My Ghost Billionaire

Adrian Ryder's world shattered in an instant. One moment, he was driving home with his family.

Next, brakes of the car failed, causing their car to crash.

Adrian Ryder a young successful Billionaire and at the age of 25 he was up and ready to take over his parent's legacy as the only child he was given all the love and attention needed

On this day

"Mum, you know you don't have to follow us to this meeting,

it's just a champagne party we need to approach some potential investors this evening" Adrian spoke his tone was gentle yet firm wanting to ease her worries

"Do you take me as an old hag? Boy don't worry I have my friends too I won't disrupt any of your business dealings" she replied with a frown on her brows

"Alright now boys come on let's go get ready," Adrian's mum said with a smile,

she knew she would win this fight even before it started.

Adrian glanced at his dad, who just shrugged, choosing to keep his mouth shut.

"Helpless romantic," Adrian muttered in frustration.

Upon reaching the event, Adrian and his dad concluded their discussions with potential business investors.

However, Adrian started to feel restless. He called his mother so they could be on their way home. As they walked to the car, his restlessness increased, but he brushed it off.

There had been a series of attacks on him since he was old enough to take over the family legacy, and he didn't want to put his family in danger.

He opened the passenger seat for his mom, but she stood there, refusing to get in.

"You want to separate me from my husband," she huffed, turning her head away.

Adrian rolled his eyes and opened the back seat door. "Mom, please stay with your husband. I'm not trying to separate anyone."

"Don't worry, Adrian. I'm sure you'll find a fine young lady that you'll fall in love with and never want to be separated from her ever again."

"I don't think so" Adrian replied with a shrug

"You and your father are one of a kind you act so tough but you have a soft heart" Adrian's mum replied

After a few minutes of driving, they saw a big truck parked horizontally across the road Adrian tried to hit the brakes but it wasn't working his only hope was to drive the car in another direction to avoid a collision;

Their car changed direction with such speed that the car tumbled before reaching a cruel stop.

Shattered glass and screeching tires filled the air.

' Somebody... help,' he weakly whispered as he turned his head to look at his parents in the back seat, but they were almost unrecognizable with the blood all over them,

he could remember vividly the feeling of knives piercing through his heart, then he passed out from the pain.

Adrian's spirit drifted from his body and he stood, witnessing the chaos. He saw his family motionless,

first responders team was in the process of wrapping their bodies in body bags, surrounded by flashing lights,

"It's all my fault. I never should have brought them here," he thought to himself. Grief and guilt consumed him.

He saw his body being rushed to the hospital while he stood at the scene feeling dead, watching as the first responders and doctors were trying to save him.

'Why!!!' he screamed, with his heart burning in his chest, but nobody could hear him; feeling so broken and empty,

he then turned his back and walked away. From the pain, from the past, he just kept walking forward.

Months passed, or perhaps years. Time was lost to Adrian as he was lost to himself. Adrian's spirit wandered, searching for peace, but he never found it.

~Somewhere In City A~

After what felt like an eternity of wandering, he found himself in a bustling town, irresistibly drawn to a vibrant campus. As he stepped onto the campus grounds, he saw her

"Is she an angel?" Adrian mouthed to himself as he caught sight of her. For the first time in a long while, his raging heart and stormy mind fell silent.

He spotted her, a student perhaps, whose sparkling eyes and infectious laughter captivated him. Adrian watched entranced as she interacted with her friends.

She had a striking pair of silver eyes and long brunette hair, and she wore a simple outfit of baggy black jeans and a white crop top. Yet, there was something extraordinary about her that set her apart from every other girl, even amidst the crowd.

For weeks, Adrian observed Sheila from a distance. She radiated positive energy, and her presence lit up the space around her.

And for the first time since his grieving Adrian thought about something else apart from the death of his parents.

"What happened back then was it an opposing family or was it an insider, that job was done by an insider no doubt but who is the mastermind" his head was working overtime trying to figure things out

"I would not show mercy, whoever did this they have to pay," he thought deeply with anger coursing through his blood.

Meanwhile

He continued his routine of observing Shelia, and watching her interact with others he longed to approach her but hesitated, fearing his presence would frighten her,

"I bet she can't see me anyways" he murmured to himself

'I better stay away. Everything I love seems to leave one way or the other,' he thought to himself before closing his eyes to think.

