CLAIMED BY THE ARROGANT BILLIONAIRE

ALIYA TORRES

I never liked coffee which was weird since everyone I knew including my mother loved coffee.

I was more of a tea person and if one asked me why I would simply reply with 'coffee was too strong for me'. Yet here I was, my new job at Jitters serving coffee.

I had applied to be a barista but the chummy owner took one good look at me and decided I was better off a waitress in a tight little pink dress taking everyone's orders

"Would you mind taking this to table ten?"

My new co-worker, Sasha asked. As usual, I was the one doing most of the serving because I was the new girl and the new girl always got the most work.

I removed one ear pod from my left ear taking a break from Harry Styles' sweet voice.

My best friend, Raymond Chester, always said I was a little bit cliché because I still listened to Harry Styles but what can I say? The man's voice was my only sanity.

With a grunt, I fake smiled taking the mug of expresso from her hands.

My eyes flung across table ten and a chubby man was seated there, his face buried in the morning newspaper.

I couldn't see his face but I could see his enormous belly which acted as support to hold the paper he was reading.

Even from afar, I knew what type of customer he was. He was one of those guys who were probably lactose intolerant and when you took the expresso to him, he would probably spit the drink, claim you tried to poison him and the manager of the place would come running, apologize, and tell him he can order another drink for free.

Or maybe I was overthinking things. I tended to overthink.

The barista, Lilian, gave me a napkin and I placed it under the sizzling hot mug of expresso in my hands.

I had barely taken a step from behind the huge counter when my customer from table ten lowered his newspaper and I took a good look at his face perturbed.

His bushy signature beard peppered his face, his chubby face looked like overripe tomatoes about to pop. He looked paler than I remember but I could remember his face from anywhere.

My anger flared, it was him.

That two-time lying bastard! He was the same man that robbed me of my money!

I was a little stupid at first for handing him money without getting the job first but who was why to know that he was a con artist?

I had heard the news of how talent agencies conned people so when a guy showed up telling me he could fulfill my long-time dream of being a model, I jumped on the idea of giving him money.

He sounded convincing at first telling me how he had signed models like Kaia Jenner, Kendall Vasquez, and Taylor Gerber so, like a fool, I paid him expecting a call for the modeling gig the next day.

Except he never called and I never became a model. When I reported the matter to the police, they promised to follow up on the case but the weasel never got caught except today.

I was going to catch him. He was going to give me back my money.

I had the expresso in my hands and a silly thought came to mind.

The plan was simple,

I would easily make my way to where he sat.

I would pour the hot expresso on his pants.

While he cried from the burns I had inflicted on him, I would call the police.

It was a three-point plan that was bound to work. I was pretty confident that the plan would work and if he tried to escape somehow, I would straddle him to the floor until the police showed up.

My phone was already in the front pocket of my waitress uniform ready to press 911 the minute I poured the drink on him.

I walked towards him, trying to lay low in case he saw me, and decided to run. I was almost there.

I was almost reaching Frank Doherty when out of nowhere, one of the guys from table nine stood up startling me and leading me to loosen the grip on the mug.

I watched as the mug flew from my hands to his chest, the brown liquid ruining his three-piece suit which was no doubt expensive.

I saw him flinch, biting his bottom lip to hide the pain of having the hot liquid penetrate his suit and touch his skin.

"The fuck?" he growled, his icy grey eyes staring down at me.

His six feet of height made him intimidating as he towered above me. At that moment, I wished that the ground would rip and swallow me whole.

"Am so sorry", I said immediately trying to wipe his suit with a napkin. It was of no use because the stain wouldn't just disappear. I felt guilty so I continued rubbing the white napkin on his chest until he pushed my hands away from him.

"Are you sure you are sorry? Or is this a little trick just to touch me? I have seen women like you before!" He said with so much malice.

My eyes widened in surprise. His outburst caught everyone's attention and everyone turned to us, some flashed out their phones to take videos of what was happening. I couldn't care less.

