Revenge of the Billionaire’s Ex-Lover

02. Under the Whiskey’s Influence

MY MIND WONDER LIKE CRAZY as the announcement from my father earlier keeps on repeating in my mind. It was like I was stuck in a time zone that I didn’t want and everything just kept getting worse and worse without any escape possible, but then… It is my reality. There is no escape into such a worse reality of my life… and I know well that it could get worse.

I sat on the couch with my gaze locked into thin air. The room is so bright with the white lights around the house that I don’t even know why I came in here rather than going straight into my own place. However, the brighter this whole house is, the darker my feelings deep inside that don't seem to have some color in it anymore. After all, it has become darker for many years now.

If I am being honest, what happened earlier, I should have expected the moment my father has been bringing up such marriage talks since last year. May it be in front of my friends, our business partners, our relatives, and many more. He would often bring it up as if his main intention is to finally give away his useless daughter that he never dares to appreciate any effort she excels. Just for him to actually do it, it makes me realize how much he really wanted to get rid of me at this point.

I always knew how cruel my father was. He is a perfectionist who only sees the perfection in him despite so many faults that he has. He is the kind of a businessman who cares more about his business rather than the people around him, much less his family. At this point, I don’t even get how my mother still managed to understand him when Dianna and I have grown tired after just living with him for more than two decades then went to get our own place already for our own space. I can’t understand how she can just simply turn a blind eye from all of my father’s stupidity. But then, that is probably what love can do even for those around their ages.

A deep sigh escaped my lips as I massage my forehead, feeling the heaviness of my chest that can’t seem to get off right now. This home is so big that it couldn’t get any lonelier than when I was here until now. For some reason, even with the maids scattered around the whole house, I still feel the loneliness and the betrayal inside my chest the more I stay here. However, I can’t just leave without speaking up for my side.

I had enough from all of this!

The moment I heard a car pulling over outside the main door, I immediately stood up. I gulped down hard, almost hypnotizing myself over and over again to not be scared from the man who never really wanted to hear my opinion. The longer I wait, the more it feels like my tongue has been tied and there is nothing left to be said once again. It’s funny how even without my father’s presence yet in front of me, I felt like I have no chance to say my words anymore.

“Dear, you are still here,” Mom exclaimed upon opening the door and seeing me.

She looks at me in shock, but the moment my father walks in, it was replaced with worry. Unlike her brave self when we are alone and whenever she is fighting for her patients, she ends up just standing on the side with nothing left to say. I could understand her so well. The intimidating aura my father has has always made me feel scared to say a single word… but I won’t let it happen today.

“Dad, about earlier—”

“There is nothing to talk about earlier, Kaylie. Prepare yourself to go out with Darryl by next week after his shift from the hospital. His father said that you two will be having dinner together. Take it as a bonding phase to get comfortable with one another more. After all, you will be getting married soon anyway.” He said with full authority as if I don’t have any chance to decline it.

“His father says what?” I softly asked in the most polite way possible. He suddenly stared at me with those blank eyes that he often gives whenever I have something to say with his words. “It was uncle who said that Darryl and I are going to have dinner together, not Darryl?”

My pulse almost quickens as he releases a deep breath. “Yes. And if his father says so, then it will happen. It’s just like if I told you to go out for dinner with him, you would do it.” He pointed out with no shame.

He didn’t give me any chance to respond anymore and only walked past me. I wasn’t sure what to feel anymore at this point. I feel frustrated because I am being controlled once again. I feel bad for myself because I am being restrained from doing something I really wanted to do since the very beginning. I feel like just wanting to disappear because I have nothing else to do but to keep following him. Yet… he doesn’t even care.

“I don’t want to get married.” I confidently say looking down into the floor. I mustered up my courage then took a deep breath before looking in his direction, meeting his deadly gazes that almost made me want to back out from this courage I had. “I… I don’t want to get married to anyone forcefully.”

“Forcefully?” He repeated, stepping down from the stairs until we were at the same level again. He walks towards me, stopping in front with his gaze lock on me. “Do you think I was forcing you?”

Yes… he does… all the time.

There was never a day when I felt like I wasn’t being forced to do something that is beyond my limitations. I get that it is good to go beyond that line, but in personal matters, that is not acceptable anymore. May it be with my decision regarding business matters or just a simple opinion I say during a meeting, all of those are forced because those words came from him still and I can only give in to those words, and let him control me.

Many wonder before why I am similar to a playgirl. Even my friends called me a female casanova who plays around with men then leaves them hanging when the exciting part has come, though I always put myself into trouble before I could manage to get away from them. But that is all because I am rebelling… still.

It might seem too immature for a grown up like me to keep acting like this when I could have just let things go and just accept my path then be grateful to it. But, how can I be grateful when the path I was being led to is not even an ounce of what I really want to walk in? And in order for me to just feel like I can still do the things I want without being forced is that I live a double life—one with my father’s shadow watching me and the other one is out of his sight.

