The Castaway Billionaire

Being a worker with all its busyness makes Niko rarely meet his girlfriend. Day by day, Niko spends his time at the restaurant to collect as much money as possible. For Niko, there's nothing more important than fulfilling his girlfriend's every wish. He'll give anything as long as he can.

"How's work today, Niko? Have you felt how harsh our boss can be when giving tasks?"

Suddenly, there was a snide remark that made Niko immediately shift his gaze. It was one of his colleagues named Samuel. Sometimes, Samuel loved to gossip, especially when it came to the restaurant's owner. Someone who could be quite unreasonable with the employees. However, their boss, who was known as 'Heru Sutarmojo,' often showed generosity when it came to money.

"It's a fair trade-off, isn't it? The boss can be tough in terms of workload, but he's generous with money of all kinds," Niko replied, still focused on arranging plates in front of him.

Samuel stood, resting his chin on his hand. What Niko said wasn't wrong. But their boss, Heru, often displayed cruelty in terms of workload. It wasn't uncommon for Boss Heru to punish the workers with push-ups, even though they were restaurant employees, not athletes.

"It's fair, I guess. But it still doesn't make sense. Where else do restaurant employees get asked to do push-ups during work hours? Does he think this place is a sports arena?" Samuel continued to argue his point.

Niko just shook his head, listening to Samuel's complaints. It wasn't entirely unjustified for Samuel to complain like that. However, for Niko, the employees of Boss Heru were still the luckiest because money never stopped flowing. They were fortunate to have such a boss!

"Can't believe you guys are gossiping during working hours, and about the big boss no less. Be careful... if he hears this, he might punch you with his potbelly," someone joked from the kitchen doorway.

Niko and Samuel both turned at once. They saw a woman in the typical attire of an executive chef, staring at them mockingly. Rania, the executive chef in this restaurant, had impressive experience. She was, you could say, the master for all of them.

"Just a little gossip, Ran. Don't you know we're both bored without any activity?" Samuel retorted, trying to shift the blame onto Niko.

Hearing what Samuel said, Niko couldn't help but frown. How could Samuel say that so lightly and act as if they had no work to do? When it was clear that Niko was currently arranging plates.

"Are you mocking me? It's obvious that I'm setting up the plates," Niko said irritably.

Samuel and Rania chuckled at Niko's grumbling. However, their laughter didn't last long when they heard Niko's phone ring loudly.

"Duh... my work can wait. Doesn't he have any other time?" Samuel quipped, familiar with Niko's habit of always calling during working hours.

Ignoring Samuel's comment, Niko immediately answered the call from someone he deeply cared about. Alexa's name appeared on his phone's caller ID, causing Niko's heart to race.

["Niko, please help me. Someone is trying to harass me in the apartment."], Alexa sobbed, her tears making Niko's mind race. He was frantic, thinking about Alexa's safety on the other side.

"Stay calm for now, okay? I'll head there right away, you seek help."

Niko abruptly ended the call, overcome by panic. Samuel was undoubtedly aware of the situation his coworker was facing, so he offered his support.

"Where are you going? It's still working hours."

Niko no longer paid attention to Samuel's words and hurriedly put on his jacket. Meanwhile, Samuel could only resign himself to the fact that Niko seemed determined to leave. He couldn't imagine the extent of Boss Heru's anger when he found out that one of his employees was leaving during working hours like this.

"Be careful," Samuel cautioned with an uneasy feeling. Niko's steps briefly halted.

"Thanks." Niko didn't stop there. As he stepped outside the kitchen area, Boss Heru blocked his path. The middle-aged man glared when he saw Niko's current appearance.

"Hey! Where are you going?" Boss Heru exclaimed.

"Sorry, Boss. I'll be back in a few hours," Niko replied before walking away from Boss Heru.

Niko paid no attention to the shouts that followed. He quickly rode his motorcycle, leaving the restaurant area behind so he could arrive at Alexa's apartment as soon as possible. He feared for Alexa's well-being, hoping that nothing worse would happen to her.

