A Billion Dollar Sweet Wife: Chapters 1–5

Prologue

(Kayla POV)

As my consciousness return, my head was aching terribly. I couldn’t open my eyes properly. I was so exhausted and clueless at the same time as to which marathon I joined to be that tired. I couldn’t remember…

I closed my eyes up again but sat up in the bed. What happened? My head seems want to explode.

But when I dared to open my groggy eyes, it didn’t immediately occur to me how familiar that place was… The vase, the chandelier, the high windows, and most of all… the strange feeling that I’ve been there. Was it in my dream?

I swallowed hard. Am I still dreaming?

Kayla, focus.

And I rushed of memories flowed unstoppable to my mind.

Kayla, you’re abducted along with girls and children. Yes, there were lots of people that were kidnapped. But where was I? I could remember the medicine we were forced to take and how my brazenness made some of the women cry.

I checked something on my arms… There… Even the welt mark from the injection was still on my arm.

I got up and pulled something that realized that the back of my hand was attached to an IV bag. I removed the tube and headed barefoot towards the door. It wasn’t locked and when I opened it, the cool wind greeted me. It was a spacious terrace.

The two women in maid outfits turned to me. They are cleaning the railings and making sure there is no tiny dust left.

“Miss...” They suddenly didn’t know what to do. And I don’t know what to say to them. I just closed the door again. Wrong door perhaps?

Weird. What kind of dream is this?

I return inside, and then I saw a splitting staircase and ascended it. There was another door, but it was locked. I tried again but, it was closed…

I try again but it was really locked. The two maids in the terrace can help me about this.

“Miss Kayla, do you need anything?” I saw an old man when I turned around. The two maids from earlier were standing behind him.

“Where am I?” I asked directly. His tone was amicable, so I asked back amicably. And besides, I still have no strength to act tough.

“Kayzer Hawk Mansion. By the way, I am Butler Russio. You’ve been in bed for almost a week, and we honestly did not expect you to wake up so soon. The doctors are coming. Please have a sit Miss.”

Kayzer Hawk Mansion? Something regal name? And the old man in front of me wasn’t Mister Theo, right? And that probably wasn’t Lewis's house.

One week… One week, unconscious? Haha. Maybe I was dreaming again. I can’t trust my own imagination.

Kayzer Hawk. Was that the guy again that slipped because of my ID? Kian Kayzer Hawk.

They approached me.

“Miss Kayla, please sit down first. I know these things are overwhelming, but I will tell you everything that happened.”

I nodded at the bald old man. The butler Russio. Sound Russia for me… Hmmm?

Right. I had no idea about what they’re trying to tell me. I should take the sit.

But when I sat down, the door brought in a familiar man. He’s…

“Sir Markus,” the butler greeted him. Behind him were three doctors in uniform.

“I know you…” I spoke.

He sat at the settee in front of me and the other female doctor immediately asked for my wrist. Why should I give my wrist to them? They might inject something on me again.

“Nope. Tell me what I am doing here? I am done with Mr. Kian Kayzer Hawk with some troubles and issues I made. Sir Troy, resolve about these things for me?”

“Let them Miss Kayla checked your vital. They wouldn’t dare to harm you.”

“I know you…” I remarked again. He nodded. Without restraining, one of the physicians get my wrist. “Yes. We already met in person once upon a time. If you don't remember me well, I'm Markus Warren. The Executive secretary to Kian Kayzer Hawk’s CEO of the Philippines.”

What? So, I had fallen to the hands of Kayzer Hawk? Is he also behind of this damn syndicate?! Boss Troy… I think I need your rescue again…

“Can you remember what happened to you?” he asked. I didn’t directly answer the question but…

“Can I…” Yes. I needed help and only Boss Troy could help me. And I have a lot to report to him. “Can I call someone to address my situation whom I trusted the most?”

“You better to listen to me first Miss Kyla.”

No. I need Boss Troy help. Or else I am going to find a way how to escape here.

“Miss Kayla…” Markus said when he noticed I was spacing out again. Indeed, I always seemed to be absent-minded lately. Tss.

“Is she fine?” he instead asked the doctors who were examining me.

“I'm okay,” I answered and smiled to be convincing. “Is your boss, Mr. Kian Kayzer Hawk is part of syndicate that abduct me?”

Suddenly the Executive Secretary smile… “No.”