One evening, Sheila strolled through campus after a long day of lectures; lost in thought, Adrian's spirit lingered near a bench. She noticed him, mistaking his emotionless face for sadness.

"Hey, you okay?" Sheila asked concern etched on her face, she quickly blushed when he turned to look at her with his pitch black hair and honey colored eyes

Adrian's heart skipped a beat. No one had seen him or spoken to him in years.

"I'm fine, thanks for asking," he replied, his voice barely above a whisper, but deep in his heart, he was ... happy. After years a normal feeling felt so foreign to him.

Sheila handed him a coffee from her thermos. "I'm Sheila." She replied and she felt her heart beat twice as hard in her chest when she heard his voice

"I..." Adrian hesitated, unsure how to respond.

Sheila's smile reassured him. "Just drink it. You look like you need it."

"Are you sure it's okay?" he asked as he collected the drink and kept it on the seat beside him

"No it's fine too much caffeine isn't good for anyone" she laughed heartily

"Hi.. my name is Adrian," he said while keeping his eyes open, fearing that if he blinked, she'd disappear.

"My name is Sheila it's nice to meet you Adrian" Shelia responded and she continued saying

"would you like to share what's going on?" she asked curiously It's okay if you don't want to share too

"No it's fine, it doesn't hurt as much as it used to" Adrian replied

He told her about the loss of his parents and how sure he was that it had something to do with his father's brother.

Sheila listened intently, feeling pity for him after hearing his story

"I'm sorry about the loss of your parents, I lost my dad when I was 3 years old I barely remember him, I can't imagine how you feel" she replied feeling a little down after hearing his story,

Their conversation flowed effortlessly. Adrian found himself opening up, sharing some parts of his story, keeping out the fact that he's just a spirit at the moment.

As they talked, Adrian discovered Sheila's passion for arts and her dreams of traveling.

"But you're a science student studying computer science" he jokingly laughed

"Heyy don't make fun of me" she replied with a light smile

"Why don't you pursue your dream you never know when you might succeed, it's better than being stuck in a job you don't like at the prime of your life," Adrian said jokingly

"My mum would kill me, she doesn't support my dream I love her so much I would do anything for her" she muttered sadly

"So even you who smiles so brightly has a wind putting your fire out," Adrian thought to himself while they continued with their conversations

They talked for a more while before the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the campus.

"Umm I have to go now my roommate must be worried about me," Shelia said anxiously

"I can't believe I stayed out this late what was I thinking, I hope I make it back home on time.. oh God," she thought to herself

Immediately after she said so her phone beeped it was her roommate Emily who sent her a message

Inbox: hey babe, where are you? Are you okay out there?

"Can I have your contact information? We can talk more on the phone" she asked urgently with her heart beating wildly in her chest

"I don't have a phone, but I'll see you around. I know your faculty building,

it's late already. Let me see you off, okay... art girly," he said while smiling lightly.

"Stop it!! I shouldn't have told you," she replied while smiling and blushing,

"Thank God it's late. He can't see my bright, burning red cheeks," she thought to herself.

"When was the last time that I had a decent conversation with someone I don't remember,

Shelia... why would God bring you to me? I don't think I can let you go," he thought to himself, and In that moment, Adrian knew there was no turning back.

As the stars emerged, Adrian reluctantly parted ways with Sheila.

"Thank you for the drink...and listening," he said, his voice laced with emotion.

Sheila smiled. "Anytime. I'll see you around?"

Adrian nodded, while feeling the familiar sense of peace he has been feeling these past few weeks

He watched Sheila disappear into the night, his heart forever tied to hers.

"Shelia!! Turn off your alarm," my roommate Emily moaned in her sleep.

I could remember hearing some rustling sounds and a click, and the alarm was no more. I fell into a deeper sleep after that.

I woke up to some birds singing outside my window, and when I turned to look at the window,

I saw one of the best morning views in a while. The sun was basking in a harem of clouds.' What a beautiful sight to behold,' I thought to myself.

