Dirty Secrets of a Billionaire

"Good day miss, thanks for visiting Hilton's Mindplace and welcome. How may I help you?" The brittle voice of the female attendant resounded in Aviva's ears as she gestured to the lady a benign smile.

"Um... I have an appointment with Mrs Brenda Hilton"

"Okay just a second" The lady smiled and averted her gaze from Aviva to the system before her.

For the first time in her life she had never stepped into a company as stunning as this one. She had always read about the Hilton's tech companies online but never thought nor dreamed of seeing one of them in reality. It was all thanks to her best friend who earned her an application position with the Hilton's. Everyone knew how prestigious and well-respected the Hilton empire was. Only a few people with lucky chances get to work at their company which made Aviva wonder how her friend got connected with them.

After a couple of minutes, she lifted her gaze and said "You must be miss Aviva Walker right?" She asked and Aviva nodded.

"There's still thirty more minutes left before your appointment miss. Kindly sit and wait, thank you" The lady offers Aviva a seat opposite her as she returns to her work.

While Aviva was waiting quietly, her phone began vibrating and she stared down at the screen, it was her mom.

"Hey mom, what's up" Aviva tried her best to sound cheerful, hoping to encourage her mom who was currently in the hospital.

"I just wanted to hear your voice one last time sweetheart cause I might not make it out of this hospital alive" Mrs Walker's frail voice was all Aviva could hear at that moment. The words that came out of her mom's mouth tore her heart badly.

She knew that she was at the verge of losing her mom but Aviva refused to be weak, she was gonna stay strong for her mom until they both overcame the situation alive. Three weeks ago when the doctors informed her that her mom was suffering from chronic pulmonary disease, Aviva couldn't wrap her head around such news. Her mom who had always been sound and healthy is now a patient of pulmonary disease, but how? How's that even possible? Since when did such disease develop itself in her mom's body? She questioned herself over and over again, yet she couldn't find answers.

Even then, she didn't die from the news and neither did her mom. In one way or the other, she had been able settle some bills, only that the bill keeps on growing as long as her mom is in that hospital. Aviva strongly decided not to give up on her mom, not even for the slightest of second.

Therefore, she replied "Don't be ridiculous mom, no one's dying okay, I'm gonna get you out of that hospital alive I promise" Her voice was soft and measured like a guy trying to overcome a stutter, even though her eyes had begun to turn bleary from tears.

"I know you're a strong girl sweetheart but this one is stronger than you think, just know that I'll always love you okay?" Her mom continued nevertheless in a faint and cracky tone.

She drew in a shaky breath and a wobbly smile slowly spread across her lips as she spoke "I love you too mom and that's why I'm never gonna let you die because..."

"Miss Walker, it's time" She got cut off by the soft voice of the female attendant.

"Bye mom" She simply said and hung up.

Aviva stepped into the opulent office surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows and lavish artwork. Behind the expansive mahogany desk, a refined woman in her late fifties looked up from her work. Her silver hair was styled in a sleek bob, and her piercing green eyes sparkled with intelligence. Adorned in a tailored, designer dark green suit, she exuded poise and sophistication.

"Wow! An animation in person, wonderful!" The woman exclaimed in a low tone, more like muttering underneath her breath making it difficult for Aviva to comprehend.

"Sorry ma'am I didn't get that" Aviva asked politely and the woman's lips curved up into a warm smile.

"Pleased to meet you, I'm Mrs Brenda Hilton and you must be Aviva Walker. Have a seat dearie" Mrs Hilton said, her voice husky and confident. "Welcome to my sanctuary"

"Thanks" Aviva managed to say other than gawking endlessly at the office.

"Are you ready for the job?" Mrs Hilton returned her gaze to the files on her desk s as she spoke.

When Aviva heard mention of the job, for some unknown reason her heart pulse quickened. She had never worked as a secretary before but she had to.

"I'm a busy woman dearie, if you're not ready you can come back tomorrow" Mrs Hilton spoke again after a few moments of silence.

