The Billionaire's Secret Revenge

Chapter 1

The clinking of glass echoed in Matios Café as Alexa stirred her Cappuccino coffee continuously to savor a rare moment of calmness around her even as her head wandered about thoughts of the past and her foundation. She runs a Girls Hope foundation bestowed to her by her ex-husband late grandfather, on the stance that she married her ex Andrew Reynolds which she accepted only due to the fact that his grandfather took her in after the tragic death of her parents at the age of 16 . Just as she continued to dwell in her thoughts, her phone buzzed sharply against the table.

‘’Alexa, we need you at the foundation right now, it’s very urgent.’’ her employee’s voice rushed through the line in a despair tone

Alexa became a bit shaken by the urgency and despair in her voice and asked quickly ‘’What happened’’

‘’It’s Sophie. She had a surge attack- you know ever since she came in two days ago , she has been so awfully quiet and now this, it’s very terrifying to see her in this state Alexa’’

Alexa stomach dropped. ‘’I’m on my way’’ she replied, her pulse quickening. She immediately stood up and as she stepped outside, the cool air hit her like a wave and she got in her Bentley 2014. As she rode to the foundation as fast as she ever did in a long while, thoughts of a frightened Sophie lingered in her mind .Her tense posture and the way she flinched at every noise, and she held tightly on the car wheel like her life depended on it.

After what seems like an eternity drive to the foundation to her, she finally arrived and parked the car at the parking space and rushed into the foundation hall in all urgency.

‘’Where is she/’’ She questioned the employee who called her and was waiting around for her arrival in the hallway

‘’In Room C .’’ she replied respectfully in a hastened tone as she followed Alexa behind going to the room . When they got to the front of the room, Alexa hesitated a bit and forced a big smile on her face amidst the worry that intensified in her body

‘’You can go back, I want to see her alone.’’ She slightly turned back a little and spoke lowly to Megan that still stood at her back preparing to enter with her

‘’Okay’’ she turned back and left hesitatingly

Alexa knocked twice and entered, met with the sight of Sophie sitting on the edge of the bed provided for her comfort, hugging her knees, which hit her like a punch in her heart. She reached out, her hand hovering just above Sophie’s arm

‘’It’s okay Sophie, I’m here now. You’re safe, I promise you.’’ She reassured her in a soft tone

Sophie’s eyes flickered to her, a mixture of fear and yearning for protection against the darkness that tormented her. Alexa gave her a reassuring smile and took her hands in hers rocking it gently to ease her fears, allowing silence to envelop them, hoping to create a space safe enough for Sophie to finally speak up.

Minutes passed, but they felt like hours. Just when Alexa was about to break the silence, Lily’s voice emerged, barely a whisper. ‘’I..I am scared, I don’t want to get h..hurt.’’

Alexa’s heart ached. ‘’You won’t, I promise you. I’m here for you, same with every single individuals working here. I understand you are not ready to talk now,[Sophie nodded slowly] You don’t have to, I will wait for you.’’

‘’I..I want ..to..go back home.’’ She said

Alexa shook her head, she couldn’t decline her offer because she came herself and was 19 years of age. She can only convince her to stay her and if she proved adamant to go back, she will have to keep a close eye on her

‘’I can assure you, here is far much better and safe.’’ Alexa reassured her again, slowly patting her back lovingly to assure her that she is welcome. For the first time since they started talking, Sophie finally looks in her eyes and spoke more loudly and scared

‘’I will feel better at home, I just want to go home.’’

‘’Okay, if that’s what you want. I don’t know if anyone is blackmailing you or anything, but I promise you they are all empty threats and you can always confide in me.’’

Sophie muttered quietly ‘’OK’’

Later that day Alexa dropped her off in her small neighborhood along New York’s suburb where she stayed alone; As soon as they get to the front of the house garage , Alexa hesitated before putting on the car button to open the door and she stared at Sophie lovingly, her right hand on her back

‘’Be good, and remember I’m always here. Here, [gives her a phone number written in an official paper] that’s my number. Call me whenever, I’m always available to come running to you.’’

Sophie shook her head and muttered ‘’Ok’’ but enough for Alexa to hear. She got down and back into her apartment without looking back at her but Alexa continued to look at her back till she was inside safely and left until ten minutes later when she was sure the neighborhood looked very safe for her

Three days later after the moment with Sophie, Alexa’s phone rang while she was still at home preparing to leave for the foundation early in the morning, jolting her from her thoughts of how Sophie was faring.

‘’I..It’s S..Sophie.’’ the desperation, fear and sob tone in the girl’s voice sent a chill down Alexa’s spine

‘’Pleese you have to come.’’ She pleaded tearfully

‘’I’m on my way1’’ Alexa replied, her heart racing nonstop. Her nervousness and anxiety getting the best of her.

She immediately packed all her work and rushed down to her house. When she arrived at Sophie’s house, dread settled in her stomach. The front door stood ajar, and inside the living room was a total mess- cushions overturned, the middle table flung sideways and a kitchen knife lying dangerously on the floor evident of an intruder passing on a threatening message.

‘’Sophie/.’’ Alexa called out, stepping cautiously inside the room. The heavy air filled with tension.

In the far corner of dark room, she spotted her; curled up and nibbling on her fingers, tears streaming down her cheeks non- stop as she made no effort from making it stop, Alexa hurried to reach out to her, kneeling and wrapping her arms around the trembling girl.

‘’You’re safe now, I’m here for you.’’ Alexa whispered. Her heart broken at the sight of the frightened child.

Sophie clung to her sobbing, her small body shaking. ‘’He was here.. looking for me.’’ She finally managed to say, her voice barely above a whisper.

Alexa’s heart raced rapidly in fear for her ‘’Who’’ she pressed, scanning the chaotic room as worry, anger and sadness enveloped her fair face

Sophie became quiet for a minute, too overwhelmed to speak. Alexa held her much more closer, providing enough comfort to make her speak out. In her panic, a name slipped from her lips ‘’Andrew Reynolds.’’

The moment the name left her mouth, Alexa froze. Her eyes widened in shock, and suddenly felt still in the embrace but kept herself collected to not allow Sophie see the fear that has already engulfed her eyes. Everywhere became silent again but different thoughts lingered in Alexa’s mind in form of urgency and she didn’t know when a tear fell down from her eye down to her cheeks, upon feeling the hot tear she quickly wiped it and she placed her head slowly on Sophie’s.

Her heart raced ‘’What has the devil done to a little girl like Sophie’’ her fist tightened, the name hanging between them like a dark cloud