Turning my head to the right, I spot my artificial intelligence textbook. "Oh shoot!!" I screamed

"I can't believe I didn't read this morning for today's quiz," I said as I scrambled up trying to get out of bed to reach my textbook, and once I did I slammed the book down on my head

"Damn it!!" I cursed as I tried to skim through the pages hoping to get something useful, but as always, my brain refused to work.

Instead, I found my mind wandering to the handsome man I met yesterday; his deep honey-colored eyes kept flashing in my head as I felt my face growing hot.

"What's wrong with you" my roommate sneered snapping me out of my trance while looking at me with an I don't think you're okay expression,

while I stood in the middle of the room in my baby blue pajamas holding my textbook close to my chest

"why didn't you wake me up Emily I told you I had a test today," I said to her feeling a bit annoyed while trying to get ready for class cause since I didn't read I might as well get there early

"Oh please!! Shelia, stop setting alarms if I'm the only one that's going to wake up to it," Emily replied while rolling her eyes practically halfway through the door on her way to her lectures.

I can't believe I'm late I muttered to myself as I rushed past the hallway trying to get to my class before the lecturer,

"Hii.. Jason" I said to my seat mate and he turned to me with a bored look on his face

"You didn't forget to read now did you?" he asked me through his teeth,

"How did you know?" I asked, practically sweating bullets while wearing just my top and pants.

" You're never the type to hide your emotions well, I can always read you like a book," he replied while looking at me reassuringly.

"Don't worry, just follow my lead, and don't act too nervous. You've got this. You'll be fine," he muttered as the lecturer walked into the class.

The class went on for about two hours as the lecturer went over a few topics and previous assignments,

while I waited anxiously for him to begin the quiz, but he never did instead, after the lecture, he ended it with a simple sentence,

"My quiz would come as a surprise. Be prepared and stay on your toes".

As he walked out of the class, I felt air pass through my lungs.

I didn't realize I was holding my breath till this moment, and Jason turned to look at me with a knowing look.

I smiled at him while walking out of the class to the closest cafeteria to get something to eat when I bumped into Emily my roommate and my close friend Jane

"Hi girl," they both said "I knew we were going to find you here you're so predictable," Jane said while smiling lightly,

"OH please my day hasn't been great so far I'm just pushing through," I said while returning the smile,

"Why do you say so?" asked Jane with concern etched on her face, "leave her" Emily replied dismissively, she didn't wake up early to read for some quiz of hers,

Then Jane replied while laughing, "Girl, you should have never slept without reading." So how did it go?

"Well, Emily seems to be having a field day at my expense but it was postponed Emily, I didn't fail but It was a close call and I don't like it" I replied while rolling my eyes,

"cheer up, baby girl, it's going to be fine," Jane said while smiling.

"So where were you yesterday Evening," Emily said out of the blue,

I was so shocked by the quick change of topic, I almost choked on my burger while coughing I had to drink my smoothie to calm down while I felt tears in my eyes and my heart burning in my chest,

"Wtf Emily what's wrong with you" Jane with visible annoyance on her face after I calmed down I tried to smooth things over

"I'm fine, girls I just wasn't expecting that question out of the blue,

After lectures yesterday I was on my way home when I met this guy he didn't seem okay so I approached him,

"Girl he is so handsome I didn't even know I had a type till I met him," I said while laughing in a fit of giggles,

"oh wow, tell me more" Jane replied while smiling lightly with her hand on her cheek and her head tilted to the side

I went over a few details about our conversation and I got to know that I don't know this guy like I think I do, I mean I don't even know if he's a student I have questions to ask the next time we meet

Earth to Sheila I heard as I said Emily snapped her fingers at my face and Jane quickly said "We were asking if we could meet him or something",

"Come on, Jane, I don't even know the guy that well. Why do you look like you're ready to plan a wedding?" I replied teasingly.

