The Irresistible Billionaire

"Half a million dollars?!" I exclaimed, staring at the check my unofficial auntie and benefactor handed me. "Auntie, what kind of job are you offering me? You're not selling drugs, are you?"

She laughed, the kind of deep, heartfelt laughter. "You silly girl, I wouldn’t go through all the hardships I’ve been through just to end up in jail. Sweetheart, I’m smarter than that."

Figures. Tamara Shawn, a former beauty queen, a public figure who married a trillionaire. She was almost perfect, at least in the public's eyes. In mine, she was the most beautiful woman I’d ever met—inside and out.

"I’m just asking for a little favor," she added, holding her fingers close together as if it were no big deal.

"A ‘little’ favor for a million dollars?" I raised an eyebrow.

That’s a little hard to believe.

I’ve just finished college, and I’m not dumb enough to think there’s not something fishy going on here.

She waved me off. "Do you remember my godson, Johnny Miles? You both went to the same school before he flew to London," she began.

Just hearing his name made my skin crawl, like something was tickling my nose and I was about to sneeze. "How could I forget him?" I chuckled, though my smile didn’t reach my eyes.

I had a feeling I wasn’t going to like where this was going.

Johnny Miles—oh, I knew him alright. That asshole had made my life a living hell. A bully, a jerk, and the guy I hated most.

I could still hear his taunting voice in my head, pulling my hair, calling me names, mocking me every time we crossed paths.

But instead of showing my disgust, I kept a tight, quivering smile on my lips.

"Well, he just landed here in LA, and he’s aiming to be the next president of his father's company," Tamara continued. "His parents are looking for someone trustworthy to work with him. And, I thought of you."

I wanted to ask why his arrival had anything to do with me, but I didn’t want to seem ungrateful. After all, she was the one who’d taken me in when I was an orphan, fed me, and sent me to college. I was practically her adopted daughter.

"There's a vacant position at the company. I thought you could fill it," she said with a hopeful smile.

"Eh..." I stuttered, my nerves kicking in. "What position, Auntie?"

"Secretarial," she answered, and my hands instantly began to sweat. "You did a fantastic job during your internship, and I can guarantee that you’ll do great in this role. You’re resilient, diligent, and you’ve been under my supervision. I trust you."

Her eyes were wide, full of hope, as if I had no choice but to accept. And deep down, I knew refusing her would break her heart. It was my biggest weakness.

"So, what’s it gonna be?" she asked.

"Uh... Auntie?" My voice shook slightly. "What was the money for? I—I don’t understand."

She chuckled softly, raising a finger. "Oh, it’s simple, dear. I just want you to do a good job, and I thought you could use the incentive." She fished for her phone and scrolled. "Ah, here it is."

She turned the screen toward me, practically pressing it into my face. I squinted through my glasses, trying to make out the picture.

"I see a man in a suit," I said, wrinkling my nose. "He looks... like someone I’d expect to be an asshole."

"Perfect answer," she said, smiling as she pulled the phone away. "That’s Johnny."

I nearly choked. That was him? No wonder my gut twisted like I had just eaten something rotten.

Dark tousled hair, drowsy hazel eyes, and a jawline sharp enough to cut glass. He looked more like trouble than a businessman. He might’ve grown into a man, but I didn’t think he’d grown up.

He was born to be a troublemaker. I could only hope for the survival of his father's company.

"Oh," I muttered, my interest nowhere to be found now. I'll have to try and care about it later.

"He’s looking to take over his father’s company, and his parents are worried about his... choices," Tamara continued. "They want someone trustworthy to keep him in line. Someone who won’t fall for his charms and become just another girl clinging to him."

"And you think that person is me?" I asked, disbelief creeping into my voice. "Why me?"

"Why not you?" Tamara shrugged. "You and Johnny... well, your relationship wasn’t exactly smooth. You’re perfect for this. Keep his head in the game, and make sure he doesn’t cause any trouble."

I stared at her, my chest tightening. Perfect for this? I would rather be buried in quicksand than face him again.

"Please, Cass," she pleaded, pouting her red lips. "I promised Vera I would convince you. If you can’t handle it, call me. I’ll get you out right away, I swear."

My heart raced. I didn’t want to disappoint her. I knew she was doing this because she thought it was the right thing. But I also knew that facing Johnny would bring back memories I wasn’t ready to relive.

"Okay," I mumbled, already regretting the decision. "I’ll do it."

"Really?" Her face lit up with relief and excitement. She hugged me before dragging me to the mall, picking out clothes for my new job.

"Do you think this is too pink?" she asked, holding up a bright blouse and a pair of slacks. Before I could answer, she tossed them to her bodyguard, who dutifully placed them in the basket.

I stood behind her as she browsed, occasionally asking for my opinion, but ultimately deciding everything herself.

“These are perfect,” she said, holding up the clothes she’d selected. "These are for your first day. You’ll nail it."

I had to admit, I felt the weight of this decision already.

"Will Johnny be there?" I asked, crossing my fingers that she’d say no.

"Of course," she chuckled. "He’s going to be your boss, sweetheart."

Why did I even have to ask the obvious?

"And Vera said she wants you two to meet soon to see if there’s... chemistry," she added casually, as if that wouldn’t be the most terrifying thing in the world. "I mean, after all, he’s been dealing with a lot of pregnancy scares from girls in his past. His parents just want to be sure he doesn’t get distracted."

My vision blurred for a moment. Chemistry? With Johnny? The man who made my high school years hell? The same man I swore I’d never let into my life again?

"Oh," I muttered, my legs suddenly feeling unsteady. I grabbed a nearby shelf to steady myself, as the floor seemed to spin.

"And don’t forget," Tamara added, as if she hadn’t already rocked my world enough. "Johnny’s into women with curves—big boobs, nice bums. So... keep that figure under wraps. He has a thing for pretty girls with curly hair and blue eyes. You’ve got the curls, so just leave the glasses on. Trust me, it’s better this way."

A chill ran down my spine. He’s into women like that? I wanted to crawl into a hole and hide. But what's most questionable was Tamara's thinking I have "that" body.

"Heh..." I just responded with my awkward dog smile.

"I know I'm putting you in this situation, but that's only because I know you prioritize your future more than thinking about men and sex."

I winced at her words, feeling uncomfortable with any sensual reference. "Yes, Auntie," I replied, fulfilling her expectations.

She smiled, unaware to the storm brewing inside me, and finished shopping.

After over a decade, I was about to come face to face with the man who had shattered my ego and defeated my self-esteem. And now, I was supposed to work for him.

I wasn’t just scared—I was terrified.

What if he remembered me? I'll definitely die.

And the worst part? I couldn’t back out now. Not without disappointing the one person who had given me everything.

So, I had no choice but to put my game face on and pray I wouldn’t break under the pressure. Because if I did... I might just lose everything.