Ace and Diamond (R18+)

Savannah Arabella Williamson

"Twinkle, twinkle little star, how I wonder what you are..."

Eight-year-old Savannah happily sings. She's in a room on the second floor of their mansion, waiting for her mother. Her mom said she would just finish cleaning the kitchen. Every night, her mom sings to her to help her sleep, but she hasn't come yet.

"Teddy bear bear, should I go to mom? She's not here yet."

Savannah looks out the window, and it's raining heavily. She's scared of the thunder and lightning. She covers her ears when she hears a loud thunder.

She sings her favorite nursery rhyme, the one her mom sings to comfort her from the fear of thunder and lightning.

"T-Twinkle, twinkle little star-

She stops singing when she hears another loud thunder. She can't handle her fear anymore. She stands up, takes her teddy bear, and decides to go to her mom herself because she's scared.

"Mama?"

She's halfway down the stairs when she stops. She drops her teddy bear when she sees her parents' bodies at the bottom of the stairs.

They're covered in their own blood and lifeless.

"M-Mommy? D-Daddy?"

Savannah slowly approached her parents. She lifted her hands but stopped in mid-air when she saw their blood spreading towards her feet.

"Mommy..."

"M-Mom..."

Her hands were trembling as she looked around.

"N-No! Mommy! Daddy!" she screamed.

----Philippines, 2028

Savannah woke up with her hands raised. She closed her eyes tightly. It's been eighteen years, but the memory of her parents covered in their own blood is still vivid in her mind.

It feels like it happened just yesterday. The image of them bathing in their own blood is a recurring nightmare.

She slowly got up, holding her head as she felt dizzy.

"It's been twenty years, Mom... Dad... and justice still hasn't been served for both of you."

At the age of eight, she endured losing her parents in an unimaginable way. Her family used to be happy, with her caring mom and loving dad. Their family, part of the billionaire circle in the Philippines, was full of love for her. However, that happy family disappeared in just one night.

She had no idea back then that her father had received numerous death threats due to his rivals in business and also about their family's assets. Everything turned chaotic when her parents died, and the transfer of assets was halted as a decision of her grandfather out of respect for his deceased son.

Her grandfather, Salvattier Gustavo Williamson, a powerful figure in the business world and the head of the Williamson family, took care of her after her parents' passing. She was his only grandchild since her father's brother, Marlon Williamson, had no children despite having been married twice.

When the gruesome murder of her parents occurred, her grandfather immediately sent her to Hawaii to ensure her safety.

While growing up away, Savannah became more aware of the dangers surrounding the Williamson family's life. She then learned a secret-that her grandfather had established an organization dedicated to protecting their family.

The Williamson Organization had been safeguarding the family for the past forty years yet failed to protect her parents.

Everything was challenging for her-the days and nights without her parents, the bedtime kisses, her mother's voice, and her dad's laughter when she danced for them. She missed all of it, but she couldn't do anything. She was just eight years old, unable to protect them or even herself.

Savannah's hands trembled. She immediately got up and took her medicine, a pill to calm her down. Whenever she recalled the past, her body would react negatively.

She suffered from anxiety, was depressed, and couldn't be in crowds.

She has demophobia

Her grandfather only found out about her demophobia when she was already in Germany. It happened when she was just nine years old. She was in Hawaii with her Nana Pransya and Butler Denver at that time. Her caregivers noticed the change in her whenever they were in public places with many people. She would panic and struggle to breathe.

It was tough, the adjustments she had to make. She couldn't even visit beautiful places to relax because she was afraid of crowds that might trigger her phobia. It was incredibly challenging, but Savannah still grew up as a beautiful and fearless person.

She is courageous and dauntless. What happened in the past made her who she is right now.

She promised herself that she would personally find the person who killed her parents.

"Savannah?"

She looked at the door of her room upon hearing the voice of her Nana Pransya. She stood up and walked to open it.

