teeth against against her lips made her felt as if butterflies were singing in her tummy. She couldn't help but held tightly unto the mysterious handsome man that suddenly appeared in her world.

She swallowed down salivatingly. His kiss turned completely fierce as the last whom she guess was his date approached them.

"Travis!! " Bridget shouted, almost close to tears but Travis just couldn't stop kissing Annie, he ignored the presence of Bridget. When she couldn't take it anymore, she walked away angrily and in tears.

The moment the Bridget was out of sight, Travis unlocked from the kiss and pushed Annie away like she were some piece of trash. He dipped his left hand into his pocket and brought out a handkerchief which he used in cleaning his bottom lips.

"Get lost!!" He glared coldly at Annie.

Annie was surprised. He kissed her and now he is acting as if nothing happened. Annie found her words superfluous.

She just don't know what to say. All she could do was to stand with her mouth widely opened.

Travis scoffed, displaying his perfect and well clenched jaws. Annie would swear she had never seen a man as handsome as this in her life.

Who he was and where he came from became questions in her cerebrum.

"Look here, I'm sure you must be imaging some nonsense in your head. Don't think too much, crumb" Travis sneered at Annie who continued staring at him unbelievably.

"Crumb?? Is that suppose to be a name." She finally found her voice.

Travis scoffed. The thought of her speaking back to him made him scoffed. He would forgive her maybe because she doesn't know who he is because if she knew, she wouldn't have spoken back to him. No one does.

"I just saved your ass and all you could do is to call me some worthless type of name" Annie bursted out.

"What should I call you then? Maybe honey? Or perhaps my love?. In your dreams crumbs" Travis snorted and at that point, Annie found him annoying and ungrateful. He even walked out of her.

"Such arrogance!!"

Annie turned slightly and saw eleven bodyguards rushing behind him. She narrowed her eyes. A middle aged man rushed to open the door of an Audi SR8 car. He was escorted by six cars just because he is coming to a restaurant.

"Hmmm"Annie scoffed wishing she could squeeze the life out of Travis. Her thoughts was distracted by her ringing phone and she quickly dipped her hand inside her pocket to bring it out. It was a call from home.

"Hello grandma!!"

"Hello!!! What!!!"

"I will be right there but I need to finish work first grandma."

"You have fever? Hospital? Grandma"

The line went off. Annie needed no soothsayer to tell her that all is not well at home. She ran her fingers into her already messy hair before rushing into the restaurant, straight into the changing room.

Not quite long after she got in, the manager came looking for her.

"Annie!!" He shouted her name, disappointedly.

"I'm sorry sir but I need to go home now. I wouldn't ask for the day off if it wasn't urgent sir" she replied.

"Will you shut up! You this slimming gold digging whore" he shouted at her.

Annie broke into tears immediately because of what the manager called her.

"What!!!" She broke into more tears. Her eyes shut, making her long lashes flapped to bring out tears. She looks even more beautiful in her terrible state.

"You are always late for work and you look untidy. There are other few things that bothers me. For example you kissed a customer, and now your grandma is sick " he lashed at her.

In tears, Annie opened her mouth to speak. "I'm sorry but I think this is unfair. Do I kiss the customers everyday? How many times has that happened? Have I ever dressed unworthy or like a prostitute to work? Have I......have I...." Annie's voice broke.

"I've heard enough excuses. I'm losing patience. Do you realize who the man you kissed was? Do you want to give this restaurant a bad name? Look here, have worked hard enough in other to bring this restaurant so high and I won't let a riff raff like you to bring it down"

Annie was irritated. All her life, she has never been shouted at. She might have a poor background but she also receives princess treatment. She is like an egg in her grandma eyes and her brother would go to any extent to ensure she keeps an happy face.

"What type of injustice is this sir? The customer kissed me and you saw it yourself. My grandma is very sick and that's why I'm taking the day off" Annie replied.

"You are always making trouble and I've heard enough. Pack your things and leave. Your service if not needed here anymore." Annie knew he was gonna say that and immediately he did, she flared at him...

"What!!! This is unbelievable"

"You heard me right! Pack your things and leave!" The manager repeated again.

"With the greatest pleasure!!" Annie shouted at him. She took off her apron angrily and threw it at him.

"Get out or I will call the police" he threatened.

"Call them! Then I can lay charges as well" Annie replied.

Hannah rushed in, she held Annie, telling her not to shout back at the manager.

"How can I calm down? You should have heard what he said about me. Hannah he called me a whore" Annie bursted.

"Just get out of this premises before the polices arrive" he threatened.

"I can't wait to leave" she shouted back.

"Animal" she sheathed after he had left. She was really devastated.

"Calm down Annie. How did it happened exactly? Did you really kissed the almighty Travis Santiago?" Hannah asked her friend who was burning in visible rage.

"I didn't! I didn't! He was the one. He kissed me!" Annie burst into tears.

This is the only job providing food for her and her grandmother and now she lost it.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

"Oh God, why I'm I so unlucky? Why do I always find myself in unlucky situations?" Tears rolled down her cheeks as she walked down the lonely street Not only did she got fired, the manager refused to pay her salary. There is no food at home, the only forty dollars she has in her pocket was what she used to buy her grandmother's drug and she had also bought some rice dumplings for her to eat.

"Does Simeon realize what he is doing to his grandmother? Why can't he just come home and settle down? Where has he been? What type of life is this?" Annie heard her grandmother's weeping from the door.

She sighed and entered.

"Annie you are back?" Her grandmother said while wiping her tears.

Annie faked her smile and squated beside her grandmother's bed.

"You look really stressed, honey? Is everything fine?" Her grandmother asked.

"Everything will be fine if you eat your food and take your medicine. I'm very sure Simeon is fine. You need to eat up and take your pills" Annie bite her lower lip.

"Are you sure all is well?" Her grandmother asked.

Annie nodded while fiddling with her fingers. She doesn't hide things from her grandmother but then, she can't let her know she lost her job.

"Everything is fine, mama. I just had a bad day at work. Everything is fine, absolutely" Annie faked a smile but her granny's expression isn't going to buy that.

"What's the bad day about? Tell me, my daughter" she pressed further.

"I will tell you mama only when you eat and take your pills. I'm coming I need to get some rest" Annie rushed words. She entered her room and burried her face into her pillow, allowing the pillow only to listen to her silent weep.

She suddenly felt like everything is over for her. The thought of the landlord coming to knock at their door again tomorrow made more fresh tears fall off her eyes..