The Billionaire's Karma

Living in this country without parents by your side is problematic. One wrong move, and you'll be given hurtful words right away, though I'm not hurt because I'm used to it. Bully there bully here because I don't have parents. Just stupid? How could I live here if I didn't have parents to make me?

Gratefully, my auntie raises me well, and I can still tell myself that somehow I am lucky. She's not the typical Aunt you see in soap operas; she doesn't enslave me or charges me with the money she spent on me.

My mother died while laboring me, and as for my dad, I don't know. I have no idea about him.

"Tell me more about him," I whispered to her the other day.

"Your brat niece of yours is weird, Juliette! That's all I know, Psalm, and then your father isn't my type for me to meddle with his life," she explained and grinned. "Get a saucer there and a fork; we'll eat! This is your favorite cake."

That's always the routine of the three of us, I ask them questions, and then they divert my question into another. I was enveloped in anger, and my brain was full of questions. Where was he when mom died? Why did he leave me? Why did they split up? Doesn't he like me? Is there anything else important in his life besides me?

I was in Grade 9 when I found out the whole truth about who I was. As I went downstairs carrying clothes that no longer fit me, from here, I heard Aunt Juliette and Aunt Sarra talking.

"I-I don't think so... I just don't?" Aunt Sarra laughed, obviously drunk.

"Sarra! Psalm might hear you!" I immediately stepped back when I heard my name.

"What n-now? She needs to know, Irene! I don't know why you're hiding the truth from her!"

Is my Aunt hiding something from me? What is it?

"I feel sorry for you; we're in the same boat..."

"We're different," My Aunt said emphatically.

I feel like they are hiding something from me. What is their secret? Is it too confidential and they can't tell me?

"And stop drinking; you're drunk already. You're here to sleep, and no matter what you do, I won't tell Psalm; she'll get hurt," her voice trailed off slightly. Her voice now mixes fear and sadness.

She doesn't want to hurt me? And when she keeps this a secret, does she think I'm not hurting?

"Damn it, Juliette," her friend laughed. "What if Psalm will know the truth to someone?"

"What do you want me to do, Sarra? Tell her; that Psalm is a product of a one-night stand. Don't be mad at your father, Psalm, and he should be mad at you because you're his fault? You're just a product of lust, Psalm! Is that so, Sarra? Is that what you want me to say to her" said Auntie, unable to control herself.

My life seemed to shake at what she said. I can't believe it! My brain can't process what I found out now. Slowly, one tear slid down my cheeks.

All the questions in my mind were answered by their conversation. Am I a mistake? Product of lust? Shit! Fuck! Damn! I want to say all the cheap here in the world.

"Psalm, you're about to ruin-"

I didn't finish listening to their conversation because hearing the truth was already painful, I was enveloped in anger for 15 years, but it was all in vain! Auntie is proper; my father should have been the right one to be mad at me because I'm about to ruin his family!

I ignored all my hard work in academics. The sweat and blood I risked, I missed it all. It is so disgusting to reminisce.

"Hey Olsen, want to join us?" my male classmate asked the other day.

"Where?" I was tired of asking them questions as I put away my belongings.

He grinned. "You already know that."

Bar again? Boring.

"Don't refuse, Olsen; you've already failed a major so just come with us."

I sighed; he's right. I'll get bored with Aunt Sarra's erotic movies if I go home.

I nodded. That day we unwound; I enjoyed that day. I have always been with them, and not a day goes by that I am not bored with them. They taught me how to smoke and drink.

Being with them is like you are uncaging the tiger you hide for long years.

"Nero's connections aren't a joke; he can let us in even if we're just a minor," Nikki laughed while keeping up with the music.

"There's a limited time for this! Maybe my daddy's friend will catch up with us; I'll get screwed," Nero replied.

We didn't stay long at that bar, Nikki didn't even want to go out, but Nero and Karyl forcibly pulled her away. We ended up barricading ourselves in the arcade. I don't like this, so I was just next to them and watching the four of them; the idiots were tipsy.

"Come in here, Psalm!" Nikki was with me. I just smiled and shook my head. "What killjoy woman!" he shouted and turned back to Nero.

That's how my day ended. They would have invited me to a movie at Nikki's house, but I refused. I don't want to spend the night on the road.

When I got home before entering the gate, I immediately snatched the candy from my pocket, I didn't know what this was for, but they said that my Aunt wouldn't notice me if I ate this. I'm just a trinary too. I was about to open the door when it suddenly opened, and Auntie Juliette came up to me with apparent anger.

"Where have you been?" she asked emphatically.

"At school, where else?" I asked cautiously and passed her.

