Love Game With The Rebel Billionaire

"HOW did you know I was in pain?" I asked Ash, who was now cleaning my wounds with alcohol.

I winced every time the cotton touched my wounds, but I couldn't help but smile when I saw him blow on each wound as if that would make the pain disappear.

I couldn't believe I had failed to appreciate this side of him before.

"I'm observant when it comes to you," he replied briefly, applying band-aids to my wounds.

There were so many that I thought he might use up the entire first-aid kit. I didn't even know there was one in the auditorium.

"Be careful," he added as I put my blazer back on. The bruises still stung, but compared to earlier, it was tolerable.

Just as I was about to leave for school, Dad decided to take his frustrations out on me again. He was angry because he had no more money for gambling. I had hidden all my savings in the bank so he couldn't touch them. Even if he killed me, he wouldn't get a single penny from me.

"Ash."

"Yeah?"Copyright by Nôv/elDrama.Org.

"Do you really... like me?" I bit my lip as I asked that.

He looked at me with a frown. I closed my eyes, wanting to disappear. Why did I ask that? I knew he had been avoiding me lately, and he was probably only helping me now out of pity. "No..." he replied calmly.

I felt my heart shatter into pieces because of his answer. Life was cruel, wasn't it? I told myself I wouldn't fall for the man I hated most, yet here I was, on the verge of tears because of him.

I was about to tell him it was a joke, that I was just messing with him. That was the only way I knew to save my pride from this humiliation.

But then he spoke.

"I think I love you... so much that I can't take it anymore," he said, giving me a peck on my lips. "Try to open up your heart to me so you can see how sincere I am, Sapphire." IT'S BEEN a few days since Ash and I met, and he told me those words, but I still can't stop thinking about them. It was like it just happened yesterday, even though it didn't.

After that, he didn't speak to me again, and I haven't seen him much at university either. Evangeline told me he was busy with his internship, just like Mason.

"Miss Miller?" the secretary called as she approached me. "Good job. The boss liked your performance. Keep up the good work," she said before raising her right hand to give me a thumbs-up. "Thank you."

I smiled back at her, feeling relieved that our conversation helped me stop thinking about Ash for a while.

She placed an envelope containing an evaluation form on my desk before leaving. I was in an empty meeting room, where there weren't any security cameras-just chairs, a table, and a projector. Despite that, the place still looked nice.

This internship was my breather. If only they could give me more tasks to do, but the university would call them out if they overworked us.

I still don't know what to do. Ash was giving me time to think about everything... but none of it made sense.

"A penny for your thoughts?" A man in a white long-sleeved shirt and black slacks sat in front of me.

He set down a strawberry shake in front of me, making me smile.

"I thought you were busy?" I asked Mason, raising an eyebrow.

"Why wouldn't I make time for you, right?" He smiled at me before crossing his arms.

Looking at him now, I'd think he'd just come from a photoshoot, not an internship. This is why people say life is unfair-people like him don't need to put in much effort to look their best. They look great just by existing. "How are you finding this place?" he asked, glancing around the room. "I hope they're treating you well. If they're mistreating you here, I'll transfer you somewhere else immediately."

"They do." I smiled, taking a sip before continuing. "They treat their employees well, and they offer a generous allowance. I competed with hundreds of accountancy students just to get here. I know my worth." "That's my Sapphire," he complimented with a wink, clearly having nothing better to do.

"What's your real motive for being here?"

I didn't miss the smirk on his face when I asked that. Mason wouldn't come here just because he was bored. He may be a good brother, but he's not that dedicated.

He may protect me at times, but that's as far as it goes.

"Stay away from Ash."

"Isn't this déjà vu?" I asked with a laugh, remembering that he had said the same thing the first time we talked.

"I'm dead serious."

If you're loving the book, nel5s.org is where the adventure continues. Join us for the complete experience-all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! His jaw clenched, and his right hand balled into a fist as he said it.

"I've been swamped with everything, and I can't handle it all at once. Evangeline's been busy too, which is why she hasn't been able to look out for you much either. Just cooperate with us, and we'll keep you safe."

"Who's protecting who?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. "Who should I trust, Mason? Ash, who tells me how he feels, or you and Evangeline, who keep everything from me?"

"It's for your own good," he said firmly, his voice rising but not enough to be considered shouting.

I was momentarily stunned before clapping my hands at his outburst. I was used to him being quiet or calm.

Right now, he reminded me of a snake. He was Ash's best friend, yet he was the one stabbing him in the back.

"I like Ash," I said casually. "He feels the same. He's confessed many times before, but he did it again a few days ago."

I had no intention of hiding that from him. I planned to tell him whenever he found time, but I hadn't expected him to come here and say these things.

"You can't." He pointed at me with a glare. "You'll get hurt. I'm telling you. Don't drag yourself into the mess I'm trying to protect you from."

"No, Mason." I shook my head and stood up.. "Don't dictate my life. If that's why you claim to be my brother, then we're better off forgetting each other again."

I hate it when someone tries to control my life. He rarely shows up, and when he does, this is what he has to say.

I'd much rather deal with Evangeline's attitude-she may be difficult, but at least she lets me make my own decisions.

I was about to open the door when I stopped at his next words.

"If it weren't for me protecting you, you wouldn't be here, Sapphire," he said with a meaningful tone. "When your mother learned of the lengths I went to protect you, she entrusted your whole life to me. I promised I'd protect you no matter what, and I'm not going to break it."