“So?”

“Master Kian help you.”

“Huh? Really?” If they helped me escape that syndicate, well I should be thankful. But if they’re behind my abduction, why was I there?

“Do you know Boss Troy Thomas? He’s, my employer. In my case, he’s the only one I can trust. And since you’re working for Kayzer Hawk, I bet you know him.”

Markus smiled. I smiled back again. Where did the fearless Kayla go? I still felt weary and if I was in the enemy’s lair, I needed to be kind. Get along with them. That’s the only I can do with my current situation.

He motioned for the butler Russio who then handed him a black folder. Markus gave it me.

I didn’t try to take it but when he said, “Don't be surprised, Miss Sena.”

I got fairly curious. And as soon as I opened it, I saw a picture of myself on a stage dressed up in a skimpy maid outfit. What was I doing there?

Markus suddenly put a tablet above the photograph and played a video. It showed me again on that stage. My eyes widened! Why did I do nothing about it and seemed to be submissively displaying myself for the audience? What the heck?!

Were they fooling with me? I'm a Digital Media Artist… so maybe the footage was fake… but the editing looked great. Who will do such finest job?

When the video finished, the butler Russio showed me a contract and a certificate.

“What you have just seen was a video of you in an auction. And Master Kian bought you. Do you know how much it cost for him to close that deal against Master Troy?”

Who is he referring ‘Master Troy?’ Are they related to each other?

When I heard Boss Troy' name, I knew he was also there. To help, probably. But I couldn't believe he went to a place like that as a customer shopping for people like me. Why didn't they just call the Police?! That syndicate should be caught! It’s human trafficking!

“Look at the certificate or I should I say the receipt for Master Kian’s patronage,” he said.

There were lots of circles. Yeah, a few digits of zeroes… and coma… “It charged him a hundred of trillion…”

I was speechless. Not a million… Neither a billion… but a friggin’ trillion!

“Your knight in shining armour, Master Troy Thomas, didn’t want to waste that amount of treasure to procure a hard-headed employee like you… Right, Miss Kayla?”

I wanted to cry… Nope! They are making the scheme for me to… To…

“I'm sorry if I’m explaining this to you harshly. Master Kian just want to negotiate with you, especially he knows how hard-headed you are.”

“He knew me?” Indeed, I am surprised. Anyway… billionaire like him, surely dig deeper about my information.

“Yes. Believe or not, someone told him that you are his fiancé,” he answered. What?!

Opss. Is this my witticism during my stay at Lewis house? Oh my… Did Lewis, do it? And when I went missing, did they go to Kian to ask for his help?

Oh my… Lewis, what have you done?! How embarrassing?! He’s not really my fiancé and I didn't even know him personally!

“That's why he saved you from the auction.”

“C’mon, your Master Kian is not my fiancé.” I shyly said. Secretary Markus just smiled at me.

“Don't worry, he’ll be back sooner, and you can explain that personally to him. He must be curious about you, so he helped.”

“Wait… wait…” I shut my eyes and rubbed my temples. My headache was budding again.

“Shall we continue, Miss Kayla?”

I just nodded. I was lost at how I’d fix that mess.

Kian already found out that I was pretending as his fiancé. Why did Lewis do that?! Kian would just be disappointed to see me. If I was as beautiful as Amanda, why not? And that trillion was unimaginable. To think that he’s given away that sum of money, Kian did not just want to help me. Maybe he expected I was pretty.

Yucks. I am just a simple woman without even a big, rounded boobs. Oh my…

***

I laid down in case I was dreaming again. I needed to wake up from that nightmare. But my anxiety felt too real. I was just in the province, happily going through the rides of that carnival… Right? What happened? Tss. That bastard!

It's Lewis's fault…

Yes, I was just dreaming! Boss Troy couldn’t possibly do what Secretary Markus has said.

Sleep again, Kayla! Better to sleep again!

I was able to nap but when I woke up, I was still there. That place didn’t suit someone like me. It was suffocating just to imagine living there.

My gaze remained at the ceiling while I wished for my memories to return.

I already felt ashamed to whoever that Kian Kayzer Hawk was. A multi-billionaire guy, I never thought I will be going to meet sooner. Tss.

