Indebted to A Billionaire

My mother loved a fairy tale life.

She has cancer. So what?

I cried-no, sobbed the night before, as she took my savings once again to head to the pub. Jonas, my six-year-old brother, wailed heartbreakingly, watching me beg and plead.

That was our week's ration amount.

As she left, leaving another gushing scar on my chest with her words, I looked around our beaten-up, rotting studio apartment. It used to be a small luxurious home once. If by definition, luxury meant food and water.

"YOU ARE THE MOST USELESS PIECE OF SHIT THAT CAME OUT OF MY WOMB!" She spat on me.

The same evening, someone knocked on my door. Jonas was on my lap. He woke up as I jolted at the sudden sound. When was the last time we had any visitors? It wasn't until our dad passed away in a car crash. Our mother, who was supposed to take care of us, came home one day bruised and covered in someone else's blood. It was our father's.

"Stay here, Jonas," I said, heading for the baseball bat. Jonas knew the drill, to hide himself under the rotting dinner table. Our mother? Nowhere to be found since last night.

I was scared, to say the least. Junkies came knocking on our door all the time. Even beat it down once or twice. Who wouldn't? Especially after knowing two young-looking women with fresh holes were waiting for action?

That was exactly what was on their mind.

With a sonorous gulp of fear in my throat resounding in my heart, I opened the door with a powerful swing.

Scared at my posture and what I was holding, my classroom teacher and the security guard stood behind the school counsellor.

"Oh," I put the bat down, making them sigh in relief.

"You should install a peephole." The useless security guard said, tucking his gun back.

"You think?" I retorted.

"Rachel Blackwell...this is the third visit from our side this month. You do have to pay for your tuition fees at the campus, honey. We're working on getting you funds but-"

"I don't need the funds." I cut off the school counsellor. Her face shrunk.

"Why, dear? May I ask?"

"I'm not coming to school anymore. I don't belong there." I said, tears brimming in my eyes.

Just two days back, I was quietly walking in the hallway. I imagined myself as a scared dog with her tail between her legs. Just then, someone shot an egg straight into my head.

The yolk mixed with drops of my blood as it cascaded down my brown, frizzy hair.

I cried.

Silently.

That wasn't the first time. But I could make it my last. And hence, stopped myself from getting educated.

"Please get out. Withdraw my application and burn my previous certificates if need be." I said with anger, "No one wants me."

And I shut the door on their faces. It felt nice.

"It's okay, Jonas." I said to my little angel. He emerged from the table with a smile and a rotten piece of apple to play with. Gosh...we needed a deep clean. But how? We didn't have a broom either. Our mother threw up on it and I had no choice but to throw it away.

*Knock, knock*

Jonas and I paused in our movements. I gestured him to quietly go back down.

*knock, knock, knock*

More impatient than before, more louder.

I turned around, picked up the baseball bat again.

Life was unpredictable without a peephole. And I prayed it was our mother.

Guess the gods listened to me this time.

As the door flung open...my mother was seen. But she wasn't alone. Three tall, bulky men in suits stood around her.

And a man, holding her by the knife to her neck stood right behind her.

My eyes widened, "Do not." I warned, clutching my bat tighter.

"Can you bat deflect seven rounds of gun firing, honey? You see, each of us have at least two guns. Except for me." He replaced one with a knife. Fuck...

"Honey, let him in." My mother chuckled in a daze. I snapped.

"Don't call me HONEY!"

They all chuckled. I felt so little. Embarrassed. Angry.

They occupied my couch, let my mother crawl all around the dirty floor in discomfort. She was about to throw up in few moments.

"Nice house." The thinner, older looking man said.

"Fuck you." I clutched Jonas closer to me. The man gave his sheathed knife to Jonas. One look from him told me I'd be in trouble if I didn't let him do it.

"So, as you can already guess, your mother's in deep shit." He said, having no respect or whatsoever.

"She's taking substances and going around with men. So what?" I asked. "It's my family matter."

Honestly...did she involve herself with a mob or something? Who are these people? And why was he chuckling at me?

"Did you not tell her, mother? She's got a debt to fill~" the thin old man said. My brows furrowed.

"Mom...what is he talking about?"

"Ugh...I know..." She said.

