The Billionaire's Daughter

Years passed and we were on another graduation ceremony. Both of us graduated Magna Cum Laude for our course in Business Economics. Our parents and friends congratulated us.

We made many friends during our college days but we still remained best of friends and loyal to each other. The three of us, Franco, Rob and I were unstoppable when together. Rob pursued Engineering and was also busy with his basketball career at school, which made our time together limited in college. But we made sure to get together for at least once a month to catch up. Currently, Rob is out of the country for a basketball competition for our University but he video called us earlier to congratulate us.

Franco became closer to both of my parents. Every chance they get they will talk nonstop. Though he still never visited our house.

Since we have limited time at school and during weekends when he works, I will sometimes wait for him at his house for our study sessions and spend time with his mom who loves me dearly.

After the ceremony, a graduation party was set for the both of us with the insistence of my parents, Franco agreed and we will be soon leaving for the hotel.

Franco pulled me at a corner and hugged me gently. De ja vu? Then the unexpected happened. He looked at me tenderly, caressed my face and leaned in to give me a kiss.

My first kiss which made my heartbeat twice as fast, the air on my lungs seem to explode and I felt tingling sensation from all over my body. It was addicting, the way his lips caressed mine was like a drug that made me lose my sanity. Every stroke of his lips, the way his tongue grazed my lips asking for entrance, it almost made me crazy.

The kiss lasted for eternity, well for me at least. When it ended, he looked at me with so much adoration.

"I'm not saying sorry I kissed you because I'm not. I've always wanted to do that. I love you Saphira. I always have.

From the first moment I laid my eyes on you, you bewitched me. Everything that I do, I do to make you proud of me and to be worthy for your love. I was just scared to lose you and your friendship if I admitted my feelings but I guess, I am so overwhelmed right now because of all that was happening and I can't contain this feelings anymore...

I kissed him this time to stop him from talking. I kissed him the way he kissed me earlier. I held his face and moved closer to deepen the kiss. I let him savor all the love and happiness I was feeling. When I ended the kiss, I closed my eyes and pressed my nose to meet his. Our bodies pressed together.

"I love you too so stop blabbering nonsense. I will never leave you and you should know that by now."

"You lo... love me? Why?" He held my face on his hands and made me look at him.

His face looked comical as he was so shocked and elated at the same time and I can't help but laugh at him.

"Yes! Of course I love you. Why wouldn't I? You're intelligent, funny, kind and gorgeous... Oh wait, you dummy! You were fishing for compliments weren't you?!"

He laughed and kissed me once more, briefly this time.

"I am and I am the happiest fisherman alive right now. But, I still can't ask you to be my girlfriend."

"And why is that? You just admitted that you love me and you just took my first kiss."

"I did didn't I?" He looked smug and I can't help but laugh in response.

""So?" I kissed him once more.

"You're distracting me. So, I am saying that I have to prove myself worthy for your love first. I will still make my first million to provide you a good life. Though, I already asked permission from your dad to court you and he approved so I told you I love you but I did not expect you to love me so soon. Awww!"

"You wanted me to say I don't love you back?"

"No. of course not, I'm so relieved you love me too, It's just that you ruined my plan of wooing you and sweeping you off of your feet."

I felt giddy with his words. How can I be this lucky?

"Franco you're such a dummy! I waited for this and now you're telling me I can't be your girlfriend?

"Really you were waiting for me? Ouch stop hitting me! Of course you will be my girlfriend! No question about that. But I am now officially a battered boyfriend. Your battered boyfriend. Wait till I tell Rob about this."

I could drown just looking at his eyes and the emotions that seem to emanate from them.

"Was this why Rob was telling you good luck earlier?"

"Yes. Seriously, I will still court you properly and charm you everyday."

"That I will look forward to. And for sure Rob will hit your head once he learned about your silliness. So, will you have dinner with us tomorrow night at our house? Tonight's party will be loud and I want to spend some quiet time with you when all this is over." "You know my answer to that."

I was about to swat his head for being stubborn when he held my hands.

"Yes. I will love to have dinner with you tonight, tomorrow night, the next day and for the rest of our lives. I love you Saphira."

"I love you too Franco."

-0-0-0-0-0-

Two years after we became official, Franco built a small Shipping Line. My father was his mentor. It was inevitable that he would be invited to my father's company with the way they were always discussing business even when we were just friends. It was like my parents knew that he would be with me in the future. He worked with my father to learn the ropes of the business. He worked himself up the ladder of success, not using our relationship as leverage for his career. All his hard work paid off and now, he has his own business. My father always jokes that he would buy Franco out so he would rule the Castello Shipping Company in the future but I know jokes are always half meant, they really wanted him and me to get married someday. Well, of course I also hoped for that too.

