The Beautiful Billionaire

ESTELLE “So I did research about you, Estelle. Everyone knows you as the founder and chairman of Star LLC. For you guys who don’t know about the company, Star LLC is behind Star Cosmetics and Star Activewear. So, I found in my research that you just started the company four years ago. What do you think is the reason behind this success?”

I had a few invites for an interview after what happened on the TikTok videos. Still, Leon Terry had credibility and a good reputation, so I accepted his invitation to his podcast.

Talking before the camera in front of many people sometimes terrified me. I was scared that I might say something that gave negative feedback to the audience or the words just slipped from my mouth, and there was no way to take it back. But I agreed to this Podcast interview because I thought I had something to say to the people who still believed in me.

“Yeah, that’s right. My father is a capitalist. I was raised in two homes between my dad’s and my mom’s. I won’t sugarcoat it, but my father has more money than Mom. After graduating from college, I wanted to pursue things independently. I don’t want to be just Gustav’s daughter. I want to make a name on my own. So, I started Star LLC. Just for the knowledge, my father didn’t help. It’s not a bad thing. I’m not keeping grudges against my father.” I chuckled. “But it made me realize something, that you can’t depend on your allowances from your parents if you wanna be successful. You have to work hard for it on your own.”

“I’m sure you have encountered challenges.”

“Yeah. A lot. I was only twenty-one. For most, I’m already an adult, but I didn’t know anything about managing. Should I consult a lawyer? Should I hire people? But the ideas were already there. Mom came to help despite the fact she had to work five times a week. I didn’t blame the people who didn’t believe or trust me. I mean, you can’t just put your money and invest in something you have never heard about or have no guarantee of success. It was really a gamble.”

“Tell me what’s so special about your products compared to others.”

I smiled. “I don’t like comparing. Consumers have different tastes and like different products. Like skincare, sometimes it doesn’t have the same result on someone, even if they have the skin type. They’re both safe and almost have the same component. But what is so special about what I do, what my products do, it’s not only affordable or accessible to everyone. I may not be as famous as those celebrities, but I put effort into creating something I could be proud of. I use my own products. If you go to my bathroom, my closets, and my dresser, you will see Star everywhere because I believe and trust that my products are good quality and effective.”

“The new ads say about diversity. Why did you choose that campaign?”

“I didn’t do that because it’s the trend or to be relevant. The ad is my campaign for less-represented people representing different communities. It didn’t say much, but I wanted to reach out. What ethnicity or race you belong in doesn’t make you less than anyone. Everyone is special in their own way. So as the skin, your health, mind, and heart. Everyone deserves to be loved, beautiful, and confident in their skin, gender, and size.”

“I think that was beautiful. I have to ask you this. Lately, people divided their opinion after the post of a live review of your beauty products. Then, a week later, Ms. Tatiana Golds posted another video and apologized. Some believed your company forced Ms. Golds to make the video to save the losses. Some believed the company would sue her if she didn’t take back what she said.”

“I believe it was clear, in her statement, that she never took back what she said. She apologized to my company because she made some mistakes. I cannot disclose this due to legal aspects, but Ms. Golds and I have no grudges against each other. I, for one, support vloggers, content creators, and social media personalities because people don’t know how much they help the startup company and small companies out there. They have a huge help to our economy, as well.”

“What’s the next lineup on Star?”

I smiled excitedly. “For now, I’m focused on a new project, but it’s not gonna come out until next year.”

“Let’s take this talk to something more personal.”

My gaze landed on Linden, watching behind the camera. “Can I change my mind?”

Leon laughed. “You’re married, and obviously, you have no intention of hiding your baby bump. Congratulations.”Belonging to NôvelDrama.Org.

“Thanks. And yes, I’m married to a wonderful human being, and we’re expecting.”

“That’s so great. Also, people have mixed opinions. It doesn’t matter what they say as long as you’re happy.”

“I am. And yeah, they don’t have a say in my personal life.” I felt like the next question was going to make me blush. I read the list of questions but didn’t have answers in my head.

“How did you two meet? How long have you known each other? These are only two questions that I have picked from thousands of comments on your Instagram post.”

“We met in Italy for the first time. I was on a long and overdue vacation. He didn’t introduce himself. So I did.” My answer got a laugh from Leon and the staff and audience watching, including my husband. “You know, if you ask me if I believe in love at first sight. I’d say no. What happened to me and my husband was like we were brought to that place to meet. Fate or whatever you call it, but that’s how I see it.”

“How did the marriage come to the topic?”

