The Billionaire's Gems

Diam Dane could only do so much as wait after he pressed the doorbell.

The cold breeze hovering the suburb swept through him. It was something he'd gotten familiar with. The cold breeze. The serenity. The faint rhythm from the windmill. The endless meowing cats in the next building. Distant chattering. The old couple always in the patio of the house across the road. He was familiar with just...everything.

His constant visit these two months was enough to get him familiar with the place.

His last visit here had been terrible. He'd caught a cold from the chilly breeze. Baby had sensed his agony and threw him out drenched in cold water.

He caught a bad flu that had him bedridden for weeks. Totally stupid that he had sought for her again once he recuperated.

Diam Dane shuddered. This time, It wasn't because of the breeze. It was the awful fate awaiting him behind the closed door.

He reached for the doorbell again, but the door flew open immediately.

He froze, gulping at the sight of her. "Baby...Hi". He attempted a weak smile.

"Get lost!" She was gonna slam the door on his face again. That has always been her reaction to all his visits. She detested him so much she wouldn't hear him out.

This time, he stuck a foot on the threshold. The door stopped midway. Fury flashed in her cold eyes as she pushed harder to shut the door.

Diam was forced to employ his macho side. He pushed back the door and forced himself in.

Baby pulled out a dagger from her pocket and aimed it at him. Her insane reaction was shocking enough to get him to a halt.

"Please Baby. Just one minute, a second. That's all I ask. I just wanna talk. I missed you." Diam pleaded.

Four years later and he was back to a love story that was left unfinished. A love story that had nothing but tears and heartbreaks. A love story that never had a closure. They'd just broken apart like they never happened.

Standing in front of her again was an opportunity he'd prayed for all these years. Here it was. A thousand things he wanted to say. But it all started and ended with "I'm sorry, Baby. I never meant to hurt you like I did."

It's been a rollercoaster of emotions these past four years.

The anger that twitched his nerves at the fact that she'd betrayed him. Yes, she was hurting, but he thought their love was strong enough to overcome whatever obstacles they had. How stupid he'd felt for thinking she loved him so.

The pains that wrecked his heart when she fled. The anguish that clouded his being at the reality that she was never gonna come back to him. The misery he was plunged into each second his heart craved for her.

The regrets that crumbled his world when he found out she'd never betrayed him. She'd been a victim of a conspiracy and he never believed her innocence. Never gave her the benefit of the doubt.

It's been the most painful years of his life. Nothing else mattered anymore. Nothing excited him anymore. She was all he craved for. All he cried for.

Time –they say– heals all wounds. But not Diam's wounds. The severe mar in his heart didn't heal up with time. With each fleeting day, he fell deeper into his agony.

Diam's depression made him shut everyone out. It was a drastic move as he was a public figure.

Dane Diam, the first child of the Dane Family. CEO of the Green-Grass corporation, with branches and offices worldwide and headquarters here in the United States. Diam was an aristocrat. A renowned billionaire.

Diam was every girl's dream man. His tall physique, well-built biceps and face well-sculptured made him somewhat irresistible.

His green eyes synched harmoniously with his black, curly hair. He was without any facial flaws.

His father was Japanese and his mother was an American. They resided here in America –Califonia to be precise– more than other countries they had been to. The Dane family travelled a lot but decided to stay longer in America.

Dane Diam was a hottie, but ruthless. He was known for his terrifying wrath. No one ever got close enough to understand the real him. He wouldn't let anyone close. Just her.

Phillips Baby, a young and vibrant girl who was also naturally shy. She was a fragile being who didn't like trouble. Though from a poor home, she still maintained her beautiful features.

Her skin had a natural glow. Her silky-like brown hair fell freely to her waist. She was Japanese but lived all her life here in California.

She was innocent and naive. Most of all, she was exceptionally beautiful.

He'd fallen for her in the wrong time, for all the wrong reasons.

But he couldn't undo it. She was already carved in the walls of his heart.

Four years already gone. She wasn't so fragile anymore. On the contrary, she'd grown stoic. Her long hair was now a short, straight blonde. Her eyes bore so much pains and resentments.