I even owed him trillions?! Oh my god. Papa God should’ve just killed me. I was like a rabbit holed up in that place or a prisoner locked up forever…

But how would I deal with Kian Kayzer Hawk? He’d be disappointed with me. Ever since that man came to the Philippines, he got tangled to my idiotic life.

Sorry.

I messed up my life and this trouble with Kian, …That one hundred trillion, …me who liked Boss Troy, …and that syndicate group that should be disbanded, what else?!

…The agreement! and gosh, my one-week sleep!

Why oh, why did I got involved in that chaos?

Papa God was this my beautiful karma? Could I ever face them? Specially him? You knew how weak I was, right?

“Did she sign the contract?”

Huh? I knew that voice …

“Not yet, Master Kian.”

Oh my! I am mistaken, it was Kian. Kian, right?!

I hurriedly covered my ugly self with the blanket.

Why would he buy me for a trillion, right? Then I heard their steps approaching. But before they could reach the bed, they stopped…

“Master Kian, a call from your transportation secretary.”

I heard a sigh then their footsteps went away. I peeked out the blanket and saw that they just went to the terrace. Behind the fluttering curtains, all I could see was his back. So that’s Kian? Mr. Kian Kayzer Hawk, the young self multi-Billionaire and CEO of KHMB (Kayzer Hawk Monopoly of Business)

Even the curtains felt familiar to me. I hid behind the thicker drapery and tried to peek at them.

Wait? How wouldn’t that man's body be familiar to me when I already saw him naked. Right?

Kian Kayzer Hawk ‘s such a pretty guy.

(Kayla POV)

The scorching of sun… A blessing for a tropical country like Philippines.

Too sweaty.

The air was so humid inside the public jeepney transport. The highway looked like a still centipede in the early morning traffic jam. Each vehicle honked in impatience as if it did anything good other than add to the noise pollution. Few minutes passed and our jeepney driver joined the honking spree.

Oh common guys, don’t anymore contribute somewhat noise pollution!

“Can you do something about the traffic?! See, I am the one here looks liked a dried squid!” Protested by the woman near at the jeepney door.

“Ya bitches! I can’t do anything about this traffic!” he grunted at the vehicles behind him.

Me, I didn’t complain anymore. Those folks were already heated up and besides, I’ve just had my own share of ice cream. The Seven-Eleven convenient store had their promo for the day: Buy three Cornetto’s take one free. So I had four cones to cool my head for at least three hours.

Just chill…

But why was the traffic worse that early? Was there a rally? My countrymen really loved their privilege of democracy. So it is not new to me if there is a rally, out there. Politics, the governance… And the issue of corruption and many more to voice out.

Hmmm. I’m not too nosy so I didn’t really care. But I cared that I’m tardy for work.

I took my phone out for a social media and decided that I’d rather waste the time on things that my friends post, those gossip-worthy ‘my days’, and shares in my newsfeed. I ticked the open mobile data when a News international app notification popped in. I clicked it since I was suddenly interested on what news it has for me. Philippines was catching international attention due to trending news lately.

Huh? What are these clamors for?

The Philippine’s International Airport was closed for an hour to the public. Whoa! NAIA was closed for an hour.

And what kind of government we have if… Philippine Government Warmly Welcomes the Richest Man in the World, Kian Kayzer Hawk.

What a great news.

CEO of Kayzer Hawk Monopolies, Kian Kayzer Hawk, was in the Philippines.

Ahem. It’s all about the guy… And it seems he is too influential and powerful above the lord of Money. Tsk. Tss.

Hmm? Sucks, the government was doing royalty treatment as it usually did for rich people. Didn’t they know that traffic’s good for the economy? Even NAIA was closed for just a person, shocker.

Why’s that Kian Kayzer Hawk brat so entitled?

Was he relative to Queen Elizabeth? Nah, even the Queen of England didn’t cause so much traffic. Besides, that Kian guy never really showed his face. Even the blog showed only the airline he flew on, so I guessed the ‘royal’ guest was an airplane.

So annoying…

Too private for himself, but people who know him, do this kind of damn unnecessary things.

Ping…

I got a new SMS and it’s from my Older brother… Asking for a favor again.

‘Iron my uniform right away when you get home. I’m with Caton right now, the agency needed us ASAP. I leave your nephew to you.’

That’s if I could go home early, I thought.

