The Girl Who Stole The Billionaire's Heart

My sad reflection through the mirror was what informed me of my gloomy state as I stared emptily at myself, my entire being repulsed with what I'm about to do, but knowing I have to, having no other choice-not if I envision living another day with the woman I have come to live with since the very day I lost my parents in a ghastly motor accident a year ago.

I can't still believe grandma Nora would make me do this. According to her, it's either I try and win the heart of this man I would meet this night on some stupid prearranged date, or she would disown me and throw me away into the street.

I know better than to try and disagree with her. While I may not be able to seduce a man simply because I want his monetary favors for my poverty-stricken family which I didn't tell her of course, I had to honor her by going on the date.

I don't know how I'm going to carry this mission out but I pray if eventually, this date doesn't work out--as my heart tells me, that she doesn't toss me out of her house, because she is the only one I've got as a family. Yes, she can be wicked and highly inconsiderate, still, somewhere deep inside me, I still nurse a certain kind of fondness for her. After all, she was my mother's mother.

I don't know how she secured this connection. We are very poor people, like, as poor as a church rat. We hardly fed here. My parents had been the breadwinners when they were alive. I had everything I wanted without having to work for it and so did grandma, all she needed was to ask my mother and her request would be granted. This is why to date I'm still confused about how she changed overnight and became this cruel and horrible person.

A shuffling sound down the creaky floorboard of our corridor informed me that she was coming and I quickly went back to gathering my hair in a smooth ponytail at the top of my hair.

The door to my dingy room made a rustling ear-piercing noise as it flung open and there she stood on her slight swagger, her scary hawk eyes glaring at me intently.

"What are you still doing, girl? Hurry up before the man they are sending to get you gets here! "Her mouth folded in a snarl, and I know she is struggling to score one at me.

I bobbed my head, gathered the last courage I have, and faced her one last time. "Granny, can't we___"

"Shut your gutter mouth from whatever silly remark you are about to make and hasten up! I don't have time to listen to your useless protest. Don't forget you have to seduce that man! He is the most influential man in this country and we are most favored to have this privilege. The sooner you have his ring on your finger, the better for us. I have so many debts I have to settle and I don't care if you have to open those useless legs of yours for him to make him marry you!"

I stifled back the tears that threatened to escape my eyes at her cruel words. I can't believe my grandmother would want me to go to that length just to make the so-called wealthy man marry me.

She hissed. "You pretend as though you are happy with our present predicament. I have done everything for you since your parents died and now this little thing I ask of you, what do you do? You can't even happily do it! Such a loser!" She cussed in her smooth Caribbean language.

"I'm trying to do it, grandmother," I whined, hiding my face as a tear slid down.

"Then try harder! Make him marry you or I swear Camila, I will disown you. I mean every word I say this time around."

Despite her saying it before, it didn't stop her words from searing hot into my heart like a sharp knife.

"You haven't been able to achieve anything good with your life! No job, no proper education, no man! What use are you to me? Now as usual I have worked hard to create this chance for you and you want to ruin it?"

"Grandma__"

"Shuuu!" She waved me away in dismissal and slowly turned around to leave and then as if recollecting something else to rile me up with, she twisted back. "Wipe those fake tears and clean up good, I don't want them to think I haven't been treating you well. I told them you are beautiful which is why I went to the extent of buying all these..." She indicated my dress and accessories, "...just to make you into one, despite you reek of ugliness." She tsked. "I just hope this works. Such a waste of creation."

With that she banged the door after her, leaving me shaking on my feet, the inferiority complex I always fought against, coming back in full blast. I know I'm not a great beauty, it wasn't new knowledge to me, yet, it doesn't stop it from aching each time someone throws it on my face.

I plopped down on the chair in front of my miniature wall mirror, picked up a baby wipe on the table, and dabbed slowly so as not to spoil my makeup.

No sooner had I thrown the stained wipes into the trash can than I heard a horn honk outside our house and stood abruptly on wobbly feet.

I gave myself another look in the mirror, to admire my red body-con velvet gown and tried on a slightly forced smile to motivate myself. It's just a date, it's not like he was going to ravish me. I hope he is not one of those violent men who took girls against their will, then I will be good.

