BILLIONAIRE SECRET

Lexi' POV Five years ago I stood before the judge, my hands cuffed and my heart racing extremely fast. I never imagined my life would unravel like this. If anyone had told me I would spend a second in the court room with handcuffs as the centre of attraction, I would have denied it because I was the type to avoid trouble, talk less of getting into a serious crime "How do you plead?" The judge asked. His voice firm. I gulped a lump down my throat at the harshness of his tone, it sounded like he was displeased by my presence. Without wasting another second, I took a deep breath and spoke the words that would seal my fate "Guilty. " At that moment, I knew I was screwed for life. The courtroom echoed in chaos, reporters threw insensitive questions at me and I caught my lawyer's face fall in dismay. I was beginning to have a sensory overload at the pandemonium going on around me. I decided to fix my gaze on the one person who stood besides me. Ryan, my husband. His eyes locked onto mine, fixed with a gaze of concern and assurance. "It is going to be alright Lexi, do not worry yourself at all. I will take good care of all of this and you will get through this. You are a strong woman." Ryan whispered. I bit my lower lip to hold back the tears that threatened to fall from my eyes. His words were a bit reassuring but not enough to fight the fear that threatened to overwhelm me. I had to push it aside, I loved Ryan and I would do absolutely anything to protect him even though it meant having to take the punishment of his own sins. I was more than willing. "Decorum!" The judge roared angrily and that was enough to keep everyone silent for the meantime. The judge was about to pass his verdict. My entire body shivered in fear and my breathing became hitched. The judge's voice rung out loud in my ears as he slowly emphasized on his words. "Lexi Carter, you are hereby sentenced to five years in federal prison for embezzlement and conspiracy. "The police officers lurking around, rushed towards me with full adrenaline and grabbed me by the arm. They snatched me away from Ryan and began to pull me out of the courtroom. A drop of tears fell from my ears as I caught my sister, Selena wailing in tears. Who allowed her in? I strictly warned Ryan not to let my sister watch them pull me away. As the bailiffs led me away, I caught Ryan's smile. It was a smile that was supposed to reassure me. A smile that said "I have got this under control, just hang in there." That smile made me believe that everything was going to be okay as long as Ryan existed. That was the same smile that kept me going until the day of my release. That smile saved me and gave me a hint of hope. Five years later present day The prison gates swing open, releasing me to a world that had moved on without me. I blink into the bright sunlight, feeling like a ghost emerging from a long, dark sleep. It had indeed being a long sleep for me. Those five years were hell for me and it is something I do not ever wish upon my own arch enemies. I take a deep breath, feeling the cool air fill my lungs. I survived. As unbelievable as it sounds, I can not believe I actually survived five years behind bars. After doing the necessary check outs, I step out of the police station with an enthusiastic smile plastered on my face. I grit my teeth to hold back the excitement I feel inside of me. I freeze in front of the parking lot, my eyes scanning the parking lot, searching for Ryan's car or at least a familiar face. I find none, I rub the back of my neck in confusion and squint my eyes further but I find no one. Ryan is supposed to be here, he is supposed to be waiting for me but shockingly his familiar face is nowhere to be seen. A mix of emotions begin to swirl inside of me, anger, anxiety, and a hint of fear as my mind begins to imagine the worse. Wait, has Ryan moved on? Did he forget about me? Does he have a family of his own now? My eyes narrow, a spark igniting within me. I have to find him. Maybe something is holding him back, he could be in trouble too. My eyes settle on a police officer leaning against his patrol car with a cigarette stuck in his mouth. I scurry towards him and freeze directly in front of him. "Excuse me Sir. I am so sorry to bother you." I pause to bow my head at him. The police officer eyes me from head to toe with a look of disdain, that kind of look you give an ex-convict, that is the exact look he gives me. "How can I help you miss? Any problem at all?" He asks with a raised brow. I release a heavy sigh and clear my throat to reply him. "I am actually looking for someone. Ryan Garcia, he was supposed to pick me up today." I state. Surprisingly for me, the officer's expression turns sympathetic. He sighs and places a hand on my shoulder. "Sorry Miss, I do not know anyone by that name. As a matter of fact, no one has stopped by at the station. Maybe try contacting them?" My frustration mounts, I have no phone, no money, I have zero idea on how to reach Ryan. My only option is to head back to the Garcia Mansion. I nod my head at the officer and flash him a grateful smile. "Thank you but please can I ask for one last favour?" I ask. The officer nods his head at me and gestures me to go ahead. "I know this might come off as rude but I am little stranded. Can you lend me some money? I promise to pay you back once I find my husband." I say. The officer looks reluctant but that does not stop him from helping me. He tucks his hands in his pockets and hands me a few dollar notes. "God bless you Sir!" I yell as I gladly receive board a taxi. Fortunately for me, I can still recall my way to the Garcia Mansion. In less than an hour, we arrive at the house. I hastily hand the Taxi driver all the money in my hands and rush towards the windy driveway of the Garcia Mansion. The grand estate looms before me, it's opulence a stark contrast to the bleakness I feel inside. I walk towards the entrance where a stern-face butler blocks my path. Even before the butler can ask any questions. I immediately say "I am here to see Ryan, is he home? I am his wife, Mrs Lexi Garcia. He must have told you about me." I rant. The butler's expression does not waver, "I am afraid Mr Ryan Garcia is unavailable. unavailable." He blurts out. My anxiety spikes. "How dare you tell me that? I just got out of prison and he is supposed to be out there waiting for me. He promised to be here for me! I need to speak with him!" I yell angrily. A maid hovers nearby, her eyes darting nervously between I and the butler. "I am ma'am." The maid speaks hesitantly. "We can not provide information about Mr Ryan's schedule." My frustration boils at the way I am being treated like a total stranger. "Why do you people keep saying that? I am his wife for goodness sake. I have a right to know about his whereabouts!" I growl angrily. The butler's face remains impassive. "I apologize ma'am, you may wait in the lounge but I assure you, Mr Ryan will not be available. "I sigh heavily, my mind racing back and forth as I continue to imagine the worse scenario. I suddenly freeze in my steps when I hear a snippet of a conversation between two maids who just walked past me. "Mrs Garcia must be so busy at the events centre. "It suddenly clicks to my head that there is one place I have not being, the Crowns event centre owned by the Garcia family. Without wasting anymore time, I rush out of the premises of the Garcia Mansion leaving the maid and butler speechless. As I approach the event centre, the loud music draws closer causing my anxiety to rise. Maybe Ryan was busy at the event centre, I want to believe that is why he forgot about me. The bright lights and laughter outside contrasts with my dark mood. As I push through the crowd, I stumble upon a poster, a marriage poster of Ryan and my best friend, Lily. I stagger backward, my knees buckling as my eyes settle on the headline of the poster. "Ryan Garcia and Lily Chopper cordially request the honour of your presence to their marriage."