Billionaire Heiress - The man who saved me.

Chapter One

Emily

I had that dream again.

The one where I was thirteen again, sitting in the backseat, engrossed in my favorite game, Sniper Assassin, on my tablet while my parents laughed and shared jokes in the front.

"You turn me on!"Esther chortled in excitement, her laughter filling the air as she and my father sang along to Michael Jackson's "The Way You Make Me Feel"-my mother's favorite song. She always said it reminded her of him.

Though my dad focused on the road, he still managed to dance in his seat to the beat.

It was a lovely sight to behold, one I would never forget anytime soon. I could smell the familiar scent of lavender and cinnamon that clung to her clothes. Her laughter resounded in the car.

The time was almost ten o'clock, my parents loved late-night drives. The only light on the street was coming from the headlights and billboards. I was supposed to feel scared but being with my parents made me feel loved and protected, nothing in the world would harm me as long as I was with them.

All of a sudden the car stopped moving. My mom and dad exchanged a look before my mum reached out to unbuckle my seatbelt, her hands trembling. " Hey Emmy," She whispered, her voice barely audible. " Me and Daddy are going out on a little vacation and we need you to stay with Uncle Rob and his family for a little while, okay?"

I looked up at her in confusion, " Why can't I come along?"

"Honey, children are not allowed, it's an adult thing."

"I'm not a child anymore mom, I'm thirteen,"

My dad stared back at me, smiling at me in amusement."You are still my baby girl."

I rolled my eyes, my mum leaned closer to kiss my forehead. " I promise we will come back soon okay? Uncle Rob is going to take care of you and also you would be with Maya, your best cousin."

" don't argue with your Aunt Gianna either!" my dad added

"I'm not a troublemaker, I just want to be around you and Mom, why must I always stay back?"

She kissed my forehead, her eyes glowing in the dark. "Sometimes, honey, we have to do things we don't understand. You'll be safe. Just remember that we love you. Always."

I got out of the car, finding myself in front of my uncle's house a frown spread across my face. My parents were in the car and they waved at me.

Then, suddenly, they were gone. I watched the car pull away, my heart racing as I stood there, alone. It was only a few minutes later that I heard the screeching of tires and the metallic crunch, a sound that still haunted me. I ran toward the scene, screaming for them, only to see the car catch fire.

I sat up in my bed, gasping, soaked in my sweat. My heart was thumping in my chest, and it took me a moment to remember where I was. I was no longer that helpless little girl. I was twenty-one, and today I had to catch a flight to New York City to see my mom and my uncle Robert.

I took a quick peek at the clock, and I froze. I was an hour late.

"Emily! You idiot!" I muttered to myself as I leaped out of my bed dragging my feet to the bathroom, splashing after on my face, then brushing my teeth. I hit the shower and in record time I was done.

I slipped into a black dress and a brown leather jacket, tying my brown hair back in a ponytail. Within minutes, I was ready to head to the airport. Glancing in the mirror, I smiled. "Today's a good day. I'll finally see my mom after so many years. I hope Dad's proud of me up in heaven." I checked out of my hotel room and, luckily, made it just in time to board.

Once the plane took off, I tried to settle down, the roar of the engines and the steady hum around me oddly comforting. I closed my eyes, as my mind began to drift back to the nightmare I had earlier this morning, my parents' laughter fading in and out in my memory, like whispers carried away by the wind.

No matter how much time has passed by, they were still with me in a way, I could feel their spirit hovering around protecting me from evil incidents.

No matter how much time passed, they were still with me in a way, haunting the quiet spaces of my mind.

When the plane touched down in New York City, I took a deep breath as I looked around the streets of New York City, and instantly it felt nostalgic, it felt like home.

This was it-the beginning of a new chapter. I was going to start a new life just like I promised my father. I pulled out my phone and dialed Uncle Robert's number.

"Hello, uncle!"

"Emily! You made it safely?" He asked, his tone not very excited.

