The Billionaires´ Redemption: HER SAVIOUR (Book2)

Chapter 3 - Graduation

Rachel POV 

It's been almost 6 months since the whole Patrick episode. Gianna and I finished our studies and we are about to graduate from our Masters degree. Since we moved to the fancy penthouse I have felt safer, but not by much. The nightmares still haunt me during most of my nights. Gianna and I decided to stop going to our frequent places and bars and we developed this addiction to karaoke bars. 

The type of crowd that frequents these places is far from what Patrick is, so we feel pretty safe going to these kinds of bars. Mr MC was supposed to arrive from the airport today, but he called earlier and said that he was delayed and would be arriving tomorrow and he would be meeting us at the ceremony.  So we decided to go out to a karaoke bar to celebrate our graduation tomorrow. 

It was pretty early but we enjoyed what we call it “our warm up time”. We decided to take an Uber, since both of us wanted to celebrate. Gianna has loosen up a bit, I just hope she gets drunk and party hard for once in her life. 

We entered our favorite bar and since we are regulars everybody knows us here, so we greeted Carl, Steve and Jackson, they are the door bouncer/security, the bartender and the bar owner. We were so happy that as soon as we took our usual table, Gianna went to the bar and asked Steve to keep our tab open and to put everything on her card. She handed Steve an American Express Black card and Steve whistled in surprise, those are very rare. 

She took a bottle of wine to our table, and poured two glasses “Cheers to us! To the Masters!” Gianna yelled and raised her glass. And I followed suit. One glass after another, we kept celebrating. Then it was the time for the open mic, and as usual Gianna and I took the mic. We sang one song and went back to the table, and by that time we were out of booze, so I went to the bar and asked Steve to serve us some tequila shots. 

Gianna and I were completely wasted, having fun and for the first time in my life I saw my best friend getting loose and enjoying her time. When they gave the last call, for open mic, Gianna in a brave move, mostly alcohol induced, decided to sing a song by herself. She grabbed the mic and started singing, right there up on stage being herself, I couldn't help it but I had to snap a picture of my best friend. She has done so much for me, that I have a great idea of what to do with this picture. 

We finished around 2am, and decided to go back to the penthouse. When we exited the bar I bumped into a guy. I was really drunk, and Gianna just said in her drunken state “We are sooooo sorry.” and took my hand and dragged me to the Uber that was waiting for us. Gianna was about to close the door when I heard “Well, looking god Rachel, long time no see.” 

My blood froze and instantly I sobered up when I matched the face with the voice that was yelling at us. “Patrick.” Gianna closed the door fast and ordered the Uber driver to speed away. We were not prepared to see this asshole around this área. “s**t, Gianna, he is going to find me.” I said with panic in my voice. 

“Rachel, we will figure it out. Tomorrow we have to wake up early. Relax.” She said in her drunken state. Really not being helpful at all. I helped Gianna to bed and head to my room. I tried everything to have at least some sleep, but the image of Patrick´s smirk and devilish voice saying my name, kept me up the whole night. 

***

The next morning we woke up late, I barely slept and Gianna slept complaining about me monopolizing the bathroom. Yes I have an ensuite bathroom, but I love to use Gianna´s tub, so I kind of was in her way. After everything we rushed to our graduation, we saw Mr. MC at the ceremony. Despite being surrounded by Gianna and my parents, I couldn't shake the weird feeling of being followed or watched. I was really nervous, and after the ceremony, Mr. MC invited us to have lunch at a fancy restaurant. My parents were super excited and I just wanted to go back to our place and hide. 

Somewhere around dinner, Mr. MC gave Gianna a sweet ultimatum to return to New York, he gave her 3 months to be there. He said that she should be there by Thanksgiving, and Gianna agreed, so it means I would be losing my best friend and partner in crime, plus seeing Patrick again have my nerves on edge. I seriously don't know what I would be doing, I need to find a cheap place that I can afford and keep hiding from Patrick. 

Later that night Gianna came to my room to talk. “Think, are you up?” She asked while knocking on my door. I was up browsing for cheap apartments. “Yes, Mer. What´s up?” I said quickly closing my laptop, but my best friend is very inquisitive. “What were you doing?” She asked and I said “Nothing much, trying to see my next steps, since you will be leaving to go to New York.'' I said nonchalantly. 

