THE BILLIONAIRE'S MUSE.

THE BILLIONAIRE'S MUSE 1.

"Yes ma'am, I understand. I'll be there very soon." Isla said, trying to hold her stuff together. She carelessly placed her phone to her ear and supported it with her shoulder as she tried to hold her laptop and her books together at the same time.

She was on a call with her boss and had been instructed to come to the studio as they had a shoot coming up.

"Yes ma'am, I'll leave now. Oh shit!" She said as her books fell to the floor.

"No ma'am, I wasn't referring to you. Yes ma'am, okay, bye." She quickly said and hung up the call.

She quickly bent down to pick up her books and noticed some of them were torn.

"Oh no." She muttered.

She quietly picked them up and put them into her small bag. She ran back to class to talk to her friend, Melissa.

"I have to go now. My boss needs my help." She said panting.

"For what? Can't it wait? You've been missing classes." Melissa said with a frown.

"I know, I know. But I need to do it, you know the situation right? Please don't stop me. I also have a package to deliver, I'll try to do that after work."

"You won't come back? Even to study?" Melissa said.

"Don't worry about that, take notes and send them to me. Thank you, love you, bye." She said and ran out again.

Melissa just shook her head in pity.

"I feel for her, damn." She muttered.

Isla was twenty-one years old. She was studying business management in school. Her father was late and she had four siblings to help her mother train as the first child. She had to work as an assistant in a photography studio and endured her annoying boss. She also had an online mini thrift store. Her mother worked in a soap company and her pay wasn't high.

********

Ethan walked briskly, in his black tuxedo and dark glasses, with his hands in his pocket. His personal assistant walked behind him, holding his briefcase.

"Welcome boss." One of the pretty female staff greeted them with a cheerful smile, but Ethan only grunted in reply.

All other staff avoided him totally, which was cool with him because he didn't actually care.

He got to the front of the elevator, and his personal assistant quickly pressed the button. They both got in, another female staff also got in.

"Hello, boss. I love your tuxedos, you sure know how to make beautiful designs, these are one of a kind." The staff said.

Ethan ignored her.

"Umm...boss?" She called again, trying to get his attention.

"Who are you?" Ethan asked without looking her way.

"Ava Williams, sir." She said,

" I want your resignation letter on my desk," Ethan said.

The elevator stopped and he walked out. His personal assistant followed him immediately, leaving the confused girl wondering what she had done wrong.

Ethan got to his office and walked

straight to the shelf. He used his finger to wipe it as if looking for traces of dust.

"Everything is clean and sparkly. I made sure of that." Nicholas, his personal assistant said.

"Hmmph." Ethan murmured.

He walked to his desk and wiped it again, while Nicholas watched with an amused look on his face.

"After the incident last time, I was strict with the office cleaning. Relax." Nicholas said again.

Ethan shrugged and sat down on his chair.

"So, where are the files?" Ethan asked.

Nicholas sighed.

"Take a chill pill bro. You haven't had lunch yet. You didn't even have breakfast."

"I'm not hungry, Nick. Look, there's not much time. I need to go through those files, I heard there were some letters too from people seeking employment. Dispose of them all, there are no vacancies." Ethan said.

"Speaking of letters, don't you think you were too hard on Miss Ava? She was just being nice." Nicholas said with a shrug.

Ethan glared at him.

"I'll go get the files," Nicholas said and left.

Ethan sighed and held his forehead with his hands.

*******

Isla rushed into the studio sweating profusely, she ran all the way there as she didn't want to spend money on transportation.

"Sorry, I'm late." She said, panting.

"Good, you're finally here. Quickly set up the lights, and get the chairs too. Hurry!" Her boss Madison ordered.

Isla kept her things in a corner and immediately got to work.

"Mrs. Ivan wants a flowery look. Go get the props." Madison ordered

Isla was still busy setting up the lights when the instruction came.

"Yes ma'am. I'll do that as soon as I'm done with this."

"Hurry up Isla. There is no time, we don't have all day. Stop acting like a slug!" Madison yelled.

"Yes ma'am."

Isla hurriedly set up the lights and ran out to get the props. There were different colors of flowers in the prop room, she didn't know which one was needed, so she went back to ask.

"Ma'am, what colors of flowers do we need?"

Madison glared at her.

"Are you crazy? You mean you've forgotten so soon? Oh damn, you're so dumb. Mrs Ivan booked this shoot weeks ago, and we literally planned everything. Why the hell are you asking me what color when everything has been planned out? Go get the red and yellow flowers, silly girl." Madison yelled.