Aviva stood tall, her shoulders squared and her gaze locked unto Mrs Hilton's. Her eyes burned with an inner fire reflecting her unwavering resolve and Mrs Hilton noticed it.

"More than ever" She half smiled in place like a casual piece of armor.

"Just so you know, it's not the position of a secretary"

"Pardon?" Aviva thought that her ears were playing tricks on her at that moment. She was certain that Liana applied for the job of a secretary and not something else. Or could she have missed the exact location of the job? Did they mistake her for someone else?

So many questions were running through her mind all at once but Aviva tried her best to keep calm, so she went ahead and asked...

"If it isn't a secretary position, then what I'm I signing up for?" Aviva voice began to quaver as she couldn't imagine what sort of job it would be.

Seconds and seconds passed, one, two, three, four...but the woman was yet to speak, her eyes locked unto Aviva's trying to detect any hint of hesitation. But all she saw was burning fire with a faint light of curiosity.

Aviva on the other hand couldn't stop the drumming of her heartbeat. She prayed for the woman to answer sooner than later before her firm resolve would come crashing down. She wasn't sure if what she felt at that time was fear or curiosity because Mrs Hilton's expression was unfathomable, leaving her in great bewilderment.

What else could it be? Aviva thought, 'dear heavens, she didn't wanna lose the job' she prayed earnestly within her.

"You will be told of what the job is only after you've signed the agreement slip" Mrs Hilton's words pulled Aviva out of her thoughts.

A mysterious job? She should walk away right? Billionaires can be pretty fetish most times right? So many questions were popping into her mind at that moment. But Aviva's mind raced with one singular focus: saving her mother. She felt an unyielding determination coursing through her veins, driving hard to push past fear and uncertainty.

While Aviva was lost in her own thoughts, Mrs Hilton never stopped admiring her. Such a beauty for a determined child, she thought, she knew right then that the girl was the perfect one for the job.

"I'll sign it" Yet again, Aviva's determination was a wildfire, raging unchecked, fueling her every move. Her spirit was unbreakable, like tempered steel, forged in the fire of adversity.

"Incredible child, I must say... you are courageous" Mrs Hilton chuckled halfway as she brought out a piece of paper and pushed it forward to Aviva.

Aviva was about to take the paper when Mrs Hilton abruptly held her hand firmly.

"This is just a payment for accepting the job, you'll get more of it later on" Mrs Hilton also brought out a cheque and placed it before Aviva.

"Once you've seen what the job is all about dearie, there is no backing out, you still have a chance to walk away now" Mrs Hilton adviced curtly, making Aviva's heart to pound more.

Aviva stared down at the cheque in their hands and let out a low sigh, how money was capable of making a decision for her without even asking. A subtle shadow fell across her face, and her eyes once bright, dimmed like a gentle raincloud. Her shoulders relaxed and her gaze drifted downward, as if weighed by an unseen sorrow.

As Aviva's fingers hovered over the contract, a surge of excitement mixed with a hint of trepidation. Her eyes met the woman's, and she saw a warm, encouraging smile. With a deep breath, Aviva's hesitation dissolved, and she signed her name with a sense of determination and new beginnings.

"Aviva dearie, it's a difficult task, trust me" Mrs Hilton sounded sympathetic as she felt pity for the girl. It made Aviva more curious about what sort of job it could be as she hastily opened the paper.

Mrs Hilton watched as Aviva's eyes sparkled with amusement and it got her confused. What did the girl find amusing? She thought.

"Is this the difficult task?" Aviva held herself back from cracking out loud in laughter.

The oh-so mysterious job was to get married to her son, Jace Hilton and give him a male child under the space of a month. What's so...ah jeez! Aviva couldn't believe her eyes. And there she was, thinking that its a murder job or something scary.

"I thought I'd be sent to murder someone" Aviva chuckled softly as relief washed over her features.

"It's worser than that dearie, I know my son" Upon hearing Mrs Hilton's firm words, Aviva was quickly pulled out of her world of gittery as she recalled her mom.

