The Billionaire's Forgotten Bride

Chapter 1

With annoyance visible on his face, Rafael snapped the documents on his table and glanced at his employee. It's just a simple instruction, yet he can't do his job right. He wants the report to be polished and spotless. All of it.

"You're fired." He said coldly.

The look of shock on his employee's face was visible, but he didn't care. He didn't feel any sympathy for him.

He sat down in his swivel chair and continued with what he was doing. Signing documents was keeping him busy all day long. He got more annoyed when a dozen documents were sent to him for him to sign.

Fuck it!

He threw his ball pen away and leaned on his chair. Going home and seeing Ryker was the very first thing he wanted to do right now. But he still needed to finish this fucking document before he could go home.

"Excuse me s---"

"What?!" He asked annoyingly.

His secretary was startled by his voice, but he knew that he was used to it already. William handed him the phone. His brows furrowed and gave him a questioning look.

"That's Devon. He said it's important."

Rafael harshly grabbed the phone and was welcomed by an ear shattering voice from an idiot. Devon was mumbling something that he couldn't even understand. The idiot's voice is pissing him off.

"What's up, my friend?" I heard you fired an employee today. Good thing that you didn't transform into a dragon, eh? " All he could think of was to kick Devon's ass for pissing him off more.

How come this friend of his didn't have something to do?! While he is here, suffering from these mountains of paperwork. Damn.

"Fucking shut up, my day just got worse because of you." Why did you fucking call? " His voice was firm, but he only heard Devon's laugh, as if he didn't care about his demeanor. Well, he fucking not.

"Why so grumpy, bud? You will grow old really early because of that. " Another laugh from Devon. When Rafael didn't say anything, he knew that Devon could feel that he was really serious about his question.

His friend sneezed before answering him.

"Friends night out at 9 tops. No buts. If you're worrying about Ryker, worry not because we've assigned someone to take care of him. The last one to arrive will be the one to pay for the bills. Ciao!" Devon said and cut the call.

Rafael's eyes wandered across the table. Finishing these documents today was his only option to get to the place. This is the first time he will see his friends in a long time.

After what happened... years ago.

He shook his head to let go of the thoughts that were lingering in his mind. He pulled out a new ball pen and started signing those papers as if he was late for his deadlines. The clock was ticking fast, and he didn't even notice the time.

It was already 7 in the evening, yet he was not yet halfway through working.

That's it!

Rafael landed his ball pen on his table and grabbed his coat. He asked his secretary, William, to settle things for him. He can't be late. For sure, those motherfuckers would do everything to have him pay for the bills. And he can't let each one of them make his money miserable again.

Not on his watch.

Rafael fixed his Rolex before making his way to his Rolls Royce. He adjusted the seatbelt and pulled the car over. Damn, he didn't even ask for the address. Wearing an earpiece, he dialed Devon's number and asked for the location.

"See you there, bud." Devon replied and ended the call.

A curse went out from his mouth when he saw the terrible traffic along the road. He glanced at his watch and saw that he was almost late. Damn, there was a big possibility that he would get there late.

Losing his patience, he was tapping the steering wheel and didn't cast his eyes away from the traffic light. When it turned green, Rafael drove his car as fast as he could.

When he arrived at the location, he grimaced when he saw the place.

What kind of place is this? He said in his mind.

Rafael parked his car and made his way inside. The crowd, the lights, and the drinks suddenly welcomed him into the place. He actually thought badly of the place when, in fact, it's not.

"Alone sir?" A member of staff approached him.

Rafael shook his head in disagreement. His eyes wandered to the crowd and he immediately saw his friends. It didn't shock him anymore to see all of them and they were just waiting for him. It looks like he's going to pay for the bills... again.

"Hey, grumps! What's up? Luther teased him from the moment he sat in the chair.

"I heard someone just fired an employee today." Caliber is playing with his glass while grinning at Rafael.

"That's what I heard too. Right, Devon?" It was West. There are two girls surrounding West, and he seems to be enjoying their company.

"Shut up." It's the only phrase that came out of his mouth.

These guys are always teasing him or pissing him off. But he quietly admits that he missed those voices after quite some time. It's worth it to come here, he thought.

Rafael was in deep thought when someone called his attention. He looked up and it was actually West. He folded his arms and asked the waiter to bring him some whiskey.

"What?" he smirked at him.

"How are you?" That question made everyone stop from what they were doing. All eyes were cast on him, waiting for his answer. He took the bottle of whiskey and poured the alcohol into his glass.

"Fine." He answered sparingly.

Rafael could still feel his friend's strong gaze at him. He sighed deeply before meeting their stares. They wouldn't leave him until they got the answers.

"Coping up," he blurted honestly.

Rafael sipped the alcohol from his glass and the heat immediately ignited his body. He just knew he needed this.

"We're just here, Rafael. You can't just keep your misery like that. C'mon bud, we're your family here."

A bitter smile escaped from his lips. Yeah, right, they are his family. A fucking phrase that is so good to hear. Yet he can't even build a family himself. He's a fucking mess.

"That's right, Rafael Theo! Spill it out or I'll fucking kick your ass right now. " Devon fired at him.

He chuckled lightly at his friend's reaction. He didn't deserve them, but they stayed. Even the world fucked him up.

They still stayed.