Behind the billonaire's mask!
Chapter 1 Sophie's POV "What did you just say?" I asked, unable to believe what I had just heard. "My apologies, Sophie," my manager replied, his expression sympathetic. "The company is facing a serious financial crisis, and we've been forced to make some tough decisions. Unfortunately, that includes letting go of our part-time staff." I felt like I'd been punched in the gut. "You're firing me?" I clarified, trying to process the news. He nodded. "I'm afraid so. Your last paycheck will be mailed to you within the next two weeks." Stunned, I gathered my belongings and left the office, wondering how I would break the news to Mom with her health. As I walked out into the crisp afternoon air, I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed. Just then, my phone buzzed with a text from Isabella, my best friend: "When are you getting off work? Let's meet and celebrate your birthday. Don't tell me you are planning on celebrating it with that jerk." I stared blanking at the text. Birthday? I had completely forgotten. Today was my birthday. "Wow, I was fired on my birthday." I muttered, fighting the tears. I decided against replying and decided to head to my boyfriend's house. I brought out a small mirror from my bag and looked at my reflection. 'Perfect,' I said. I must not look like my problem. I hailed a taxi. As i sat in the taxi, memories of Dad flooded my mind. He had left for work on a typical day last year, never to return. The news of his death had been devastating. I remembered the police knocking on our door. Their sombre faces a harbinger of tragedy. The unrecognizable body in the mortuary, Mom's tears, and my own world crumbling. Now, with this job loss, I felt lost again. How would I provide for Mom? Mom's health had been declining since Dad's passing, but she refused to go to the hospital. I had gotten to my destination already, and I paid the taxi man his money and stepped out of the car. I walked into the building, where Alex stayed. I had been the one always covering Alex's rent since he was unemployed. I had paid for the year, but it would expire soon. I entered the apartment, expecting comfort and solace from my boyfriend. Instead, I was met with moans echoing from the bedroom. My legs froze right there, but I managed to walk in, my mind racing. As I pushed open the bedroom door, my worst fears were confirmed. Alex was in bed with another woman, the woman on top "Alex!" I exclaimed, shock and betrayal etched on my face. They both look towards me, and they both froze, and I was more shocked, an older woman! Alex makes a quick move, pushing the woman away, but he suddenly turned back when he heard her scream while touching her stomach. "Are you okay?" he asked, looking at her stomach. She nodded, pouting her mouth, and he quickly reached for his trousers on the floor and began fitting into them. But I had already dashed out of his house with tears dripping off my cheeks. "Sophie, wait," he called, chasing after me, but I ignored and kept walking, increasing my pace. My phone suddenly rang, but i didn't even check who the caller was and just switched off my phone. Alex soon caught up with me. His hand gripped my left hand. "Wait, please..." he said, but I caught him short with a slap on his cheek with my other right hand. "How dare you?" I asked as more tears streamed down my cheeks. "Sophie, I can explain..." he began. "Explain what?" I spat, anger boiling over. "How you're cheating on me? On my birthday?" Alex's eyes pleaded for understanding, but I was unforgiving. "Sophie, I..." he began, but I cut him off. "Don't even try. You're disgusting. And with an older woman? Who is she?" Alex's grip on my hand tightened. "Please, Sophie. Just listen." I jerked my hand free. "No. I've heard enough. You've been lying to me, using me for my money." The truth stung. I had supported him financially, and this was how he repaid me? "Is she pregnant?" I demanded, my voice rising. Alex's hesitation confirmed my worst fears. "Is she?" I screamed. He nodded, looking guilty. I slapped him again, tears blinding me. "You're disgusting. I never want to see you again." "You are, too!" He suddenly said, making me shocked. "What!" I exclaimed, still shocked. "Yes, Sophie...Are you the first woman to support a man? We've been dating for three years now, but I have never enjoyed any sex moments with you, you don't satisfy me!' "Alex..." I called in a shaky voice. My heart drenched, even more as his words hit me. "And what are you doing here? Are you not supposed to be at work?" "I was sacked." I said, wiping the tears which is falling uncontrollably. "See...you were even sacked." He said, laughing. "Is this really my Alex, my Alex who told me my tears were his weakness". I thought. "And which money are you bragging about, from the little