"Yes uncle, I just landed," I replied trying to sound cheerful. " A Lot has changed here, you said the chauffeur would pick me up right?"

"Oh yes, dear!"

"Where is he?" I asked impatiently.

"He is on his way. You will see a white Porsche 911 waiting outside arrivals."

I smiled to myself in satisfaction. " Okay, thanks, Uncle Robert." I glanced around and spotted the Porsche along the side of the road. " Oh, I think he is here. I'll see you soon!"

I hung up immediately and hurriedly made my way to the car. The driver got out of the car, he was a tall, thin man with dark shades, and he gave me a curt nod as he helped me arrange my luggage in the booth of the car. While I hopped into the back seat.

I had barely settled in when the car sped off down the busy road of New York streets.

As we drove the city blurred by, its high buildings and flashing signs overwhelmed me. I took in a deep breath letting myself relax for the first time all day. I can't wait to finally meet up with my mom and set a new life here

I was excited about becoming the CEO of White Nova Robotics, a smile spreading across my face as I remembered that I had fulfilled my dad's dream to take over the company and carry on his legacy.

But as we picked up speed, something felt... wrong. The driver's hands were tight on the wheel, and I could see him struggling to control the car, his knuckles turning white from the tight grip. His jaw was clenched, his clothes soaked with sweat.

"Is everything okay?" I asked in a confused manner.

He didn't say anything, his eyes were fixated on the road.

Suddenly he began to press the brakes but instead of slowing down the car seemed to speed up.

A bead of sweat trickled down his forehead as he tried again, harder this time, but the brakes still wouldn't respond.

"Driver, what the hell is happening?" I asked my tone rising in fright.

"Brake failure ma'am," he muttered, barely sparing me a glance. "Hang on, I'm going to fix it!"

"You better fix it!" I blurted out feeling fear eating me deep. I gripped the seat belt tight, feeling the car veer wildly into an isolated area, the driver was still trying to control the car but nothing changed.

"Can't you do something?!" I shouted, clutching the seat in front of me.

"I'm trying ma'am !" he yelled back, his voice strained.

" well try harder or else we are both going to die,"

The car suddenly careened off the road and ran towards a line of trees along the edge of the street.

Would I die the same way my dad died?

This car was going to hit a tree and there was nothing either of us could do to stop it.

And just like I predicted.

It happened, and the impact was brutal. I hit my head on the window and everything around me spun; it was like the world had come to an end.

My vision turned to a blur, fading to black and I could feel myself passing out. The last thing I felt was the shattered glass around me And the distant sound of footsteps.

Somewhere in the darkness, I felt strong arms pulling me from the car. I tried to open my eyes, to see who was there, but I was too weak. I was slipping in and out of consciousness, my mind foggy and distant.

"Hey ma'am please, stay with me."

The voice was masculine, yet comforting, i wanted to respond, to thank whoever was there, but my mouth wouldn't form the words. I felt myself being lifted and carried carefully, and despite the pain, I felt a strange sense of safety.

"Hang on," My savior murmured.

Chapter 2

Mason

Life was exhausting for me.

I leaned back against the couch, releasing a sigh. I'd spent the entire night on my computer, analyzing data and organizing my work. If I was going to start my own company soon, I knew I'd need to lay the groundwork now.

A headache reminded me that I desperately needed sleep-I hadn't closed my eyes once all night, driven by a determination to wrap up this project.

On top of that, the other side jobs I took on to support myself and Madison were exhausting.

Sometimes I kept asking myself when all these sleepless nights would end.

All I wanted to do was to close my eyes for at least a few hours and dive into sleep. But the second I started to doze Madison stormed into the room, her hands akimbo, a familiar angry expression on her face.

"How can you sleep when we're about to lose the roof over our heads?"

I forced my eyes open, fearing what I already knew was coming. "what's going on Maddie?"

"The landlord came by today," she snapped, glaring at me.

"What did he say?"

She rolled her eyes. "Are you serious right now? He said he was done waiting for us. He's threatening to throw us out before the weekend."

