Forbidden Fruit: Falling for the Playboy

Chapter 01

10 years ago...

Maria Ysobelle Tan's POV

I was a firm believer that if life gives you lemons, you throw it back to whomever fucked you up and smash it in their faces. You may not try to literally smash it in their faces but you can throw it in their nonexistent brain. Besides, life is too short to care about other people's opinions.

Although you can gain some lessons from them especially if you're in the wrong but if they just exist to make you feel less when you are already less, then give those motherfreaking faces a big smack in the head.

"Argh!" I screamed internally as I rubbed my mom's headstone here in the cemetery.

It was only a few months since I last visited her tomb because I was studying in Manila. Plus, I didn't have enough money to book a bus trip from Bicol to Manila. There are a lot of expenses at school and the cost of living is high in Manila. it didn't help that I got laid off from my current job since they are reducing workers.

Gosh life is so hard for an orphan and stripper's daughter.

Scrubbing the red marked "whore" on my mother's headstone, I internally murdered the people who did this. And I know a few who did because they knew I was coming home.

"I know you'll be telling me not to fight back on your sister's family because I'm better than them, but I won't let them disrespect you." I growled out in anger as I talked to my mom who is listening in the afterlife "It's not your fault that you stopped going to school to help your family. They should even be thankful because they get to earn a degree and get good jobs."

Thunder loomed in the distance and the sky darkened. Perhaps the heavens heard the turmoil in my chest.

"It's not your fault that you put your heart in your sleeve. It's also not your fault that you stripped for a living and married an abusive man." I spoke my throat constricting as the memory of my mother's beaten face and arms "You tried to gave me a good life and I'll always be thankful for you about it. For me, you'll be my wonderwoman Mom. And as your child, I won't let them disrepesct you. So, no. I won't stand down as they litter your memory by these words."

Scrubbing the last remnants of that awful word on her headstone, I placed the beautiful daisies I bought for her and some chocolate.

"I know you liked chocolates, so I bought you some." I spoke as I sat on the grass infront of her resting place. I also took out the President's Lister certificate I got from last semester "Look, you're daughter's a President Lister again. You don't have to worry about me because I'm doing good in school. It just sucks sometime because I couldn't afford the contribution on our projects. Who said I should go to the most expensive private school in the country?"

I laughed as I can imagine her telling me, "You deserve the best. Hence, I submitted your application to Brent."

"Well, it's helpful being a scholar but I still have some school fees to pay. I might also look for another job. Anyway, I'll be back in a few months once I saved up again. I love you Mom and watch over me from heaven, okay?"

Kissing the headstone, I packed my bag and looked at it one more time before leaving.

Instead of going to the inn I was staying at, I went to the hardware store.

I have some relatives to teach a lesson.

---------

"What did you do again?" Angel my childhood bestfriend pointedly asked as she picked me up from the bus terminal. I told her that I needed a ride from Cubao since the remaining money that I had was spent in extracting my plan.

I giggled as I remembered the horror and screams of my aunt's family as they saw their house littered with toilet paper, and paint.

"Nothing." i deviously grinned as Angel rolled her eyes.

"You wouldn't be grinning like a devil if you didn't do anything." Angel spoke as she drived into traffic.

"Let's just say that they deserve every inch of it." I arrogantly spoke.

"People should really know not to mess with you." Angel drawled before a grin spread on her lips "By the time, mom and dad asked if you could sleep at home for a few days. They'll be going out of the country for business and Angelico is going to Baguio, so I'll be the only one left at home."

"I can't accompany you tonight, Angel. I have work." I spoke as I remembered the gig texted to me while I was traveling from Bicol to Manila.

"What? I thought you lost your job?" Angel asked in confusion.

Looking away, I bit my lip as I thought of telling her the truth or not. Perhaps it's best that I don't. She knew my family history and I did promised I wont follow on my mother's footsteps. But, I desperately need the money.

I need to pay my rent. I also have a lot of bills and miscellaneous fees to pay at school. Although I was a scholar, there are still some fees that I needed to pay. And it's not cheap! It didn't helped that I was only earning 550 pesos per day with my former job, so every cent that I earn was being spent with my daily expenses and school bills.

If I didn't take the job given to me from one of my mom's friends, then I won't be able to take the midterms exam and I'll lose my apartment.

I couldn't ask money from Angel's family because I know they're a bit angry with me.

How? Well, Angel visited me in my apartment. My place wasn't the safest. There were a lot of men drinking. And well, Angel got assaulted. She wasn't taken advantage of because I was able to get to her, but her family blamed me for it.

They even tried to force Angel to unfriend me but that girl is really the best ever friend you can have. So, her family tolerates me.

This job will only be for tonight. I'll only do it once. Just this once.

"I was asked to fill in for a job at a party tonight." I vaguely told Angel.

