The Billionaire's Love Trap

Another chance at life

'You mean to tell me, she won't be able to speak again.'.. Jasmine asks the doctor.

She had gotten a call from the hospital that her sister had been involved in a ghastly accident...leaving her dead alongside her husband. Her niece, however, had survived but would no longer be able to speak again.

Falling to her knees, she wept. This was too much pain. How much did the universe hate her? Her sister had been the strong one, having grown up the way they did. Sara protected her from their maniac of a father after they lost their mother and now she would no longer be there to take care of her own daughter, just like their mother.

She couldn't come close...Sara was loving and patient, she was the flat out opposite. Never stable able to hold onto anything or anyone. But now she was gone and now she had shoes to fill.. She could never measure up, she could not be that mother her niece needed.

Going back into the hospital, she sees Kara lying there all bandaged up and makes a pact with herself in that moment to do whatever it takes to make her feel loved and to ensure she achieves all her dreams.

~ Three years later ~

Kara did the clap she and her aunt Jasmine created to signify they were home. As she pushed open the front door of her aunt's house in a small town in Dallas. She had finished her program at university and had therapy to cope with the aftermath effects of the accident with her parents three years ago. Learned sign language and even gotten better at design. She knew that the trauma had something to do with it.

" Kara honey, I'm in the kitchen". Aunt Jasmine said. Heading right there, Kara hugged her aunt and started to smile, making the sign " guess what". Jasmine makes an exaggerated gasp "Oh, do tell? what?"

" I got the job, the Head of Design job at that company in New York", Kara gestured and jumped. Aunt Jasmine screamed and started to tear up but Kara quickly made a sign to stop her.

It was time to celebrate, it was a new beginning for her - things didn't quite happen as she had hoped three years ago, but they sure were looking up now and she had wished her parents were here to hear the news.

After dinner, Kara gestures to Aunt Jasmine, " There's a little sad news though. I have to leave in two days for New York. The job offer comes with an apartment and company car, so we won't have to worry about that." she gestured and squeezed her aunt's hand.

"Will you be okay while I'm gone? I know it's all too fast," she adds as she gestures.

Aunt Jasmine smiles and says, " As long as you're fine, I will be too. I am so proud of you."

The day comes to leave Dallas and everyone is in tears, but they know it's for the best as Kara waves goodbye to her aunt and promises to call - she heads off to board her flight ready to take on the next phase of her life.

~ Kroft Global Technology HQ ~

' Alright, everyone, it's time to introduce the new additions to the team', says Mila Pitt the head of Human Resources. ' We have Ms. Kara Hilltop, the new head of design. Please, Kara come say hi to everyone.' Kara gets up in her navy blue trouser suit and waves at everyone. Kroft Global Technology were very advanced in employee practices and well ahead in technology to have an in-house sign translator that converts signs to actual words.

So as Kara introduced herself, the translator communicated exactly what she had practiced saying to her team. When she was done, there was a resounding applause and a lot of looks of wonder and admiration sent her way. She was a top academic in school, so it made sense that she got the offer to work at Kroft but learning that she wasn't born mute but became so due to an accident in her final year of college - everyone was amazed by her strength and determination and couldn't wait to see what she contributed to the company.

After greeting everyone, she walked to her desk and started work for the day. She had done her research and knew just where to start. Four hours passed by and she was half way through with emails and delegated the part of the work she needed. It was time to go for lunch, she headed towards the elevator and bumped into someone also on his way to the elevator.

She gestured her apologies, he immediately told her he was the one at fault. They laughed and then a silence ensued as the elevator went down. She used this time to get a look at him - he was tall, very tall, dark brown hair with a build that commanded a lot of attention in his three-piece suit, also in the color navy blue. She realized they were wearing the same colors.

" I noticed too. We're wearing matching outfits." he smiled.

Kara gestured that she just thought the same, he gestured back and she was shocked that he knew sign language so well. He could tell she was surprised and so immediately told her that he had a grandparent that developed a hearing disability. She smiled and told him he didn't have to make the sign back at her because she could hear - she just couldn't speak.

" I know who you are, Kara Hilltop. I made the sign back because I didn't want you to get all the credit for looking that cool doing the signs", he winked. ' But also to let you know that you're not alone.'

Kara couldn't help but smile, actually blush. This very good looking man was being really nice to her. She didn't see him at the orientation earlier today. She would definitely have remembered. The elevator got to the last floor and as they stepped out and said their goodbyes, she saw the expressions of people in the reception area..she wondered what that was all about but brushed it off.

' Want to grab lunch together?', she heard as she walked ahead of the man from the elevator. She turned around and said " I don't even know your name". 'Logan, my name is Logan', he said. She then gestured that she would be happy to have lunch with him.

Stepping out together, she sees Logan texting furiously on his phone as they approach the car parking area. ' I don't know New York, I'll follow your car.' she signed. He shook his head , 'we could just go in mine'. In an authoritative way that made her shudder.

Yes, shudder. She hadn't felt anything in the s****l department since...

She didn't even want to think about it, even though it hurts a little less now.

'I would rather go in mine, if you don't mind', she signed. He smiled and nodded. His car was luxurious and screamed " rich".

A text appeared on Kara's phone - " Come on, you can drive better than that, you're mute, not lame" with an emoji at the end. She knew it was from Logan and responded, 'how did you get my number?'. He simply responded, ' we work in the same organization, employees have access to everyone's data.'

Soon when they arrived at the restaurant, he walked up to her smiling and asked ' you were driving like you were worried you'd break something. I had to send you a text. Both laughing, Kara and Logan walked to their seats, he made a show to lead her when his hands touched her lower back. She looked at his face as some kind of energy shot through her....she had goose bumps all over.

Stop thinking bad thoughts, Kara. This guy works in the same organization as you do! Today is also your first day.

As he pulled out a chair for her to sit, the waiter came around to get the orders.

'What will you be having today sir?', He said ' The usual for me but find out what the beautiful lady wants'. She pointed to her meal choice on the menu card.

As the waiter turned to leave, she heard him say ' It's always a pleasure having you here, Mr Kroft'.

She froze. Mr Kroft? The Mr Kroft of Kroft Global Technology? She did some research before applying and saw that an elderly looking Mr Kroft.

Looking up, she found Logan staring at her with a devilish grin on his face. 'So Kara, how has your first day been at Kroft Global Technology?'

She was on a lunch 'date' with her boss...