Chapter 3 - The CEO

She looked so scared and unexpectedly too skinny when I held her body.

She hid her face in my chest the whole time we were walking towards the entrance where my limo was waiting. Her chestnut brown hair covered my chest and hid her face from anyone's curious eyes. 

I held her gently, so afraid I might break her fragile bone and only let her go when we had to enter the opened door of the vehicle the head of my security is holding.

"My...my room is at building Z behind the J Mall" she mumbled softly when we were seated inside. I could see her awkwardly looking around inside the vehicle. I noticed her joined hands on her lap she had been unconsciously wringing the minute she let go of me.

"That's a slum area there," I said casually, containing my grimace with the fact that she has been living in an unsafe part of the city.

She just gaped at me before she bowed her head and remained quiet.

"Ahm… Just drop me at the mall, I will just walk from there. Ahmm...thank you for helping me" she timidly muttered while sounding so unsure of herself.

I just stared at her puny figure without saying anything before I instructed my driver to go to that building Z behind J mall.

We had a quiet ride as I rested my head on the headrest while mulling the situation. I had a lot of meetings today and I'm supposed to have dinner with some of my business associates but an unexpected event happened with this girl. 

I subtly looked at her way and I can see her stiff and rigid figure, she even flinched when I moved my hand. 

"Relax, come, lean your back here" I pulled her gently and let her lean her rigid back on the backrest.

"I… I might dirty the seats" she mumbled softly but continued to bow her head.

My heart ached to hear what she just said and without thinking much I pulled her in my chest instead, cupping her head to keep her there. 

"Rest for a while" I whispered above her sweet-smelling hair when she didn't struggle away from me.

"Thank you for helping me" she softly mumbled again after a while of being quiet.

As a response to her, I gently squeezed her inside my embrace without saying anything.

"I'm so scared I might sleep in jail tonight" she whispered again with obvious fear in her voice. 

"It will never happen" I assured her with a clenched jaw. It reminds me to deal with the shop personnel soon. 

"Thank you" she whispered and I felt her inhale deeply which carve a smile on my lips. She may not be aware of what she's doing, but I am. 

We spent another 20 minutes in silence before the vehicle came to a halt and I have to nudge her to stir. 

"I think we are here" I softly said and she started to stir. Leaving my chest to look around. 

"Mr. DeValle, the car can no longer enter" the driver informed after a while. 

"I will just walk... it's close to here. Thank you so much" she instantly straightened up and was about to go out when I got hold of her hand. 

"Wait" I abruptly stopped her which made her gape at me. I went out first when the head security opened the door, just then, I gestured to her to come out while I'm holding her hand. 

"It's okay, I will walk from here. It's safe, they know me" she carefully explained with her usual timid smile. 

"Lead the way" I ignored what she said and told her to walk ahead which made her gape again. I'm getting used to her bewildered face every time I surprise her. 

"I...I can go home alone, I will be fine. Thank you so much again" she tried to insist with a bowed head. 

"Lead the way" I repeated gently but with a dismissing tone. We can't just argue here all night. It's almost dusk and anytime soon, the sky will get dark. 

She continued to gape at me while I calmly stared at her beautiful face, waiting for her to recognize I'm ordering her this time. I almost heaved a relieved sigh when she turned around and started to walk. 

I followed her quietly while looking around the area. Indeed it's a slum, a lot of clothes hanging everywhere, some garbage piles outside was not taken by the collector it started to smell in the whole area and the old six-story building might collapse at any tremor of the ground. 

As an engineer, this building is no longer safe for occupancy and is supposed to be demolished. 

We started to climb the dirty stairways with some cats and spoiled food. I can't imagine that people are living in this kind of place. 

We continued to climb until we reached the topmost floor and she walked straight ahead until the last door. I looked below seeing some of my men scattered around and only my head security and his right hand were with me. 

Belle got a key from her bag and started to open the frail door. Looking at the old door, it can't even give protection from an animal who might barge in, how much more for someone with a bad intention. This is surely not a safe place for a very beautiful girl like Belle. 

The creaking door opened and I'm afraid it might fall on us anytime. I can't understand why the door has not been repaired in its very poor state. 

"I'm sorry but my place is not so pleasant" Belle whispered while looking so unsure. I didn't say anything but urged her to get inside. 

Belle turned on the light and I almost fainted from the pain in my heart when I saw the whole room. 

A small bed in the corner, a small table, and a small door I assumed must be the bathroom. 

There are no other things aside from a small closet and a desk fan. It's like a cell in a jail or worst, how could she live like this?

"Belle are you home? We have some leftovers here, come and get them. Then you bring the garbage down, they will collect it at midnight" a shout from the other room echoed and Belle looked at me with her apologetic eyes and embarrassed smile. 

"It's Aunt Crizzy, she is a friend" Belle readily explained without me asking. 

"Who is giving you some leftovers and ordering you to take out their garbage?" I replied curtly but sighed when I saw her forlorn face. 

"I don't have food sometimes and she will give me some of theirs. I offered to take out the garbage in return" she explained softly. 

I took a very deep breath to ease the pain in my throat. I can't believe she has been living like this. If only I knew earlier. I got so busy I haven't checked on her again. 

I met Belle a month ago at the bar where she worked as a waitress and even if she is so reserved we constantly had a small conversation every time I got to visit the bar she was in. She has mentioned before that she is taking a medical course. Her parents wanted her to become a doctor. 

