The Billionaire's Obsession: A Billionaire's Love Story

SAVANNAH’S POV

“Don't leave this room until you're done!” My stepmother Vera McGrathy’s voice split through the air, her face red with fury and disgust. “When it's time to serve we’ll call you.”

I stood in the dimly lit room, alone, clutching a mop stick with a bucket on another hand. My chest ached. I spontaneously wiped the hot tears gathered beneath my eyelids with my stained apron as cheers and laughter echoed from outside. How could they be celebrating my suffering? This is a nightmare I want to wake up from.

Thirty minutes later, I was finished cleaning. My stepmother’s stilettos echoed in the hall, growing louder until she was right in front of me again.

“Take this,” she snapped, flinging a dress at me. “Change into it. We can't have you looking like a maid in front of our guests.”

I scoffed, clutching the mop stick even tighter. Of course, I was a maid—one they used however they pleased. Ever since my father died, My step mother and sister changed from the loving family I once knew to vicious witches.

Without wasting much time, I changed into the dress, picked up a tray of drinks, then made my way to the hall.

My gaze fell on Jamie and Briannah and it made my stomach churn. Briannah stood in a flowing white dress and Jamie clung onto her in a tailored black tuxedo. Watching them made my chest ache as the air in the room suddenly became too thick. The two people who ruined my life—was karma even real?

They fooled me! Not just that, Jamie told me he had been in love with Briannah the whole time. He only wanted me for my inheritance, and chose to leave me after I lost it all to my stepmother.

To make things worse, I was now engaged to Jamie’s estranged cousin against my will just because my step mother couldn't pay her debt. I have never set my eyes on him but the stories I heard were brutal. He was a tyrant. Tears rushed down my cheeks uncontrollably. If I should continue, I would drown in a pool of it. I just can't marry a man I have never met.

My eyes were fixed on them for too long and I didn't even realize when I slipped. My body felt light, I faced the ceiling, the bright lights piercing through my eyes. Is this how I’d die? At least, I’d be free from this nightmare.

A pair of strong arms suddenly grabbed my waist. The hands flipped me, leaving me face to face with a handsome stranger. My tray fell, the drinks shattered on the ground.

His grey eyes locked on mine for what felt like an eternity. His jawline chiseled and firm, his hair dark as night. Everyone else was invisible. He was beautiful and unreal.

Slap! Briannah’s fingers landed across my face, pulling me out of thoughts. “Are you crazy, Savannah?”

I fell to the ground, my hands rubbed my stinging cheeks. “I'm…I’m sorry, I didn't mean to,” I blurted out. It felt like everyone's eyes were on me and I couldn't help but hide my face in shame.

“You are so clumsy and stupid. You never do anything right,” Jamie chipped in. My chest ached even more. The man I once loved and trusted, spitting such hurtful words.

Briannah raised her hands high, her fingers almost landing on my face again, when a baritone voice interrupted. “Stop!”

I raised my head slightly to see who it was. No one had ever stood up for me in front of them.

“I said stop!” the stranger said again, his voice deep and cool. “Don't lay your hands on her for a second time if you don't want to face the consequences.”

“Who is he?” I wondered. “Why is he helping me?”

“You don't have the right to threaten me at my own wedding,” Briannah responded, her voice trembling. “Jamie, tell your cousin to stay out of our family’s business.”

His cousin? My eyes widened as my pupils dilated. It can't be. The man who just saved me is my intended husband—Diego Montenegro. How come nobody told me?

“Savannah and I will be married soon so I would appreciate it if nobody destroys her pretty face for me. Understood?” He said, his eyes dangerously fixed on Briannah, an unexplainable darkness in his eyes. She trembled as her face went pale. Everyone went pale. It felt like his voice paused time and music.

He turned to me as his huge figure hovered around me, his hand stretched towards me. I placed my palms gently in his. It was surprisingly soft and he pulled me up.

“Try not to get into trouble again, little bunny,” he said, patting my head lightly.

“Little bunny?” I whispered, my lips curved into a smirk. What did he mean by that?

“Mr Diego, I….I wasn't expecting you today,” Vera stammered as she rushed to the scene. “Briannah sweetheart, please don't speak to Mr Diego like that,” she warned.

His voice turned cold. “I only came here to have a glimpse of the lady I intend to marry and this is how you present her to me?” he growled. Vera shuddered, stepping backward. He looked like a lion ready to pounce on its prey.

“Mr Diego. Don't worry about what just happened. I’ll make sure Savannah learns how to be more respectful,” Vera said, giving me a deadly glare. I trembled because I knew that look—I was in trouble. What would she do this time? Make me stand the whole night with ceramic on my palms or lock me out in the cold?

“Savannah will no longer serve at this party so if you'd excuse me, my fiancée and I have a wedding to plan,” he told her, grabbing my wrists as he dragged me towards the exit. They all stood there pale and quiet. It felt like this strange man I knew nothing about was dragging me to my doom.

When we got outside, a fair distance away from the party he left my hands, turned and walked away, his wide back swaying in the shadows.

“Is…is that all?” I stammered. I didn't expect him to speak to me or turn.

“Did you expect more, perhaps, little bunny?” he asked as he turned, his long legs, striding towards me. In seconds, his face was just a few inches away from mine. “Is that how you thank me for saving your ass?”

I could feel his warm breath against my skin, a mix of mint and alcohol. His face was clearer now as the moonlight spilled on us—he was nothing like I expected. I’d imagined a rough looking man with brown teeth but he was the complete opposite. But why did he seem so familiar? Have we met?

“Please,” I whispered. “I don't want to marry.” I covered my face with my palms.

He paused, staring intensely at me. “Do you have twenty million then?” He finally spoke, his voice slicing through the small silence.

“No….no,” I shuddered. Twenty million was the exact amount my step mother was owing him. Even if I worked my ass for three years I could never pay that.

“Then welcome to the Montenegro family. We will be married tomorrow,” his deep voice rang in my ears.