"What!?" I wanted to fling a punch, but I knew I couldn't. Guns over fists.

"Mom, are you kidding me!? We owe them!? How much...?"

"8 million dollars, honey." His mocking voice replied. My blood went so cold, I thought I was dead for the moment.

"W-What...?"

"You didn't even tell her, ol' lady? That's cold..." The stupid man with a knife chuckled. Folding his leg over his knee, he continued berating,

"Since your mother isn't worth that much now, the clause clearly states one thing," He says,

"W-Which is?"

"Our CEO, the most handsome bachelor of town, gets to marry you." I frowned.

"Fuck no." But what was the point of protesting?

"Before you stick with your rebellion, let me tell you, our little CEO is a good-natured man. He won't hurt you-"

"As if I'm going to believe that. Get out of my house. This instant. Or I'm calling the police."

He wasn't amused at that. Then, with a sigh, he said,

"Get her. Please." It was so sarcastic. I felt so, so powerless.

One swift move, the back of my knees were folded and I was put on the ground like a rabid dog. Under the weight of that man, I thought I was gonna break all my fragile bones. And the man on top of me? He was enjoying this. Way too much. I could feel everything. I was disgusted.

Why wasn't I born as a man?

Jonas started wailing loudly. He sure hated his sister pinned down with arms held to her back, the weight basically crushing her.

"I'm taking your little puppet, mommy dearest." He said, tears streamed down my face. I knew I couldn't change my fate henceforth.

"Ugh...I don't even want that kid. She's so troublesome." My mother rolled on the floor, laughing.

That right there...it broke my heart.

"Mom..." Last resort, and I expected some humility from my own mother. Yet all this time, she thought I was the burden.

Through my sadness, the man crouched to say,

"Your elite marriage is schemed for tomorrow, you freak. The CEO likes his bride to be pretty. After all, he's being forced, too." He laughed.

He freaking LAUGHED!

The world was too cruel. I hated it.

And I hated this marriage even more.

But...what else could I have done?

And there was a part of me that believed I could escape from this hell to face a new one.

God was giving me a choice,

So I picked my poison...just to get away from my cruel mother.

I'm sorry, Jonas...

I was at a beautiful venue. It was the golden hour. I haven't seen my future husband yet. Not even in the pictures because I was kept locked away in a room for an entire day.

I had my phone with me, but no internet connection and jammers all around the building. So basically my mobile was useless.

Dressed in the most beautiful, simple clothing foe a laced gown, I bellow at my own beauty. I shouldn't be looking this good when my life was being snatched away from me. Who is this stranger? Is he a good person?

Is he a bad person?

No one was even close to coming to answer my thousand and one questions.

I stop glaring at the setting sun. The poor object so many miles away from earth had nothing to do with my resentment to this world. I scoff at my own fate, crossing fingers wasn't working for me anymore.

The bodyguards announce that the groom was arriving. I knew my cue. What to do and how to walk down the aisle by myself.

A big bunch of elegant white roses was shoved into my hands as the bridesmaids and helpers neatly tucked away every nook and crook out of the picture.

I was looking beautiful. It was an understatement.

I was the bitter bride now.

However, I was curious to see who my husband shall be.

The music which now is softly playing indicated the start of my walk.

The doors open widely, vibrant colors of the decorated hall makes my heart explode slowly.

"She's so young."

"She's so pretty!"

"Oh my God, Nick is going to marry a girl like her? Pray She's a beautiful princess though! Just look at her!" I was filled with pride by their comments. I couldn't refrain myself from smiling gigantically.

Slowly, my head which was held down was starting to rise.

I see a man at the end of the aisle.

For some purposes, I was not allowed to wear my spectacles. It wasn't clear in front of me to see who my husband was.

I come closer, his hand waiting for me.

I thought internally he would be a bald, rich George Washington hairstyle man but boy was I wrong.

My eyes flickered in surprise as I see a handsome young man in front of me.

He had beautiful piercing brown eyes, the one that gave me goosebumps upon diving into them for the first time. They weren't cold, they were warm like the golden hour.

Him bending down to ask for my hand in his must be a moment straight out of the movies.

It's what I call... being elegant.

I wasn't one percent of what he is.

