Love in a billionaire's world

"Table 32," the waiter said, handing me a steaming bowl of wings and chicken noodle soup. I hurriedly served it to the owner of the order, then rushed to serve another.

"Ashley!" Leon, one of my coworkers, called out. I turned to him, slightly irritated. "What's up? Why are you calling me?"

"We have a problem," Leon said, his tone laced with nervousness. "What happened? Did Nora slap another customer?" I asked, already knowing the answer. Nora, our blonde and fiery coworker, had a reputation for standing up for herself.

"No, it's worse," Leon said, his eyes wide. "What did she do?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.

"She spilled a drink on someone," Leon replied. I raised an eyebrow. "So what? She can apologize."

Leon shook his head. "You don't get it, Ash. She spilled the drink on Ryder Blackwood."

Time seemed to stand still. "What did you just say?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Ryder Blackwood," Leon repeated. I felt a shiver run down my spine. Ryder Blackwood was a legend in LA and Europe – a billionaire playboy with a reputation for getting what he wanted.

"He's going to kill us," I said, already imagining the worst.

I heard a crash from the VIP room, where Ryan might be. My heart skipped a beat. "We should check it out," I said, trying to sound calmer than I felt. Leon's eyes widened. "Are you crazy? No way am I going through there."

I stared at Liam. "Why did you tell me if you knew you weren't going to help her?" I asked, my voice laced with frustration. "Well, I just wanted to inform you," he said. I raised an eyebrow. "We're going to help her," I said firmly.

I groaned in annoyance and dragged Liam along. "Fine, but if anything happens to me, it's on her." I rolled my eyes. "Let's just go."

As we entered the VIP section, a loud female voice assaulted us. "Who do you think you are? Do you know how much this dress costs?" The lady yelled at Nora, who stood with her head bowed. Our manager, Mr. Gibson, tried to calm the situation. "Look, ma'am, we'll pay for the damage. We're sorry."

The lady's red short hair seemed to bristle with indignation. "What insolence. Even if you sold this restaurant, you couldn't afford to pay for this dress."

I raised an eyebrow, taking in the woman's red strapless dress, stained with a wet splatter. She was pretty, but in a flashy way. Her red lipstick seemed to gleam in the light.

Nora's tears spilled down her face, and I felt a pang of sympathy. Then, I saw him – a man in a grey suit that accentuated his broad shoulders and dark eyes, which sparkled with amusement as he took in the scene.

His eyes suddenly landed on me, and I felt my breath hitch. His dark brown eyes met mine, and his gaze roamed my body, causing a prickly sensation on my skin. I cleared my throat. "I'm sorry to interrupt," I said, earning a glare from the red-haired lady.

"But according to the CCTV footage, you're the one who collided with Miss Marie." The lady's eyes narrowed, her face darkening. "Who do you think you are? How do you know that? There are no cameras in here."

I nodded. "You're right, ma'am. There are no cameras in the VIP room. But the door was open when you collided with her. You were opening the door, staring at your phone, and didn't see her. That's when you collided, causing drinks and glasses to shatter on the floor."

I felt Leon's eyes widen, and Mr. Gibson's eyes followed suit. Nora gazed at me like I was her knight in shining armor. Ryder's gaze locked onto mine, his lips curling into a smirk. "If anyone should apologize, it should be you," I said.

The woman's face reddened. "How dare you, you slut! Do you know who I am?" she spat.

I shrugged. "I'm sorry, miss. I don't know who you are, and I'm not interested in finding out." Leon stifled a laugh, and I could sense Ryder's amusement.

I heard a clapping sound and turned to see Ryder's eyes on me, filled with amusement. "Bravo," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. I raised my eyebrows in confusion.

"This is how a 4-star restaurant treats its guests?" Ryder asked, his gaze shifting to our manager. The red-haired woman smirked, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction.

"You have no regard for my guests or my presence," Ryder said, his voice firm. I felt a chill run down my spine. Is he going to close down our restaurant?

I opened my mouth to speak, but Mr. Gibson cut me off. "I apologize, Mr. Blackwood. This incident will never happen again. Forgive my staff for their insolence."

Ryder chuckled. "Forgiveness? Tsk, tsk. No, you're asking the wrong person." He nodded toward the red-haired woman. "She's the one you should ask." The woman purred, "Baby," before sitting on Ryder's lap.

"Should we forgive them?" Ryder asked, his hand resting on her waist. The woman's eyes locked onto mine, a sly smile spreading across her face. "No, but if they kneel in front of me, I might forgive them."

