Billionaire's Secretary

I can get it if you find the following chapter confusing. But read it at least thrice before commenting you didn’t get it. Also, it’s more like prologue.

Remember, it is the third instalment in my series indifferent (and, man...this guy in this book is a hell of indifferent. At least to our main female lead.) But you can read this book as a standalone.

I will delete the above note soon.

Emma’s POV

“Emma? Did you write on Cristiano de Lucca?” I looked at Ria and shot for the folder she still seemed to be reading.

“Nice, he is a sensation. But don’t we still have a week for this one,” Joey asked focused on his double cheeseburger. And, I smiled recalling how I was up late at night to write this one. I could genuinely do a thesis on him but only whispered. “I didn’t have much to do so,”

“Yea, but why him? There are other people. Self-made people? I wonder if he even does anything,” Selena huffed out and Ria agreed too. I looked at Selena who was sitting in front of me and before Ria could get anything else out of my bag I moved it to my left.

“Yea, exactly my point,” Ria announced shaking her head at my act.

“No, he does have his own accomplishments. A lot of them.” Both of my friends laughed out shaking their heads.

“What?” I whispered,

“Are you even listening to yourself? His parents are billionaires. There is no way any of his accomplishments are his own…and, did you forget about the video where he slapped someone? The poor man…” Joey wasn’t laughing but explained. And, I shook my head. I was ready to defend him when Selena said, “Not to forget where he was seen with guns.”

And, my mouth dropped. “No, they explained he was learning to shoot. He was fifteen at that time…” I finally got the say.

“And?...his girlfriend Camilla? I pity the girl. How many times she had tried dating someone? And, whoever she dates lost his position or go bankrupt.” Ria whispered lowly at the end.

“She is beautiful. I don’t blame Cristiano for not letting her go.” Joey said and Ria snorted. “Come on…he is what? Nineteen? And, has his own businesses. At least, he could go to Harvard if he had any genius…”

“Twenty now…he had his birthday two days ago. And,…college isn’t everyone’s priority. And, he was accepted to Stanford. Don’t you see? Great minds…like to learn things their own way…” I shrugged my shoulders. I mean it’s all about the knowledge, right? Who needs certificates?

“The guy you are talking about has hundreds of loyal specialists at his disposal,” Selena replied,

I shook my head. I know people are judgmental but they were sure going to extra lengths right now. They didn’t know him. Like I did. “But that doesn’t mean…” I tried again but was cut with.

“The guy you are supporting are the kind of people who had sold their souls to satin.” Ria added and everyone at the table shouted, “What?”

And, not giving a care what I got to say, they started gossiping about his private life. And, though I wanted to, I couldn’t say what he had done for me. Only I knew what I owed him. For me, he was a way to believe in this world again. A reason to go on. And, find good in people again.

I knew I would never see him again. But still working in his company was my dream job. Though I still had doubts about my plan. I don’t want him to recognize me. I have tried to change myself a lot in recent months and I was sure that even my parents won’t recognize me.

“…I say our little girl has a cute crush on Cristiano.” I gasped looking at Joey and held the soda can Selena treated all of us with. “I would never think about someone else’s man,” Now I was offended.

“Are you blushing?” Selena pointed out and for a moment I was about to touch my face too. Even the thought of having a crush on him was stupid. Right? “No!...” I wonder why my voice was loud. It was out of my element but aren’t they weird? I don’t crush on anyone. “…I have to arrange a few things for Mr Doris. I guess I will leave now.”

“What about Ms Benz’s project?” Ria asked but I shook my head before telling her. “Why don’t we discuss it after the third period tomorrow? I have done most of it. I will show you.” I didn’t wait for her response but I could hear their groans following me. They couldn’t say anything though. Everyone knew my life was a lot different from theirs. Unlike most of the kids at my school, I was on a scholarship here, was living in a group home and had to save for myself when I turn eighteen. I still had almost two years though.

I was about to unlock my bicycle when I recalled I forgot my phone. I wonder when I will stop being messy. Like seriously. I could still recall my granny telling me to always make sure I have collected my things. And, I don’t do that. No matter what! I don’t think about granny. I never want to recall how I used to have a normal life too. Because now it was always about going on. And, thinking I have always been alone.

Getting in I walked to where my friends were but stopped when I heard Selena saying. “We know Emma. It’s a hopeless case.”

“But come on…we were to arrange your mother’s birthday. We didn’t even ask her to help. She was only asked to come. Was it this difficult? She brazenly said no.” Ria came.

“You know she doesn’t have a family. Maybe it’s hard for her to see other people’s families…I mean I don’t know. But she is big enough to swallow up the fact that other people have lives and want to socialize…”

“It’s fine guys. My dad doesn’t like her. So, I guess it’s fine.” Selena said and I literally stopped breathing. Does her dad know me?