I rubbed my temples in frustration, feeling the headache increase. "I know, I mean I am doing the best I can, Madison, it's not easy."

She scoffed. "The best you can? Mason, you are doing nothing useful, when are you going to look for a better job instead of wasting your time with whatever it is you're doing?"

I sat upright staring into her eyes, my patience was running thin but instill tried to keep my voice calm. " You know how hard it is to get high-paying jobs, but trust me when I say that I am working towards it, you just have to be patient with me, these things take a lot of time."

She moved forward, a look of disgust on her face. " We don't have time Mason!" she threw her hands up in the air in frustration." you are not looking well enough, that's the problem."

"What else do you want me to do Maddie?"

"I want you to go out there and look for jobs, stop sitting in front of your computer investing your time in a dream that will never come to pass!"

I took In deep breath suppressing the urge to trade words with her. "I know you are frustrated, I am too, you just need to trust me."

"Tell that to the landlord and watch how he will kick you out without thinking twice, stop being unrealistic and wake up! You need an actual job that would pay you a good salary because there is no way we are surviving on that peanut you are receiving."

I took a deep breath, reminding myself not to argue. "Madison, you are not listening to me I'm trying the best I can but nothing is working,"

"That is because you keep sitting in front of the computer all night like it's going to put food on the table or a roof over our heads, Mason, this isn't Hollywood!"

"Can I ask you for something? Can you please just hold on for a little longer?"

"No, I can't keep holding on!" she said, her voice rising. "I am tired of holding on and waiting for you to start your own robotics company. I want more, Mason. I want to be able to buy nice things, go on vacations with my girls, and live like we used to when you were working with Tony ."

"Don't even go there Madison, I quit that job because he was flirting with you, he even tried to invite you over to his house."

" And did you look for another job before quoting? No! You just went ahead to resign like you have so many job offers waiting out your door, I turned him down Mason, and I told him I wasn't interested, why did you think the best thing to do was to quit your job?"

"I get that you are frustrated and that's okay, I just need more time, I'm going to give you the world, take you on trips, and buy you designer clothes, just believe in me," I pleaded, looking into her eyes searching for any sign of sympathy or concern but I saw nothing like that just anger and irritation.

"I'm sick and tired of believing in you Mason,"

"Madison I love you and you love me too and I can't afford to lose you, I promise to work hard enough to give you anything you want,"

"And when will that be?"

"Very soon Maddie!"

She shook her head, staring at me as if she didn't know who I was anymore. " I'm sorry Mason, I don't think I can wait, I'm not interested in you anymore, it's over Mason." with that she turned and walked away, slamming the door behind her.

"I'm sorry, okay, I'll make things right."

"I'm tired of going back and forth with you. Very soon the landlord will be back and he will send us packing so you better start looking for how to pay him."

"I'm going to ask Ben to lend me some money. I just need you to calm down. "

"I'm leaving,"

" Where are you going, Maddie?"

She shook her head, looking at me as if she didn't even recognize me anymore. "I don't think I can do this anymore, Mason." With that, she turned and walked out of the room, slamming the door behind her.

I sat there in silence for a moment, her harsh words still ringing in my head piercing my heart. She was right, I needed to do something but first of all I needed to clear my head. I grabbed my car keys and stepped out of the house.

The cool breeze brushed against my skin making me shiver as I got into my old Toyota Camry driving aimlessly around the empty streets.

My thoughts kept circling back to Madison, to our bills, to this endless struggle to make things work. A wave of frustration washed over me. Why couldn't she just see that I was doing everything I could?

A lot had changed in our relationship since I lost the only high-paying job I had because my boss was openly flirting with her, offering to treat her to dinner.

If it weren't for that I wouldn't be fulfilled but at least I wouldn't be jobless and broke.

I was so deep in my thoughts, that I almost didn't notice a car speeding down the road without control. But then, out of nowhere, it veered sharply, swerving out of control. Right in front of me, it slammed into a tree with a sickening crunch.