As if the heavens heard me, the jeep moved. Finally! I was so darn late. When we got to the unloading area, I ran through to the small dentist clinic near the famous landmark called Kayzer Hawk Residential. It was so huge that the entire Mall of Asia could fit inside.

‘Run Kaylaaaa! You’re super late, girl!’

I was running like crazy when I suddenly hit a wall- which, only when I looked up did I realize wasn’t a wall but a panty-dropping-heavenly-chiseled angel without wings. Or maybe he hid it.

He is too beautiful to be a human!

“Sorry,” I said to the man said.

He seemed to have come from a conference because of his formal tucked-in attire. “Next time, mind not to run. A lady mustn’t behave like that. Walk gracefully, my lady. Hope this wouldn’t harm you.” As he helped me to pick some of my belongings.

Then he smiled, his lips arching up to reveal prominent dimple in each cheek.

A* shit! My almond eyes immediately formed hearts.

“I’m really sorry,” I said while bowing forty-five degrees like a Japanese woman. “But I’m fine.”

Without looking twice at him, I scooted off. I look embarrassing enough so getting star-struck was out of my options.

When I got to the building where I am working on…

“ID,” the guard greeted when I got in the main entrance of our building.

I rolled my eyes mentally. I mean duh hello mister, you’re not even that old to not remember me going in and out of the clinic for almost two months already. But instead of protesting, I lifted my ID cord confidently. Else I might slap it in his face.

“Yes Miss?” The guard was giving me a clueless face. And smile idiotic. And I realized…

“Oh shi—tt…” I mentally screamed when I didn’t see what I expected to see. My ID was missing.

I scratched my head before the guard could even react when he noticed I didn’t have my card intact. His teeth bared in a grin as if I’d get mesmerized by his set, which apparently wouldn’t even pass a toothpaste commercial audition. I breathed deeply and thought of what I should do.

That ID was important and my permit for an exam the next day was there. If I lose it, which I did, I’d have to pay for a pass again. No way!

‘You’re dead Kayla, you’re awfully screwed.’

I stuck my tongue out at the guard who’s been my daily cup of bad coffee. ‘They say that bullies either hate you or like you. So mister, tell me which one are you. Don’t tell me you like me? Tsk. Wish you choke!’

I went back to where I stumbled with the handsome guy and hoped that Dra. Gail was as late as I was so I can still brew an excuse.

I was so exhausted, and it is too early for this morning.

(Executive Secretary Markus POV)

I step inside of the prestigious edifice. It was said the tallest building in the world. A token of pride to whoever owned it. An industrial empire that stole selfishly in the name of success. I bet he is too mean for this. Too giant that overshadowed its competitors’ comparatively smaller establishments under the risen sun. And everyone knew whose devilish strategies it came from…

The proprietor is not a good adversary…

The executive elevator opened for me. From the topmost loft of the building stood a man with a glass of red wine in his hand. He was smirking, not at the taste of the fine wine but at the misery of his rivals.

“Master Kian, everything happens at your will.” One of my fellow secretary reports to him.

“I know. And that makes everything else boring.” As if he is not satisfied.

“Seventy-two percent of the overall economic businesses of the world are already under your name and only the remaining twenty-eight percent are still government property. Shouldn’t we acquire all of it?”

A dart arrow swished through the air and landed at the heart of the dart board.

“I don’t think we should. It will be no fun if I gain all of it. Let them grow it and if they make it, I will cut them again,” he smiled at the thought of his game plan.

Kian Kayzer Hawk. He’s the owner of Kayzer Hawk Monopolies of Businesses and of most businesses in the world; all sorts of transportation, entertainment companies, real estates, banks, technological and research facilities, academic institutions, and many more to specify. Even the mafia was within his authoritarian powers.

Too powerful indeed. A human god of Money.

But no one ever imagined that the commoner he used to be would rise as the richest person in the world from the rags of his sweets processing start-up. His multi-trillion mercantile business started from his interest in a board game called Monopoly. But the game that he used to play in a little rectangular box became a real life gamble. He grew bakeries, confectioneries, and pastry institutions until his monopoly business dominated the top level for an uncontested seventeen years up to present.

He called his strategy Monopoly Tricks, and he was the zero-sum player. His goal always is to bankrupt his opponents and give up.

He bought businesses that were nearly bankrupt and revived them. In most cases, he himself would move secretly to drive other businesses to bankruptcy and tempt them to sell it to him no matter how low his bargain was.

