Tamed by the Vengeful Billionaire

EMERALD

HAVE YOU EVER LOST two things that you valued on the same day? How bad was it that he couldn’t even find words to defend himself? I had to draw most conclusions by myself.

Because even if he’d tried to lie again and claim that Lindsey didn't mean anything, the truth would still come out in one way or the other.

The woman just promised to make my life a living hell. I'll cross that bridge, but right now, as much as it hurts, Gabriel and I are over.

What do you do when you’ve just dumped your deceitful boyfriend?

A night out with Alicia. That’s it.

As my parents always say, past is past, today is a gift, and the future is bright.

Sitting on my bed, crying myself to sleep, would be akin to letting Gabriel win. He'd still be controlling my life. He isn't worthy of that.

I have a VIP ticket for Luvian, which I got from a loyal patron at The Galaxy. It was his way of thanking me for my services. His form of a tip. He’d said he was leaving the country and didn’t want to waste a precious ticket. I had kept it, despite not being sure whether I was ever going to use it.

Now, all I can say is, perfect timing.

What I know about that club is that it’s one of the overpriced ones in the city. Alicia could know more. We’re probably going to mingle with millionaires and billionaires. We might look out of place, but I don’t care. The point is, today is a gift, so why not enjoy it the way it is?

We head for the bar first, because I need to take shots as soon as possible.

“One, two, three…” We gulp down the shots in unison and slam the empty glasses on the counter, scrunching our faces. That’s what a shot of scotch does to us. Someone once told me, the best way to handle scotch is to sip it slowly, savoring the flavor. I don’t think I have that kind of patience now.

Oh, and that someone was Gabriel, which is why I’d rather have my throat burned than take his advice.

“So,” Alicia begins. “Your life is in danger? Should I get you a bodyguard?” She jokes. It’s barely been five minutes since I narrated the events of my day to her.

“What if they're empty threats for me to leave her man, which I just did?”

Did I make a rash decision? Of course not. He lied to me. His actions cost me my job. I should cut him off before this becomes one of those long-term, on-and-off toxic relationships.

“Well, then I have a better suggestion.”

I raise a brow in interest.

“Let's kill Gabriel,” she says without blinking. Like it’s an option. Sounds like a fantastic idea, but I can do better with my life than serve jail time because of an asshole.

“Get me five shots of tequila,” a deep, sultry voice captures my attention before I respond to Alicia’s suggestion. I immediately make a quick turn to capture the owner of that sexy voice that's hard to ignore.

My eyes meet a pair of sexy ones. Just like his voice.

And…did he just come straight from a modeling agency? Everything about this guy is hot. I can't tear my eyes away from him. Goodness, I'd buy any product advertised by him.

He has very admirable lashes and bushy brows—typical of most men—but that doesn't make him look like any common man. It makes him…more gorgeous. The loose strand of hair hanging on the forehead is another highlight of his killer look. The rest of his brown hair makes my hand itch for a touch. He must be using men's most expensive hair product there is. Or is it natural?

He's in a button-up white shirt. The first three buttons from the top are open, revealing a tip of his chest. Damn! My eyes linger on his chest, then his broad shoulders. How…how does one manage to look like this?

“That will be twenty thousand dollars.” His voice startles me. It takes a few seconds to realize he's not talking to the bartender. Goodness, I must have stared at that beautiful art for more than it is appropriate.

“What?” I ask, confused. Last I checked, I wasn't the bartender. Whatever this guy is smoking, I'd love to have some. In fact, make that double.

“You've been staring like you want to eat me alive, which is why I'm charging you. Are you a cannibal or something?” He asks with a frown.

He still looks desirable with that frown.

“Something,” I flash a fake smile. The initial frown on his face is replaced with a smile.

Fake or real, he should do that often. It's like I've seen a ray of sunshine in the dark. A smile so beautiful, with the ability to pull me out of my distress. I'd choose to watch that for the whole night.

However, this time I'm careful not to get charged for over-staring.

Wait, what kind of assholery was that? And did he just call me a cannibal?

“Get over yourself,” I roll my eyes. Coming back to my senses, I glower at him.

I turn to the silent, Alicia, ignoring the stranger.

“I should get over myself? You're the one who wants to eat me alive.” He scoffs. “Thank goodness I don't have a crazy girlfriend.” This time, he leans in, making me breathe faintly, taking in his intoxicating scent. That only lasts a few seconds until my mind catches up to what he just said.

Why would he randomly talk about a crazy girlfriend? Does it mean his girlfriend is here? And why does the thought of it send a dull ache through my heart? Must be the alcohol. I stick to that.

“What?” I turn to give him attention.

“I said, thank goodness, I don’t have a crazy girlfriend,” he clarifies.

Before I probe, he turns to the bartender.

“Make that fifteen shots, for the ladies. Especially her.” He motions his head, referring to me. “She's had a crappier day than mine. She needs it more.” Then he turns to me. His eyes bore into mine, sending my heart into a race. His lips part, and the words, “right, baby?” flow off smoothly, making my entire world pause.

Baby.

I let out a breath. It feels like I’ve just run a marathon in those few seconds.

What the hell? I’m concerned about the wrong words. Let’s go back to the part where he seems certain about the kind of day I’ve had. I turn to give Alicia a slight glance, to check if she’s as confused as I am. She responds with raised brows and refocuses on her drink like she doesn’t want to be part of my drama.

That’s a first.

Then I turn back to the Adonis. “Do we know each other?” I squint my eyes.

“Not until today. Unless my memory has suddenly become faulty—which, of course, it hasn't— you’re the home-wrecking girl from the hotel. How is your skin, by the way? I hope it didn’t get burned. It would be a shame for such charming skin…”

“Asshole,” I hiss, gritting my teeth, now getting it.

I came to have fun. Not to be reminded of what my life has become. He responds with an annoying smirk. One plus one… He must have witnessed the scandal earlier. It sickens me that he’s judging from the fence. And why do I even care about what he thinks?

“Does it hurt? Minding your business, asshole?” I speak out as I feel the anger rise beneath my veins. Is it the fact that a guy can look breathtakingly handsome but have a lot of trash coming off his mouth, or am I so upset from the events of the day that even the slightest provocation triggers my fury?

“Don’t crucify me,” he raises his hands. “I was just a spectator of the girls' drama.”

“Unbelievable!” My pupils widen.

Girls’ drama?

What did I expect from a random stranger in a club, anyway?

“Note to self: unless you want your skin marinated with soup, do not sleep with someone else’s partner.”

I don't know how things happen so fast, because one minute, I’m staring at the man, and then the next, I’m using my hands to splash two shots of tequila on his white shirt. My action earns a gasp from Alicia and the bartender.

“Damn! That’s feisty. And…hot.”

Umm…what? That’s definitely the most unexpected reaction.

“Not sleeping with anyone I shouldn't, yet I’m getting almost the same punishment?” He mutters.

There’s no trace of offense on his face. On the contrary, he seems to be enjoying this, if the smirk tugging at the corner of his lips is any indication. A sexy smirk that leaves me wondering…

Are we in the same reality?

“Do you know the repercussions of what you’ve done?” He asks. I think I’ve had enough threats for the day.

“Are you going to have me arrested?” I shrug.

He grins. “I like you.”

Is he being serious?