An Unexpected Love

Chapter 1

⚠️ Caution⚠️
Mentions of rape

Today was yet another typical day in the life of Ezabela Dayle, walking the streets looking for the right moment someone dumps their unwanted food in a dumpster. It was disgusting, yet it was the only way she could survive. A simple food poisoning wouldn't kill her. Unfortunately for her no one seems to be letting go of their food. These days food was important, it was easy to get, but with this economy there was no telling when one day it would be scarce. 

This was her third day of going without eating something. She could steal some food but wouldn't take the risk of getting caught and put in jail. Prison was the last thing on her mind. Walking back to where she had been staying she had stayed for these past few months she sees a group gathered at would be considered her 'bed'. Now, she had two options. Run or defend her territory. Option 2 was out of the question as the group had already seen her and was fast approaching. 

Her fight-or-flight response was activated and she chose the make a run for it. This group has been making trouble for her lately and its not like she could go to the police about it because they would turn a blind eye to it. This is what normally happen to people like her. A few kind-hearted people would help but others couldn't care less because they had their own problems to deal with. 

After running for a while she ended up in a dead end, and was starting to be surrounded. With a sigh she accepted that this was it. A blow to her face had her stumbling a few steps back before falling onto the floor groaning in pain. "Please, I'll give you anything. Just leave me alone," she begged. One of the men chuckled almost amused at the useless attempt to make them leave her alone. "Anything? You said it," Another man walked up her forcing her on the ground. 

The fear in her eyes were visible. 'No not this again' she thought. She had been raped before by the group. People saw it happen and did nothing, it shows just how cruel the heart can be. She began kicking and screaming begging for anyone to help her. Her cries were silenced as a hand came over her mouth. Her clothes were almost torn off her when a loud shout came from behind. 

"You let her go right this instant,". All movements were stopped and men turned around to see who the voice belonged to. A tall man was seen wearing the most attractive suit known to man kind. He had a sharp jaw that could cut anything, a deep blond hair that had an undercut and mesmerizing green eyes. "Why don't you mind your own business and be on your way," one of them said. "It looks to me that your mother had never taught you how to treat a woman nor how to respect one, do you want me to teach you a lesson boy,". 

The men charged at the man forgetting about the woman who as laying on the floor petrified of what had happened to her. She backed up further against the wall behind her to avoid being near the scuffle. The second she looked back up the group was on the floor either groaning in pain or knocked out. She heard footsteps coming her way and went further into the wall if that was possible. "I won't hurt you. Are you ok? Where is your family?," the man asked. 

The word 'family' made her panic even more. "Please don't hurt me. I'm sorry, I won't do it again I promise". What was she apologizing for? She didn't know herself as it had sometimes saved her from the beatings her father gave her. "Listen, I'm not going to hurt you, I just want to help," the man said again. But noises were becoming distant at this point and all she could hear was her heartbeat. A second later she blacked only feeling the sensation of someone shaking her. 

Bryce

I looked at the woman passed out before me not knowing what to do. The hospital would be the safest place to send her but I decided it was best to take her to my house. I quickly called my driver and picked up the unconscious lady in my arms. 

As soon as my driver arrived we drove to my house. People were watching of course, I was always in the spotlight no matter where I went so it was unavoidable. I only hope there wont be strange rumors going around as to why I had a somewhat partially clothed woman in my arms. At the same time I didn't care about what people would say. I stopped caring a long time ago. 

When we arrived I placed her in a guest bedroom and called my personal doctor. "You have 5 minutes to get here. I'll explain when you get here," . I hanged up and went downstairs to the kitchen. The poor lady looked like she hadn't eaten anything in days, hopefully she has an appetite when she wakes up. 

I dismissed the maids that were in kitchen and started making something appetizing for a starved person. You must be wondering why I bother having maids when I can cook. Well, Most of my time is spent in the office of my company so when I come home I can eat whatever the maids make me. Once in a while I cook for myself and one of those times being now. I was supposed to be at work and I will surely get an earful from my secretary later but who would pass someone who needed help? 

Three minutes later the doorbell rang and I asked one of my maids to answer it as I had my hands full. "Care to enlighten me as to why I had been called here during a meeting?," Carlton, my doctor, asked. "I had an emergency. The patient is in the second room to your right upstairs," I said. I heard a groan until he disappeared upstairs. Minutes later I was finally done and brought the plate upstairs. 

I entered just when Carlton gave me a puzzled look. "This is......Its better if you bring her to a hospital," I sighed. "I was going to but I didn't want her to freak out with a bunch of people in the room,". Carlton gave me annoyed look before calling someone. Taking another look at the woman she surely did need to go to the hospital. I don't even know what I was thinking that carrying her to my house would benefit her more. Hell, we didn't even know her name. 

"I've cleared a room for her now all we have to do is get her there," he said walking towards her. I placed by hand up by his action, "I have her, just get the car ready,". We made our way outside and I carefully placed her in the vehicle before taking a seat myself. Soon enough we reached and immediately rushed her in. People looked around wondering what was going on. 

We stumbled upon the room that Carlton had cleared and I placed her on the bed and let them take it from there. While they were checking her, the police that were alerted started looking for her identity. The poor girl didn't even look over 25. She must have went through a lot. Minutes passed before an officer entered the room. 

"Progress?," I asked them. They simply nod there head before showing me what they found. Now, I might not be a mafia or some gangster but I had connections in the force which made me somewhat untouchable. "The girl's name is Ezabela Dayle, she's twenty-one. She doesn't have a record but she's been reprimanded for stealing a few times. She's lucky people too pity on her," the officer said. 

"Now, I want you to rephrase that last part of your sentence. She's lucky? People should be able to help those in need. Its not a matter of being lucky. People are just darn cold-hearted in general," I said. I hate it when someone pities someone. Not that its a bad thing but I'm sure anyone would hate when people say they pity them. I've had my fair share. 

"She has a broken nose that looks like from a hit to the face but it'll heal. Now, the big deal is the fact the it looks like she's been molested a couple times," Carlton interrupted. I looked to the officers in the room, "I'm sure the culprits has been delt with correct?," I asked. They gulped and nodded. For a business man I'm capable of  a lot of things. One of them being not hesitating to kill a man who tries to mess with me. I've never been caught because there was no evidence to say I did it even when they knew it was me. 

"For now, she needs some rest and a schedule with a therapist. She's been through so much I fear that she might-," "Don't you dare finish that sentence. I'll get her the help she needs. Whatever she needs I won't hesitate to give it to her," I said staring at the woman. Although she was deathly skinny she was beautiful. "Bryce, do you like her?," Carlton asked. I scoffed, "No, I do not. Don't even think about it. As soon as she's back on her two feet I'll let her go," I said. 

For some reason I felt a pang of hurt in my chest. I brushed it off and walked out the room. I refuse to fall for anyone.