The Forbidden Billionaire

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

(Liberty's POV)

I closed my eyes, feeling the warm salty water run down my face, hoping my sunglasses and scarf kept my sadness hidden. The breeze flowed around me, blowing my black, wavy hair in an appealing manner. Even when I felt like a disaster inside, I was a hidden perfection on the outside. Don't get me wrong, I still was, but all my imperfections I loved are gone. The deserted park surrounding me was my safe place. Well, it used to be. Maybe one day it will be again. I always come here when an overload of emotions is happening to me at once. Right now was one of those times. Even if someone else strolled by, it didn't matter because no one knew I had come here and no one ever found out it was me with my disguise on. Father always said I wasn't allowed to release my identity to anyone, there wasn't even a single picture of me in the media. Anyone being able to hear my inner monologue would think I was a poor, abandoned girl, looking for comfort in the only solace I knew.

They would be wrong. My name is Liberty Chase and I am the daughter of the famous billionaire, Chad Chase, and the daughter of a star fashion designer and previous model, Channel Chase. I have one sibling, my three-year-old brother, Dominic Chase. The media and everyone all around my parents always talk about us, the stuck-up children of billionaires that think they are too good to be with normal people. They have never tried to get to know the real us because our money intimidated them more than they would like to admit. The truth was, we were both kind and humble, but no one got to see that. Father was protective of me in ways I didn't understand. I had a rare disease, one my parents said many wouldn't understand. I hate to consume blood twice a day, through an IV or drinking it. I used to have no hair on my body, other than my hair. Now, father had eyelashes and eyebrows placed on me. I never understood my disease, but the first time a maid screamed bloody murder after seeing me drink blood, she told me this wasn't something others were aware of, or exposed to.

Father always expected the best from me, no matter if I had a disease or not. He grew his business' from the ground up, now having over two hundred five-star hotels, the top cyber security system, and the most sought out security company in the world, one that assisted many governments and royals around the world. Father's security company was known to have highly trained personnel and logistical support. When he took on royal or government assignments, no matter where in the world, father always led the group. He was someone that one could only wish to be half as great as him. I finished high school at the age of fifteen, completed my graduate degree in technology, logistics, management and security protocols within four years. I have been enrolled in combat and warrior training since I was four, excelling over all others my age. No matter what though, it didn't seem I could please my father with my achievements. What he wants from me now is outrageous and, for the first time in my life, I question if I can give my father what he expects from me. I was so absorbed within my own thoughts of self-pity that I failed to even realize that I wasn't alone anymore.

That was until I heard him speak, "What is a beautifully stunning girl like you doing in a place like this?"

How would he know I was beautiful? I jumped off the bench at lightening speed, not dwindling my thoughts for a moment longer. As I turned around, I found a handsome man standing before me. He was strikingly, memorizing with his dark chestnut hair that almost looked black and his beautiful forest green eyes I could get lost within. He looked oddly familiar, but I couldn't place where I had seen him before. Who am I kidding? I never got out enough to know anyone by their looks. I stood there, making our encounter awkward as I silently debated whether or not I should answer him. I knew father would be upset but I finally decided to answer him, seeing that I would feel bad if I bluntly ignored him.

"T - Thank you." I stuttered out shyly, as a blush instantly covered my cheeks when I reminisced the fact he had called me beautiful. My pale complexion made it so easy for others to see my embarrassment. I prayed my scarf covered all of my blushing face from view. I slowly sat back down, hoping that would put an end to our encounter. My gaze returned to my surroundings, as my body seemed to forget why we were crying a moment ago. The peacefulness of the area and the fact the park was mostly always deserted had a calming effect on my soul. I zoned out completely, not even being able to hear if the stranger was still within my surroundings or had finally left. I hadn't found anyone I could drop my guard around since that fatal day two years ago.

I snapped back into reality as the man took a seat on the bench beside me, "So... Do you mind telling me your name? I am not sure why, but my soul seems to call to yours. Drawing me to know more."

"Hmm, that had to have been the corniest statement I have ever heard." I chuckled in amusement. He couldn't seriously believe that? I am usually never this trusting, to allow a stranger to sit beside me, one that seemed taller than my father and that was saying something, as my father was six foot seven inches. This man's muscles almost competed with my father's as well. Why was my mind so trusting right now? Why did I want to tell him my name? What if I only told him part of it? My mind wondered as I just stared at this beautiful specimen before me. Why do I feel so safe with him near me? "My name is Liberty.... And what is yours?"