I guess it was not only me and our parents who were hoping for marriage. Franco took me out on a date on our second year anniversary. We always have dinner on one of my restaurants but on that night, I knew something was up since he took me to a different place. We went to a dinner on a yacht. He made the dinner preparations even the table settings. We were alone on the boat in the middle of the ocean. The bright lights of the city and the reflection of the moonlight added to the romantic dinner setup.

"My love, I hope I won't disappoint you with my cooking. A trained chef like you and restaurateur may have high standards but..."

I stood up, went to sit on his lap and kissed him so he would stop blabbering. He has that habit when he's nervous.

"I love you and I will love anything and do anything for your love."

"Even this?"

When he removed the cover of the first dish, I forced myself not to laugh. It was a burnt steak and char grilled potatoes and peas.

"Yes, even that." I smiled and kissed him again.

"Let's see. How about this?" He whispered on my ears and I shivered. The backless and low cut dress I was wearing did not help with the cold and nervousness I felt.

He lifted the cover of the next dish and I forced myself not to gag. It was another black burnt fish with tomatoes and cucumbers.

"Yes." This time he did not let me kiss him. He gently carried me up and let me stand in front of him. Then he opened the last dish cover. What I saw inside made me gasp and hold the side of the table for balance.

In a horrendous looking cake, I was not sure if it was chocolate or it was just burned, a glistening and sparkling 3 carat diamond ring was perched inside a box on top of the cake. The ring was beside a flag that said the words: "Will you be mine for life?"

He took the ring from the box and knelt in front of me.

"It's a good thing you answered

mostly yes this evening. I am hoping

you will be answering the same thing...Will you marry me Saphira? I love you so much and I could never imagine myself being with somebody else. All I want to be with is you. My future and my life will always be with you."

""Yes!"

"Baby, please say yes. I really want to marry you and build a family with you."

"I already did! Yes and yes and yes!"

"Saphira...please marry me?"

His nervousness might have made him deaf so I did what I thought was best.

"Franco Briones, if you will not stand up this instant and put the ring on my finger you might as well eat all of these god forsaken dish on your own!"

The trick did it. He stood up and kissed me passionately with a toe curling kiss. He pulled me closer and I voluntarily wound my arms on his neck. He caressed my arms and took my hand, sliding the ring on my finger with a perfect fit.

"For a moment there, I thought you won't say yes. Aww!"

"That is for being deaf and silly! How can you think of me not saying yes when I even agreed to eat all your black dishes!"

He was still holding his nose that I flicked when he laughed out loud.

"Of course this is not our food. I just made this so I'd see your reaction. I am a great cook don't you remember?"

"I was wondering why the burn food. For a moment there future husband, I though you lost your touch."

"Wow. I love the sound of that. My future wife, I love you."

"I know. So come and show me the real food. I'm starving."

"Well baby, you shouldn't have worn that dress if you wanted to eat. I'll show you our cabin."

Excitement ran through my veins when he carried me bridal style and brought me to our room for the night where we shared a night of passion to seal our love and engagement.

Five years later

"Babe, where is my tie? I'll be late for the meeting." I smiled when I heard my husband's voice. It was his way of asking me to come to the room. It was our secret code.

"I'm coming darling. Lorena, please continue to feed this cute little baby. Leonardo, stop playing with your food okay honey?"

"Yes mommy." I moved closer to our 2 year old son and kissed his cheeks. Leaving him and his six month old sister Frances with their nanny.

I walked inside the master's

bedroom and almost shrieked with

surprise when Franco, still with a towel draped on his waist quickly pulled me and started kissing his way from my neck down to my. chest This will always be the best way to start our day. When the doctor gave him the go signal for intimacy a month ago after giving birth to our youngest child, he was insatiable. There are times even if he

was tired with work, he still

managed to do some rounds on the

bed.

The love we felt for each other, bonded by friendship and tested through time made us stronger and wiser in raising our family. Even with his busy schedule in ensuring that we are well provided for, he always makes time to play with our children and to give us his love and attention.

After my father's retirement, he was proclaimed CEO and managed the family business. I on the other hand, still managed a chain of restaurants all over America soon in Europe and Asia. Franco agreed to carry over the business so I can still do what I want to do, to cook and be a chef. He knew that if he will not take over the company, I would be forced to run the business, being the only daughter.

My life may have been miserable and lonely before him but with his love and help, he turned everything around and made our lives blissful, happy and peaceful. For his love, I was willing to do anything and he has proven worthy of everything. -THE END-000☐☐☐☐☐