Just who did he think he was? Sure he was handsome, had a perfect face, a sharp jawline, a five o'clock stubble that looked good on him, lush gel black hair, perfect lips, and a cologne that had my nose hairs tingling but that didn't mean I would do that intentionally!

Why touch him in the first place when I didn't even know him?

"I don't know who you are or who you think I am but I said sorry, didn't I? And just because you think you look good doesn't mean that every woman that trips and bumps into you wants to touch you!"I clarified loud and clear.

"Preach sister!" I heard one of the customers say.

"You've been staring at me for ten minutes so believe me when I say I've seen women like you and believe me when I say this 'I'm not interested"

"Just who do you think you are, you arrogant prick!"I hissed as he stepped back, a grin crossing on his lips.

"I think I want to see the manager now. I don't think the owner of this fine establishment knows what sort of employees he hires"

I wanted to insult him right there and then but when Mr. Ramon showed up, I kept my mouth shut.

It was unbelievable how Mr. Ramon apologized to the man as if he were some sort of God.

"Again I apologize Mr. Carter. I promise you, she'll be dealt with"

The arrogant Mr. Carter left, with his partner and as fast as they did, Mr. Ramon told me I was fired.

To top it all, Frank Doherty had already left before I could call the cops on him!

Damn you, Carter!

I cussed praying that lightning would somehow to strike him wherever he was. Okay, maybe not strike him dead.

ETHAN CARTER

"Is she one of your flings perhaps?"

Jai humored his eyes gazing at someone behind me.

I came here to at least get some work done away from my mother who wouldn't stop pestering me back at the office. The thing about mothers was that they were the most obstinate human beings to walk the planet.

Take my mother for example, who had nagged me day in, and day out when I was going to propose to my girlfriend, Crystal Perez.

How it concerned her, I had no idea but she had obsessed over the issue so much that I couldn't even go home in fear that she would be there waiting to torture me with the same question.

Crystal and I were together for a year now and I felt like rushing into things would only lead to regrets.

Perhaps, I was Ethan Carter, the youngest self-made billionaire of the Mecha chain of hotels not forgetting Mecha builders, people depended on me. Families depended on me to survive and I wasn't ready to start my own family yet.

My eyes bolted to Jai. Jai Hayes was my best friend, my bodyguard, my driver, and my trainer. He had been working for me for at least four years.

He didn't treat me any differently just because I was his boss or this billionaire everyone aspires to be.

Currently, we were at Jitters, having a daily dose of the usual cinnamon dulce sugar free cappuccino.

My eyes followed his gaze. There was a redhead behind the counter clad in a pink dress gazing at me quite intently as if I had accosted her.

She was pretty, I could deny that but I didn't know her nor had I ever seen in her my life.

"I have no idea who she is", I dismissed sipping the hot liquid in my cup as I worked on the last item on my computer.

"You sure? She sure as hell looks like she knows you", Jai continued and I had to tear my eyes from the laptop to stare at the girl again.

She was staring at me and suddenly my anger flared.

It reminded me of the incident last week where one of my female employees pretended to have hurt her ankle and when I did go to help, the damn woman kissed me and someone caught that and posted it on the web.

Crystal had been so mad that it took one week to convince her that women swooned all over me all the time but my heart was hers and that kiss meant nothing.

I suspected the same from the waitress and I was in no mood for such nonsense at the moment.

"I don't know her and I certainly wouldn't look at another woman when I have a girlfriend", I reminded him.

"If you say so", Jai grunted only for him to place his fingers at the edge of my laptop screen and close it.

"You know when you said you wanted to hang out? This is not what I imagined, Ethan"

"We are hanging out aren't we?" I asked amused, crossing my arms on my chest.

"You've gotta change, man and I'm telling you this as your friend. Loosen up. God, how does Crystal put up with your ass if all you do is work?"

"First of all, unlike you, Crystal understands why I have to work and second of all, I am loosened up alright"

Jai chuckled, a smile forming on his lips while he sipped his coffee.

"If you were loosened up, we wouldn't be at a freaking coffee shop right now"

I was about to say something when my phone buzzed on the table.

"Sir am afraid he refused to sell us the land", one of my company representatives spoke over the phone.

