The Billionaire's Wish

Lopez Financing Corporation is one of the biggest and trusted companies in Spain.

This is the legacy that I will inherit in the future, or so I thought.

After graduating from Harvard majoring in a double degree in Finance and Economics at 19 years old, yes, I was young when I studied and was accelerated in school, I joined our company. It was not an option. Being an only child, the "heiress", I had to think of the future of our family's company and those under our employment.

Being Maria Cassandra Villanueva Lopez is not an easy job.

I had to study until my eyes bleed. I had to learn and excel in everything.

I have dreams but I chose to live their dreams for me.

The pressure I felt growing up is nothing like the pressure I am feeling right now.

We are now facing bankruptcy! How and why? I am still doing my research. But it is inevitable.

We are going to lose everything and I have to deal with this before it gets worse.

"Cassandra!" from the intercom, I heard my father, the CEO called me into his office.

"I'm coming, papa." I responded in the intercom link.

"Meet us for Dinner tonight, we have something important to announce."

"Papa, I still have a lot of paper works to finish before the meeting with the Board of Directors next week. Can't it wait until Sunday?"

"No! You have been slaving yourself for weeks now. We still have not found the culprit who did this to us. Embezzling money is a crime! We have to make them pay but it cannot help us bring our company to its former glory."

"Relax Papa. No need to be overworked. I am doing this for us remember?"

"I know, prove it tonight by meeting us for dinner. I will send you the location and time.

"Can't we just have dinner here at the office?"

"No. Va a seguir mis instrucciones y no hay más discusión! Tu puedes ir."?No. You are going to follow my instruction, end of discussion! You may go.

I left the room feeling heavy. I felt useless.

I worked with this company for almost two years and I have not once doubted anyone. But it's different now.

***

I do not usually dress up for dinner since I do not have time for any fancy setups. But a strict instruction from my father to dress like its a ball made me wince in pain.

I hate dressing up. I am a jeans and shirt kind of girl. I may be of a rich stature but I never dressed fancy like those socialites I know.

My assistant Keri ordered the silver gown with flower embroidery and deep V-neck. It fitted me nicely and showed my curves. It was very classy and elegant and suited my black waves and honey brown eyes. My petite figure is nothing compared to runway models or celebrities, but I felt pretty when I saw myself in the mirror. Thanks to the stylist that Keri forced me to go to. I looked like the star I have been dreaming to be.

Well, that was just my long buried ultimate desire, to be an actress and singer.

"You are sunlight, and high moon, joined by the God's of fortune... " As much as I would love to finish Lea Salonga's Ms. Saigon song, I picked up my cellphone as my mother's picture was flashing on the screen.

"Mama."

"Hija, the driver is waiting outside your building. Please do not keep us waiting."

"I am coming Mama. My condo is just 5 minutes away from there, I could have walked."

"Nonsense! I hope you are wearing something appropriate."

"See you soon Mother." I ended the call feeling frustrated. They really do not trust my judgment.

The drive to the Italian restaurant was quick.

As I entered the hall, I felt all eyes was on me. There was a large screen playing some of my pictures and another's. But the caption was what made me freeze on the spot.

It was like I was brought into a nightmare that I cannot get out of.

"Miguel & Cassandra's Engagement Party"

I could almost taste the tears that were about to fall. I saw my parents approach me with a warning glare. They saw my expression and they know I do not like their surprise, or should I say ambush?

"Mama! Papa! What is the meaning of this?! This is absurd! How can you do this to me?!"

My mother approached me cautiously.

"Cassie honey, I'm sorry if we may have surprised you."

"Surprised is an understatement! You're trying to kill me here."

"Cassandra, just sit down and let us discuss this like adults."

I cannot contain the hurt and betrayal I was feeling. I decided to run to the washroom and cried my heart out. Thankfully, nobody followed me. Or so I thought.

As I made my way out of the washroom, I saw my father waiting for me.

With my bloodshot eyes, and ruined make up, he hugged me.

"Honey, we are sorry but Miguel's family can help us with our business. With this family merger, they promised to fund our company's debts and will bring back our family's wealth. We did not consult you as we thought you would do this for us, for our company and for our people. We knew we could always count on you."