I was so immersed in my head not to have heard my grandma approach until she stood at the door, her face etched in irritation. "Hurry up, you vile girl! Do you want them to think you tardy?"

With a last single glance in the mirror, I walked past her and made for our makeshift living room. I pushed through the discolored white curtain that age had turned brown and went out until I was standing by the door.

Grandma's hand clasped around my upper arm. "Make sure you smile sweetly like this..." She gave me a phony smile, displaying her tobacco discolored teeth which irrespective of how irked I feel at her attitude right now, made me want to laugh. "you hear?"

I gave her a stiff nod and tugged at my hand for her to let go but she held me tighter, bringing my attention back to her.

"And make sure to make him write you a cheque at the end of the night..." Then she hesitated as if contemplating telling me something she knows I won't approve of... "Ahem... if he also wants you to, you know... sleepover, don't hesitate to agree." I narrowed my eyes at her, earning an insensitive glow.

Without waiting for her I yanked my hand off, already feeling irritated when I haven't even gone for the date. With the way I'm feeling right now, if the damned man tries anything of that nature, I will be forced to try out my taekwondo skills on him. Thanks to my Dad who made sure that me and my brother God rest his soul, got basic defense education.

I miss them so much especially on nights like this when grandma Nora turned me indirectly into an object of aggrandizement, merely for her personal gain. I swallowed aloud the sob that pitched in my chest.

"Good evening, sire." I greeted the chauffeur who only gave me a single nod, opened the door for me to go in, and shut it after me.

The car moved and I spared a glance at our rundown apartment that we managed in this part of slum town. I wish I had been able to finish my education before the bad omen that brought to stagnation everything that concerned my life. I have been trying to recover since then and haven't thought of going back to school. If not, I would have gotten a good job to take care of us, and then grandma wouldn't have to literally turn me into a call girl.

My head swarmed with several thoughts that even with my eyes pinned to the passing landscape, I didn't see anything until the car came to a stop in front of a... I sat up from the soft leather couch and peeked outside. A tall skyscraper. What the hell are we doing in Las Vegas hotel?

I sat back to ask the chauffeur, and at the same time, his door opened and he climbed out followed by opening my door.

"What are we doing here? I thought we were going to a restaurant?" I asked frantically, my eyes rounding on the tall bulky chauffeur. If I said anything, he didn't show any indication of hearing me. He only shut the door and walked ahead as if I were a ghost! What rubbish.

I stood there watching after him as he walked forth, wishing I could call everyone's bluff and find my way home, but then, grandma Nora's threat rang in my heart, and without another thought, I ran after the arrogant clod.

The place was like heaven on earth. Everything was finished in plain milky white colors and sublime ash. It had floras of diverse colors and backgrounds lining the ground,; and at the top were creative artworks most of which were of water origin.

The owner of the place must like water a lot was my first impression.

I clutched at my purse tightly, reaching with my left hand to drag down my gown which kept riding up my thighs. Granny had insisted I picked this gown when we went to the store to purchase my accessories and it was one of the most expensive which gave me the idea that this date must mean a lot to her. Though, I can't get it off my mind how she could afford it in the first place.

We stopped at a booth where another tall hunky man stood on a suit that was lifted by the side to show a black rifle, causing my mouth to go dry. Who is this man inside that demands this kind of security? Is he as important as granny made him out to be?

The man at the door tilted his head to the side, his black shade-clad eyes taking us in.

"She's here for the master." The chauffeur informed him and he hummed something, opened the door, and went in, later returning to wave us in.

However, this time, the chauffeur didn't go in with me. He stepped aside for me to pass and with a solitary glint at him, I strutted in, adjusting my eyes to the room harboring only a single florescent light thereby giving it a solemn atmosphere. My eyes instantly fell on a man reclining on a couch in the corner, big marijuana nestled between his hand at his mouth which he retrieved and let out a smoky puff in the air.

God.

Then my eyes followed his eye to halt at the podium where a stripper was dancing on a pole, her unclad body, twisted in a seductive mangle as she worked to keep his attention.

Is this the extent granny wants me to go to get this same man to give me the ring and secure the bag? God knows I will rather stay broke than relent to this.

