CHAPTER 1: HER BIRTH

A young boy descended the stairs, his fingers curled tightly around the cold rail. His ears twitched at the scream that was coming out of the labor ward, digging into his skin like a needle. A woman was in labor, but he hated the woman behind that door.

He tightened his grip on the rails as he climbed down the stairs, slowly.

He wasn’t there because he wanted to. He was there because they owned his life.

The door to the ward opened, and a man stepped out.

“Would you come inside this ward or do you want me to drag you in, orphan child” he said, and went inside the ward.

The boy glared at the closed door as if he was seeing the couple directly. He couldn't seem to get used to being called an orphan child, an orphan child they made him become. The memories still lived in his head... young and fresh.

He got to the ward and held the door bolt. The woman’s screams got louder in his ears. He wished he could hurt them for all the things they'd done to him, but what could a poor orphan child do?

He creaked open the door and, coincidentally, the baby came out, breathed the first breath and cried.

The nurse carried the baby, while the cry still pierced the air. His eyes found hers, and he stared at her child’s bloodied, innocent and wrinkled eyes.

The father walked near the child. “I will call you Ixora” he said with a smile.

The joy of being called a father after so many years. His wife was unconscious.

He took backward steps, the name ‘Ixora’ ringing in his head... a name he swore not to forget.

He turned and started leaving the hospital.

“Orphan boy, come back here; where do you think you are going?” the woman’s husband called after him, but he didn’t stop.

He walked on, without looking back, without stopping, had no direction in mind, but he knew it was time for him to leave.

The couple waited for him, but he never returned. Seconds turned into minutes, minutes to hours, hours to days, days to weeks, weeks to months, months to years and...

20 YEARS LATER

“Do you miss Ixora Castellan, take Mr. Drexton Blackthorn to be your lawfully wedded husband?” the wedding priest asked.

Ixora nodded, her face beaming with smiles beneath the veil that covered her face.

Getting married to the crush of your life has been every girl’s dream and, for Ixora, it was no less different.

The man standing in front of her was everything she needed in a man.

“You may now kiss your bride” the priest announced, interrupting her thoughts.

Drexton slowly lifted her veil, and both started leaning in.

Just before their lips could meet...

The loud sound of her alarm rang, waking her up from her sleep.

She opened her eyes and turned off the alarm.

She exhaled.

Like always, she had never gotten to kiss her groom.

Something always interrupts her dream right before he can kiss her.

Ixora Castellan; rich hazel eyes, bold and thick eyebrows, well-shaped nose, crimson lips, long dark thick hair and flawless skin. She is the only daughter of Mr. and Mrs Castellan, one of the wealthiest families in the whole of New York.

Her eyes went to the wall clock; “7:45 am” she screamed.

“How could I wake up so late?” she said, and climbed down the bed, into the bathroom.

In less than 10 minutes, she ran out dressed in a casual short jean skirt and tank top.

She had sexy curves.

She used her finger to brush her hair while running down the stairs.

She needed no make-up — she was a natural beauty.

“Morning mom, and dad. Oh Hazel, thank goodness you are already here” she said in a hurry.

Hazel is her best friend, more like her sister.

“Ixora, I was...”

“There is no time, we have to leave” Ixora dragged her, and they both ran out of the room.

“Are you sure that is my daughter? Who stalks over a guy they are crushing on?” Mr. Castellan said.

“You should be able to answer that as well,” Mrs Castellan rolled her eyes, fixing her well-manicured nails.

——

“Hazel, we have to hurry, else I’d not get to see him,” Ixora said, dragging Hazel by the hand.

“Ixora, slow down, please” Hazel pleaded, panting in between.

Both girls’ hair flowed with the wind, their slippers slapping on the tiled streets of New York.

“You should have woken me up? Why did you allow me to oversleep?” Ixora asked.

“When you are getting married to your crush, should I have disturbed you?” Hazel replied with a question.

She knew Ixora very well. The girl who had a weird way of crushing on somebody.

They got to the magnificent skyscraper that stood tall, and coincidentally, a Maybach car was just pulling up at the company.

“Let's find a spot” Ixora said, and they both hid in their favorite spot—behind the gate where no one would see them, not even the security guards.

The door opened, and he stepped out, just like a king in his gray suit, with the jacket hung in his arms.

Reporters immediately swooned around him, each trying to catch a glimpse of his face.

The bodyguards prevented the reporters from touching him as he walked in. He strode to the door before facing the media.

His visage alone was something to die for; sharp nose, curved jawline, high cheekbones and a smile that would make anyone go crazy.

Drexton Blackthorn.

Owner of Blackthorn Automobiles, one of the biggest automobile companies in the world, and they also deal in high-tech stuff. All this makes him the youngest and richest billionaire in the world, but what made him so unique was the smile that was always on his face... or at least that’s what people thought.

“Isn’t he so handsome?” Ixora said dreamily, taking secret pictures of him as always.

Drexton’s pictures filled her phone galleries.

Hazel looked at Ixora but only shook her head.

She had gotten used to Ixora’s behavior.

*Mr. Blackthorn, please tell us the reason behind your success?

*You are an inspiration to many people.

Instead of replying, he looked in the direction Ixora and her friend were hiding and smiled before facing the reporters.

“Did you see that? He smiled at me?” Ixora gushed.

“He always does that, Ixora” Hazel said, but Ixora was far gone, staring at him as he walked in.

“Since he’s gone, can we leave now?” Hazel folded her arms above her chest.

Ixora looked at her. “Don’t give me that look. You can’t blame my heart for choosing him," she said.

Hazel shook her head and started walking away.

“Hazel, wait up,” Ixora ran after her.

**DREXTON 'S OFFICE**

Drexton hung the shirt on the chair before sitting on the chair.

For someone like him, who smiled some minutes ago, the smile on his face was gone.

His assistant stood waiting for him.

“Go on," Drexton said.

“Rothrock company wants 100 cars delivered to them,” Kian read.

Drexton raised his brow. “That is all sir, Tasha would inform you about your schedule,” Kain said, his voice professional.

Drexton nodded.

Kain bowed and left.

Some minutes later, Tasha walked in, dressed in a black and white shirt and skirt.

The skirt was short, and the first three buttons of the shirt had been unbuttoned.

She had always been trying to get his attention, but Drexton had always overlooked it.

Today, she was determined.

Drexton had his eyes fixed on her as she read his schedule.

“Send in my coffee” he told her when she was done.

She left the office.

In a few minutes, she returned with the cup of hot coffee and placed it on the table.

Drexton was someone who preferred drinking coffee before starting his daily activities.

He picked up the cup and brought it closer to his lips when his nose caught a smell coming from the coffee.

Tasha stood there with so much anticipation, waiting for him to drink the coffee.

He looked at her.

“What did you add to this coffee?” he asked in a low voice.

“Sir... I... nothing” she refused.

How did he find out?

“I don’t repeat myself” he said, his voice low and dangerous, different from the man who was smiling at the media.

Tasha began trembling, cold sweats forming on her forehead.

“No... Nothing sir...”

She fell on her butt when he opened the drawer and took out a gun, pointing it at her.

“Sir, it is an aphrodisiac. Please don’t kill me” she cried, shifting back with her butt.

“You are fired,” he said coolly, and pushed a red button on his table.

The door slid open, and Kian walked in.

Seeing the gun in Drexton’s hand and Tasha on the floor, he instantly understood the situation.

“Take her away, and start looking for a replacement," Drexton ordered.