“Why?” Ria asked,

“Is it because of the group home thing?” Joey asked,

“I mean yea…group home means…there is something up with her, right?” Selena replied,

I walked to the table with a smile because I didn’t have it in me to stand here and listen to what else they had to say. “I forgot my phone.”

Ria jumped a little and they looked at me for a second but I guess my wide tooth smile was enough to fake it and they soon flashed their perfect teeth too.

“I am sorry. I mean I told you we will discuss it today. It’s fine with you, right?” I asked Ria and she was quick to nod. “I know I can trust you. Your assignments are the best.”

“Yea,…I don’t think I can pull such a thing with a full-time job on the side.” Selena said and I shook my head.

“Oh no, it’s not that hard. Trust me…I guess I should leave. Or I will be late.” I left instantly. I wonder if I came a little edgy.

You can do it. You can do it. I was taking long strides and almost jumped on the stairs out of the building and took large gulps of air.

They had tried to pry a lot of times but I had made it known that I don’t want to talk about my personal life. And, telling them I don’t know who my parents are had always been easier. It was natural for them to think that I have something up with me for living in the group home.

I took my bike to Mr Doris’ place. He was very Christian, has two adorable daughters and started his entrepreneur journey from his home a few months back. Though there were other employees too he does let me babysit his daughters when I am not helping him sort his numbers for the accounts. And, the sweet Samantha has helped me a lot to learn things around the office. She was the oldest employee of Doris.

I smiled at Samantha who was quick to tell me. “We are leaving with Mr Doris to meet one of the investors. Can you…” I understood the assignment and was quick to tell her. “No worries,”

His girls were sweet and as they were busy playing on their consoles I tried to get busy on one of my school assignments. Though all I could recall was the backstabbing and how they think I was the weird one. A hot tear fell on my cheek but I was quick to rub it.

I didn’t want it. No one wanted it. Shutting my beat-up laptop I walked out of the window that opened to the small lawn at the backside. It was beautiful and the vegetables reminded me of my grandmother. I wish I had a picture of her. I gulped a knot in my throat but looked at my phone when it vibrated. And, with this, I couldn’t help and look at the phone to look at Cristiano’s picture showing up in a little box of the notification. Another article on him was written about how he purchased an island for Camilla and named it after her. I smiled shaking my head. The guy was nuts over his girl. But what boiled my blood was the comments. They called him a showoff and mean. It seems he was building a resort there and people were speaking against calling him responsible for climate change.

Stupid people.

Coming back Samantha asked me about the day. And, it was only now I realized my keyboard war got two hours long. Knowing it is stupid to fight with such people I shut my laptop.

“It was great. You know girls. They are cute,”

“And, you are too. I hope you see someone cute too...” I don’t know why she wanted me to meet someone. I get she didn’t know what I have been through. And, it was fine.

“…or you are keeping it from me,” Of course, smile. And, smile until I don’t know how to act. I think she believes I am full of smiles and I swear it doesn’t hurt. “Samantha you know you will know if there is anyone,” This is what she wanted to hear. But I knew there was no getting to know anyone. Not anytime soon.

Going back home wasn’t a fun place. There were three other girls at home and our host Mr and Mrs Cannon always had a lot of questions that involved if I was doing fine. The rest of the girls too aren’t talkative and had their things going on too. So, I took my time enjoying the crispy weather and people out on a walk.

I had to get my host’s permission for the job and they had met Mr Doris twice before allowing me to work for him. It is weird to have them look out for me. I had never eavesdropped on them talking mean about me but I didn’t want to stay connected to anyone or anywhere once I turn eighteen. I didn’t want to attach myself to anyone who knew or have any gust of my past. And, the couple knew everything. All the details child service had gathered. And, the pity in their eyes was inevitable. The other girls staying at our home either had abusive step-parents or were going through other legal cases. And, guess what? I wasn’t allowed to stay wary of them. I was one of them. The worst among them as they can call.

I knew the couple was getting paid to do this job but I wanted them at a distance. I didn’t want any feelings attached. Though I had found a few people dropping to say hi to the couple. And, it seems they had been doing this thing for a while now. I didn’t ask since when though. I don’t talk to them. They were considered a lovely couple in the neighbourhood. And, I know I will fall for them too if I am not cautious. Because there is one thing learned. Any good thing could be destroyed if I am attached to it. But this only applied to the good stuff.

Blending in school was a necessity. When you are alone all the time you gather far more attention. And, I couldn’t afford it. But that was not required at this place I am asked to call home.

I don’t know when I started thinking I will move to New York. But it kind of slipped in. I wasn’t serious about college but I knew moving from Colorado to New York was going to need money so I was saving for it. For the other stuff, I didn’t know anything anymore. A little bit of inventing was in the plan and right now I don’t see any end to it.

