The Billion's

Chapter 16

THIRD PERSON POV

Ash doesn't know what to do. Should she bow or kiss their foot? She's currently standing in front of the most powerful women in the world. She had to admit, she's a little scared.

Christina offered her a smile.

"Don't be scared dear. We're humans." Catherine turned to Iva.

"I don't see Gemma anywhere." Iva smiled.

"She can't make it. But she sends her regard to everyone." Catherine smiled back.

By now Carmen and Larissa, together with Emerson and Antonia all gathered around the twins.

"So Iva... We heard you will take over the family business in the future." Carmen said. Iva gave them a smile.

"It looks that way. My sisters and brother all have their own career to think off." Iva replied.

"Do you know what these old farts think of you?" Antonia asked.

"I do. They say I am incapable of handling a company this big. But I don't care what they say." Nia and the others nodded in agreement.

"I know that feeling," Emerson said and smiled.

"But look at me now. I have a beautiful wife, beautiful kids, my own company." Iva smiled.

"Congratulation for the opening of Lavilia Corp." Iva congratulated. Emerson thanked for the wish.

"May I have everyone's attention?" Everyone turned to the stage. Giovanni and Alana are both on stage.

"I would like to thank everyone who came for this year Elite Fair. My wife and I personally wanted to apologize for the opening act." Zoe chuckled. Giovanni clears his throat.

"When the late Natasha started this fair, she has one goal in mind and that's to help those less fortunate than us. And for the whole week of the fair, we will raise money to be given to the charity, non-governmental association and homes of the less fortunate." The guest clapped.

"But for this year, I would like to add another matter that we should be given more focus to, and that for the world natural disaster and war relief." Ash was astounded by the purpose of this fair.

"Now that's what I call a charity event," Christina said as she clapped.

"Thank you, and please enjoy the refreshment that we prepared." Giovanni and his wife smiled and walked down the stage.

"Oh.. We need volunteers." Antonia suddenly announced. Iva and Ash looked at her.

"Volunteers?" Antonia nodded.

"The Larove has decided to visit the homeless people and bring food and essential for them ..."

"And we need volunteers." Emerson finished.

"And...?" Iva asked.

"Would you two like to volunteer? For the less fortunate." Emerson smiled.

"We already ask Paxton, Zoe, and Blanche, they agreed." Iva looked at Ash. Ash nodded.

"Yea we like that." Ash smiled.

"Good! I will text the place and see you tomorrow." Nia turned to Emerson.

"Since they play Dark Horse, let's grind on the dance floor! Who knows, you might get lucky tonight." Nia winked before dragged her wife to the dance floor.

"Here. Give it to your father." Christina handed a cheque to Iva.

"Oh wow..." Iva's eyes widen at the amount.

"For the charities.." Christina smiled.

"This is mine.." Catherine handed hers. Again Iva can't believe the amount they donated.

"Thank you so much." Christina and Catherine excuse themselves and went to meet some of their business associates.

"They donated more than $10 million to this event alone," Iva said when she leaned into Ash.

"Seriously?" Ash looked at the cheques herself.

"This will bring joy to the people that need them." Ash smiled. She can't believe that there are still people who care for others.

"They truly have the heart of gold." Iva nodded in agreement.

"Iva.." Iva turned to see Bianca.

"Here's my donation. I have to go because I have an emergency. Please tell your parents." Bianca handed her cheque and smiled. Iva thanked her and watched her go.

Iva showed Ash the cheque.

"Oh, my God." Ash breathe out.

"Is that for real?!" Iva nodded. Someone cleared his or her throat in front of Iva and Ash. It's Mika.

"What do you want Mika?" Iva asked.

"I would like to apologize. To Abigail. I know I was mean to you on your first day." Ash doesn't know what to say. She just nodded. Mika smiled and turned away.

"That's weird," Iva said.

Iva sighed at the boring event.

"Let's ditch this thing." Iva whispered to Ash.

"We can ditch?" Ash asked.

"I'll be right back." Iva excused herself to meet Iris.

"I want to borrow your car."

"For?" Iris asked

"Ditch this thing." Iris handed her keys.

"Thanks." Iris smiled and turned back to her wife and friends.

Iva showed Ash the dangling key in her hand and helped her up. Ash was limping but Iva waited patiently and smiled whenever Ash looked at her.

"I'm sorry for being this slow." Iva waved it off.

"It's okay." They all went to a sleek black Mercedes. Iva opened the passenger door for Ash and went to the driver seat.

"I wonder how Blanche get in with her high heels." Iva laughed.

"Yea. This car feels like you're laying on the bed." Iva started the engine

"Where are we going?" Ash asked.