"What a rotten mouth," Aunt Sarra said, glancing at me.

"School? You're not there," she pulled my wrist, stopping me from going upstairs. "What's wrong with you, Psalm?! You failed a subject, and it's a fucking major!" it was almost a yell.

I stare at her with blank emotions.

"How can you achieve your dreams-"

I violently pulled back my wrist and tried not to be offended by what she said. I averted my eyes when she saw my tears welling up.

"I don't have dreams anymore!" I told her coldly.

She opened her mouth at what I said. "What are you talking about?"

I sneezed. "How can you easily forget, Auntie?" she's puzzled!

"I heard you..." my lips are shaking. "I want all of my ambition to be dissolved, Aunt, when you told me that my father had another family..."

My tears slowly flowed like a fall. "But you never said that I was a product of mistake," I couldn't help but sit on the stairs because of the softening of my knees. "I was ashamed of myself instead of being angry with my father. I should be angry with the one who gave birth to me! She almost broke a family because of that fucking lust! Damn, one-night stand! Damn this life!"

"No, Psalm-"

I immediately cut her off.

"It's the woman's fault!" they sighed as I shouted. "She can fuck other men, but how can she fuck someone already married? I hate her?! I fucking hate my mother!"

I was no longer surprised to feel her palm on my cheek. I heard her sob. I'm not in the mood to embrace her. If she had just said it in advance, we wouldn't have reached this point.

"Your mother was your father's first love," she kneeled in front of me so that we could be on the same level, then cupped my face. I don't have the strength to remove her hands on my face. "But no matter what your mother explains to people, they don't believe her because she has no proof, so take this as your lesson..." I wiped the tears running down my cheeks.

"You're the smartest in your school, Psalm, but how can you be proud of that if you don't have proof?" she caressed my face gently. "So I want you to be, first of all, top one... so that you can prove to people that in this field you are the leader."

My brows furrowed. I stared at Aunt, trying to process what she said.

"I want you to graduate with a Latin honor, Psalm." her face and voice were severe. It was my first time seeing this side of hers. "Not a cum laude neither Magna... I want summa." I was devastated by what she said. "With that title, people won't look you down."

I was shaken by what she said. "I can't-"

"Then try harder, Psalm! In this way, you can save your mother's dignity and yours..." she stares at me.

She wants me to graduate with Latin honor? But reaching summa is impossible for me.

That day, my dream began. I turned my back on my friends; I didn't go with them anymore, not because I didn't want to, but because my Aunt said. I have to distance myself from them. There's no time I'm not studying, or I'm not in the library. I participated in all the activities in our school for me to earn more points.

Now I have graduated being senior high. I can say that everything I have suffered has been paid off.

I'll graduate as a valedictorian of my batch!

I dialed Henry's number to brag about this. I giggled first when he picked up the line.

"What's up, Psalm?" his voice is husky. My eyes narrowed; I knew where he was by the tone of his voice.

"Did I disturb you in the middle of orgasm?"

"The fuck, Psalm!"

"You win." I rolled my eyes.

"Wow! You're so honest!" I heard him laugh. "Are you happy?"

"Of course," is he stupid?

"Really? With that tone? Are you happy? How much is your average?"

I didn't answer all of his questions; I wanted us to talk about it personally.

"I was carrying it at the previous meeting," I said and glanced at the paper bag, trying to go to the main point.

"Prepared!" if we were just in person now, I could see his playful smile.

I smirked. "I felt pity for you, so I accept your proposal though it's the dumbest proposal."

"My middle finger salutes you," then he hangs up.

A Minute later, I received a text from him. Maybe that's because he already had a release. I laugh at my thought: Henry and his hormones.

Henry:

On my way, nerd. ;)

Asshole. I was irritated by his wink emoticon!

Psalm:

I lost the paper bag. :(

Henry:

Just a joke, baby.

I did not reply to his last message. When I got to our meeting place, I drank a milk tea first so that I wouldn't get bored there.

Henry is Aunt Sarra's nephew. Like me, it was his Aunt who also raised him. I thought I'd hate him when he lived with us, but he's not dull to get along with! He's kind and cheerful. So I'm so thankful that he didn't inherit an attitude from Aunt Sarra. You know Auntie Sarra is kind of bitchy.

Henry is the only friend I treasure. We see each other as brothers and sisters with no special meaning.

While reading my favorite book, someone suddenly sat next to me. I wouldn't have looked back at it when I inhaled the familiar scent.

"Hi?" he asked as he sat on the bench where I sat. A few minutes passed before I could process who he was.

Oh, one of Henry's friends.