I was about to turn and run away when the music suddenly stopped and a rumble went off.

"I don't like my time being wasted, Ms. Berkely. " The words were calmly spoken, yet filled with heavy steel.

Have I just walked into the lion's den with my two feet?

I gradually faced him. "I-I...I-I"

"Leave, Becky. You did well." He waves off the stripped on the pole, who cat walked to him, laid a chaste kiss on his lips, and with a certain coldness in her eyes at me, strutted past me.

"As I said young lady, I hate my time being wasted. So make haste while I still have the patience to entertain your person." He took another gulp of smoke and puffed out slowly.

I took one step forward, then another, until I was in front of him, and without preamble, lest he got angry, I sat down, making sure my legs were tightly closed in front of me.

He chuckled, having noticed the extent of my unease. "You are very hilarious if you think I will be moved by something as trifle as that..." in a flash, he stamped his hand on a red object on the table which let out a ringing sound, and from the corner of my eye, a door opened by the side and a boy came in.

"Get me another bottle of champagne, Darian."

"Yes, sire." The boy muttered and scurried away, as though the mere presence of the man was scathing to him. Why is that?

"What's your?..."He paused, his hand going to his chest, and broke out coughing loudly. The cough went on for too long that it worried me. If he was having a cough this severe, is it wise that he took this substance?

"Can I get you water?" I asked out of concern as he wouldn't stop coughing, standing immediately to look around for help, exhaling in gratitude when the boy came in with a bucket of the drink the man ordered.

"Please can you get water for him, okay?" I asked, taking the bucket from him halfway. He rushed off with panic in his eyes. And I went back to drop the bucket, reaching out to tap at the man's back but he flinched away from me, shooting daggers at me which notified me that he might not want my sympathy. I stood helplessly waiting for the boy to return.

By now, he has stopped coughing when the boy came back in with the water, and I gave it to him with trembling hands. "Take this, it would slow down the cough," I coaxed, hoping he adhere to me. He hastily throwing off the covers and gulping the water ravenously.

"Thanks, " He said afterward, dabbing his napkin on his lips and doing a great job to avoid meeting my eyes. I understood he might be embarrassed after his little episode so I didn't say anything.

"What's your name?" He asked, taking the bottle from the bucket and glass to splatter the content inside.

I followed his hand movement with precision, taking note of how his hand quivered slightly as he tried to control it and the same time, admired how meticulous he handle it.

"Camila..." I replied, his motion pausing midway to look at me.

"Camila," He muttered in the most subtle way anyone had ever said my name. It gave me goosebumps.

He handed me the glass and went to pick his smoke once more and out of curiosity and concern I ventured to ask. "Is that good for you?"

He flickered the ash off the tip of the smoke and didn't reply for a second, that I bit my tongue thinking I was crossing the boundary, then he said. "If this..." He indicated two of us. "Whatever this is, is going to be successful for tonight, you have to learn to mind your fucken business!" He grated, eyed me coldly, and sat back on his sofa.

I paled with the glass on my lips. So much for trying to seduce him. How am I supposed to entice someone like this with such an obnoxious attitude? No wonder granny knows people like this, they are birds of the same feathers.

I drank henceforth, deciding to mind my business, while he smoked peacefully, facing away from me, not minding my presence at all. It was as though, I was wallpaper in the room.

Unable to bear the hovering horrible silence anymore, plus the consequences of tonight's failure hammering in my ears, I made up my mind to shoot another shot. "Not to vex you, but have you tried taking any syrup for your cold?"

"..."

I swallowed hard, rearranged myself on the couch, and straightened up, sipping my drink to flush the humiliation I feel. I'm only trying for my grandmother. I can't bear to be kicked out of the house to the street. She is a very mean person and can very well fulfill any word of the threat she uttered.

One time she told me I will sleep outside without food for one week, and she carried it out, without a care for the fact that I feel severely sick and nearly died. She told me point-blank that she had hoped I would die and become less of a burden to her.

I wouldn't want to risk getting on her bad side. So the compliance of this man to me would mean a lot. Why would he even agree to blind date if he didn't want one? "I only ask because I know a few tricks if you want." I pushed once more.

"Can't you learn to shut your damn mouth, woman?! Must you talk?"

