The Billionaire 1&2

Chapter 23

“Who is there?” Amber asked trying to act tough. She is on her morning walk around the garden when

she felt someone following her. “Is there anyone here?” She asked again as she feels her

surroundings.

She was startled when she heard a footstep behind her.

“Ma’am, are you okay?” A voice asked. When she turns around, it was no other than the new gardener.

“Ma’am?” Julian asked.

“Oh, it’s you.” She breathes in, calming her nerves.

“Are you okay, ma’am?” Julian asked.

“Yes, I’m fine.” She answered. “What are you doing here? You should not be here today.” She cannot

help not to ask. Ever since the man came to the mansion, she started feeling uncomfortable and that

someone is eyeing on her.

“We didn’t finish the work yesterday, so Mang Tirso decided that we will come again today.” Julian

answered while staring directly at her, making her uncomfortable. It seems that he’s been looking

through her soul.

“Is that so. Then I’ll leave you here then so that you can continue your work.” She said and immediately

leaves, she doesn’t want to be alone with that man.

Amber went directly to their room and checked her phone. Her heart beats fast when she saw a missed

call and message from Rafael. She immediately opened and read his message.

Hi, hon, how are you? I hope you are doing fine. Don’t worry too much about me. I am doing well

here… Well, maybe not because you’re not here beside me. But I will see you soon. Take Care!

She immediately dialled his number but disappointment awaits her as he cannot be reached. She

decided to write a reply to his message.

I miss you, hon. Come back home, please.

She sighed and hit the send button. She wanted to talk to someone so she called Danielle.

“Hey, sis, how are you?” She asked when Danielle answered her call.

“I’m fine sis.” Danielle answered. “Do you have any news about the boys?” She asked, concern is

evident on her voice.

“I just received a message from Rafael. He says that they are okay and they will be back soon.” She

said.

“Is that so… That’s great then.” Danielle said and sighed. “If only Joshua call or message us, his

parents are worried sick about him. We tried calling Gabriel but he is also out of reach.” Danielle said

then she heard a loud commotion. “I’ll call you back later, sis.” Danielle hurriedly said and cuts off the

line.

“What is happening to us?” She asked herself and let out a sigh. She is about to get out of the room to

have breakfast when her phone rings again. She excitedly checked it hoping that it was Rafael but to

her disappointment it was Shin Lim. She didn’t answer her phone and block the number.

“Good morning, mom, dad.” She greeted her in-laws who are in the dining table and waited for her.

“Good morning too, dear.” Allison greeted. “I was about to ask Berta to call you.” She added. “How is

your sleep?” Allison asked.

“I can’t really sleep last night because I spend the whole afternoon sleeping. That is why I took an early

walk around the garden.” Amber said as she took a sip on her milk.

“Is that so.” Allison nodded. “By the way, are you okay being alone here today?”

“Yes, mom, why?” She asked.

“Nico will be having a meeting later and I will be attending an outreach program. I want to bring you

with me but the travel is quite far.”

“It’s okay, mom. I am fine here.” She said. “I plan to finish the book I am reading today.”

“Ma’am Amber, telephone call for you.” Linda said.

“Is it Rafa?” She asked thinking that Rafael might be calling her but she left her phone in the room.

“It is not Sir Rafa, but…”

“Oh…” She murmured; disappointment was all over her face. She excuses her self for a while to get

the phone. “Hello, Amber speaking. Who is this?”

“Mrs. Anderson, how are you?” She nearly drops the telephone upon hearing that voice as fear and

nervousness engulfs her. The caller is no other than the man who is pestering her for the past few days

—Shin Lim!

“How did you know the telephone number here?” She asked, holding tightly the telephone.

“I have my ways, Mrs. Anderson.” Shin Lim simply answers but it spent chills throughout her body. “Do

you think you can run away from me, eh?” He laughs devilishly. “You can hide but you can’t run!” He

warned.

“I promise that I will pay the remaining balance but please wait for a while, I don’t have any money to

pay you.” She pleaded in a soft voice in fear that someone in the house might hear her.

“And when is that?” The man growls.

“When Rafael comes home.” She answered. “So, please, wait for a while. I cannot just ask my in-laws

for a huge sum of money. They will surely question me!”

“Hah! I believe that I’ve already given you enough time, Amber!” The man said firmly.

“Oh, please!” She pleaded desperately. “You are aware that I already sold all our properties, I have

nothing left with me now, where else do you want me to get money?” She asked. “I literally sold my

body to a man whom I just known for a while just to pay you.”

“enough of excuses! I lent your father my money and when he can’t pay me back, he committed

suicide. Now, it is your responsibility to pay it back!” The man shouted in anger.

“But that was my father’s debt and not mine!” Amber insisted. “Just give me months and I will pay back

the remaining balance.” She pleaded.