"But my mom...she's...she's sick and can't take care of herself" Aviva stuttered in a low tone with wide eyes and for the first time since that morning, the woman saw a hint of fear in the girl's eyes.

"Not to worry sweetie, money will take care" Mrs Hilton was quick to assure the girl and Aviva let out a low sigh.

Few minutes later, Aviva had left the Hilton's Mindpalace and was now heading to the hospital but not without dropping her address and cellphone number. Aviva was glad that at most she was able to get money for her mom's treatment, therefore she confidently walked into the hospital when she got there.

Staring at her unconscious mom, a drop of tears roll down her cheeks silently. All she admired was a peaceful life with her mom and nothing else. Getting married and taking in was never what Aviva wishes for herself at that age, but she had no other option, saving her mom was the only thing she thought about every single day. In fact she didn't mind forgetting her dream of becoming a doctor or becoming the CEO of her own eatery, just for her mom.

"Aviva!!" Someone exclaimed from the entrance and she turned to see Liana.

"How's she doing?" Liana walked over to where Aviva stood and gave her a light hug. Aviva exhaled shortly before replying...

"Can't tell Lia, I just hope she gets well soon"

"Of course she she will" Liana gave her an assuring reply while Aviva quietly settled down on a stool close to her mom.

"So how did it go? Your interview?"Liana's eyes sparkled with curiosity meanwhile three deep lines suddenly appeared on Aviva's forehead?

"You! You tricked me!!" Aviva didn't mince her words as she glared at Liana real hard which made the girl a whole lot taken aback.

"What are you talking about Viva?" Liana stuttered in confusion.

"Getting married, giving birth? Gosh Lia... You're so unbelievable" Aviva started off fiercely but the rest words died down on her lips as she broke into an onslaught of sons.

"What?" Liana exclaimed in shock "You're getting married to Jace Hilton? Way to go girl" Liana continued in excitement regardless of Aviva's teary state.

"Why are you happy Lia? I'm not ready for it" Aviva's voice was low and calm as she quietly wiped her tears.

"Oh for sure you are! You're more than ready baby girl!" Liana squealed with wide eyes.

"Lemme guess, they invited you over for dinner?" She asked and Aviva nodded.

"Now come on amigos, we've got a dinner to prepare for"

Aviva wasn't getting the reason behind Liana's joy, she knew that her friend wanted the best for her but getting married to such a famous billionaire was way too much.

"What if they don't like me? What if Jace doesn't want to have anything to do with a lowlife like me? What then would be my fate?" As Aviva asked in an overly low tone, her tears had already found their way out of her eyes, streaming down her cheeks effortlessly.

Liana moved closer to her and rubbed her shoulder gently knowing that Aviva could be right. But she wasn't going to add to her friend's sulking mood, so she smiled and said "Wipe your tears mi piccolo, for when I'm done with you...they won't be able to trace any evidence of lowlife in you".

Liana didn't fail the task of glamouring her friend up for the dinner party. Despite Aviva's complain that the gorgeousness was too much for just a dinner party, Liana reminded her that it wasn't 'just a dinner party' it was a billionaire's dinner party, the Hilton's at that.

Aviva took Liana along with her since her mom wasn't in a healthy state, she couldn't possibly go alone. As they both stepped down from the ride which picked them up from their home, the girls jaws dropped instantly. How heavenly and surreal everything seemed.

As Aviva stepped down from the garden steps, the soft crunch of gravel beneath her heels served as a gentle reminder of the opulent world she was about to enter. The warm sunlight danced across her face, casting a golden glow on her skin as she made her way further into the mansion.

The sound of gentle chatter and the clinking of glasses carried on the breeze, mingling with the sweet scent of blooming flowers. Aviva's heart beats slightly faster as she approaches the entrance, where a liveried butler stood waiting to greet her.

"Good evening ladies" He said, his voice low and smooth.

Welcome to the estate, please allow me to take your wraps" Jus as Aviva handed over her shawl, her eyes immediately caught the back of an elegant male leaving a room into an elevator with a lady beside him

"Isn't that Jace Hilton?" Liana whispered to her and she shrugged it off.

