• BILLIONAIRE / ROMANCE / MAFIA • 18+ ONLY • They say "Home is where the heart is". Eilyn Han, heiress to a billionaire's empire, would beg to differ. Her artistic, free-spirited nature wouldn't let her fall prey to the allure of corporate greed. But she is still a Han. And no matter what, family comes first. Unfortunate news about her brother forces Eilyn back to Manila. When Axell-her mysterious new escort-decides to take over, his choices thrust her into a perilous web of vengeful mobsters and clan secrets. • A bodyguard by profession, Axell seeks new opportunities as he rebuilds his life in Manila after a messy past. To support his family, he cuts a deal with Mr. Han, a billionaire-a deal that threatens Axell's life and could endanger his family in Britain. When Axell meets the billionaire's daughter for the first time, fate tests their strengths and entwines their paths with a group of thugs out for blood. Will Axell keep her safe? Or will his dark secrets lead to their doom?
Chapter 1 The Princess Is Back
Copyright © 2021 MXian
Scenes, dialogues, places, events, and characters in this book are all invented or are used fictitiously.
This story contains mature themes, some violence, profanity, and sexual content not intended for young readers.
Unauthorized reproduction of any part of this story or plagiarism of any kind is prohibited by the law.
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Note: This is written in multiple 1st person POVs.
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P R E V I E W
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"You wanna leave?" I stared at him as he sat on the edge of the bed, his face buried in his palms. The hopeful side of my brain anticipated a denial, but the more sensible part of me knew he believed what happened between us was a huge mistake.
"I should."
He should? Did I ever tell him he shouldn't be here?
That's all he said while he sat on my bed, hunched over, sighing about something that seemed to be bothering him a great deal. His voice sounded gruff and full of regret.
It hurt more than the thought of him thinking I'm the type of girl who prefers one-night stands. It actually hurt. Actual physical pain. I couldn't even breathe properly anymore; my throat and chest ached and felt too tight for air to pass through.
"So you're leaving now."
"I gotta go. I'm on night shift." He got up from the bed and put on his wrinkled shirt.
"Okay," I murmured while holding back tears he obviously didn't wanna see.
The jerk wouldn't even look at my face now.
As my insides coiled, I grabbed my robe to cover myself up. The moment I shut the bathroom door behind me, the tears just streamed down my cheeks. Shit. Everything hurt.
While my eyes and chest ached, I bit on my lip and muffled my sobs with my palm.
It's not like I could say anything to stop him. He wanted to leave now. Meaning, he didn't want this. At all. He didn't want a relationship. He didn't want me.
Just another girl he met...
It's all clear now: I was nothing to him.
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END of PREVIEW
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Chapter 1
- EILYN -
Traffic.
What a waste of time...
These days, I had to deal with traffic everywhere I went. And crowds. Just flocks and flocks of strangers rushing in every direction. Going about their daily lives.
Granted my affinity for privacy and solitude, being stuck with strangers almost always got on my nerve, which was why I chose to leave this dirty city and live my own life in another country.
Every single day in this place, traffic followed you wherever, whenever. Even here in the country's biggest airport. Now I had to waste my entire morning dealing with air traffic, too.
"First time for everything, Ei," I murmured with a sigh. My butt and legs just felt dead. Painfully numb like my brain now. For hours, I'd been sitting in this claustrophobic corner, just waiting to get out. If my pancake butt had eyes, the thick cushion would've been drenched in tears by now.
First time a Seoul-Manila flight took almost five hours! "There's still traffic in the air. Kindly sit tight until the weather clears up," the pilot announced earlier.
Luckily for me I was the only one on this flight who could afford a VIP seat. At least I had some semblance of privacy.
The plane was stuck in the corner of the runway. Heavy rainfall tapped against the windows while my arms and face felt close to freezing.
Why today? Of all days!
Our private jet couldn't fetch me since my uncles were using it, probably closing another big deal. I would've asked my dad to buy a brand new plane, but he's too busy at the moment.
Maybe I'd ask him for a smaller plane for my birthday. Or after my possibly suicidal brother got out of the hospital. "Hang in there, bro." I sighed at my last text to him.
-
Sent to: Kuya J
"Are you out of the OR now?"
Today 08:07AM
-
It's been hours.
Still no replies. Maybe the pain medications knocked him out. But Dad assured me that Kuya Jeihral safely got out of surgery this morning. One good news for today.
