The CEO’s Mistress

Several men awaited my arrival via a chartered plane. I would say that my life has been extravagant thanks to my father's wealth. As the heiress to his vast fortune, he couldn't risk my safety. Sometimes, his style of overprotecting me was annoying. Still, I just had to recall our life situation before he became Richard Vera. Life was hard back then, and he did everything in his power to salvage our situation. As his only daughter, it was right to love him unconditionally.

"Darling, how was your trip?" he asked excitedly.

I waited for the grey-haired man to embrace me as he usually did whenever I arrived from a business conference. I smiled at the man who raised me alone with everything that he had. He had nothing when my mother left him for a richer man, and I hoped that I would never see her again. I hated that woman for leaving my father and me.

"Excellent, Papa," I responded with a promise that I would tell him anything about it.

As the write-ups said in their articles, Richard Vera, a famous business tycoon, was a God in the construction industry. So if the Salcedo's were prominent in the tourism industry, the Vera's were also renowned in their field.

"You look more beautiful than the last time I saw you!" Richard Vera exclaimed his compliments as we walked side by side.

I knew that he was so proud of my achievements, but who wouldn't be? I trained hard every day to meet his expectations, so I should also be proud of myself.

"I think there's something you wanted to tell me ever since I got off from the plane." The proud man shook his head in denial, but I sensed that something bothered him. I could feel it.

"We will talk about it later, Juliana," he responded, but the way he pronounced my name caused me to worry. Usually, he would refer me with my nickname even if I hated it. But Juliana?

"Alright, if you say so," I agreed. I was willing to wait for my father to speak. He looked stressed already, so I didn't want to add to his burden.

The convoy of black cars drove straight from the airport to the private road leading to our estate, The Belleview. It was a castle with five round towers penetrating the sky, linked by chunky walls made of golden stone. Tall windows and asymmetric crenellations for archers and artillery were strewn liberally around the walls in an almost random fashion.

It was for aesthetic purposes because he loved imagining himself as a king. He built it with his money, so I had no right to complain. A standard gate guarded the only entrance into the castle, which was built on a mountain top with thick wooden doors. Still, it was not the only way in if someone was familiar with the castle's hidden passages. Outside the castle gates, a line of king statues served as my father’s inspiration that anyone could become great with hard work, perseverance, and determination.

Belleview had been my home since I was ten. Before that, we lived in a slum. I was young back then, but I witnessed how he struggled to provide me with something to eat. First, he worked as a laborer, a construction helper, and then he became a mason. With his experience working day and night, he learned that there's money in the construction business.

Out of desperation to become rich quickly, he tried the lottery, and he was lucky to win the jackpot. Richard Vera used the money wisely, and the rest was history.

I smiled at my father as we entered the castle gate. Then, sincerely, I promised that I would do everything to pay him back for everything he had done for me.

"Papa, maybe you should get a wife," I suggested.

His hair might be grey, but that was only by choice. The last time he dyed his hair, it was coffee brown, and he looked much younger. He’s only forty-seven, so I assumed that several women would line up to become his wife.

"No, it's just a waste of time," he replied.

"Are you sure? Or even now, you’re still waiting for my mother to return," I jested, but Richard Vera didn't like my sense of humor. He frowned at me and looked away. "I was only kidding," I explained.

"You are right," he answered after a minute.

I was shocked at his response. "What? Are you serious? Oh my God! I can't believe you, Papa." I shook my head. "I never thought you were actually waiting!"

"It's true love," he reasoned.

"True love, my foot! If that's true love, then I don't want it!"

"Juliana, you can't say that," he disagreed, but I just huffed at his response.

I was about to lecture him, but we had arrived, and I didn't want any of the staff to hear us bickering over anything. There could be a spy in the house, and it would just cause a scandal. We didn't want any scandal to disrupt our business.

A uniformed woman followed me when I went towards the elevator to go to my bedroom. "How are you doing, Marian?"

"Just fine, Miss Juliana," she replied timidly.

"Come on, it's just the two of us here. You don't have to be so formal," I said. They were trained not to misbehave in front of me, but I was lenient most of the time. For me, Marian and the rest of the staff were considered family.