“Yes, I wanted to talk to you about New York.” She said and I nodded. “Well, I don't know if you have vacation time, because I think I am going to need my Think with me, at least for a little while.” she said and whipped a lone tear from her eyes. “What is going on Mer? Why are you crying?” I asked and then she composed herself and said “I am terrified, you have always joked about me being in love with Antonio. The truth is that yes, I love him. I am afraid of facing him again, of being close to him and I am terrified about running into any of my former bullies from Dalton.” She said, and I could understand that the whole going back to New York is opening a very painful and old wound. 

“Yes I have vacation time, let me fix everything at work and I can go to New York with you. Maybe it would be good for me to move from London for a while, since yesterday we ran into Patrick.” I said trying to figure out a way to keep avoiding him. “Yes, I barely remember anything, but he looked scarier than before. How are you feeling?” She asked and I let a shiver run down my spine. 

“Like crap, I was not expecting it, and just the fact that he was in a close by area has me with an uneasy feeling.” I said and Gianna nodded. “Well that is settled, ask for vacay time at work and we will be going together to New York.” She said and I felt like the weight I was carrying along in my chest was lifted at once. 

***

It's been two months and the whole stress of running into Patrick again, and packing has me drained. I almost forgot to give Gianna her graduation gift. I had the karaoke picture printed and framed, in the back I wrote her “To my best friend and sister. May your life be always as joyful as this night. XOXO Think.” She loved it and because she was packing, she placed it immediately in a box that she was sending to New York in advance.

I have everything arranged for 1 month vacation time, with the possibility of extending two more weeks. I hope maybe I could find a job in New York and stay there far away from Patrick. I have been having more nightmares than usual, I wake up in the middle of the night choking on my own sobs and I hate that the fear that I feel will prevent me from living my life fully. 

Since the whole thing with Patrick, I am afraid of going out alone, of staying in the house alone, but mostly of meeting new people or letting another guy in. I am afraid that next time, I might end up dead. I hate this paralyzing fear that I am living, hopefully this trip to New York will help me heal and move on. 

Jason POV 

Two years ago, I took full control as CEO, no probation time or s**t from the board members. The only one giving me s**t is Aunt Jackie. She said that the only way to maintain the empire I am building is to settle down. I hate when she gets into my personal s**t. To say that we have a very strained relationship is an understatement.  

Today, I just woke up with Amber spreaded in my bed.We went out yesterday night and she stayed over, you know having s*x, I mean harmless fun. She is a top model, gorgeous and super beautiful, every man's dream, but I feel like my life is missing something. Tony, my best friend, is obsessively in love with Gianna McLean. I on the other hand are afraid of commitment, I have been in and out of different affairs for the past 6 years. I am the poster image of a real playboy. 

Sometimes I wonder if I could be able to love the way my friend does. I wonder if there is a girl that will fill the emptiness in my heart and in my soul. I really don't believe in love at first sight, or in meeting a girl in order to see if we are truly a match. And since I am not looking for it I doubt I will ever find something like that.  

I decided to stand up to go to my private gym. As soon as the bed moved she opened her eyes and said “Going to work out? Didn't you work out enough here with me yesterday?” She said and then tried to pull me back and said “Maybe you can work out here again.”  She said in a seductive voice. “Sorry baby, I really need a run.” I quickly said removing her arms from my body. 

We are not officially in a relationship, but we have been seeing each other for about 2 months now. I know she wants to make it official and she has even spread rumors about it, but for sure I am not ready and maybe I will never be. 

I was sprinting on the treadmill when my phone rang. “Hello!” I answered and then I heard Tony´s voice “Hey man, are you running on the treadmill or away from Amber’” He said and I replied “Haha, so funny, of course on the treadmill, you idiot.” Then I continued, “So, what´s up?” 

“Nothing much, is just that in one month would be Thanksgiving, and I will be seeing Gianna soon, I can't wait man. Also to confirm if you will be joining us for the Thanksgiving dinner at John's place.” He said in one go. “Oh you love sick puppy! I know you will be seeing her in one month, you call me everyday with the f*****g countdown.” I said and laughed, Tony laughed as well, then I continued “Yes I will be attending…” I was interrupted by Amber “Baby where are we going?” she said in a sweet voice. s**t I wanted to attend alone, but I just slept with her and f****d her the whole night, I gave her a little smile and then finished with Tony “Yes, man, like I said count me in, with a plus 1”