“If you think I am forcing you into this marriage then tell me now, Kaylie Amber.” He insisted in such a firm tone, as if he is threatening me not to say a single word. I kept my silence and only stared back to his intimidating gaze, knowing that I am about to lose once again. “Do you even know why that marriage is happening?”

“I wouldn’t know because you never told me.” I almost whispered my answer. Am I that scared of him up until now?

“That marriage is crucial for us, Kaylie. You know well how the hotel has been getting a lot of competitors around the area and how the stocks have been going low these days. In order to save the humiliation the company will face and for us to still own the hotel, we need Darryl and his family’s wealth. Their investment in the company will help us expand the hotel more and keep it on top. So,” he stepped closer to me without taking his gaze away. “Do you still not want to get married at this point when the company is already at risk?”

I am in deep conflict now.

Since then, whenever I am forced to do something I don’t want, he always uses the company that my great grandfather has passed down by generation against me so that I would agree. He knows well how much I value the company and the promise I gave my grandmother about looking after our family business without letting it fall down. With that in mind, he knows that anything that concerns the company, I would eventually give in… and today is not really different.

Today… I am giving in once again.

My silence filled the room that later made him smirk in victory. He didn’t say a single word anymore after that and just left me standing there in major conflict and regret once again. I could only close my eyes as I thought about my defeat that never seems to turn into victory even just for once in my lifetime. When I opened my eyes, I saw Mom looking at me apologetically, which I could smile at because… well, that is the only thing I could now—pretend still that I am cool with all of this.

She approached me then reached for my hand to hold. “I will talk to your father, okay? For now, you should go back to your place first and take a rest if you want. But you can stay in your room upstairs as well.” She said, but I didn’t want to stay there longer.

I told her I will leave rather than staying there after what happened. It is because if I stay there longer, I feel like I am going to be crazy already with all the thoughts in my mind. So, I returned to my place and changed into new clothes before heading out again to go to the bar after sending my friends a message about asking them to drink with me. I went there without even confirming if they would actually come.

The moment that I arrived at the bar, I immediately asked for several shots of whiskey, not even caring what will happen to me after this. I just need to let this heaviness and all the problems I have out of my system, and drinking will eventually ease that for a few hours. I sat there silently and not knowing how much I had drunk until a hand stopped me from drinking another shot.

“Are you trying to kill yourself or what?!” Jordan’s familiar voice echoed into my ear as she stole the glass from my hand then placed it on the counter. I only looked at her with droopy eyes as she occupied the high chair next to me. “I should have known the moment you ran away from the hotel that you would come here for a drink.”

I placed my lazy hand into her shoulder that made her look at me in confusion. “Do you think I don’t deserve to be happy? Can I even be happy?” I asked her, drunkenly.

She let out a deep sigh, then looked at me worriedly. “You tried talking to your father again, didn’t you?” I immediately put down my hand from her shoulder then looked down with my lips pouting. “What did he say to you this time?”

“He said the company needs Darryl and his family’s wealth.” I reached for the shot of whiskey, only tracing my finger on the tip of the glass. “He used the company as well knowing that I wouldn’t say no to it.”

Between choosing my personal life and the company, it will always be the latter. Not only because of the promise I made to my grandparents, but it is solely because of the responsibility I put into myself as the heir of that family business. I wanna make sure that our family business won't end before me or under my supervision. It is the sense of responsibility that always made me choose that more than anything else.

That is probably the reason why I envy those who are not meant to be the successors of their businesses. Out of my friends, I am the only successor while the rest are just creating their own company or either the middle or younger child. The only man in our circle, Deven, is the youngest among four siblings so he was given a chance to create his own company. Kiana is the middle child who managed to be given a chance to choose what path she wanted to walk to. And lastly, Jordan is the youngest among two siblings who is adored and was able to pursue her dream career as a Cardiologist. They were all given a chance while I… I wasn’t given that chance even for once.

“Jordan,” I called her name, which raised her eyebrows in response. “What does it really feel like to be given a chance to do whatever you want?”

She looks at me in pity, letting out a deep sigh. “Kaylie—”

“It’s okay! Don’t pity me. I just wanna know… so please tell me.” I insisted.

She looks hesitant at first, something I couldn’t blame her as she is clearly aware of my situation. But she eventually talked. “If I am going to be honest with you, of course it feels good. The ability to have your own choices. The ability to move based on the decision you make. It all feels good. However, the moment you get yourself into trouble or you make a mistake because of that choice you choose, the consequences can only be faced by you… that is the disadvantage of it.” She explained.

“Isn’t that much better than not having your own choice?” I exclaimed as she slowly nodded.

“It is… but not until you had to face the biggest consequences in your life that you never really wanted to have.” Suddenly, she reached for my hand and held it tight enough for me to give my attention to her despite being all tipsy already. “Kaylie, you need to remember that, just because you were given a chance to decide about what you want to do in life, it doesn’t mean you will take advantage of it wholeheartedly. One decision or choice you make comes with one consequence.”

