THE SECRET BILLIONAIRE

Chapter 3

Cassandra's head snapped to Carl, eyes narrowing on him as though he had heard him blurted a curse.

She scuffed back, heels stabbing the terracotta flood like a countdown.

A small frown formed between her brows as she asked.

“What did you just say?

Carl simply tossed the cheque on the bed like it was an insignificant piece. Cassandra's frown deepened, seeing his non-chalant behavior when she'd given him $2 million dollars! It's huge. To her. But she didn't know. Didn't know who the identity of the man standing before her.

She'd seen him as ordinary but he's more.

Carl said, “You heard me. You think $2 million dollars is a high rise?” His was was laced with amusement.

Cassandra's frown deepened. She took another step closer, her stare sharp like a dagger but Carl wasn't intimidated a bit.

“Listen, I don't know who you think you are but $2 million dollars? It's a life changing money which I'm sure you can't get in 10 years time..even for a lifetime Maybe.” She said.

Carl watched her in sheer amusement slightly masked by a calm expression, a little smile playing on his lips.

Cassandra continued, voice low but a quiet spark cracked in it.

“And if I later find out you lied to me,” She closed the distance, eyes glowing with threat, like a predator with the intent of clawing down a prey. “You'll know who I am because I won't hesitate to lock you up in a dungeon for the rest of your life.” She concluded and walked out, slamming the door shut.

Carl stared at the door through which she left, his smile unwavering.

He picked up the cheque and stared into it, humming.

“Uhmm.. Cassandra Kenneth,” He thought for a while then shook his head. “Not familiar.”

“I'll return it whenever we meet again.” He folded the paper and dipped it into his pocket.

****

Outside Mufi hotel, Cassandra stood at the curb, the morning breeze swaying her hair backward.

She looked around the place and once again, she wondered how she got to a rat place like this. The stench from the exposed sewer hit her nose. She wrinkled her nose and exhaled sharply.

Fishing out her phone, she tapped on the screen to ring her driver then,

SCREECHES!

Two Hennessy venom F5 pulled over across the road, polished chrome glinting, demanding attention.

People jogging along the road slowed and watched, guests walking out from the hotel stared as the second car swung open, the door lifting up like bird in flight.

Two bodyguards, dressed in black suits stepped out of the car. They scanned the floor for any threat and walked to the first car.

The more hunky one opened the door of car and out stepped Henry Vernovas in a sharp navy suit that cost more than some people's rent.

His expression was as hard as steel, shoulder high like tide. His gaze swept across the street and it landed on her— Cassandra. His frown deepened.

He crossed over, his trained securities trailing behind him and people parted from their way.

“Cassandra! Where the heck have you been?!" He rumbled, anger cracking in his voice.

Staring at him alone made Cassandra's heart knot with anger, the video replaying in her head and she felt like rolling slaps to his face but she's outside. In public. She's a public figur.

“You have no right to question me, Henry." She said dismissively, her tone flat, devoid of the lilt Henry had once heard. She started walking out on him.

Henry boiled inside. “Are you walking out on me?! What the heck has come over you!"

Cassandra didn't stop.

"Get her!!" Henry barked the order.

The two bodyguards advanced towards Cassandra. One of them gripped her wrist.

“Let go of me!!" She hollered but these men didn't free her.

The crowd watched, murmurs had started rising.

“I said let go of me!" Cassandra hit his hand but it was like she'd Struck a steel.

“You think you can run away on our wedding day? I own this city and you're going to be scourged out easily.” He said boastfully.

Then, a voice came from behind. It was low, silky but it was like a hungry lion just stepped into the place.

“You heard her. Let her go, now.”

Henry turned, wondering who dare challenge his command. Cassandra squirmed, her eyes slightly wide, seeing Carl standing behind, hands jammed in his pocket with delicate calmness.

“And who the fuck are you asshole?” Henry challenged, looking him up and down like another piece of shit under his shoe.

Carl scoffed, his expression firm and gaze hard like steel. He stepped closer. Just once.

“You want to know?"

Henry laughed, amused.. maybe wondering what balls do a man in plain ordinary cloth like Carl has to even speak before him.

He turned to Cassandra. “So this is it? This is the pauper you spent your night with?" He taunted.

“And you're the riffraff who slipped a drug into her drink?" Henry snapped, a quick retort.

The expression on Henry's face dropped suddenly, like a criminal caught red handed in the act. Cassandra stared at him, surprise evidence in her eyes. Could it be Henry? Did he...he sent the room service to give her a champagne which had been drugged.

The clip still burn in her memory. She studied him, waiting for him to defend himself. But he didn't. Not immediately. Maybe Carl wasn't lying afterall. Maybe it was Henry and the expression on his face speaks louder in the silence, confirming her doubt.

Cassandra blinked. “Did you do it?" Her voice came low, like she didn't want to believe everything yet.

Henry snapped back, his voice and confidence returning but his voice trembled slightly. “Don't believe this poor thing Cassandra. He don't know what he's talking about. Let's get out of here now!"

“Take her!”

The men moved, pulling Cassandra.

Without a signal, something very strange happened like it never happened.

Carl moved like he wasn't where he was. Like a mirage that disappeared and appeared further— He was right in front of the man holding Cassandra. His fist shot through the air like a bullet in motion— sharp and quick.

It slammed on the jaw of the security clutching Cassandra.

Like one swept off by a hurricane, the man flew in the air and crashed into the Billboard of Mufi hotel before he collapsed to the floor with a sickening crack. A crater formed on the board.

Gasps rippled in the street.