The Odd Billionaire

Traizle

“Traizle!” Layzen exclaimed when he saw me.

He is playing by himself outside of our house.

I embraced him when I got a hold of him. “Where is your brother?” I asked.

“His friends fetched him. They wanted to play at the computer shop near here. I told him he could go without me. It is boring to watch them play.” he explained.

I matched his level and ruffled his hair. “You are really a big boy now. Just play near our house. If someone you do not know approaches you, do not go with him.” I reminded him.

He nodded. “I will. I am a big boy already.” Layzen said confidently.

“By the way, did you eat your lunch already?” I asked.

He bobbed his head and said, “We did. How about you?” Layzen asked back.

I stopped for a second to smile at him. “I only ate desserts for lunch. I am still hungry.” I answered.

Layzen’s eyebrows narrowed. “You should eat. Dessert for lunch is not enough to fill your stomach. Why would you eat dessert for lunch?” He asked.

I could not answer his question. I remembered Zarsuelo. Is he full of just desserts?

As we entered our house, Layzen immediately helped me remove my shoes and bag. “Lyndon told me you have to work wearing a big costume even though it is hot.” he said.

“Yes, I did. But they paid us well, so it was worth it.” I answered and was about to move when he stopped me.

“Do not move. I will prepare your food.” Layzen said as he stood to get me a glass of water.

Layzen was still two years old when our parents separated. After a few months, our mother left us. He could not receive love from our parents. We basically, Lyndon and I, grew him up ourselves.

He is intelligent enough that he knows our parents are separated already. He knows we are the ones who take care of him.

“Thank you for preparing my food.” I told him.

He prepared my food slowly since he is not that tall to get things.

“You’re welcome!” He answered happily. “I will study hard so that I can give you money in the future and you will not have to work many times.” he added.

His words touched me. “That is good!” I exclaimed. “For now, your big sister will work harder for you to finish your studies.” I added.

“Thank you for working hard, Traizle. I am thankful that you never give up on us, even though sometimes we fight over petty things. I’m glad you’re my sister, whom God gave me.” he said, complimenting me.

I immediately hugged him. A heart-to-heart conversation with Layzen eased all of my pain and fatigue.

“I am also lucky to have you guys as my brothers.” I answered after our hug.

After I ate my lunch, Layzen and I played until he fell asleep. I started fixing my bag for work later, when Lyndon came.

“Did you eat already?” Lyndon asked as soon as he saw me.

I looked at him and said, “Layzen prepared my lunch for today. We even had a heart-to-heart talk.” I answered and laughed a little.

His eyes landed on Layzen. “Why is he so mean with me?” Lyndon complained.

I snorted. “It is your fault. You are always making fun of him,” I responded. “By the way…” I added, and paused.

“What?” he asked.

“Do you know Matthew Zarsuelo?” I asked directly.

His eyes widened after hearing my question. “Matthew Zarsuelo? Do not tell me he is the man we talked about?” He answered.

I gulped. “Yes, he is. The one who owns a company.” I added.

“Shit, you really dug your own grave.” he responded.

Fidgeting with my hands. “Is he one of the evil rich?” I asked nervously.

That is why he is urging me to work for him. To avenge what I did to him?

He shook his head. “He is not that bad,” he replied. “I heard he is one of the multi-billionaire people here in our country. He is the owner of Grand Finance.” Lyndon started explaining.

My eyes widened. “Really?” I answered, surprised by what I was hearing.

He nodded his head. “He became famous because he was known for being a young, handsome, and intelligent businessman,” he continued. “He is living young and free. That is why they like him.” he added.

“Young? How old is he?” I asked again.

It shocked me once more when Lyndon replied, “He’s still twenty-four.”

Twenty-four, while I am twenty-five, working my ass off?

“Thank you.” I said, expressing my gratitude to the customer.

I am now at the convenience store, doing my shift.

I am still in a daze after hearing that information from Lyndon. I am not really updated on who is who and who is not. That is why if I find some information I do not know about, it is a big blow to me, as if I was punched really hard.

We do not have any customers since it is the middle of the night. My shift will end at 7 in the morning.

“I should fix and check the products.” I said and walked away from the counter.

I suddenly crave a cup of noodles.

After checking the products, I immediately got two cups of noodles and showed them to the camera while paying. I get boiled water from the dispenser and mix it.

I stopped mixing my food when a customer came in. I waited for him to come to me so that I could eat after serving him.

While waiting for him, I mixed my food quickly.

“Hi, Traizle.” a voice called me.

I lifted my head to see the person who called me.

My eyebrows narrowed. “What are you doing here, Zarsuelo?” I am confused at the sight of him.

Is he stalking me?

He smiled. “I told you I would mess you up, did not I?” He replied as if we had known each other for years.

“You are messing up my work, too!” I answered, lowering my voice.

I might get fired if I cause some trouble inside the convenience store.

“Do not worry, I can talk to your boss,” he answered. “Can you charge this now, please?” He added, waving the products he got.

I scanned them. D*iry milk, the big one. K*tkat, the medium one, and water. Is this man still eating normal food?Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

After paying for his order, he sat down at the nearest table and chair.

I sighed and looked at him. “Why don’t you go already?” I asked.

“Because I am still your customer?” He answered, questioning me back.

I massaged my temples. “If this is about working with you, I already told you I would not.” I said and sat down to eat my food as well.

“That is why I am here, to persuade you,” he replied, while opening his sweets. “I want you, so I will mess you until you agree to work for me. Other stores, companies, or whatever business might see your potential and get you.” he added.

“What work will I get in your company, then? I am not a colle-”

“Marketing manager? The receptionist? Controller? Office manager? Or my Secretary?” He answered, interrupting me.

I glared at him. “Are you crazy?” I asked.

Those positions do not suit me at all. It is for all people who have higher degrees.

He shrugged his shoulders. “Maybe.” he answered in a sing-song manner.

I tried to calm down. “I am telling you I did not go to college, and yet you are giving me those top positions. It does not suit a senior high school graduate, Zarsuelo.” I replied, explaining my side.

“I told you to call me Matthew, did not I?” He complained.

But he is not at my level. Calling him by his first name would make me feel like I was not respecting him, now that I know he is a big shot human after all.

I did not bother to look or answer him. I just continued to eat my noodles. Answering him will make our conversation longer and more frustrating.

“Traizle Cerezo.” he called.

I looked back at him again. “How did you know my name?” I asked.

“I can know everything about you in just one day,” he answered. “But…” he added, suspending his own explanation. “To respect you, all I did was to ask the sweet shop for your name.” he continued.

Is he that eager to know me? He can not get any single cent from me, so why me?

“Your hard work,” said Zarsuelo. “Seeing you work hard made me want to hire you without doing an interview. I admire those people who work hard. You stated you do not have a college diploma. So what? Other college graduates can not do that. They are still lacking in some ways. Some of them do not have the will to work hard because they think they have graduated. They thought that work would come to them because they had the degree.” he explained.