Raisem's POV
I never knew I could hurt her.
Yes, I'm a cold-hearted billionaire. The people around me made me that way. Life carved this version of me with betrayal and disappointment. People I trusted turned their backs on me, and after that, it became difficult to see people the same way.
Every smile felt fake. Every promise sounded empty.
I remembered the day I went for a check-up. The room smelled of disinfectant, cold and lifeless, just like the doctor's tone as he looked at me.
His words rang in my ears now, louder than before.
"You may suffer from some great pain and sometimes you could get aggressive so please be careful so you won't hurt your loved ones."
I swallowed hard. Was that the reason?
Was that why I had done that to her?
Why my hands had tightened around her neck like I'd lost control of myself?
I could still see her face in my mind, terrified and helpless.
I swallowed again, my throat burning, and lifted my eyes.
Now she was standing right in front of me.
Alive, breathing and looking at me like a stranger.
I already knew why she was here.
I knew she was going to terminate the contract.
"Are you going to terminate the contract?" I asked, forcing my voice to stay steady even though my chest felt tight.
She stared at me like she couldn't believe those words came out of my mouth.
"Is that the most important thing to you right now and you can even address the issue on ground." She snapped at me, her voice sharp, trembling with anger and pain.
I clenched my jaw.
"Yes, it is the most important." I replied coldly, using pride to hide the guilt clawing at me.
She laughed, but it wasn't real.
Her lips curved, yet her eyes were dull and wet.
"Yes, I want to terminate the contract." Ara said.
I expected it but it still felt like a blow to the chest. Who could stand someone who hurt them? Who wouldn't run away after something like that?
I watched her turn her back to me and walk away. My body wanted to stop her, but my feet refused to move.
She stopped. Slowly, she turned just enough to speak.
"I'm not a toy you can play with whenever you're bored." Her voice was firm, but pain cracked through it.
Then she walked away and didn't look back.
******
It's been two days now since I heard from Ara.
After that night, it felt like we both disappeared from each other's lives. I told myself I had moved on and I was sure she had too.
But every time I tried to concentrate at work, my thoughts dragged me back. That day still hunted me. The way I held her neck.
The way her breath stuttered and the realization that I almost killed her.
I leaned back in my office chair, rubbing my temples.
I'm a horrible person.
There's no excuse for what I did.
I arranged for more women, thinking one of them could carry the heir of the Mavo Group.
But the moment they stood in front of me, I felt nothing but disgust.
They were not like Ara. Not as pretty, not as real. They never challenged me. Never questioned me, they obeyed blindly.
And it was boring.
Ara wasn't after my money., she never pretended.
She was the right one.
A knock pulled me out of my thoughts
.
"Come in." I said.
My personal assistant walked in carefully.
"Boss, you have a letter from the chairwoman."
My grandma?
Why would she send a letter when she could just call? I muttered as I opened it.
It was a blind date invitation.
"Oh wow." That was all I could say.
"Throw it away." I added, waving it off.
Another knock followed quickly. A staff rushed in.
"Boss, the chairwoman is on her way to your office."
I waved both of them away.
Minutes later, my grandma walked in, anger written all over her face.
"You spoilt brat." She screamed, then broke into loud coughing.
I rushed to her side.
"I've told you to stop straining your voice. It does more harm than good."
I guided her to a chair.
"You're the one killing me." She said and hit me hard on the back.
I groaned just to please her.
"What are you here for, grandma?" I asked.
"Why am I here? Can't I visit my grandson anytime I like?" she said with a pout.
"What if I was in a meeting?" I replied.
"Who cares?" she smiled.
I sighed softly.
"Why are you here, grandma?" I asked again, knowing she had a reason.
"I missed you… since the accident you never visited. Anyways, I brought your favorite."
She brought out a box of sweet buns.
My heart sank. She didn't know about the cancer. The medication I was on weakened my stomach. Sweet food made it worse, but I ate it anyway when she smiled at me. I couldn't tell her.
She pushed it into my mouth. I forced a smile and ate it.
"I found a good woman for you. Chairman Cole's daughter. Lizzy." She said. "We agreed on a blind date."
"Why didn't you inform me first?" I asked.
"Because you won't go." She replied. "Do you want to die single? I need my great-grandchild."
"Fine, I'll go."I sighed.
******
That night, the city lights blurred as I drove to the restaurant. I didn't want to be there. Every part of me resisted it, but I had no choice.
Making my grandma happy felt like a duty I could not escape.
I parked my car at the crowded parking lot and stepped out. The air was cool, but my mood was heavy.
I was late. As soon as I reached the table number written on the reservation slip, I saw her.
Lizzy.
She was already seated, legs crossed elegantly, checking her reflection in her phone screen.