"I get it Papa. But as much as I would like to help our company, I also have to live for my happiness. For years, I have been slaving to be a perfect daughter to work in your perfect company. But not to this. I will not sign up for a loveless marriage and especially not to that arrogant Miguel!"

"Cassandra, we need to do this. Otherwise, we will lose everything that we have worked hard for. I cannot go back to being poor. Specially, now that we are old. I want to retain the luxurious life we are now used to."

"I'm sorry Papa if you think I am being selfish. I just want to be happy. I have been giving everything I have to this company, to you and mother. But I'm sorry, I cannot do this."

"You have no say on this! Either you do this or I will disown you as my daughter!"

Those last words, simple words made my heart break. I felt like my world is breaking up into pieces. Pieces that I know I cannot mend.

The feelings of abandonment resurfaced. All my insecurities while growing up came to me like an avalanche.

I can now confirm that I will never be enough for them. I am only born for one purpose.

To serve them and their beloved company.

***

In Beverly Hills, California.

Richard Lance Montgomery, the handsome and famous owner and billionaire CEO of Triple M Productions, paced the hall as he waited for his fiancée.

He thought, Lindsay was taking too long. She was supposed to be at the events hall for their engagement party an hour ago. He sent her best friend Suzie to her room while he greeted some of their guests.

Growing impatient, he went up to the floor where she was staying. He opened the door to check on her. And that was when his world started to crumble down.

What he saw will forever haunt and taunt him.

He saw his girlfriend of six years and fiancée of six months, naked and in bed, kissing her best friend who never in his wildest dreams would he think to be a lesbian.

Lance was utterly stunned and so were the two girls doing orgy on the hotel bed.

Lindsay looked at him with pity.

"I'm sorry Lance, I have been fighting this for so long and now I cannot contain it. I love her. I'm sorry but the engagement is off."

Suzie just stared and hugged the crying Lindsay.

As the shock dissipated, the fury and hurt surfaced.

"You know what?! Screw you! Fu*k you both! No need to call off the engagement because I'm calling it off myself! How can you humiliate me like this?! After everything I have done for you? This is what I get!"

"Lance..."

"Forget it! Take your filthy ass out of this hotel room! I paid for this! I paid for all of this! Get out now!"

He was fuming with rage as he left the room and went down to meet his head of security.

At the Hotel's lobby, he ordered his security team.

"Max, escort Lindsay and Suzie out of this hotel. I also want all of her things gone from my penthouse this instant! Don't ask! Just do as I say!"

Still fuming with rage, Lance got out of the building and straight to his waiting car. The driver was quick to open the door but Lance went straight to the driver's seat.

"I'll drive. Tell Max to take care of this mess and call me once its done."

"Yes sir."

After an hour of driving and ignoring the ringing cellphone, he answered his best friend's call.

"Dude where the hell are you? What happened? Your securities dragged your fiancée out of the hotel!"

"She's not my fiancée. She cheated on me with her friend! I don't want to talk about this now. I'll just go away for a while. Just take care of everything for me until I get back."

"Of course. Don't worry. You know I always got your back."

"Thanks man!" And so he turned the phone off so no one can trace where he would be going.

"I need to get away. Please. . . I have to do this or else I will be miserable for the rest of my life."

"Sometimes you have to sacrifice for the sake of your family. I love you, you are my daughter. You deserve a good life but we can no longer provide you with that."

"Mother, there will be another way. I will do anything for our family, but please... not this!"

"I'm sorry. Your father and I already agreed on this. The wedding is on tomorrow evening. That is final."

She left my room and I felt desolation and fear. Fear of not knowing how to overcome this struggle. I am on my own.

Remembering my last conversation with my mother two nights ago. The mother who raised me for 21 years and taught me the meaning of life and love. I felt pain and tears threatened to fall.

There are things that money can buy, but not my happiness. I can come up with a solution to our problem. I have to. I need to. Oh God, please I desperately need your intervention right now.

As I ponder on this, I heard a loud boom. The building shook. I heard a loud shriek from the kitchen of the cafe I was in.

I quickly got out of the cafe. ?I was running when I felt the air left my lungs and a strong force propelled me into the air, towards something hard and muscular.

"What the fuck!"

I heard the sultry voice of the person who caught me and steadied me, before blackness engulfed me.

Lance

Something or rather someone was thrown into me. I almost got out of balance, thank goodness for my athletic stance, I was able to catch her without falling.