I felt my eyes widen at her response. Ryder's gaze locked onto mine, a smirk spreading across his face. "You heard what she said. Do it," he commanded in his deep voice.

I wanted to refuse, but Mr. Gibson's warning glance made me hesitate. If I didn't comply, I'd lose my job. And I couldn't afford that. The rent was due, and my mom's medical bills were piling up.

Swallowing my pride, I knelt. The red-haired woman's eyes sparkled with amusement as she gazed at Nora and me. "I'm sorry, miss. I shouldn't have responded to you in that manner," I gritted out.

Nora echoed my apology, her voice strained. "Yes, miss, we're sorry. I'm sorry for your dress."

The woman yawned, uninterested in our apologies. "Come on, baby, I'm tired. Let's go home." With that, they departed, leaving me seething.

That moment marked the beginning of my hatred for Ryder Blackwood.

But little did I know, this was only the beginning. Ryder's eyes lingered on me, a spark of interest igniting in their depths.

And I couldn't shake the feeling that I was in trouble.

"I couldn't believe that asshole had the guts to tell me to kneel and apologize to that red-haired freak," I fumed.

Leon raised an eyebrow. "What do you think he's going to do?"

I shook my head, still reeling from the encounter. Ryder's departure had left the restaurant in a state of tension. "I don't know."

Danielle, our dark-haired coworker with a nose piercing, spoke up. Her emo style seemed to match her gloomy prediction. "I think he's going to write a scathing review, and nobody will come here anymore. We'll lose our jobs."

Her words hung in the air, a dire prophecy that sent a shiver down my spine.

"Don't say things like that, Danielle," I warned, trying to keep her pessimism at bay.

Danielle shrugged and continued chewing her gum, her expression unchanging.

"This is all that bitch's fault," Nora spat, her anger still simmering. "I should've injured her with one of the glasses."

I placed a my hand on her arm. "Don't you think that would've made things worse?"

Nora sighed, her shoulders slumping in defeat. "Now what are we going to do?" she asked, her voice laced with desperation.

As I stepped into my apartment, the tension in my body began to unwind. The scent of freshly brewed coffee wafted through the air, mingling with the sound of soft music drifting from the living room. Maya, my roommate, looked up from her phone, a sympathetic smile spreading across her face.

"Hey, Ash, rough day?" she asked, concern etched in her voice.

I dropped my bag onto the floor, feeling the weight of the day's events settle onto my shoulders. "You have no idea," I replied, collapsing onto the armchair beside her.

Maya nodded, her eyes sparkling with understanding. "Well, I think I know just the thing to take your mind off things," she said, a mischievous glint in her eye.

I raised an eyebrow, intrigued despite myself. "What did you have in mind?"

Maya grinned. "Let's go to a party! I heard about this amazing one downtown, and I know the host. We can get in for free."

I hesitated, weighing the pros and cons. But as I looked at Maya's enthusiastic face, I couldn't help but feel a spark of excitement.

I opted for a simple tee and jeans, feeling more comfortable keeping a low profile. Maya, on the other hand, had a different approach in mind. She slipped into a sleek black dress that accentuated her curves, leaving little to the imagination.

We finally arrived at the party venue, and the sea of unfamiliar faces overwhelmed me. Maya, however, dove right in, greeting a blonde-haired boy with a warm smile. "Hey, Duke!" she exclaimed.

He yelled over the music, sweeping Maya into a tight hug. "Maya! It's been ages!" They chatted enthusiastically, reminiscing about old times. I stood by, feeling like an outsider, as they laughed and joked.

Eventually, Duke's gaze shifted to me, and I forced a weak smile. "And this is...?" he asked, his eyes sparkling with curiosity.

Maya made the introductions. "Ash, meet Liam. Liam, Ashley." Duke's handshake was warm and firm. "Nice to meet you, Ashley," he said, his smile friendly.

"Same," I replied, feeling a bit more at ease

As Liam attended to the other guests, Maya and I made our way to the drink table. She opted for an alcoholic beverage, while I chose a juice. "So," I began, curiosity getting the better of me, "why did you call him Duke? His name is Liam."

Maya flipped her long brown hair, giggling as the alcohol took effect. "Well, we were in a high school play together. He was the Duke, and I was the Duchess." She grinned mischievously. "Ever since then, I've been calling him Duke, just to tease him, I guess."

I smiled, imagining the playful dynamic between them. It was clear Maya had fond memories of her high school days. My own experiences, on the other hand, were a different story. I had taken on a parental role, caring for my mom instead of enjoying my teenage years. I pushed the thoughts aside, not wanting to dwell on the past.

