Trapped By The Wicked Billionaire

Chapter 11: Don’t Get Too Attached

RIVA POV:

In a world where finding someone online took less than a couple of minutes, I was not satisfied with what my search told me.

Ethaniel Ryves. 29 years old. He had a long and successful career ever since he graduated top of his class from an ivy league university. He majored in computer science and dove into entrepreneurship right upon graduating and his company had taken off instantly.

He had the attention of major investors and was amazing at connecting with the right people who boosted his company. He had become one of the youngest billionaires in the area in no time.

There was no dirt on him. No scandals or felonies. Not that they would have been listed on the internet when he could clear them by throwing money.

What I found remarkable was the lack of information on his personal life. There were no news reports related to Ethaniel’s life until this morning when articles about our engagement were posted. Several newspapers repeated the story… even the wording was similar.

This told me everything I needed to know. He had done it on purpose. What telling friends… no one had spread the word.

It was fascinating how there was no mention of Snow or his dead wife. No wonder the reporters descended like wolves when they heard whispers about his personal life.

Keeping his life private was one thing, but there was no mention of his hometown, parents or siblings. It was like he started existing after graduation. Before that, he was a wisp of smoke.

I could conclude from this that he was either an extremely private person, bordering on paranoid, or there was nothing interesting about his life to report. I thought back to his apartment and how sanitized it was. There was no hint of personality or clue that he actually lived there.

I had dreams of becoming a writer. But because the industry was difficult to step into, I had abandoned that dream and settled for becoming an editor. Not that it was fruitful either.

But my overimaginative mind could make up the rest of the story. But that didn’t mean Ethaniel would become the man I made up in my mind. And I wondered whether I would ever discover his true self.

I was startled by the incoming call.

It was from Ethaniel.

Speak of the Devil.

“Are you okay?” he sounded breathless as he spoke.

I had almost forgotten the incident with Marco by how intriguing the lack of information on him was. Apparently, in the time I was prying, Ethaniel had found out what happened.

“I’m fine. Just on a break and getting some air. I need to go back inside now, though.”

“Wait, don’t go inside yet. I’m on my way!”

I jumped into action. “Ethaniel, I am fine. Seriously. Jax came in time and he didn’t do anything.” There was no use explaining.

I felt warm hands wrap around me, pulling me close. His chest pressed against my back, warming me completely. Until that moment, I hadn’t known I was shivering.

“I stepped outside to take a call. I’m sorry,” he murmured against my ear. “Before I knew it, Jax was carrying a bleeding man outside. I had no idea if you were safe or not.”

He gripped me tighter.

No matter how safe I felt in his arms, I had to hold my ground.

“Bleeding? The guy didn’t even touch me, Ethaniel! And the club has their own security. They would have thrown him out,” I grumbled. “And I am not some helpless little girl. I can take care of myself.”

I huffed.

He was silent for a moment. “Can you?”

His words may not have been taunting, but I felt the sting. For all my tall talk, I had mistrusted my instincts far too many times. One of those times was the night with him.

I had to go back in.

I wriggled out of his hold and put distance between us.

“Riva!” I heard him call my name again, but I didn’t turn back.

I had to be alone. I had to manage by myself.

Who was I trying to prove that to? Myself?

Ethaniel didn’t mention the incident with Marco again. He didn’t bring up how my job was unsafe or that he didn’t want me working there. But since the incident with Marco, I noticed Jax or one of Ethaniel’s men always lurking inside the bar. They would casually grab a drink and remain in the front so that no one could distinguish them from the regular customers.

I was the only one to know better.

As for my new ‘home,’ the dramatic turn of events I had imagined didn’t happen.

Snow started school and was mostly away or doing homework. We interacted a bit over time and had a good relationship, but I tried my best to stay away.

I didn’t want either of us to get too attached. But how was it possible to not love Snow? Under that shy exterior of hers, she was a cheerful girl who wanted to show her world to me. She had a knack for adventure and often conjured up tales of unknown lands she had not traveled to.

She had a flare for writing.

‘I could help her nurture it.’ The thought came to me unbidding.

I pushed it down quickly.

‘Don’t get too attached, Riva!’ I warned myself repeatedly.

Our game continued. Every afternoon after she returned from school, she spent time telling me a new tale. But today was different.

“You’re sad,” Snow remarked softly.

She was very observant.

One look at her little face and I could see she was sad, too. Because I was sad.

I glanced towards Ethaniel’s room to make sure he was out of sight and earshot.

“Yes, sweet little girl. I had a long day…” I should have stopped at that. She didn’t need to know about my life. “Today is my Dad’s birthday and I miss him.”

I had spent every birthday with him since I was born. No matter what, I made it home and spent it with him. This was the first time I was away from home.

Snow paused as she thought about it before she spoke again, “Do you want to bake him a cake?”

I threw my head back and laughed. “I’m not sure we can send him the cake even if we make it.”

She pouted. “We could fly the cake to him!” she said. “Or, or… We can write a card. We can send that and have the cake ourselves!” She clapped her hand.

I tapped her nose. “So, it's the cake you want.”

She giggled as her true thoughts were caught.

But I liked the way Snow was thinking. Without further ado, I started preparation to make the cake.

“Ree… What is your Daddy like?”

I thought about that question.

Dad was Dad. I never had to talk about him to a kid. What would Snow find interesting?

“Well… he has a bushy moustache. He is very serious and doesn’t like talking much. His favorite hobby is bird watching. He has books about birds and how pretty they are. He often goes bird watching with his best friend during the weekend.”

Snow laughed. “Sounds like my Grandpa.”

This was the first time I had heard of this. Snow never spoke of any family except her father. I was keen on learning more but a voice interrupted our talk.

“It smells good in here… What are you two up to?” He had a smile on his face as he walked over to us.

“Daddy!” Snow exclaimed. “We are baking a cake. I was telling Ree about Grandpa.”

He tensed.

“You know how he is always serious or on business…” she trailed off, unable to find the right word.

Was it my imagination or did Ethaniel just breathe out in relief?

“Ah, he is very busy. He has business trips he goes to often… Why? Do you miss him and Grandma? How about you visit them this weekend?”

Snow squealed in delight.

Ethaniel turned to me for my opinion. “Would you like to join us?”

I shrugged. I didn’t want to admit that I was dying of curiosity. I had to see the people who gave birth to such a unique specimen. He was a master manipulator. Then what were they?

“You are welcome to tag along.” He paused, seemingly thinking of a condition. “If you give me a piece of this cake!”

I raised my brow.

“Daddy!” Snow protested. “This cake is not for you!”

She giggled as Ethaniel chased her around the kitchen, threatening her with tickles.

“Okay, okay… I won’t eat your precious cake. But you have to make one twice as big for my birthday,” he insisted.

My eyes snapped to him.

Again, he knew everything about me. Even my Dad’s birthday.

But I was also making a cake on a random day. It wasn’t so hard to guess. I hoped I was paranoid. Otherwise, it was a little scary.

Snow and Ethaniel bickered like kids while I continued working on the cake and thinking. My curiosity won. I would meet Ethaniel’s parents that weekend.