A loud explosion, the noise reverberated over the town as efficiently as a thunder clap and by now the police department's finest would be on their way, siren's blazing.

I had no time to search for the cause of the explosion. I felt her went limp.

"Miss! Wake up! We have to go somewhere safe! Oh crap! I don't need this now!"

Seeing that she was knocked out, I carried her bridal style and proceeded to search for cover.

By then, debris was falling out from the building of the café where I was supposed to meet a client. Smoke started to show. So I ran away with her in my arms.

I was supposed to meet a client before I head out of town. I have been working on this deal for months and my breakup with my ex should not be a hindrance to my business. Good thing that the client I was meeting was usually late, or else I would have more than I can take on my now full plate of problems.

My flight to the Philippines was supposed to be in an hour but I was still here at my Penthouse waiting for this certain someone to wake up. I already called my doctor friend to check on her. He said she would be fine and was just slightly shaken up.

I was intrigued by her. She looked so fragile and serene while she slept. I have been looking at her for the past 30 minutes and I think I have memorized her features.

She is pretty. Well, pretty is an understatement. I think she looks captivatingly beautiful. Her heart shaped face, her well defined brows and nose, her soft looking skin and her lips. God, those lips! I wonder how that would taste.

"Damnation! What am I thinking? I may be losing my mind." I was silently scolding myself when she opened her eyes.

Her honey brown eyes that made my heart jump. She looked at me, blinked several times as if in awe then replaced with fear as she probably realized that I am a stranger. She looked around the room before staring back at me.

I may look like an idiot as I think I have been so openly staring at her. I had to mask my emotions as she is causing turmoil on my brain. I was confident I did not hit my head. Now I'm not so sure.

"Where am I? What happened? Who are you?" she asked.

"At my penthouse. You were thrown into me at the cafe. I am Lance Montgomery. What's your name?" I was still looking at her eyes, but then she looked away.

"Thank you for saving me. I am. . . "

Suddenly she was silent. Oh God, please don't tell me she forgot who she was! I have so much to worry about.

Cassandra

I feel strange. I feel someone is staring at me and I have to open my eyes. I heard a voice whispering something. That voice. I opened my eyes and I think I was suddenly out of breath.

He is the most handsome man I have ever seen. Well, it probably is the first description I can think of as I am very disoriented. I feel like having an adrenaline rush.

I realized I have been so engrossed with his gorgeous features that I momentarily forget where I am and what happened.

"Where am I? What happened? Who are you?"

"At my penthouse. You were thrown into me at the cafe. I am Lance Montgomery. What's your name?" He replied.

Oh God, why does that voice have to sound so sexy? I had to look away from our eye contact or else I will be turned into a puddle.

"Thank you for saving me. I am. . . " I was about to tell him my name when an idea popped into my now semi functioning mind.

"I am Cassie Nueva."

He looked relieved when I answered. I wonder why is that?

"Sorry to intrude on your privacy and to be a burden but I have to ask you a huge favor." I nervously continued.

"And what would that huge favor be?" He asked and I almost run out of the room from my nervousness and fear of rejection.

"I am wondering if probably I could stay here for a while. I will work for my stay. I can do your house chores. Wash the laundry. Cook your meals. Mow your lawn. Clean. . ." I was blabbering on when he raised his hands to stop me from talking.

"I don't have a lawn. This is a Penthouse. And, why would I do that?"

"Well, because. . ."

Well, that is a good question. I am out of words. My university degree and numerous academic awards cannot help my brain function now.

"I am. . ." Crap!

"I have a proposal." And I had to look back at him who is intensely staring at me.

"What?"

"Accompany me on my vacation, pretend to be my girlfriend and we will see from then."

I almost choked on my saliva when I heard his proposal.

Think Cassie! This is your chance to escape. You have limited funds. You are out of options. You need to get away. Soon they will trace you and you cannot let that happen.

"I don't have all day Cassie."

His voice got me out of my reverie and I had no choice but to answer.

"Yes."

I took the risk. And I have never felt so excited and scared at the same time.

***

Lance can be described as cold, calculating, manipulative and intelligent... but never impulsive. He never made a decision without thinking of the repercussions and effect that it may result to.