"What? Did you show him the contract?"

"Yes sir. He says the property is worth more than ten million"

"Bullshit" I scoffed," am doing him a favor by buying it from him"

His piece of land wasn't even worth the ten million I was generously offering him.

"I tried, Sir. Believe me, I tried"

"Is he there? Has he left?" I asked impatiently.

"He is still in the building, Sir. What do you want me to do?"

"Keep him in the building. Am on my way", I said irritatedly.

I hung up the phone turning to Jai.

"We have to go"

"Yeah, I know. Am seated right here and I can hear everything", he said sarcastically.

I packed my things includingg my laptop into the attaché case.

I stood up not knowing that the next step would lead to my chest throbbing with pain.

The hot liquid poured on my chest and I bit the insides of my cheek feeling it penetrate through my skin.

"The fuck?" I barked raising my eyes to see the redhead from earlier who was staring at me.

Ofcourse it had to be her. Trying to get my attention with the old 'I'm sorry I poured coffee on you' story.

She said sorry her emerald eyes meeting mine. She had the purest green eyes I had ever seen. For a minute I thought I would get lost in them but I came to my senses the minute she started rubbing her hands on my chest.

"Am so sorry",she said meekly and I heard Jai laugh behind me. He was really enjoying this, wasn't he?

"Are you sure you are sorry? Or is is this a little trick just to touch me? I have seen women like you before", I hissed getting her hands off me.

Her eyes stirred with surprise before they completely became overrode with anger.

"I don't know who you are or who you think I am but I said sorry, didn't I? And just because you think you look good doesn't mean that every woman that trips and bumps into you wants to touch you!"she shouted getting everyone's attention.

I found it amusing. I felt like clarifying that 'yes, every woman that trips and bumps into me always wants something from me'. Be it a kiss, be it attention.

"You've been staring at me for ten minutes so believe me when I say I've seen women like you and believe me when I say this 'I'm not interested'"

"Just who do you think you are, you arrogant prick"

Arrogant?

"I think I want to see the manager now. I don't think the owner of this fine establishment knows what sort of employees he hires", I said with indignation noting a short chubby man running towards me.

He apologized, said he would take care of her and I left.

"That went well. I like her",Jai said while he revved the engine to life.

I rolled my eyes.

"I'd be careful if I were you, she seemed crazy. It's always good to steer away from the crazy ones", I murmured.

I felt like kicking myself for wasting precious time on a woman who didn't deserve it.

She called me arrogant? Didn't she know who she was talking to?

I wasn't arrogant. I had never been arrogant and I sure as hell wished I wouldn't cross paths with her again.

ALIYA TORRES

I rode my scooter down the potholed road, feeling the night breeze caress my skin.

I needed to breathe and relax if I was going to see my mother and explain that I got fired. Again.

I arrived home at about nine pm, parking my pink scooter just by the basement of the building we lived in.

I couldn't exactly call it a parking lot since let's be honest, I didn't exactly live in the leafy suburbs.

The building we lived in used to be a famous hotel back in the days when the Nazis thought that they would somehow win the war over the Americans.

It was an old rugged building, with cracked walls and ceilings, and leaky taps not forgetting doors that creaked in the middle of the night and made you think that souls inhabited the place.

To be frank, it was a real shit show!

Soon enough, once I got a stable job I would get us out of there. I would get my mom a better place.

Our apartment was on the third floor and before you ask, the elevator in this place didn't work so we all got accustomed to using the stairs.

I didn't mind using the stairs though. I wasn't exactly a fan of enclosed spaces.

My hands touched the knob of our door turning it until the door opened. I entered the house silently praying that my mother was asleep and I would have to explain my being fired the next day.

"Aliya Maria Fernanda Torres. Nice of you to join us for dinner", mom's voice spooked me and I turned my head to see her seated on her favorite armchair in the living room.

"I thought your shift was ending at five. Why are you so late?" she asked.

If one would hear her, one would think that I was seventeen years old teenager when in fact I was twenty-three years old.

