2. THE ENCOUNTER

POV Alexander

The next day, the sun was shining brightly over the city, but it did nothing to warm the coldness inside my office.

I sat behind my massive mahogany desk, staring at the thick brown file folder lying in front of me. The name written on the tab was simple, yet it felt like it was burning into my eyes.

ISABELLA GRACE.

"Tell me everything," I ordered without looking up, my fingers steepled under my chin.

Dimitri stood at attention in front of my desk, his voice deep and formal as he reported.

"Isabella Grace, 25 years old. She is a surgical intern at St. Catherine Hospital. Orphaned at a young age, raised in the church orphanage. Top of her class, has no criminal record, no debts, and... no family."

I finally opened the file. My eyes scanned every single detail. Photos of her smiling, photos of her studying, her address, her daily routine.

She lived in a small, shabby apartment downtown. She took the subway to work every day. She ate lunch at the cafeteria. She was living a life so simple, so pure... completely opposite to the darkness I lived in.

"She has no connections," I murmured, a smirk playing on my lips. "No father, no brother, no boyfriend to protect her. She is completely alone."

"She is just an ordinary girl, Boss," Dimitri added. "Why are you interested in her? She is nothing like the women you usually go for."

"That is exactly why," I stood up and walked towards the floor-to-ceiling window, looking down at the busy streets below. "Everyone fears me. Everyone wants my money or my power. But her... she looked at me like I was just another annoying person. She didn't tremble. She didn't bow."

I turned around, my eyes turning dark and intense.

"I want her, Dimitri. I want to know everything about her. And I want her close to me."

THE CHASE

Three days later.

I wasn't supposed to be here. I was supposed to be in a meeting with the investors, but I found myself driving my own car, following a small white sedan from a distance.

Isabella was driving. She looked focused, tapping her fingers on the steering wheel to the rhythm of the music. She looked so carefree. So beautiful.

Suddenly, my phone rang. It was Dimitri.

"Boss, we have a problem. The Vory brothers made a move. They ambushed our warehouse at the port. There are casualties."

"I don't care," I replied coldly, my eyes still fixed on her car. "Handle it."

"Boss?!" Dimitri sounded shocked. "This is serious! They are provoking you!"

"I said handle it!" I snapped, ending the call and throwing my phone on the passenger seat.

Right now, nothing else mattered. Not the war, not the money, not the power. Only her.

I followed her until she stopped at a small park near her apartment. She got out, bought an ice cream, and sat on a bench, reading a book.

She looked like an angel who had fallen from heaven.

I parked my car in the shadows and watched her for almost an hour. Watching her smile, watching her bite her lip when she focused. It was addictive.

But then... things took a turn.

Three large men in leather jackets appeared out of nowhere. They surrounded Isabella’s bench, blocking her way. I could see them laughing lewdly, saying things that made her stand up and look scared.

My grip on the steering wheel tightened until my knuckles turned white.

The beast inside me woke up instantly.

No one touches what is mine.

 

THE SAVIOR

POV Isabella

I was enjoying my quiet afternoon, but suddenly the atmosphere turned heavy. Three men were blocking my way, smelling like alcohol and cigarettes.

"Hey pretty girl, alone?" one of them grinned, reaching out to touch my hair.

I stepped back, my heart pounding fast. "Get away from me! I'm calling the police!"

"Police? Hahaha! In this neighborhood, we are the police!" another one laughed, grabbing my arm tightly.

I screamed and tried to struggle, but they were too strong. Fear consumed me. I thought this was the end.

SCREEECH!!!

A loud sound of tires breaking shattered the air.

A sleek, black Rolls-Royce Ghost stopped right in front of us, blocking the way. The windows were tinted black, looking mysterious and intimidating.

The door opened slowly.

A pair of expensive leather shoes stepped on the ground. Then, the rest of him emerged.

Tall, broad shoulders, wearing an all-black suit that looked expensive enough to buy this whole neighborhood. He stood there, and suddenly... the air felt freezing cold.

Even the thugs holding me froze. They recognized that aura. That terrifying presence.

The man lifted his head. His icy blue eyes scanned the scene, and when they landed on the hand grabbing my arm, his eyes turned deadly sharp.

"Let. Her. Go."

His voice was low, calm, but it carried a threat that shook the ground.

"Who the hell are you?!" the leader tried to act tough, but his voice was shaking.

The man didn't answer. He just took one step forward, and instantly, two huge bodyguards appeared from behind the car, holding silenced guns aimed straight at their heads.

"I asked nicely," the man in the suit said, his voice dripping with danger. "But it seems you idiots need a lesson in respect."

He looked at me, and his expression softened just a fraction.

"Come here, Isabella."

I recognized that voice. I recognized those eyes.

It was the man from the hospital!

Trembling, I pulled my arm free and ran towards him. As soon as I got close, he immediately stepped in front of me, shielding me completely from those men like a human shield.

He turned his head slightly to me, not taking his eyes off the enemies.

"Are you hurt, little bird?" he whispered.

I shook my head, clutching the back of his suit. "N-no..."

"Good."

He turned back to the thugs, his face turning into something truly terrifying. A cold, cruel smile spread across his face.

"You touched her. You scared her." He cracked his knuckles, the sound loud in the silent air.

"Dimitri," he called out.

"Yes, Boss!"

"Make them regret being born. But leave them alive enough to tell everyone what happens when you mess with my woman."

 

MOMENT OF TRUTH

I didn't watch what happened next. I closed my eyes and buried my face in his back, hearing the sounds of punches, breaking bones, and screams of pain.

When it was all over, he turned around and looked down at me.

He gently lifted my chin with his thumb and index finger, forcing me to look at him.

"Are you scared of me now, Isabella?" he asked softly, searching my eyes. "Now that you see what I really am?"

I should be scared. I should run away and never look back. This man was dangerous. He was a criminal. A monster.

But looking into his eyes, all I felt was... safety.

He saved me.

He was rough to the world, but gentle to me.

I bit my lip, then nodded slowly.

"I am scared..." I whispered. "But... thank you for saving me, Sir."

He stared at me for a long moment, then suddenly, he pulled me into a tight hug. His scent—expensive cologne mixed with danger—filled my senses.

"You don't need to thank me," he murmured against my hair. "And you don't need to call me Sir."

He pulled back slightly, looking deep into my soul.

"Call me Alexander. Or Alex."

And then, he dropped the bomb.

"And pack your things, Isabella. You are coming with me. From now on, you live under my roof, under my protection. Because I won't let anything happen to you ever again."

 

(To be continued...)