The Billion's

Chapter 18

IVA'S POV

"Trust me on this," She slowly took my hand and helps her up to the helicopter. I buckled her on the seat and gave her the headphones to cover her ears.

"Iris?" She said through the mic. Iris turned and smiled.

"Hello. Welcome to Iris airline." Ash smiled.

"You know how to fly this thing?" She asked. Iris gave her a thumbs up...

"I have my license if you wondering." Iris chuckled and I went to Ash's side before buckling myself up. I smiled at her while putting my own headphones on.

Iris turned back and Ash actually just grabbed my hands and squeezed it.

"Don't worry. I trust her with my life." She slightly jumped when the helicopter lifted while Iris just laughed.

When we flew above the city of Los Angeles, I gave her an assuring smiled.

"Look... It's the city at night time.." Ash slowly looked at the side.

"Wow.." She breathes out.

"Next stop, Iva's hideout." Iris turned the helicopter around. I'm loving this feeling too much.

"Don't worry. I promise, when we go back, I'll drive." I chuckled and I can feel Ash nodded her head.

Several minutes later, I noticed the familiar sight of a mansion on top of a hill.

"We're almost there," I said to Ash. Iris flew around the mansion and landed on the helipad.

"Where are we?" I smiled when we're inside the mansion.

"My private hideout. It's the place where I find my own solace." Once she's inside I closed the door and smiled.

"Let's go to the kitchen." She nodded and followed me to the kitchen.

I was happy that Blanche and Zoe helped me preparing this little dinner for us. But the thing I don't understand, why... Why was there rose petals everywhere on the floor?

On the couch, on the cabinet, even the dining table, it's all over the place. I turned at Ash while Ash turned to me.

"Seems like there's a hurricane went through my home before we arrived." Ash chuckled.

Once the clock hit 8 pm, the stereo system started to play, leaving us both startled by the sudden song that was played.

"Wonderful Tonight huh.." Ash said and smiled.

I smile sheepishly.

Damn it! They both going to die! I clear my throat and went to the kitchen. I was about to open the fridge when a note stops me.

"We prepared everything on the dining table." It says.

I took a peek at the dining hall and my eyes widen. There's a heart shape rose petal perfectly arranged on the table.

I did say be romantic but not this cheesy! I sighed again while shaking my head. I managed to put on my ... a normal face without showing any sign of nervousness when I invited her to dinner.

I slide the chair for her and she chuckled when she saw the rose petals.

"Bon appetite," I said before we both begin to eat. Blanche's really a great cook. I can see why Iris seems a little 'healthier' than she normally looks.

"Did you cook this?" I shake my head.

"Blanche." She gave this look on her face when I said her name. Well, I too will never believe that a woman like Blanche can make something so tasty.

"Is there something on my face?" She asked when she caught me staring at her.

"It's just you're too beautiful," I said. Ash blushed when she heard me.

"Oh. Before I forget, Arnold, Alessa and I were planning to visit his daughter at Jackson Hill."

Ash said and I looked up from my plate.

"I wonder if you want to follow us? It's totally okay if you're busy." I smiled.

"When?"

"Tomorrow."

"How do you guys plan to go there?" I asked.

"Arnold said he will drive one of Alessa's car if you want to follow us. I was wondering if you want to see the town I grew up in." Ahhh, that's so thoughtful of her.

Maybe I will follow them since I received a list of names from my private investigator about the people who used to bully her.

"How about this... We will use one of my family private jet, and I'll ask the guards to drive one of my cars?"

Ash tries to decline my offer but I beat her to it.

"Either way my father will ask the guards to follow us." She sigh in surrender when I finished the argument.

"I'll text my guards now," I said and reached for my phone.

After I texted the head guard, I turned my eyes to her again.

"Are we staying?" I asked her about the trip.

"Well Arnold wants to introduce Alessa to our grandparents, so yes. Maybe 2 days." I nodded.

"Okay. I will pack later." I smiled.

"Tell me about Jackson Hill," I said.

"It's beautiful. The nature, the view. I love it there." I noticed her expression turn dark.

"But the people weren't so nice to me. Especially the kids at school." I reached for her hand and squeezed it lightly, showing her that I'm here for her.

"I promise you, I will protect you with my life. That's my vow to you." I smiled and leaned in to kiss her hand. That little gesture made her blushed in a deep shade of red.

When my lips touched her soft skin, I feel different. I feel I want to just grab her and kiss her on the lips.

"Iva..." She called me. I looked up and saw her flushed face.

"I'm sorry. But... After what happened between Estella and me, I want to take it slow. I want to get to know you better. Don't get me wrong about this little gesture, I love it, I truly am.." She took a breather.

"But, is it okay for us to take it slow?" I gave her my most loving smile and nodded. That's a yes right? Well sorta.