Arriving at the apartment, Niko hastily parked his motorcycle. The journey had felt incredibly long to him, and he was consumed by fear. Niko sprinted through the lobby, accidentally bumping into several people along the way. Some of them expressed anger due to Niko's collisions.

In front of the unit, Niko swiftly entered the code, causing the door to open by itself. Niko was taken aback by the sight of the once tidy apartment now in disarray. Items were strewn about, and there, amidst the chaos- a body?

The gruesome sight of a lifeless man made Niko take a few steps back. Niko's mind went blank upon seeing the lifeless body. Panic set in, but Niko remembered to call their partner.

Just as Niko was dialing, there were countless footsteps approaching from outside. Niko's gaze shifted to Alexa, who was now in tears, along with several police officers. Niko hurriedly approached the crying Alexa.

"Alexa, what's-" Niko couldn't finish their sentence before Alexa shouted to the police, making Niko feel like they were being pushed into an abyss.

"Officer, the man lying inside my unit earlier was killed by Niko." Alexa pointed at Niko with trembling hands. "Niko killed him because he had tried to assault me earlier. Unable to bear it, Niko beat him until he lost his life." She continued, then pointed at the lifeless man in the living room.

One of the officers followed Alexa's shaky steps to the living room. Indeed, there was a man there, covered in bruises all over his body. Alexa's accusation, pinning everything on Niko, prompted the officers who had followed her earlier to quickly return.

"Report, Commander. The body of a man, with Niko accused as the perpetrator, is in the living room, covered in bruises all over his body."

Niko couldn't move at all, shocked by what lay ahead. Until a police officer forcibly escorted Niko out of the apartment for further questioning. Meanwhile, other officers attended to the body inside the unit.

Alexa visited the prison with Justin to meet Niko.

Niko, leaning against the iron bars, was taken aback and quickly stood up. "Alexa, this can't be true," frustration evident on his face. He had been baffled by the unexpected turn of events all day. Murder? It was impossible. How could he, who had only accidentally stumbled upon the corpse, suddenly be accused of being the killer?

"I swear I didn't do it. I didn't even touch that person," he continued.

In Alexa's eyes, Niko now seemed like a man who was rambling. Justin, standing beside her, seemed entirely indifferent.

"It wasn't you who did it," Alexa replied casually.

"What?"

Alexa glanced at Justin with a small smile. "I deliberately framed you. I planned it all so that you'd end up in prison."

Niko fell silent upon hearing this, even his grip on the bars separating him from the two weakened.

"I don't want Justin to go to prison, and I'd rather have you take his place here." There was not a hint of guilt on Alexa's beautiful face. Furthermore, she was actually holding the arm of the man next to her.

This came as another shock to Niko; he hadn't expected the woman he loved to betray him like this. "You-you both-" He didn't get a chance to finish his sentence; Alexa cut in.

"I've been in touch with Justin. I love him."

Niko's mind went blank, and his gaze appeared vacant. His mouth opened, but no sound came out. Both of his hands clenched tightly until his fingers turned white.

"Don't expect to get out of here. Everything has been arranged, and you'll be here for a long time."

For a moment, turmoil raged within his heart, and Niko's gaze turned vacant. "You're a real traitor!"

"Enjoy your long stay here."

"No! I will get out of here and make you pay for what you've done to me!" He screamed hysterically while repeatedly striking the iron bars, ignoring the fact that his hands were getting injured. "Is this how you repay me after everything I've given you?! You wicked woman!"

Niko became even more enraged when he saw a smile on Justin's lips. The man who had become his lover's affair seemed happy, especially when Alexa tightened her hold on his arm under the moonlight.

"Useless," Alexa said. "I've been telling you all along that you'll end up in jail no matter how hard you try to convince the police."

"That's impossible because the truth will prevail. You, traitors, will never win in the eyes of the law!" Niko's eyes shifted to an officer, and he shouted, "Officer! I've been framed by them! Release me now and arrest the real culprits!"

However, it didn't go as Niko expected. The police officer appeared indifferent and only glanced briefly at Niko.