That was until Cassie who was sleeping beside him. He unbuckled his seat belt and hers as well. He carried her to the plane's cabin so she can sleep more comfortably. He laid her gently on the bed before returning to his seat.

He was not sure what happened to him at his Penthouse, but the moment he saw the worry and fear in her eyes, he wanted to protect her. He wanted to shield her from anything and anyone that may hurt her.

He had never felt so protective of anyone. Not even Lindsay who have been with him for years. But just one look at Cassie's expressive eyes and his mind and emotions goes haywire.

They were on his private jet to his secluded Island in Zambales. He secretly bought this two years ago to be his sanctuary. They had just finished construction of the rest house and private resort. Nobody knew he have this property and this is what he needs.

To escape the gossips and rumors about his failed engagement. To forget the hurt from the betrayal of the only person whom he thought could never make him feel worthless and unhappy. Lindsay.

They were happy. Or he believed they were. Their story is very simple. They have been friends during high school. They knew everything about each other. Or he thought he knew everything about her.

Their friendship is what made them start dating. They were tired of telling each other their break up stories from their relationships. ?So they agreed to give it a try with each other. They clicked because they are both sensible. Never jealous. Always cool with each other's individual journey in life.

They have been together for six years excluding the time that they were still friends. They were each other's first in everything, well except the sex thing.

Lindsay and Lance were the perfect couple. They do not argue, they discuss their issues rationally without raising each other's voice. They never had a disagreement in their six years of dating. Perhaps because they rarely see each other. They were both busy with work. Lindsay being a Runway model and constantly travelling while he is also caught up with his company.

The quality time they have is during phone conversations and weekly video calls. Everything they do was planned. They have to fit their relationship into their hectic schedule.

Six months ago, he was put in a compromising situation where his grandparents, the grandparents that took care of him when his parents died, asked him when he will settle down. He was not paying attention that he responded with "Soon."

And so the planning began without the proper proposal.

His grandparents were excited that finally He will be settling down. He had been so busy with work that only their monthly dinner at their ancestral home was their avenue to catch up. He had no choice but to push through with the "proposal".

He called Lindsay and asked her to have dinner with him. He flew to Paris just to see her.

No surprises, just a simple proposal during dinner and she accepted. He thought he was happy. He felt comfortable, yes, but happy? Now he wonders. Their agreed marriage now sounded like a business agreement, not a lifelong commitment.

Lindsay agreed to be his wife but she will not bear him a child until after 3 years. That is one of the conditions that they agreed to since she still has her modeling contract. He also stipulated that they would have a prenuptial agreement so both their interests would be protected. They agreed to have only one child since they are both busy with their careers and raising a child might be a problem.

Now, while he was remembering that night where they seemed to plan their future, he cannot help but feel disappointed with himself. That was not planning their future. That was merely an agreement to their terms to get married.

He is now starting to doubt whether he wanted to get married before or he just wanted to prove a point to his grandparents. That he can settle down and raise a family.

He is starting to see that his relationship with Lindsay is nothing more but a convenient and programmed commitment. They were very comfortable with each other but there was no chemistry.

He is not a romantic. He is a very sensible guy who values his time. And time with Lindsay was always calculated. Always planned. No spontaneity. Maybe that is what drove her to do what she did. Sad as it may seem but he is now starting to feel that he is not worthy to be loved by anyone.

He is now hurting because of his bruised ego and not his failed relationship.

His heart is not capable of loving anyone anymore. He need to find out how to love. Maybe when he does, the heaviness he is feeling may be lifted and be replaced with the real happiness he once had.

He was in deep thought and did not notice Cassie who was concernedly looking at him from the hallway of the plane.

Cassie woke up feeling refreshed. She has been without sleep for two days thinking on how to resolve her problems. She ran away from home on the day of her wedding. How she did it was beyond her imagination. She always abides by the rules. She obeyed her parents and prided herself for being righteous in every way.

After her argument with her mother, she called her best friend Sammy to tell her about her plan. She will run away. She asked her if she can help her get out of the country without being traced. Her family and Miguel's family are very influential. They have connections everywhere and finding her will just be easy when they find out that she was missing.

It was fateful that Sammy's boyfriend will go to the USA the next morning. His flight via his private jet was at 5 am. All Cassie had to do was get out of their estate and into the private hangar where the jet will be departing from.