Maya was now chatting with a guy whose intentions were transparent. His eyes screamed one thing: he wanted to get close to her, very close. I rolled my eyes, amused, as they headed to the dance floor, lost in the music.

"You don't seem too thrilled for your friend," a deep, smooth voice noted.

As I turned, I was struck by the piercing grey eyes and disarming smile of the stranger.

"What do you think?" I asked, curiosity getting the better of me.

He shrugged, taking a sip of his vodka. "Honestly? They'll probably hook up tonight."

I raised an eyebrow, taken aback by his blunt tone.

"Wow, you're really blunt, aren't you?" I asked, amused.

He smirked. "You're pretty straightforward yourself, baby girl."

I laughed. "Trust me, I'm no baby girl."

He raised an eyebrow, intrigued, and set his drink down on the table. "Oh, really?"

I studied the button-down suit he wore, trying to place him. "You know, you look very familiar," I said, my curiosity piqued.

He smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Oh, really?"

"Yeah," I replied, still trying to figure out how I knew him. "You know, you shouldn't be talking to me."

His smile never wavered. "But I like talking to you."

I raised an eyebrow, surprised. "How's that?" I asked.

He leaned in, his voice low. "You're funny, smart, and...gorgeous." My dark skin hid the blush spreading across my cheeks. "Thank you," I managed to say.

"He'd love you," he continued, his expression thoughtful.

I was taken aback. "What?" I asked, my voice rising in surprise.

I stared at him, confused. "Oh, I'm sorry, I meant my best friend," he clarified.

"I don't get it," I admitted.

"My best friend would really like someone like you," he explained.

I raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

He shrugged. "I don't know, just thought of it."

His phone rang, interrupting our conversation. "Oh, my wife is calling me," he said, and my eyes widened in shock.

"W-wife?" I stuttered, trying to process this new information.

He nodded casually. "I should head home before she gets angry."

I struggled to compose myself, still coughing. "It was nice meeting you," he said, waiting for me to introduce myself.

"Ash... Ashley," I managed to say, quieting my cough.

He smiled. "Ashley, nice to meet you. See you." With that, he turned and left.

I decided to look for Maya, I finally found her in the bathroom having sex with that same dude " am sorry to interrupt but we should go home, its late, " I said looking at anything but them, " oh ok. Just give me a minute. " She said and I nodded and hurried out of there and bumped into a huge figure " ouch" I yelped " be careful " the person , said to me and I turned to Look at him to see, Ryder Blackhood .

"Be careful," the person said, and I turned to look at him.

My heart sank as I saw Ryder Blackwood standing before me, a smirk spreading across his face.

"Well, well, well," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Look who we have here."

I felt a chill run down my spine as he gazed at me, his eyes gleaming with amusement.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, trying to keep my cool.

Ryder chuckled. "I could ask you the same thing."

His eyes locked onto mine, a spark of recognition igniting within them. A smirk spread across his face, making my heart skip a beat. "What a pleasure to meet you here," he said, his voice low and smooth.

I took a step back, trying to escape the intensity of his gaze and the intoxicating scent that wafted from him. "I wouldn't say pleasure, Mr. Blackhood," I replied, trying to sound calm despite the turmoil brewing inside me.

He chuckled, his eyes glinting with amusement. "What brings you here?" he asked, his tone casual, but his gaze.

"I don't think that's any of your business, Mr. Blackhood," I said, trying to maintain my composure.

He leaned in, his face inches from mine. His towering height, at least six foot nine, made me feel tiny and vulnerable at five foot five.

"It is my business," he whispered, his breath sending shivers down my spine. "I can shut down your workplace and leave you jobless."

My gulp was audible. "I apologized to the lady," I protested, attempting to hide my nervousness.

He hummed, a low, menacing sound. "Well, I can do such things. If not for my guest, I could say a waitress from Billiards Restaurant-a 4-star restaurant, I might add-is working at a strip club."

His eyes glinted with malice as he spoke, and my eyes widened in horror.

"I am not at a strip club," I denied, trying to keep my voice steady.

He smiled, a devious grin that sent chills down my spine. "Well, you are, if I say it to the media. I can ruin your life, just like that."

His words hung in the air, a thinly veiled threat that left me breathless and intimidated.

"Well, it was nice meeting you again, Miss," he said, adjusting his tailored royal blue suit. The change from his earlier attire only added to his enigmatic presence.

"Wait," I called out, and he paused, turning to face me.

"What do you want from me?" I demanded, trying to keep my voice steady.

His rich, velvety laugh filled the air, sending a shiver down my spine.

"Well, I have everything I want," he said, his eyes glinting with amusement.

