THE BILLIONAIRE'S KARMA

“Why?” His wife’s affectionate question came from the other line.

“Nothing. I just missed you.” Skyler smiled, glancing at the glass window of his office. Different buildings stood still as if competing for height, including his own.

He owned that twenty-floor building he was in. He’s a landscape architect and the owner of dela Merced Landscaping Company. The company is leading in designing large and renowned subdivisions inside and outside Metro Manila, as well as hotels, resorts, and big companies in the country. At thirty-three, he had already established his name in the business world.

“Gosh, Skyler! We’ve just separated a while ago,” his wife teased from the other line.

He chuckled. He had just dropped her off at the mall to meet her friends. Her friends didn’t know they were married yet. It was a whirlwind romance. They met last month at a resort in Bali, Indonesia when he was at a conference. His wife, Adreianne, was there for a vacation.

Like any other love story, they fell in love with each other at first sight. He didn’t let that opportunity pass. He’s not the type of man who wastes time. When he likes a woman, he tells her immediately. He’s a man of both action and words.

Adreianne didn’t refuse him either. Before they returned to the Philippines, they were already a couple. And just yesterday, he asked her to marry him. When she agreed, he didn’t hesitate to go to his lawyer friend. He reasoned that they were going to marry anyway, so why waste time? Besides, he didn’t want to be away from her. He’s head over heels in love with her, something that hadn’t happened to him before. It was like magic. He just promised her that they would have the church wedding she wanted next month.

“Well, get used to it from now on. Because I won’t let a second pass without missing you, Mrs. dela Merced.” He stood up and stretched, then walked towards the glass window. He looked at the bustling streets below. Just like before, people were busy with their jobs and cars were still bumper-to-bumper.

“Oh, Skyler! You’re so clingy. And, oh, maybe the next day, you’ll follow me even when I go to the bathroom,” she joked.

He burst out laughing. “We can’t be sure of that,” he replied, shrugging his shoulders. It was undeniable that his world now revolves around his wife.

He had nothing bad to say about his wife. Even though they’ve only known each other for a month, for him, it’s like they’ve been together for ten years.

Adreianne is kind, caring, and loving. She has a good heart for those in need. That’s what he liked about her. Aside from being a passionate writer, she also loves nature. She even has an organization that educates the younger generation about the importance of nature in the world. His wife has many advocacies— which he learned all about within a month, and further impressed him.

“Hey, stop bothering me, Mr. dela Merced. If one day I’m gone, I don’t want you to linger your feelings towards me for long,” she said.

“Don’t say that. That’s not a good joke,” he said seriously.

Adreianne has a habit of talking about her passing away. And he’s either annoyed or got angry whenever she mentioned it. They’ve just gotten married, and they haven’t even started anything yet.

“I told you; anything can happen— so you should always be ready. You should find someone that—”

“Oh, Adreianne, please stop. We will not talk about this anymore, undersatnd?” he quickly interrupted.

She sighed on the other line. “I was just telling the fact here. Anything can happen anytime, Skyler. And if that happens, I want you to open your heart again.”

He rubbed his temples. His wife wouldn’t back down when it came to this topic. And they’ve been talking about it since the very beginning. He almost knew everything she was saying by heart.

“Skyler . . . ?” she called from the other line.

“My answer is still no. You won’t leave me early. I won’t let that happen.”

She chuckled. “You don’t control the time, or anyone else’s. When my time comes— it comes. You can’t stop that.”

“But I know that this is not your time yet. We’ll be together for a long time. We’ll have children and grandchildren. We will live longer than you expected,” he insisted.

“I hope you’re right. I hope we stay together for a long time,” she said sadly.

He frowned. Why did he feel different at that moment? Why was he so nervous?

“Is there something you’re not telling me?” he asked.

“Nothing. I just want you to be prepared for any possible things that will happen in the future,” she replied.

“That’s not gonna happen, okay? So, please . . . stop telling me you’ll gonna die. Because I don’t know what I’ll do if that happens.”

“I told yo—”

“Adreianne!” the women on the other line screamed. He was sure her friends were already there.

“Okay, Skyler. They’re here. Let’s talk later,” she bid goodbye.

“Yeah. I’ll te—”

“Ahh . . . !” There was a loud scream on the other line that shocked him. Following, there were successive gunshots.

“Adreianne! What was happening there?” he asked in fear. He quickly returned to his chair and grabbed the keys of his car. He took big steps towards his private elevator.

“There’s a mass sho—” His wife didn’t finish her sentence. Next thing he heard was a loud explosion on the other line. Then, his wife was gone.