"Damn!" I whispered, slamming my brakes.

Without thinking, I jumped out of my car and ran toward the wreckage. The driver's side was crumpled in, smoke already starting to rise from under the hood. I could see a young woman slumped over in the passenger seat, unconscious, blood trickling down her head shattered glass all over her face.

I yanked open the door, my hands trembling as I reached for her. "Hey, ma'am! Are you okay? Can you hear me?"

She didn't respond. I quickly checked her pulse-still beating, thank God. Carefully, I unbuckled her seatbelt and lifted her into my arms, carrying her back to my car. She was light, her head resting against my shoulder.

I set her gently in my back seat, then I turned back to the wrecked car. The driver was still trapped, pinned under the twisted metal. I could see the fear in his eyes, his hand outstretched toward me.

"Help me sir!" he gasps in pain.

"I'll get you out, man, just hold on!" I shouted, running back to him. I tried to pull open the door, but it was wedged tightly against the tree.

Damn!

"Please... please, help me..." he gasped, his face pale.

"I'm trying my best sir," I said, my heart beating fast as I pulled with all my strength. But the door wouldn't budge, and the smell of gasoline was getting stronger.

"Come on... come on, just open up!" I muttered, trying again, but it was no use.

The driver's eyes widened, and he looked at me with a horrible defeated gaze. "Just... go. Take her. Get away from here."

"No, I can save you!" I said trying to pull him out but then I stopped when I saw flames beginning to lick up from under the hood. There was no time left. I backed away, my chest tightening as I turned and ran back to my car. I'd barely climbed in and slammed the door when a deafening explosion shook the ground.

I winced, gripping the steering wheel as I looked back at the wreckage. The car was engulfed in flames, a twisted mess of metal and smoke.

I Forced myself to breathe and I looked in the rearview mirror at the woman lying unconscious in my back seat. I didn't know who she was or where she'd been going, but at that moment, I knew that saving her had been the only thing I could do.

I started the car and headed to the nearest hospital, hoping to find answers, but that could only happen if she was still alive.

Chapter three

Emily

All I could see was clouds.

Bright lights nearly blinded me the moment I opened my eyes. Everything around me seemed to blur and shift as I struggled to understand my surroundings. Slowly, my vision cleared. I tried to sit up, but a sharp pain in my back stopped me, my body sore and painful, reminding me of the accident I'd just survived.

I tried to move my arm but felt a slight tug and looked down, only to see a needle in my vein connected to a drip. Confusion filled me, and my head felt heavy as if it were weighed down by a thousand unanswered questions.

How did I get here in the first place?

My gaze rested on a young man who sat beside my bed, his head tilted forward, his mouth slightly opened as if he had fallen asleep. I tried to speak but my voice came out rough like sandpaper, barely audible to the ears.

"H-hello?" I began trying to catch his attention.

The young man's head shot up, his eyes meeting mine. Immediately relief washed over his face. "Thank God You're awake! Are you okay?." He leaned forward, a reassuring smile on his face. "Hi, I'm Mason. You don't know me, but... I was the one who pulled you out of the car."

"Car?" I whispered, staring at him in confusion. "What car?"

Mason's face softened, his brow arched. "You.., you don't remember anything from the accident?"

I shook my head slowly feeling an ache spread through my temples. " Of course, I knew I was involved in AN accident but I can't remember a thing about myself, am I going crazy?"

"No you aren't, just calm down," he said and I took in a deep breath, my eyes darting around the hospital room as if the answers to my numerous questions were written there.

"How did you find me?" I asked swallowing hard.

"You were in a pretty bad accident. I found you in a car that had crashed into a tree. You were in the back seat lying unconscious, I managed to pull you out but The driver... I'm afraid he didn't make it, I tried to help him out too but he was too trapped, unfortunately, there was nothing I could do to save him." He said his voice was laced with sadness.

I struggled to recall what had happened to me, why I was in that car, and who I truly was, but it felt as though my mind was a blank slate.

