Saving the Billionaire

8. New arrangement

/Third Person POV/

"Do you want to go outside?" Jace asked, sitting on his knees in front of the wheelchair, staring at the frail body of his father. As always, his father turned his head to the other side instead of answering. Jace let out a sigh.

It was challenging to care for the man when he behaved in that manner- like he didn't need anyone. Jace was used to it but still frustrated him. After a long hard day at work, he wanted to paint in his studio rather than doing anything else.

When he looked back at the way his life has turned, it always left him speechless. Being the Vice President of the country's most prominent airlines was never his plan. He thought it was a temporary thing when the VP resigned, but now he was stuck doing all the duties. It's not like he can turn around and drop everything, not when his family relied heavily on him. And to think he is the younger one!

He stroked his dad's knees, "Did you at least eat anything? I asked Greta to make your favourite mushroom soup today."

No response. His father physically could not talk, but there was a machine specifically for that. The only thing he needs to do is lean forward and touch the mic with his chin. It acts as a sensor and detects what he wants to say.

Jace was already feeling guilty for missing the lunch and dinner. He wanted to have a chat with Isabella. When he thought about the early morning incident, his lips twitched. She was one-of-a-kind. But he was not complaining. For the first time in a while, no one was pretending to be kind. In fact, she is a talker.

"I think some fresh air would do you good" Jace stood up, his eyes automatically shifting towards the clock. It was past midnight, and he should be sleeping, but his father was awake.

As soon as he entered the mansion, he noticed the light of the room was on. When he went to check up on his father, he saw that he was turning in his chair. That simply meant he turned away Ricky, his caretaker and asked to be in his chair. Sometimes he was fed up of the way his father acted.

His father huffed, closing his eyes and leaning back against the chair. Jace adjusted the inhaler and double-checked his IV tube before taking him outside. They had a large garden, but it would be dark out and turning on the light was never natural. The switch was in the workers quarters.

"Let's just go out in the balcony" Jace mumbled pushing the chair out of the room. He should tell Ricky to organise the table as it was a mess.

The cold air hit his face as they stood in the gallery, staring at the dark sky. He could not find a single star which made his father snicker and clench his eyes shut.

"How did you do it all these years?" He sighed, staring at the sky. It was getting difficult for him to manage everything all on his own.

Alex helped. All he does is sit on the President seat and boss around people just because he was the eldest. The most productive he has been was last year when he attended the conference. And he still wants to be the President.

His father peeked at him, but when Jace turned to look at him, he quickly closed his eyes.

Jace kept quiet after that, staring at the night sky and wondering if he will ever be free. Free of all the responsibilities. Maybe then he will be able to sleep without being scared of the next morning.

After a few minutes, Jace tugged at the chair, trying not to make noise when his father started snoring softly. He will have to lay him on the bed. With that thought in the mind, he exited the balcony.

As he was walking, he suddenly heard the harsh sound of breathing. Jace quirked his eyebrows. Why would anyone be wondering at this time of the night? He thought to himself. Alice never comes on the first floor. Alex was out partying somewhere.

Greta, along with the other employees, already retired to their quarters.

"Is someone there?" He whispered. There was no response.

It was quite late at night maybe he just heard voices. After all, he needs to get some sleep. He turned his head back only to notice his father glaring at him. The man opened his eyes, twisting his lips.

Jace sat his knees and closed his father's eyes.

"It's okay. Just get some sleep." 

His father mouthed something, but he could not hear. Jace shook his head and stood up when he noticed the shadow. As he lifted his head, he was made with the sight of Isabella standing near the wall.

Why was she up? He thought that Alice must have given her a room somewhere near her bedroom. His sister loved her privacy little too much so he should have known.

He frowned as she stared at him like she saw a ghost. Maybe he startled her by rising suddenly. He inched towards her, "Ms Clark?"

She squeaked and ran away towards the other side. Jace let out a sigh. He will talk to her the next morning.

***

Jace drummed his fingers across the steering wheel, trying not to freak out. It's been two years since he got behind the wheel. He had no idea what took over him when he agreed to drive her.

Staring at the distressed face of the interior designer and how she was desperate to get out of there, he felt guilty. It was partly his fault for not having another driver, for being the reason behind not having anyone else.

He tried to lean back when he noticed from his rearview mirror that Isabella was arguing with someone. She even had her luggage in her hands. That's strange! She told him she had already booked a room.

Turning off the air conditioning, he stepped out of the car and locked it. As he took another look, the argument got even more intense. He had to cut it before something goes wrong.

Hurriedly tucking the keys in his pocket, he rushed towards the main entrance of the hotel. Technically it was more of a building than a hotel.

"-you fucker!"

"Whoa hey, Ms Clark!" He cleared his throat, glancing at her red face. She must be pretty heated to use such language.

The man in front of her scowled, raising his hands in the air, "Dio mio! l'hai portato qui?" (Oh my god! You brought him here?!)

"What's going on?" Jace softly asked, turning towards her and ignoring the screaming old man.

"He's the owner of the hotel, and he is kicking me out. I paid for the whole week, but he gave my money back!" She cried out, raising the bills.

Jace tightened his jaw and stared at the lost look on her face. That guy was still shouting, and Isabella was drifting her head back and forth. He almost forgot that she was still not fluent in Italian. Maybe she didn't know the entire story then! The last thing he wanted was her to find out through a hotel owner and leave the job. Jace wouldn't blame if she left the after the things she went through.

The owner turned towards Jace, "

tu vai via " (you, get lost)

"Badate allo stronzo della lingua"

The owner scoffed, crossing his arms against his chest and tilting his chin, "Quindi scendi dalla mia proprietà e portala con te"

(Then get off my property and take her along)

Before Jace could respond Isabella nudged at his shoulder, leaning forward, "Is he apologising? Don't forgive him easily. He's a stupid fucker."

"Apology? Cara ! That's the last thing I would do. Now get out of here."

Isabella face tightened, she narrowed her eyes at him, "I would have punched you if you were ten years younger, you asshole!"

The guy scoffed, waving at her and motioning to get out of the hotel. Jace bit his tongue. It was useless arguing with that old man because he did not seem to budge. He turned towards Isabella, who slumped her shoulders and dragged the luggage out of there.

"I will sue him!" She exclaimed, huffing and muttering curses under her breath. He shouldn't be finding it funny, but the way she was trying to keep a straight angry face was getting to him. Jace never thought that she had the capability of being this snarky and threatening.

"What am I going to do? This is the only hotel I could find with available rooms!" She sighed, leaning against the car. Her luggage slipped from her hand, and she bitterly chuckled, picking it up.

"You can stay with me."

"What?!" She spluttered, blinking at him.

Jace cleared his throat, "I mean you could stay at my place till there's a room available. Besides, it will be so easy for you to work. Don't you think?"

***