It could mean his injuries weren't fatal. Thank God. I'd been praying all night. I hadn't slept yet; now my temperature felt feverish and my joints were starting to ache.
Darn it. It's almost lunch time and we're still stuck in this plane.
"Ugh! I don't have all day!" I wanted to shout at the skies for this dreary weather, but the cabin crew might think I'm being such a Karen.
"Patience goes a long way, Eilyn," my dad used to say to me whenever I behaved like a drama queen. That was years ago, though, and I liked to think living on my own in another country had changed me for the better. "If your mom's too busy to be here, fine. Just be here tomorrow. Go see your brother," Daddy Eugene requested last night over the phone.
Of course I couldn't say no. Thinking about Kuya Jeihral and the culprits behind his unfortunate situation now just made my blood boil with frustration. Although I didn't want to see my only sibling all weak and injured, it's not like I had a choice.
"Tan's guys kidnapped Ken, so we had to find the idiot. The cops wouldn't do shit 'cause it hasn't been 24 hours yet," my cousin Daniel explained hours ago.
To relieve the numbness in my backside, I got up and walked around the first class section. The other seats remained empty as I waited for the ringing to end. "Pick up, D."
Four rings.
Five rings.
Eight...
Nine...
-
Surely my dad didn't have the time to pick me up today. He couldn't even text me back. Like my brother and Daniel.
Where the heck's Daniel? I called him again but he totally forgot about me. Were they stuck in another board meeting?
I flumped back down in my seat. Some nervousness still bothered my peace of mind, and I wasn't sure when my brother would be sent home.
"J's out of surgery." It was Daniel's last text before he stopped answering my messages and calls.
Bored to tears, I let my thoughts roam again. I had time to waste. This flight's taking forever.
More importantly, I didn't expect to hear that my own brother got shot by Tan's criminals and got knocked unconscious by a freakin' bomb explosion.
Shit. It's all Kenji's fault.
We're all used to hearing about Kenji getting in trouble but not to the extent of almost getting my brother killed. His own cousin. The heck...
Really, I thought Kenji's the only one we should worry about after he got kidnapped by that ruthless drug lord, Armond Tan. That guy deserved a death sentence. Multiple sentences, the better.
But Tan had enough dirty money to bribe lots of people in this city.
Sighing loudly, I raked my cold fingers through my messy hair. I probably looked like I just got out of bed, but, whatever. My patience was running out. I just wanted to go home.
If I took a cab and my dad found out, he would definitely pitch a dozen fits, then lecture me about "necessary security protocols" all day. Like the last time.
I understood his paranoia, though. After what Luke (my spoiled and insane ex) did to me when I tried university life here in Manila, my father often worried about my safety.
I closed my eyes and reclined again. My feverish temperature had already conjured up a migraine plus body pains. Then my phone buzzed.
A new text from my dad.
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New message
From: Appa Bear
"J's stable. Transferred to a private room. Daniel can't pick u up. Sec guys waiting for u outside."
Today 10:47 AM
-
"Thanks for being very specific as always, Dad." I sighed before sending a reply.
Maybe he's too busy with something again. Like an emergency board meeting, or something else that needed his undivided attention.
"Fine. Cab, it is." I stretched my aching back while trying to ignore the incessant pounding in my jet lagged head.
Five hours. It had been five hours of traveling and waiting. I just wanted it to end. My feet were already itching to get off this plane.
Before I could mumble an expletive, the pilot's voice spoke through the speakers again. "This is Captain Velasco speaking again. We have received instructions to proceed and deplane. We sincerely apologize for the long wait. Thank you for bearing with us and we hope you'll enjoy the sights Manila has to offer."
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"Black Trailblazer with customized plates." Daniel said I should look out for the vehicle. Just one. Not a convoy.
Well, I wasn't a filthy rich politician. Or a big-timer like my Daddy Eugene.
"Go see J. I'll drop by later," Daniel mumbled on the other line.
With my handbag, I walked out of the arrival area wearing a face mask. Crowds of passengers wheeled their luggage out of the airport, rushing to get out like me. I stopped near the exit. I looked for someone holding a placard with my name.
Not a single soul. "How many guys?" I asked. Perhaps I could just stroll out of here like everybody else. My mask hid my face enough.
"Three." Daniel yawned. "Told them to drive you home after. J was asleep when I left. Later. I'm beat."
"Fine. See ya." I hung up. I couldn't wait to see my brother. Fortunately he's recovering well in post-op, at least according to Daniel. Collien would visit my brother after work hours.