My mother Karen Torres, hadn't always been like this. We lost our dad a year ago to a horrid accident and since then she has never been the same.

She constantly worried about where I was, who I was with, and if I was being careful. I tried to understand her because losing dad hadn't been easy for us. I didn't go to college, and we spent all the money paying bills until dad died. Since then I had been trying to get by, working multiple jobs to support both of us.

I sat down on our couch getting rid of the old boots that hurt my legs all day.

"Actually... about that job-", I started.

"Oh no! Again? Did you get fired? Ali, that's the third job this week"

"At least it wasn't my fault this time", I recalled grinding my teeth.

"What happened this time? Did you educate your boss on the importance of cleanliness? Or let me guess you insulted your boss for being a racist. No. No. Let me take another guess, you simply educated your boss on women's rights", she added sarcastically and I groaned.

"No. No and no. It was just-ah forget it. I'll get a job tomorrow, I promise you", I reached out for her hand rubbing the back of it dearly.

"I don't know about that, Ali. I think it's time I started working too"

"No, you can't. I got this. This-this is just a minor setback", I said.

A minor setback that involved a devilish handsome self-absorbed jerk. You know the thing about being rich was that it made one feel so entitled.

Like the man, I met today. Mr. Carter, was it? I could see the way he looked at me as if people of my ilk weren't supposed to breathe the same air he did.

Being rich made people think they were gods when in fact they weren't. Maybe that's why I was still poor, maybe God knew if somehow I became rich, I would end up being self-absorbed just like them.

I had dinner which was the occasional tater tots, peas and some rice. Afterward, I went to check on Ray who lived just two buildings down from our place.

Raymond Chester. For starters, we were best friends since kindergarten. He was the first kid to talk to me and to share his lunch with me.

We had been friends from Kindergarten to middle school to high school up to now. However unlike me, who couldn't afford college.

Ray got into college, went away to study in Wisconsin then came back to San Francisco to work in microfinance having specialized in Economics back in college.

"What's got you all sad?" He teased brushing his finger on my cheek.

"Everything. I don't know, ever felt like the universe hates you?" I huffed watching cars move past us at the same speed.

We were in Ray's jeep as he drove us to celebrate the fact that he had been hired by a mega tech company called Wiztech.

I was happy for him of course but deep down a pang of jealousy coursed through my veins.

"Where's that coming from?" He chuckled using his right hand to push his brown locks from his face.

"Am serious, Ray. I don't know am just tired of everything", I huffed.

"Then talk to me"

"Am trying to but you are not taking anything seriously", I glared at him.

"Okay. Okay...am now. What happened today? Anything I can help with?"

"Well for starters I lost my job. I got humiliated by a self-absorbing- condescending-arrogant-son of a "

"Whoa, whoa calm down, tiger"

"It's just that he got me fired! That no-good prick got me fired! I said sorry, I apologized twice! You know very well I never apologize but I swallowed my pride and apologized to this guy and God I so badly want to kill him. That was my last chance at getting a job"

"Your mom must be worried. Ali, I can help you if you want me to. You just have to say the word", Ray reached for my hand his other hand on the steering wheel.

We were best friends but I couldn't lay all my load on him, that wasn't fair.

I was going to deal with my shit on my own. Perhaps the last thing Ray needed was someone like me ruining his life just when his career was starting to blossom.

"No. I'll deal with it. I'll get a job and everything will be alright", I said trying to convince myself more.

Everything will be alright.

"If you say so but worry not beautiful maiden. I have the night planned out for us. One that will surely put a smile on the beautiful face", he cooed and I laughed hard.

He had the worst medieval ascent, the funny thing about it was that he thought he sounded like Merlin.

Minutes later, we were standing outside an expansive Thai restaurant called Mai and I slapped Ray's chest unbelievably.

"You love Thai food. I love Thai food so what better way to celebrate than in a Thai restaurant", he suggested his callous arm landing on my shoulder as he pulled me to him.

"This place looks a bit lavish even for you"

"Ouch. You wound me, Ali", he placed his hand on his chest.

