Chapter 37

**Two weeks later.**

I took the mop and wiped down the entire floor of the restaurant’s bathroom. I had been out of the mansion for two weeks, and I thought I’d end up back on the streets selling plastic, but reality was far from that. My outlook on life had changed so much, and I didn’t even know when it started. I suppose I never aspired to anything better than what I had because I thought that’s what I deserved, but now I wanted to study, learn, and become someone better, to have a life more dignified than what I thought I deserved, and what Beethoven deserved. I was going to work hard to pay for my education and my grandfather’s hospital bills, so I wouldn’t return to the streets to be a dirty stagnant water. When I finished, I looked at the floor shining, wiped the sweat from my forehead, and left the bathroom, only to see my lazy coworkers gossiping while fixing their nails.

"Looks like I’m the only one working today..." I murmured as I emptied the dirty water.

"I read something really interesting in the newspaper. It seems that the handsome blonde millionaire is back with Belladona. It’s a shame he’s not single to find a candidate." Surprised, I listened intently.

"He would never go for a greasy fried chicken cook."

"What do you know, bitch! I’m the prettiest one here. Well... there are others who don’t even have that." They all looked at me, and I retorted,

"I worked in that house, and the people who live there aren’t worth it," I said, mopping the tables. They all burst out laughing, and one of them said,

"What’s next, that you’ve kissed his beautiful lips? Please... we all know you came from picking bottles and eating out of the trash." They all laughed, and I quickly shot back,

"And I don’t regret it, because you’ll never know what it’s like to survive!"

"Yeah, but at least I can say a man has wanted me... nobody wants a trash picker..." Her words were suddenly cut off, and when I looked up, I saw their mouths hanging open, staring behind me.

"What’s going on...?"

"Ce... Ce... Mo... Mo... Mo..."

"Cesar Montenegro, finish the sentence because you’re getting on my nerves," I heard Mr. Cesar’s strong voice behind me. I turned around quickly, incredulous. I saw his stunning icy eyes and his impeccable, elegant style. His hair gel was perfect, and his suit didn’t have a wrinkle or imperfection. His guards stood back, keeping their distance.

"If there’s nothing more to say, I need Miss Belle," he said, grabbing my arm and pulling me away from the group that couldn’t believe what they were seeing. I didn’t know what was happening.

"Mr. Montenegro..." I frowned as I said that, and he corrected me.

"Not Mr. Cesar anymore."

"I don’t work for you anymore..." I murmured uncomfortably, unsure of what to say. I thought I’d never see him again.

"Have you read the newspaper?" Surprised, I quickly looked up.

"No, just gossip."

"Well, know this: that newspaper will never see the light of day again." He pulled the newspaper out of his jacket and handed it to me. I took it hesitantly, seeing his photo next to that woman who looked so much like me... but so different in every way.

"And what does that matter to me? Good for you, I suppose you got what you wanted. I hope using me helped you to be with the woman you really want. To be honest, she’s beautiful... she fits you perfectly. I’m sorry I look so much like her; it must have been very annoying for you. If you’ll excuse me, I need to get back to work..." I handed him the newspaper, and with a stern voice, he replied.

"Resemble Belladona?" My feet stopped, and I turned to look at him, noticing a vein throbbing on his forehead.

"W-what I meant was... everyone at the mansion kept saying it, but obviously, I’m nothing compared to that woman. What I meant..."

"What you meant!" he interrupted, "is that I would never be with someone just because they look like someone else, and especially not with someone who has a partner." My eyes widened in surprise as I saw his anger.

"I..."

"I don’t see any resemblance. Why don’t you take a good look at the picture?" He handed me the newspaper again, and confused, I looked at the beautiful woman who seemed like a movie star. Annoyed, I said,

"I know she’s very pretty, stop comparing us..."

"Why are you so foolish!" He snatched the newspaper from me and opened it to show me another article where it appeared to be Mr. Cesar with what looked like me...

"Oh my God!" I exclaimed, snatching it from his hands.

"Now tell me, is that Belladona in the photo?" I shook my head silently, seeing myself that day in the clothing store with Mr. Cesar.

"Oh my God, this is a scandal for you! I’m so sorry, this will affect your reputation. Someone like you shouldn’t be seen with me. It’s normal that people are shocked. What are we going to do now..."

"And who says I think you look bad by my side?"

"Huh?" I looked up from the newspaper, feeling like I’d heard wrong. "What did you just say... I think I misheard," I said with a nervous smile.

"I said you have nothing to envy Belladona." We stared at each other in silence, not knowing what to say. Had he been drinking, or was I losing my mind?