"You should leave, Diam. Leave and never come back here." Baby spattered out, firmly pointing the dagger at him.

Diam could hear the collapsing of the walls of his heart. It wasn't the first time she was throwing him out. He just wishes she wouldn't anymore.

Diam dared to move an inch closer but Baby halted him with a glare. "Not another move, Diam. Get out!"

"I know I hurt you, Baby. I know I was an idiot. My love wasn't strong enough..." Diam trailed off as tears clogged his vision. Gradually, they made their way down his face. "I've been through hell these years, Baby. I deserved it all. It was my retribution for throwing away what we had."

"Whatever you went through isn't enough to make up for all the pains you caused me. Nothing would be enough, not even death. Get out!"

"But Baby..."

"Get the fuck out!"

"At least, let me see my daughter!" Diam snapped dejectedly. Her decision to keep his daughter away from him was a callous move on her path. He only earned the tag of a bad lover. He wasn't a bad Dad, yet. She had no reason to keep his daughter from him.

"I'm gonna say this for the last time, she is not your daughter." Baby said furiously. "The next time you come in here making such claims, I'll make sure you don't leave in one piece."

Just then, a girl ran into the house with her backpack and hugged Baby. "Mummy"

Baby quickly stuffed the dagger into her pocket. She squatted and adorned her daughter's forehead with a kiss.

Diam could feel the tears drop at the sight of the little girl. But God, she looks just like her Mum! A small bundle of beauty.

"Sweetie, you're back early." Baby smiled at her daughter. "Go wait in your room. Mummy has a visitor."

"Sure, Mummy." The girl cooed and ran off.

"Baby, you gotta let me get to know my daughter. I know I hurt you but...she's my daughter. Please." Watching the bond between the mother and daughter, Diam realized just how much he was missing out.

The girl was his daughter. It was a fact. He needed to create some bond with her.

"You're gonna get the hell out and never show up here again. Or I'm gonna sue you for being such a nuisance."

"Please...just how long are you gonna keep sending me away?" Diam was in another fit of tears. Nothing he wouldn't give to put an end to this nightmare and have her in his arms again.

"Till you learn to accept that whatever we had is over. Right now, we're just strangers with memories."

Diam was speechless. There was no reasoning with Baby. Her mind was made up. She wanted him gone for real.

Baby gave him a firm push, and he was out the door. One last, long glare before she slammed the door.

With him gone, Baby was alone to her thoughts.

A part of her wanted to comfort him. Kiss away his pains. Ease his sorrows. Make him happy. Like old times.

But once again, she filled her heart with so much anger by going down that painful memory lane, remembering just how it all started.

FLASHBACK.

Baby had her aunt's number on redial. The situation was totally out of their control. They needed all the help they could get.

"Please pick up, aunt." Baby was getting scared with each call her aunt missed. She redailed but still got nothing.

"Did she pick up?" Her Dad asked. The situation had him weary and confused. He knew just as much as she did that her aunt was their last hope.

"...and that's forty times. Fuck!" Baby spattered, hurling the phone to a corner. She ran her hand through her hair in utter frustration. This wouldn't end well. Not when they had no one to turn to.

"Your aunt Beca has never been there for us. Whenever we need help, she disappears. But when things are going smoothly, then be prepared to see her face every second."

"That's not the issue here, Dad. The deadline is impossible. We can't afford such money so quickly. Even if we're given all our lives, we still wouldn't be able to afford it!"

"It's alright, Baby. I will look for a way to sort this out. I got us into this mess. It's only fair that I be the one to resolve it."

Baby snorted at her Dad's sentimentality. "Oh..please Dad. Cut the drama. How will you raise such amount of money? Even if you sell a kidney, it still wouldn't get you the money."

Mr. Philips huffed in defeat. There was no gleam of hope. Sooner or later, he might have to pay the debt with his life.

Baby sat next to her Dad on the sofa. With her hands soothing his back, she said. "There's nothing more we can do, Dad. I think it's best we go see Mr. Dane."