But the only difference is that I was given nothing at all. Jordan didn’t stay long in the bar with me because she received a call from the hospital, so I was left alone still with so many thoughts running through my mind that slowly became blurred the more I drank. There is no one stopping me now so I could care less at this point. I don’t even care anymore if I will have to stay here and just drive back home tomorrow morning once I sober up.

Just as my eyes were about to close already, I saw a figure next to me. He stands so tall and he obviously has glasses on despite how blurry he is in my sight already. I tried to sit properly, but he had to help me stay still before I could even do so. He occupied the chair next to me and just kept his silence while staring at me without even planning to look away.

“Can I ask you something?” I asked in a drunk tone. He only nodded, almost making me think that he might be mute or it is probably just me. “Are you allowed to make your own choices?”

I was expecting an answer from him, but all I ever got was silence that made me sigh. “You are hard to talk to. Then I will just speak!” I confidently said, even raising my voice a bit. “Just earlier, my father wanted me to get married to my childhood friend that I only see as a friend. But I didn’t want to get married, especially if it is an arranged marriage! So I told him that, but he only said that our company will go down and disappear if I don’t marry my friend. I have nothing to say again because of that! He made the choice for me once again and I am left to follow his words with no doubt. I am so stupid.”

“Have you told him about this then? Your actual feelings?” I look at him, pointing with my lazy fingers as a small chuckle escapes my lips.

“You do talk,” I said in between chuckles. “But no, I can’t. My father is too intimidating and scary for me to even say a single word. I mean, even my mother can’t go against his decisions most of the time and my younger sister just chose to move away and pick the most busiest career she could ever pick. So, how can I even say a single word when they can’t?”

“So… you are scared then?” He pointed out that it made me glare at him. However, I only softened my eyes a few seconds later because this stranger is indeed right. I am indeed scared. “What if I tell you that there is a solution to your problem?”

“And that is?”

Suddenly, he turned the chair fully for me to face him with both of his arms on each side of me. I looked up to meet his deep gaze on me, and somehow, it felt so familiar that it almost sober me up. Even with his face still slightly blurred into my sight, I have been getting this weird feeling inside me like. I feel both scared yet familiar with his presence.

“Marry me instead.” He exclaimed that made me burst into laughter after his words processed in my mind.

“Marry you?” I said in between laughter.

He suddenly leaned forward with just a few inches of space between our faces. “Then would you rather marry your childhood friend?” He asked in a deep voice that made my laughter slowly disappear to my lips.

“I-I… I-I mean—”

Without any warning, he leaned in and claimed my lips with his soft lips. My eyes widened for a moment and my mind stopped processing for a while as this stranger unexpectedly and suddenly made a move on me. I didn’t expect it at all since the very moment he randomly showed up next to me and gave me a cold shoulder at first until I spoke up. But somehow, I feel so drawn to his whole presence and his lingering kisses.

We were in that state for a couple of minutes until he broke it off then reached for my hand to pull me somewhere. I could only follow with my body and the alcohol takes control of my mind already. This shouldn’t be happening, but I can’t even stop an inch. I don’t have any control of the whole system now.

He opened a door that leads into a black colored room before I heard him lock the door behind us. Without any hesitation, he pushed me into the wall with my back facing it then stared at me deeply and darkness filled his eyes.

“Do you want this?” He asked in such a seducing tone that made me feel tingly inside my stomach.

No, I don’t want this. I swear to myself that I would never reach this point, but… I can’t even say that at all.

“Just do it.” I responded back, almost whispering.

Without any hesitation, he immediately claimed my lips and hungrily kissed me as if he was actually longing to get a taste of me. I tried catching on to his pace and wrapped my arms around his neck but he was too excited for me to even match him. His hand traveled from my waist to my legs slowly, giving me such a ticklish feeling all over my body, before he raised my legs on both of his sides then carried me.

I wrapped my legs around his torso as he supported my weight through my bum, squeezing it. I moaned into his lips as he pushed his tongue inside me as we fought in dominance. My mind was being tortured as the next thing I knew my back was already facing the mattrss and he is already undressing his top in front of me. I feel so aroused and out of myself but all I know is that… I will surely regret this tomorrow.

The bright sunlight rays greeted me the moment I opened my eyes and saw the view in front of me. I sat up slowly, feeling the immediate pain in my head and in between my legs that woke me up right away. As I look around, my clothes are scattered on the floor with the whole room almost a mess as some of the small decorations have fallen into the floor as well.

“What the f**k have you done, Kaylie?” I whispered to myself, holding into my throbbing head.

As I let my legs hang on the bed, getting ready to dress up and leave, a particular note catches my attention. I immediately reached for it and all I could do was shake my head and sigh upon reading the note.

I’m sorry I had to leave early but don’t worry, we will meet again. Thanks for the great night, Kaylie.

Fucking hell!