"That is because this is the first time you're obviously into someone, you're even spacing out thinking about him now tell me is he hot," Emily said,

but there was something in her tone I just couldn't put a finger on it,

" Emily!!!" I laughed while blushing okay you got me there guys

"He's very hot, and he has like a lean sleeper build nothing too much but enough to show for it you get?" and yeah I'm attracted to him no questions asked there

"aww that's so cute Shelia, I can't wait to meet him.." Jane squealed with excitement on her face,

" Jane please remember you have a boyfriend, I wouldn't want to piss him off by acting weirdly over a stranger," Emily said coldly cutting Jane off

"You know what Emily, I think you're just a jealous bitch" Jane replied angrily

"You're a lonely and sad little girl that's why you want everyone to be like you" Jane continued

" You're in a relationship yes but are you happy you look like you're having trouble holding it together" Emily replied coldly

"Come on, let's leave this place," Jane said, trying to grab my hand,

"let's talk this out, Jane Come on, she didn't mean it that way," I said, trying to soothe her anger.

"Anytime I warn you about her you won't listen be careful of this girl she acts like she wants to be your friend meanwhile she just wants to be you," Jane said while storming off,

"Sheila leave her we don't need her anyways," Emily said behind me,

"Emily" I snapped angrily while picking up my bag and walking off with a lot on my mind,

"On one hand is Jane my childhood friend, and on the other is Emily has been with me since the first days on campus,

I can't lose any one of them why can't they just get along, "I thought to myself while frowning my brows

"A penny for your thoughts pretty lady?" I heard a deep voice saying from beside me and I swear my heart almost leaped out of my chest

"Hey Adrian" I greeted warmly

"How are you feeling now?.. You look better than you did yesterday." he stared into my eyes for a bit too long before turning his head away and replying, "I feel better today, thanks to you".

"Let's go to the student's lounge to talk," I said, and he followed me

"So, are you a student of this institution?" I asked on our way there,

"No, I graduated from a higher institution two years ago," he replied calmly,

"What did you study?" I asked further,

"Economics," he replied almost too quickly,

"So where are you from?" I tried to probe further.

"Why don't you tell me about yourself self" he replied avoiding my question,

"Well you know my name and other basic things about me, I don't have a boyfriend" I responded but I regretted it immediately,

"Why would you say that? You're basically telling him to ask you out " I groaned to myself with my cheeks burning with my heart beating wildly in my chest and he just smiled at me and leaned over to whisper in my ear,

" I know" he replied his voice barely above a whisper "What did you say," I asked shocked with my eyes wide open,

"Nothing," he replied. We talked some more, and I felt like I was getting to know him, but I also felt like I didn't know much about him at the same time,

After talking for a while, I stood up and bid him farewell cause I didn't want to go home late.

On getting home I saw Emily who was doing something on her phone visibly scared and jumpy when she saw me,

"Is everything okay?" I asked why are you acting like you saw a ghost

"n.. not it's nothing" she replied her hands visibly trembling, okay if you say so I walked towards the bathroom to take my shower,

By the time I came out, Emily was more calm and stable

I need to talk to you I said after a moment of silence, and I think I saw her lips twitching, but it could also be my imagination.

"What do you want to talk about?" Emily replied dryly,

"I don't like the way you spoke to Jane today, she was visibly upset and you didn't even apologize"

Did I have to? Emily replied with a bitter smile, she misunderstood me, and I have to apologize to her for that,

Deep down I know our friendship can never compare to the one you have with her,

"Emily....." I tried to say.

"No, it's fine. I think I'm going to bed," she replied coldly.

"I don't know what to do; how do I handle this?" I thought to myself before falling into deep sleep

The next day, I woke up early, did some chores, and went to get a phone charger at the nearest store cause my old one got burnt last night when I bumped into him, and yes, by him, I meant Adrian.

At this point, I can only assume it's fate cause I kind of felt him before I saw him like his presence has been ingrained in my subconscious.

"hi, " I said shyly I hoped he couldn't hear my heart beat God please,

"Hey Sheila" my name rolled off his tongue so smoothly I could have sworn he'd said it countless times

"What are you doing here?" I asked him

"I'm just taking a walk you?" He asked as the morning sun cast a glow on his honey brown eyes I could feel myself getting lost when I replied

"I'm going to the store to get a new charger my last one got burnt"

"Are you busy? If not I have a nice spot we can go to" he said

"No...I'm not.. busy. It's fine.. let's go" I replied blushing and stammering under his alluring gaze

He led me and I just followed him from behind like I was meant to, his aura almost confusing like he demands respect

