Tamed by the Vengeful Billionaire

EMERALD

I'm so screwed. I really am.

However, giving up is not an option. Even though other applications haven't been successful, part of me was holding some tiny bit of hope with this housekeeping agency.

Telling my parents is not an option either.

There's still time. I can work on something. At least that's what I tell myself. Maybe so I don't crash.

I wait till my parents leave for the florist to search Theo's room, looking for clues. If he still had the drugs, I would return or sell them. It's illegal, but do I have a choice? If he had the money, even better. I would pay the debt and get this nightmare over with.

Now, if you were my stubborn, loving-and now secretive-brother, where would you hide things like that?

Our apartment is not sophisticated. It's just one we can afford. So, there are no complicated safety places, like the ones opened by codes or biometrics. I search the normal places; drawers, closet, bathroom, a space in the ceiling, under the bed, name them.

However, when I flip the mattress over, something captures my eyes. A book, actually a black diary.

WHAT? Since when...

I don't have time to dwell on that.

Respect privacy. I picture mother arguing with me about that.

But that's all it is, an imagination. If I don't breach his privacy, probably, there would be no family left. We will argue about it when he wakes up.

I hope he does.

"He will wake up," I mumble to myself, when I feel the fear creeping in.

I decide to check carefully, page by page, for the millionth time, holding my tiny bit of hope.

However, unlike other empty pages, one of the pages in the middle of it has a small paragraph.

It's Theo's handwriting. Well, at least I'm now fully certain the book belongs to him.

[ Diaries are for girls ]

I smile at the first statement. Typical Theo.

[I'll try it my way so it doesn't sound girlish. The only reason I'm keeping it is because I need a constant reminder of my goal. If my sister finds this, I'm screwed. One, because she'll probably laugh at me for the whole year...]

A soft laugh escapes my lips. Damn right, little brother...

[... Two, because that would mean she's found out about my big secret]

I squint my eyes, as though I'm not already aware. I proceed, with the hope of finding something deeper.

[Dear Theo, always remember, you're doing this for your family. A lot of sacrifices have been made.]

And then...there's nothing else. I flip the rest of the pages, but they're all empty.

What!

That's all?

It's only when a huge wave of disappointment kicks in, that I realize the amount of hope I was holding wasn't just tiny. I'd hoped to find answers. Maybe something to lighten the situation, but it turns out it was just a dead end.

I weigh more options the entire morning. The search in Theo's room wasn't of help. Which means I need to think deeper. There's an option of searching the entire apartment too.

I'm in the living room deep in thought, when a certain idea hits me. I narrow my eyes, contemplating whether to go through that path or not. I'm not sure it's going to work, but it's worth the shot. Besides, I'm so desperate right now, which means I can't be picky.

_____________________

Not much has changed at The Galaxy Hotel. I'm about to get in when a guard at the entrance stops me. He's a new one. Well, something has changed.

"Ma'am, you're not allowed here," he says, sternly, sure of his words.

"What?" My pupils widen. Is it because I was fired? But, can't I come back as a regular patron? It doesn't make sense. Did the rules change, or do I totally look like someone who can't afford this place?

"Why?" I ask him.

"I don't want to lose my job, ma'am." His words awaken another series of confusion in me.

"How's your job related to me walking in?" I pry, with narrowed eyes.

He digs into his pockets for a picture.

It's a picture of me. The one that was taken for my profile when I was employed.

I'm still confused when I glance back at the man.

"The boss gave clear instructions. You're not allowed here, and anyone found associating with this woman on the hotel premises will be fired."

This is outrageous.

Why would they...

Lindsey's text comes rushing into my head, interrupting the series of questions. So, this is it? She really meant it?

However, I don't want to give up this easily.

"Which boss are you talking about? Cecilia?" I pry.

"No. The Boss," he answers, returning the picture to his pocket.

"Cecilia specifically called me. I have a meeting with her," I lie. The man shoots me a skeptical look.

Okay, this is going to be harder than I thought.

"You can call her and confirm," I coax, holding my breath, hoping Cecilia will be merciful enough.

There's a long process to reach Cecilia. She comes to the entrance about ten minutes later.

I let out a heavy breath. At least, that's one step. Although, I didn't know the first step would be this hard. The next step however, I'm not sure. It's still worth the risk.

"Emerald," Cecilia grabs my arm and leads me as far away from the restaurant until we're at a nearby street.

"I'm risking my job talking to you. You're not supposed to be anywhere close to the hotel premises," she states the obvious.

I should be famous by now, shouldn't I?

"What kind of rule is that?"

"You've been painted as a thief who's a danger to the hotel," she explains.