"Stop eye raping me," he grinned. "I can sue you for that," he said and shrugged.

I smirked. "You look more like a rapist than I do," and I glared at him.

I heard him whisper. I thought he was leaving after a few minutes, but he wasn't. Instead, he moved closer to me and stretched his arms; he took a side peak at what I read. This is what I don't like at all! I slammed the book and raised an eyebrow at him. He also raised an eyebrow at me, which annoyed me even more.

"Your book is kinda... boring," he said and shrugged. "I suggest you read fifty shades of freed-"

"Now I know who poisoned Henry's mind," I said in a monotone.

He shook his head. "He's the one who poisoned my mind, not the way around."

"Liar," I murmured. I frowned when I saw his playful grin.

"Maybe you're the one who poisons him?"

My jaw dropped at what he said. "My middle finger salutes you," and I showed my middle finger.

"Mine too," then he does the same.

I act calm, but I'm irritated with him deep inside. Wait, where is Henry?

"C'mon, don't play-"

He was interrupted by my cellphone's ring. I immediately turned my back on him and answered the caller. I was even more stunned to hear Henry laugh.

"My middle finger salute and adores you so much! Freaking Henry!" I lashed out; I already knew where will this end.

"Huh? What? I can't hear you..." I swear I'm going to cut his neck! "Is Anzai already there? Just give it to him! I love-"

"I hope you get an STD, Henry!" then I push the red button harshly.

That jerk! Maybe he thought his acting skills were so good! I turned to the man who was also one of his disciples. I stared at him and threw the paper bag on his chest. I could see his slight grimace at what I had done.

I went home to our house, unable to get rid of the mixture of irritation and picky. I was irritated with Henry and irritated and annoyed with his friend. That man acts as if he and I were close! But the traffic is more annoying now!

It was getting dark the night when I got home. I frowned when I saw a fancy car parked in front of our house.

"What's up?" I whispered to myself.

I was about to knock when the door suddenly opened, and Henry's friend was the one I spotted first; behind him was Aunt Sarra. My mouth fell open; all my blood went to my cheek when I saw Aunt Sarra just taking a shower.

"Fuck." he cursed when I immediately pushed him into our house; Aunt Sarra was screaming.

I'll make sure he doesn't get out of here alive. There are many motels and hotels here in laguna, after all. Did they have to do it here? Didn't he know that his friend's Aunt was the one doing the miracle?!

I was about to slap him when I heard a baritone voice behind me.

"What happened here?"

I don't know how many times I blink in one minute. A man wearing business attire shouting his manly aura looks familiar to me. I didn't take my eyes off him, nor did he take my eyes off mine, and it took minutes for me to process who he was.

"Dad..." I whispered, enough to be heard by the man in front of me.

"I'm sorry for the years that we've lost."

Here we are today on the balcony talking seriously. Even though we are close to each other, I still feel that there is a wall blocking us.

"I-it's okay," I should be the one saying sorry.

All my life, this is the first time I've felt intimidated. I glanced at him; Aunt Sarra was right. I got my eyes on him, and I bit my cheeks inside, stopping myself from crying. It's just fulfilling that I've inherited some features from him.

I want to brag my success on him, but I'm ashamed because our topic is far from my medals and awards. Suddenly the question I wanted to answer and hear from his mouth sank into my brain.

I sighed. "A-Am I a product of a one-night stand?" it's like I want to withdraw my question when our eyes meet.

I'm chickening out!

He smirked and loosened his necktie.

"Yes, I won't lie about that," he replied with a bow; he didn't hesitate to answer. "Me and Jul-"

He didn't finish what he would say because my Aunt suddenly came with a tray.

"Sorry to interrupt." She smiled at me sweetly. "I brought coffee and juice, Abel said you like dark coffee, so I made one." She explained as she put the drink on the table. I thought she was leaving; instead, she sat down on the other sofa.

"Oh, Cain, don't you ever hurt my niece-"

"Aunt." I gently rebuked.

Papa and I looked back and forth. He's my father, so maybe it's okay for me to call him that? My Aunt ignored my rebuke.

"Jasmine must be happy wherever she is! Finally, her child and her father met." Then she clapped like a child. Only now have I seen her energetic side.

"Yeah, Jasmine..." Dad said.

Annoying! If she didn't show up like a mushroom, my question would have been answered. Somehow it seems like she and Aunt Sarra are exaggerating right now.

"Uh..." Aunt shifted her eyes to me. "Psalm, why not invite your father on your special day?"

I bent down and closed my eyes firmly. I was making my move right here, but Aunt was constantly intruding.

