Sold To A Billionaire

The Job Offer

A FEW days after Zoe’s graduation, she decided to look for a job that suited her knowledge. The thing was, Nana knew about it, so she did tell Helios, and here she is, sitting in front of him while the man was staring at her. Zoe doesn’t know how to react, but she finds it awkward. She knew that Helios had confessed last time, and she rudely responded with it. She bit her lower lip and hemmed to clear her throat, catching Helios’s senses. “Uhm, is there anything wrong?” she asked. They were just a few distances away from each other, sitting in Helios’s living room, and she did hear his deep sigh. It seems like something is bothering him. “What’s wrong?” she asked once again. Helios took a deep breath once again and sighed. “I want to ask you one last time about—” “If this is about your proposal. I apologize, but I can’t give you what you want. I am still young and full of dreams, Helios. I am sorry.” Helios scoffed and arched his brow. “I see. I understand. I will not mention it once again. Because fuck it, I am hurting.” Zoe was rendered speechless. Helios is too bold. Too honest. And seems like have a vulnerable heart, unlike his father. But some things didn’t need a rush. Mainly it was marriage, and the main factor between them is missing. The love. It’s unrequited. Helios loves her, but Zoe doesn’t love him. Yes, she will admit, she likes him—she wants him inside her. She wants his touch, his every thrust, but she can’t feel love. Say, she cared, but it is not love. However, she assumes that learning to love Helios is not that hard. Maybe, it only takes time. “I don’t mean to hurt you. But it’s better to be like this. It is better to talk earlier about this. I like you, I swear, I am lucky to have you. You have a good reputation, hardworking, lovable, kind, unlike your fat—”

“Is that why you don’t like my proposal because of my father? Because he killed the President of the estate, like what rumors fed you?” Helios asked, clenching his fist that was resting on the armrest of the sofa. Zoe was a little bit stunned. She didn’t mean it that way. But what is he saying? Is there a possibility that it’s not Don Lincoln who killed the President? “Whatever. You can think whatever you want. Besides, people are true about Michael Lincoln.” Helios mentioned his father’s name. “Hel—” “Let’s drop that topic, can we?” Zoe pressed her lips together and nodded. Helios leaned on the backrest of the sofa and crossed his leg as if he was sitting on a throne. “Anyway, Nana told me about you, finding a job. Why don’t you work with me? I’m in need of a secretary. Well, I don’t have one, but I will make an exception this time. Since I know that you will not fall in love with me, right?” he said, but Zoe could sense his sarcasm. “I’m not sure if you really want me to work with you—I mean, say you’re working eight hours during weekdays, means to say, I will always be there with you. Isn’t it a little bit awk—” “Awkward?” Helios interrupted and scoffed. “Don’t worry. I won’t bother you about it again. Rest assured that you don’t love me. I’m not dumb.” Zoe’s forehead creased. “It’s not that I offended—” “What’s your answer about the job offer?” Zoe sighed. It’s her chance. Besides, it’s the job that she must focus on, not the thing between them. After a few moments of silence, she nodded. “Great. You can start tomorrow. I will teach you—oh, not necessary since your course is related to it. So, maybe just a simple instruction.” Zoe nodded, but she could sense that Helios was letting out awkwardness between them. “Are you sure that you’re fine working with me?” Helios’s frowned and scoffed. “Don’t be too full of yourself, Zoe. You’re not that beautiful—”

“What?” Helios formed a snide. “Nothing.” Zoe let out a sarcastic laugh. “I think it’s you who’s being too haughty.” Helios arched his brow and stood up. “Am I? It’s just that…” he paused and stared into her eyes, “— I can’t believe that a woman could turn down such an offer. I am a fucking billionaire yet—” “You can’t buy love, Helios.” Zoe is waiting for something that Helios would do. But she didn’t find it. If he’s really in love with her—if he loves her, he should be consistent. Then why doesn’t he court her, tame her, until they develop their feelings? However, it is not what she expected. And it is better to be this way. Helios seems not to know the word love. Or is he really feel love for her? Or he was just bluffing, trying to test his charms as other men did? Zoe shook her head and looked at Helios’s fainting figure as he left. She heaved a deep sigh and got back to her room. She reached for the phone which Helios gave and dialed her mother’s number. Zoe is grateful that he helped her and her mother. It’s been days, and her relationship with her mother is getting back like usual. Her mother promises that she will not do things without Zoe’s knowledge and her mom even want them to find a new apartment and start over. Well, she’s thinking about it. “Zoe…” Zoe smiled when she heard her mother’s voice. “Where are you right now, mom?” Iris let out a soft chuckle and sipped on her glass of wine. “I am having dinner with my colleagues.” Zoe sighed on the other line. “You can stop working in the nightclub, Ma. I found a job.” Iris smiled and excused herself. She walked towards the ladies’ comfort room and stopped in front of the mirror. “I’m fine, sweetie. I’m not stripping again, and just a waitress. The boss wants me there. You know, some of my clients still look for me.” “But it’s dangerous. Look what happened—”

“I assure you, sweetie. I’m fine. And Helios owned the place, right?” Zoe pinched the bridge of her nose. Ugh! She almost forgot. Her mother is working at Helios’s bar. She smiled and heard her mom's soft chuckle. “So, don’t worry about momma, okay? Anyway, what’s your job and we need to celebrate it. Wanna come?” Zoe looked at the wall clock. “No, it’s too late. We can do it tomorrow after work.” “You will start tomorrow? Do you have a corporate dress already? How about heels?” “Whoa, mom.” Zoe chuckled. “Slow down,” she said, smiling. “I’m sorry, sweetie. It’s just that my baby is already—” “Mom, I don’t want drama.” Iris rolled her eyes and laughed. “Yeah, right. Okay, let’s meet tomorrow then, and you need to have beauty rest,” she said. Zoe nodded, even if her mom couldn’t see it. “And go home after dinner, okay?” “Aye, aye, ma’am,” Iris joked. Zoe then hung up and sighed as she put down the phone on the side table. After that, she walked toward the bathroom and took a cold shower.