"But..." He took a step closer, his voice dropping to a low, husky tone. "How about you work for my company?" He raised my chin, his fingers brushing against my skin.

I jerked away, pushing his hand aside. The touch had sparked a strange, fluttery sensation within me, leaving me confused and unsettled.

"I'll never work for someone like you," I declared, trying to sound firm despite the turmoil brewing inside.

He smirked, his eyes gleaming with a knowing light, as if he could see right through me.

"Well, too bad," he said, his smirk still plastered on his face. "You'd make a great secretary for me."

I glared at him, my anger simmering just below the surface.

"We'll see you," he said, his parting words dripping with an air of superiority.

With that, he turned and left, disappearing into the night. I let out a sigh of relief, praying to God that I'd never have to cross paths with that egomaniac again.

After standing outside for a few moments, Maya finally emerged, looking flushed and disheveled.

"I'm so sorry I took so long," she said, her eyes sparkling with a mixture of guilt and excitement.

I nodded, still trying to shake off the lingering annoyance from my encounter with Ryder.

We hailed a cab and headed back to our apartment. As soon as we walked in, I made a beeline for the shower, desperate to wash away the tension of the night.

But even as I lay in bed, surrounded by the comforting familiarity of my own space, I couldn't shake off the memory of Ryder's piercing gaze and arrogant smirk.

"I'm looking for my mom," I asked the nurse, a sense of urgency creeping into my voice. "Where is she?"

The nurse's expression turned sympathetic. "I'm afraid Mrs. Jenkins was moved to another ward."

My heart sank. "Why? What happened?"

The nurse hesitated before responding, "To be honest, it's because the payment for her care hasn't been completed. We needed the ward for another patient."

I felt a surge of frustration. "But I told you I'd pay by the end of the month! I already explained our situation."

The nurse's expression remained apologetic. "I understand, but we couldn't accommodate your mother's stay in the ward any longer. Another patient required immediate attention."

I groaned, feeling overwhelmed. "Okay, where is her new ward?" I asked, trying to compose myself.

My mom was my everything, my rock, my world. After my father's passing from a heart attack when I was just seven, she became my sole caregiver. She worked tirelessly, juggling multiple jobs and stretching our meager savings to provide for me.

But life had another cruel twist in store. On my fourteenth birthday, I received the devastating news that my mom had been diagnosed with a brain tumor. Our world was turned upside down.

I took on the responsibility of paying for her surgery and care, but it was a Herculean task. The bills piled up, and I struggled to make ends meet.

With a deep breath, I pushed open the door to my mom's new ward, my heart heavy with worry.

I rushed to my mom's side, my heart aching at her frail appearance. "Mom!" I cried, my voice shaking.

She smiled weakly, her eyes filled with gratitude. "My baby."

I sniffled, trying to hold back tears. "Come, I brought something for you to eat," I said, rummaging through the bag I'd brought.

As I tried to sit her up in bed, I cautioned, "Careful, Mom. Don't strain yourself."

She gazed at me, her eyes filled with a deep sorrow. "Ashley, I'm sorry."

I frowned, concern etched on my face. "What's wrong, Mom? Why are you saying that?"

She took a deep breath, her voice trembling. "I failed as a mom. You didn't get to enjoy your teenage years because you had to take care of your sickly mom."

I quickly wiped away her tears. "No, Mom, don't say that. You're an amazing mom. If I didn't take care of you, who would?"

My mom's expression turned sorrowful. "But look, you don't care about yourself; you only care about me."

I smiled weakly. "Leave me for now, okay, Mom? I only live for you."

Just then, the ward door creaked open, interrupting our intimate moment. A figure stood in the doorway, his presence commanding attention.

My heart sank as I met Ryder Blackwood's piercing gaze. What was he doing here?

"Ashley," he said, his voice low and smooth. "I see you're busy. But I need to talk to you."

My mom's eyes narrowed, her gaze flicking between Ryder and me. "Who is this?" she asked, her voice weak but firm.

I hesitated, unsure of how to introduce Ryder. But before I could respond, he stepped forward, his eyes locked on my mom.

"Mrs. Jenkins, I'm Ryder Blackwood. I've been...acquainted with your daughter."

My mom's gaze turned skeptical, but she nodded weakly. "Nice to meet you, Mr. Blackwood."

Ryder's smile was charming, but I knew better. There was something sinister lurking beneath his polished exterior.

"What do you want, Ryder?" I asked, trying to keep my tone neutral.

He leaned against the doorframe, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Oh, I think you know exactly what I want, Ashley."

My heart sank, a sense of foreboding settling over me. What did Ryder want from me now?.