A huge Monopoly board game was placed at the heart of his workplace. It was his real wealth map. It was a strategy that made him devilishly powerful. But although his reputation instilled fears to most, his monopolized businesses were managed by grateful and loyal secretaries. Under the secretaries was the hierarchy of board directors and presidents ruling the company’s numerous branches.

Those that tricked him were easily tracked and punished under the ubiquitous influence of the Kayzer Hawk Groups. And the payment was always a life. This agreement was known to anyone prior to recruitment. The four color level of punishment. Each employee was aware of the odds beforehand, so unfaithfulness is a death wish each makes in his own volition. Through this, nobody dared to cheat Master Kian Kayzer Hawk.

Kayzer hawk Monopolies was the biggest contributor to the economy of the world. It can either raise or break the economy of a country. But despite this power, Kian forbade his people to boast and abuse their position in the company. He wanted everybody to be treated fairly and whoever would break this law should settle in exchange of his own life.

Only Kian Kayzer Hawk could use that power and influence. Everybody knew his name but nobody outside his trusted circle really knew what he looked like. He only met his executive secretaries, trustworthy counsels, and his private bodyguards. He was sometimes in disguise as a customer and often an ordinary man freely roaming the world.

Not even his father, who was a commoner, knew of Kian’s true identity.

His father was a morally decent man who taught him never to revenge, for revenge can only kill the beautiful person inside an individual. Kian abided by his father’s beliefs and perspective. He became a just and empathetic man. But he was silently thirsty to destroy the kin that ruined his own family.

So he lived two lives at once. An ordinary man with a father living in the countryside. And a rich man who waited to revenge.

Master Kian collected influence until he’s ready to strike the Thomas Empire, an *untouchable that no group could ever planned to war against. He knew the empire was under the support of the illegal industry, a world that could be bigger than the supremacy he made legally.

But he waited. Until he could finally rage war against his only enemy. Thomas Empire…

“Should I visit my father? Hmmm… It’s been a while.”

(Kayla POV)

It was noisy everywhere and I was reeling in annoyance. My priority is my ID.

‘If ever, where the hell did I drop my stupid ID? In the jeepney? On the way?’

I trailed back to where I walked earlier but I didn’t find it. I won’t give up. I badly need it. The examination is holding tomorrow.

“Kayla,” someone called me. It was Dra. Gail. My boss, whose name I prayed to be late, was indeed super late.

‘Thank you, Papa God, You never forsake me!’

“Are you looking for something?” She usually knew whenever I was troubled because it has been my habit to pout when I’m distracted.

“My ID. I lost it,” I answered.

“Oh well, the guard didn’t let you in again. Come with me and I’ll talk to him about it.”

I was glad that she came but I really needed my ID. I took her offer anyway. It was payback time for that guard. ‘Hanzel, was it?’ His name sounded feminine but I liked the ring to it.

My name Kayla sounded as if my parents just blinked at the sky and the clouds formed the words to name me. It meant ‘slim’ and ‘fair’.

‘Fair life. But where was the proof that my life’s been fair to other?’ People would laugh if they knew the meaning behind my name but see that I’m living my life the complete opposite.

Geez, I thought as I gave up on the idea of finding my ID again and went with the doctor.

‘You’re screwed Mister Guard; my boss is in a bad mood. Ha! It’s not my fault that she’s gonna vent her anger on you.

Dra. Gail, fry him up really good so he’d stop picking on me every morning! Oh Hanzel, you should just admit that you like me!’

I giggled at my wild assumptions. Bwahahaha.

Stupid mind. But yah… I hate myself. I’m just as screwed as you Hanzel. Because I lost my permit, I’d have to ask for money again from my brother Anthony who already has his own child to support, Caton. I’ve been so irresponsible to even deserve the money he’s working hard for.

Damn. I’m totally damned!

“It was traffic earlier. I wish our customers scheduled for appointment today are late,” the doctor said. I nodded playfully at her although my mind was imagining how I should borrow money from Anthony again. Text him like he did to me earlier.

Maybe?

As we neared the Kayzer Hawk Residence, which happened to be sitting just behind Dra. Gail’s Clinic, I noticed the crowd in black tuxedos. They looked like businessmen, or maybe agents in an inflation protest, or maybe a JS prom was to be held in the Convention Hall.