"Looking at his back from my point of view I was suddenly angry why did he turn those honey brown eyes away from me" I thought deeply well what a weird thought

as if on cue we got there a small park There were hardly any people there we just sat and enjoyed the view of the lush green scenery and before I knew it I started humming then a blown full blown song

"You have a really nice voice," Adrian said while smiling lightly,

"I can't sing even if I'm going to be paid a million dollars" while Shelia watched him with her mouth gaped open like a fish

"Excuse me mister thank your stars you are my friend, I'd have beat you up for this statement" Shelia replied still shocked

"Do you know what a million dollars could buy? people work their whole lives and they couldn't boast of such an amount" Shelia said while frowning

"They aren't thinking big and are probably working in the wrong way, people can work comfortably for others for years but are too scared to start up something on their own.

Secondly, passion is very important no matter which aspect of life or dream you're chasing without that you're just going to part of the average or maybe even less" Adrian said while smiling lightly.

"You have a point" Shelia said slowly,

"I always have a point" Adrian replied laughing

"This is why I told you to follow your dreams it is and will always be the best option" Adrian said in a more serious tone this time

As we talked for some more time passed quickly and before I realized my phone was dead I didn't even know the time

"So, what has been on your mind recently? You seemed out of it in our recent meetings?" Adrian asked concerned and I almost burst out into tears,

The burden of my two best friends fighting each other was hard on my chest, because I couldn't take sides and when he asked I just opened up to him and he didn't ask me questions he just nodded his head and listened intensively.

And when I was done I had few tears drop from my eyes at this point and his had reached out hesitantly but brushed my tears away so lightly I almost didn't feel a thing

I think your friends needs to be honest with each other something is wrong and nobody wants to address it maybe you could invite them on a date, get everybody to open up and be honest with each other,

After he said that I felt a burst of joy and I stood up quickly I rushed to hug him,

" you just solved my problem and lifted the weight off my chest" I exclaimed and he hesitated before rubbing his hand in my back

I realized too late what I had done I was already in his arms already and we pulled away looking deep into each other's eyes and I felt like It this warm feeling in my chest and I think he feels the same way

He didn't even bother hiding his desire for me and for a moment I thought he would kiss me but he just put his forehead on mine and let me go

Let's see another time I said while getting up I bid him farewell with a hug and as I walked home my mind was lost in thought about my feelings for Adrian

He is so mature, he's nice, he knows me well and we haven't even known for that long I can see my future with him why does my heart keep beating like this though

As I approached my home I noticed that Emily wasn't around I tried to call her but I noticed my phone's battery was dead my charger spoilt and I forgot to get a charger today

"Well done Shelia well done" I muttered to myself

No phone makes me productive I thought to myself as I picked up my books and started reading,

I woke up early today and did some house chores.

I was taking a bath when I heard a knock at my door. I went to open it but didn't see anyone.

I almost closed the door when I caught sight of a snow-white cat on the ground at my doorstep.

It was probably a kitten, judging by how small and round it was, and it looked up at me with glossy eyes.

Around its neck was a note, and there was a rose on the floor by its side.

I went inside to grab a small bowl and poured some milk into it. I checked to ensure it was safe for cats before giving it to him.

While he was busy drinking, I took the note from his neck and read what it said,

"Hey Shelia, I miss you a lot, and I don't know what I would do without you. I patiently waited for you to wake up before sending this message.

Would you honor my invitation by coming to the park today at 3 PM? I have something important I would like to tell you."

If your answer is 'yes I'm coming' please take the rose, if not you can leave it at your doorstep yours truly Adrian" She blushed figuring that Adrian was practically asking her to on a date

She took the rose and went inside, the next time she opened her door the cat had already left

The words on his note kept playing over and over in my head, and my heart continued to beat fast gosh, is this how it feels to have a soulmate?

I also want to see you, I thought about you when I woke up this morning.

Adrian, are you going to ask me to be your girlfriend today? She thought while blushing

Shelia stop getting ahead of yourself calm down it might just be a casual hang out,

Take deep breaths, girl, for the first time she wished her phone was charged so she could call her best friends and tell them about their improvement

I read my books some more before getting ready for my date... no hang out I thought to myself my cheeks visibly red,

I hope I don't mess this up. This guy treats me like an egg worth the price of diamonds;

I see it in the way he looks at me, treats me, and cares about my well-being.