He smiled a breathtaking smile. Something was screaming within me to close the distance, become closer to this man I barely knew. What was wrong with me? Even after the reoccurring nightmares and flashbacks, this man's whole being was calling to me. I shook the thought from my mind, as I zoned back into his chiseled jaw and plump lips. With those thick eyelashes and plump lips, he could make any girl jealous and swoon at the same time. Someone took their time creating this man before me.

"My name is Caspian." He said slowly, his eyes sparkling with an emotion I couldn't identify. The way he said his own name made me want to melt into a puddle. I wanted to fall to my knees, begging him to say my name that same way. How he said his name with that little accent of his sounded incredibly sexy. It wasn't until then that I realized he had an accent. I was almost positive it was Italian, but I wouldn't be sure until I confirmed. His wasn't as deep as the ones I listened to on the translation tapes. Did I mention I took up multiple languages to help my father with the overseas accounts?

I turned my body towards him, as my knee brushed against his leg. I watched as his eyes watched my every movement until I stopped. "I couldn't help but notice you had an accent... Is it Italian?"

The small smile on his face fell, as if I offended him or something. He was staring at me in shock and I wondered for the first time in the world if someone could be scarier than my father. I never thought I would meet someone I wanted to impress as much as my father until now. Could people easily identify his accent and was I mistaken? Did he think I was stupid for getting it wrong? My nerves were getting the better of me as I was about to open my mouth to backstep my wording. How could I be so foolish and why did I feel the need to impress him? I should have gone straight home, curled up in myself and allowed the tears to fall privately. What made me think it was a good idea to come here?

You don't know who I am?" He questioned suspiciously but also seemed curious as to why I didn't know. I paused at his words, trying to rack my brain of any memory with him in it. I knew him from somewhere, as my brain felt he looked familiar, though I couldn't connect him to anyone. I met a lot of people through my father's work, so I may have seen him there. Maybe he frequently visited the dinner? Was he a passerby who did nothing when I was.... No Liberty, don't go there.

"I'm sorry." I shook my head in disappointment. I couldn't place his name and face with someone I knew. I hated disappointing certain people and for some reason he was now one of them. "You look familiar, but I have met many people and seem to be having trouble remembering where I had seen you before."

For some reason, he wasn't disappointed. The emotions playing off him were only of surprise and a little relief. This must be a first for him. Maybe he was as important as my father and he was used to all the women flocking over him, as the men envied his every move. With a face like that, made from perfection, I was sure many knew who he was from a mile away. I was shaken out of my thoughts, as Caspian scooted closer to me. I shivered in delight as he pulled me into his arms. I should have been scared, this should have made me have flashbacks. This man was a stranger, who I was alone with in a deserted park. I should have felt disgusted, I should have used my knowledge to take his ass down and lay him out before he touched me with the tip of his finger. For some strange reason, I didn't do any of that. Unfortunately enough, I felt safe within his presence and his arms made me feel complete. With him, I felt as if every single one of my problems had vanished into thin air. Why was I so drawn to this man?

"I would like to see you again, la mia bellezza." He whispered softly into my ear. He called me his beauty in Italian. Had I been right or did he just know Italian as well? "Come to the last dance of the year in France and give them your name. I will be waiting."

He pulled away from me, only to wipe a stray tear from the exposed part of my cheek. The security I felt made tears of relief cloud my sight. How could this man be so into me when he hasn't even seen my true face? He leaned in close, making me hold my breath in anticipation. I shouldn't allow a complete stranger to kiss me, but for some reason I was putty in his arms. He leaned in, giving me a lingering kiss on my forehead. I closed my eyes, savoring the feeling I never knew I was missing. When I opened my eyes again, he was gone. I looked around to see if I could find him, but he was nowhere in sight. How did he disappear that quickly? It seemed to be his specialty, to come and leave without a trace.

It was actually quite impressive he could be. My mind was in shambles as I felt disappointed he left and concerned I missed someone I barely knew. I smiled to myself and once again got lost in the sight of my surroundings. I wouldn't worry about those thoughts right now. If I wanted to see him, I would go to the dance. If I chose not to, I would stay home. Right now, I was thinking of a solution to my father's demand, as it seemed my heart was swept away before I could even allow my heart out.

My fear was, could my safety net have been all a hallucination?