Ivory's POV
The pitter patter of the rain was all I could hear as I walked in the dark streets. I looked down on my worn out brown shoe that was at the verge of falling apart because of constant usage over the years.
I could feel the goosebumps from the cold wind that hit my skin, the streets were oddly quiet. I bit my lips at the bitter thought of not being able to afford a cab.
After attending Alpha Z college, the most prestigious university in America, I had at least thought I would land a good job but life wasn't exactly candy, especially when I schooled there through scholarship.
I let out a tired sigh as I pushed the wet strands of hair from my face. I clung on my old black bag like life depended on it and as I walked deeper into the dark alley, I realized that something was clearly amiss.
I looked back and my heart almost leaped out of my chest when I saw the three drunk men walking towards me. The rush of adrenaline increased and I turned to quickly dash out of there but it was a dead end.
"Stay still little girl, we won't hurt you" one of them said.
I found that hard to believe because I knew the cruel world we lived in.
I kept moving backwards till my back hit the wall and I gulped fearfully. Tears pooled in my eyes as one of them held my shoulder.
"Let's have some fun", he said and I scrunch my nose as the smell of alcohol wafted from his mouth.
"Let me go please!!" I cried loudly but they just laughed. Even though I knew that no one would help me, it was almost 12am. Nobody stayed out till this time.
One of them held my chin and began caressing it, making my skin crawl. I gingerly bit his hands and made the man yelp in pain. I quickly began running back in the direction I came and the men chased me.
Unluckily for me, the sole of my shoe tore open abruptly and I landed on the floor, my knees began bleeding.
A mysterious figure, dressed in all black, emerged from the darkness. I could barely see him as the rain turned heavier. I didn't know who he was or what his intentions were, I didn't care either.
I got up from the floor, despite my bleeding knees and I rushed to him.
"Please…help me", he said, I could barely hear myself because of the rain.
The men came closer to me but I quickly hid behind his tall frame.
As the men came closer, their eyes bulged as they saw the mysterious guy. The alcohol quickly cleared from their system as they realized who the person was.
"Boss" They bowed deeply, their heads almost touching the floor.
I immediately realized that they actually knew each other. The person I had ran to for help was actually even more dangerous than the drunkards that had tried to molest me.
As the mysterious guy conversed with the drunkards, I quickly took to my heels and I didn't dare look back. I could only run for 3 more minutes before I slipped and fell again.
The wounds on my knees got worse as blood seeped out. I began feeling dizzy as I sat on the bare floor, I attempted to get up and continue my race but I couldn't.
I heard the faint sound of clicking shoes against the hard floor. I could see the expensive shoes that got nearer and I fearfully lifted my head up to see the mysterious guy crouching to my level.
I clung my bag to my chest fearfully. The cold chills hit my spine and I became even more scared.
He wore a black leather gloves and his hand held my chin, forcing me to look at his golden orbs.
"Little girl", he drawled and he had a sinister smirk on his lips. "I just saved your life and do you know what it means? Every inch of your life now belongs to me" he said coldly.
His words struck a chord in my chest. I felt the immense pain on my head as his sharp eyes bore holes in my body. My body felt weaker and I finally succumbed to the darkness.
...…..
I turned the tap in the faucet on and I repeatedly splashed my face with water. It had been 3 weeks since my encounter with the mysterious guy at the alley.
I had woken up in my room and my best friend, Selena Lincoln, claimed she found me unconscious on the streets. I could barely comprehend what the mysterious guy looked like. I shoved the incidence aside, I belonged to nobody, I am Ivory Thompson!
I cleaned my hands in my apron, it was past 7 already and my shift at the restaurant had almost ended.
I stared at my reflection in the mirror, despite being 21, I looked 19. The fringes of my golden hair covered my forehead completely and the remaining part of my hair was tied in a neat bun.
I came out of the restaurant and my eyes almost fell out of their sockets as I saw the 3 guys who entered the restaurant, A3!!!? What on earth were they doing here?
Zayden Alpha, Gabby Alejandro and Xavier Alessandro, they were the A3. The three famous and wealthiest guys at Alpha College, which she had attended. They reeked of arrogance, especially their leader, Zayden Alpha. She had hated him back in college because of his arrogance, and she found it even more annoying that her best friend, Selena, was his biggest fan.
Zayden Alpha is like a human god that earthlings worship. He was more than an idol; he was everything. He's the CEO of Zayd Enterprise, the most successful company to ever exist. As if that wasn't enough, his father is the CEO of Alpha Empire, which is on the same level as Zayd Enterprise. His mother is a renowned actress and model. There is no one who doesn't know who the Alphas are; their influence and wealth are immeasurable.
They were the sole owners of the university which I graduated from. The bottom line was that I hated Zayden Alpha even more than I hated Satan.
It would be an unforgivable lie if I said he wasn't handsome because he was extremely handsome. What I hated most about him was his playboy attitude, he changed girls like his underwear and girls shamelessly flocked around him. The worst of all was that he was extremely arrogant.
I had zero ideas about why he was in a tacky restaurant like this but I wished he would leave. I tore my eyes away from them. I wanted to take off my apron and head home when my manager instructed me to serve the A3, dread instantly clouding my features.
My lips literally trembled as I headed for their table but I did a perfectly good job hiding it.
"Good evening, what would you like to eat?" I faked a smile. I avoided staring at Zayden as it would only make my blood boil more.
I could sense Xavier clearly checking me out from head to toe, he had a playful smirk on his lips.
"We would like some hamburger, uhh french toast and chicken nugget" Gabby said politely, with a sweet smile on his face, Gabby was the nicest.
I nodded and I was about to take my leave when I felt someone grab my arm. I turned back and it was none other than Zayden Alpha, my face reddened with anger.
He brought out his expensive iphone and reached it out to him.
"Your number" he said arrogantly when I didn't take his phone.
I stared at him like poop and I struggled to break free from his hold. He stood up from his chair and he towered me completely because I was short.
"State your price" he said with a cold stone expression on his face.
"Huh?" I mumbled as I tried to wrap my head around what he was saying.
"How much would it take to spread those little legs of yours on my bed?" He asked with a straight face and his voice was loud enough for people to hear. Some people paused what they were doing just to watch the scene.
I felt greatly embarrassed, how dare this idiot step on my dignity!? Does he think I'm one of his sluts? I was fuming with pure anger.
"Five hundred thousand dollars should do the trick, I'm sure you've never seen that amount be…."
I instantly cut his words shut with a thunderous slap, leaving everyone gobsmacked.
Zayden's eyes widened in pure shock but I didn't give him enough time to process the slap before landing another one on his face.
"I'm not one of your regular bitches who would throw themselves at your feet, I am Ivory Thompson, got it!?" I glared at him before dashing out of the restaurant with my things.