Marian helped me with my bath, and we talked about random things while she scrubbed my back. "Do you think I'm happy with my life?" The question caught her off guard because I heard her gasp.

"You are Richard Vera's only daughter; isn't that enough to be happy?"

"You are clever as always, Marian." I was amazed at the way she responded to my inquiry with a question. "To be honest, I don't know anymore. People know me as the heiress, but that's all. I am a nobody if I don't use my father's last name."

Marian sighed along with me. She's been my governess ever since my father built his fortune in the construction industry. If my father decided to marry soon, I would strongly recommend Marian to him. The woman has been with us for almost fifteen years. She's loyal and trustworthy, and she made me feel like I had a mother on my side.

After she assisted me with my bath, I gave her something from my latest trip to Chicago. I went there to meet the renowned architect, Mr. Albert Serrano, a Filipino based in Chicago. Our architectural firm wanted to pirate him. However, when several of our delegates failed to obtain his signature, I decided to step in.

And it was a good thing I did, otherwise we would have lost him to a famous Chicago-based firm. No one believed I would manage to convince him to return to the Philippines and work with us. I didn't think it was possible either.

I was lucky that I brought my father's old photo. Albert claimed that he lived in the same slum with us, and my father helped him on several occasions. We used to be neighbors, but I didn't recall any of it. Did it matter? Not really. The important thing was, he agreed to my terms.

A deep sigh escaped my lips as I walked towards the window after putting on a comfortable dress. From above, I could see the ocean. It seemed so near, but I had to travel more than an hour to get there.

Another sigh escaped when I returned to my massive bed. The firm was my playground, but whenever I was home, I felt so lost and empty. Sometimes, I wondered if people would treat me the same if my name was not Julianna Vera.

My desire to always please my father was suffocating. I wanted to do something different, but I didn't want to disappoint him. He's the only person who loved me unconditionally, so the least I could do was be obedient and make him proud.

I was supposed to take a rest, but I spent my time daydreaming of the impossible. At my age, I was expected to have a lover or a fiancé, but I wasn't interested in dating. I would never allow anyone to have power over me.

When someone informed me that dinner was ready, I had no idea what was in store for me.

"Hi Papa," I greeted him as usual before I sat down, but he looked stern and severe "Problem?"

"Not really. Julianna, darling, can you be honest with me about your love life? Do you have a boyfriend, or are you dating someone behind my back? Just tell me," he said.

I pouted my lips before shaking my head. "I'm not interested in men, Papa." Richard Vera was stunned at my response, and I chuckled when I realized what he was thinking. "No, I'm not a lesbian!"

"Then why are you not interested in men? You are already twenty-seven, Juliana. At your age, I already had you, but look at you now! Well, I've arranged a deal with the Salcedo's, which includes you marrying their second son."

My eyes blinked several times, and I wished that he would correct his statement. I waited. However, he didn't say anything. "Why do I have to marry their son?"

"It will benefit the company," he replied.

"By using me? Papa, how can you do this? We already talked about it! I don't want to get married, I don't want to start my family, and I don't want to be involved with Ethan Salcedo!"

"I wanted his older brother, Juliana, but he's already engaged! So we can't break his engagement, or it will be disadvantageous to us," he explained.

"When I said I didn't want to get married and start a family, I meant it. Even if it strengthens our business, I won't do it, Papa!" I insisted, and the proud Richard Vera frowned at my decision to stay celibate for the rest of my life.

Ethan Salcedo was the black sheep of their family. His name was famous among tabloids and magazines, but nobody knew his face. He was rumored to have a deformity, and I believed that rumor. Otherwise, he would show his face to the public or help in his family's business.

"It's business-related!" he bellowed while trying to make a point. I remained firm that I would not get involved with Ethan. "He's coming to see you tomorrow," he announced.

"Who's coming?"

"Ethan and his family," he replied. At that moment, I made up my mind to do something unimaginable—leave the castle and stay hidden until Ethan found a suitable wife.

I stared into nothingness as I processed the fact that I was finally free. I felt the urge to express my happiness, but the status of poverty was waving at me. I knew there would be regrets in the future. Still, I just couldn't let my father dictate my life and marriage, especially with someone so despicable.