“Adreianne!” he shouted loudly, filling the entire twentieth floor where he was.

Mhia sighed deeply every now and then. She just stared blankly outside the flower shop she owned. She was the only person there at that moment, that’s why she could space out freely.

The wind chime by the door rang, indicating someone entered, but she remained melancholic, still staring into nothingness. She slouched beside the counter.

“You’re going to get robbed, did you know that?” a voice interrupted her thoughts.

She looked up. A smiling face greeted her. It was her friend Tiffany.

She returned her gaze to nowhere. She sighed again.

“Oh! Ignoring me now, huh?” Tiffany exclaimed. She even tapped the countertop for emphasis.

Mhia didn’t pay her any mind. She wasn’t in the mood for banter.

“Hey, Mhia! Don’t give me silent treatment like that! It’s irritating! Speak up, hey!” Unable to contain herself, Tiffany slapped her arm.

Mhia let out a surprised whimper. Concern flashed in Tiffany’s eyes.

“Sorry . . . Did I hit you too hard?” she said in a concerned tone.

She quickly wiped out the tears that fell on her cheeks and forced a smile. “It’s not you.”

Tiffany raised her eyebrows. “What do you mean it’s not me? Don’t tell me— Cendrick again?”

She avoided eye contact with Tifanny. She didn’t want to talk about her boyfriend because she knew it would lead to another round of lectures from her.

“Don’t bring me into your drama, Mhia,” Tiffany warned, leaning closer. “What has that guy done now, huh? Is he with another girl again?”

Mhia didn’t answer. Tiffany already knew Cendrick’s behavior. And that’s what angered her friend. Tifanny said she was too much of a martyr to be in love with him.

She and Cendrick were in an on-and-off relationship for almost a year now, because of her boyfriend’s only flaw— he was too much of a player.

But even so, she still managed to forgive him. She didn’t know why, and she didn’t know why she endured all that emotional abuse— something that always infuriated Tiffany. She felt like she would die if she lost her boyfriend. That’s how much she loved him.

“I don’t know what to do with you, Mhia! It happened repeatedly but you still accept him. If I could just smash your head against the wall, I would’ve done it already. It’s not healthy anymore; his repeated lies to you! And you’re making it a habit. My God! When he makes a mistake, you easily forgive him. That’s why he’s getting used to it because you’re tolerating him!” she lectured.

“What can I do? I—”

“You love him?” Tiffany sarcastically cut her off. “Don’t you also love yourself? Because of that man you became stupid, Mhia! So, please . . . break up with him.” It wasn’t a request but a command.

She sighed. Her tears started to pour again.

“Oh! Look at you! You’re crying again!” Tiffany exclaimed. “Don't drag me into your crying fits, Mhia, huh! You’re the one refusing to leave that relationship. You’re the one causing yourself pain. So, stop your crying, okay? Tsk! If you weren’t my friend, I would’ve left you to your stupidity a long time ago!” Tiffany’s chest heaved as she spoke.

Mhia bowed her head. She couldn’t say anything because everything Tiffany said was true. She let herself get hurt. She could break up with Cendrick, but she didn’t want to.

“You’re wasting your beauty on that asshole! He never appreciates you. He never cares about what you feel— he’s full of himself! What’s worse is that he never really loves you. You’re the only one head over heels to him— who, frankly, could easily replace you. So, wake up, Mhia! Many men are courting you— men who really appreciates you. And Cendrick? He isn’t the only man in the world, for Christ’s sake! There are too many of them! You just have to choose.”

Again, Tiffany was right. She had many suitors whom she always turned down because she had a boyfriend. Ironically, she never looked into another man, other than Cendrick.

Not even once!

“Just your smile alone can hook anyone. Even a child, you can easily befriend you,” Tiffany continued. She knew she wouldn’t stop until her anger subsided.

“I’ve been telling you for so long, use your looks to get even with him. If you do that, he’ll surely be the one chasing after you and not the other way around.” Still unsatisfied, Tifanny circled around her and faced her towards herself.

“You’re smart, Mhia. Use that. Don’t always let your softness win,” Tiffany pointed to her heart. She stared her straight in the eyes. “Please, Mhia . . . I’m begging you, stop this foolishness. Stop tolerating him. Because the more you forgive him, the more emboldened he becomes to hurt you. Don’t you get it? He was just playing on your feelings,” she said.

Tears finally welled up in her eyes. It hurt when someone else told you the truth. It felt like being stabbed repeatedly in the chest.