"I'm only trying to help."

"Then, thanks... Is that what you want? I don't fucken need your help. Where did my mother bring you from?"

"Your mother?"

"Yes, my mother! I know she connived with you to make me fall for you so that you can marry me and bear her an heir... But guess what? you failed! The only reason I came out here tonight was to get the fresh air of New York City, if not, I will never be found in the company of something as horrendous as you!"

"Excuse me!"

He growled audibly, bunched his right fist in the air, with the close of his eyes and another growl, looking as though trying to contain him from doing something rash. "Do not ever in your miserable life talk when I'm talking, you hear me? I don't entertain stupidity from anyone and won't waste time putting you in your goddamned place."

"You will not talk to me like that!" I lashed back at him unable to contain myself anymore. Who is this man to talk to me like this? He doesn't know anything about me and yet he insults me so badly. I hardly knew anything about him, not to mention conniving with his mother! Tears stung my eyes fighting to spill. If my parents were to be alive, I wouldn't have to tolerate anyone talking to me in such a despicable fashion.

All thanks to granny!

I might be broke, yet, there is a limit to what I can take.

"I will talk to you anyhow I deem fit, whore! Remember? You, your guardian, and my mother signed this deal for tonight which makes you one!"

My eyes were the size of saucers. "I'm not a whore and I don't who your mother is!"

"Indeed! Not only are you a shameless whore, but you are also a liar!"

My hands itched so badly to tear across his arrogant handsome face. So, because he comes from the brighter side of life he feels he has the effrontery to talk to anyone as he feels? "You are very, very despicable!"

He chuckled devilishly and took a swig from the glass in front of him. "You are welcome!"

"I didn't know you are such a vile person I wouldn't have agreed to any of this!"

He cocked his brow. "As though you had a choice... Why pretend like you aren't happy to have my attention, huh?"

"I am not happy to be here if that makes you feel good about yourself! And yes you are right, I didn't have a choice either... But I had nothing to do with this. I didn't know anything about you or your family save for what my granny told me which was little to nothing."

He scoffed. "Lying whore."

"Stop calling me a whore! I haven't even had sex for the first time in my life!" I went cold, having gone overboard to say something so offensive. He is surely going to laugh in my face right now.

He was about to say something else- I could see the sinister look in his eyes as he opened his mouth, but he was cut short as his eyes widened, replaced by another bout of cough which seized him, and this time, it was worse.

He went on coughing for a long time, palming his chest and falling off his couch. Fear gripped me and without thinking I flew to his side. Even though he was an obnoxious narcissistic clod, I had to help him.

"Breathe." I cooed at him, patting his back while looking frantically to the entrance, hoping the noise would gain the attention of the man standing by the door.

"Help!" I cried when the cough persisted to the extent of him spewing blood and taking forceful breaths. I banged my hand on the red object on the table, positive it would attract the waiter. What could be wrong with him, dear Lord? It's been a long time since I have been this panicked and fearful for one's life. Since that day_

The boy that served us rushed in, his eyes widening when they landed on the man in my arms shaking as though in convulsion.

"Help me, please! Call the hospital or the man outside the door!" I instructed with a plea, noticing the hiccup in my voice.

"I'm sorry, ma'am, the phones are cut off for tonight due to some emergency thing, and the men outside had left at master's bid."

"What!" I squirmed, racking my head for anything else we can do, only one solution coming to mind. "Is there any room available where we can lay him?"

"Yes, ma! Of course." He gave me a quizzical look as though the question I asked is bizarre.

"Okay. Then help me carry him to it. I ca_"

The boy was already by my side, and after a lot of struggle, we managed to carry the big man down the hall to a suite on the same floor.

"His penthouse is on the last floor, since we can't carry him there to avoid unwanted attention, this suite would serve. I will quickly get his kit."

"His kit?" I asked but the boy had already dashed out, leaving the sick man on the bed and me. What is he talking about penthouse and kit? What kit?

Another man came in sometime later with 'the kit' which he placed on the bed, bringing out a stethoscope which he got to work with, without a glance or even a word at me.

After he was done, the man on the bed had calmed down, laying down quietly without making a sound.