"Your lolo is waiting. He wants you to have breakfast together," Nana Pransya said.

She pursed her lips. Oh right, she's in the Philippines now. It's been two weeks since she arrived.

"I am still mad at him for lying to me to go home, Nana Pransya," she said, turning away. She approached the closet, took a cardigan, and put it on.

Her grandfather lied to her just to get her to come home. After twenty years of staying in Hawaii, he wanted her to return. However, she couldn't easily leave everything, especially since she was already working there, even if it was from home, and she enjoyed it.

But her decision not to go home changed when the doctor called her. The doctor said that her grandfather was seriously ill. Without thinking twice, Savannah immediately booked a flight to the Philippines that night, only to find out that her grandfather lied just to get her to come home. It wasn't really a doctor she spoke to but Gaston, her grandfather's right-hand man.

But I can't resist him.

When she arrived, her grandfather cried in front of her. After twenty years, they could finally live together. Salvattier talked to her about her parents' case, explaining that the killer still hadn't been caught.

He was honest that he was still afraid for her safety, but Savannah told her grandfather that she's not the eight-year-old girl anymore. She can now defend herself if something bad happens.

She learned physical self-defense and became proficient in using a gun.

She didn't want to lose loved ones just because of power-hungry people.

"But you will still come down, right?"

She looked at her nanny as she tied her hair. She saw her smiling.

"Yes."

"I can't resist grandfather Nana Pransya."

Nana Pransya bowed and left her room. After tying her hair, Savannah picked up her cellphone from the table.

"It's 7:00 o'clock in the morning. What am I going to do in this mansion for the whole day?"

"How was your sleep, Savannah?"

After having breakfast, her grandfather invited her to the veranda to talk.

"It's good. Aren't you going to the company today?"

She really wanted to ask about his company, to know if he had decided to give her work. She wasn't used to having nothing to do; it had been two weeks of being bored in the mansion. Surely, that wasn't her grandfather's plan for her?

(I don't want to be confined here; if that's what he wants, I'll just go back to Hawaii and continue my work.)

"I am on leave, Savannah. It seems you don't want to see or talk to me? Since you came back, I've been busy with the company. Today is the only day we have a chance to talk properly."

Her grandfather's tone hinted at hurt from her previous words. But she knew he was just seeking sympathy.

"I haven't forgotten what you did to bring me home, grandpa. That's not nice; you know you're my only family. I panicked, thinking something had happened to you."

Salvattier scowled at her, and she knew he was trying to play the victim again. She sighed. She couldn't resist her grandfather. Even her butler and nanny knew that her only weakness was her grandfather.

She struggled to deny and reject him, but after a week of not answering his calls, when she learned about his supposed 'illness,' she immediately booked a flight.

"Okay, okay, I am sorry, my child."

She nodded and turned her gaze to the beautiful scenery outside. The people inside the mansion were few; ever since she arrived, the maids and bodyguards who used to be always present were no longer around.

"Grandpa."

"Hmm?"

She looked back at her grandfather while sipping her coffee.

"Is it really safe to come back here? What if... the person who killed my parents is still alive and now he's after my life? Our lives?"

Salvattier put down his coffee cup and looked at her seriously. He couldn't deny that he still thought about what happened to her parents and who was responsible. She's brave but not brave enough to witness another family going through the same tragedy.

And what if this time... the suspects would use her to get everything from her grandfather? or...

"What if it's you this time?"

The pain in her chest intensified as she thought about her grandfather facing the same situation as her parents.

"Grandpa, we can live in Hawaii. It's peaceful there, and life is good. We can settle there, away from the danger and threat here in the Philippines. Away from that person– the people behind Mom and Dad's death. Also, they can't go there, we are safe and-"

"Savannah Arabella."

She paused when her grandfather called her name.

"Calm down, please?"

She didn't realize that her breathing had become faster while she was talking, and her grandfather noticed. She took a deep breath and spoke more slowly.