"Are you alright?"

When I looked up at the man who stood tall before me, my brain refused to function well. As the COO of Vera's Architectural Firm, meeting someone gorgeous was nothing special. However, I was immediately drawn to the stranger’s athletic build, and I couldn't take my gaze away from the veins on his arms.

I stood up and said, "I'm fine," before his hands could touch my skin. "Just don't mind me," I told him.

"Are you sure?" He doubted my words, and I hated him for it. "You seemed lost. Are you new in town?"

He was trying to be friendly, so the least I could do was not be a snob. I was about to walk away when an idea popped inside my head. Maybe he could help me find a job. "Yeah. Unfortunately, my friend doesn't work here anymore, so I will go somewhere else to find a job."

"I see," he replied.

"I'm not a fraud!" I knew I was defensive, but the look on his face told me that he was suspicious. When he studied my appearance from head to foot, I became uncomfortable.

"You must have come from a faraway place," he stated.

"Yeah, you can say that. Do you know anyone who's looking for household help? I'm willing to work even without pay as long as my meals are free."

"Sounds fair enough," he said.

I was excited to hear that someone in town could hire me. "Can I ask for the address?"

"Well, I can give you a free ride," he muttered in a low voice.

When he mentioned giving me a free ride, I suddenly felt some goosebumps on my skin. What if he was a criminal and just scouting for his next victim? I shivered at the thought of being killed by someone I met on the street. My heart raced like crazy when he stared at me, and I stepped back.

"I don't think it's safe to take a free ride from a stranger," I said, and the tall man clenched his jaw. He didn't like what I said and glared at me.

"I'm just trying to help, but if you don't want it, that's fine with me," he declared before walking out.

"Hey, Mister!" I called before he vanished from my sight.

He arched his brows and narrowed his eyes at me. "Hurry up if you want to come with me," he said coldly, and I had no choice but to be quick on my steps.

My eyes widened in surprise to see that he drove a limited-edition Lexus. Only a few could afford such a car, and our garage had one. However, I couldn't blow my cover by noticing the car.

"Are you rich?" It wasn't brilliant to ask, but I had to.

"Maybe," he answered as if it wasn't a big deal to own a limited edition car.

I had reservations deep within my heart, but I had to take the risk before my father's henchmen found me. Inside his luxurious car, his eyes spoke volumes with a devilish glint in them. He appeared suspicious, but I had to trust my judgment.

When he entered a gated property, I wasn't surprised to see a magnificent abode. It was made of grey bricks and walnut wood. Tall, rectangular windows complemented the house's overall design and had been installed in an asymmetrical pattern. The structure was L-shaped.

The house extended until it reached the end of the trendy gardens. A portion of the second floor stretched over the edge of the first floor, creating a balcony. In terms of design, I concluded that it was highly different.

The roof was high and slanted to one side with black ceramic tiles. On one side there was a tower, with two small chimneys. A well-maintained garden surrounded the house. Grass, flowerbeds, and trees were strategically positioned just like in Belleview.

"Welcome to my home," he announced after he parked the car in front of the main entry.

All of a sudden, I was scared. "What do you mean this is your home?"

"You need a job. Well, I also need someone to prepare my meals and everything," he announced.

"Are you kidding me? You didn't mention anything about this in the car!"

"What's the difference? It would be best if you had a job, and I need a maid," he announced. "By the way, if you don't want to be my maid, then you can choose to be my mistress."

I convinced myself that the man was far too attractive to be a bastard. "Do you think I'm crazy?" I snapped at him, temporarily forgetting that I wasn't Julianna Vera anymore.

"I'm just giving you the option," he reasoned.

"So, I've got to choose to be your maid or your whore," I concluded in a low, barely audible voice, but he heard me, of course. "You're an atrocious and arrogant bastard, sir!"

"That sassy attitude you have when you're penniless will change my mind," he said, shaking his head. I instantly lowered my gaze to the ground, realizing that he was right.

"My father is terrifying, and I'm afraid to go home now." But, although my father could be frightening when enraged, he would never harm me. "Please help me," I pleaded, trying to appear pitiful in his gaze.