"Am just saying, we could have ordered Thai food and eaten at your place. Fewer costs you know"

"It's my day so I get to choose so shut up and let's go eat", he threw his keys at the skinny valet as we entered the restaurant hand in hand.

The restaurant had a natural wood palette combined with lavish greenery, and an open kitchen to give you a sneak peek of what the master chefs were cooking.

I looked in amazement at the restaurant, the wooden floor plan combined with the hanging little chandeliers on each table gave it a whole different theme that screamed spacious and cozy.

We took a seat at the third table from the open kitchen.

"I feel like am underdressed", I whispered.

Ray was a lot of things. He was funny, he was handsome, he was understanding but most of all he had the most beautiful sly smile I had ever laid my eyes on.

He pulled up that sly smile of his saying,

"Trust me...you look good in anything you wear"

"Raymond Chester, I know when you are lying and you are doing it right now", I whispered narrowing my eyes into slits.

"Fine but who cares? No one recognizes you here. Frankly, everyone is minding his own business"

Ray was right though. The restaurant was filled will all types of snobs. Some were on their phones, some are laughing, and others taking pictures no doubt for their Instagram feed.

I scanned the room, my eyes went back to the open kitchen where the chef kept the lovely couple entertained. They sure were lucky to get the best front-row seat huh?

My eyes dimmed at the guy holding the blondie's hand. I could only see the right side of his face but I would recognize the arrogant prick from anywhere.

Mr. Carter.

He guy that cost me my job. The slithering snob.

"Ali? Hey, mittens! Ali?" Ray called and I turned to meet his gaze.

"It's him", I said slowly.

"What?" Ray asked," who?"

"The guy I was telling you about. The arrogant douche. There, don't look, but he's seated right across the chef", I signaled and Ray went ahead to stare.

"I told you not to look!" I whispered.

"You can't expect me to not look right after you tell me 'don't look", he raised his hands in defeat turning to me and saying,

"He is not worth it, forget about him... Let's just eat and have fun. I mean it is our first time dining in an exclusive hotel such as this", Ray joked but I couldn't help but feel my blood boil as my eyes flung across the room.

Look at him smiling without a care in the world...as if he hadn't suggested to Mr. Ramon to fire me.

"Am sorry...I just can't sit and watch", I stood up from my seat.

"Ali! Ali, don't do this. Sit down...Ali!" Ray called from behind but I was already making my way to Mr. Carter's table.

"Wow...what a coincidence running into you, Mr. Carter. It's so piercing to hear you laugh after you cost me my job", I grimaced towering in front of them.

The couple turned their gaze toward me. Mr. Carter's stormy icy eyes shot at me and I returned the eye contact with equal fervor.

"Ethan, who is she?"His blonde girlfriend, I assumed, asked running her eyes up and down my body.

I get it, I didn't exactly look like someone who belonged here because I had worn a hoodie and baggy sweatpants while she, on the other hand, had a sequin mini dress and ooh glittering jewelry on her neck and wrists.

"I don't know her", Mr. Carter simply dismissed.

"You don't know me? Am the girl you got fired from today! I apologized and you-"

"Ethan, what is she talking about?" His girlfriend asked him.

"I don't know her, Crystal. She's been following me all day and is freaking tired of this madness!" He stood up, his six-foot figure towering in front of me.

Was I scared? Why, yes. Yes, I was.

His jaw muscles flexed and with one hard glare he glanced down at me,

"I don't what your problem with me is, lady but I suggest you get out of here before I call the cops on you", he growled and I took a step back.

"On what grounds?"I asked surprised that I could still talk.

"Excuse me?" He quirked his brows.

"You are going to call the cops on me on what grounds? I haven't done anything to you...yet"

"Is that a threat?" He harshly asked and suddenly my eyes flung to the bowl of wasabi on their table.

It was crazy.

I would end up in jail.

But no one messed with Aliya Maria Fernanda Torres.

With one flash move, I carefully took the bowl of wasabi splashing its contents on his chest and face.

"Aliya!" Ray gasped grabbing hold of my hand and suddenly, we were running out of the restaurant like thieves.

