Single Dad Fixed a Stranger’s Motorbike—Unaware She Was a Billionaire Searching for Love!
The Price of Secrets
Elena Vasquez, 31 years old, was the CEO of Vasquez Tech Technology Company, valued at 2.8 billion. Forbes magazine had dubbed her the tech queen under 35.
But at night, Elena often sat alone in her leather chair, feeling as empty as the skyscraper itself. Last week, Elena had called off her engagement to David Sterling.
“You know Elena, when we marry, my portfolio will increase by at least 30%.”
“Your company perfectly compliments my family’s investment portfolio,” David had said.
Elena set down her fork and looked directly into his eyes.
“Do you ever remember what my favorite color is or my favorite food?”
David fumbled, forcing a laugh.
“Color blue and food sushi.”
Elena actually hated sushi, and her favorite color was earth brown. Elena’s family was poor, and she had attended MIT on scholarships, surviving on instant noodles. Success meant she grew increasingly distant from herself.
Elena felt like she was living in a glass cage. She decided to disappear from San Francisco, taking her Harley-Davidson north with no specific plan. When she reached Portland, it started raining and the Harley suddenly died.
Standing in the rain, Elena felt helpless. She looked around and saw a warm light from a small garage across the street.
“What’s wrong with your bike?”
Marcus stepped into the rain, still holding an oil-stained rag.
“I’m not sure,” she replied, her voice trembling from cold. “It just died suddenly.”
Marcus examined the Harley and invited her inside.
“Fuel lines clogged,” he said after 15 minutes. “I can fix it right away, but we need to wait for the rain to stop.”
“How much do I owe you?”
“$50,” Marcus replied without looking up.
“Are you sure? I can pay more.”
“Why do you want to pay more? The work is only worth $50,” Marcus said.
“I just want to make sure you’ve done good work.”
“You can judge my work by the results, not by the money,” Marcus smiled.
Lily appeared from the back door.
“Hi, you’re so pretty!”
“Hello there, what’s your name?”
“I’m Lily! My daddy is really good at fixing cars. He says cars are like people; they need love to run well.”
“Lily, your daddy’s right. I think I haven’t loved this bike enough,” Elena said.
The next day, Elena returned, and the day after that. She and Lily played together in the garage. Elena had never experienced such peaceful moments. But every day she stayed was another day of deception.
Everything changed on Friday afternoon when Elena’s phone rang incessantly.
“Elena, thank God! Where are you? The board of directors called an emergency meeting. Stock price dropped 12% because no one knows where you are!”
“Stock price? Board of directors?” Marcus asked quietly.
“I need to explain,” she told them about being a CEO.
“So all of this was just a game to you? You lied to me for a week,” Marcus said, his voice bitter.
“No, it wasn’t like that! What I felt here with you, with Lily, it’s the most real thing in my life,” Elena protested.
“Why are daddy and Elena fighting?” Lily asked.
“Lily, go inside the house. It’s just that she has to go back where she belongs,” Marcus said, his voice hard.
“How you see us? Are we your entertainment? I don’t know who you are. You have an entire empire to run,” Marcus said.
“I’m sorry. I never meant to hurt you and Lily,” she whispered.
“But you did. And the worst part is you made my daughter believe you would stay,” Marcus said.
