Billionaire's Treasure

Chapter 4

BERYL

I'm busy collecting their orders and serving them drinks. I have to be active because if I just sit there to be served, I'll be in trouble later for acting like a boss.

It's Brenda's turn and when I server her wine, she tips her glass, pouring all the wine on me and spoiling my beautiful dress.

“Oh sorry, you're such a clumsy girl! Be careful next time, will you? I hope you're not hurt.” She exclaims with fake concern.

Fuck you bastard! I murmur inwardly. I know she did that on purpose but she's here insinuating that I'm the clumsy one. Oh no.

The red wine stains my navy blue dress and the glass shatters on the garden wooden floor.

“I'm sorry...I'll clean up!” I apologise, panicking already.

“No harm done dear...”

Mrs. Smith comforting voice echoes from behind me.

I pick up the shards of glass and head to the kitchen, throwing them into the trash can.

“What happened dear?”our chef Andrew asks.

“It's Brenda, she spilled all her wine on me!” I reply bitterly and I am almost emotional.

“I'm so sorry dear, that young lady lacks manners. She wants to get married to Mr. Smith's son right?”

“Yes dear. I hate the fact that we're even related! She only wants to be associated with the wealthy and might! She never cares about anyone else whatsoever!” I reply, still bitter that Brenda had the to humiliate me in front of our guests.

“I pity whoever is going to marry her. She's troublesome and quite a handful!” Camilla who's seated there offers me an apologetic smile and offers to help me clean up the wine.

Since it's impossible to wipe the wine from the dress unless I was it entirely, I thank her for her concern and kindness and rush upstairs to change to another dress. I can't continue sitting with our guests in that same stained dress.

I settle on a figure hugging red dress and after putting in on, I check myself in the mirror and I decide to redo my makeup since I'm already sweating.

After ensuring that I'm okay, I turn to go downstairs but I almost trip over Brenda who's leaning on the wall near the door.

“That dress makes you look fat! You already know he's mine, don't you?” she states distastefully.

I sigh heavily. I'm beginning to get an headache. It's not like we're competing on who to get Henry, besides, I already know her parents want him for her and I'm totally okay. I'm not comfortable with arranged or contract marriages after all!

“I know right? You must go back to him..I'm sure he's lonely without you!” I say politely, trying to hide the sarcasm and bitterness inside me. This girl is trying my patience already and I don't want to snap on her!

“They're talking business..” she sighs, inspecting her elongated nails!

Without sparing her another glance, I walk down the stairs towards the living room. Camilla has already poured me another drink and I gladly take it from her hands. Sipping it, the velvety texture can't help but blanket my tongue and I relish in the warmth the red wine gives me.

As I continue sipping on my wine, Henry Smith approaches me and I politely ask him if he has enjoyed his dinner. He replies in the affirmative and comments on how delicious it was.

His gaze goes back to his glass of red wine and I notice that it's the same kind of wine I'm taking.

What a coincidence!

So we kinda fancy the same stuff?

“However, I'd have appreciated if your sister kept her hands to herself.” he says, making me snap out of my temporary reverie.

“You don't have to be disgusted Henry. Isn't she's supposed to be your future wife?” I chuckle humourlessly.

“I don't like her, talk less of getting married to her!”

Immediately he finishes that statement, Brenda makes her way to where we are and calls out Henry's name.

“Hi there Henry, what are your two talking about?” she asks, pouting her red lips seductively. Typical Brenda...

“Business.” he replies with disinterest and before Brenda says anything else, Mrs. Smith approaches us.

“It's time to go Henry.” she says as she approaches us. “It was wonderful meeting you!” she pulls me into a tight hug and I find myself reciprocating. It's not all the time I get such kind of attention and care. I really feel good at her gesture. She's so kind!

“You as well Mrs. Smith..”

I reply.

“Please call me Leah.” she says while smiling.

“Okay ma'am.” I reply shyly. I'm not used to that kind of attention. All my life, or at least since I was ten, I've grown amidst uncaring and ruthless people whom I now call family.

The Smiths bid all of us goodbye and head outside.

After the goodbyes, I turn in excitement only to meet Mr. Wilson's eyes burning with fury and I immediately conclude that I'm doomed!

“Daddy, she was flirting with my fiance all this while! She wants to snatch him away from me!” Brenda screeches.

I'm filled with uneasiness and I fidget with my fingers.

Mr. Wilson seems to be angered even more after Brenda's assurance that I was flirting with Henry. Well, I wasn't. I was just being friendly!

The alcohol in his system seems to do him no good and I already know that I'm in deep s**t!

“Helen, Brenda, it's already late. Kindly go to sleep.”

He says softly to his wife and daughter as he approaches me. “I need to have a word with Beryl!”

What? This doesn't sound good at all. Does he want to kill me?

They kiss him goodnight and smirk at me mockingly as they pass. I'm still rooted on the same spot.

“You'll never learn, will you?” he says while hovering over me. He's taller, way taller than me.

“I told you to keep your head down and stay quiet, didn't I?” he asks angrily while still towering over me, his Alcohol laced breathe burning my face.

“Answer me damn it!” he growls and I find myself cowering in fear.

“Y-ye-yes sir.” I say while trembling.

A rough hand grips my throat and squeezes it, making me gasp. I try in vain to pull his arms off my neck since I'm already finding it hard to breathe as I gasp for air.

“You flirted with Henry like the slut that you are, making your sister look bad, didn't you?” he shouts in my face.

Hot tears run down my face. If I die today, then I'll go straight to heaven because I am innocent. Everybody seemed interested and attracted to me. I didn't crave for anybody's attention at all!

My cry for help falls into deaf ears as he kicks and strangles me. He's hellbent on finishing me off! He man handles me, shouting at the top of his voice that he better kills me than seeing me get into the way of Brenda's future!

In one swift motion, he throws my head down into the hard tiled floor and my vision starts blurring as he leaves me there to die!