"He is better now. Sorry for the inconvenience. We didn't know he would experience any relapse tonight but I promise he is good now__"

"You can leave, Anthonio." The man ordered, and the doctor _if I would call him that, rapidly picked up his equipment and scurried away, servile fright written all over his visage. Who is this man that everyone fears like this?

I checked my time and it was late. I have to leave since the night is already ruined. Alas, God answered my prayers and gave me an excuse to bypass my granny's wrath this time around.

I stood up, picking up my bag with me. "Uhm...I have to leave now, sire." I skidded my eyes to his worn-out self, feeling abject pity for him.

Even in the state of susceptibility, his grey eyes flashed menacingly at me.

Then he opened his mouth and declared, "Stay."

A rushing sound coming from somewhere around the room was what woke me up from sleep the next morning. I winced as I slowly peeled my eyes open as a result of the sharp morning light streaking in the window whose curtain has been adjusted.

Quickly, memories of last night rushed in and I swiftly whirled to the side to discover it empty. At a speed of light, I didn't know I still possessed, I was up from the bed, skidding my eyes about the room, under the bright light taking how spacious it is for a room. Compared to my granny's house, this would make up every part of our house and still leave space to achieve another compartment.

My ears jumped into alert at the water coming from probably the bathroom, and at once I became conscious of myself. What possessed me to agree to stay over last night? Of course, the good Samaritan in me. Irrespective of that guy being an Ass hole, I still couldn't find it in me to decline when he looked at me in a certain way I didn't think a man of his carriage was capable of looking at someone like me and saying those words.

That's enough! I'm overthinking this thing. After all, that was the only thing that happened. I had tucked him in and sat on the armchair to watch him sleep; It was such a fantastic sight. The man was too handsome to be real. He looked like those men sampled in the New York Times magazine as the diamond of the blue waters.

Starting from his cold emerald eyes that flashed in anger, to his straight nose and blond locks. And his body is lean and muscular in the right places. He is simply unattainable.

With that in mind, I stood abruptly from the bed, picked up my bag and shoe, and quietly tiptoed out of the room. I'm not going to waste my time thinking he would want to do anything with someone like me. He would probably humiliate me by calling me a whore once more or might even accuse me of trying to seduce him to be with me.

A man with such a foul temper and mouth is capable of so many unpleasant things.

Once I was out of the room, I exhaled in relief and walked faster until I was out of the hotel, giving thanks that I didn't meet any of those his lapdogs.

This had been one hell of a date. All thanks to my granny.

Speaking of granny, what am I going to tell her was the reason I didn't get the ring or money as she had warned me to? As I sat in a cab going home, I ransacked my head on what possible lie I'm going to tell her to preserve me from being kicked out to the street- and that is if I survive her tongue-lash and abusive comments.

Such a short-tempered woman!

Perhaps I would have no choice but to tell her he fell sick. In that way, I won't be lying at all. Even though they call, he would still have the same thing to say to her.

Yes!

As the cab driver stopped in front of the almost dilapidated building, which had been the only thing granny had from my grandpa, I paid the cab driver fifty bucks and waved him goodbye before with a heavy heart I made my way to the door.

If I'm not mistaken, she is peeking through the window at me right now. It wouldn't be passed her to do that, hopeful that I must have made all her heart desires come true in one night. Well, I'm sorry to disappoint her, I couldn't even get his damn card!

Just as I raised my knuckles to knock, the door flew open and she was at my face. "How did it go?" Expectant mirth crinkled at the side of her face.

"Well..." I mouthed, losing my tongue.

"Come on in, and tell me everything!" She grabbed my forearm and pulled me in, too strong for someone that old.

She pushed me into our shabby couch and stood reclining to her swagger to gawk at me. "Go ahead, girl, and spill it all! Did you satisfy him? When are you meeting him again? Did he give you money? ... give me that bag!" She snatched my bag and began rummaging through it.

I scratched the nape of my neck and swiftly stood up and backed into a corner, knowing what was coming.

Finding nothing, she gradually lifted her hawk dangerous eyes at me. "Why aren't you talking? Where's all the dammed money?!"

"H-he didn't give me any money, granny."

Her brows arched to the top, rage building. "What's you mean by that?"