I wasn't even close to competing with his elegance and grace. Leave aside being the heir, a CEO of a multimillionaire company. He must be a prince of the highest degree.

His little smirk drives me to the edge. Without knowing, I was blushing profusely. I thank my make up for covering it up.

The ceremony was silent and comforting. It was turning into the late evening with the sun setting.

He lifts my veil after we say the vows. I did stutter, and he catches my unwillingness this way. My eyes close by themselves as he proceeded to inch closer towards me.

I was anticipating a pair of chapped lips on mine. But I feel a whisper, an accumulation of words which almost went unheard through my clouded senses.

"I won't kiss you." That was the first time I've heard his voice.

Honey, silk and aquatic... that's how I would like to describe his voice. So calm and patient. He made my shrugged shoulders slump down as I now didn't need to feel tensed.

"Thanks." I mumble in the smallest of voices. He kisses my cheek, appearing to the media that we pecked each other's lips.

Guests of his stand up and begin to cheer for the successful wedding.

As I turn to the audience, faking my smile, I see a family of two who were superficially cheering too.

I glare at them. They shouldn't even be here.

As the party and celebrations commenced, my husband tells me not to talk anything. And that he will handle everything. He was shocked to the see the number of guests complimenting me and my simplicity. They said to him, "Only the richest dress in such a simple fashion. I want to know more about the queen of your empire, Mr. Graces!"

He subtly ignores most of them, while the more important guests were told a lie.

"She is not very fond of speaking in public. Please excuse her."

How cunning.

In fact, I had a lot of words in my mouth that I wanted to vomit. He doesn't allow me for a reason. He thinks I shall disgrace his name and family by talking rubbish. I agree that I don't have a rich accent of a sort. But I like my accent for myself.

If it's not rich, at least I can play with words. I am a bookworm, I'll call myself that.

The next guest who appears to talk was Mrs. Blackwell, my mother. I take a deep breath in, I didn't want to talk to the woman who sold me out.

My new husband senses the calamity incoming. He excuses himself from the group as I was tragically left with my mother and brother.

My brother Jonas was dressed in a sweet little suit that matched him so well. I couldn't help but squish his cheeks as he giggles while hugging my thighs.

"You look so pretty." My mother touches my face. I would prefer to shove away from her touch, but people were watching us. They were trying to recognise my mother. I hope they don't.

"Why are you here?" I ask in a low tone. However, people were judging my tone of voice as I changed my posture and facial expressions quickly.

We can play the pretend game all too well.

"Because I am your mother." She says with a smile. My blood boils looking at her now.

She's absurd to think about herself like that.

"Forget that I existed. Take care of Jonas and leave me alone. I don't belong to you anymore." Saying, I walk away with my freedom attained.

I didn't care people commenting on my rude talk. Let then assume whatever they want. I didn't care.

I collaborate back with my husband as I stayed quiet for the rest of the night.

As the phase of living together began, my husband Nicholas tells me a set of rules.

We have gone back to a mansion, in the heart of the city at midnight. It was a gigantic construction which blew my mind.

"You will have your clothes bought and placed in your room. Do not cross paths with me unless it's important to us both. Understood?" Half of his diligent words flow out of my head.

I begin to walk away, trying to find 'my room'.

But he stops me with, "Hey, what is your name again?"

I turn around in disbelief.

Never have I ever seen a person who never paid attention to even knowing the name of their spouse. I take a deep shaky breath and introduce myself, savagely.

"My name is Rachel Blackwell, and I do not agree to change my surname to yours. In fact, I shall remain without a surname." Saying, I watch his face trying to understand my thoughts.

"Very well, Rachel. I am Nicholas Graces, people call me Nick." He introduces himself to me.

I give him a tight lipped smile with a nod, and begin to leave.

As I walked, there were several maids trying to place everything inside the cupboard this late at night.

As I entered inside my supposedly new room, I see them bow and leave like ducklings.

Indeed, this was a room to be deserved to a princess. Not a high school dropout like myself.

How old was he?

Is he really a gentleman as his guests believed him to be?

If so, why did he turn so cold when we came here?

Thousands and thousands of questions kept me up at night. I couldn't sleep unlike yesterday.

Now that I was married and was someone's spouse I was having incredible delusions about my husband.