"Someplace where there's tasty food food. Real food." Iva said and drive away.

***

ASH'S POV

I am glad that we stop by at a place where I am comfortable in but, dressing like this, people around us were giving us the eyes and wonder if we're at a wrong place. Iva went to my side and helped me.

We went to a food stand and Iva ordered us both the same thing

"The best hot dogs in town." She said when she offered me.

"You actually eat food from this kind of place?" Iva nodded.

"Gemma told me about this place. She said it's delicious and she was right." Iva smiled and pay for our food. We went to sit on a bench and actually enjoying this night. Even with the staring we have to bare with.

I took a bite of my hotdogs.

"What's your favorite color?" Iva asked. I turned and chuckled.

"What?" Iva chuckled and wiped the side of my mouth with her thumb.

"Your favorite color, what is it?" She smiled.

"Oh... Blue I guess." I replied before taking another bite.

"You guess?" I chuckled.

"Yes. There's a time it was white and the green. But for now, it's blue. What about you?" I asked her back.

"Gold. Always." Typical.

"Favorite vacation spot?" She asked.

"I don't know. But I really like Jackson Hill. It's calm and beautiful. It's not like LA." Iva smiled.

"So it's peaceful?" I nodded.

"What about you? Oversea?" Of course it's outside of LA.

"You can say that. Tuscany, my all time favorite. It's peaceful. Beautiful and the view is to die for. Beside, it's not polluted." That sound like heaven

"It sounds great."

"It is." Iva bite on her hotdog.

"We should go there sometime huh?" Iva suddenly said and smiled at me.

To Tuscany?" I asked before she nodded.

"I can show you the best spot." I wish I can. I need money for that.

We were talking about our favorite things when we both heard a group of bikers revving their bikes before circling us. Iva immediately grabbed my hand and stood up. She kept me hidden behind her and looked around.

They all stopped and a black hair man started to laugh at us.

"Iva Iva Iva... Where is your sister now?" I keep a close hold on Iva's back.

"From the looks of your attire, you were from the elite fair?" Iva didn't say anything. His eye caught on me.

"Look boys! Our little Iva brought us a woman." Did they just howled like a dog?

"You even come this close to us, you're dead," Iva warned them. They all started to laugh.

"And what will you do little girl?" Iva didn't say anything.

The man suddenly grabbed Iva by the hair and pushed her down on the ground. Where's the civilian when you need help?! Why are they look so scared of these bozos?!

A couple of guys grabbed me by the arm while the other kiss me.

"Smell nice. Hey boss, we want to have a little fun with this one." I was struggling within their grasp.

They pushed me on the grass and ripped my dress off. These bystander seriously will let them rape me?! They just stood there feel sorry for me without responding to my plea!

"ABIGAIL!!!!"

Iva screamed at me. A man sat on top of me and started to fondle my breast. When I try to push him away, he grabbed my hand and pinned it over my head. I am helpless

By now, I know that I am screwed. There's no hope for me to be saved anymore. As I closed my eyes waiting for my demise, I can hear a woman's scream. When I open my eyes, I can see Blanche hit the guy on top of me with something.

"You alright?" I could only nod my head as I cry.

"Come on.." She helped me up. We both went towards Iva who's on the ground, groaning in pain.

"You have some nerve beating my sister like this!" Iris said, circling a kneeling guy on the ground. We heard the police siren not far from where we are. So now the police decided to show?!

"Shit..." I heard Iris said before she grabbed the baseball from another fainted man not far from where she stood.

"Say goodnight," Iris said before she swings the bat across the man's face as hard as she could. My eyes widen when that woman laughed at the man who's now laying face down on the ground, bleeding to death.

Iris grabbed Iva from the ground and ran towards their car. Blanche helped me and we all went inside.

"We're letting them get away?" Blanche asked.

"No way. We will deal with them later. For now, let's go home." Iris said and started the car.

"How did you guys find us?" I asked.

"My car has its own GPS system that I can track using my phone. I try to call to tell Iva about the guns on my trunk." I hit my head on the window when Iris suddenly turned the sharp corner.

"IRIS!" Blanche yelled.

"I'm sorry." Iris started to dial on her phone while driving. I was so worried she would hit someone or the other cars.

"Open the gates now." She said and turned another sharp corner again.

By now I feel like the car is flying. When we arrived at the Billion's property, Iris went to the passenger seat and carried Iva inside.

When we're inside, Gemma and the others bombarded Iris with many questions But everyone stops when Iva groaned in pain.

"I'm fine. I need something for my aching stomach." Iris came back and handed Iva a glass of water.

"It will help, trust me." Iva took a sip while Gemma helped her up.