“Honestly, I had no plans on getting married until maybe I’m thirty. He knew that. I dodged the topic many times. I believe in marriage, but considering how I grew up, I was scared that my marriage wouldn’t work like my parents. And me and my husband just met, and we didn’t know each other, but he felt, and I felt that it might lead to that.”

“I’ve noticed you never mention his name. Did he tell you not to say his name live?”

“Oh. It’s not a secret. His name is Gabriel Linden. It’s not even a surprise to everyone because he posted our wedding photo before I could.”

Linden beamed in the background.

“Is that a thing between you two?”

“I posted our picture together before we got married. He didn’t even follow me on his social media accounts, but I wasn’t mad.”

“When you named your husband, your eyes lit up.”

“Really?” I raised a brow. “I should look at myself in the mirror more often.”

“People wanted to know. I’m also interested in knowing how did he propose?”

“Oh, boy.” I raised my hand to check my rings. “He found out I was pregnant by himself. I couldn’t tell him because I knew he would bring up the marriage. So I woke up still in my pajamas and suddenly heard a fireworks display. I opened the window, and there, I saw the aerobatic display. So, how can I say no? The same day we got engaged, his friends came over, and we got married the next day, and I never regret that decision.”

“That’s pretty romantic. If you could turn back the time, would you change anything about your life? What would it be?”

“No. I wouldn’t change a thing about my life. I’m happy where I am, what I’ve accomplished.” I shook my head. “My only regrets are not spending much time with my husband, not giving him enough compliments, and appreciating every effort he makes. He’s such a good person who always makes me special in his own way.”

“You don’t have to,” Linden just said from the audience.

Leon smiled at Linden’s words. “What lesson does a marriage life give you?”

“I learn a lot. One thing is that I have to share the bed.”

Leon and Linden laughed.

“I learned to share my life, my experience with my husband. I learned to be a listener. I learned to be selfless and selfish. I learned to accept his opinion because he has learned a lot in life. He’s more experienced than me, but our age difference wasn’t a bad thing between us. We learn from each other. If I could say one thing about Gabriel, he’s the best man I’ve ever met, and I’m lucky to have him as my best friend, lover, anchor, and protector, and our baby would be lucky to have him as daddy.”

“That was beautiful. Thank you, Estelle. One more thing, if he asks you right now to marry him, renew the vows, would you say yes?”

“Wait.” My jaw dropped. “He didn’t put you up to this, did he?”

“No. Why?” Leon also looked surprised.

“He asked me, but I haven’t given him the answer.” I shut my mouth. “You have to cut this one.”

“No, Leon. Don’t cut it. This is the best part.” Linden laughed so hard. I could see his teary eyes.

“This is not a part of the questions.” I waved my hand, but they kept on laughing.

“That’s all, folks. I hope you enjoy this episode. Thank you. Have a great day.”

***

Lying down beside me, I felt he wanted to ask something. I could feel it in the air.

“Just say it.”

“What you said in the interview, are they true?”

“Probably fifty percent of it.” He stiffened before shifting.

“Baby.” He faced me. “I’m serious.”

“You’re more curious about knowing what I said about our marriage. I know. And yes, those were true.”

“Really?” He seemed to find himself hard to believe.

“Yes, Gabriel. You are one in a billion. Rae would be lucky to be your daughter because I am lucky to be your partner in crime.”

“Why did you marry me?”

“Do I have a choice?” I tried harder to put on my serious face.

“You always have a choice.”

“Maybe I just like the baby daddy very much.”

He leaned in, barely brushing his lips against mine. He might be testing the water because it had been a while since we kissed. After he gave me an orgasm, he didn’t disturb me. It was a bummer, but I knew he didn’t want to push me hard.

I opened my mouth and brushed my tongue on the seam of his lips, making him groan in approval. My inner self celebrated. My body was on fire. It wasn’t just my libido, but I missed my husband. I missed being with him without thinking about the chaos outside.

As I slipped my tongue in his mouth, he tasted minty. I slid my hand under his shirt, on the taut v of his hips. Linden was hard in that area, like a slab of rock.

Our tongues dueled. My hands explored while his hands were on my butt. I found the button of his jeans, popped it open, and zipped the fly down.

I was already wet and aching until, all of a sudden- he broke free. I was confused and hurt a little.

“You did not answer my question, Estelle?”

“Did you ask me a question?” My brows furrowed.

He groaned. “You know my question.”

“You’re reminding me of your question while we are in the middle-”

“Of fucking each other?”

“No.”

“What? No? Why?”

“No, not your question. I said no, we’re not in the middle of fucking each other. We’re warming up.”

“My question, Estelle.” He groaned again.

“Jeez. I won’t answer that.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know.”

“Baby.”

“Don’t push it. Ask me again next week.”