Send the Billionaire to Rock Bottom

Isla’s POV I was running as fast as I could to escape the devil coming after me. I do not want to die, not now, not when I already have this person who goes beyond the boundary just to have my trust and win my heart. Not when I was able to escape the darkness of my past and finally taste the sweetness of living. I have been through hell when I was with him, I cannot afford to lose the heaven that I am living right now. “ISLA! I KNOW YOU’RE IN HERE! YOU CANNOT ESCAPE ME!” I heard him roar right down the hallway. He is just a few inches away from me. I was holding my breath and trying not to make any sound while hiding behind the cabinet. If I make a single noise at this moment, I know he will be able to find me and that I will meet my end. “I DIDN’T DESERVE THIS, ISLA! YOU WERE THE ONE WHO RUINED ME, WHO RUINED MY REPUTATION! YOU ARE THE REASON BEHIND MY DOWNFALL!” He screamed again as he pulled the trigger of his gun. I jumped where I am standing the moment I heard the sound of his gun. Even though I’m shaking in fear, I try to calm my nerves and think of the good things I had, especially when I was with him. I heard footsteps walking away from where I am standing, and that became my cue to check if he’s still there. “Calm down, Isla, someone’s already waiting for you to come home,” I whispered to myself before slowly peaking behind the cabinet. I was about to start crawling towards the dining table when I heard loud footsteps running towards where I was standing, and I had this thought to myself; “Is this how my life is going to end?” “FOUND YOU!” 2 years ago… Isla’s POV “Mr. Blackwood, what is the biggest secret to your success? Your social media platform, called the ViralMind, has been the number one social media platform, not only here in Aurevale but in the whole world.” The interviewer said on the television. Every single day, Mr. Blackwood, the owner of the number one social media platform called the ViralMind, makes an appearance on every television network. “Well, it may sound very cliché, but hard work and perseverance have always been my refuge, and of course, a lot of trials and errors, and of course, knowing how to rise again even after falling so many times.” Mr. Blackwood said with a smile on his face. “You’re watching him now?” I almost jumped out of my seat when I heard my dad’s voice coming from behind. “Dad! You startled me.” I said as I stood up and greeted him with a hug and a kiss on his cheeks. It has been a week now since I saw my dad. “I know, I know, by the way, I didn’t know that you already took a like at him.” My dad said, referring to Mr. Blackwood. I rolled my eyes at him because there he goes again, pushing his ‘business partner’ on me. “Nope! It just happens that the night show I was watching has him as their guest.” I said before turning off the T.V. and sit down on my swivel chair. My dad followed me and sat on the chair right in front of me before looking outside. “You know, I talked to him,” He said while still looking outside. I just frowned at him while waiting for him to continue speaking. I know that I wouldn’t like what he is going to tell me, since I am aware that he is trying to make me marry Mr. Blackwood for his own profit. “He’s a nice guy, Isla. Even though he already has it all, he’s still walking on the ground. I didn’t even feel intimidated by him because he made us all feel welcome.” He continued before letting out a sigh and looked at me. “Dad, Mom have already told you to let me make my own decision.” I said with a pleading voice. He has been talking to me these past few months about having an arranged marriage with Mr. Blackwood. He was so ecstatic the day he received a letter coming from Mr. Blackwood himself—saying that ‘he will be delighted to meet his daughter’, obscene right? “I know, I know, and I had a promise with your mom that I would let you have your own decision, especially when it comes to your marriage, but why don’t you trust me on this one?” He said as he stood from his seat and knelt right in front of me. Ever since my mom passed away, my father has been the one taking care of me. Even though he is busy with our family business, he always makes sure that at the end of the day, his daughter is doing well. And, ever since my mom passed away, he always made sure that I will marry someone who is as good as him, and he thinks that it’s Elijah Blackwood. “But dad, Mr. Blackwood just seems too far away from me,” I said while looking at him with pleading eyes. It’s not that our status in life is way too far from each other; it’s just that Elijah Blackwood just seems to be not trustworthy. Well, sorry for being judgmental, but I just cannot feel his vibes. “You know that’s not true, you are gorgeous, Isla. If you are going to stand next to him, you guys look like a match made in heaven.” My dad said before showing a photo on his screen, which shows an edited picture of me beside Mr. Blackwood. “DAD! Who did that?” I asked him as I grabbed his phone and immediately deleted that Godforsaken photo. He just giggled beside me before grabbing the phone from my hand. “I’m sorry, I was just too desperate to see you beside him. But, on a serious note, why don’t you give your father a chance?” He said with persuasion. I just let out a heavy sigh before