Chapter 3

Daniella's Pov

"Do you accept this offer?"

"I rather die alongside my father than sell my body to you!" I spat out in anger.

I got up and made my way out of his office, slamming the door shut behind me. He's such a bastard!

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"Are you sure he really said that?" Helena asked after I had told her what Mr. Ruiz had said.

"Yes he did."

"He didn't seem to be that kind of man according to what I heard." Helena said, lost in thoughts.

"People of his status appears to be noble men for their reputation sake, but when they are in doors they are wolves." I spat out in pure irritation.

"What will you do now? How are you going to raise twenty-five thousand in such a short period of time?" Helena asked, concerned.

That's where my problem lies, how am I going to raise such a huge amount of money in just one week?! To be honest, Mr. Ruiz was my only hope, now I am lost on what to do now or who to run to now.

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It's been a week now and no sign of Carlos or his men, maybe they have information that my father's still in the hospital, probably they are waiting for his arrival which terrifies me. I am not able to raise up half of the money and this failure of mine is making me consider taking mr. Ruiz's offer.

After clearing the dishes I came back from the hospital with, I quickly made some broth for my father. The doctors say he should eat healthy if he wishes to recover quickly, after I was done I made sure it's well packaged in his food flask before placing it in the food basket.

After being done with that, I made my way to my room to freshen up but I came to a terrifying halt when my eyes landed on Carlos sitting in the centre of the sitting room with his men behind him. Fear gripped me, I can't run even if I wanted to. Recalling what he said he would do me terrifies me even more!

"So your father's still hospitalized?" Carlos voice came, startling me.

I just nodded to it, not wanting to meet his gaze.

"So I won't be able to get my money today?" He asked.

"Please…if you…you could spare us some more time, I…"

"Bullshit!" He roared and the next thing I heard was a gunshot.

I screamed while covering my ears in fear, I don't know where he had shot that but am very sure he didn't shoot me as I don't feel any pain.

"Bring her her." I heard him.

I heard heavy footsteps and the next thing my arms were hijacked by strong hands, those hands pulled me up to my feet and dragged me in front of Carlos before the let my arms go. Being on my knees in front of him, I couldn't dare to meet his gaze and I'm so terrified to death on what he plans on doing to me.

"Listen here, I have pardoned your father for far too long and I'm done now. Allow me to use you to teach him how not to deal with someone like me." He said, very close to my ear.

The next thing I knew, he grabbed my arms making me look up at him.

"I'll have you right here and now, then after am done my men will take turns. That's the price your father will have to pay for not being able to pay his debt." He said, making my eyes go wide.

"Please…Please don't do this." I pleaded, hoping he'd show some mercy.

He grabbed my arms that I had to get up with him, he dragged me to the dinner table and threw me at it. My body threw everything on the table to the ground, I turned to face him with tears in my eyes as he took steps closer to me. Without thinking, I grabbed a table knife on the take and used it on his face.

It made him held his cheek in pain, I thought of using that as an advantage to escape since I am very close to the door, but he pushed my head against the wall. Everything around me was spinning, my head was hurting so much that I started feeling so weak and unable to make out what's happening around me.

I was dragged up by my arms again and pushed to a table, it felt like I am being pressed to it. Suddenly my shoulder became bare as my dress tore. Then I felt wet lips on my shoulder which brought me to my senses on what was still going on.

I cried and struggled to break free but it wasn't working, I am only getting weaker the longer I struggle. I bite down on my lower lip, praying and hoping for a miracle at least. Suddenly the weight on my back wasn't there anymore, making me fall to the ground. I could barely make out what was happening in front of me, but someone huge was beating up Carlos and his men to a plump.

"You want your money right, there have it and run along. If I ever see you here or around this family, I won't spare you, now get out!" My savior yelled.

I heard running footsteps on the floorboard till I couldn't hear them anymore, and that voice sounded so familiar. I heard footsteps walking towards me, I tried pulling away in fear but I was too weak to move another muscle.

"It's okay, it's okay, you're safe now." His voice came.

Everywhere seems to be spinning around me, but I still want to know who that voice belongs to. Before everything became blank to me, I was able to make out who that voice belonged to. It belonged to the man I had asked for a loan, the billionaire.