Hmmm? Is this the reason why the early morning happened to be traffic?

“What’s the occasion?” Dra. Gail mumbled the same question I have in mind when she saw them.

“Temporarily no entry for everyone.” One guard responded.

Several marshals barricaded the sidewalk by the front of Kayzer Hawk Residential Building. ‘Seriously? Don’t you tell me some royalty owned the sidewalk too?’ Kian Kayzer Hawk, who are you really? A living god?

Before we could move, the doctor and I were caught in the sudden wave of media and press representatives. We became victims of pushing and elbows until we drifted to a less occupied corner. But not even my pissed-off boss complained. Media is powerful in the Philippines. She knew too well that the media can create a biased footage of her complaining about it, spread it online, and drag her reputation downwards. We just stayed standing, low-key and curious, as we watched the crowd double.

One journalist suddenly started a live broadcast shoot. We were in his backdrop, so I took the opportunity to go cute in my first TV appearance and photobomb his newscast. Hehehe.

Can’t blame me folks, I lost my ID! I am so desperate.

I lifted my ID cord and pointed a finger at the missing ID case. I did a sign that in case found, should please be returned to me.

Desperate times called for desperate measures. I needed it. I needed that pass: No permit plus No exam is equals to No Graduation Day.

I NEED IT!

Okay girl, you just advertised your problem nationwide. That’s a good job Kayla myself.

I just hoped that whoever found it didn’t make fun of my ID picture. Because you know what the ugliest government ID that ever existed? A Voter’s ID. Comelec (Commission on Elections) didn’t even bother to hire a photographer who had the guts to tell people they look like shits before their picture were taken or at least tell us to fix this or that because we don’t look great on camera, the web camera.

The crowd stirred noisily when the black expensive cars arrived.

Hmm, the prom list not completed yet.

Bodyguards in black got off the cars and helped contain the frenzied people and media. They didn’t care getting hurt or hurting anyone. It still didn’t make sense to me why those people were acting like that? They are idiot to cause such unnecessary actions. Whoever it is, he is just a human.

Until I was surprised to see the President of the Philippines by the entrance. I’ve never seen him personally, honestly.

Was he the reason? Yet, he’s just a human. Why were they going nuts about seeing him?

A limo pulled in and everyone seemed to be awaiting who might be inside.

‘A celebrity? There’s a celebrity?!’

I tiptoed to get a better view until I was unknowingly pressing on Dra. Gail’ s shoulder for support. When I got a perfect view… A foreigner, tall and robust, walked out of the Limo. I didn’t see his face because his bodyguards formed a four-lined barrier behind him. But whoever that man was, the Philippines surely overreacted at his presence.

Did the people think that that guy would be throwing money? Yay. I like that idea, but it is impossible.

“Ooh, sorry.” I gave Dra. Gail an apologetic smile when I realized where my hand was.

‘Please don’t get angry at me.’

Peace.

She’s often a bit sensitive. “I just got carried away.”

Our attention was suddenly drawn back to the residential building when we heard a faint thud and the gasps that followed. Although it wasn’t my fault, I swallowed guiltily as I looked at the man on the floor. He didn’t move at all, not dead, but because of that epic fail slipping incident. Who would’ve thought that the special visitor would slip like that?

He didn’t look mortified, but his face screamed murder. I knew he wasn’t used to getting embarrassed. ‘Very wrong, dear visitor.’ Someone must’ve been pissed off by your showing off, so he decided to give you the limelight of shame.

Filipinos are cunning. They’re prideful so don’t make it a big deal.

Ahahaha.

(Kayla POV)

It seems everybody froze to what happened. And I am only the little devil who wanted to laugh so hard. Even the President was too surprised to have seen what happened. He immediately approached the poor guy as the men in black helped their boss up.

Everybody in the media got back in their senses and shot their own photos of the important event. Lights flashed and drowned me until I was reminded of my fear of lightning. I was suddenly anxious.

A trauma?

Cold sweat beaded at my back and apparently, the ice cream I ate earlier didn’t help.

I wanted to slap those people two cheeks at a time. They were making a commotion out of something that’s not so important. They should be concerned of nature and not of a single human being.

“When are we leaving this place, Kayla?” the doctor asked impatiently. How should I know?

“They are leaving sooner. Seems they need to cover the man in rushed.” I respond and still looking at the direction where the man gives us a pathetic scene.

