THE BILLIONAIRE'S PRICE

CHAPTER FIVE : The Penthouse

Isla Raymond's point of view

When I told Maya about the hospital transfer, she started crying. However, those were tears of joy. She said she knew I would figure something out while holding my hand. I was the strongest person she knew, she remarked. I just sold my life to a stranger, and she did not know it.

I did not mention Caspian to her. How was I able to? She did not need to worry about what I had done to save her; she was already battling hard enough. Since the hospital portion was real at least, I smiled, held her hand, and gave her hope that everything would be alright. She would receive the finest care. The best chance of survival would go to her.

But at what price? That was the question I kept asking myself on the way to my apartment.

Shortly after midnight, the driver dropped me off at my building. The driver did not say anything the whole time. He made no effort to engage in conversation or ask inquiries. Like I was merchandise that needed to be moved from one location to another, he simply drove, waited, and looked straight ahead. I might have been like that now.

I felt that my apartment was smaller than I had recalled. empty. There was not much left after I sold so much already. The sofa. The bed. A few garments. A couple of novels no one had wished to purchase. I realized I did not need to pack much after taking a look around. Only a bag. Two, perhaps.

I went to the closet, got a bag, and began stuffing it. clothing. undergarments. A toothbrush. My parents' picture, which I kept on my bedside table. A couple more things that, although they probably weren't, felt significant. I could not stop thinking about what Caspian had said as I packed. About how he was aware of some aspects of me. How he had been observing.

Was he currently observing? Was there a photographer outside my window? Was someone following me around like I was a criminal? The idea gave me the chills.

It buzzed on my phone. a message from an unidentified number.

*Outside, the automobile is waiting. Bring the necessities. We will supply everything else.

I looked out my window. A black automobile parked in front of my building down the street. The same vehicle. The driver is the same. Awaiting.

I zipped up my bag while my hands were trembling. This was actually taking place. In reality, I was moving out of my flat. In reality, I was going to live with a stranger. A man who was a mystery, yet seemed to know everything about me.

The city's tallest structure housed the penthouse on its top floor. It was, of course. It felt like the elevator journey went on forever. I felt like I was vanishing a little more with each floor as we ascended higher and higher. I had forgotten who Isla Raymond was by the time we got to the summit.

The penthouse was immediately accessible through the doors. No corridor. No place to wait. Right into his personal space.

It was enormous. As if someone had dropped a map from the sky, the entire city was visible below the floor-to-ceiling windows. Everything was frigid, dark, and white. Contemporary furnishings that seem to have cost more than my whole life. Everything is tidy. Everything is flawless. Everything is sterile.

Standing near the window, holding a glass of amber liquid, was Caspian. His outfit from the sale was still on him, but the jacket was no longer there. The top of his shirt was unbuttoned. He appeared more like something dangerous than a man. A predator masquerading as a person.

He said, "Welcome home," without looking back.

When I said, "This is not home," I did not want my voice to sound so little. "This is just where I am staying."

Caspian gently turned to look at me. "That is your current thought. However, you will adjust to it. He sipped his beverage. "On the left side of the hallway is your bedroom. There should be everything you require. clothing. toiletries. Anything you need."

"You already bought me clothes?" I inquired. The thought sickened me. He had really considered everything.

According to Caspian, "I prepared for every scenario," He placed his drink on a side table. "I was expecting you to say yes. I also anticipated that you might require items. He approached me slowly. "The question is whether you would be grateful or angry about it."

"I am both," I declared. "I am happy that my sister is receiving assistance. And I am upset that you believe you can simply possess me."

According to Caspian, "I do not think," Now he was near me. I could smell his fragrance again because I was so near. "I understand. Isla, we have a deal. I now own you. You are mine for a year."

I declared, "I am not a thing," I moved away from him. "I am a human being. Outside of this area, I have a life.

"You did," said Caspian. He grabbed a lock of my hair with his outstretched hand. As if to test the texture, he let it pass between his fingers. "That life has ended. Mrs. Caspian Grey is who you are. Now that is your life.

I averted my gaze from his grasp. "The separate bedroom is where? We would not need to be intimate, you remarked.

"We won't," stated Caspian. He let his hand fall. "Unless you want to be, that is. All that is required by the contract is public expressions of devotion. You are in charge of private moments. Returning to his window, he walked. "There is a bathroom in your room. The door has its own lock. Knowing that I will not push myself on you allows you to sleep soundly. Isla, I am not a monster.

I said, "Then what are you?"

He took a long time to respond. He simply gazed at the metropolis below. All the people going about their lives, without even realizing that a man in a penthouse was making their decisions.

When Caspian finally said, "I am someone who knows what he wants," "And I wanted you."

"Why?" I asked the question out loud. "I am not someone you know. You have no knowledge of me."

Caspian slowly spun around. His eyes were black enough to tighten my chest. "Isla, I am fully aware of you. I am aware of your preferred coffee order. I am aware of the path you use to get to work. Because your father took you there before he passed away, I am aware of the restaurant you dread. I am aware that you cry at night when you believe no one is paying attention. I am aware of your courage, strength, and willingness to give up all for those you care about."

My blood froze. "How do you know those things?"

Simply put, "Because I have been paying attention," Caspian said. "For a very long time."

I muttered, "That is not paying attention," "That is stalking."

"Yes," said Caspian. My skin crawled when he said it so coolly and matter-of-factly. "It is. You have realized what you have gotten yourself into today. You now see that fixation, not bars, is what made up the cage I constructed for you.

He approached me once more. But, Mrs. Grey, here's the thing. There is a lock on the cage. I also possess the key. And since your sister's life depends on it, you will remain inside. so that you can feel irritated. You may feel afraid. If you want to, you can despise me.

He extended his hand and caressed my face once more. I did not draw away this time. I froze. caught up in the reality of my actions.

A quiet "But you are never leaving me," Caspian said. "Not at all. Never.

I finally understood as I stood in his chilly, exquisite penthouse, his hand on my face, the city below us extending like a kingdom he owned.

I had not gotten married.

My darkest dread had become my spouse.

And I had committed to it for precisely a year.