I poured wasabi on him, I should have been terrified but actually, I was terrifyingly thrilled at the whole situation.

He got what he deserved.

ETHAN CARTER

When your angry girlfriend forgets to splash champagne on your face and instead splashes wasabi.

And just down the ridiculous meme was my face turning red from the wasabi that accidentally got in my eye.

When you mistake guacamole for wasabi

And again my face popped up, my eyes having been edited with even larger ones.

There were other ridiculous memes surfing on the web with my face on it and I got angry just knowing the fact that everyone in the city was making fun of me just because of her.

A woman I barely knew. A woman who in one day had angered me more than any of my employees.

I needed to find her correction I was going to find her. And when I did God so help me because I wouldn't be able to contain myself.

She poured wasabi on me, on my face! Crystal had to wipe the dang thing off my face before my eyes turned all red.

The romantic dinner I had carefully planned for Crystal went down south and like a ten year old, tears couldn't stop falling from my eyes.

It was humiliating for me to cry, in public. When I got home, I immediately called my optician to come and check on my eyes. Luckily there was no permanent damage and I was grateful for that.

I was on the treadmill listening to 'Counting stars by One Republic' as I scrolled down my phone even further.

People were actually making fun of me without no shame!

I was scrolling down the last meme which had a poop emoji on my face when the phone screen changed.

Mom was calling.

I groaned, sliding my finger on the screen to the green call button.

"Ethan! What happened yesterday? Who did that to you? Are you okay?" Mom asked worriedly over the phone.

"Am fine. It's not as bad as it looks like", I lied.

It was bad. It was really bad. It was like having your body malfunction. The pungent smell of the wasabi had made my brain sting, my throat drier than usual and my eyes sting.

"Ethan I've seen the pictures on the web, you look like you are choking on hot chili peppers"

"Wow, mom. Thanks for reminding me"

"You know I love you but all this could have been avoided if you had a wife to cook for you instead of going out to eat at restaurants"

Ooh hear we go again. And in the next five seconds, she would start talking about the benefits of having a wife and why I should propose as early as now.

"Mom. We were having a romantic dinner date before it got interrupted perhaps I can cook for myself, you know"

She stayed mute but I knew she was there due to how heavy she was breathing.

"Ethan, am not getting any younger. I want to see you happy, to see you settled, to have grandkids",she said in a sullen tone.

The same sullen tone she used on me when I was a kid to get me to eat broccoli.

I remember her asking me, 'Don't you want to be strong to protect mummy?' and I would immediately gulp the disgusting vegetable down my throat for her.

"And you will have grandkids, just not now, mom. I have a lot of work to do, so I'll call you later?"

"Fine. I love you",she said with a resigned tone.

"I love you too, mom. Take care", I replied.

I get that she was lonely because I was now a man who wanted to be independent and she had no one by her side but still- children? Now?

My mother and I, we had always been together. Lisa and Ethan, she would call us. I never met my father, my mother said he died a few months before I was born so I never knew the guy that well. My mom was my soldier, both a mother and a father to me.

After I finished my workout, I took a quick shower heading downstairs to find Jai already dressed and reading the morning newspapers.

"What's up or should I say wasa-boss?"

"Haha very funny", I fake smiled tightening the cuff links on my wrists.

"I'll get the car",he stood up and I dismissed him with my hand.

"I'll drive the Porsche today. Why don't you take a day off to reflect on your silly jokes?" I patted his shoulder taking the car keys from off the coffee table in my penthouse.

"Well you have to admit it, the pictures were funny"

"I thought as my friend you should be helping me find the scoundrels who are making fun of me on the web"

"Am a human being, Ethan. Laughter comes first before friendship"

"Right. Am starting to rethink this whole friendship thing. Anyway I'll see you later"

I left the house, taking the porsche panamera for a quick drive.

After what happened yesterday, it was safe to lay low for a while until the whole thing blew over.

I called one of my IT guys from the company, instructing him to bring down the sites writing about my incident with wasabi yesterday and the pictures.