"Of course Ash... Of course.." I kissed her hand again and sit.

After we're done washing the dishes, we decided to watch a movie together. Since I only downloaded horror movie, she wanted to watch something on YouTube.

We were too engrossed in watching the videos to even realized that it's already late.

"How about we just sleep here?" I suggested.

Ash agreed.

"Sure.." I lead her to my room and opened the door.

"The last time I slept here was last Christmas." She went to bed and lay down

"You sleep fully clothes?" I realized my words came out wrong when her eyes widen.

"I mean in those?" Ash chuckled.

"Do you have any tank top and shorts then?" I grabbed some from my closet.

"Here.." I handed it to her and pointed the way to the bathroom. Since she's going in there, I decided to change in the bedroom and put on my baggy shirt and shorts.

But before I get to put on the shirt, she came in and gasped. I turned around and chuckled.

"You saw me with a bikini on." I cover my breast area and put on my shirt.

"I'm sorry." She said and went to bed. I wave it off and place my phone and wallet on the bedside table. I watched her getting herself comfortable and turned to the other side.

I dim the light a little.

"Goodnight Ash..."

"Goodnight.." She said and I closed my eyes.

This night turned out okay.

***

THIRD PERSON POV

"Why couldn't we have stopped 30 minutes ago in the last town? Arnold, I am back here in Jackson Hill to meet my niece. I really don't want to run into anyone from the past." Iva reached over and took her hand.

"It will be fine. We are here to eat. If anyone does try anything, they will have to deal with all of us." Ash sighed and they all got out. Iva held onto Ash's arm to help her walk in.

The first thing Ash did was look around at the people inside. She felt really uneasy about being there. Ash didn't wait for a waitress to seat them. She walked to the far booth, away from everyone and sat down.

Arnold, Iva, and Alessa followed.

As they sat and ate, Iva noticed someone who kept looking at Ash. Ash had been keeping her head down almost the whole time so she didn't notice. Iva stood up and walked over to the group watching Ash.

"I noticed you are watching my friend. Is there something I can help you with?" Iva asked. The group was surprised that Iva talked to them.

"We noticed Arnold Starbust over there with you. We were just looking at the other girl with you." Iva turned.

"That is Abigail Starbust." They all stared in shock.

"Now that you know everyone, you can stop staring and mind your own business." Iva turned to walk away but she heard one girl say.

"Wow, Abigail looks so different. She actually looks... pretty." Iva smiled and sat back down and put her arm around Ash.

After a while, they all left. Before they went in, Alessa asked Arnold once again.

"Arnold, do you think you brought enough stuff?" Alessa asked.

All four of them has gifts and needs for the baby in hand. Arnold knocks on the door until Isabelle opened it. She was carrying a baby. Arnold beamed when he saw her.

"Hey, Rebecca! How is my girl?" Arnold put down the gifts and put his hands out to her.

She smiled as he took her and kissed her cute little cheek. When Ash saw the baby she had no doubt in her mind that this is Arnold's kid. She had his beautiful eyes, nose, hair and even pouty lips.

"I can't believe you are already 9 months old. You are getting so big." They all came in and Isabelle asked them to sit down. A man walked in from behind Isabelle.

"Arnold this is Xander. He is my fiancée. Xander this is Rebecca's father." Isabelle introduced.

They shook hands and then everyone else introduced. Isabelle and Xander were surprised by all of the gifts and baby things Arnold had brought. He brought food, diapers, toys and even clothes.

Iva looked around. It was a small house and It didn't have much in it. She could see Isabelle and Xander didn't have much but they seemed happy and the baby looked healthy and taken care of.

They sat for hours talking and getting to know Rebecca better. It was time to head back home and they all could see Arnold's mood change. They could tell he didn't want to leave his daughter.

"You know you are welcome to come here any time and see her." Arnold smiled.

"You bet I will." They all said their goodbyes and then left.

***

STARBUST HOUSEHOLD

Ash and Arnold walk in as they lead both Alessa and Iva in.

"Ash, Arnold! It's been so long! I'm so happy to see you!" Their grandma hugged them followed by their grandpa.

"Grandma this is my girlfriend Alessa and our friend Iva," Arnold said.

"It's very nice to meet you, " Alessa said as she reached her hand out.

"Oh, honey we don't shake hands around here. We hug." Their grandma hugged Alessa and Iva as well.

"Come in and sit down. Your Aunt Tami went to get a few things from the store and your uncle is out at back. You will meet them all soon. But we have some time to chat. Alessa tells me about yourself."

Alessa smiled.

"There isn't a whole lot to tell. I go to school with Arnold, Ash, and Iva."

"She is a cheerleader." Arnold quickly added in there. They all laughed.

