Entangled with My Billionaire Nemesis

"God… you feel so good, baby," Ken moaned.

I froze. The moans and panting were coming from my boyfriend's bedroom. The smile I'd walked in with vanished, and my heart sank as I stood there in shock, too numb to move or speak.

My heartbeat pounded against my chest as I tried to decide what to do. I thought about leaving and breaking up with him over text, but then I heard the other person speak.

"Did you miss me?"

I stopped. "Isn't that Ray's voice?" I muttered, approaching the door carefully to listen.

"You know I did, baby," Ken said.

"So tell me. It's been two years now. Have you gotten used to being with a woman?"

I clamped my hand over my mouth. It was actually Ray, my openly gay secretary.

"Ken is gay?" I whispered, backing away from the door. I didn't know whether to cry or laugh.

"I think I'm fully gay, not bisexual. I can never get used to being with a woman. Our sex life has been horrible, baby. Most of the time, I close my eyes and pretend it’s you. You have no idea how much I'm struggling," Ken admitted.

The tears I'd been holding back escaped and streamed down my cheeks.

"Babe, you know we can't do anything because of your father. He gave you three years, remember? It's been two years now. You should propose to Cherry," Ray said.

I froze again. What was going on? What was happening in three years? Why did he approach me if he was gay? Why did he need to propose?

I deserved answers. I wiped my tears and kicked the door open.

"Surprise," I said, my voice breaking.

"You were supposed to be in Paris," Ken stuttered, dragging the sheets to cover Ray while hurriedly pulling on his shorts.

"And you weren't supposed to be in bed with my secretary. What exactly is going on here? Someone better start talking before I lose it," I snapped.

"Boss," Ray stuttered.

"How long have you known each other? What three years are you talking about? Why do you need to propose to me if you're gay? Why did you approach me in the first place? I demand answers!" I screamed.

"Please calm down. Let me explain everything," Ken said.

I folded my arms across my chest and stared at him.

"Ray and I have been dating for about five years now. Three years ago, I came out to my father as gay. He threatened to disown me if I went public with it, so he gave me an ultimatum, date and marry a girl within three years. Only then will he put my name back in his will. I approached you for that purpose. I didn't mean to hurt you."

"You didn't mean to hurt me? Are you listening to yourself? You both used me like a fucking gamble! I loved you, Ken. I trusted you. I thought you were the one, you made me believe that. And this is what I get?" I turned to Ray. "You were more than a secretary to me. You were family. I trusted you, but I was just part of your game. I didn't deserve that. I didn't fucking deserve that!"

I took a shaky breath. "The funny part is, if you had just been honest with me from the beginning, I would have agreed to help you. I would have suggested a fake relationship. But you lied to me instead."

"I'm sorry. We didn't—"

"Don't. If I hadn't walked in today, I would still be clueless. I would have been so happy when you proposed, not knowing you were only marrying me for your father's money. Then what? You'd leave me wondering what went wrong, never knowing it wasn't even my fault. I didn't deserve this."

I ran out of the apartment.

"Cherry! Cherry, please!" they called after me, but I didn't look back. I got into the elevator and left the penthouse.

–

The blaring of car horns and concerned shouts jerked me back to reality. I was standing in the middle of the street, lost in thought, and had nearly been hit by a truck. I quickly moved to the pedestrian lane, trying to figure out where to go.

After a while, I flagged down a cab. "Take me to The Varius Darius Cemetery," I told the driver.

"Ma'am, we're here," he announced.

"Thanks," I murmured and handed him a hundred dollar note. I got out and walked into the cemetery. It was quiet except for birds chirping in the oak trees. The wind blew fallen leaves to my feet, and they crunched under my shoes as I walked.

Tears blurred my vision when I saw my father's tombstone. I stopped and traced my fingers over the inscription: "In loving memory of a father and a great friend, Mr. Stephen Montclair."

I collapsed onto the grass and let out a loud wail.

"I miss you, Dad. It's been so hard. You left me here all alone. I need you. I fucking need you."

I clutched my chest and cried uncontrollably. The pain was unbearable. I wanted it to disappear. I wanted peace. I deserved that much. I'd been strong for so long, facing one challenge after another. I deserved peace.

I cried until I had no tears left, then just stared into space. After a while, I texted my best friend Luna. A few minutes later, she walked in. I gave her a weak smile as she approached.

She crouched down and pulled me into a hug. I was tempted to cry again, but I was too exhausted.

"Let's get you home. You're staying with me tonight," she whispered.

I nodded weakly and stood up, letting Luna dust off my clothes. My eyes drifted around the cemetery and paused on a man standing in front of a grave. I could only see his side profile since he had his back to me.

He looked sad, his eyes closed, his fingers pressed against the tombstone.

I wondered if he'd heard me crying. He turned and looked at me. I quickly looked away and left through the gates with Luna.