I also instructed him to get me the IP addresses of each person who kept posting that wasabi crap, if I needed to threaten all of them, then I would.

My car came to a halt infront of Jitters coffee shop. I came here with the purpose of finding the redhead and put an end to her obsession with me.

It was barely noon and the place was packed to capacity. The smell of freshly ground coffee beans wafted in the air accompanied with the smell of scones and biscuits.

I took my seat at the table marked twelve scanning the room for the redhead. She had ginger hair that would stand out in any room and I didn't get a glimpse of her in the coffee shop.

I sat in silence as I watched a skinny girl come towards my table. The two buttons on her dress were undone leaving room for her rack of boobs to be seen.

"Can I take your order?" She asked with a high pitched voice that made me squirm.

She battered her lashes, not once, not twice and certainly not thrice. Frankly if someone were here with me, one would have thought she had an eye problem.

"Actually am looking for someone, you might know her", I started and that seemed to peak her interest in me.

"Does she have brown hair perhaps? A nice smile? A rocking body?" She flirted and it took few seconds for me to understand she meant herself.

"No. Quite the contrary, she has ginger red hair, know her by any chance?" I asked.

Her eyes widened slightly as if she could somehow remember her,

"The new girl? You are seriously asking about the new girl? She got fired, apparently she threw herself at this super rich guy and he wasn't interested. Talk about desperate measures, am I right?"

Desperate measures? I felt the need to ask..She was also standing infront of me making sure I saw her cleavage and she was talking about desperation?

"Do you know where she happens to live by any chance?"I asked impatiently.

"Why look for her? Am available. I'll do anything you want me to, baby",she winked ridiculously.

"What's your name?", I roared.

"I can suck your cock, if you want",she whispered.

"Well Ms I-can-suck-your-cock, am not interested!"I boomed standing up and walking towards the blad guy from yesterday.

He was the manager of this place.

And what was it with the girls of this place?

I gave him a few dollars in exchange for information on the address of the ginger red haired girl.

Half an hour later, I was driving into a rather scrappy neighborhood searching for Bill Flats. Had he given me the right address to begin with?

I asked around only to find Bill Flats just around the corner. No wonder ginger red haired girl wanted me. This place was a dump.

I parked my car infront of the building walking inside.

I pressed the buttons on the elevator waiting for the elevator doors to part.

"You are in the wrong side of town, rich boy. That elevator hasn't worked in years", a drunk teenage boy stumbled past me.

I took the stairs having no other choice. The redhead who I now knew went by the name of Aliya Maria Fernanda Torres, lived on the third floor in the room 36-B.

Few minutes later, I was in the third floor staring at the endless hallway infront of me.

What are you doing, Ethan?

I asked myself. I would find the girl, then what? Would I threaten her? Scare her? Or really call the cops on her?

I was in the middle of my inflicting thoughts, when a shrill cry caught my attention.

Help me!

S-someone help us!

Mom. S-someone.

The voice began to dim down as I heard sobs fill the hallway. Like any man in my situation, I ran towards the cry of help.

On the left side of the hallway was an open door, the place where the noise came from.

I stood by the doorway getting shocked to find an unconscious fifty something old woman on the floor and a younger woman shaking while she sobbed.

"Help me, s-she she can't die"

At this point, I was confused not knowing whether to help a crying Aliya Maria Fernanda or to turn around and leave at the situation.

But she was crying? There an unconscious woman on the floor.

"I'll call an ambulance", I said with haste taking my phone from my pants and calling for an ambulance.

The ambulance came by ten minutes later and the woman was carried into the vehicle.

"Hang on, mom",Aliya said getting into the ambulance.

I stood by my Porsche not really sure what had happened in the past few minutes. I helped her but any man would have helped had he been in the same exact position, right?

Yet despite of me helping her, I wanted to do more than help.

I wanted to know that her mother was okay.

I shouldn't have cared yet here I was five minutes later following the ambulance through traffic.

I needed to talk to her about what she did yesterday, I needed to tell her to back off from me or else I would file for a restraining order but why did I forget about all that, the instant I saw her emerald eyes glisten with tears?