Yet… My eyes were already ballooning like a tarsier as I gasped for air. I felt like I was running out of breath. Not because of the sudden Truma that I have… But in the most unexpected time, I saw my ID. One of the guest’s bodyguards was waving it in the air.

As if he is looking for the owner.

Oh my, I’m dead.

Did the ‘special visitor’ slip because of my ID? With my name and picture on it, I felt like dying. Oh, the f---ing shit! Did I just make a future trending topic online?

I bit my nails as I thought of what I should do. Our school’s ID cord was neon green, so I obviously recognized it. I badly needed that thing, but it was impossible to demand getting it back, scot-free, without paying great first for putting the visitor’s name to shame.

“Didn’t they know that they’re ruining other people’s business by this showy welcome for a person I don’t even recognize,” the doctor complained.

On point. But oh God, just who’s that person? I already wanted to piss my pants.

I feel like, my energy suddenly got drain.

When the commotion departed, I walked with Dra. Gail absentmindedly. What my ID have done for the sake of my name?

And another strike of bad luck, we saw Hanzel. He smiled at us. Geez, he didn’t know he’d get reprimanded by the doctor. Dra. Gail was so pissed off at the moment.

Mister Hanzel, if only you let me in, I would’ve had done my job in the clinic already. Good luck to your poor soul.

I smiled at him. I was his karma, and my karma were my ID! Annoying, isn’t it? Anything in the world can be a person's karma.

“You,” Dra. Gail turned at him coldly. “You already knew that Kayla’s an employee here but why didn’t you let her in the clinic right away? Do you want me to tell the management about this? Your agency?”

Hanzel bowed his head down in response.

That’s what you get. Then I made a funny face at him. He was obviously picking on me every day! ‘Now what? Gonna make fun of me again? Don't you dare!’

When the doctor turned away from us, I gave him another tongue out.

Enough Kayla, Karma might judge you again and you’d be defenseless once more.

“Bro, I'm haughtier than you.” I patted him on the back. Shit. I couldn’t help myself from picking on him in return.

The doctor had just opened her Little Dentist Clinic, the flat screen television and light bulbs automatically turning on. I put my ‘favorite’ old sling bag on my desk; favorite in the sense that it was the only bag I had, and I didn’t really have a choice.

My eyes were immediately drawn to the television when I heard a Flash Report. I breathed deeply. Oh my gosh, Kayla! You'd be in the news now! You're famous, my friend!

Indeed.

My knees weakened as the report went about the little accident the Multi-Billionaire of the Philippines visitor.

Papa God! Please help me! Not my name please!

But fortunately, the news didn’t include whose ID it belonged to. Why?

But damn, I wanted to go home and sulk all day.

“Good for him.” Dra. Gail murmured.

Yes, Doc it would be fine if that ID didn’t belong to me! I should’ve just left it in my drawer.

I was working as a part-time cashier and assistant in the clinic. And because her office was just a block away from the Kayzer Hawk Residential, a lot of the media were still within our view. They were just as chaotic as we had left them.

Was the guest Prince Mark? Prince Henry? Harry?

Oh my… Why me? Will they look for me?

Su-sure? Shouldn’t they just let it pass? After all, it’s just an accident.

The guest wasn’t injured right? But if he was, I do not even have the money to pay for his expense, especially not for an admission to a VIP room. Public ward maybe?

Cry Kayla.

My heartbeat tripled when the reporter mentioned that the ID owner would be looked for.

Then tortured and killed like Jose Rizal in the Luneta Park? Just kidding. YES, I'm kidding myself. Chill myself. Think positive… You will live a long life in this world. Trust me.

‘What should I do? Why did you do that to me, dear ID? We even ate Cornetto in the jeep. Were you mean to me because I dirtied your ID cord?’

“Do you have a problem, Sena? You’re pale,” the doctor asked. I didn’t notice her come by and put the Record Book atop my desk.

“Nothing. I’m just worried we might have mischievous and insubordinate patients again. You know, kids nowadays,” I faked a laugh.

“You know what to do to calm them down and not patronize sweet treats. But do not promote ‘No SWEET CANDIES for Kids’ too much, else we lose customers,” she said as she turned her back at me.

Geez, the ghost of my ID card still haunted my mind.

I hate this.