"We will do no such thing!" Mr. Philips rasped. Mr. Dane was an indomitable man. Fierce and Ruthless. "He'll have our heads on a platter, you can bet on it."

Baby was hellbent on convincing her Dad that talking to Mr. Dane was the only option.

It's only a matter of time before Mr. Dane demands for his money.

Maybe, just maybe, he'll be a little lenient if they go beg him now.

Mr. Philip was still defiant on the opinion. "What do you think he would do if we go to him, huh? Do you think he will solve everything for us just like that? No, baby girl. Things might turn sour if we ever do that!"

"If we don't do that, father, then what other options do we have left? None. None, father! We should just try our luck with him rather than assuming things."

"It's really difficult, baby. I don't want anything bad to happen to you."

"I know you mean well, Father. Don't worry too much about me, I'll be fine."

The buzzing sound of the doorbell interrupted their moment.

"Please, go get the door."

"Yes father"

Minutes later, she returned with a mailed letter.

"Who was that, Baby?"

"It's...it's a reminder"

"From the bank?"

"Yes Father"

Mr. Philips sighed lowly. The problems just keep piling up. "It's alright, baby. It will all be fine."

"Father, I hope you understand now why we need to go talk with Mr. Dane. Our problems are bigger than us. That's the truth and you know it. Let me go talk to Mr. Dane, please."

Panic gripped the elderly man at his daughter's words.

"Please, don't do this, Baby. I'll will work hard to make everything better, but please don't."

"You have tried enough, Father. Besides, you can't work any harder then you already do, else you'll have a breakdown."

"I won't."

"Yes, you will. Let me go and plead with him. There must be a way out of this. We can't just continue waiting and hoping fruitlessly. Stop worrying, father. I will be fine. Things will turn out well, you'll see."

"Isn't there another way?" Mr. Philips sobbed. He rubbed her cheeks with his thumb. "Must you really go?"

"If I don't go, the bank will come for our house. We won't have anywhere to go. Please, Father. Let me go to him. He is the only solution we have right now."

"He might...he might do something to you in there." Mr. Philip stuttered amidst sobs.

"I'll be fine, Father. He won't do anything bad to me. Please, stay here and don't worry about me, hmm?"

"My baby! Oh, my sweet child.

Please, forgive this father for punishing his precious baby like this." He cried out, pulling her into a warm hug.

"Stop that, father. You never punished me. You gave me everything that any child would ever think of in life.

How many people can afford Harvard's tuition, hm?

Though I didn't finish there, you gave me that opportunity and I came out this way. You take care of me and I heard you also took very good care of mother too when she was still alive. And how I wish I had met her..."

Baby pulled out of the hug with a sad look on her face. She misses her Mum, always.

"I'm sorry I said those things to you. Please, don't cry. My beautiful baby."

"I'm not crying, Father. I'm okay. I will go to his office now and...you know, work things out."

"Mhm. But be careful, alright?"

"Yes Father, I will"

"Oh, my poor baby girl.

How did all this happen?

I was extremely careful with those documents.

What really happened to them?

This is really strange"

Mr. Philip soliloquized, watching his daughter leave the house.

*********

@Dane's Office.

*********

"Sir Dane?"

"Yes?" Diam Dane couldn't spare the secretary a glance. His gaze were fixed on the littered files on the table.

"A young lady is here to see you. She says you are expecting her."

"A young lady?" He looked up. Surely, his interest just aroused.

"Yes, Sir Dane"

"How did she come through to the vvip floor?"

"She used a pass. She said it was given to her by her Father."

"Who is her Father?"

"Mr. Philips Smith"

"Oh, okay. You can let her in."

"Yes, Sir Dane."

The secretary met Baby at the waiting lounge.

"Miss, you can go in now"

"Alright, thank you." Baby smiled. Once again, she braced herself up before heading into the office.

*******

"Good day, Sir Dane."

"Mhm...good day. You said you are Mr. Philips Smith's daughter?"

"Yes, Sir Dane. I am his daughter."

"That's...surprising. I never knew he had such a beautiful daughter."