"Don't know Lia, now hush" She playfully told Liana as they both proceeded into the house behind the butler.

The air was thick with the scent of old money and refinement, a world away from Aviva's humble beginning. Yet as she walked alongside the butler, she felt a sense of belonging, as if she had finally found a place where she could be herself.

As Aviva stepped into the grand dinning room, she was enveloped by the warm glow of crystal chandeliers and the soft hum of refined conversation. The billionaire's family known for their impeccable taste, had spared no expense in creating an evening that would leave a lasting impression.

The table, set with fine China, sterling silverware and delicate glassware, sparkled like a work of art that seemed too beautiful to use. Each setting was adorned with a personalized place cards written in elegant calligraphy. The aroma of freshly baked bread and roasted meats wafted from the kitchen, teasing the senses and building anticipation.

Aviva and Liana didn't get to see any members of the Hilton's until the dinning was filled up, reserving spaces for them. Later on everyone was present except for the main purpose of the event, Jace Hilton. Mr Hugo Hilton, the father of Jace, resplendent in his elegant tuxedo raised his glass in a toast.

"To new friendships and unforgettable evenings" He said, his voice warm and sincere. The room echoed with gentle clinging of glasses and the mummur of appreciation. The dinner itself was a masterclass in culinary excellence.

Aviva looked around but couldn't spot Jace himself, though she hasn't seen him in person but she could tell that he wasn't present at the moment.

Liana I haven't seen..." She was about whispering to her friend about his absence when he finally stepped in.

The whole guests paused on their actions as they welcomed him enormously. Aviva's heart froze momentarily, her eyes met his as he smiled warmly.

"Sorry for being late, had some business to attend to" He drew out a chair beside Aviva and sat down.

"Let the merriment continue" Mrs Hilton smiled awkwardly and everyone returned to their actions.

As the evening wore on, Aviva couldn't help but feel a growing sense of disappointment. She had been looking forward to getting to know Jace better but he seemed distant, preoccupied with his own thoughts.

Despite her best efforts to engage him in a conversation, Jace's response were brief and lacking in depth. He seemed more interested in his phone, occasionally glancing at the screen with a mixture of concern and annoyance.

Aviva tried to brush off the feeling of rejection, telling herself that maybe Jace was just having a bad day. But as the dinner party drew to a close, she couldn't shake the feeling that she had been wrong to expect more from him. The dinner party was more business-like than she imagined. She found herself feeling increasingly disconnected, she had been hoping for a more intimate, family-oriented evening, but instead she felt like an outsider looking in. Jace's parents seemed more interested in discussing mergers and acquisitions than in getting to know her.

Aviva couldn't help but feel a pang of disappointment in her chest, turns out that not all that glitters are gold.

"I don't belong here Lia" She sadly said to her friend who was quietly swaying her head to the cool music played in the background.

"Don't say that amigos, this is exactly where you ought to have been, right from birth" Liana reassured her with an encouraging look and Aviva let out a low sigh.

Liana was a person of flex and highlife enjoyment so she was never gonna understand her, Aviva thought to herself. As the girls prepared to leave, Jace's parents thanked the girls for joining them, their words polite but lacking in warmth. Jace himself merely nodded in her direction, his eyes already fixed on the door.

"Thanks you for dinner" Aviva smiled trying to keep her tone light, "It was lovely meeting you, Mr and Mrs..." But Jace was already gone, disappearing into the night without so much as a goodbye.

"Emergency dearie, its an emergency" Mrs Brenda was quick to explain her son's rude attitude and Aviva managed to force a smile.

"It's okay we're leaving already" Aviva replied politely.

"Martins drop them off" Mrs Brenda instructed and left with her husband.

Throughout their ride home, Aviva mind wasn't at rest. She kept on thinking about her mom and the more she thought about it, the more it seemed impossible to keep the balance between her sick mom and the business-like Hilton's.

"Lia I can't do it"