Chapter 3 : THE BILLIONAIRE

Sharon didn't sleep.

The ideas in the messages persisted in her mind.

You are purchasing the correct items. You're forgetting something. You should have a safe place before Day Zero.

The one who sent them knew all.

She was on the verge of her bed looking at the lights of the town. In 30 days those lights would die. The roads would turn into battlefields. The hospitals would turn into slaughterhouses.

Only those who had prepared in advance would survive.

Sharon already knew which place she would go.

A disused resort, set outside the city. Thick concrete walls, underground rooms, private well and one road in. During her previous life, it was too late for any survivors and they killed one another for it.

This time, it would be her first to own.

Her phone buzzed. Her banker: All shares are liquidated.

She checked her bank account. More than enough.

She dialed the agent's number. I want the resort. I'll pay cash and I sign this day.

---

She was 3 hours later standing inside the property! It was perfect. Main building, guest houses, pool, generator room, high walls, forest behind high walls, and a large underground storage.

"I'll take it," she said and signed.

A black luxury car stopped at the entrance as she was walking back to her car.

Yesterday's car again.

Sharon's whole body tensed.

The door opened. A man came out of the house that was tall and had a suit on that was just right.Out came a tall man in a suit that was just to him. Cold face. Dark, unreadable eyes.

Alex Knight.

The billionaire.

Alex Knight's best game was in her final life when she constructed a solid foundation in the north. He had hundreds of survivors under his command. In year two, he saved her from raiders, when she was starving. She never could forget him.

It never occurred to her that she would meet him before Day Zero.

He walked directly towards her. "Sharon Carter?"

"Yes?"

This is the property that you purchased.

Sharon crossed her arms. "Do I know you?"

I know you, by name.

Then you should know if you don't like strangers asking me questions about my property, Mr. Knight.

A fraught, menacing smile. "Interesting, you're not what I heard.

“But what did you hear?”

That you are quiet, obedience.

"People change."

Alex lowered her eyes and then back up to her face, as if to catch a glimpse of something she had dropped in her hands. You're "purchasing a lot of supplies.

"I like shopping."

“Hundreds of kilos of rice?”

"I'm hungry."

"Medical supplies? Generators? Fuel?"

I'm not that healthy and I don't like having power outages.

He actually laughed. Quiet and low.

Sharon tried to avert her eyes.

“Why do you want to break up with Michael?” he asked.

Her face grew as cold as sheet of ice. It's none of your business.

You're right, but Michael is my business, he owes one of my companies enough money to destroy him.

Sharon almost smiled. That was new. Michael never said anything to her.

The girl studied Alex. "You don't seem surprised.

I know my husband.

"Ex-husband," he corrected.

Not yet... He hasn't signed yet.

If you aren't divorced,

What do you have in mind?

Alex stepped closer. The space between them disappeared. Don't touch Michael.

I don't need you to protect me.

No, I wasn't providing protection," he said, his eyes glued to hers. ““I was advising you.”“

"What's the difference?"

"You'll find out."

Then he turned and rode off to his car. His footsteps left on her fists, she watched him go. He was aware of her hoarding. He was familiar with Michael. Here she was, when he found her, the moment that she purchased the resort.

No coincidence. Not anymore.

Her phone vibrated.

Beware of Alex Knight.

Her head sprang into the air. Alex's car was already pulling away down the road.

A silent observer had been listening to the whole time.

Quick as lightning she typed, "Who are you?

Delivered. No reply.

She eyed the vacant road, and then the walls of the resort behind her.

30 days to doomsday.

Now she knew - the apocalypse wasn't the only thing that was coming for her. There was a game being played around her.

But she didn't know whether Alex Knight was enemy or ally, the only one to keep her alive.