"Special day? Your Birthday?" Dad asked, confused. I laughed, he didn't know much about my life.

"It's not my birthday... It's my graduation day." I replied shyly and handed him the invitation. It was not meant for him; it was for Aunt Juliette. But now that he's here, he can have it.

He smiled, and it melted my heart.

A simple gesture, but I don't know why I feel this way. Now that he is here, all my anger and hatred seem to have melted away, but I have lost my anger for him since I learned everything from my Aunt and Aunt Sarra. But the rage for my mother is still here in my heart, and I think no one can erase that.

"I haven't received anything like this from your siblings," he said as he put the invitation on his coat, it was so small that it fit in his coat pocket.

He didn't read, so he didn't know I was valedictorian. I want to tell him, but I won't; I'll let him find out himself.

"I have brothers? How many?" I asked happily as I remembered what he had said earlier.

"Three." I can't help but be amazed; I've always wanted a brother, though; even if Henry is there (he looks like my older brother to me), it's still different when it's your real brother.

I nodded at his answer. I have three brothers. Great!

He cleared his throat. "Can you please leave us for a while, Juliette? I just want to talk to your niece." then he smirked.

Aunt shook her head first before she stood up. I was stunned as she slightly messed up my hair and then softly tapped it thrice.

"When I got a perfect time, Psalm, I'll introduce my world to you," he smiled slightly.

I bowed down, a daughter like me who is longing for her father's love and care; a simple gesture means a thousand for us.

I nodded happily. "I'll wait for that perfect time."

"I'm sorry for being rude, but It's getting late, Cain; we need to go home," suddenly, a man like him appeared in business attire. My father is an inch higher than him, and well, he got this calm aura.

Even if I got hung up on our time, he had to go home; we weren't his home. I left on the balcony along with me because they went inside again. I was about to let go of my tears when Henry's friend suddenly came out. He calmly sat down where my dad was sitting earlier.

I immediately wiped away the lingering tears and gave him an irritated face. The side of his lips raised, then he arched his brows, and I arched mine too. We stared at each other no one wanted to let go. I guess he has a connection with the man later ago. He got a calm aura too, and some delicate features.

He suddenly winked as if my eyes were burned because of it; the tension between the two of us got stopped because of that.

"I won," he concluded, and sarcasm in his tone.

"I won," I mocked, then rolled my eyes. "What are you doing here in my territory?" I asked him a vexed question.

"I didn't question you like that when you were in my territory," he said gently.

"You don't own that school, so you don't-"

"You don't own this house, too," Then he shrugged.

I cursed silently; I stared at him. I don't want to ruin my father's impression of me, so I'm holding myself back from cursing him loudly. My gaze flew to the paper bag he was holding. It's my paper bag! Didn't he give it to Henry?

"Why is that still yours? You didn't gave it to Henry?" I couldn't help but lash out while looking at the paper bag.

Immediately his eyebrows rose. "You're so judgmental. Stop that," he calmly shook his head.

I was silenced by what he said. "Then stop pestering my life-"

"Am I?" he smiled evilly. "Then I will be the pest in your life forever."

"Seriously?! I won't let our paths cross again." I was immediately alert.

I will not let such a person like him enter in my life; I cannot quickly move on! Every word of who is stamping on my brain will distract me from studying. I haven't even forgotten how he teased me before!

"You should blame our destiny-"

"The fuck, what the hell are you talking about!" I smirked, disgusted at the words he used!

Our Destiny? Cringe!

"Up to you," he said and shrugged. He's pouting, and he means it!

"Such a boastful driver," I teased.

His jaw clenched. "You're hurting my ego too much, Psalm. First rapist, second thief, and then now a freaking driver?" he asked in disbelief.

Bingo! I got him! I rolled my eyes at him and ignored him. I was ready to leave him when someone suddenly came; Aunt Sarra, what is she doing here?

She leaned against the door; her stance was kind of seducing someone?! I turned to Anzai (the name I had heard before). He's standing now; he averted his eyes. I returned my gaze to Aunt Sarra.

"Old carabao eats young grass," I commented in a disgusting tone.

I turned my back on them.

A few minutes passed before whatever Aunt and dad were talking about ended. Auntie let me take them; of course, Aunt Sarra didn't stop there in annoying me. When we were at the gate, I realized that they had carried two cars.

"Anzai, let's go," said Dad's friend; he smiled when our gaze met.

"Yes, dad," Anzai emphatic answered and followed the man. So that's his dad?

Anzai's jaw clenched again; I just sighed and didn't bother to look back at him. I happily confronted my father, who was now pulling something out of his wallet. He handed me a black ATM card, but I immediately refused.

