A BILLIONAIRE'S TWIST

CHAPTER ONE

Ember felt very happy about visiting her boyfriend. Although he had informed her that he was in a meeting and not at home, she felt compelled to stop by anyway.

It was Wednesday, and like many before, they had plans to spend the night together and engage in their beloved tradition of preparing dinner together, which they affectionately referred to as ‘The Wednesday Ritual’.

It was a special time for them to unwind, catch up on each other's lives, and enjoy delicious food while they watched some romantic Netflix movie... As she entered the apartment, she found the front door slightly ajar, which was unusual. She hesitated for a moment before stepping inside.

As she walked steadily and attentively toward the hallway, she heard muffled noises from the bedroom. They sounded strange yet familiar. Her instincts immediately prompted her, something was not right, and she felt a knot in her stomach. She stood still momentarily, listening intently, trying to discern what was happening. The noises grew louder and more distinct.

Ember's curiosity got the best of her, and she decided to investigate the source of the sounds. She tiptoed towards the bedroom, her heart pounding in her chest. The noises became clearer with each step, and she could hear what sounded like moans and whispers

“Yeah! Baby…I love it, go harder!” a woman whispered in moans

She was shocked and confused. “What is going on in there?” She thought to herself. As Ember approached the bedroom….

she heard a subtle gasp of desire from a woman……“mhmm!”

However, when she finally reached the entrance, she was stunned to witness an unpleasant scene. Her boyfriend, Perry, was on top of another woman on his bed. They were both moving together in a manner that evoked a sense of intimacy.

With sweat all over Perry, he smacked the butt of the woman… “ahh! You’re so sweet, girl”

Ember was frozen in shock, her body rigid and tense, as if a powerful electric current was coursing through her veins, holding her immobile and unable to move. Her eyes were wide open in disbelief, trying to process the overwhelming emotions and sensations that had taken hold of her at that moment. Despite her best efforts to regain control, she remained trapped in her own body, feeling like a prisoner to the intense shock and disbelief that had taken hold of her.

“Perry!”

she screamed out her boyfriend’s name in shock and fear after witnessing the traumatic scene and she collapsed onto the ground.

When Ember regained consciousness, she found herself on a hospital bed surrounded by her family, but her boyfriend Perry was nowhere to be seen. She attempted to sit up, but the pain in her head was too much to bear, and she had to hold onto her bandaged head. Ember's mother rushed to the bed, concerned for her daughter's well-being.

“Darling!....... How are you feeling?...... I'm glad you're finally up. You had us all worried," her mom said, sounding concerned for her daughter.

Ember appeared pale and unwell, which added to her mother's worry. Mrs. Taylor sat on Ember's bed, comforting her with shoulder rubs and forehead kisses. She gazed into her eyes and asked.

“Honey, can you recall what happened at Perry's house?”

Ember looked confused and shook her head, indicating she had no recollection of the traumatic event. Avoiding her mother's gaze, Ember looked away, pretending not to know what had happened.

“That evil slut” she said to herself.

It has been over a fortnight since the incident, and Ember has not received any calls or texts from her boyfriend, Perry. His betrayal still hurts her and she feels helpless. Every night, she wondered what she did to deserve such cruelty from him. They seemed so in love, and she never suspected such an unholy betrayal from Perry. He was all she had, and she had him in her plans for the future. He was the first man she ever loved so deeply.

****

The Theodore Roosevelt Library was a well-known building at Everest High School due to its immense size and central location. Ember frequented the library almost every day, and her favorite spot was the last corner of the main hall on the top floor, where she sat behind the last shelf reading her books.

Despite her reserved nature, Ember wasn't antisocial or introverted. She simply preferred spending time alone, focusing on her studies, and achieving academic success. She believed that being too outgoing came with numerous disadvantages, such as getting into trouble or falling in love with someone who could derail her focus and distract her from her life goals.

Ember was absorbed in reading one of her books, like any other day, when a stranger approached her and asked if he could sit across from her, without even looking up, Ember agreed.

After an hour, Ember decided to leave the library and said goodbye to the stranger next to her, only to be surprised when she looked up and saw that he was already staring at her. His good looks left her staring back at him in admiration.

He was a light-skinned guy with Asian features, and he had silky hair that flowed to his neck. One could see his muscles clearly in his shirt, and his deep brown eyes radiated the sun's rays. He had a smirk on his face with squinted eyes. As Perry noticed Ember's unwavering gaze upon him, he gave a quick snap of his fingers to break her out of her trance.

"Hey! Are you leaving already?" he inquired, a faint smile playing on his lips.

Ember, who had been lost in thought, was startled by the sudden noise and fumbled for a response. "Yes... Yes!" she stuttered, her cheeks flushing slightly.

"We never got to introduce ourselves... I'm Perry. Perry Houston... you?" he asked politely, extending his hand in greeting.

"Ember... Ember Taylor," she replied, shaking his hand briefly.

"Erm... I must leave now," she added, taking a step back.

Perry nodded understandingly. "Of course. It was nice meeting you, Ember Taylor!" he called out after her as she walked away.

Ember couldn't help but smile to herself at the encounter, feeling a warmth in her chest as she continued on her way.

During the following days, Perry spent his time at the library desk with Ember. He appeared to be interested in her and had plans to pursue her.

They were often seen together all around campus, from admiring the view of the campus on the balcony on the top floor of the library to sitting in the pews at the school park and making comments about the athletes training on the field while enjoying each other's company.

They spent their nights texting until dawn, and they would often wake up feeling very tired with puffy eyes. Ember, who had spent her whole life running away from love, found herself giggling and smiling to herself everywhere she went - in the kitchen, in the washroom, and even on her way to school. Perry was all she could think about. She was already in love with him before she even realized it.

After a month of being lovey-dovey, Perry finally asked Ember to be his girlfriend. At first, Ember was skeptical about the idea, as she thought that being in a relationship with Perry would distract her from her studies and her dream of becoming a lawyer. However, after a few weeks of contemplating the proposal, she finally said YES to Perry.

Perry treated Ember to dinner. He took her to a fancy restaurant and seized the opportunity to celebrate their new journey together and to show his gratitude for Ember accepting to be his girlfriend. Perry was a true gentleman; he possessed all the qualities that every girl looks for in a man - he respected Ember and treated her like the queen she was. Ember loved him even more. She considered herself the luckiest woman in the world to have a man like Perry.

Their relationship blossomed like a beautiful flower in a spring meadow. They shared an unbreakable bond, understanding each other's emotions, through pain and joy. Every moment they spent together was like a fairytale coming to life. The couple marked each passing month with a celebration of love, and their weekly dinner dates at Perry's were a ritual they both cherished.

******

Ember lay on the bed, with tears streaming down her cheeks as she listened to 'River of Tears' by Alessia Cara on repeat through her earpiece. She couldn't help but think about all the good times she had shared with Perry, feeling broken and hurt.

She had her phone in flight mode and refused to answer calls or texts. She kept sobbing, not wanting to wake anyone in the house. Her tears continued rolling uncontrollably, and her pillow was soaked with tears. She cried the night away, unable to stop blaming herself for what had happened.

She kept thinking……." Maybe I was the problem after all."