"I won't bring you back here if I'm not sure about your safety, dear. The Williamson organization hasn't stopped looking for the person who killed your parents. As long as I am alive, I will seek justice for your parents. But you can't live in Hawaii forever."

Her grandfather was right. She couldn't live in Hawaii indefinitely while facing the dangers threatening her life here in the Philippines. She needed to be with him, especially since he was getting old and relied on her.

"I am confident with my people in the organization, Savannah. Don't worry about my safety, and the same goes for yours. The bodyguards of the Williamson Organization are well-trained. That's why I decided to bring you back because I know they can protect you and my people."

She bowed her head, focusing on her clasped hands. She wanted justice for her parents, and she couldn't achieve that by running away to Hawaii.

"I am being selfish. I want justice, but I am running away."

"Also, you are going to take my position as the new CEO of Williamson's Company."

Her eyes quickly lifted at her grandfather's words. She was surprised. That's their family's biggest company. It was supposed to be passed on to her father before he died. Moreover, why not pass the title to her Uncle Marlon?

She had so many questions!

"Why are you giving me that look, Savannah? I pushed you to take a Business Management course for a reason. I was giving you my work when you were in Hawaii for a reason. Everything I sent you about business were real transactions in our company. Why do you look surprised?"

"G-grandpa..."

"All those years I was training you. It wasn't just for nothing, Savannah. You graduated with Latin honors in Hawaii, and I am proud. I have nothing more to teach you in the business industry. You are good and knowledgeable enough to take the position as the new CEO of Williamson's Company."

She couldn't speak immediately; she hadn't processed what her grandfather just said.

"What are your thoughts?" he asked.

"H-how about Uncle Marlon? I thought he was going to be the next CEO. I never saw this coming, grandpa. I mean, w-will they approve? Especially Uncle?" she asked.

"He would be here right now, Savannah. My lawyer is currently reading where all my properties will go."

Isn't this too early? He's not dying for Pete's sake!

Also, this was too much for her. She didn't expect her grandfather to pass on the biggest company to her. She was afraid; what if she failed? There were a lot of uncertainties in her mind right now. She didn't want to disappoint him.

"And I don't care if one person or even ten won't approve of you, dear. You've got me. I trust you, and I trust the Williamson's Company."

Remembering her pain, she sighed.

"I-I can't do meetings with people. I-I can't face them. I'm... afraid. Uncle Marlon can do it, Grandpa."

Salvattier raised his eyebrows at her.

"What do you mean?"

She was still the same vulnerable Savannah. No change. Even in the past years, she still couldn't expose herself. Fearful of people, scared that something bad might happen to her. She trusted only her grandfather, her only family, and a few people she confided in.

She always believed that the killer was still watching them.

"Grandpa, I-I don't think I can do this. You know I can't socialize. I-I panic."

Salvattier understood her words. Her grandfather nodded at her.

"You can manage Williamson's Company in your own way, Savannah."

She was taken aback by her grandfather's statement.

"Do it in your own way. Do it for me also, please, dear? I can't think of anyone else to manage the company but you. I can't see Marlon as a powerful person; he's being manipulated by his wife. He's blinded by his love. I don't agree with his vision in business either. If I had chosen him, why didn't I transfer the company to his name back then, Savannah?"

Her grandfather had a point.

"Now, prepare yourself. In an hour, my attorney and your uncle will be here."

She stood up and bowed to her grandfather.

It seems like I have no other choice. I need to accept this path; I can't disappoint Grandpa. It's not always that I can't handle it. All those years, he was there to protect me. Right now, it is my time to protect him and the Williamson's Company.

After an hour, the awaited guests arrived. Mathilda, Marlon's wife, was smiling as they waited for Salvattier's attorney to make the announcement. The woman smiled as if she knew something good would happen to her life. It seemed like she expected the discussion to be about transferring all of Grandpa's properties to Marlon's name.

