The Billionaire’s Redemption

Chapter One

Nothing sucked more than having an 8 am class on a Monday morning.

Even as I was driving to school, my eyes felt too heavy to open. I think I dozed on the steering wheel twice and all this was because the coffee machine at home broke.

No coffee Ayva is not an Ayva anyone wants to interact with.

I checked the dashboard for the time. It was almost 7:30 which meant I had time to get myself a cup of coffee.

I pulled over at this coffee shop that was just blocks away from school, it opened like a week ago.

I have always made my coffee ever since I realized I needed to drink at least a cup every morning to feel human. And that day was gonna be the first time I spent my own money on a cup of coffee.

The thought of parting away with cash that could pay much more important bills makes me uncomfortable. But like I said, I needed coffee to feel like myself.

The bell above the door jingled as I pushed the door open. I think they put that there to signify that a new customer was in.

There weren't many people there. Probably because most people don't know of them yet or maybe because their coffee is crap, I couldn't say for say. But there was only one way to find out about the latter.

"Can I get an espresso macchiato, please?." I said to the barista behind the counter. He looked to be in his late fifties. I'm guessing he was the owner of the shop.

"I would like to have a latte, please." A smooth feminine voice beside me said.

I turned my head a bit to look at her and I couldn't help but admire her.

She was wearing a black headscarf that flowed down to her waist. Her fingers were covered in black gloves. She had chestnut brown skin that was so clear and makeup-free. I found myself a tad jealous of her glowing brown skin. She looked really beautiful and I would give anything to look that good without having any makeup on.

"Is this Halloween or something?." the barista said.

"Excuse me? Why did you say that?." the woman asked.

"Why wouldn't I?." He asked her.

"What is your problem?." she asked him. My eyes kept drifting from the man to the woman as I tried to fully understand what was happening.

"I don't like it, that's why. I don't like your religion, it says to kill me and I don't wanna be killed. How's that?. I mean what's your name, bitvh a$$ niqqa?."

That was it. I couldn't stand and watch and not interfere.

"What the f**k! How could you use that offensive slur? How could you say that to a person? Have you no respect you f*****g racist. You should be f*****g ashamed of yourself. You're way over fifty and you are still foolish. Just take a look at yourself, you must think you are better than she is when in reality you are nothing but a disrespectful racist. She only wanted a f*****g coffee and you turned it into a job interview. Oh my God, I can't believe there are still people like you alive. She's holding the same green notes we all are. And there you go about disrespecting her just because she isn't dressed the way you like. I'm sorry but I would hate to drink anything made by a racist pig like you." I didn't even realize I had been speaking at the top of my voice. He tried to speak probably to throw words at me but I didn't wait, I stormed out of his shop. I was so mad that my ears were flaming red.

The day had barely begun and I already knew it was a bad one. Aside from not being able to get my much-needed coffee, I had to witness racism transpire right in front of me.

The day couldn't get any worse.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"That's a good explanation Ms. What's your name?." The professor said after I answered his question.

"Ayva. Ayva Williams."

"Thank you for that explanation Ms. Williams and class that will be all for today. We meet in the next class." The professor said and walked out of the class.

My best friend, Ashley shrilled loudly the minute the professor left drawing the attention of the other students to us.

"That was dope Ayva. You nailed it. I can't believe you're my best friend. You sounded so smart I couldn't help but record you."

"What?!." I exclaimed.

"See." She shook her phone in her face. "I'm gonna watch this over and over again maybe I would end up being as smart as you." She sighed.

"Oh come on you are smart too."

"But not enough. You have HIS now right?." Ash asked and I nodded. "Lucky me I have the period free. But don't worry I'll escort you to your next class, like always”

I picked up my books from the desk.

"Oh my you're such a darling I don't think I can thank you enough," I said with sarcasm filled voice and she hit me on my shoulder. "Ouch."

"Your sarcasm wasn't appreciated." She frowned.

We were about to walk out the door when a female voice suddenly yelled my name. Ash and I immediately turned around to see who it was.

A girl about 5ft6 tall ran up the side stairs, towards our direction. She had brown silky hair that was tied up away from her face. She had fair skin and I thought she was really pretty.

"Hi," she said a bit breathless.

"Hey."

"Hello."

Ash and I greeted back. I didn't know her, it was my first time seeing her.

She wore a short black dress that reached mid-thigh and paired it with black combat boots. With just one glance at her, I could tell she was loaded.

"You are Ayva right?." she said and I nodded my head slowly. She smiled and I had to admit, she had the whitest set of teeth I had ever seen. "I'm Elvira," she said. "I'm sorry what's your name?." She asked Ashley.

"Ashley," Ash said in a small voice.

"You must be wondering why I am here talking to you." She said.

I didn't even deny it and nodded my head because it wasn't that often you get someone like Elvira to speak to someone like Ash and me.

"I just wanted to tell you that I think you are incredible. The way you answered that question was remarkable and I would love it if we could hang out sometime."

I wasn't sure I heard her well which was why I said what I said next.

"I'm sorry you wanna hang out with us?."

"It's just you but yeah or do you have a problem with that?." she asked.

"No, I don't I'm just wondering why you would want to."

"I think you are smart and I don't have many smart friends. Besides I think you have really pretty eyes Are they real?." she asked.

"My eyes? Yes, they are." I said slowly like I was doubting their authenticity.

"They are really pretty. I would pay thousands to have a pair like that." She commented.

Ash and I looked at ourselves.

Typical rich kid comment.

"Uhm thank you?." It wasn't supposed to come out like a question but it did.

"My friends and I are gonna be throwing a small party tonight I would like to invite you."

"Huh?."

She smiled brightly at me.

"I would like to invite you to tonight's party."

"Uhm I'm not the party kind of person." I told her. I mean just because she's pretty and rich doesn't mean I should accept her offer right away.

"It's not a big party I promise. It's just like a friendly get-together. I want my other friends to meet you. Please Ayva." she held my hands in her, startling me a bit. I had always thought I had soft palms but feeling hers made me know mine was nowhere close. She probably got her soft hands from using expensive lotions. "Please Ayva, I would love for you to come only that can put a smile on my face."

I didn't know what to do or say. I turned to Ash for help and all she did was shrug her shoulders.

She could be unreliable sometimes.

"Uhm are you sure about this?." I said.

"Of course I am. I've never been more sure about something before in my life."

"Okay I will attend your party but only if Ash comes with me." I told her. She looked at Ash for a moment and then her eyes were back on me.

"Perfect." she clapped her hands together in excitement. "Give me your contact so I'll text you the address," she said as she handed me her phone.

I typed in my phone number and gave her back the phone.

"See you tonight Ayva." she said and pecked my cheek. "And you too Ashley." she said before walking out of the class.

Both Ash and I looked at ourselves wondering what the hell had just happened.