This is the best solution since she cannot book a regular flight and go to the airport without being discovered. Her face has been plastered in all the magazines and society pages of the Spanish newspapers because of the wedding and the merger.

Cassie need to go to the hangar without being caught. Sammy instructed her to get out of their estate before dawn and a car will be waiting for her.

Security for her has been tight and she has a 24 hour guard outside her room. Her parents feared that she will do something drastic and they ensured that she will never be alone even inside the house.

It's a good thing she has a personal fridge inside her room and that she knew the guard that night and she was in good terms with him. She offered the guard a nightcap with her to celebrate her wedding the next evening, then gave him something to drink laced with grounded sleeping pills.

She thought it was easy. But it was nerve wracking. She put just the right amount of sleeping pills on the drinks but it took a while for the guard to get dizzy and fall asleep.

Going out of the house was arduous. There were no surveillance cameras inside the house since her parents valued their privacy. But outside the house, that is a different scenario.

She decided to wear all black and some comfortable shoes in case she need to run. At 2 am, she executed phase two of her plan. She went outside and wore the jacket and cap of the sleeping guard. She wore several sweatshirts inside the leather jacket just to have a bulky frame. The jacket, baggy pants and tied up hair inside the cap, with the proper lighting, could pass as the guard himself.

The house was dark and the yard outside was deserted but she knows that the cameras were moving and she need to act normally. With her plan, she realized she cannot bring anything with her except one small backpack under the jacket filled with her passport and identifications, her diary and some pieces of jewelry were all she took with her.

Without interruptions, she was able to go out of the house and into the front gate. She chose the darkest part of the grounds to walk on. She was looking for the perfect timing to go outside the gate. At some point, the two guards at the gate left their post, probably to get something to eat or drink. Cassie went out of the gate and walked up the driveway to their estate.

She was very lucky that as she walked up the road, she spotted the car. She knew that car because that's the car they used during high school. Sammy's sleek black convertible. She hopped inside to find her best friend. She was very grateful to her for helping her out. She was like her sister.

Sammy drove her to the hangar. It was painful to be separated from her but she doesn't have a choice. Before leaving, Sammy made her promise to be back after two years, with or without luck of finding a solution to her family's problem. Her best friend knew how much she valued her family and she thinks that after two years, the misunderstandings between her and her parents can be resolved.

Her bank accounts were controlled by her parents. The only money she has with her was the 5, 000 USD that her best friend lent her and the loose bills on her wallet. She cannot use her credit cards for fear of being traced by her parents. After a 12 hour flight, they arrived in California, she thanked Brent, Sammy's boyfriend and left. She did not know where to go; she just trusted fate to guide her.

The first night, she stayed in the cheapest hotel she can find while trying to figure out another plan. She was desperate and she need to find a job.

The cafe across the street from the hotel was the answer to her prayers. Or should she say, the person outside this cabin room?

Remembering Lance and his proposition made Cassie smile. She was never irrational and rash. She always has at least two plans for every decision that she makes. One is the main plan and the other is the backup plan. She doesn't have a choice at the moment but she will surely make sure that this trip of theirs will be for her advantage.

She decided to go outside and talk to her savior. But what she saw made her see him in a different light.

He was sad. He looked troubled and so deep in thought that he did not see her walk in. She stopped few paces from his seat just to get a good look at him. She was not sure where the feelings came from but a deep overwhelming desire to hold him, hug him and make him feel happy consumed her.

She resumed her way towards him when he looked up and their eyes met.

***

When Cassie and Lance's eyes met, it was magical. It seems to make time stand still. As they looked into each other's depth, they felt a pent up emotion waiting to be released. Lance waited for her to approach. He felt giddy and nervous and he doesn't understand why. He never felt this way before. Everything he was feeling with Cassie was new.

Cassie continued to approach him. She felt like she was floating towards him. A gravitational pull so strong that her feet moved involuntarily towards him. Never leaving their eye contact, she sat beside him.

"Hi. Did you sleep well?" He smiled at her. He cannot help but caress her face as he asked her.

"Yes. Thank you. Are you okay?" Shivers ran down her spine at the contact but she managed to smile and respond.

"Yes. I am okay now that you're here."

At those words, Cassie cannot help but give him her sweetest smile. And she heard Lance's intake of breath at that gesture.