"I'm sorry for what happened Ash." Iva apologized to me.

I don't know what to say. Since I met her, everything in my life turned upside down. First, there's a car chasing us, now, the bikers?! I don't know how to respond to her.

When I didn't say anything, Iva looked down and avoided eye contact.

Blanche came back and handed me a robe to cover myself. I sighed and went to sit next to Iva.

"It's okay..." I said and waited for her to respond.

***

IVA'S POV

"It's okay.."

I know it's from okay. I cause so much trouble in her life. I know after tonight, she will never want to hang with me anymore. Suddenly I feel her arms around me.

"It's really okay Iva..." I looked up to see how close we are. I never thought she would be this daring.

"Get a room." Iris suddenly said behind us with a smile on her face.

"Shut up Iris. Let the kids be." Blanche went to her side and leaned into her ears. I noticed Iris's eyes twitch. She always does that when she's angry. She smiled at me and excuse herself together with Blanche.

Gemma kissed my head and smiled.

"Go to your room and change. Rest well. We will talk about this tomorrow morning." I nodded and stood up from the couch.

There was a slight pain in my stomach when I helped Ash up but I didn't want o show her.

"Let's use the elevator," I suggested and lead her towards the elevator. I pressed a button and the door opened.

You have an elevator in your home?" She asked.

"Yes. As you can see, we're lazy sometime."

It stopped on my floor and we both got out. I opened my door and went to lay on my bed.

I released a heavy sighed before I felt the empty space on my bed sinking in.

"You can use anything in my closet to sleep," I said before I turned to meet her gleaming eyes.

I felt a sharp pain.

"You okay?"

"Yea."

"May I use the bathroom?" Why would she need permission to go to the bathroom?

"It's over there." She smiled and went to the bathroom, limping. I took off my clothes and bruised torso.

"So much for being okay.." I breathe out and went to my closet for a new set of shirt and pants. Went Ash came out, I noticed she's wearing my good Charlotte band tee and sweats.

"You found the door that leads to the closet?"

"Is that a bad thing?" She asked.

"No, that's a good thing." She smiled before places her phone on my dresser and went to bed.

"It's okay if I sleep next to you right?"

"I don't mind at all." Actually, I'll like that. She smiled and closed her eyes.

I stood there watching her laying on my bed. I decided to go to the bathroom and brush my teeth and face before going to bed.

When I came out, I noticed Ash was asleep. I slowly went to bed and face her. I watched as her chest moved up and down, looking so vulnerable.

This is going to be a memorable night for me.

***

THIRD PERSON POV

Paxton was laying in his bed when his kind can't stop thinking about her ex-fiancée, Kiss. Paxton turned and saw a picture of her on his bedside table. He sighed and turned the picture down.

His mind wonder to that dreadful day when he discovered... Him.

To think that his own fiancée at the time, cheated on him with another man on his own bed, that was uncalled for.

He felt his tears began to flow again. Paxton wiped it off and smiled at himself.

"I will found someone better." He said to himself and turn off the TV.

He promised Nia that he would help her tomorrow. He closed his eyes and covered himself with his duvet.

*THE NEXT MORNING*

The next morning, Paxton was awakened by a delicious smell. As he recalled, he never asked the maid to prepared his breakfast since he planned to jog and had his breakfast at a local cafe.

After steering himself on the bed, he got up and went to grabbed his robe before went down to his kitchen.

"Blanche?" Blanche smiled at his brother in law as if nothing ever happened between them.

They both know whatever happened in the past, stayed in the past.

"I hope you're not mad. Iris and I used your guest room for our little shenanigans last night. I'll change the sheets myself." Paxton doesn't know how to react to that.

"Hey, brother." Iris startling her brother.

"Wow. After all these years and you still surprised by a sudden gesture huh?" Blanche chuckled and pour the mushroom soup into a bowl for everyone.

"Where's Zeva?" Paxton asked as he blows the hot soup.

"With Gemma. She's babysitting." Iris replied

"How's Iva?"

"She's fine. But I really hope Ash is fine." Iris nonchalantly answered.

"Why?" Paxton asked.

"She's been in a wrong place at the wrong time twice already," Iris said and take a sip of her juice.

"I'm going to see the girls later." Blanche nodded.

"I have to help Nia today since I promised her," Blanche said.

"Me too," Paxton said.

"Alright then. You two can go together. I'm pretty sure she asked Iva and Ash too."

Paxton was too busy thinking about his future, he doesn't even listen to what his sister has to say to about life and love. Paxton sighed and looked down at his bowl.

"I wish I'm not that easy to fall in love..." He said when he noticed both his sister and Blanche were gone.