As the crowds dispersed around the arrival area, I sighed and waited beside my suitcase. I shouldn't even be here. I should be in Brussels, completing my newest collection for finals.
It's all Kenji's fault. "As usual..." I murmured.
We were never close. Growing up, he treated Kuya Jeihral like a big brother. They hung out more often than I did with my brother. But Kenji never really outgrew his "teenage rebel" phase.
Last I heard, he went to rehab again, perhaps his last attempt at cleaning up his act for his family's sake. Then the incident happened. And now my brother's stuck in the hospital, probably enduring a brain injury that could damage his health permanently.
Infuriating, to say the least.
-
New message
From: SD21B
"Maam Ei. B here. 1D 2B. Black Tblzr rims."
Received 10:49
"Fantastic." I scoffed. No black Trailblazer anywhere. As I stood alongside other passengers, the sky dimmed.
The cool wind tousled my hair. My fever's already giving me chills and my body felt drained. But like everyone else, I had to wait.
Then I got a call from Beck, the only female member of our security detail. "Hi, B. Can you hurry up, please?"
"Copy, Ma'am."
"Bay 10. Pink long sleeves, B."
"Copy. Stand by." She hung up.
I glanced around. The clouds darkened before rain suddenly poured.
Ugh. Great. I tried texting my dad again. Then a shadow and dark combat boots parked in front of my flats.
A security guard? Cop?
When I looked up, a wavy-haired guy with dark eyes stared at me, smirking. He didn't look like a cop or airport security personnel. My nose barely reached his bearded jaw. He reeked of cigarettes. He took a drag before flinging the cig onto the ground to stomp on it.
My blood pressure spiked. "Can't you read? There's DON'T LITTER signs everywhere."
"Axell." He held out his palm, as if telling me to shake his hand.
I frowned, just at a loss. His features reminded me of someone I'd rather not think of right now. "Sorry? Who are you?"
"X." Bearded Guy grinned at me, his dark lashes partly concealing his brown eyes. "Your new escort."
Chapter 1 The Princess Is Back
20/08/2021
Chapter 2 Call Me "X"
20/08/2021
Chapter 3 Keep Your Enemies Closer
20/08/2021
Chapter 4 The Status Quo
20/08/2021
Chapter 5 Stranger Danger
20/08/2021
Chapter 6 Family Comes First
20/08/2021
Chapter 7 Where The Heck Are We
25/08/2021
Chapter 8 Just Another Job
26/08/2021
Chapter 9 We're Going Nowhere
26/08/2021
Chapter 10 Stay With Me
27/08/2021
Chapter 11 Please Don't Go
27/08/2021
Chapter 12 Suspicions and Regrets
28/08/2021
Chapter 13 Pressing Family Matters
28/08/2021
Chapter 14 Stalked Like A Hawk
29/08/2021
Chapter 15 The Monster Beneath The Mask
29/08/2021
Chapter 16 Her Dutiful Bodyguard
30/08/2021
Chapter 17 D To The Rescue
30/08/2021
Chapter 18 He's A Good Guy
31/08/2021
Chapter 19 Let's Go Home, Princess
31/08/2021
Chapter 20 He Misses You
31/08/2021
Chapter 21 Buried Past
01/09/2021
Chapter 22 Good News And Bad News
01/09/2021
Chapter 23 Ex, Meet "X"
01/09/2021
Chapter 24 Mr. Lukas Hildebrandt
02/09/2021
Chapter 25 Forgettable Stranger
02/09/2021
Chapter 26 The Heiress And Her Past
03/09/2021
Chapter 27 She Needs A Friend
03/09/2021
Chapter 28 Beautiful Stranger
04/09/2021
Chapter 29 Giving Him A Chance
04/09/2021
Chapter 30 Babe, Keep Me Company
04/09/2021
Chapter 31 A Little Crush
05/09/2021
Chapter 32 A Happy Family
05/09/2021
Chapter 33 We Missed You, Bro
06/09/2021
Chapter 34 A Man Of Integrity
06/09/2021
Chapter 35 Unearthing The Past
07/09/2021
Chapter 36 Daddy's Favorite
07/09/2021
Chapter 37 Unwanted Congratulations
08/09/2021
Chapter 38 I'm Not Over You
08/09/2021
Chapter 39 Love, We're Pregnant Again
09/09/2021
Chapter 40 Getting To Know You
09/09/2021
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