Seeing this left Niko stunned. He then looked in disbelief at Alexa, who seemed very relaxed about the situation. In Niko's mind, there was a speculation that he hoped wasn't true. "You-"

Instead of feeling intimidated, Alexa smiled slightly, as if dismissing what Niko had just said. "You're too naive, Niko. That's why I'm bored with you. I've already paid them to do what I want. So, enjoy your time here, Niko."

"You jerk! Damn you! You're truly despicable!" Niko cursed, yelling and hitting and kicking the iron bars repeatedly. "Hey! Officer! This isn't right!" His anger flared, mixed with disappointment, hatred, and despair. Niko felt like he was in a nightmare, facing the fact that his lover had cheated on him and intentionally framed him as a murderer. Especially the fact that Alexa was determined to land him in jail no matter what.

"Save your energy, Niko. Whatever you do now won't help. You'll spend the rest of your life in prison." Alexa reaffirmed this with confidence.

After satisfyingly witnessing Niko's despair, Alexa and Justin left him. Before Alexa left completely, Niko saw a thin smile on her lips.

It was truly ironic. Niko's life was shattered by a woman he had once loved deeply. Now, it wasn't just the fact that he had been betrayed, but he had to accept spending years in prison.

Flashback off.

One year had passed since Niko was sentenced to 15 years in prison. His days were spent without any enthusiasm, like a robot programmed to do what was expected.

Spending a year being quiet and brooding. Physical exercise became an activity, more of an outlet for the anger that sometimes flared up when he remembered the past. When he truly lost control, he underwent quite extreme physical training. That's why Niko's body was more developed now.

"It's not uncommon for him to be lost in thought. No one knows what's on that man's mind.

Today is his schedule, along with some fellow inmates, to do community service. Niko is cutting grass in the backyard of the place he's confined.

"Hey you, come here!"

Niko didn't pay much attention to the call, thinking it wasn't him being summoned. But when one of the inmates tapped his arm, he turned around.

"What's up?" Niko asked in a cold voice.

"The guard is calling you," said a small, bald-headed man with a tattoo of some sort on the back of his neck.

Niko glanced at the guard who was gesturing for him to approach. He sighed in annoyance. This usually happened when he unintentionally broke a rule, and he would face punishment, although it was often just a minor one.

Finally, Niko approached the guard.

"Come with me," the guard said without preamble. The man in the cap, holding a wooden stick, walked ahead.

Niko followed without asking any questions. After all, who cared about what would happen to him? Niko was too numb to anything punishment-related.

Unexpectedly, Niko was taken to a changing room. The guard who had called him earlier handed him new clothes. "Change into these!"

Of course, this left Niko puzzled. Just as he was about to ask, the guard left the room without saying a word.

After changing, he intended to return to his usual spot. However, the officer from earlier returned with news that left Niko extremely surprised.

"You're being released today."

"What?"

The prison meeting room became the witness to Niko Nicholas's unexpected release and his encounter with a tall, dark-skinned man who introduced himself as Daniel. Daniel, now observing Niko behind his dark sunglasses, spoke, "Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Daniel, your new assistant. I've been given orders to secure your release before the scheduled time. Your name has also been cleared of this case. So, there's nothing to worry about."

Niko scrutinized Daniel with narrowed eyes. Who was he? Out of the blue, he had managed to free Niko from a sentence that should have lasted for several more years. It was highly suspicious.

"Assistant? I'm sorry, but I don't know you. On what basis do you suddenly claim to be my assistant and release me from these charges? Do you know what actually happened out there?" Niko couldn't contain his curiosity. He needed to know the truth. This might be another trap being set to destroy him.

"I've already told you; I did it on orders. For a clearer picture, you can come with me," Daniel replied straightforwardly.

Judging by appearances, the man couldn't be much older, perhaps around the same age as Niko. However, Niko didn't want to rush into following someone he clearly didn't know. He had learned to be cautious, especially after Alexa's betrayal. If someone he knew could betray him, what about a stranger like Daniel? No one could predict what was going on in his mind.