Suddenly, I hear a knock on my door. He was speaking to someone.

I get up and stride towards the door and see him on a call with someone.

"It's my mother. She wants to speak with you." He says. I allow him inside the room and I take the phone. His mother was the sweetest person I've ever heard while conversing.

She assured me about a million things that Nicholas was unknown about. We talk for several minutes, she tells me she will talk later in a week's time as she was out for business.

Now that I think of it, his parents and siblings if i may presume were not there during his marriage.

Was this out of spite or something?

I do not know anything about him.

"Here. Thank you." I give him his device back. I check on my own. Still no signal.

"Hey, um..." I couldn't call him by his name. He holds the doorknob in his hand, about to leave when he turns around on my call.

"My phone isn't working. Could you please give me some data?" I show him my flip phone as he jumps his eyebrows. Well, what did he expect from a broke high schooler like myself?

"I'll purchase a new phone for you." Saying, he leaves in a haste.

I blink my eyes several times. What the hell was that?

It was better to catch some sleep than ponder upon a stuck up snob like himself.

****

"Good morning world." I say to myself, smiling as I wake up from the best sleep ever. The bed gave me comfort I never once experienced in my 18 years of living. It was fluffy, like clouds.

In five minutes of me waking up, there was a knock on the door.

"Coming!" Calling, I wear a robe and set my bed hair before attending the person.

It was a maid who held a tray of food. Beside the plate of fresh banana pancakes and applesauce was a new phone box.

It was one of the richer brands.

I widen my eyes, accepting the tray silently as the slightly older woman smiles at me. I suppose they do not know my background, or what were the circumstances of me coming here as his wife.

The first thing I do is ask for them for some data.

I wasn't born yesterday. I know how a mobile works, but the way I hold it was awkward. Even more so when I was typing on it.

As I finished my breakfast over the bed, I search up his name on the internet.

Nicholas Graces, I vividly remember.

When I say I was shocked, it's an understatement.

I scroll through infinity, only to find the man I call my husband is the greatest Enterprise owner of the world!

His name was all over the place! There was a whole street dedicated to his surname!

I wipe my face, inhaling sharply.

So this is the man I was married to.

I walk out of the door to give away the tray.

As expected, my husband wasn't there. He's probably gone to work as the biggest business tycoon internationally.

Still fazed by the information, I walk down the stairs to reach the kitchen. I didn't even enter the area when I hear whispers upon my name.

"Poor mistress, she doesn't seem to know who master really is."

I just got to know about him this morning. I'm as unfazed as I can be. It's nothing special to be exceptionally rich when the person lacks 'character'.

"Leave about that, she doesn't even know she's his second wife. I pity her for being so oblivious. If I was her, I would never marry a used man."

A used man...

I'm his second wife...

My heart begins to race on my poor ribcage.

Suddenly, all of it seemed impossible for me.

I will talk to him in the evening.

As the evening came, I send all the workers to their quarters which was a few steps away from his mansion. I want to talk to him personally.

Seeing the headlights of the car burn up the windows, I sit on the couch, gathering my anger to talk to him.

He raises an eyebrow seeing me all alone in the house. He walks past me, he seems tired.

"What am I to you?" I ask him immediately when he walks past the couch.

"What?" He questions back rudely.

"I asked," standing up to emphasize my conversation, "What am I to you? A joke? I feel like a substitute to your love life."

My words seemed to rile him up. He pays full attention to me as he loosens his tie and walks towards me.

"What do you possibly mean by your illogical words? Know your place."

"As a second wife to the biggest business tycoon of the world? What do you take me as?" I ask him.

"Who told you that?" He quickly gets on the defensive. I scoff to myself, maybe ticking him off. Out of the blue, he holds my jaw in his hand which scares the living hell out of me.

"Who told you about her?" He glares holes into my eyes. Fear quickly forms in my throat as I pry his hands away from my face.

"Stop it! Gosh, you're such a stuck up!" Crying, I run to my room and slam the door shut before he could catch up. I hear a loud bang on my door which makes me flinch badly. He curses loudly, walking away with frightening intensity of footsteps.

"Fuck!" I curse into my pillow. Why did he have to do that to me? I was so scared...

Curse him. Curse him to hell.

If he's being this way, I will show him what I am made of too.