I don't know what got into me when I gave her my black card. All in my mind at that time was to help her but I don't know, how. Although she refused to accept the card, I insisted and even left it on the counter giving her no choice to decline my offer. I just didn't realize she has this kind of life, if I knew, I could have helped her earlier. 

"Take the things you just need in school" I announced after a while of silence but she just gaped in confusion when she looked at me. 

"I can't let you live like this, you are coming with me" I added seriously without giving her the chance to counter. 

"I don't have money to pay for a better room" she exclaimed in pure panic. 

I stared at her and I have the urge to wrap her in the most expensive silk so she won't get hurt anymore. She is so young to be alone and struggling. 

"I won't make you pay" I just said softly, my throat is hurting so much. Even my household staff has better quarters from this. 

"I will just do errands for you then" she mumbled softly and I just nodded at her. 

"Go pack your things, only necessary for school. Leave the rest behind" I said flatly while I intently stared at her. 

She stared at me for another minute before she turned to go to her closet and I haven't stopped myself from inhaling deeply when I saw an almost empty space with two sets of uniforms hanging and a few clothes inside, maybe five sets of clothes at most. 

"Leave the clothes behind" I suddenly exclaimed which made her look at me with her questioning look but I didn't say anything to explain. 

She returned to her closet and pulled out the uniform and some books, she then went to a small table where her study materials were placed and put them inside her bag. 

She looked around her small room before her eyes stopped on me. 

"Leave everything behind. Let's go" I said while I reached for her bag which made her shake her head. 

"I'll just carry this" she mumbled softly. 

"Belle? There are men here... Oh, you have a visitor" a middle-aged woman is about to enter Belle's room. 

"Hello Aunt Crizzy, ahhm...I...ahm..." Belle stammered while she tried to explain something to the woman. 

"I will bring Belle with me, don't worry she is in good hands. Mr. Ethan DelValle" I introduced myself to the gaping woman whose face lit up with a smile when she heard my name. 

"DelValle? DV Construction? My husband is a laborer in one of your projects sir" the woman exclaimed excitedly. 

"Yes that DelValle" I confirmed casually with a nod. 

"Thank you for giving my husband some work. He has been working at your company for five months now and you paid better than other companies my husband has worked with. He is just a laborer but he is very hardworking" the woman continued with her nonstop rumblings. I don't know her husband and I don't know who my company is hiring as laborers. 

"Uncle Ram is very hardworking, he will also bring me some snacks if he has his pay" Belle added with a gentle smile which is the first genuine smile I have seen since we met again earlier. 

"Belle is like a daughter to us, but we are also struggling so we cannot help her that much, especially with her school, it's so expensive. It's a good thing she has a scholarship" the woman added and stared at Belle tenderly. Indeed they treated her well but they are also insufficient. 

"Aunt Crizzy will also give me some money if uncle Ram has his pay" Belle proudly exclaimed while smiling sweetly at the woman. 

"As long as we have, we will share it with you. You are a good kid" the woman said with her tender tone. 

"Thank you aunt Crizzy, I won't forget you. I will come back here if I have free time" Belle politely thanked the woman who already had teary eyes. 

"Just visit us here if it's convenient for you. Be a good girl with Mr. DelValle, don't be hard-headed" the woman reminded Belle sternly like her own daughter but the tenderness in her voice cannot be denied. 

"Yes auntie, I will, promise. Thank you so much" Belle assured the woman with a sad smile. 

"You go ahead, it's a shame Mr. DelValle is in this messy place. You always take care Belle, don't ever skip meals again" the woman said with her embarrassed and worried smile. 

I just nodded at her and urged Belle to walk ahead. We started to walk in the long hallway when I remembered something. 

"I will try to meet your husband," I said to the woman who smiled brightly while looking at me. 

"Thank you, sir, he will be happy. I will tell him later when he gets home" the woman exclaimed excitedly and I just nodded at her. 

We walked down again in silence and the rooms were starting to be occupied as everyone started to return from their work. 

We arrived and entered the vehicle in silence while Belle kept on looking back at the rotten building she once called home. 

I let her in her silence as I understand the turmoil inside her. The place may be gross and messy for me but Belle and the rest of the people there, it's their home, a place where they can lay their tired bodies after the whole day of hard work. 

"You can go back there if you have finished your medical Belle, by that time you are more capable to help them" I just said out of nowhere while she seemed to be troubled. 

"Yes, just what I am thinking. Thank you for helping me" Belle muttered softly with her timid yet genuine smile. I just nodded at her and smiled warmly, I can see the determination in her face and I know that kind of fire from someone who is dreaming high. 

"How can I repay you for all the kindness you have given me since the start?" Belle looked at me with her intent gaze. Her clear doe eyes are directly focused on me. 

"I still haven't started helping you though" I exclaimed teasingly to lighten up the mood which succeeded and made her smile. 

"You have been helping me since we met a month ago" Belle exclaimed with a thankful smile which also made me smile. Her sweet smile would lighten up my mood immensely. 

"Maybe you can just take good care of me until I get old when you become a doctor?" I said clearly with my gauging tone while looking directly into her eyes. 

She looked at me with her thoughtful gaze as we stared at each other for a long time. After the long silence, she smiled warmly and nodded. 

"My life is not enough to repay you with the help you gave me, especially today. I will be forever grateful" she muttered softly while she tried to shyly look into my eyes. 

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