Falling For The Billionaire’s Trap

         The brown envelope in my hands was already crumpled from being opened and closed too many times.

      Inside was my resume.

      By now, I had lost count of how many companies had looked at it, only to hand it back a few seconds later.

      “We’re not hiring.”

      “We’re looking for someone with experience.”

      “Sorry, but you’re not qualified.”

      The words repeated in my head as I dragged my exhausted feet through the crowded streets of S City.

      My stomach growled. The soles of my shoes ached.

      I had spent three days searching for work, yet I still hadn’t found a single opportunity. I knew my chances weren’t great since I never made it to college.

      After graduating high school, I was forced to give up my dream of continuing my studies when my mother passed away. My aunt took me in despite her family’s financial struggles. But while she accepted me wholeheartedly, I couldn’t say the same for everyone else.

      My uncle never hid the resentment in his eyes. Every meal I ate was another mouth he believed they couldn’t afford to feed.

      My cousins were kind enough to treat me like family, but I knew my presence made things harder. Uncle had to work longer hours to support us all, and deep down, I knew they’d have been better off without me.

      I couldn’t blame them.

      Eventually, I realized I couldn’t keep depending on them forever.

      I decided to leave before I got kicked out and I came here with nothing but a suitcase, a few months’ worth of savings, and hope.

      Now, even that hope was beginning to disappear.

      I looked inside my wallet. 

      Seeing the few bills and coins made me depressed in an instant.

      Sigh. If I didn’t find a job soon, I’d have no choice but to live on the streets at this point.

      “You got this Cassie.” I whispered to myself. 

      Taking a deep breath. I looked up at the building standing across the street.

      The last agency on my list.

      “This has to work,” Straightening my shoulders, I walked inside, my insides churning from fear of another rejection.

      The office was nearly empty. A middle-aged man behind the reception desk barely looked up when I handed him my resume.

      He skimmed through my resume for less than ten seconds before placing it back inside the envelope.

      “I’m sorry,” he said politely. “We don’t have anything suitable for your qualifications.”

      My heart dropped.

      “Sir…” I took a hesitant step forward, clutching the envelope against my chest. “I learn fast. I can be a great assistant! I know a lot about computers and technology. I even graduated on top of my batch. I don’t mind working overtime either. I just… I really need a job.”

      The man offered me an apologetic smile.

      “I understand, but we simply don’t have any positions available.”

      “Even the lowest-paying one is fine,” I pleaded. “I don’t mind starting from the bottom.”

      “I’m sorry.”

      That single sentence shattered the last bit of hope I had been holding onto.

      A heavy silence settled between us.

      Only then did I notice several people inside the agency looking in my direction.

      Some wore sympathetic expressions.

      Others looked uncomfortable.

      Heat rushed to my cheeks.

      I had never imagined I would one day find myself begging strangers for work.

      Lowering my head, I forced a small smile despite the embarrassment burning inside me.

      “I…I understand.” I carefully took back my resume. “Thank you for your time.”

      I turned around and slowly made my way toward the exit.

      Just as my fingers reached for the doorknob—

      “Wait!”

      I froze.

      The voice didn’t come from the receptionist. Another employee had just hurried into the office carrying a thick folder. He leaned over and whispered something into the receptionist’s ear.

      The older man’s eyes widened almost imperceptibly.

      Both of them slowly turned to look at me.

      For reasons I couldn’t explain…

      The way they stared made an uneasy feeling settle in my chest.

          

          “Are you really that desperate for a job?” He asked.

          

          For some reason, I felt apprehensive answering his question.

          

          “Ummm… yes I am.” I replied.

          

          “How about being a maid?” He asked.

          

          My face scrunched. A maid? It never crossed my mind to be a maid.

          

          “What? Are you second guessing? If you don’t want it I can give it to the next person who…”

          

          “No-no…” I stopped him, scratching my nape. “It’s just… I want to have flexible hours since I still want to continue going to school.” I said.

          

          “Great! This job doesn’t require you to stay the whole day. You just have to clean everyday for about three hours in the morning and evening, before breakfast and after dinner, and make sure you don’t stumble on the way of your employer since he hates seeing other people in his house, aside of course when his relatives visit.” The man said.

          

          My brows furrowed at what he said. Isn’t that a little too weird?

          

          “Umm…”

          

          “The pay is about a hundred per day. That’s basically a steal for such little work. Plus, your housing and food is free.” He said.

          

          I thought about it for a moment. The benefits were indeed great, but I just can’t get this strange feeling that there is something wrong with this job. Why did it pop out all of a sudden, and why did this guy scramble to get this job search done first?

          

          “Hey, quit wasting our time. Are you gonna take it or not?” The man asked, looking agitated.

          

          I eventually gave in and nodded my head.

          

          “Good! Now just sign these and tomorrow a car will pick you up at your place.” He said, showing me a bunch of papers.

          

          I went over them one by one but then the guy was starting to get irritated again and told me to just sign it faster, so I did.

          

          They then smiled at me after I finished signing. “Okay, now go home and rest. Tomorrow is the start of your job.” The guy said and I nodded.

          

          I left the agency with a weird feeling in my chest.

          

          Did I just suddenly get lucky? But why do I feel something is off?

          

        …

        (Third Person POV)

        The office fell silent after Cassandra disappeared from sight.

        The smile on the manager’s face vanished.

        He immediately reached for his phone and dialed a familiar number.

        The call connected after a single ring.

        “We’ve spoken to her, sir.” His voice was respectful. “She accepted the position.”

        A bead of sweat rolled down his temple.

        “She’ll be at the estate tomorrow morning.”

        For several long seconds, only silence answered him. The manager swallowed nervously. Then a cold, emotionless voice finally spoke.

        “Good.”

        The single word sent a chill down his spine.

        “Make sure nothing goes wrong.”

        Before the manager could respond, the call ended.

        He slowly lowered the phone, staring at the dark screen with trembling hands.

        Whoever that girl was… he could only pray for whatever is coming her way for attracting such a dangerous man.