Isla sighed and walked back to the props room. She took the red and yellow flowers, but when Mrs Ivan was adorned with it, she noticed the color combination wasn't right.

"Ma'am, how about we use a different color, the color combination doesn't fit." She suggested.

"Oh...you don't only forget things easily, you also forget that I'm the boss and you're nothing. Do not teach me my work." Madison warned sternly.

"M...m..miss, I th..think she's right." The stylist stammered.

"What the hell is wrong with you both? This is the color the client wants. Why are you both trying to act smart here when it's obvious you both are dumb." Madison said.

Mrs Ivan chuckled softly.

"Madison, let's hear them out." She said, and turned to Isla.

"Let's hear your suggestion, dear."

Isla's throat dried instantly as she noticed Madison's deadly stare.

"Okay?" Mrs Ivan said.

"Umm...I....how about purple and yellow? I think it goes better." Isla said.

"Wow, brilliant. Madison, that's a brilliant suggestion from Isla. Let's do it."

Madison rolled her eyes.

"Fine then. Isla, go get the flowers."

Isla smiled as she hurriedly got the flowers and of course, the combination was perfect as it also suited Mrs Ivan's skin tone.

Isla smiled proudly as she saw her suggestion come to life.

She had gone to get water for Mrs Ivan when she heard a loud bang and scream from the studio.

"Isla!!" She heard Madison's voice yelling urgently.

Isla immediately turned......

Nicholas walked into Ethan's office to see his head still buried in the files he was going through.

"That's a lot of paperwork, you still haven't eaten, and it's almost night."

Ethan raised his head. His eyes looked red and tired.

"Nick, please. I have a lot to do." He said.

"You need to rest Ethan. If you keep going like this, you'll definitely break down." Nicholas said.

Ethan sighed.

"You really need a woman in your life. My wife wouldn't let me stay till this time without stuffing me with food. You need to get married, Ethan. You have the money, you can pick any random girl and...." Nicholas paused.

"I'm sorry, but you should get some food, please. You can't do everything at once."

Ethan gave in.

"Alright fine, as soon as I'm done, I'll go get some food." He said.

"Okay, what can I help you do? You know, to hasten up your work?" Nicholas asked.

"Well, you can just sit down and shut up for a while and I'll be done in no time," Ethan said with a smug smile.

Nicholas laughed and pulled out his phone to order food for Ethan.

"Do not make any orders, I'm going to get what I want myself."

"Okay then," Nicholas said and slipped his phone back into his pocket.

He just watched Ethan and his mind drifted away...

They had been friends since kindergarten, Ethan was a cheerful child loved by everyone. He was also good in almost everything he did, but when he got to high school, his grades started dropping and he wasn't as cheerful as he was initially. The teacher noticed it and after probing him, found out that his parents have been having a lot of fights. Ethan loved his parents so much and seeing them fight broke his heart and after a few months, they got divorced. Turns out his mother was a cheat, she cheated on his father multiple times with other men and even gave out his money. Worst of all, her other two children were not from Ethan's father. She didn't even know who their father was. Ethan felt betrayed by his mother and when his father kicked her out, he only stared with a cold expression.

When he was nineteen, he fell in love with an ice cream girl and despite warning and advice from Nicholas, he started seeing her. He was head over heels in love with her. He spent his allowances on her, buying her branded items, clothes, shoes, and everything she wanted, he even told her to leave her job as he would pay all her bills, but surprisingly, she refused.

They were together for a year, and on her birthday, he bought her a car.

He thought she loved him; he was already planning on proposing to her ignoring Nicholas's advice that he was being too impulsive.

He would have proposed to her if he hadn't caught her in bed with her boss.

That was the worst form of pain anyone would feel.

No wonder she refused to leave the job. She was already pregnant for the boss.

Ethan didn't say a word about it to anyone except Nicholas and quietly broke up with the girl.

Betrayals from his mother and the girl naturally made him who he was; a man who hates women.

"Quit staring at me, you moron." Ethan's voice brought Nicholas back to reality.

"The fact that I have no woman in my life doesn't mean I'm gay. Even if I was, I'll never have anything to do with you." Ethan added.

"If I was gay, you think I'd spare you a look, huh?" Nicholas asked.

"Well, you've been staring at me, so yeah. Plus, I know I'm good-looking and irresistible." Ethan said with a false smile.