Mr. Ruiz.

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Javier's Pov

Looking at her lying on her bed unconscious, I couldn't help but think what would have been her fate if I had not been there in time to save her. Probably would have been raped multiple times by those dirty men till she passed out. I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if that happened.

She had come to me for help and I gave her a condition - to become my wife in exchange for it. I'm not sure why I did that but there was something about her that caught my interest. Was it her innocence, her courage or her confidence?

I wasn't completely sure if I was making the right decision till she came up, ready to accept my terms. I thought of testing her with a one night stand offer with me, knowing she's desperate for the money and wouldn't refuse. To my surprise she refused. I could bet my money that anyone in her situation would've accepted my offer without a second thought.

I was so thrilled that I had to do some digging on her and her family. I found out the reason for their debt and most especially her humble reputation. It was then I knew she was all I'd been searching for all these years, she's the one meant for the job.

"Have you informed her friend?" I asked Juan who's standing behind me.

Juan has been in my service for ten years now. Apart from being my butler, he's also my most trusted friend. I trust him with my life and that of my family. We both came down here to give her the contract pertaining to why she's becoming my wife, unfortunately we were met with a dire situation which we quickly averted. I had sent him to call her friend which I got to know about from the information gathered. She would want to see a friendly face when she awakes, I wasn't one.

"Yes sir, she'll be here shortly." He said.

I stood up and spared one last glance at her before turning and heading towards the exit, I soon paused in my steps but didn't look back.

"Stay with her till her friend has arrived." I instructed Juan.

"Of course, sir." Juan responded, nodding his head in affirmative.

With that assurance I left the house to the back seat of my car. With Juan there, I needn't worry about Carlos's men coming back. I would have stayed till her friend came, but I have other matters to attend to.

I hope she's well and okay with time.

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Daniella's Pov

I tried to open my eyes, but sharp pains shot through my head making me shut my eyes again. I tried opening them again and everything seemed blur at first till it finally readjust, I managed to turn my head a bit to see Helena dropping a glass of water on top of my wooden drawer.

I managed to sit up while holding my head to stop the throbbing going on in my head. In a second, Helena came and sat down on the bed.

"Thank the Lord you are awake, how are you?" Helena asked, sounding worried.

"Just this headache." I said, stifling a groan because of the pains.

"Oh, I'll give you some painkillers right now." Helena said and the next thing she went into the kitchen. After a moment she came back with a glass of water and some pills in her hand which I guess are the painkillers. She handed it to me, I took it and gulped it down with the glass of water.

"Thank you." I said, handing the empty glass cup to her.

"What really happened?" She asked, making me to recall everything that happened till I passed out.

All the fear I felt then started rushing through me again, I wasn't sure what had happened. Yes! I recall someone came in just in time and saved me, but I didn't see the face of my savior…just his voice is all I heard when he spoke to me.

A familiar voice…

"Dani?" Helena's voice came interrupting my thoughts. "Tell me what had happened?" She asked, curious.

"It…It was Carlos and his men…they came wanting to get their money we owe and when I couldn't give them what they wanted…they tried raping me." I said, recalling everything that happened.

"Oh my! I can't believe this! Carlos is such a monster!" Helena exclaimed in shock.

"But someone saved me…but I don't know who." I said, trying to recall if maybe by chance I took a glimpse of my savior.

"It was mr. Ruiz." Helena stated.

I pause for a minute.

"Huh, what are you saying?" Confusion was plastered over my face.

"Ruiz was the one that saved you and got you treated. He also sent one of his men to call me over to watch over you before he left." Helena explained further, leaving me surprised.

So he is my savior?

I actually owe him my life…

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A week after the incident, my father was discharged from the hospital. We never heard from Carlos or his men and I was yet to go over and thank Mr. Ruiz for saving my life. I'd been so occupied with doing odd jobs to try and raise enough money for the hospital bills.

Helena turned out to be upset with me for not going to thank Mr. Ruiz for saving my life. She persuaded me till I finally gave in to her demands. To be honest going to say thank you to him wasn't the problem, but facing him is, after his last uncomfortable offer.

Now I'm standing in front of his study room, the man in black tuxedo as usual gave a light knock on the door before he opened it and motioned for me to go in.