" I can't remember anything, Mason. I don't know who I am and where I was going, I remember nothing! I'm so scared." I said, tears blurring my vision.

Mason reached over, resting a hand gently on my arm. "Hey, it's okay. I spoke with the doctor earlier and he said when you wake up you are going to have a temporary amnesia and that's just because you had an injury on your head. You will remember soon okay? You just need something to help jog your memory."

That's when I noticed a bandage wrapped around my head, and a wave of fear and frustration suddenly welled up inside me. " Did you find anything on me, An ID, anything that can tell us who I am and where I came from?"

He hesitated, then shook his head. "I'm sorry Lady, but I didn't find anything on you. No ID, no phone, there was not enough time. But maybe," He nodded toward the small bag on the side table. "That was all the hospital had from the crash site. Maybe there's something in there."

I reached for the bag, hands trembling slightly. Rummaging through it, I found a crumpled piece of paper. My heart leaped. An address was scribbled on it. I showed it to Mason, the words almost strange to me, but something about them felt familiar.

Mason's face brightened as soon as he stared into the piece of paper. "That could be your way back home lady,! Maybe this is an address to your home or... somewhere important you needed to be."

"I don't think so Mason,"

"You don't know that, have some little hope okay?"

Just then, a doctor walked into the room, clipboard in hand. He smiled at me cheerfully "Ah, good to see you're up. How are you feeling ma'am ?"

I swallowed hard, glancing nervously at Mason before looking back at the doctor. "I... I can't remember anything. Why can't I remember?"

The doctor gave a small, understanding nod. "You hit your head pretty hard during the accident. It caused temporary amnesia. Don't worry; it's not unusual in cases like this. With some rest and perhaps a few familiar surroundings, your memory should start to come back."

I let out a breath I didn't realize I'd been holding, clinging to his words. "So... I'll remember soon?"

"Yes ma'am," he assured me. "Just give it some time. Don't try to stress your brain; it will eventually come back to you when you encounter something meaningful, like a familiar place or person, that might help speed up the process."

Mason caught my eye, his gaze flickering to the address in my hand. "So do you think we Should go check out this place?"

I nodded," about the hospital bills I'm sorry I don't have money to sort it out."

Mason stared into my eyes innocently. " It's fine lady, I have sorted it out, I don't have much but I'm afraid I have no choice, I was the one that brought you in and I am going to take care of things."

I smiled at him," Thank you, Mason, I hope to repay your kindness someday,"

"It's fine," Mason said, smiling back at me.

"Doctor, am I free to go now?"

"Yes ma'am you can." The doctor said,

I nodded a strange sense of excitement nibbling inside of me" Let's go, Mason!"

*

*

The drive was quiet, the world outside the window blurring by as I clutched the piece of paper in my hand. Mason glanced at me occasionally, offering me small smiles of encouragement.

"Don't worry lady, we will get there and you will meet the right people who will help jog your memory."

"I hope so,"

The ride felt like an eternity and as I began to wonder if the journey wasn't going to end, we pulled up to a massive elegant mansion set back behind iron gates.

My heartbeat increased, and my stomach tightened immediately, this place looked very recognizable.

Like I had been here before but I just couldn't remember when.

"Does this place look familiar?" Mason asked, his gentle voice jolting me out of my Reverie.

I stared up at the mansion, a chill running down my spine. "I... I think so. I don't know why, but... I feel like I know this place."

We parked just In front of the gate, and as soon as the gate man saw me he opened the iron gate, and a woman in a wheelchair appeared, her eyes wide with disbelief.

She looked very frail yet beautiful, we had the same shade of hair and color of eyes. I could see myself in her. She was the older version of me.

The moment I saw her, something clicked inside of me like a puzzle that had finally been solved. Tears filled my eyes as memories flooded back, this woman in the wheelchair was my mother.

And this house, Was my home!

"Mom? Is that you?" I whispered, my voice trembling.