Savannah looked at her grandfather. To her, he still seemed strong and capable of leading the company. He's 67 years old but still looks youthful. Really, too early for the transferring of properties! And now she's being paranoid that what if something bad might happen? That's why he's preparing all of this?

She doesn't want to overthink!

"Can we begin now?" Salvattier asked his attorney, Atty. Laurencio Saccub.

The attorney nodded and handed two envelopes to him and Uncle Marlon. Savannah didn't immediately open her envelope, but her uncle looked at it right away and read its contents.

His smile disappeared as he looked at the document.

"W-What? Dad, a-are you serious about this?"

Mathilda's smile also vanished as she looked at the paper in her husband's hands.

"When did I ever joke about my properties, Marlon?"

Uncle Marlon stood up and approached Grandpa. He grabbed the envelope Savannah was holding and opened it himself. She sighed; her uncle's attitude hadn't changed. His behavior was still rude.

"Marlon! What do you think you are doing?!" Grandpa shouted.

"What? Dad! You are making her the new CEO of Williamson? She just arrived in the Philippines, and you're already giving her control of a big company? What does she know about running such a large business?"

It seemed like a fuse in her patience snapped with her uncle's words. She still respected him and chose not to respond.

"Watch your words, Marlon, or I might reconsider what I gave you. I'm still holding back," Grandpa's voice held a hint of danger.

When she looked at Mathilda, she saw anger in her eyes directed at her. She lowered her gaze to her clenched hands.

"N-No, Dad, y-you can't do this to me. I am working hard! Since my brother's death, I've shown you that I deserve that position. What's this? Why aren't you looking at me? W-why?!"

Her grandfather stood up, and she stood up as well, moving closer to support him.

"This is my decision, Marlon. Don't bring your deceased brother's name into my current decisions–"

"And that woman?! Why is she getting the Williamson's Company?! She wasn't here while the company was growing! She doesn't even know the downs that happened in the company! I was there! Dad! Can you think about this again?"

"Watch your words, Marlon! Don't provoke me, or I might not give you a penny!"

Her grandfather was furious when he uttered those words. Uncle Marlon turned away, taking the document the attorney gave earlier. Before Mathilda followed, she gave Savannah a spiteful look.

"I hope you are happy now."

Those were the words she said before following her husband.

Her grandfather slowly sat on the sofa with her assistance. He touched his forehead and shook his head.

"That's why I chose you, Savannah. Did you see the anger in Marlon's eyes? The same goes for his wife. I don't want him to lead because it's clear to me what his wife's intentions are. That woman will just use him."

"But, Grandpa, isn't Uncle Marlon the one leading the Williamson Organization? Does that mean you're giving that organization to him?"

Salvattier shook his head, "No, Savannah. The organization that I built was transferred into your father's name before he died."

Her lips parted in surprise. She had no knowledge of that!

"Originally, I am the founder, but I can't transfer it to Marlon's name even if I want to because your father is already dead. So, he's just one of those managing it now."

She heard her grandfather sigh.

"I still consider your uncle, but I'll see if there will be changes in him."

After that day, Savannah prepared herself for a significant change.

A week later, her grandfather explained his wishes to the company's security guards before she arrived and also to the employees. By nine in the morning, no employees should be outside, and everyone should be in their assigned departments. She would use the private elevator, and no one could enter except her. She would leave the company at six in the evening, and all employees should leave by five-thirty.

Anyone caught violating the new rules would be terminated.

She realized that being a good CEO meant facing challenges. She learned that the Williamson Company had been facing significant financial losses in recent years. Some employees were stealing money from the company, and they hadn't been caught yet. Additionally, three prominent members of the board disapproved of her grandfather's decision to make her the CEO, and they preferred Uncle Marlon.

The board members argued that she lacked the knowledge to run such a large company. However, she proved them wrong when she showcased her skills on the spot.

Savannah wouldn't be a puppet like they made her uncle. She would show them that she deserved the position as the new CEO of Williamson Company, starting with cleaning up the mess within her own company.