The moment I looked at her, boredom washed over me like a wave. The excess makeup on her face, the heavy jewelry hanging from her ears and wrists,it all felt forced, artificial.
I turned slightly, already planning my escape.
Then she saw me.
"Raisem." She said softly, her eyes lighting up.
Damn it.
I turned back slowly, shoving my hands into my pockets.
"I never knew you were this handsome physically." She said, blushing and tucking her hair behind her ear.
I said nothing, only nodding once.
"Please have a sit." Lizzy said, gesturing to the empty chair opposite her.
I sat down anyway. I already had a plan, stay for a few minutes, then disappear.
"I have a meeting in the next four minutes, so please let's make it quick." I said, checking my wristwatch deliberately.
"Four minutes?" She said sadly, nearly choking on her drink as surprise flashed across her face.
I watched without reacting.
"What would you like to eat?" She asked, trying to recover.
"I'm okay." I replied briefly.
She smiled and took another sip of her drink, her eyes never leaving my face.
"It's been a while we've met and you're in such a hurry to leave. I hope your grandma has spoken to you about our partnership with Mavo Group." Lizzy said with a smile.
I sighed inwardly.
"She never mentioned anything about a partnership." I replied, running my fingers through my hair.
"I love your hair colour." She said with a smile and took another drink.
I frowned slightly. Is she actually okay?
The conversation felt strange, empty, forced. She kept smiling, kept drinking, and I kept counting seconds in my head.
Then my wristwatch beeped.
Finally.
"Excuse me, I'm a man of time." I said, standing up and pushing my chair back.
I turned to walk away.
"Raisem, wait." She called out suddenly.
She hurried after me, heels clicking fast against the floor but her fate was not kind.
She slammed into a waitress.
I heard the plates crashed, it's glass shattered. Wine spilled violently, splashing across Lizzy's white gown.
The entire restaurant went silent.
Lizzy looked down at herself in shock, then rage twisted her face instantly.
"Are you blind?" She screamed. "Can't you see? Do you know how much those shoes cost, you idiot!"
She commanded everyone's attention, heads turned and people stared.
I was about to leave, it's none of my business. Then I heard a voice.
"I'm so sorry ma'am."
That voice… I turned slowly.
It was Ara.
My chest tightened painfully. She stood frozen, holding the tray with trembling hands, her eyes filled with panic.
I walked closer, my heartbeat loud in my ears.
"Raisem, we need to deal with this poor thing." Lizzy said, gripping my sleeve tightly.
I yanked her hand away immediately.
Before I could speak, Lizzy stepped forward.
"You know what, you have to lick those shoes clean, you worthless piece of shit." Lizzy said.
Ara looked up and our eyes met. Time stopped instantly.
"I'm sorry ma'am, I can't do such. I already apologized, what else do you want me to do?" Ara said, her voice shaking as tears gathered in her eyes.
"How dare you talk back at me? Do you know who my father is?" Lizzy snapped.
Before anyone could react, she grabbed a glass and splashed the wine on Ara's face.
The crowd gasped.
Ara froze, wine dripping down her cheeks and uniform. Her lips trembled as humiliation broke through her strength.
Lizzy raised her hand, planning on hitting her. Ara closed her eyes, bracing herself.
But the slap never landed.
I caught Lizzy's wrist mid-air and the whole place went dead silent.
"That's enough. You're being pathetic." I said coldly.
Ara opened her eyes slowly. She looked at me and out eyes locked again.
I pulled Ara by the wrist and dragged her out of the restaurant, ignoring the whispers and stares behind us.
******
I took her to the rooftop, the door slammed shut behind us as the cool night air hit our faces.
"Let me go." She said sharply.
I released her immediately. She turned to face me, anger blazing in her eyes.
"What are you doing here?" I asked in shock, my voice barely steady.
"Like you care," she snapped. "What do you think you're doing dragging me out of my workplace?"
"Workplace?" I asked. "I thought I gave you a few money enough to start a good life."
She laughed bitterly.
"I paid off my mother's medical fees, paid off our debts, and got scammed by a bus agent."
Her voice cracked and tears fell freely now.
Before I even realized it, my body moved on its own. I stepped forward and pulled her into my arms.
She stiffened, then broke down.
"You should have reached out to me, not endure that type of shitty job." I said quietly, guilt eating me alive.
"Reach out to you? I terminated the contract." She said, pulling back slightly.
"I know, but still I will be ready to help. It's the only way I can make it up to you for that day." I said honestly.
She shook her head slowly.
"Thank you for saving me but I don't need any help from you. I'm fine, I'll get a good job soon so you don't have to be bothered." Ara said and pushed me aside.
"Thank you." She added.
She turned and walked away.
I stood there alone under the night sky, my chest aching like something had been torn out of it.
I think Ara hates me.