The Billionaire's Challenge

Chapter 1 Coming Home     I had hated my father for as long as I could remember.   He had destroyed everything important to me and now…. Anyway, going back home wasn’t a choice, my brothers had asked, and I couldn’t say no. Though all three of them didn’t understand the problem between me and our father.   “Audrina!”   I shook my head. My father couldn’t have sent that man of all people to pick me up.   “Audrina! Over here! Look over here!”   I rolled my eyes and tried not to scream in frustration. I turned around and saw Basil Yerli standing there waving his hands at me.   I walked over to him. “Basil. My father sent you?”   He laughed, “As soon as I found out you were coming back for Soren’s wedding I told your father I would pick you up.”   “I’m sure. Even after what I did to you last time, you still showed up.”   “We all missed you. You’ve been gone too long.” He said ignoring my comment and talking my hand and placing a kiss on it.   I pulled my hand out of his and wiped it on my jean jacket. “You know how I feel about you, why did you come here?” I questioned him. I really did not like Basil. He was a decent-ish person, okay maybe not really, but he worshipped my father and that was the reason he was after me. He wanted to be part of the famous Ramsey Christenson’s legacy. He had been coming around since my brother Soren had met him in University and he had been after me since then too. I had been 17 at the time and he was 21. Granted he didn’t know I was only 17 until my brother punched it into his skull. The man had no boundaries when it came to business and neither did my father. He wanted me because it would further his career, but I wouldn’t ever let that happen. I wouldn’t say yes to Basil if he were the last year on this planet! I knew Basil’s only interest was in marrying me to take over my shares in my father’s company.   I had been in Amsterdam for less than 30 minutes and my father had already riled me up. I knew this trip wouldn’t be as smooth as I wanted.   “Take me suitcase.” I said pushing it towards him.   “Of course, princess.” He said taking it.   “Call me princess one more time and you won’t like the outcome.” I threatened him.   “Ha, you haven’t changed much Nezi.”   “Don’t call me that. Only my brothers are allowed to call me that.” I bit out.   “Sorry…”   “Give me the keys to the car.”   “Why?”   “Hand them over. Now!” I said impatiently.   Basil tossed me the keys and we walked out of the airport.  Right outside the doors was a bright Ferrari. I knew this was his car- or at least the car my father hand given him.   I got in, pulling the top down and started the engine. I turned my head to see Basil standing there just watching.   “Are you going to get in or should I leave you here?” I asked with a raised brow.   “Umm, you sure you want to drive?” He questioned.   “You have 5 second before I drive off.”   “Okay, okay!”   Basil jumped in the car and buckled up. “Ready?”   “Ready…”   I laughed at his hesitation and pulled out and on to the road, jerking the car.   “Audrina slow down.”   I ignored him and sped up.   “Audrina!” Basil screamed out.   I couldn’t help but laugh. This was a sweet ride for sure. Unfortunately, I was living in Paris and didn’t need a car, but this would definitely be a top contender   It took about 20 minutes to make it to my father’s estate. I hadn’t been here in over 5 years and the last time wasn’t exactly pleasant. I reminded myself I was here for my brothers and not my father. I had promised Soren I wouldn’t miss his wedding and I kept my promises. “Bye Basil.” I said, stepping out of the car and taking my bag.   “I can walk you in and say hi to everyone.” He said getting out of the car.   “Nope. Go. Now. Bye!” I yelled as I ran up the stairs.   I was looking back to make sure Basil had left when I bumped into something almost falling, but two hand reached out and held me up.   “I’m so sorry, I was not looking at where I was going.” I said stepping back.   “No problem.” A deep masculine voice said.    I looked up at the man. He was a tall man. Had to be over 6 feet and he had the most gorgeous blue eyes. They reminded me of the sea. I look another step back and he reached out to pull me back before I fell down the stairs. I ended up pressed against his chest.   My breathing increased and I quickly pulled away.   “Um.. I’m sorry. I-“   “Hey Accius!” Basil yelled from his car interrupting me.   I shook my head to clear my thoughts. “I should go. Thank you for saving me.”   The man smiled. “My pleasure.”   That man looked so familiar but I couldn’t place him in my mind.   