Savannah leaned back in her swivel chair. It had been two months since the company was transferred to her name. Being the new CEO was exhausting. Aside from talking to the heads of each department, she also discovered something that greatly frustrated her.

"What do you mean, Savannah? Are you accusing me of stealing money?"

That was her uncle's response when she asked him about the biggest problem recently. She wasn't accusing him. She just wanted to know if her uncle was aware of the significant amount of money disappearing from the company. But his immediate reaction made it seem like he was guilty.

Savannah shook her head. There were so many irregularities happening in Williamson Company, so what was her uncle talking about, saying that he did everything for the sake of their company?

Moreover, her grandfather knew that people were stealing money, yet he remained silent. When she mentioned the enormous amount of money they were losing every month, her grandfather just laughed. It seemed like he wasn't affected, unlike her!

Especially because she couldn't believe what he said.

"I never thought that you could really find out the problems in the company in just a week. Indeed, the Williamson's Company is in good hands."

Savannah's lips parted when she heard her grandfather's words. It wasn't just hundreds of thousands; it was a hundred million every month, and she desperately wanted to find out who the culprit was.

"Grandpa! I am serious!"

She held her head in frustration, remembering their conversation. She became busy monitoring the financial department, sending people to secretly observe the work there. It wasn't that she didn't trust them, but she needed to know who was stealing from the company.

It seemed like her grandfather was too lenient with everyone. He agreed with every decision, which was why many people liked him. But that would only encourage people to deceive him more! That was Savannah's silent frustration.

How could it be? Even the crucial documents that arrive needing a signature, her grandfather signs them directly without reading. And his reason? He trusts their company employees.

"Because of your trust, Grandpa, the company is losing money every month."

And he laughed again.

"In order to catch the big fish, you must invest in great equipment, Savannah."

But they had different beliefs. She tightly held the fountain pen and tapped it on her desk. She will make them pay when she finds out who is stealing from the company.

Her suspicion was that the thieves in the company knew that her grandfather didn't read the documents that needed his signature, so they were able to steal significant amounts of money. Those employees wouldn't be able to pull off such theft with her because she would scrutinize everything, and even if there were thousands of employees in the Williamson group of companies, she didn't care.

She didn't care if the employees called her evil or if she had to stay late to finish her work. Savannah would ensure that no one else would deceive her grandfather. She would make sure that in the coming months, no money would slip through.

"Marina, I am going to have an early lunch. Can you buy food for me now?" she said through the intercom.

"Okay, ma'am."

Marina was her secretary since she became CEO. She was a new employee chosen by Savannah herself. She saw that Marina was diligent and attentive to her instructions. Her uncle had even recommended someone to be her secretary, but she immediately declined because she wanted to personally assess and evaluate those who would work with her.

She says he's just helping because she's new to the business, but honestly, he just wants to control me. It's so obvious.

In the past two months, despite the not-so-good relationship between her uncle and his wife, everything seemed to align with her. Board members now respected her, and the three who initially opposed her knew they had nothing to throw at her because she addressed all issues efficiently. She was working smoothly, a monster in the business field, as some board members called her.

She rarely attended meetings where there were many people. She would just join online while they gathered in person. No one complained because complaining about her wouldn't do any good. She still had the final say.

Savannah took her phone to call Marina. She wanted to add something to the order. Marina answered promptly.

"Ma'am? I'm already at the food court."

It turned out she called right on time.

"Sorry, I'd like to add something to the order. Can you also buy pineapple juice?"

She felt her blood pressure rise, recalling the recent events, as she settled into her role as the CEO.

"Sure, Ma'am Savannah. Anything else?"

"No, that's all. And oh, buy yourself some food too. If you're hungry, join me for lunch."

"Okay, Ma'am Savannah. Thank you very much!"

After hanging up her phone, she looked ahead at her laptop. She took a deep breath and set it aside. She rubbed her hands on her forehead, feeling a momentary dizziness.