"Such a gentleman," I mouthed while smiling; at this point, my cheeks hurt, but I was not bothered about that.

I arrived at the park and spotted Adrian from afar I saw him holding some roses as I walked up to him, he hugged me and presented them to me

Well these didn't look like it was bought in the store looking behind the chair we were sitting I saw lots of thorns

"Did he pluck the thorns himself?" no shit lock, my brain mocked.

He probably won't want me to know it, and I might hurt his pride by saying anything. I just have to show him that I appreciate his flowers.

"Thank you so much Adrian" I said with my voice visibly laced with emotion

"Shelia..." Adrian said without looking at me

"What do you know about me?"

"I know enough to know you'll never do anything to hurt me" I responded but thought to myself did he spend all morning picking those thorns,

Adrian looked at me without saying a word and for the first time I couldn't read what his eyes were telling me I smiled at him trying to let him know that it was okay,

I stretched forth my hand and placed it on his. Mine was sweating out of nervousness and I didn't realize until my hand was on his cold hands.

"Shelia I like you a lot damn I love you, the way your eyes sparkle when you laugh, the little dim when you hear something sad, your smile is my most beautiful view,

You're very optimistic, and you try to make everyone else feel loved without expecting any for yourself; I want you so badly love.

Now tell me, my Shelia, do you want me to?" he said with emotion burning through his eyes, and I felt my cheeks getting hot.

"I...I..I do I want you too I mean I like you too I would be happy to be your girlfriend" I blurted out

"Damn it Sheila this is not a job interview stop messing it up" I thought to myself,

But he just smiled sadly I wanted to take that sadness away so badly but I was powerless

"Shelia there's something about me you need to know but I'm scared if I tell you, you would hate me and run from me" he said while looking at me

I was confused what could it possibly be he was so handsome he looked so perfect, what could be so bad that he felt this torn trying to tell me,

I smiled lightly while replying to him, "It's ok, listen to me." I turned his head to face mine with my hands on his cheeks.

"Is it something personal?"

"yes,"

"did you kill anyone?"

"No" he replied

"Then it's something that can wait you can tell me at your own pace okay" I smiled while giving him a peck on his cheeks before pulling away,

He visibly freezes for a few seconds then I realized what I just did, damn girl you're not taking things slow I said to myself while blushing like crazy

Pinky promise me Adrian and he stretched forth his pinky without even asking what I wanted and I felt bothered,

He has such a good heart thank God he's with me else he would have been easily taken advantage of,

"Promise me that on this day next month, you will tell me everything I need to know about you, and also, one more thing, promise me that you will never hurt me in any way if you don't love me anymore..."

"No!!", he yelled his eyes filled with panic and I was quiet for a minute

"I'm sorry, he said I would never stop loving you even if I'm reborn my heart would only beat for you"

"And how do you know that?" I asked while smiling.

"Well, when I met you, I just knew you were the one, my perfect puzzle piece that has been missing most of my life; you complete my bigger picture," he said to me with his eyes laced with emotion.

"Oh Adrian," I said, almost moving to tears now that was so smooth, but we need to seal the promise.

Okay, stretch forth your finger, Adrian!!! stop stressing me out. Bend your finger like urggh, this would have to work.

"Do you promise me, Adrian?" I said to him feeling nervous cause this was like my first relationship yet,

"I promise you Sheila" he replied with a light smile

Jane pov

"Oh no no, Shelia pick up oh shoot I have to go to her house," I said while running around the house trying to get ready

"Where are you going?" my boyfriend Victor asks me

"Didn't you see what was posted on the school website I need to check up Shelia" I said practically rushing to wear my clothes I couldn't button my shirt cause my hands were shaking,

"Shelia please be fine don't do this to me" I muttered as I threw the shirt off me and picked a black tank top to pair with my jeans not caring how I looked,

I was about to rush out of the door when my boyfriend held me down,

"Baby I know you're worried but think about this, is it safe for you to go there now?" he asked trying to convince me

"So what would you rather I'd do, leave her on her own I'm going with or without you" I huffed my heart beating wildly in my chest and I could hardly wait another minute to see Shelia

"Okay babe wait here, let me just get my car key" After that, we rushed to Shelia's apartment