"What kind of job?"

"Waitressing." I lied to her.

"Oh okay." she responded as she stopped in front of my apartment "Just text me if you need me to pick you up."

"Don't worry Angel. I'll be fine. Drive safely, okay?" I hugged her before opening the door.

"Yumi." she called back and I paused.

Turning back, I looked at the seriousness in her eyes. "You know you can always borrow money from me. I don't mind."

My throat constricted at the sincerity of her voice. One of the great things about Angel is she'll truly stick by your side. Once you get her loyalty, she'll really be there for you. But, I knew that the money she will give me was from her parents. And I don't want to add more things on the list of why they don't like me.

So, I plastered on a fake smile. "I know and I'll ask when I really need one. Drive safely beshie!"

I waved at her as she nodded back. Backin up from the driveway, I watched her car leave before I went inside my apartment and prepared for tonight.

Gosh, I'm going to need a drink.

Chapter 00

Present day

"Congratulations Attorney Tan." the paralegal warmly spoke.

"Good job for winning your tenth case in a month Attorney Tan." my boss spoke as he shook my hand.

"Thank you Attorney Pineda." I proudly grinned at my boss. It felt so good that my hard work was recognized by my colleagues and boss. I have been working here at Gonzalo and Yuchengco Law Firm since I was in law school. I started out as a paralegal then I became their lawyer, and eventually a senior partner.

Some may say that it was too fast for me to become a senior partner. But I worked hard for it. From sacrificing sleep back in law school to working overtime when I got my license, and winning every case given to me, I can say that I deserved every inch of it. It's just sad that my mom wouldn't be able to see me achieve our dream.

"Attorney Tan we have a new client waiting in the conference room." my paralegal spoke to me.

My forehead scrunched up in confusion and I looked at my calendar. "I didn't know I have a new case assigned to me."

"Attorney Pineda quickly gave it to you upon winning your case."

"Oh that's fine." I spoke and got up from my swivel chair. "What's the case all about?"

"I believe it's about a breach of contract." my paralegal quitely spoke. "Plus, this is a high-profile client."

"Really?"

"Yes! Oh I can't say anything yet but I'm his biggest fan!" my paralegal squealed in joy.

I laughed out loud at her antics. "So he's a famous celebrity."

"Yes!" she said as we stopped in front of the conference room. I shook my head and opened the door, only for me to stop as my eyes landed on the hazel brown eyes I used to lovingly stare at. Memories from a few years ago flashed through my mind. Pain, hurt and anger overwhelmed me as I looked into his nonchalant eyes.

"It's nice to meet you Attorney Tan." the man who was probably his manager spoke yet my eyes were glued at the man who was standing a few feet before me "This is my talent----"

"Chaos Andrew Salazar." I whispered.

A slow, lopsided smirk grazed his lips and my heart squeezed painfully inside my chest. "Glad to see you again Atty. Maria Ysobel Tan."

The formality and coldness in his voice drove a painful wedge in my heart. In just a split second, all the heartbreaking memories stumbled out of the cage that I locked deep inside my heart. Because after five years, I get to meet the man who left me at the altar.

Forbidden Fruit 00

Chapter 00

Present day

"Congratulations Attorney Tan." the paralegal warmly spoke.

"Good job for winning your tenth case in a month Attorney Tan." my boss spoke as he shook my hand.

"Thank you Attorney Pineda." I proudly grinned at my boss. It felt so good that my hard work was recognized by my colleagues and boss. I have been working here at Gonzalo and Yuchengco Law Firm since I was in law school. I started out as a paralegal then I became their lawyer, and eventually a senior partner.

Some may say that it was too fast for me to become a senior partner. But I worked hard for it. From sacrificing sleep back in law school to working overtime when I got my license, and winning every case given to me, I can say that I deserved every inch of it. It's just sad that my mom wouldn't be able to see me achieve our dream.

"Attorney Tan we have a new client waiting in the conference room." my paralegal spoke to me.

My forehead scrunched up in confusion and I looked at my calendar. "I didn't know I have a new case assigned to me."

"Attorney Pineda quickly gave it to you upon winning your case."

"Oh that's fine." I spoke and got up from my swivel chair. "What's the case all about?"

"I believe it's about a breach of contract." my paralegal quitely spoke. "Plus, this is a high-profile client."

"Really?"

"Yes! Oh I can't say anything yet but I'm his biggest fan!" my paralegal squealed in joy.

I laughed out loud at her antics. "So he's a famous celebrity."

"Yes!" she said as we stopped in front of the conference room. I shook my head and opened the door, only for me to stop as my eyes landed on the hazel brown eyes I used to lovingly stare at. Memories from a few years ago flashed through my mind. Pain, hurt and anger overwhelmed me as I looked into his nonchalant eyes.

