Grace felt a sharp pain in her chest as she watched the other students present. Why couldn't her parents show up just today? She gritted her teeth. "They treat me like trash."
"Next, we have Grace Chen," the teacher announced, and Grace stood up and straightened her gown before she walked on stage when her project was being displayed.
"Hello everyone, my name is Grace Chen, and I will be doing a presentation on the human microbiome."
She rubbed her sweaty palms and bit her lower lip, and she also decided not to raise her head and look at the crowd; only this way could she gain her confidence as she went ahead with her presentation.
After ten minutes, she finally raised her head and said, "These tiny creatures have a profound impact on our well-being, shaping our health in ways we're only beginning to understand. Thanks."
The hall burst out with claps, and Grace's gaze was stuck on the man dressed in all black sitting in the last row. He had a smile and clapped as well. This man has been showing up in her life, and it got her worried.
"Thanks Grace," her teacher said.
She was speechless and shocked to find him there. "Grace," her teacher snapped her out of her trance.
She walked down the stage when Steph hurried and handed her the flower, "Congratulations," then hugged her.
"Umm, thanks," Grace said, her gaze still stuck on Raymond.
He stood up and smiled at her before leaving. Grace hurried out of the hall and went after him. "Excuse me," she called, but Raymond didn't stop.
Once he got close to his car, he turned and found her still following him. "Who are you?"
"A body part extractor," Raymond answered, and she frowned. "What do you want from me?"
"From my knowledge, the students usually go out to celebrate after the presentation. So shall we?" He pulled the door open for her.
"You think I will follow a stranger to his car? You have been showing up in my life, so tell me who you are before I call the cops on you," she warned angrily, and he sighed. She was such a talkative person, he thought.
"Won't you come?" He asked, and she sneered and folded her arms. "I won't."
"And…" Grace was about to say something, but he took out a necklace and smiled at her.
"I believe this belongs to someone close to you."
Grace was shocked. That was her mother's necklace; her mother had it the last time she saw her.
"Where? Where did you get that from?" Her hands shivered. Ever since that day, she hadn't seen her mother. Sometimes she wished to see even her mother's lifeless body and have closure that her mom was gone.
But nothing
And now this suspicious man shows up with her mother's necklace. She has to find her mom.
"If you want more information, then follow me," he said with a smirk. She tightened her fist. "I need more information," she muttered. She looked around before she got into the car. Raymond smiled and got in as well before his driver drove out.
"You changed drivers?" she asked, and his mood darkened.
"Why? Do you feel attached to my other driver?"
"No," she refuted immediately, and he sighed in relief. "I wouldn't want to kill Seb," he thought before he took a rose next to him and handed it to her.
"I saw them giving you flower; it didn't come to my notice that I was to bring flowers. Or else I would have delivered a garden to you."
Grace stared at the rose, and a frown formed on her face. "Who are you? Why do you have my mother's necklace? Is she alive?" Grace was more focused on that; she didn't care about some flowers.
Raymond didn't answer. He kept staring at the necklace, and Grace clenched her fist.
"Who are you?" She asked her question again, her voice having a hint of irritation. The car drove out of the school, and Raymond didn't answer her.
She sighed, and all her questions went in vain.
"At least tell me where we are going."
"A business meeting," he smiled, and the ride was quiet till the driver parked the car in front of an enormous mansion and Raymond got out of the car along with Grace.
"Why are we here?"
"Come in first." Raymond took a few steps, but she didn't move. She was getting suspicious and didn't want to follow him in.
"What's wrong?"
"I am sorry, but I can't follow a stranger into his house."
He walked close to her before looking around. "It's usually bad to get into a stranger's car, but well..."
"Come in," he signaled for her to go in. She also looked around and noticed that they were the only ones there; even if he wanted to kidnap her, she wouldn't stand a chance.
"You better not try anything funny, and you better have information on my mother," she warned before she walked inside with him while looking around. The place was so big and made of dark furniture.
"You like it?" He brought her out of her trance. "Stop playing with me; tell me what you know about my mother."
"Do you like the house?" He asked again, and she shot her eyes, trying to keep her cool. "No, it's too dark."
"You could customize it to any color you wish."
"I can't; it's not my place."
"It is!!!" He blurted, and she stared at him, confused, then shrugged his words away.
"Where is my mother? You still haven't told me where you got that necklace from."
"I will protect you," he said straightforwardly. Grace froze because no one had ever told her that; after all, she grew up with people who didn't love her.
And she never expected these words to come from this handsomely dashing man who had all the red flags the community warned her against.
"So let me protect you; I will give you everything you need."
"That's crazy," she said, finally recovering her voice.
"I am Raymond Xu, a Trillionaire; in order to protect you, you have to be my girlfriend." Then he picked up a document and placed it on the table. "Once you sign this, then this house, those cars outside, an entourage, and maids will automatically be yours," he said, throwing the file on the table, and Grace's eyes widened in shock.