"It's still early, but I'm already feeling very tired."

When Savannah decided to call her butler to pick her up early and rest at home, she immediately dialed his number. However, before the phone could even ring, Savannah suddenly looked up upon hearing the fire alarm.

"What the? Is there a fire alarm inspection today?"

She stood up and quickly opened the door to her office, thinking that they might be testing the fire alarms as she instructed. But when she looked outside and saw many people running and panicking in the hallway, she felt a sense of anxiety. It intensified when she saw smoke at the far end of the floor where her office was located.

"Sht!"

She hurriedly returned to her table and paced back and forth. What was she going to do? There was a fire inside the building!

Savannah stopped in her tracks when she noticed smoke entering her office.

"Oh, God, no... Was the fire near my office?"

Intense fear welled up in her chest as smoke slowly filled her office. She sat down in fright, covering her nose as the smoke thickened. Was she going to die in here?

She glanced out the window. She was on the 50th floor of the Williamson's Company building! There was no other way out!

Savannah was coughing hard.

"S-Sht, am I going to die here?"

As she pondered what to do, Savannah felt a strong pair of hands on her shoulder. Before she could say a word, the person placed a wet blanket on her and guided her to the exit.

"W-Who are y-you?" she asked the person.

He didn't speak, and when they exited the building, Savannah noticed they were in the parking lot. No one was there. She slowly removed the wet blanket from her head and looked at the person who saved her.

She swallowed hard when she saw a hot man in front of her. He wore a black t-shirt, black pants, and boots. He had a security earpiece and a gun on his belt! What the heck! Who is this man?!

Savannah was about to step back when she realized that this man saved her from the fire in her company.

"She's okay... yes, she's with me," the man said and looked at her.

Wait! His voice is so deep! But that wasn't the only thing Savannah noticed. She gulped. The man is tall. He has light brown skin, dark eyes, thick eyebrows, and long eyelashes! She didn't want to mention his lips, but she couldn't help it because they were luscious! Okay, she's checking him out, but no, indeed, the man is good-looking.

When the man looked at her again, she averted her eyes. She cleared her throat.

"W-Who are you?"

The man lowered the hand holding his security earpiece and faced her. He bowed for a moment, and when his eyes returned to hers, he spoke.

"I'm Ace, your personal bodyguard. My team and I have been secretly guarding you since you arrived in the Philippines," he said in a baritone voice.

What? Since she came to the Philippines? That was almost three months ago! Someone had been watching over her?

Suddenly, she remembered what her grandfather had mentioned. He prepared for this.

"I didn't notice, someone has been guarding me?"

"I am not alone in guarding you, Ma'am. There are four bodyguards, and I am their leader. You won't meet them since it's not necessary. We all work in silence and are not allowed to come near you unless an emergency arises, like now."

She suddenly felt a dryness in her throat. Savannah swallowed again. How could such an attractive man be her bodyguard? What did he say? She was simply staring at his lips as he spoke!

He would be better suited to be an actor! And also, he could pass as a model! He is tall, and his face...

"Do... you need anything, ma'am?" he suddenly asked, perhaps noticing her prolonged gaze. That's when she felt embarrassed.

Oh sht. I've been gazing at him for so long. Pull yourself together, Savannah! Don't let him see that you're mesmerized by his looks!

"I-I am sorry. I don't need anything. I just want to go home for now," she said.

She turned around and bit her lower lip. How could she act cool in front of that man? She unconsciously touched her shoulder. So, that was his broad chest where she was enveloped earlier. Damn.

"I'll get the car and drive you home, ma'am."

He faced her, but Ace had already turned around. He was walking toward his car. Savannah's gaze followed his back, and then her eyes fixated on his butt. A mischievous smile played on her lips.

Sexy...

Ahhh... she never thought she would be so easily attracted. But really... this bodyguard's charisma was something else.