After a wild night, Kei decided to run away to Billionaire Gio Javier Evangelista. He was the man she borrowed money from, and she promised she would never see him again. But fate had other plans. Their paths crossed once more when Kei became an employee at Gio's company. Her life took a significant turn because Gio Javier Evangelista never forgot the woman who once passed through his life—especially her.
View MoreKEI
I stared at myself in the mirror as I applied my makeup. With my smooth, glass-like skin, pointed nose, pinkish lips, and brown eyes, I knew I could attract a lot of people with my looks. I guess this is one of the best things my heritage has given me, because without it, I might struggle to do what I’m about to do.
“Are you done, Kei?” Sam asked from the doorway. I glanced at her, a smile on my lips.
“What do you think? Does this look okay?” I asked, examining myself in the mirror.
She studied me for a moment before smiling. “Wow, your looks really run in the family, huh? But you know what would be even better? If you just went back to your parents and got your life back on track.”
My smile faded instantly. “Seriously, Sam? That’s what you’re going to say? You know what they did to me, right? Just because I didn’t fulfill my responsibilities as their child, they disowned me. They cut me off for an entire year—couldn’t use my credit cards, couldn’t access my money in the bank, all because of them.”
“And now, you’re drowning in debt because you’re trying to maintain the life of their spoiled princess, even though you don’t have the money for it. Have you ever paid off your previous debt?” she asked. I took a deep breath and leaned back in my chair.
“That’s why I’m doing this—to pay off that debt. Besides, that guy hasn’t come asking for his money yet. As long as I do this right and find a rich guy at the bar tonight, then that’s good enough for me.” She rolled her eyes at my words.
“Why do you even need to do that? You could just go talk to your dad. I’m not pushing you back to them, but look, you need help. I know this life isn’t easy for you.”
I stood up, frustration bubbling up inside me. “No! Not this time, Sam. I know Dad will just brag about how right he was, how I’m a failure, and then push me to do things I never wanted to do in the first place. I need to build a good life to throw it in their faces.”
She sighed deeply, looking at me with concern. “Are you serious about doing this? There are other ways, you know.”
I honestly don’t know what else to do—this is the only way I can think of. Because of my debt, it’s been hard to find a job. I had no idea I borrowed money from someone so influential, and now I don’t know how to get out of this mess. This is the only option I can see—using myself to get ahead. My family already thinks so little of me, so why not make it true? If I can find a wealthy man who can help me, I’ll use my body, and in return, they’ll help me with my problems.
They will use my body, and I will use their money. That’s the deal.
“I don’t know any other way, Sam. You’re the only friend I have left.” Her expression softened, her worry evident.
“I know, that’s why I’m worried about you. Are you really sure you want to go through with this? Look, even if you don’t do this, I can still help you.”
It’s embarrassing to keep asking Sam for help. Since I was kicked out of my house, I’ve been staying with her family. I only recently got the courage to move out, but she’s still been there for me every step of the way. I’m so lucky to have her.
“Sam, I can’t keep imposing on your uncle’s family. You’ve always been there to catch me when I fall. I’m the one who created this mess, so it’s time I fix it myself. But thank you, even though you’ve already given me so much money without me even asking, you still help me. I don’t want to keep adding to my debt with you.”
She smiled and came closer. “Come on, you’re like a sister to me. We’ve known each other since middle school, so why would I ever turn my back on my friend?” She handed me the dress I was supposed to wear.
“Hurry up and get dressed so we can leave soon. I’m sure there’ll be a lot of people there tonight,” she said. I smiled and nodded. I took the black mini silk dress, something I wouldn’t usually wear, but I knew it would look good on me.
I slipped into the dress and looked at myself in the mirror. The curves of my body were accentuated, and I knew this would help me attract a man tonight at the bar.
I need to be smart about this so I don’t get played. I have to find a wealthy man who can help me with my problems.
I took a deep breath and placed a hand on my chest. “I’ll only do this once. This won’t happen again. After this, I’ll change. I’ll start doing what I know will change my life.”
I grabbed some perfume and sprayed it on my neck and wrists.