The moment my eyes fell on the home I stopped the bike. A police car at the entrance should be an alarm. But for a place like this, it was a part usual. I could only hope that officers didn’t involve Parker. Or he was going to ask how I have been and I wasn’t ready for the talk. Not today at least. My curfew time was already past and I knew I couldn’t stay here to wait them out. I drove home and noticed Parker talking to Mrs Cannon.

God

And, their look warned me they were talking about me. Though I still hoped it wasn’t the case.

“Emma darling,…Officer Parker is here to see you…I am here for you. You know that, right?” Mrs Cannon walked to me and said the last part when she almost reached me. She had the same blonde hair as me. I could pass for her daughter given we shared the same height. But I had dyed them black before I joined my school.

“How are you doing, Emma?” Officer Parker said and I nodded a little. “You…you said there won’t…be more follow-ups.”

“Yea,…yea…but…I…we had something to tell you,” I don’t know why he was doing this. Why this awkward stutter? Why he doesn’t tell me already? “What…” For a moment a lot passed my mind. Things I don’t associate myself with anymore.

“Your parents are dead,...it was an accident…their bodies…” I only blinked. Wondering if he is sure.

“I don’t have any parents…” I looked at Mrs Cannon who seemed to be giving me her concerned look and it was the last thing I wanted.

“…I…” I tried to say something but my voice broke. “…excuse me,” I ran upstairs and shot for the bathroom. I knew it will be the only place where I wanted to process it all.

“Please…don’t…you can’t do this with me…dad…mom?...” I remember pleading to them but inhaling sharply I hiccupped and tried not to recall their faces. I walked to hold the sink to balance me.

Were they dead for real? I wonder.

“Come on, Emma…it’s no big deal. You can trust us.” I recalled my mom saying. And, I could still recall the kind of chill it gave me. How betrayed they make me feel? And, what came as shock? I knew they were my real parents. I had seen their pictures in my grandma’s attic. It was captioned with their names. But If I didn’t know previously why? Now I knew why granny told me my parents were dead.

I jumped out of my moment when someone knocked at my door. “Emma…are you fine?...honey you might need your inhaler?” I heard Mrs Cannon but bit my lip.

Wasn’t it amazing? They were dead. For real this time. My blood was boiling. Their mention, any news on them, anything about them could wreck me. Whatever they made me go through was coming back and no matter what I do it couldn’t be erased. I could still recall how it felt being cheated by the people who were supposed to be there for me. I remember being bound, beaten and dehydrated. I remember that place. A very bad place.

My feet started numbing and I slowly lowered my knees to the ground. “I am not there…I am not there. They can’t get me. I was…saved. Or was I?...” I tried to recall what my therapist had taught me but it seemed to be failing me. Mrs Cannon continued knocking and I didn’t want to leave now.

“There is no way out, Emma!” I looked at the door with horror now. I remember whose voice it was. I closed my eyes and tried to tell myself I was hallucinating. I gulped hard and said, “Mrs Cannon…is this you?”

“Open the fucking door, Emma!” He said and I crawled back from the door. “We fucking own you!”

I pressed my hands to my ears and yelled, “Stop it…please stop it…”

And, it stopped. I opened my eyes and breathed heavily before looking into those most beautiful eyes. The eyes that can keep you forever. “Fuck, she is alive…” He smelled nice but I closed my eyes whimpering when he held my cold as a stone face. “Don’t pick her…Cristiano…I am telling you she is dead.” I heard a feminine voice telling him and dreaded if they will leave me.

At that moment I only knew one thing. I wanted to be saved. And, the boy who had already picked me in his arms was my last hope.

“Cristiano…no! Cristiano! We aren’t taking her in. Cristiano!...”

Three years later

“Cristiano!...tell us about Cristiano…Miss…are you two still dating?” I gasped at the audacity of the reporters but walked down hurriedly trying they don’t get any closer. All they wanted was breakup news.

I opened the door of the latest Benz with a Hermez bag in my left hand. But the moment I felt someone touching my shoulder I lost it. “Stay away!” I warned. My tone was sharp.

One of Lucca’s guards was quick to walk toward me and helped me get the space before he opened the door for the passenger seat and I hopped in. Around three cars all loaded with experienced guards followed us.

“Where is he?” Miss Camilla shouted at the backseat and threw her cellphone. I didn’t even jump or shared the glace with the driver who was also Miss Camilla’s bodyguard and for the last two days my colleague, Diego.

“Miss Camilla…I have tried contacting Benjie,”

“Fuck Benjie!” She yelled at the top of her lungs and shouted at Diego now. “Tell them to get a plane ready. I will leave for fucking Italy now!”

It felt like a decade after. Though it was only twenty-five days. But a lot happened. Good stuff, bad stuff and busy stuff in my life. But let’s start this piece. And, I hope somehow magically I update it daily just like I did with Mated to Alpha.

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And, I missed you all...