Nicholas faked a yawn trying to stop himself from laughing and Ethan rolled his eyes.

"Okay, I'm going to get food. You stay right here." Ethan said as he adjusted his tie and admired himself in front of the mirror.

"Alright, I hope you meet the woman of your dreams there," Nicholas said.

Ethan scoffed.

"You wish." ....

************

On getting into the studio, Isla saw that the lighting above Mrs Ivan had fallen down and almost hurt her.

Her heart skipped a bit, lucky she didn't get hurt.

"Oh no. I'm so sorry Mrs Ivan, I..."

PAK!

Her apology was interrupted by a deafening slap from Madison.

"That's for being so stupid!" Madison yelled.

PAK! came another slap.

"That's for attempting to destroy my work!"

PAK!

"And that's for trying to hurt my client. An important one at that. Do you have any idea who she is? She can make your life a living hell with just a snap of her finger!"

"Madison, that's enough." Mrs Ivan said from behind.

She didn't witness the first slaps but witnessed the last one.

"Ma'am, she almost killed you," Madison said with a strained voice. She wondered why Mrs Ivan liked getting involved in their own issues.

"But here I am right? Let the girl go."

"She needs to be taught a lesson."

"I said, let her go." Mrs. Ivan instructed.

Madison turned to Isla and without warning, pulled her by her ear.

"This shouldn't happen again, or you'd have yourself to blame." She said and violently pushed Isla away.

She then walked to Mrs Ivan and slowly walked her to the changing room.

Isla remained on the floor trying to hold back tears. She could feel that her face was already swollen and her mouth was bleeding as she tasted the familiar metallic taste of blood in her mouth. Her ears were burning too! She was in severe pain, but who cares? It wasn't the first time and most definitely won't be the last.

She heard the footsteps of someone coming and hurriedly got up.

"Are you okay?" Mrs Ivan asked softly.

"I'm sorry ma'am. I just didn't realize I didn't set it up correctly. I did it in haste because I had other things to do." She quickly apologized.

"How long will you keep enduring being treated like this? Look at the state of your face, can't you work elsewhere?"

Isla didn't say a word. She didn't know if Mrs Ivan was actually genuine or if she was trying to get words out of her.

" I...I... I... I'm fine here ma'am. I love my job." She stuttered.

Mrs Ivan smiled and patted her head. She opened her small handbag and brought out a business card.

"Here, take it. You can call me anytime. I can help you get a better job if you don't mind."

Isla slowly took the card, but her eyes remained glued to Mrs Ivan. She was trying to notice any sign of dishonesty, but all she saw was a genuine smile. Nevertheless, she couldn't trust her.

"Thank you."

"Yeah, you're welcome. And I loved your suggestion too, it turned out to be perfect, I'll be leaving now, my ride is here. Don't forget to call." Mrs Ivan said and Isla gave her a false smile.

She stared at the card Mrs Ivan had given her, not knowing what to do about it. She didn't know if she should try to call, but what if her boss found out? What if she loses on both sides?

With that thought, she squeezed the card and threw it into the trash can...

Isla gingerly walked into the house, not wanting her mother to see her face.

She had intentionally come home late to avoid that.

She went to the bedroom to take off her jacket and saw her four younger sisters all curled up in bed.

She smiled inwardly as she stared at them.

Karen was fourteen and was still in high school while the triplets; Ruby, Emerald, and Pearl were ten years old.

Isla went to the refrigerator to take an ice pack. She walked to the kitchen table and began to massage her face with the icepack.

She shrieked in pain as she did it, but she knew she had to do it so her mom wouldn't find out.

"Isla," Karen called behind her.

Isla was startled and she dropped the icepack in panic.

Karen stared at the icepack on the floor and back to Isla who stared back wide-eyed. She knew Karen was definitely going to talk.

"What's going on? Why are you using an icepack on your face?" Karen questioned.

"It's nothing, Karen. Go back to bed." Isla said.

Karen walked to the switch and turned on the lights as the previous one was quite dim.

"Nothing huh?" Karen asked on seeing Isla's swollen face.

"You didn't see anything. Go back to bed."

"What happened to you? Madison?" Karen asked folding her arms.

"She's my boss. Don't call her by her name."

"Well, she's not here."

"Even if she is. Do not call her name." Isla said.

"Do not drift from the main subject sis. What happened to you? What did Madison do to you?" Karen asked.

Isla sighed.

"She hit me."