When I stepped out of the room, I saw Sam waiting for me. We left immediately after that to head to the bar. I was a little nervous, but this was the only chance I had, the only way I knew.
Sam’s family is really rich, like ours, and she told me there’s a new club where a lot of wealthy people will be tonight. The owner is apparently a well-known CEO. She mentioned that the owner is a billionaire, so I’m also a bit nervous about what I’m about to do. I know how these rich people operate.
I’m also anxious because I might see the guy I owe money to there. But who knows? He’s not that well-known, so I’m sure I won’t see him tonight. Only the elite were invited, after all. They handed out invitations only to the most prominent names because the owner wanted all the attendees to be rich on opening night before he opened the bar to the public.
Thanks to Sam, she arranged for me to get an invitation. I’m part of the Garcia Family, and I know for sure no one from my family will be there, not even my brother, who’s always busy abroad. So I’ll be representing the family tonight.
When we arrived, I looked around outside. The place was stunning, and there were a lot of people here, judging by the number of cars outside. It seemed like they really knew the owner well, considering they accepted the invitation. That alone proved they recognized who owned the place.
“Do you know the owner? Look, I didn’t expect to see so many wealthy people here,” I said to Sam.
“Well kind off, since his family is well-known in business matters. Yet he didn't have that aura right now and I know he’s new in the business since his business is just starting to get recognized. I don’t know him very well, actually. I only accepted the invitation because I knew it would benefit the company. Most of the business owners here tonight are probably here for the same reason—to have a good talk and secure some shares,” she explained.
She has a point. I remember when my dad used to attend events like this, always trying to get shares in well-known companies, and his plans always worked. That’s why he’s so strict with me—he doesn’t want me to go astray. In other words, he wants me to follow his path, even though I don’t want to.
“What if I just approached him? Maybe he could help me,” I joked.
She looked at me and laughed. “Sometimes your confidence is way too high, as if we’re even going to see him tonight, let alone talk to him.”
I shrugged. “You never know. It doesn’t hurt to dream. Besides, who knows, maybe he’ll help me turn my life around,” I said, laughing. She just shook her head, smiling.
We got out of the car.
“By the way, here’s your invitation,” she said, handing it to me. I took it and looked at it. This was the first time I saw the invitation since Sam and I hadn’t met up until now because of our hectic schedules.
I opened it and froze when I saw the name at the bottom—Evangelista.
A wave of anxiety washed over me as I stared at the name. There are a lot of people with the surname Evangelista, but seeing this… no, it can’t be him.
“Hey, are you okay?” Sam asked, startling me. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
“Uh, Sam, do you know this Evangelista?” I asked, trying to stay calm.
“The owner of Havens Bar? Actually, no, but I know his family since, Evangelista is one of the rich families with a good background in business, yet because there are lots of Evangelista, I don't know who's this Evangelista guy but I know his name. Something with a G, then Javier. Yeah, that’s all I know—G. Javier Evangelista.” I took a deep breath. It couldn’t be him… but it’s so close. “Is something wrong?” she asked.
I forced a smile and shook my head.
I know there are many Evangelistas in the world, yet I can’t shake this feeling of unease. How I wish this Evangelista isn’t Gio—the man I owe money to.