Despite Tiffany’s brash demeanor, she knew her friend only meant well with her words. She hadn’t learned her lesson yet.

“Hush . . .” Tiffany embraced her gently, stroking her back soothingly.

“W-what should I do?” Mhia asked in a broken tone.

Tiffany quickly pulled away from her. She wiped her tears as well.

“I’ll take care of it,” she winked.

She simply surrendered as Tiffany gathered her belongings and took her hand. It was already seven o’clock in the evening, and there were no more customers at that time.

They hailed a taxi. Tiffany herself paid and instructed the driver where to go.

“Here? Why here?” She raised an eyebrow as they got out of the taxi. She saw the signage of the place. It was a bar.

“Oh, come on! Where do fishes live, Mhia? Of course, in the ocean! So, here we are!”

She gave Tiffany a dirty look.

“What?” Tiffany shrugged innocently.

She turned away. Tiffany quickly blocked her path.

“I don’t need a man, Tiff. I already have one,” she said.

“Yes, but he’s an asshole. That’s why we’re here at the Ocean Adventure Club— to forget about him forever. We’ll pick one from the guys here,” Tiffany teased, then playfully grabbed her arm and pulled her inside.

She didn’t resist anymore. She felt like a leaf being carried away by the wind.

The loud music greeted her as they entered. She winced, putting a finger to her ear. She followed Tiffany, who seemed determined not to let her go.

She wasn’t used to this kind of place. She was occasionally dragged there by her friend who loved bars. Tiffany was liberated, while she remained an old-fashioned lady. She wasn’t prudish in her attire; she knew how to keep up with trends, but always with limitations. She wasn’t the type of woman accustomed to one-night stands. She valued her purity most. That was often a point of heated discussion between her and Cendrick. Because no matter how much he insisted, she couldn’t bring herself to give in— which was the right choice.

Now, you’re saying that? After all the pain you’ve been through, now you’re thinking about that, huh, Mhia? You really are foolish, a loud voice echoed in her mind.

She had known that for a long time, but she couldn’t understand herself why she couldn’t leave her cheater boyfriend. Maybe she was indeed crazy.

“There!” Tiffany’s loud voice pulled her out of her thoughts. She pointed to a man sitting alone at the bar counter, in the far corner. “It’s your chance!” She pushed her forward.

Mhia almost stumbled into the man if she hadn’t balanced herself. She glared at Tiffany, but she was no longer in her previous position.

“That witch!” she muttered to herself.

She straightened up and sat on the empty seat next to the man. “One martini, please,” she requested from the bartender.

While waiting, she discreetly glanced at the man beside her. She furrowed her brows. He looked like he hadn’t taken a bath for a year.

The man had long hair, even his mustache and beard. He just wore a long-sleeved polo, with its collar not properly ironed. It seemed like it was just pulled out from wherever because the creases were almost impossible to smooth out.

The man was tall and muscular. He also had a prominent nose, and she assumed he had beautiful eyes which she couldn’t quite discern the color of. He’s on the dark side of the bar counter and she only saw his side view. So, all she could see were his long and curly eyelashes, which seemed longer than hers.

“Here’s your order, Ma’am,” the bartender said.

She nodded and took it, but her attention was still on the man beside her.

Her eyes landed on his hand resting on the counter, particularly on the ring he was wearing. It’s a wedding ring, so, he’s out of her choice.

She drank her alcohol without thinking. The symbol on his finger screaming that he was not free, and she can’t be with him.

But if he’s married, why does he look like this? And why is he here in the bar?

Maybe he had a fight with his wife, one part of her mind answered her own question.

She shook her head.

Here she was, drinking while thinking about someone else’s problem. As if she didn’t have her own problem to think about, Tiffany won’t drag her there in the first place.

She finished her drink quickly and ordered another one. She wasn’t used to drinking, but because of the pain she felt, she suddenly became immune to the taste of alcohol. It was like water to her now.

Soon enough, she felt dizzy. She also found herself laughing alone while tears falling on her cheeks. When she turned to her side, the man beside her was looking at her too.

She couldn’t understand herself. She suddenly stood up and kissed him on the lips without saying a word, surprising him. The man didn’t react immediately. It was quick, but thousands of electrifying sensations surged through her body, so she quickly moved away from him.

But the man quickly grabbed her waist. He suddenly kissed her lips without further a do.

She let him be. Truth is, she liked the way he kissed her. It was different from Cendricks’ kisses. Gentle at first, but later became passionate. She didn’t hesitate to wrap her arms around his neck.

The next thing she knew, their bodies were pressed against the soft bed, wherever they were.