"You let her hit you again?"

"Well, I can't...."

"This is not the first time." Karen interrupted.

"But I have to...."

"Nor the second."

"Karen, you have to...."

"Nor the third, Isla," Karen said.

"Karen, I need to endure everything. That's our source of income." Isla said softly.

"Because it's our source of income doesn't mean you should be abused every freaking day. Do you know how hurt I am seeing this? Does mum know about this?"

Isla shook her head.

"No. That's why you shouldn't tell her. It would break her heart."

"But she should know about it," Karen argued.

"No. Remember the last time? Please don't."

Karen exhaled deeply.

"Fine then, I won't."

"Thanks sis." Isla said.

"Let me help you with your face," Karen said and picked up the icepack.

She gently massaged Isla's face with it and also made her dinner and in no time, Isla was asleep on the couch.

***********

Ethan sat comfortably on the sofa, sipping coffee and watching the news. He thought about what Nicholas had said earlier about him having a woman. He couldn't imagine having those cunning creatures in his house with him. With time, he'd adopt a son to keep him company, because girls couldn't be trusted no matter the age. He wondered how Nicholas survived with his wife and how he was so in love with her.

"Aren't they all the same?" He muttered.

At that moment his phone rang, he checked the caller ID to see it was his mother.

"Speaking of the devil." He muttered.

"What do you want?" He asked as he picked up the call.

"Ethan, it's your mother." Her voice said over the phone.

"I didn't say otherwise, Mrs George." He said coldly.

"Ethan, Ethan dear. Don't talk to your mother like that. Why are you so cold? Did I do something wrong?"

"Mrs George, I ask again. What do you want?" Ethan asked, he was already getting pissed.

Mrs George stuttered for a while.

"Umm...do you remember Mrs Rowland?"

"Yeah, why?"

"Err...her daughter, Amber is in town and she needs a place to lay her head for the night."

Ethan sensed where the conversation was going.

"So, why are you telling me? If she was smart, she would have prepared a place to stay before coming down here."

"But it was an impromptu decision, she didn't...."

"Look look look, if you want me to go pick her up or to let her stay at my place, that is where you're wrong," Ethan said.

"But Ethan, she's stranded. She needs help." Mrs George said in a distressed voice.

"Well, help her."

"Ethan please."

"You have probably forgotten my principles. I don't let women into my house. So, you either go help her, or you let me be." Ethan said.

"But..."

"She can stay at a hotel." Ethan interrupted.

"She needs a comfortable place to stay."

"A hotel is comfortable. If she can't pay the bills, you can. Help her. I have no business with her." Ethan said.

"Listen to me, son. I can't drive, I can't go pick her, but you can. You're a man."

Ethan rolled his eyes.

"Mrs. George, I have your bank details, I'll foot the bill. Just go get her a place to stay and leave me out of this." Ethan said and hung up the call.

His mother had always wanted him with Amber Rowland for some reason he didn't know.

"Keep dreaming Mother." He muttered.

He picked up his phone and dialed Nicholas.

The phone rang twice before he picked up.

"Because you're a single and lonely man doesn't mean I am too. My wife needs me. What?" Nicholas asked with a sleepy voice.

"I'm still your boss man. I'd render you jobless if I want to." Ethan joked.

"But you won't because you love me," Nicholas said laughing.

"Who is it, baby?" His wife's voice said from the background.

"Oh, it's just Ethan," Nicholas responded.

"Can you both not be all loved up all the time?" Ethan asked.

"Then get married." Nicholas's wife replied and Nicholas laughed.

"Alright baby. I'll meet you upstairs, just go wait for me." Nicholas said.

Ethan cleared his throat.

"So, what's up?" Nicholas asked.

"That woman called," Ethan said.

"Oh... why?" Nicholas asked, knowing who he was referring to.

"Apparently, Amber is in town and she wants me to go pick her up and also to let her spend the night at my place. How annoying!"

Nicholas laughed.

"I know you're not going. So why did you call?"

"I agreed to foot her hotel bills. So, send her some money."

"How much are we talking about here?" Nicholas asked.

"Ummm... let's say five hundred thousand dollars. That would sort everything out. I don't want anyone calling me." Ethan said.

"Alright, I'll do just that. My wife is waiting for me. Don't die a lonely man Ethan. Goodnight." Nicholas said.

"I'd rather die a lonely man than be with a woman. Goodnight Nick and go easy on your wife." Ethan said and hung up the call...