you give me? And you are even poor now. Do you know how much that woman gives me? She owns a big restaurant. We are moving into our own house soon. I have been thinking of how to break up with you, but i think I don't need to anymore..." Alex was cut short by the old woman. "Honey..." The woman called rubbing her stomach. "Are you not done?" "I am done, baby." He said, giving her a charming smile. "I think you need to go now." He turned to me and said. I turned and ran, feeling embarrassed. I soon stopped running and just kept walking, my phone remained silent, still switched off. I didn't want to talk to anyone. Eventually, I found myself at a park, sitting on a bench, crying uncontrollably. How could Alex do this to me? How didn't I suspect anything? As the sun began to set, I realized I had to face reality. I was jobless, heartbroken, and alone. I switched on my phone and checked the time. 4:45 pm. I saw countless missed calls from Isabella. I guess she would have been worried since I didn't reply to her text. I dialed Isabella's number, and she picked at the first ring. "Hey, Sophie! Oh my God, I've been trying to reach you. Where have you been?" Isabella's voice was laced with concern. "I'm so sorry, Izzy. I had a rough day. Got fired and... and Alex cheated on me." Isabella gasped. "Oh no, Sophie! I always know that man is a jerk, I'm so sorry. But listen, I have some bad news too." My heart sank. "What is it?" "It's your mom. She fainted and was rushed to the hospital." My world crumbled. "What? Which hospital?" I demanded, already standing up. "St. Michael's, I heard she...." I didn't hear the rest. I was already running out of the park, my heart racing. Why is everything bad happening to me today? Why today? Why? I kept asking in my mind as I hailed a taxi.Behind the billonaire's mask!Chapter 2Sophie's POV As I arrived at the hospital, I saw Isabella waiting outside the emergency room. "Sophie!" She exclaimed, tears in her eyes. "How is she?" I asked, my voice shaking. "They are stabilizing her, the doctor will come out soon." I nodded, trying to stay calm.Just then, the doctor emerged, looking expressionless. "How is my mom?" I asked, tears threatening to fall."Are you her daughter?" He asked. I nodded in affirmation. "Why didn't you bring her in all these days?" the doctor's tone was gentle, but laced with concern."I...I didn't know it was this serious," I stammered."Your mother has Stage IV Renal Cell Carcinoma, a type of kidney cancer. It's aggressive and requires immediate attention."My world crumbled."Doctor, what is to be done?" Isabella asked, her voice cracking "We need to perform a nephrectomy to remove the affected kidney. But it's complex and costly.""Surgery?" I whispered. The doctor nodded.I felt a lump f
Behind the billonaire's mask!Chapter 3Sophie's POV "What?" I couldn't believe what I had just heard and saw in the paper."Be my woman and warm my bed" He said with a smirk. I felt like slapping him. What did he take me for? Do I look like a slut? And here I was thinking he looked like a model.Taah!Fuck those my thoughts!"Don't worry, to people you will be my wife, and it's only for eighteen months as stated in the contract," he added. "Do I look that cheap?" I asked, and tore the paper. "How will you even suggest that type of thing to a stranger?" Julian's smirk faltered for a moment, but he quickly regained his composure. "Ah, come now, Sophie. Don't be dramatic. It's just a mutually beneficial arrangement.""Mutually beneficial?" I repeated, incredulous. "You think using me as your sex toy is beneficial to me?"Julian shrugged. "You'll get to live a life of luxury, and your mother will receive the best medical care. What more could you want?""I want respect," I said, my vo
Behind the billonaire's mask!Chapter 4Julian's POV "Hello, Marcus," I said, on the phone with my secretary. "I need you to draft another contract. Sophie seems hesitant, but I'm confident she'll come around."Marcus's voice was smooth on the other end. "Yes, sir. And what about the terms? Should I make any adjustments?""Yes," I replied. "Add that she is to move into my house immediately. And she needs my permission to leave the house."Marcus's pause was almost imperceptible. "Understood, sir.""But do you really have to do this?" My friend, Caleb, said immediately I ended the call. Caleb had been my best friend for many years. We had both met in the organisation as a fellow assassin, I had quit because of an incident a year ago, but Caleb is still in the business. "Yes." I replied curtly."But she's innocent. It's one woman who hurt you. Why are you taking your revenge on the other innocent woman?" he said in a low and urgent voice. I stood, pacing around the room. "You don't u