I walked into the house, “Where are the scariest brothers in Europe hiding?”   “Nezi!” I heard Kaiden yell as he ran down the stairs to greet me. He picked me up and twirled me around. Placing me down after I was dizzy.   “Kai! How have you been? And where is your wife?” I asked my youngest and craziest brother.   “I’m up here. I can’t move as fast as everyone anymore.” Ahar laughed, patting her pregnant belly and slowly coming down the stairs.   “Oh shit.” Kaiden said, running back up the stairs and helping Ahar down carefully.   Met her at the bottom of the stairs and hugged her. “Ahar how are you? How are my nieces/nephews doing in there?” I asked.   Ahar smiled, “I’m doing a lot better than I thought I would. Finding out I was having twins I almost fainted.”   “I still can’t believe it.” Kaiden chimed in.   “You’re not the one carrying them.” Ahar said, nudging my brother. Ahar was just as crazy as Kai if not more. They complimented each other perfectly.   “Kai, who was that man that just left?” I asked curiously.   “Which man?”   He was leaving as I was coming in.”   “Not sure Nezi. There are a lot of people here for this wedding. Could be a wedding guest or maybe doing business with our father.” Kaiden said.   I hoped that man wasn’t in business with my father. I couldn’t get involved with anyone connected to Ramsey Christensen. I had to keep my distance. He had already taken the most important thing away from me. I wouldn’t be a pawn on his game board. That man was despicable and capable of anything. He was the reason I hadn’t come home in 5 years.   “Boo!” I screamed.   “Ha aha ha!” I heard from behind me.   Mirana stood there laughing at me. “Every time! How do you manage to scare me every time?”   “I’m that talented.” She laughed again and give me a tight hug. “Missed you!”   “Rina.”  I heard my eldest brother say from behind Mirana.   “Noah!”   I ran over and hugged him.   “How are you?” I asked. Noah was by far the most serious brother and he had married the light fun always laughing Mirana, they were opposites but perfect for each other.   “Forget about me, how are you? I haven’t seen you in so long. How are you doing?”   “Noah! Look at me I’m fine!” I assured him. “Where are my nephews and niece?” I asked turning to face Mirana.   “At school.” Noah answered for her. “Audrina we need to talk.”   “Okay… lets talk.”   “No not here, lets go into the study.”   “Okay.”   We were about to walk into the house when I heard another brother yell out my name.   “Audrina Inez. I can’t believe my eyes.” Soren said with a smile on his face.   “Oh, look it’s the middle child.” I laughed. There are four of us… have you forgotten how to count while you were away or forgot that your still part of this family.” Soren questioned me.   “Soren don’t upset her. She can still leave.” Nicola said walking into the room after him.   “Nicola!” I yelled, ignoring Soren and giving her a hug.   “What can’t you greet your favourite brother?” Soren asked.   “Who said anything about you being my favourite?” I asked him.   “It’s obvious, you haven’t been home in years but here you are at my wedding.” He shrugged.   “How can she like you, she’s only here for two days.” Kaiden chimed in.   “But out Kai. Your just jealous cause Rina came running when I called her.” Soren shout back at Kai.   “I’m sorry to burst the bubble but I came here for Nicola. Pour girl had to go through so much before you realized what an i***t you were. I’m just here to make the wedding happens and you don’t screw anything else up.” I said smiling at Nicola.   “She’s right.” Nicola said.  Audrina is on my side.   “Come on I apologized, and we are getting married now. Everyone need to stop hitting me with these comments!” Soren whined.   Noah walked up to me again. “Audrina? Our conversation?”   “Oh ya, sure. Guys I’ll be right back.”   I followed Noah into the west nook of the house.   “Noah what is this about?” I asked.   “We’ll talk once we’re in the study. We have a ton of wedding guests in the house, and I don’t want just anyone overhearing our conversation.   I nodded my head and followed him.   When we reached the study, Noah opened the door and gestured for me to walk in. I walked into the study. I look at the desk in the center of the room to see the one man I hadn’t wanted to see this trip sitting there.   I looked back at my brother, “Noah…”   “Aren’t you going to great your father, princess.” The man said from behind the desk. “You’ve been gone far too long Audrina. We missed you here. I’m glad your home again. We can get you back on track.”