Betrayed by my Ex, Became the Billionaire's Obsession

DEMI

The scariest thing happened this week and it still terrifies me despite the fact that it was only three days ago. When I found my mother lying on the floor, unconscious, it felt like my world had crumbled down in a puff. All I could think of at that time were the worst possible scenarios; my life without her, and it wasn't looking pretty. I was in panic when I called 911. It was the fastest thing I could think of.

The doctor said she had low iron levels and she also needed to rest. That doesn't come as a surprise, mother usually has certain episodes of stress and when it happens, she forgets to take care of herself. A series of guilt washes over me, when I realize l wasn't there for her when it happened this time. I've been busy with my job hunt, which hasn't been going well—until this morning, when I got an interview invitation for a secretarial job at one of the biggest companies in New York.

Even though it's the best news I've gotten so far, I'm still not one hundred percent excited. Not when my mother hasn't been discharged yet. My stomach drops at the thought of what might have happened had I arrived later than I did that night.

My mother has been assuring me she's okay for the past thirty minutes.

“You worry too much. I feel fine. I'm being discharged tomorrow, remember?” She has said the same words, but somehow, they're not enough to make me feel calm.

I know she has a point. The doctors wouldn’t discharge her if her condition wasn't good.

I'm seated by her side, holding her hand, while we debate about it.

“You should go celebrate with your man. It's your anniversary,” she coaxes. "I'll be fine, I promise."

The main reason why we're having this argument is because my boyfriend, Ernest, already made reservations for us and I was planning on cancelling on him to take care of mother. “I won't…” I try to argue but she cuts me off each time.

“You deserve to be happy, sweetheart. If you don't go to that anniversary dinner, it will break my heart, and I will fall ill again. You wouldn't want that to happen, would you?”

A soft laugh escapes my lips. “You're using your manipulation tactics. You're really fine,” I conclude.

It's not everyday that manipulation makes one feel better, but yeah, my mother is back to her normal self. Not in a bad way, but she does that when she wants me to do something that makes me happy, and I'm being stubborn, complicating things.

Speaking of happiness, I need to dress well for my man. I can't believe it's our first anniversary. My heart beats in excitement when I realize just how far we've come. A year ago, on our graduation night, Ernest asked me to be his girlfriend, in front of everyone. I can say that was one of the best gifts for my graduation. My best friends love to tease me about how I got out of college with a degree plus a man, and all I can say is that I was the luckiest.

I can't wait to see him, and have the night to ourselves. Especially since this week has been stressful. I might actually need a calm night, in my man's arms.

After bidding my mum goodbye, I dial Leon's number as I make haste out of the hospital.

“Emergency,” I say in a hurry.

“I thought you were supposed to be with Ernest, why are you calling me?” Leon asks, and I sense the confusion and concern in his voice.

“I was supposed to cancel, but I didn't, and now, I don't have anything to wear. So, my dearest best friend could you…”

“Get your ass to my apartment, now,” he orders.

Leon is the best I could think of. He can miraculously turn someone into a princess in five seconds. He asks me to meet him at his apartment and he does just that. Yeah, that fast.

How he managed to get me the perfect dress exactly my size within that short while, I have no idea. If I asked, I wouldn't get any straight answer—makes sense, considering he's not actually straight.

Anyway, the how doesn't matter, but the end product on the other hand...

When I look at myself in the mirror after he's done my makeup, I'm more than impressed. I smile at my reflection and then at him.

My best friend got me the perfect red dress that fits the occasion. The length, short, half way through my thighs. The upper part is sleeveless, the m-shape at the chest revealing a little of my cleavage, and might I add how seductive this looks.

The make-up is perfect, with the red lipstick whose shade matches my dress. My hair is neatly tied into a ban, which means my skin from my neck to shoulder is exposed .

“You look perfect. He's never going to take his eyes off you,” Leon comments and I respond with a smile. Can't wait to see his face.

“Thank you, you're a life saver.”

“You can thank me later, but for now, you need to get to your man. The poor guy must have waited a while now.”

I check the time, it's 8pm. We were supposed to meet at 7:30.

Anyway, considering I was to cancel, thirty minutes isn't a long time, is it?

Is it strange that he hasn't called to check with me? I'm late, and not a single call?

I brush the thought off, telling myself he trusts me to show up. Thirty minutes isn't a long time to start panicking.

“Take this. It will match your outfit.” Leon hands me a black purse, right after helping me put on black heels.

My ride arrives faster than I'd expected, and I quickly state my destination. “Springs Hotel.”

Ernest and I had agreed to meet there, since he'd claimed to have some matters to take care of before coming for the dinner.

There being no traffic, the drive doesn't take long. When I get at Springs, I state my details and one of the staff leads me to our reserved table.

Surprisingly, it's empty. I was to call Ernest to cancel, but I didn't, so there's no way he isn't coming. He's probably running late from the errand he had mentioned. I opt for a glass of wine as I wait.

Since my anniversary fell on the day before my job interview, I decide to do some practice for tomorrow while I wait for Ernest.

I practice on how to answer questions, after googling the frequently asked questions for secretaries.

The next thing I know I'm lost in it, that by the time I look up, two hours have passed…and Ernest is not here.

I assumed he'd come soon, that's why I didn't bother calling, but now I'm starting to get worried.

When I dial his number, it goes straight to voicemail. There's no way he forgot about this, right?

Maybe something is wrong. What if something bad happened?

I look around, hoping he'd somehow appear, but no, he doesn't.

I'm caught between waiting a little longer and trying to find out. What if I'm just being paranoid and his errand took longer than he thought it would…

No, he would have called to inform me.

And what if his phone died, making him unable to communicate?

But he would always find a way.

I want to ignore my gut feeling, but it's so strong that I can't. My brain is loaded with unanswered questions and a million possibilities.