“No can do, Mrs. Anderson.” Shin Lim said. “Now that the thing I want is nearly in my reach, I will never

stop until I get my hands on it! You know what I am talking about, Amber!” He said. “And I will not stop

until you give it to me!”

“I don’t know what you are talking about so leave me alone!” She shouted and cuts of the call. What he

said is making her confused and curious.

What is it that he wants and what does it have to do with her? If it is about money, she is sure that the

man has no problem with it, three million is just a piece of cake for him.

“What did I ever do wrong to deserve this?” She asked and sigh.

She unknowingly looked at the window glass and was startled when Julian is looking at her.

“Is everything alright, dear?” Allison asked making her flinch.

“We were worried that you’re taking your time in the phone and we heard you shouting.” Nico asked

and there is a hint of worried in their voices.

“T-there’s no problem, mom, dad.” She lied. The couple looked at each other and looks back at her.

“Who are you talking to?” Nico asked.

“I don’t know, it was a prank call and they are being persistent.” She lied again. “I don’t even know why

they knew my name.” She added.

Amber spend the whole afternoon reading a book and just a few more chapters and she’s done. But

she still can’t help not to be uncomfortable especially that where ever she goes, Julian is there. At first,

she thought it was coincidence since the man is working in the garden, but she changes location for

how many times and still Julian is in sight.

She closed the book and placed it in the table and took a sip on her tea.

“Ma’am, you have a visitor.” Berta informed making her frown. Who would visit her? It is impossible that

it is Danielle nor Kaylee.

“Who is it?” She asked and put on her cardigan.

“They didn’t say the name but it is girl.” Berta answered.

“A girl?” She frowns. “Where is she?”

“At the subdivision gate, ma’am. The guards didn’t let her in.” Berta said. “Should we let her in?” She

asked.

“No.” She answered, she’s curious who is her visitor. “I will go there myself.”

“Should I call someone to pick you up using the subdivision’s cart car?” Berta asked again. The

subdivision has its own transportation making it convenient for the people living there and also for the

visitors. “If you want, Julian can drive for you.”

“Julian?” She asked. “He is still here? I thought he went home already.”

“Ah, no, ma’am. They are staying here as of the moment so that they can tend to the needs of the

garden.” Berta answered.

“Is that so. Call him then, I’ll meet him in the garage.” She ordered.

On their way to the gate, she tried calling Kaylee but her phone just keeps on ringing.

“Ma’am, we are already here.” Julian said as he parks the car. “And please don’t trust anyone.” He said

firmly making her curious. But she didn’t pay attention to it and went to the guard house.

“Ma’am Amber, do you know this person?” The guard ask and pointed on one of the monitor screen.

She frowned as soon as she saw the woman. She didn’t who she was.

“Please, ask her name.”

“Her name is Kaylee Fernandez, ma’am.” The guard answered making her legs lose its strength. She

took a seat on a vacant seat. “Ma’am, are you okay?” The guard asked worriedly.

“What?” Amber uttered surprised when she saw from the monitor that two men grabbed the woman.

“Don’t worry, ma’am, they are agents.” Julian said who is beside her and holding his phone. She saw

that the woman tried to fight back but failed to do so.

She doesn’t know what was going on as she watched Julian talking to the guards and it makes her

curious and confused why can Julian ordered them around.

“Don’t worry, ma’am, everything will be alright.” Julian said when they reached the mansion.

“What do you mean?” She asked but Julian didn’t answer her. “Who are you?” She asked again but the

man didn’t answer her back.

Ten days passed and still no news on Rafael and the others. Rafael didn’t message nor call her again

and it is making her devastated.

Amber is walking around the village with Copper and Draco. She already finished reading her book and

now she’s bored that is why she decided to stroll around. And before she gets out of the house, Julian

told her to be careful.

Until now, she is questioning Julian’s identity. It seems that he is not just a simple gardener.

“It’s good that I have you two with me.” Amber said to the dogs who stopped walking and looked at her.

“You understand what I am saying? Aww! I really love you two.” She said as she pets them. “Thank you

for being with me.”

They continued to walk until they reach the lake.

“Let’s take a rest first.” She said and took a seat in the bench. The two dogs took their place beside her.

“Sometimes I envy those happy family.” She suddenly said while watching the happy families rowing

the boat. She really missed her parents. She is happy that her in-laws are treating her well and nothing

changed despite knowing that she used Rafael for money.

She let out a sigh and looked at Draco and Copper who are looking at her. “Let’s go home, it’s getting

cold.”

They are near the house when Draco and Copper suddenly barked non-stop. Copper is behind her

while Draco is in front of her, and it seems that they’re protecting her from something.

“Amber.” A familiar voice called her making her.

“Rafa?” She can’t be wrong, even if she hasn’t seen him for days, she is certain that it is Rafael. But

why does it feel wrong? Why does she can’t feel anything from the man standing in front of her. And

why does Copper and Draco barking at him?All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.