Second chance with Mr Billionaire

Chapter2

Robin POV

Today, I turn eighteen. This was a day I had been looking forward to since I was ten because it was supposed to be the day I officially became a major part of the family business, but now that is nothing but a painful reminder of the death of my parents. I had to face the reality of losing my parents a year ago on my birthday and that was a real eye-opener for me because no one wanted to take on the burden of caring for the only daughter of Eric Bradford except my dad's antagonistic business partner.

I remember the first time I met Mr Russell. It was a week after my parents' deaths, a social worker had come to sign my discharge papers, so I could be taken to an orphanage. I remember asking the social worker what the orphanage was like and from her description, it wasn't so bad but then, Mr Russell came to pick me up and said he was going to be responsible for me. I felt relieved to know I wasn't all alone, that someone still cared about me even if it was my dad's business partner. I also remember my first mistake, the night I officially became a part of the family, when I dared to sleep on the couch rather than knowing my place and Mrs Russell set me straight by showing me my new accommodation.

A year had passed, I still lived in the garden house and hardly ever saw anyone because I wasn't allowed to go out of the house. Mrs Russell said it was too dangerous for me out there in the outside world. I got home schooled by a private tutor and Agnes brought my food. Although it has been frustrating, there was a silver lining to all this: there was Lionel. He was the one who saved me when I wanted to take my life a month after my parents' death. He bought me books and kept me company when I felt bored, but then six months ago he went back to college and I thought that was the end of seeing him, but he always came back. He even got me a secret phone so we could talk. About three months ago, he finally confessed his feelings for me and asked me to be his girlfriend. It felt like a dream come true, to know I could still be loved by someone despite the loss I had had to face. So here I was in a blue knee-length gown and my brunette hair styled to perfection by Agnes and I took one last look at the full-length mirror as Agnes' face lit up in delight.

“ You look beautiful Robin, like a princess that you are. I want you to go out there and have some fun. Lord knows you deserve it after being cooped up for too long in this place, breathe in some fresh air, have conversations with many of your age mates, and do not forget to be……….

“Be careful” I said, finishing her sentence for her. This was something Agnes always warned me about, even when she knew I was never allowed to leave the premises, I never really understood why, but she had good intentions for me and that was all that mattered. I left the garden house and went into the mansion.

I had only been to the mansion once and that was the first time I came to live with the Russells. It wasn't that curiosity never got the best of me, but I was always afraid I was going to be thrown out of the house and never see Lionel again so I followed Mrs Russell's rule, but to be inside the mansion again felt so surreal, the breathtaking portraits, the decorations, the music and varieties of dishes made me realize they went all out for my birthday and there were lots of guests, most of which I had never seen before, I looked around for Lionel, but he was nowhere to be found, I was about to go outside when I bumped into someone.

The impact wasn't a lot, but her drink spilled on her dress. I took a napkin next to me to wipe off the stain, apologizing when I heard her voice “ It's fine, I have had the dress for a while now, do not be too bothered”. I looked up to see the most gorgeous looking girl I had ever seen staring at me with a smile, she had a pixie cut that seemed to fit her oval face and the brownest eyes that complimented her hair.

“ Hi, I am Olivia, and by the looks of things, I guess you must be as lost as I am” she said with a smile, placing the empty wine glass on the nearest table to us“ what is your name”.I couldn't help but smile back at her before responding “ I am Robin, the birthday girl”.

She gasped in surprise before making a strange face, like she was trying to recall something, then out of the blue she says, “ oh my gosh, you are her, Mr Bradford's daughter, that Robin, I am so sorry about your parent's accident. I mean, I never really knew them, but I heard about it from Lionel. I am so sorry for your loss, a loss like that is hard to recover from” she says before suddenly pulling me for a hug.

“It's fine, it happened a year ago. I have found a way to adapt to my new life thanks to Mr Russell”.

“Yeah, obviously you are in a better place and Lionel's family seem to be doing a good job of taking care of you so you are in good hands”. If only she knew, I thought to myself.

Hearing her call Lionel's name suddenly reminded me of the reason I was about to go outside in the first place. “ Speaking of Lionel, do you have any idea where he might be?”

“Lionel took his dad’s car for a ride with friends, but he should be back soon. Can you please give me a minute,I need to use the restroom.I will be back soon”. I watched as Olivia left then turned to see Mrs Russell motioning for me to come. That was unlike her to try and talk to me, but I am guessing, since today is my birthday, she wanted to make an exception.

“My husband wants to see you” she said in her usual cold voice laced with anger.

“I see, can you please give me a minute, I need to let a friend know I am going to be stepping out”.

Mrs Russell’s face changed from that of anger to hatred and in the most venomous voice she said “Now” and that alone tells me all I need to know, I followed her upstairs and we both entered inside a room to see Mr Russell on a phone call, which he immediately cuts off as soon as we enter the room. He motions for me to sit while Mrs Russell goes to his desk to pick up some files. He gave me the most intense look before collecting the file from his wife and handing me the file and in a usual casual tone he says, “ Sign the papers”.