"I mean, things didn't go as planned... maybe he would call for another date, I swear, I tried granny, just that he fell sick!"

"Fell sick!" She threw the purse to the floor. "What did you do to him to fall sick, you cursed child?!"

"I did nothing," I raised my hands in defense. "He was sick from the minute I got there!"

"Oh, holy Lord..." she flicked her eyes upwards. "I told you are cursed! Only the first day of your meeting and he was already sick?"

I gulped down a bile of bitterness, wishing perhaps I should have waited for him to come out from the bathroom. Who knows? He might have been in the best position to explain what happened to my granny, or might have even given me money, that way she lets me breathe. Yes, that would have been a better option, because there is no way that kind of man would have agreed to come back if he had gotten a glimpse of this place.

"Answer me, you imbecile!"

I jumped back as she advanced dangerously at me with her swagger pointed at me.

"I swear, granny. I-it wasn't my fault any of this happened!"

"Then where were you throughout the night? Whoring?"

"I'm not a whore, granny!" My rage was mounting as much as I try to control myself around her. "He was sick and I couldn't leave him like that!"

"Oh, Lord. And now I have lost my phone and can't even call them to reschedule the meeting! Look at yourself. Now we have lost the last opportunity we have at a good life!"

"I'm sorry, ma." I pleaded, and then caught what she said, "you lost your phone?"

"You are an idiot! Is that what you should be asking me? What manner of a child are you? Your mother had more sense than you, at least she was able to seduce marriage out of your father!"

"My parents loved each other!" I retorted, having the need to defend them from her vile insinuation.

The next time, I was sprawled across the room in the pool of the red dress, holding onto my stinging cheek.

"How dare you talk back at me, you useless thing! I picked you up when your parents died leaving a burden like you to me to cater for! You have brought nothing short of misery unto my life, you wretched miserable fool!"

Unrestrained tears fell from my face as I shook on the floor.

"What are you going to use to repay me for my kindness, huh? What?" She sauntered forward and hit me repeatedly with the swagger while I tried to scoot away. It got me in every direction, including my face which I work so hard to preserve.

"I'm sorry, ma!"

"Be sorry for yourself, imbecile! For your information, until a miracle happens that would make me come in contact with them and try to secure this connection once more, you are going to starve! No food for a lazy ungrateful fool like you!"

What! How does she expect me to survive without eating? Is she trying to kill me?

"Go and fend for yourself if you think I'm being unkind to you! Get a job! I can't work and then you sit here eating your life out without contributing any meaningful thing to this house. Lazy idiot!"

I can't believe her. I was literally the one catering for us before I lost my last job which was also her fault. If she hadn't slapped my boss when she came to my workplace to make trouble, I would still have that job! Now, just because I don't have any job, she calls me lazy? I work hard enough!

My life wasn't like this as I said earlier. I used to be Camila Berkley, the New York College belle. I was the face of my cheerleading group in freshman year and was officially going to turn 20 by December 24th.

I didn't know this side to life as I got literally everything on a platter of gold. I had the cutest boyfriend, Ricko Abrams, who was NYC's most popular dude, and still, he fell head over heels in love with me. I had a sweet younger brother who I would do anything for and he would do the same.

Our parents were the best in the world and all my life I kept mooning over how I would want to get married to a man that would love me like my dad loved my mom.

We were the happiest family if there's anything like it. Even my granny was sweet and kind, and I never for once thought she was capable of anything vile. I guess being broke brings out the worst in people.

Then, that faithful day during the school's quarter-finals of the baseball game, I was cheerleading and had missed about ten calls from a strange number and when I returned it later, I was given the worst news that tumbled my life upside down and brought me from hundred to zero percent.

It turned out my Dad didn't have any insurance or investments. I had to stop schooling and moved out of our home after the burial, to my only relative, being granny. From that day, she changed into a monster I had never seen lurking inside her before.

This is the life she has for me now, blind dates with sick men in order to extract some damned ring, and secure a future I'm not even sure where it's leading to!

"Get up from there and hideaway where I won't see you, idiot!" She reeled and wobbled away from me.

Standing on quivering feet, I made my way into my dainty compartment, just like every other time when things go wrong, in lack of what was next to come the next day.