"Someone who gave me orders can guarantee your safety once you're out of here. You don't need to worry because I assure you this isn't a trap or anything that could harm you."

Niko had many more questions, but a guard had already instructed them to leave, emphasizing that Niko should never return to this place.

Niko could only nod stiffly and comply, following the guard and Daniel to leave the detention area. After more than a year, Niko could finally breathe the air of freedom once again. The surroundings hadn't changed much from what he last remembered. It might be different if Niko had been released after his actual sentence was completed.

Niko's mouth fell open when he saw the vehicle Daniel had brought. A shiny luxury car that, at first glance, clearly had a price tag far beyond three digits.

"Who exactly sent you?" Niko stood by the door, hesitating to get in, even though the door was wide open, courtesy of the driver.

"Shortly, you'll find out. Let's go in," Daniel gestured, leading the way as he slid into the right seat. His eyebrows raised when Niko hesitated, looking uncertainly at the car's interior.

"What are you waiting for?" Daniel asked again.

Niko took a deep breath and cautiously stepped into the car. He fervently prayed that this four-wheeled vehicle wouldn't lead to another disaster.

Throughout the journey, Niko remained apprehensive, his fingers tightly twisted on his lap. He was consumed by thoughts about whether his decision was right or wrong. However, he had no idea what to do next. The restaurant where he used to work might not take him back, and he didn't have a penny to his name.

"Relax. No need to be so tense."

Daniel's words made Niko glance up. He thought the man beside him had no intention of explaining anything.

"I could explain everything to you, but there's someone more deserving of that. You can meet them after this," Daniel added.

Niko nodded again. For now, he resigned himself to being taken wherever. His mind was too exhausted to think.

Niko's confusion multiplied when the car he was in stopped in front of a mansion. It wasn't just luxurious; it was located in the elite area of the provincial capital. Niko was certain he had never crossed paths with the owner of this mansion. In fact, he had no idea who the owner was.

"Whose house is this?" Niko asked with a furrowed brow. Could it be the house of some wealthy woman who kept young men as companions? Was he about to become a victim?

Before Niko's thoughts could wander further, the driver opened the door and motioned for him to get out. Daniel had already exited the car, while Niko was still gaping at the grand house next to him.

"Come on. Mr. Arshad is waiting."

Niko quickly checked his appearance in the side mirror as he stepped out of the car. Whoever owned this house was definitely not an ordinary person.

"Niko? You've grown so much, dear." A middle-aged man who had been standing at the door all this time welcomed Niko and embraced him with great emotion. Meanwhile, Niko just stood there, not knowing how to react.

Without saying much, the man immediately invited Niko inside. His hand rested on Niko's shoulder, patting it with a sense of pride.

As they entered the living room, Niko found several people waiting. There was an elderly man and two younger women. Not a single one of them was familiar to Niko; their faces were completely unknown, and they all regarded him with various expressions.

Only one man, with white hair, looked at Niko warmly, even with joy. His reaction wasn't much different from Arshad's.

"Since everyone is gathered here, I'll make an announcement."

Arshad gestured for Niko to sit on the plush sofa. He remained standing, scanning the other family members in the room.

Arshad cleared his throat and a faint smile appeared on his lips, adorned with wrinkles.

"This man who just arrived... my child. He is Niko, who disappeared twenty-eight years ago."

Niko was startled by the statement. A child?

"Wait, what do you mean?" Niko finally mustered the courage to interrupt. He was genuinely baffled by the man's words.

"You're my child. My biological child," Arshad stated firmly, patting Niko's shoulder. His eyes seemed teary as he said it.

"I had no idea if my father was still alive. If you really are my father, why are you just coming now?" Niko asked incredulously. Everything was too shocking and confusing.

"I'm sorry, but it took time to find you. When we finally learned of your whereabouts, you were in captivity. We had to ensure your innocence and work to get you released. I apologize for the delay. One thing is certain, you are truly my flesh and blood."

Niko no longer needed words or actions to express his happiness. After all these years, he had just discovered that he wasn't alone in the world. There was still a family waiting for him to come home and reunite.