"Thank you, Sir Dane." Baby could feel her cheeks heat up.

"Please, sit down."

"Thank you, Sir"

"Call me Diam."

"I'm sorry Sir, I can't. I don't think it'll be appropriate. Please, let me call you Sir Diam."

"Alright. But that's just gonna be for now."

"Thank you sir."

"Mhm. What do I offer you?"

"Um...thank you sir, I'm okay."

"Alright. So, what brings you here?"

"Uhh...Sir...Diam?"

"Yes?"

"It's...it's about my father's debt. Please, all we ask is a little consideration. We'll pay off the debt. I promise."

He laughed at her words which sounded like mere jokes to him.

"Pay me back? With what exactly?"

"I...we will work very hard and pay. I swear, Sir Diam." Baby was already in tears.

"Oh, my dear. You don't need to swear. I've heard those lines before."

"We will pay sir. Please..."

"What is your name?"

"I...I am Phillips Baby"

"Sorry, what?"

"My name is Phillips Baby."

"Okayyy...? That's quite odd. It's really one weird combination. I've never heard anyone bear such a name before. Is that your real name?"

"Yes Sir. It's my real name"

"Ok. Baby? Oh, my." He chuckled. " I'm sorry. Your name just sounds a little...you know, sweet!"

Baby wasn't sure how to feel when he tries being flirtatious. Still, she muttered a "Thank you Sir."

"Hmm. 8.5 million dollars is no small amount. I worked with your father for a very long time and I respect him a lot. But seeing what he put me through, I just can't say anything more.

If I should add all the damages he has caused me, then that amount would be just a loose change.

"I'm...I'm so sorry...Sir. Thank you for not summing it up. We will work really hard to pay back."

"You know, I still can't understand what's happening here. Are you asking for more time to pay off the debt or you need a favour from me?"

"Both, Sir Dane. We really need your help. We've got money problems up to our neck. It's choking."

"Am I not the one who is supposed to ask money from you?

Why are you asking me for money now?"

"I know, Sir. And I'm sorry. But the bank will claim our house if we don't pay our debts. We don't have any other place to go. Please help us, Sir."

Mr Dane sighed after minutes of deep thought.

"Okay. I will speak with the bank in question and work things out."

"Oh my God. Thank you so much Sir Diam"! Baby giggled happily.

"But on one condition."

"Condition?"

"Mhm, Condition."

"What kind, Sir?"

"Oh, the very special kind." He smirked. "You will work as a maid in my house and will do every single thing I ask of you."

"A maid? Sure. I can do that. Thank you, Sir."

"That's not all!"

"Huh?"

"You will be my sex partner. You're gonna quench my libido anytime I'm aroused and you will never refuse to pleasure me.

I don't care what you're doing or where you are. You'll always be at my beck and call."

"Umm...sir...I..." Baby was perplexed. She'd never imagined making such an agreement with him.

"I don't have time for indecisiveness, Baby. It's either you are ready to do it or bear the consequences of your refusal."

"But Sir..."

"No more buts! You have just today to decide. If you are okay with my terms, then come back here tomorrow evening with your luggage to start the job. You can use the door when you are able to stand. Good day, Baby."

"Sir Diam?"

"Yes?"

"Can I...start today?"

Right on that unforgettable day, she had to go seek help from Dane Diam. He was the boss of her father. An important file that contained a special delivery that was worth 8.5 million dollars was stolen in Phillips Smith's care and resulted in a big problem. Baby asked for help and at last, help was given to her in an unexpected way.

"What did you just say?" Dane Diam stood up from his swivel, leather chair. His stare was intense and hard on her. He did not believe that she just agreed to his proposal without giving it a second thought. It was the most vulgar proposal he'd ever made. It was inappropriate in all ways. He hadn't expected her to accept in a heartbeat.

Diam walked closer to her. With a turn of the swivel chair she was sitting, he was staring deep down into her eyes.

"Do you know what I proposed to you?"

"Yes, Sir Dane." Baby replied. Their proximity made her heart race. Good Lord, but she couldn't meet his gaze.

