The Covetous Billionaire

|01| INTRODUCTIONS

Berkshire Manor 06/14

Italia watched her mother in awe. She had never seen such a hard-working woman. She wanted to be just like her She wanted to make her mother proud.

She sat perched on the stool of the humongous island in the modern Victorian kitchen wishing she could do something to help her mom. Anything to make it easier for her.

"Mom what can I do?" She asked persistently. Sofia Vasquez cleaned the kitchen quietly humming a soft tune. She'd been doing this for a long time. Every time Italia asked to help her mom she'd refuse kindly insisting that she could do it. "Talia stop asking, I've told you I can do it."

"Mom, I know you can do it. And I know you can probably clean this place a thousand times better than I could, but I just want to help. Please let me help you," Italia begged earnestly.  Sofia was a very stubborn woman, but when it came to her daughter she would always give in. What had she done to deserve her? Who would've thought that a child would actually beg to clean?

Sighing, Sofia, as always, gave in to her daughter's resolute request. "Alright, grab the sponge and wipe down those counters."

Italia smiled joyfully and hopped off the stool adhering to the instruction. While cleaning Italia pondered on how her life had changed so drastically. She and her mom had gone from nearly living on the streets to a luxurious mansion only seen in magazines.

Her heart traitorously skipped when she thought about the owner of the vast manor.

Bennett King.

He owned the large estate and prior to their move-in, he lived alone save for the staff. Italia wasn't going to lie, when her mom told her they were moving into the estate of a wealthy man, she'd expected him to be an old, haggard man as most billionaires usually are. What she didn't expect was a handsome, puzzling twenty-five-year-old man.

When they first met he seemed like a courteous man as he had helped transport their small amount of personally owned items. He had openly welcomed his home to them and provided food and shelter when they really needed it. He seemed like the perfect gentleman.

But looks could be deceiving. Mr. King never spared a passing glance at Italia. Although he had warmed up toward Sofia, it seemed as if he didn't like Italia and she didn't know why. For every time she was in his presence he'd simply ignore her, shoot a menacing glare, or demandingly order her around. Although his rude behavior irked Italia, she never opened her mouth to complain.

She would never understand why he disliked her so greatly, but in spite that she had to grudgingly admit the man stirred up a foreign feeling in her gut. Every time he'd scowl at her she still found her stomach turning and her heart pounding excessively.

How could she be so attracted to a mean man? She asked herself this question every time he would act rashly toward her.

However, she was forever in debt to him. If it wasn't for him she and her mother would probably be somewhere on the streets evicted from their crusty apartment for months of overdue rent.

As Italia wrung the sponge out the sound of the front door slamming open reverberated through the room and she jumped in alarm. It was only two o clock. Mr.King usually returned by six in the evening.

"Oh no. Mr.King is home early. There's no food prepared, ask him if he would like to eat now and what shall it be?" Sofia politely asked her nervous daughter.

"Mom come on," Italia whined pettishly. Italia didn't want to talk to him. He'd give her a mean look and then that unwanted feeling in her gut would spring up causing her to act like she had a high school crush.