THE BILLIONAIRE'S LAWYER

It was a new month. "What a rough few weeks it has been," Ella said to herself, pondering on how this new month was going to be with all the bills waiting for her. She felt so frustrated and confused. Ella was a 23-year-old young, single lady and a second-year law student, trying to survive each passing day while pursuing her dreams. Her life was filled with endless tasks and responsibilities, figuring out how to make money to feed herself, pay her tuition, and take care of her grandmother, Angela, who had dementia. Ella lost her parents in an accident when she was just twelve years old. She was raised by her grandmother, Angela, who had always done everything she could to take care of her. As Ella grew older, she started working multiple jobs just to be able to afford her grandmother's drugs and hospital bills. She loved her grandma so much and wasn't ready to lose her too. Angela was the only family Ella truly had. She had always provided for and protected Ella from hardship. She was also a very hardworking woman who made sure Ella always had everything she needed, until she fell sick and was no longer able to work and provide for her. Ella also loved her best friend, Clara. They had been best friends ever since they were little, always ready to support and cheer each other up in every situation they found themselves in. Clara was the only person who truly understood Ella. While Ella was growing up, she was an introvert and was always bullied. Clara always stood up for her and helped Ella learn to value herself and speak up when necessary. Ella had always dreamed of becoming a lawyer. She wanted to help innocent people and defend them. When she was little, she would always tell her grandma, "I'm going to live with integrity." She had never changed her mind about it. She always reassured herself that she wasn't going to be like the lawyers who didn't have integrity. Her reason for thinking this way went back to something that happened when she was young. Ella's nasty aunt had stolen her inheritance by lying to and taking advantage of her. She was very young and didn't understand what was happening at the time. When she grew older and finally understood what had happened, she realized that her aunt had taken everything from her. That was when she started staying with her grandmother. Her aunt's husband, who was a lawyer, was also very cunning. Because of everything Ella had experienced, she grew up with the mentality that she would never let bad and wicked people get away with what they had done. That morning, Ella felt exhausted and discouraged, as though life had become too heavy to carry. She wondered if all her efforts were worth it anymore. For a moment, she thought about giving up on everything she had worked so hard for because she couldn't bear the heaviness of her life anymore. Suddenly, she heard her phone ringing. She was reluctant to pick it up, but when she eventually did, she saw an unknown number. She hesitated before answering. "Hello?" "Am I speaking with Miss Ella?" "Yes. Who is this?" "This is Professor Alex from the Law Faculty." Her eyebrows lifted in surprise. "Professor Alex?" "Yes. Sorry for calling from a different number. My office phone isn't working properly." "Oh, okay. Is everything alright?" "Everything is fine. Actually, I didn't think you'd pick up the call, but thank God you did because I have good news for you." Ella muttered in her mind, Is this a prank? Then she asked, "Good news?" "Yes," he answered. "I recommended you for a summer legal internship with the Mikaelson Group." Her eyes widened in shock. "The Mikaelson Group?" "Yes. Their legal department is currently accepting a few law students, and I put your name forward." Ella was lost for words, trying to process what she had just heard. "Professor... you recommended me?" "I did. Your performance in my class has been impressive, and I believe you're ready for the opportunity." Her heart began beating faster, like she had just run a 10-kilometer race. "So... did they accept me?" "Not yet. They'd like to interview you first. If the interview goes well, you'll receive an offer for the summer internship position." She smiled, unable to hide her excitement. "Thank you, Professor. Honestly, thank you so much. I really appreciate it." "You're welcome, Ella. I'll send you the details tonight. Make sure you get prepared." "I will." "Good to hear. I'll talk to you soon." The call ended. Ella screamed and jumped for several seconds. She looked up and thanked God. "An internship at the Mikaelson Group?" She smiled. "This must really be a miracle." Then she fell onto her bed and looked at the ceiling, trying to believe that something like this could actually happen to her. "I'm going to believe that maybe—just maybe—things are about to change." She stood up and dialed Clara's number to tell her the news, but unfortunately, her number wasn't reachable. "Hmm..." she said to herself as she sat back down on her bed. She looked at her shabby watch and realized that it was already getting late. She was supposed to go and visit her grandma at the hospital. "Oh my gosh, I'm late. Grandma would be worried." She immediately picked up her keys and other items and put them in her bag. As she was about to leave her room, she looked at herself in the dressing mirror behind her. She noticed that her hair was rough, so she hurriedly brushed it and packed it into a ponytail. She also applied some lip balm to her lips before leaving her apartment and locking the door behind her. She didn't have enough money to call a cab, so she went to the subway and entered the train. Inside the train, everyone was busy on their phones, focused at something. It was almost as if they were all watching the same thing. When she arrived at her stop, she got out and walked a few miles to get to the hospital. When she got to the hospital, it was flooded with reporters. She struggled to get inside, unaware of what was going on. She walked up to the nurse's counter to ask what had happened, but everyone seemed too busy to spare any time to explain. The atmosphere in the hospital was intense. Ella immediately rushed to where her grandma was. When she saw her grandma, she hugged her tightly. "Grandma, are you alright?" Angela looked at her. "I'm feeling okay. Why do you look so worked up? Are you okay?" "Yes, I'm fine." Ella nodded, then she asked, "Grandma, what's all the commotion about?" Angela sighed. "I watched on TV that there was some kind of donation party that a lot of rich and influential people attended. The whole thing was organized by the Mikaelson Group." She paused. "Unfortunately, someone set the place on fire. They are yet to determine the number of casualties or who started the fire." Ella listened carefully. "All the medical practitioners are on deck because many people were injured and affected by the fire, but no one has been confirmed dead yet." "Oh my goodness. That's serious. Hopefully, they'll all be fine.” Ella looked at her grandma. "So, Grandma, have you had anything to eat?" Angela shook her head. "No. I haven't had any appetite." "Seriously, Grandma? I've told you to always try to eat something, even if you don't feel like it. You can't keep doing this. I need you to be strong for me." She held her grandma's hand. "Remember, you're the only one I have." Angela smiled softly. "I'm going to get you something to eat. I'll be right back." Ella left the room and got into the elevator, waiting for the doors to open. When the doors opened, she suddenly froze. A man with his face covered by a mask was lying on the floor, badly injured. "Oh my God!" Ella quickly rushed toward him. "Are you okay?" She checked his pulse but couldn't feel anything. Without wasting any time, she pulled him up and held him firmly as she tried to get him toward the nurses' quarters. "Help! Somebody help!" Suddenly, a bunch of nurses ran toward her and took the man from her. Ella looked down at herself and realized she was covered in blood. She quickly went to the ladies' room to clean herself up before going to the cafeteria. After getting some food, Ella returned to her grandmother's room. She brought the food for her grandma, and the two of them chatted and laughed together while eating. Later that evening, Ella returned to her apartment. She had no idea that the man she had just saved would soon become her future boss.