"It's nice to meet you Attorney Tan." the man who was probably his manager spoke yet my eyes were glued at the man who was standing a few feet before me "This is my talent----"

"Chaos Andrew Salazar." I whispered.

A slow, lopsided smirk grazed his lips and my heart squeezed painfully inside my chest. "Glad to see you again Atty. Maria Ysobel Tan."

The formality and coldness in his voice drove a painful wedge in my heart. In just a split second, all the heartbreaking memories stumbled out of the cage that I locked deep inside my heart. Because after five years, I get to meet the man who left me at the altar.

Chapter 02

Maria Ysobelle Tan's POV

"I thought I was just going to strip?" I angrily stalked towards Honey, my mother's former co-worker. We're currently at this famous club owned by our client. Apparently, the one I am about to give a show was the owner of the club and he was celebrating his birthday. The one who arranged this set-up were his friends.

"Yes, but his friends paid double." Honey spoke as she shoved me the envelope full of 1000 peso bills. Goodness, this is enough to feed me for a year! What kind of people pay 100, 000 for one night? Is the man so sex deprived that he'll pay me this much?

"Gods!" I muttered underneath my breathe.

"Is she ready?" a young man who was probably my age asked.

"I'm just getting her ready." Honey spoke and the guy nodded before turning back on us.

Oh god. I'm really going to do it. I'm going to have sex for money. Oh god! Oh god! I can't do this. I really can't. God, how did my do this for years?!

"Hey, hey relax." Honey rubbed my back as she saw my face turn a sickly pale "It's hard the first time but you'll get used to it."

"I'm only doing it tonight!" I snapped at her.

She rolled her eyes at me. "That's what your mom used to stay."

"Well, I mean it!" I responded back. Taking a deep breathe, I calmed my nerves even though I was close to crying. Gosh, I never wanted to do this. But, I was desperate! Now, I truly understand why other people do it.

Strippers and prostitutes never wanted to do it. But, they are forced to strip for a living because of their circumstances. It's also easy money. The sad thing about it, they're the most vulnerable to abuse.

I saw countless of times when I was three or four years old as my mom walked home with bruises on her body. There was even one time, she got stabbed and she jumped out of the car while it was moving. I felt helpless at that time. We couldn't file a case because strippers weren't protected under any labor laws. Plus, the police only looked at my mother in a dirty way.

That's why I want to become a lawyer. I want to protect people like my mom who didn't have any money and represent them. They are still humans. Regardless of their way of living.

Anyway, I needed to focus. I need to please my client.

"I'll be fine Honey." I assured her and myself.

"You should be." Honey pointedly eyed me as she removed the cloak from my body leaving me in a red lingerie.

"Am I going to be safe? Does he have any disease?" I asked her before she leaves me inside this room. There's a private room in the club and it is where they'll be leading the birthday boy.

"These young men are clean and safe." Honey assured me. "Now, I have to go because they'll be here in a few."

Nodding, I sat on the edge of the bed and waited.

I must have been waiting for only a minute when I finally stood up and threw the envelope full of money on the bed.

"Fuck I really can't do this." I spoke and grabbed my clothes from chair. Putting my jeans, top and cloak. I went to the restroom and washed the heavy makeup on my face. I'll just suck it up and ask Angel for help. I really can't do this.

Drying my face with the towel, I opened the door to the restroom when the door for the room also opened revealing a gorgeous man.

He had thick jet black hair that looked like he ran his hands on it a couple but he still looked cool with it. His eyes were a hazel brown, prominent jawline, aristocratic nose, thin lips and tanned skin. My zeroed in on his muscled chest hiding from his white polo and the intricate tattoos on his left arm that span from his chest.

He paired his get-up with black jeans that looked as expensive as my monthly rent. Overall, he was a one hot male specimen. Gosh, is this the man I was supposed to have sex with?!

"Wait, is this a prank?" he asked in confusion before he shook his head and laughed. Then, he called out in the hallway "Hey Ago! I was just kidding when I wanted this for my birthday!"

No one answered back, so he just chuckled instead and opened the door wider.

"I'm sorry there must be a bit of mistake. You can leave if you want to." he said as he placed the suitcase he was holding on the table before walking to the bed and diving on top of it.

"Hold on a second. You want me to leave?" I asked him in bewilderment. Did he backed out because I wasn't wearing anything sexy.

"You can if you want. I'm really drunk right now and I had some stuff to do, so I couldn't really perform." he spoke before a mischievous grin formed on his lips "Of course, unless you want to go on top. I won't mind."

I gaped in horror at his bluntness. Good god I thought I was blunt.

"Just kidding. I really am drunk." he said as he sat up on his elbows "And I have to do some stuff for school tonight, so I'll have to pass."

God why am I disappointed that we won't have sex?

"Miss?"

"What?!"