Gio’s POVThe morning started like any other—calm, calculated, and immersed in the usual rhythm of work. The sleek interior of my office reflected the precise control I maintained over my business life, even as my personal world teetered on the edge of chaos.The only thing grounding me these days was Kei. Her unwavering belief in me had been both a comfort and a weight, reminding me of how much was at stake. And today, that weight felt heavier than usual, the air carrying an unspoken tension that I couldn’t shake.I was poring over a set of financial reports when the sharp buzz of the intercom broke through my focus. My assistant’s voice followed, tentative.“Mr. Moretti, there’s someone here to see you. She... uh... insisted on not being turned away.”I frowned, already knowing who it was. “Vanessa?”“Yes, sir,” she confirmed, her tone uneasy.I pinched the bridge of my nose, frustration flaring. Vanessa didn’t do polite visits or subtle discussions. Her arrival meant she was ready
Gio’s POVThe morning sunlight poured through the windows, casting a golden glow across the penthouse. Everything felt quieter now, as though the city itself had slowed its relentless pace, giving me a rare moment to breathe. Yet beneath the calm exterior of the morning, I could feel the undercurrent of tension—unspoken, simmering, and waiting to resurface.Kei stood at the kitchen counter, cradling a mug of coffee in her hands. Her hair was still mussed from sleep, her cheeks tinged with a soft flush, and she wore one of my oversized shirts, the hem brushing against her thighs. She looked at peace, and for a moment, I let myself savor the sight of her like this—unburdened, even if only for a moment.She glanced up, catching my gaze, and a small smile curved her lips. “Good morning,” she said softly, her voice still laced with the remnants of sleep.“Morning,” I replied, my tone softer than I intended. Crossing the room, I leaned down to press a lingering kiss to her forehead.Her han
Gio’s POV – FlashbackThe ballroom was filled with the murmur of polite conversations, the clinking of glasses, and the soft strains of a string quartet playing in the corner. Crystal chandeliers bathed the room in golden light, casting reflections off the glittering jewelry and polished smiles of the guests. It was the kind of event I had grown up attending—a room full of people pretending to care about each other while calculating who could benefit their ambitions the most.I stood near the edge of the room, my tie feeling like a noose around my neck, the glass of scotch in my hand doing little to dull the growing unease in my chest. Across the room, my mother moved through the crowd with practiced ease, her smile sharp and calculated, her words always perfectly chosen. Next to her, Vanessa stood, a vision of poise and elegance, her every movement designed to project control.She caught my eye and offered a small, knowing smile that made my stomach turn.“Don’t look so miserable, Gi
Gio’s POVThe note had been shredded, but its meaning was as clear as ever. “We will be there soon.” It wasn’t a threat from some faceless shadow or a rival in business—it was something far more personal. I knew exactly who had sent it, and the thought alone made my chest tighten.Vanessa.I leaned back in my office chair, staring out at the city skyline. Paris, with all its beauty and distractions, hadn’t been enough to keep my past at bay. Vanessa’s arrival wasn’t just inconvenient—it was dangerous. She wasn’t the only one who would come. My mother would be there too, armed with her disapproving looks and cutting remarks, ready to insert herself into my life once again.The quiet knock on my office door made my heart skip, but it was only Kei. She stepped inside, her eyes filled with concern.“You’ve been quiet,” she said softly, crossing the room to stand by my desk.I looked up at her, my chest tightening. She was the one thing I wanted to protect in all this chaos, but I could fe
KeiLeaving Paris felt bittersweet. The city had become a place of new memories, of quiet moments and promises whispered under the night sky. Gio and I had found something real here—something neither of us had anticipated. But as the plane cut through the clouds, I couldn’t shake the worry that back home, our delicate balance might shift, that the demands of his world would pull us back into a rhythm that was all too familiar and distant.When we landed, Gio was immediately pulled into work calls, his focused expression a reminder of the responsibilities waiting for him. His world was demanding, relentless, and for all that we had shared, a part of me worried that it might take over again.We exchanged a soft smile as we gathered our things. “I’ll see you tonight?” he asked, his gaze softer than the words.I nodded, squeezing his hand. “I’ll meet you at your place.”With
KeiThe next morning felt lighter, as if the air itself had softened with the promise that last night had left between us. Gio had shown a side of himself that I’d always believed was there but hadn’t quite seen until now. As we entered the sleek, bustling conference hall where today’s business was set to unfold, the warmth from the night before lingered, even as Gio slipped back into his composed, professional demeanor.The presentation was a success. Gio’s control over the room was magnetic; he had this natural authority, a confidence that turned every word he spoke into something important. I watched him, captivated by how easily he shifted from the affectionate man he’d been last night to the focused leader standing in front of a crowd. Occasionally, his eyes would meet mine, and in those brief moments, I saw a flicker of softness beneath his composed exterior—a private reminder of the man who had h
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