Lahat ng Kabanata ng Betrayed In Love: Redeemed By The Billionaire CEO: Kabanata 21 - Kabanata 30

(Amara)“We’re going, and there’s no excuse to that. Not unless you’re not here to work.”The firmness in Rayner’s voice still rings in my ears as we stride into the high-end restaurant. Crystal chandeliers hang from the ceiling, casting warm light over polished marble floors. The scent of expensive cologne and rich food lingers in the air. My heart races so loudly I am scared he might hear it.I press my palm to my forehead, exhaling slowly.What if one of my brothers is here?What if it’s him?Rayner glances sideways at me. “Are you alright?”“Ye… yeah. I just… just—”“Just focus on the meeting. That’s all.”He cuts me off gently but firmly. Then he stops walking.I look up at him.“You’re my PA,” he says again, his gaze steady on mine. “So you don’t have anything to worry about.”The way he says it is calm. Certain. Not protective in a loud way. Just assured. His tone carries authority, but there is something else beneath it. Trust.Like he believes I belong here.Like I deserve to

(Amara)Gosh, Amara. Stop thinking about last night.I tighten my grip on my bag as I step through the sliding glass doors of the company entrance. The cool morning air follows me in briefly before the doors shut behind me.I stop in front of the biometric clock mounted halfway through the lobby. The small screen glows blue, waiting for my card. The digital time blinks at the top corner, reminding every employee that this place runs on precision.“Oh! You’re early.”The voice pulls me out of my spiraling thoughts.I turn to see Olivia smiling at me, her tablet tucked under her arm.“Yeah,” I reply with a small smile.She tilts her head slightly, giving me a look that almost feels like pity. “You don’t have to think too much about it. If he’s already giving you a hard time, just quit. It’s better you quit than get fired.”“Huh?”The confusion slips out before I can stop it.She nudges her chin toward the clock. “You’re just standing there. Not even clocking in. It’s obvious yesterday s

(Amara)Maya and I are still laughing when it happens.Dinner plates sit pushed to the side, forgotten. The small round table between us is cluttered with empty bowls, napkins, and the half-finished bottle of soda we swore we wouldn’t open but did anyway. The room smells faintly of fried plantain and peppered chicken. Maya is mid-performance, reenacting how she answered one of my former colleagues who kept pestering her about me.She flips her imaginary hair dramatically and deepens her voice. “Oh, Amara? She left because she has better things to do than babysit grown adults.”I burst into laughter, throwing my head back. “You did not say that.”“I absolutely did.” She leans forward, eyes wide with mischief. “And when he asked if you were coming back, I told him to focus on his own promotion instead of yours.”We both dissolve again, laughter spilling out of us so loudly I am sure the neighbors can hear.It feels good. Too good.For a moment, I remember why I chose to leave. The cons

(Amara)“Good day, Sir Rayner,” I say the moment he walks in.But another voice follows him.Soft. Feminine. Familiar.My eyes lift and there she is. The same lady from yesterday. The one who left the office with her arms locked in his.I freeze.She walks in behind him, talking rapidly, her words tumbling over each other. He doesn’t respond. He barely even looks at her.“I need the report from yesterday,” he says to me.I blink. “Ye… yes.” My voice almost fails me, but I nod quickly and turn to gather the file.They walk into his office together.Through the glass wall, I can see her still talking. Her hands move as she gestures. He sighs, lowers himself into his seat, and rubs his temple. He looks exhausted.What could it be about this time?Yesterday they left happily. I saw them. They were smiling.So what changed overnight?My stomach tightens.No.It can’t be.I scoff quietly at myself. She wouldn’t have found out. I was careful. I kept my distance. I made sure no one saw anythi

(Amara)I catch him staring at me several times as I drive.Out of the corner of my eye, I see it. That steady gaze.Even I’m still shocked that I offered to drive him home.What were you thinking, Amara?I almost grin at myself, but I keep my expression calm. He doesn’t need to see the chaos in my head.You’re just doing this to set things right. Nothing more.Besides, what does it cost you to drive home someone whose arm is injured because of you?It’s basic humanity.That’s all.I tighten my grip on the steering wheel and focus on the road. The city lights blur past us. The silence inside the car feels heavier than traffic.Soon, I pull into the address he gave me. The gates open. The house stands tall and quiet in the evening light.I park in front of the entrance.“We’re here,” I say.He looks at me like he’s surprised.As if he doesn’t recognize his own house.Then he presses his lips into a thin line. “You’re not that bad a driver.”I blink at him.Was he assessing me the whole