Page 3 of Stuck with My Billionaire Protector

From the feral look he gives me, I know I’ve struck a nerve and he’s now fuming with anger.

He gives a low growl as he looks at me, and my entire body runs cold. I can literally feel the shivers running down my spine despite the heat of the day. My hands are already sweaty so I rub them lightly over my skirt.

I don’t even feel like getting a drink anymore. My day has just gone from bad to worse. I just want to go home and cry in my bed. After realizing that he isn’t going to say anything, I roll my eyes, turn around, and walk back toward my car.

“This is my city, young lady. One word from me and you’re finished,” Alphahole, as I’ve begun to think of him, says to me.

I scoff. “Whatever.”

I get into my car and zoom off. As I drive away, I feel a mixture of anger and embarrassment. Who does that guy think he is? Sure, he might be rich and powerful, but that doesn’t give him the right to disrespect people. I’m still fuming when I arrive home and collapse onto my couch, letting out a frustrated scream.

Tomorrow is a new day, and I’m determined to make it a better one.

Chapter 2

Dylan

Ithasbeenalong time since someone has pissed me off this much. I mean, who the hell does she think she is to talk to me like that?

I’m now in a shitty mood, and it’s all because of her. I’m only in this neighborhood because I went to see my old friend, Roxanne, who had been nagging me to visit her wine bar for months.

Roxanne is like a second mother to me. In fact, she was my mother’s best friend before her early death. Roxanne has stood by me through thick and thin, so I tend to do as she asks. So picture my intense irritation when this obnoxious young woman suddenly appears out of nowhere and rudely disrupts my otherwise peaceful afternoon.

Unbelievable!

Despite her petite stature, she has the nerve to speak to me like that? Does she really not know who I am? Or is she just feigning ignorance so she could get off the hook? Speaking of which, why did I even let her go? I hadn’t even gotten her name or insurance information so she could pay for the damage to my car. It’s not like I need the money since I do own a multi-billionaire media company, but it’s the principle of the matter.

I go home in a bad mood which doesn’t improve overnight or the next morning.

Unwilling to be seen in a dented car, I have to drive my backup car, a silver Bentley, to the office.

Chase Media is a testament to the power of my hard work and determination. As I enter the building, the workers acknowledge my presence. Some greet me, while others avoid me out of fear of crossing the CEO. I’m not particularly approachable and don’t enjoy casual interactions with anyone unless it pertains strictly to business.

Roxanne and Parker are the only ones who truly understand me because they can see beyond the surface. While most people dismiss me as a spoiled and arrogant rich guy, Roxanne and Parker recognize that my demeanor is simply a façade. They know me on a deeper level and understand the tumultuous waters that flow beneath.

As a child, I had always been close to my mother, and watching her suffer through cancer was the most traumatic experience of my life. It felt like I was losing her inch by inch, day by day until the person I had known and loved was no longer there. After she passed away, I was left with an immense sense of loss, and it took me a long time to come to terms with the fact that she was gone.

As I grew older, I found myself putting up walls to protect myself from getting hurt again. I use rudeness and arrogance as a shield, keeping people at arm’s length so that they can’t see the pain that I still carry with me. As much as I hate to admit it, I am afraid of letting anyone get too close. I am afraid that they might see the vulnerability and fragility that lies beneath the surface.

“I’m so sorry about the damage to the Ferrari, Dylan. I’ll make sure it gets fixed as soon as possible.” Parker, my former college roommate and now right-hand man, nods as he accompanies me into the building.

“I’m more interested in that woman.” We walk into the elevator that leads to the top floor where my office is located.

Parker chuckles.

“It isn’t fucking funny,” I retort.

Parker shoots me a knowing look, a hint of amusement sparkling in his eyes. He joined my company about a decade ago when the tech startup he worked for after college went bankrupt. Although his background is in IT, he has quickly become my go-to person for all kinds of problem-solving. I had never regretted hiring him when he was down on his luck, and I hoped he felt the same way. To me, he’s irreplaceable. He’s the one employee around here who I truly value.

“I think you’re just annoyed because no one has ever spoken to you like that before.” He smirks.

He’s right, of course, but I won’t give him the satisfaction of admitting it. I can’t stand the fact that he has hit the nail on the head, and to make matters worse, the woman in question doesn’t even know me.

I’m Dylan Chase!I feel a sense of irritation that borders on anger. How dare she speak to me like that?

I can’t fathom how she didn’t recognize me. After all, I’m a well-known figure in this city. I have the power to create and destroy things as I please. Either I or my company is regularly featured in the news for business reasons or my work with various charities. I often have to appear at various societal functions to further one goal or another. Hell, I was even named “Most Eligible Bachelor” by the Los Angeles Daily newspaper last year. The only explanation I could think of is that she must be new to the area.

Even as I bristle with indignation, a part of me can’t help but feel a flicker of curiosity. What is it about her that made her so unafraid to challenge me? And why do I find myself drawn to her despite my better judgment?

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