Behind the Billonaire's Mask!Chapter 5Julian's POV "Missing?" I repeated, my voice low and even. "What do you mean she's missing?"Marcus swallowed hard. "I...I was watching her, sir. I went to the bathroom, before her mother was moved to the operating room and when i came back, she was gone."My eyes narrowed. "What of her mother and her friend?""I haven't seen anyone with her today, and her mom is in the operating room." Marcus said. I nodded and quickly pulled out my phone to dial her number, but she didn't pick up.I turned and walked into the hospital, scanning the area. Where could she be? What's this girl trying to pull with me? "Find her," I ordered, turning to Marcus."Yes, sir," Marcus replied, walking towards the exit.I sat down outside the operating room.As I scrolled through my phone, I heard sobs. I looked up to see Sophie emerging from the operating room, wearing a pair of green scrubs and a surgical mask hanging around her neck. Her eyes were red-rimmed, and te
Behind the Billonaire's MaskChapter 6Julian's POV"Sophie's mother's health has worsened." Marcus said, on our way to my grandfather's house."What do you mean worsened?" I demanded. "The doctor said she's developed complications from the surgery, and they are not sure when she'll wake up."Get the best medical team on it." I ordered. "Already done, sir." We arrived at my grandfather's estate, and I stepped out of the car, my mind preoccupied. Her mother must not die if I don't want her to cancel the contract. Augustine Blackwood, my grandfather, sat behind his desk, his eyes piercing."Julian, I've received disturbing news," he said.This old man is something! No greetings. "Regarding?" I asked, taking my seat."A potential threat to our family's business empire." He said, rubbing his temple. My interest piqued."Explain."My grandfather leaned forward."One of our major investors is considering withdrawal. We need to persuade them otherwise."I nodded."I'll handle it."My g
Chapter 7Victoria's POVI pushed open the door, a smile spreading across my face as I locked eyes with Julian. Evelyn's voice was a mere backdrop."Victoria, what are you doing here?" Evelyn demanded, again, but I ignored her.My eyes never left Julian's as I strode towards him, confidence oozing from every pore. The woman sitting opposite him – probably, the woman i was told moved in with him - looked up, her eyes looking calm She is unaware of what is coming for her - I am back to get Julian!Reaching Julian, I leaned in, my lips crashing against his in a deep, possessive kiss. Julian's eyes fluttered closed, his body relaxing into mine, but he didn't respond to the kiss. His passivity was unusual, but I didn't let it deter me.As our lips touched, I felt Julian's weakness, his resolve crumbling beneath my kiss. I love the way he melted against my kiss. He hasn't changed. He still can't resist me. I laughed inwardly. But before I could savor the moment, Evelyn's hands grasped my
Behind the Billionaire's mask!Chapter 8Sophie's POV I woke up to a gentle knock on my door, disorienting me for a moment. Julian never knocked; he always barged in. I couldn't even remember falling asleep. The last thing I recalled was video-calling Isabella, followed by an intense gaming session that left my fingers tingling.Shaking off the haze, I got out of bed and opened the door to find Evelyn standing in the hallway, her expression soft yet laced with something I couldn't quite place."Evy," I said, smiling as I stepped aside to let her in.Evelyn's presence was always a welcome surprise. Her visits always brightened my day, like a ray of sunshine breaking through a cloudy sky."Evy, aren't you going out again?" I asked, noticing she was now dressed in her casual attire, a vibrant sundress that highlighted her youthful energy.She settled onto my bed, fidgeting with her fingers, the way she always did when she was nervous. "I'm back already. Julian dropped me off while going
Behind the Billionaire's mask!Chapter 9Sophie's POV"Don't stay long, get anything you want to buy, and come back as soon as possible," Julian said, handing me his debit card with an air of nonchalance. I glanced at the shiny card, feeling a mix of disbelief and excitement. "How much are we to spend?" I asked, unsure of the limits."Spend any amount," Julian replied with a smirk. "It's not like you can spend it all unless you plan to buy the world."I raised an eyebrow."What if you want to use your card?"Julian chuckled. "Do I look like someone with only one debit card? The card belongs to you now. That's the benefit of being my wife."What?! Is this asshole being serious about taking care of me? The thought danced in my mind, both thrilling and terrifying. I know he promised to make me live in luxury, but I would have been just grateful if he had just paid my mom's hospital bills.Anyway, not bad! I mused. Evelyn, who was standing nearby, chimed in, "My brother is a billionaire!