giving him my answer. I know that he will not leave me alone unless I say something that he will like. “Fine! But, just for one time only.” I said, which made him immediately smile. Due to the excitement he is feeling, he gave me a really tight hug before kissing me on my forehead. “That’s relieving to hear, Isla. I am going to invite him personally to your 25th birthday.” He said with a huge smile on his face. I just nod at him as my response. “By the way, Beatrice called me earlier. She asked me if I could join her for dinner.” I said to my dad, who looks like he’s living on cloud nine at the moment. “Yeah, sure, go ahead. You enjoy.” He said before giving me another kiss on my forehead. “I just received a message from Mr. Blackwood. He told me that I should join him at dinner tonight.” He continues before showing the message. “Okay, you enjoy as well, Dad,” I said, and he just nodded at me before heading outside my room. As soon as he left my room, I let out the heaviest sigh I have ever released before putting my head on my table. “I guess that’s what a good daughter does. To make her father happy, even though it doesn’t make you happy.” I whispered to myself before closing my eyes. I didn’t know that I dozed off to sleep. I just startled-awake when I heard that my phone beside me is ringing. “Hello?” I said half-awake. “Hey girl! Where are you? It’s already 10:00 pm, our dinner should start at 9:00,” Beatrice said on the other side of the phone. I looked at the wall clock hanging inside my room. I didn't know I was asleep for a whole hour. “Oh, I am so sorry, Bea. I fall asleep after having a small talk with my Dad.” I said before yawning. Gosh! I didn’t mean to fall asleep! “It’s okay! Just be here as fast as you can, okay?” Beatrice said. “Yeah, I’ll get ready now,” I said with a smile on my face. “Okay! Be careful on your way here,” She said before ending the call. As soon as the call ended, I immediately started getting ready. “Hello, Dad!” I said while walking towards our garage. “Yes, my daughter?” He spoke. “Well, I just called to inform you I am already on my way to Beatrice’s house,” I said as I put my stuff inside my car. “Oh, okay! Take care and drive safe, okay?” He said, which made me smile. “Of course, Dad! I love you!” I said before ending the call and heading inside my car. While on my way to Beatrice’s house, I received a message coming from an unknown number. “Hey lara,” I said to the voice-automated feature of my phone. “Yes?” My phone answered. “Can you read me the message I just received?” I spoke “Okay. You received a message coming from an unknown number, it just said ‘Hi’.” A robotic voice said. I just shrugged it off since, first of all, it was an unregistered number, and second, it just said ‘hi’. Maybe it’s just from someone who didn’t have something good to do with their life. After 15 minutes of driving, I finally arrived at Beatrice’s house. Their automatic huge golden gate immediately opened for me as soon as it scanned my car. “Good evening, Lady Isla. Lady Beatrice is already waiting for you at the dining hall.” One of their butlers greeted me as he opened the door of my car. “Good evening, as usual, I’ll be leaving my car in your care,” I said with a smile on my face. “Yes, Lady Isla. Do you need someone to take you to the dining hall?” He asked me before heading inside my car. “No need, I already know where I’m heading,” I said, and he just bowed at me before I started heading inside the house. Even though I have already been here many times now, since I was a kid, I cannot help but still feel in awe while walking towards their main door. I love the Japanese-inspired yard with a touch of Western culture. “Good evening, Lady Isla.” Another butler greeted me as soon as I stepped in front of their main door. “Good evening,” I said as he opened the door for me. “It was always such a pleasure having you here.” He said, and I just nodded at him as I continued walking. “Oh! Isla! You’re here! It has been a while since I saw you!” Aunt Claire said as she welcomed me with a warm hug. “I miss you, Aunt Claire! It has been a while. Where’s Uncle Robert?” I asked her before kissing her on her cheeks. “I miss you too. Your Uncle Robert is still in Silverreach; he still has business to do.” She said as we started walking towards the dining hall. “I see, Uncle Robert is still as busy as before,” I said. Finally, after an endless walk, we finally arrived at the dining hall. “ISLA!!! I MISS YOU SO MUCH!” Beatrice screamed while running towards me. As soon as she reached me, Beatrice hugged me so tight and kissed me on my cheeks. “I miss you too. How’s your business trip at Silverreach?” I asked her while we were walking towards the dining table. Beatrice immediately starts fake crying. “It was so, so, so, tiring. I have been working for a whole week, non-stop!” She said while fake crying. “Oh, you poor Bea,” I said while consoling her, which made Aunt Claire laugh even more. “I am going to leave you two so you can catch up. Give my regards to your father.” Aunt Claire said before leaving the dining hall. I just nod at her as my response as we continue walking towards the dining table. It has been a while since I talked to Beatrice, and what a coincidence, because I need to ask her for suggestions about my current situation.