Lance was caught off guard with her smile. It has such an effect on him. ?He was acting very strange whenever she was near him.

Regaining his composure, Lance pressed the button to signal the flight attendant to their seats.

"Yes Sir? How may I help you?" The attendant seemed to purr out the words to appear seductive. And Cassie cannot help but glare at her.

"You may serve our dinner." Lance replied without removing his gaze from Cassie.

"In a moment, sir." And the attendant left them with a flirtatious smile toward Lance who doesn't seem to notice.

But Cassie saw how the girl acted towards Lance and she felt like she wanted to claw out the attendant's eyes so she cannot look at him that way. She cannot look at him at all!

Lance saw the change in her expression and he wondered what was wrong.

"Cassie, are you alright? Dinner will be served early since we have not eaten anything before the flight. You must be hungry. This would be a 15 hour flight at the least. We may have to do some stop over to refuel but will stay mostly on this plane."

"Wow"

"What?"

"This must be the longest conversation we ever had." She teased him.

Lance cannot help but smile at her in response. He likes her this way. Playful and not so serious.

"I am hungry but now I feel better that I was able to sleep properly. Thank you." She smiled.

Lance looked away upon seeing her smile again. He cannot control his heartbeat that goes haywire each time she smiles at him.

"God, I am screwed." Lance muttered to himself as he looked away.

"What did you say?"

"Nothing. Now, here's our food. Lets eat."

The attendant came in with a trolley bearing a five course meal. Wow. He really knows how to impress a girl. Cassie cannot help but think that this is a date, and she felt happy with just that thought.

They ate heartily without uttering any word. Sometimes, they will just catch each other's stares and just smile while resuming eating.

After dinner, they were sitting across each other in silence. An awkward tension emanates between them.

"So, please tell me where are we going?"

"To my island in the Philippines."

"Wow. Isn't that in Southeast Asia?"

"You sure know your Geography."

"When are we going back?"

"We haven't even arrived and you already want to go back?" He tried to tease her.

"No. It was just that I want to be prepared." He did not expect her to sound so serious.

"Prepared for what?"

Silence.

Lance saw the fear and hesitation in her eyes. She is very easy to read. He is beginning to see how she was feeling just by looking into her face and expressive eyes.

"What's wrong Cassie? Do you have a problem? Please tell me."

"Tengo una pero no tengo un plan de decirle. No quiero que te involucres. Puedes salir herido. Yo no quiero que te hagan da?o." I have one but I have no plan to tell you. I do not want you to get involved. You can get hurt. I do not want you to be hurt.

Cassie was not aware she answered in Spanish, her native language. She was so caught up with her thinking. She did not see his expression of utmost concern nor expected his response.

"No me importa si me lastimo. Lo único que importa es hacer que sus preocupaciones desaparezcan. No me gusta ver que usted miedo." I do not care if I get hurt. The only thing that matters is to solve your problems. I do not like seeing you scared.

"You speak Spanish? Why would you worry about me?"

"Yes I do speak Spanish. For your other question, honestly, I do not know the answer to that but I will make sure no one will ever harm you. Do not fear about me getting hurt, it is me who should worry about you. I will help you."

"Thank you. You don't know how much this means to me." Cassie's voice was soft and gentle but for the first time after the engagement was forced on her, she cried.

Lance was flustered seeing her cry. He never would want to see her cry and right now all he wanted to do was kill the bastard or whoever that was who made her feel this way.

She felt him get closer to her and engulfed her in his arms so that her face was pressed on his shoulders. She cried out all her fears, worries and hurt. She cried for her parents whom she knew are looking for her not because they care for her but because they care about the merger and their business. She cried for herself, for all the years trying to be the perfect daughter while sacrificing all her happiness. She cried in disappointment because even if she excelled in everything, she was not able to receive the one thing that she was aiming for. The love and acceptance of her parents.

"Shhhh... I will take care of you. I promise you that. This is the last time that you will cry. I will make sure of that Cassie. Please stop crying, you're breaking my heart."

Those words made Cassie cry even harder. How can this person care for her so deeply? They met only hours ago but she already felt the genuine care and concern from him. Something that she never felt from others aside from her best friend. She cannot deny that they already have a connection. She vowed in her mind that she will do the same thing for him. She will take care of him and ensure that she will make him happy, no matter what it takes.