"And you agreed instantly without any further thinking because...?"

"I...it's because...I didn't want to waste anymore...time"

Baby was really embarrassed right there and could not stop fiddling with her fingers. She saw herself as being too cheap but she did not let it stop her from what she wanted to achieve. She thought about not accepting his offer for just a minute and then quickly switched over.

There was no use thinking too much about it because she was not in the position to make a choice. It was already there.

"Is that so?"

"Yes Sir"

"Ok. You wait here while I get the necessities to finalize this."

"Yes Sir"

Diam immediately put a call through to his legal lawyer and in no time, he rushed down to his office.

"Hello, Sir Dane"

"Did you get everything I asked for?"

"Yes I did, Sir Dane."

Barrister Antonio quickly brought out a file from his suitcase and handed it to Baby . "Hello, Miss."

"Hello Sir."

"This is a contract. All the agreed upon terms are in here. You go through it and then sign. Mr. Dane's signature is already here."

"I don't need to go through it. Where do I sign?"

The barrister and Diam were surprised. Baby rendered them both speechless with her words.

Baby saw the column that needed her signature. Quickly she signed, ignoring the tight knotting of her heart.

She was in pain. It took all her self restrain to stop herself from crying.She handed the signed contract to the barrister without looking at his face.

"Sir Dane? Everything is set. You can now proceed with it"

"Alright barrister. Thank you"

"It was my pleasure, Sir. I will be leaving now."

The barrister left and it was just Baby and Diam left in the office. Diam did not stop staring at the girl whose head was still lowered in what seemed like shame. Few minutes of silence, he finally spoke to her.

"Baby?"

"Yes, Sir Diam"

"You can go home now and inform your father about this. Get your luggage and make sure you are here in my office before 8:00 pm today."

"Yes Sir."

"Good. You can take your leave now."

"Yes Sir. Thank you."

Baby left the office hastily and went home to inform her father of the news, except for the part that she would be Dane Diam's sex partner. Diam went back to his numerous work he left unfinished.

*******

"Baby, What are you saying?

A maid?!"

"Yes Father"

Baby's father could not believe his ears after Baby told him everything. He felt sorry for his daughter and was very sad things had gone this way. He wanted his daughter to always enjoy her life and be happy. He never knew such a day would come in their lives.

"Father? Please, don't be sad. We should be grateful for this position. I will be fine"

"Come here, my baby."

Baby hugged her father more and snuggled in his body. He was the best father anyone could ask for.

"You will be fine, alright?I will come visit from time to time. I can, right?"

"Sure, you can." Baby nodded. She was already missing her sweet father when she hasn't left yet.

"My baby."

"Yes Father?"

"You should rest now. I can see you are tired"

"I'm not, Father. Besides, I need to take out a few clothes for the job." Baby said to her father while still snuggling in his body.

"Don't worry, my baby. You rest, Father will help you!"

Baby smiled gratefully. She was truly touched and did not know when tears rolled down her eyes.

"Baby. Are those tears in those beautiful eyes? No. Don't you cry alright?" He kissed her cheek. "No matter where you are, you'll always be my baby. That'll never change."

She broke into tears right there.

"I will miss you alot, Father."

"Honestly Baby, I don't want you to go. Stay home and we will look for another way to resolve this."

"I don't want to leave you, either. How lonely it'll be for me."

"Then, you won't leave. Don't worry my baby girl. You will stay right here with me, alright?"

"I'm scared." Baby sobbed.

"I know, baby. I know. But if you don't wanna go back there, you don't have to. I'm sorry you're suffering from my mistakes."

"You don't have to be. Asking me to stay with you is enough comfort, Father."

Philip Smith was truly concerned about his daughter's wellbeing. He touched Baby's face and wiped her tears with a handkerchief. He gave her a peck and snuggled with her more. After awhile, Baby fell asleep in his arms.

Phillips Smith carefully lay his daughter on the couch and went in to prepare some snacks for when she wakes up. After sleeping for a few hours, Baby woke up feeling relieved that she wouldn't have to go back to Dane Diam again.