"Wait, are you angry?" a lopsided grin formed on his lips. Then his gaze fell on my oversized shirt and jeans. "Did Ago told you to wear that?"

"Of course not!" I retorted back. I closed the door and took of my clothing. I really hate it when I'm being prideful but I really needed to show him that I was sexy underneath my boring clothes.

"You were saying something?" I cocked my eyebrow at him as I stood in front of him. His eyes settled on my red lacy underwear.

"Ohkayyy so now I get it why they chose you." he said. Oh dear, I shouldn't have given him any ideas. I need to wear my clothes again. "But, I really can't have sex tonight. Did Ago already paid you for the trouble?"

"He did but I gave it back. The envelope is right beside you." I spoke.

He glanced at the envelope beside him before taking it and giving it to me. "Here, its yours. For the trouble he caused. Also, you planned on leaving?"

"I did." I dignifiedly spoke "I'll just look for another job."

He nodded his head and stood up. "That's good. I never like being intimate with girls who are only forced to do it."

My eyebrow raised at his response. He laughed as he went to the table and took out some paper.

"I'm always about consent and respect. I never date or fuck women that are drunk, or couldn't give them their full consent. As for people with your profession---"

"I'm not a stripper." I corrected him.

"Oh, okay. As for people whom you know as stippers, I don't judge them. Life is hard and we have different ways of surviving." he spoke as he smiled at me and begin to start writing on the paper.

I didn't know why I just stood there staring at him but he must have noticed it when he looked up. "You're still here."

"No, I'm just an apparition." I spoke heavy with sarcasm.

He laughed again. Do I look a clown to him? "I understand why they picked you. But, seriously though, why are you still here?"

I honestly don't even know too.

"Is this some kind of kink for you? Watching other people study?" he asked still grinning at me.

"What?"

"Kidding. If you're not busy and you don't want to leave yet, maybe you can help me." he suggested. My eyes widened at the implication but he quickly stopped me "No, I didn't mean it in that way. I just need help with my assignment."

He showed me his laptop full of algebra and trigonometry problems. "I have a job tomorrow but I also have to submit this tomorrow. Will you help me answer some of these? I'll pay you."

I rolled my eyes before wearing my clothes again and sitting beside him. "Sure. What will I do?"

He showed me the problems and I was thankful that I listened in class. Otherwise, I won't understand any of the stuff he was telling me.

"You really have to finish all of these tonight?"

"Yup." he said with a pop on the p.

"Tss what kind of school assign requirements tonight and have it submit tomorrow?" I grumbled as I took the pen and paper.

"I know right. But I have to do it. Otherwise, I won't graduate along with my friends."

"You can always wait for another sem." I teased him.

"No way!" he replied back.

"Wait, are you an engineering student?" I asked him as I analyzed the problem. He nodded. "You don't look like one."

"I'll take that as a compliment." he chuckled "Anyway, I'm ordering food. You want one? I'll pay."

my stomach grumbled in reply. He laughed once again and his adam's apple bobbed as he laughed. Goodness I had to look away because the image of his throat constricting and his deep baritone voice was doing stuff on me.

"I'll order for two." he said as he picked up the telephone and had food delivered to the room. Once the meal was delivered we ate. I watched him eat his meal as he answered some emails on his phone.

"Stop staring, you're making me blush." he joked and I rolled my eyes at him. "Unless you want to eat my sausage."

"The hell?!"

"Relax. I was kidding." he laughed "Besides you might like my sausage."

"In your dreams." I grumbled and ate my meal.

"Oh you'd be the star of my dreams." he wiggled his eyebrows at me.

I threw the sausage at him and he bellowed in his chair. "Kidding. I'll stop now. I promise."

"You should or I'll throw this fork in your face."

"So brutal."

"Whatever."

The rest of the night was spent answering his math problems. I didn't even noticed that I fell asleep. When I woke up, I didn't see Mr. Sausage anywhere in the room but he did left me a note and an envelope full of cash.

Taking it, I secured the two envelope in my coat and walked out of the room. I do hope I get to see Mr. Sausage again even though he annoyed me to no end.

ANNOUNCEMENT:

I'm sorry if the first two chapters aren't properly arranged. Moboreader's system was crazy because I couldn't upload the prologue.

Anyway Hello! I know I have been MIA for a very long time but Im back. I'll be putting on hold my other two books because I really want to write this story. It has been plaguing my mind for a few months now. So, I really need to write it.

The first three chapters are posted on Patreon. You can check it out if you want to because Patrons will have the privilege of reading the story before anyone here in Moboreader.

My patreon account is LadyBriarRose.

I'm doing this because I'm not really earning as much here and I believe that writers also need to be properly compensated for the art they are sharing to the world. Artists also have bills to pay and our stories are works of art. I do hope you support my stories. See you!