Her eyes welled up, and she stretched out her arms. "Emily...my baby, what happened to you?"

Without thinking, I ran to her, dropping to my knees beside her wheelchair and hugging her as tightly as I could. "I remember... I remember now, Mom. I'm home."

She pulled back to look at me, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Oh, Emily, you've grown so much. I haven't seen you in eight years. I was so afraid I'd lost you, we have been waiting for you for the past hours, we thought something bad had happened to you ."

I wiped my tears away, trying to compose myself. "I missed you so much, Mom. I'm so sorry I worried you. There was an accident, and I... I couldn't remember anything, I blacked out Mum."

She cupped my face in her hands, her touch soft and warm, her gaze resting on mine. "It's okay, sweetheart. You're here now, and that's all that matters."

Just then, a man stepped forward, someone I hadn't noticed before. Tall, with graying hair and a kind smile, he looked at me with pride.

"Uncle Robert?" I said, my memories filling in more blanks. How could I forget him, that night my father died, I met him at the hospital, he was the one who broke the bad news to me, but then he delivered my father's last words which were;

I love you with my heart Emmy and I want you to take over the world.

Ever since my dad's death, Uncle Robert has been there for me and my mom, he sent me overseas to study, because that was the promise he'd made to my father.

To make sure I was well educated to run the white Nova robotics company.

He nodded, his eyes filled with affection and surprise. "I'm glad to see that you are okay, Emily. I knew you'd come back to us someday. You were always determined, just like your father."

A wave of gratitude washed over me. "Thank you for everything, Uncle Robert. I'm a first-class graduate in robotics now... and it's all because of you. You kept your promise to Dad to sponsor me and make sure I never lack."

He placed a gentle hand on my shoulder. "Your father would be so proud of you. I'm proud of you."

As we stood there, a quiet understanding settled between us. I felt whole like I'd finally found the missing pieces of myself. My family, my memories, my purpose-it was all coming back to me.

Mason cleared his throat from where he stood nearby, watching the reunion with a small smile on his face. "I, uh, guess this is goodbye?"

I looked at him, feeling thankful to him. "No, Mason. If it weren't for you, I don't know where I'd be right now. Thank you for everything-for saving my life, for helping me find my way back, you are a good man, I promise to repay you for this."

Mason rubbed the back of his neck, a sheepish look on his face. "I'm just glad you're safe, Emily. That's all that matters," he said with a smile on his face.

Uncle Robert spoke up, his expression growing serious. "We were all worried about your safety, Emily. And... about the driver. Did he make it?"

I swallowed, a pang of sadness piercing my chest. "No... he didn't. He... didn't survive the crash."

My mother placed a hand on mine, her gaze filled with sympathy. "I'm so sorry, my dear. You've been through so much today that you need to rest."

I nodded," Yes,"

Une Robert moved closer to Mason looking at him from head to toe. " and what is your name, young man?"

"Mason Anderson,"

"How do I repay you for your kindness towards my niece?"

Mason looked up innocently," There is no need sir, I'm glad to help."

"What do you do young man?" Robert asked, Mason stared at me then his gaze shifted back to my uncle.

"For now, I am still job hunting."

"Nice, what did you study?"

"Electrical Engineering sir!"

Robert stared at me for a long time, "That's nice, Emily here is going to take over her father's Robotics company soon and she will need a bit of guidance, I want you to join the team!"

Mason's eyes widened in surprise," are you for real sir?"

"Yes I am, I want to see your resumè tomorrow," Robert demanded.

I smiled at Robert, happy he was rewarding Mason in this way.

"I have my resume here, I always carry it around," Mason said, bringing out a file from his bag and handing it over to my uncle.

Robert accepted it and scanned through it, " Your resume is brilliant and impressive, you are truly fit for this position, we hope to see you at the company tomorrow so we can talk about your salary."

Robert turned to face me, " Emily, I will be on my way to the house take good care of yourself."

"I will uncle," I said, smiling at myself in satisfaction.