"That's important?" His grandpa added.

"Anyways" Alessa nudged him.

"Arnold and I met in school and we hit it off right away." Grandma leaned over and patted Iva's hand.

"Are you a cheerleader too." Iva shakes her head immediately.

"No. This is as close as I get to cheerleaders." Iva retorted.

"Hey!" Alessa said. Just then their uncle walks in and Arnold introduced him as well. It didn't take their Aunt Tami to come home from her shopping as they enjoying their talk.

Together with Dylan and his older brother, Eric walked in and greeted their cousins. Both boys turned to Iva and enjoying the view of Iva's body figure in front of them. The boys noticed their mom didn't stop to greet their cousins.

She didn't stop to say anything at all. She just walks to the kitchen.

"I will go help your Aunt in the kitchen. Dinner will be ready soon." Their grandma excused herself and went to find Tami who was leaning up against the counter.

"What is wrong Tami? We have guests and your niece and nephew are here so why did you ignore them?" Her mother asked her.

"I was just at the store and I overheard someone talking and they said that Abigail is dating that Iva girl she brought here. I just can't believe this." Their grandma looked shocked.

"How could Abigail do this to the family? Do you think anyone else knows?" Tami shook her head.

"I don't know but I'm not going to pretend I don't know." They finished making dinner and then served it.

"Grandma, Aunt Tami this is all so good," Ash said and everyone agreed.

"I'm so relieved that the lesbian in the family still likes my cooking." Everyone went silent. They were all taken by surprise.

"Yes, I heard that girl is your girlfriend." Tami motioned at Iva without looking at her.

"Aunt Tami....."

"I don't want to hear it, Ash. You have embarrassed this family and there is no excuse for it. You should be more like Arnold and bring a guy here. Not sneak around and bring girls here to meet us, saying you are friends."

Tami stopped to take a sip of her drink and Ash didn't even know what to say. She was so embarrassed by her Aunts ranting. Iva just smile at her when she heard what her aunt says. If only her aunt knows who was she talking about. Iva didn't want to intervene just yet.

She didn't want to put the Aunt in her place. She wasn't sure if that would upset Ash. "M

"I just don't understand why you would want to be with a girl anyways. You can't have children with her and even if you adopted a child or had a sperm donor, what kind of life would that be for a child. Having 2 mommies. That's disgusting to even think about." Her aunt added.

That's when their Uncle stepped in.

"Tami that's enough."

"Seriously Dan? I'm just getting started. This girl can't make Ash happy. Not in life and definitely not in bed. They can't even have real sex." Dan then stood up and took Tami by the arm and excused them.

Their grandpa looks horrified.

"I'm sorry for her rudeness." That's when their grandma spoke.

"Why are you apologizing? I agree with Tami." She stood and walked out.

Iva wished she could disappear right now. It's because of her that this family dinner turns out like this. She turned to Iva who's still eating her dinner. Arnold and Alessa looked at each other, worried about Iva's wrath.

When Iva has done with her dinner, she looked up to the Starbust and Alessa. "M

"Judge me all you want but don't judge her." Iva pointed to Ash. Eric scoffed.

"All you do is sins, Abigail. Remember God." Iva scoffed.

"And you wise guy, don't tell me you don't have s*x in college because I heard your phone buzzing for the past hour." Iva placed her forks and spoon on the plate.

"Don't you know the sins of having s*x without any proof you're married to her?" Arnold turned to the side to hold his laugh. Alessa nudged his side and shush him.

Aunt Tami walked in with grandma.

"I'm sorry but we have a full house tonight. So your friend here has to stay at the hotel." Ash and Arnold can't believe their aunt and grandma just chases Iva and Alessa out.

"But you can stay Alessa." Aunt Tami smiled. Alessa looked at Iva. Iva shakes her head a little and smiled.

"That's alright. I can stay at the mayor's house." Grandpa spits out some of his drinks.

"The what?"

"Mayor.." Iva reached for her phone. She dialed the Mayor number and waited for him to answer.

"You can follow your girlfriend to Ash." Aunt Tami smugly said She didn't even look at her niece.

"Uncle Hayes? It's Iva Billion. Can I stay at your house for the night?.... Thanks..." Iva hangs up and smiled.

"Come on Ash. We are not allowed to stay in this house filled with 'angels'." Iva threw a key at Arnold.

"This is the key to a car that my guard will send later on. Use it. And Alessa, I wish you well in this house filled with angels who got their wings cut off by the devil. Take care. Just call me when it's time to go home." Iva turned and walks out.

Ash was having a second thought on following Iva to the mayor's house but Arnold gave her sister his approval.

"That's one hell of a family you have.." Iva said once they both inside the car.

"I'm sorry..." Ash could only say and Iva started to drive.