"No, I don't need that..." I shyly refused.

"No. Take this, Psalm, it's your allowance-"

I have no choice but to accept the card.

"Take care..." I reminded them before he opened the car door; he nodded at what I said and then hopped in.

I waved, hoping he might see the fun on my face now. I just couldn't handle my feelings. My emotions are mixed now, happy because I saw and met him, sad because we are separated again.

Why the time right now is so fast?

"I'm going to buy condiments tomorrow!" I turned to Aunt Sarra, who was now checking the atm card that my dad gave to me. She giggled. "How much money does this card hold?"

I crossed my arms. "You think much?" I smirked. "Is that enough for you to buy jewelry?" She immediately frowned at my mockery.

She rolled her eyes. "Even if I buy the whole jewelry shop, it's just a coin for them! Don't get in the mood, Psalm Bernice! You really inherited your mother's attitude!" she said and smiled, then stormed into the house.

I sighed violently. A lot happened today and all that I did not expect.

The next day was quite okay? I spent my whole day shopping. I'm not into fashion; only Aunt Sarra insisted that we do this for my graduation, even though I had already a dress to wear for that event. Auntie is not with me because she's at work.

It was a long day because I was not the only one shopping but also Aunt Sarra! She bought some stuff for herself! When I couldn't contain the boredness anymore, I snatched the ATM card from Aunt Sarra's hand. She didn't notice it out of excitement because she was once again with her whims!

I went straight to a bookstore. I was devastated, yes, my father had a lot of money, but he might say I was abusing him! I took a deep breath and then sighed; this would be the last. I'll buy my favorite book.

"Gotcha!" I whispered when I saw the book. I was returning here again.

This book is about Engineering, and I'm pretty interested. This book was also costly, so I didn't buy it right away; I even saved money for this.

I would have put the book in the basket I brought when someone suddenly snatched it. I almost sneered when I saw who it was! Him again! Anzai looks good in black jeans (and because of his height the edge of the jeans only up to his ankle), matching them with a blue striped tee, his grin will not disappear there.

"I found this first, so it's mine," I said emphatically and grinned.

He smirked. "I like this book," he said and pulled the book closer to him. "And I own this store."

I sneezed, tightening my grip on the book, and so did he. Gosh! How can I get rid of this man?! This jerk!

I also pulled the book closer to me. "Since when?" I raised an eyebrow at him.

He pulled out the book again. "Right now, I guess?"

I pulled out the book again. "Shut up!"

He pulled the book again, and because of that force, I hit his chest. My eyes widened at what he did-stunned, probably. The people inside this store are gasping. I immediately stepped away from him, as if I was getting burned!

I glared at him when I saw that he held the book we had snatched earlier. He snorted as he examined the book slightly crumpled.

"There's a lot else out there about Engineering-"

"This is what I want." He spoke calmly and shrugged. "I'm gonna buy this store anyway." He looked around the entire store.

Wow! Wow! Over and over again? Is he insulting me? He is rich, and he can buy everything he wants! There are so many books out there! I worked hard to save for this!

"Asshole." I cursed. "You're an architect, so why are you taking that book away from me?!"

As far as I know, he's Henry's block mate.

"Why? Are you going to take engineering? Or..." his brow arched. "An Engineer?"

"I love Engineering, but I don't like male engineers," I crossed my arms. "They know how to build a strong building but don't know how to build a strong relationship." Bitterness escaped from my mouth

"Is it a quote?" I answered him a rolled my eyes. "How about Architect? Aren't you interested in them?"

"You mean, you're just changing the subject! Give me the book-"

"Let go of the book, Psalm."

I frowned at my Aunt, who was now in the middle of us.

She's wearing corporate attire. And behind her was Aunt Sarra giggling as she examined her ring.

"What are you doing here, Auntie?"

She ignored my question and handed me a new set of books. My brows furrowed when I saw what was written on the book cover. What did she mean by that? It's a book about Pre-Med.

"What's that?"

"A book, I guess?" the sarcasm in her voice lingered.

I heard Anzai squeal. My jaw clenched; sometimes, there were things that my Aunt and I couldn't agree on some things. It can't be avoided.

"Why are you giving me that, then?"

She smiled sweetly. "Because you'll gonna be a doctor soon, honey." Her soft answer made me angry.

"It's a good course-"

I immediately confronted him. I'm so pissed right now!

"Don't meddle with my..." I'll call this a mess!

I never finished my sentenced and turned my back on them. I passed on Anzai, and our shoulders collided slightly. I don't want to stay there long because I don't want to lash out in a public place if I am.