Morning came too soon.
Isla woke to the soft hum of air conditioning and unexpected warmth beneath the sheets. For a split second, she forgot where she was. No peeling walls. No sirens outside her window. No landlord shouting about overdue rent.
Then the memories rushed back — the eviction, the move, Xavier’s voice in the dark.
She sat up slowly, blinking at the unfamiliar luxury around her. The apartment’s gentle morning light made the space look even more surreal — as though she’d stepped into someone else’s life.
Someone who deserved nice things.
Clara barged into the room with a mug of coffee like she owned the place. “Good morning, Princess Homeless-No-More.”
Isla groaned. “Please don’t call me that.”
“Fine,” Clara said, tossing a croissant on the bed. “Princess Billionaire-Adjacent.”
“Better,” Isla said dryly.
Clara flopped down next to her. “Sooo… did the mysterious billionaire call again last night?”
Heat pricked the back of Isla’s neck. “Once.”
“And?”
“And… nothing,” Isla lied, sliding out of bed. “He was checking we got here safe.”
Clara placed a hand on her heart dramatically. “A protective billionaire? God really said ‘main character arc’ for you.”
Isla rolled her eyes, but inside… she wasn’t sure what God said. If anything.
She walked out into the living room — a space so spotless even breathing felt like a violation — and paused near the window. The city looked distant from here, like she was above everything that used to matter.
She didn’t belong here.
Clara noticed her silence and nudged her shoulder. “Hey. We’re not squatting in fear anymore. That’s a win.”
“I know,” Isla exhaled. “It’s just… when does kindness come with a bill?”
Clara’s voice softened. “Maybe it doesn’t. Maybe you saved a man’s life and the universe is finally giving something back.”
Isla wanted to believe that. But the world had never been that generous to her. Before she could respond, a knock sounded at the door. A firm, polite knock.
Clara’s eyes widened. “If that’s the billionaire, I’m changing into something less ‘I slept on expensive sheets’.”
She vanished into the bedroom, leaving Isla alone with her racing heart.
She opened the door.
Xavier Ashford stood there — dressed casual, someone clearly insisted he wear — leaning slightly on a crutch but standing tall. His presence filled the doorway with quiet authority.
His eyes softened when they met hers. “Good morning, Isla.”
She stared. “You… shouldn’t be walking around. You’re supposed to be recovering.”
“I am,” he replied calmly. “Recovering requires movement.”
A gentle smile. “And I wanted to see how you were settling in.”
Her stomach flipped — not in fear, but in something dangerously close to… relief.
She stepped aside, letting him in. His scent — clean, cool, expensive — drifted past her.
Clara reappeared, now fully dressed and suspiciously polished. “Mr. Ashford! What a surprise.”
Xavier inclined his head politely. “Good morning, Clara.”
He looked around the space, and Isla swore the room adjusted around him — sharper, more aware. His attention finally returned to her.
“I know this is all… sudden,” he said gently. “If there’s anything you need — furniture, clothes, repairs — I can arrange it.”
He wasn’t boasting. He said it like he was offering groceries or tap water — normal.
“That’s… very generous,” Isla said carefully. “But we don’t want to take advantage.”
“You aren’t,” he replied, steady and sincere. “You helped me when I was vulnerable. Let me return the gesture.”
Her chest tightened.
People didn’t help her. They took. They left.
“You don’t owe me anything, Xavier.”
“I disagree,” he said softly — but there was firmness beneath. “And not because of what you’ve done. Because of who you are.”
She froze.
What does he think I am?
As if sensing her fracture, Xavier lowered his voice. “I know you’re overwhelmed. You’ve had a difficult night. If you’d allow me, I want to make things easier.”
Something fragile inside her nearly cracked.
Clara, sensing emotion, jumped in with a way-too-cheerful, “Actually, ease would be fabulous. We could use a job. Preferably one with health benefits and no fluorescent lights.”
Xavier turned to Isla. “I wanted to ask if you’d consider working for me.”
The air stilled.
“I— what?”
“At my company,” he clarified. “You have a calm, capable presence. You think clearly in chaos. We could train you, give you stability.”
Stability. A word that tasted like a dream.
“Xavier…” she whispered, breath unsteady. “Why are you doing all this?”
His gaze didn’t falter. “Because I want to help. Because you deserve more than surviving. And because…”
His voice softened further — something intimate shaping the space between them.
“…you came into my life for a reason.”
Her heart hammered. Too loud.
Clara mouthed: MARRY HIM.
Isla shot her a glare.
She struggled for a response — a way to accept without surrendering herself. But before she could answer, Xavier wavered slightly, catching himself on the back of the couch.
Isla rushed to him. “You’re not okay.”
He met her panic with calm. “I’m fine. Just a little dizzy.”
“No,” she said, guiding him toward the couch. “You need rest.”
He let her help — not out of weakness but trust.
Watching him steady his breathing, Isla forgot every reason to be cautious. His vulnerability pulled her in, closer than she meant to get. When he opened his eyes again, she found herself inches from him — his gaze holding something warm, patient… searching.
“I feel better now,” he murmured. “Thank you, Isla.”
She swallowed. “You shouldn’t have come here alone.”
“I had to see you,” he confessed quietly.
Her pulse skipped.
Clara loudly crunched her croissant in the background. “Wow. The romance.”
Isla threw a pillow at her. Clara dodged without shame.
Xavier stood again, slower this time. “Think about my offer,” he said to Isla. “Not for me. For you.”
“I… will.”
He nodded once, like he already knew her decision — not out of arrogance, but belief.
That belief terrified her. He reached the door when his phone buzzed. He checked the screen — his entire posture shifting. Controlled. Focused.
“Rourke,” he said into the line. “Go ahead.”
Silence. His jaw tightened.
Then: “Keep her inside. I’m on my way.”
Isla’s stomach dropped. “What’s going on?”
Xavier’s eyes found hers — calm but urgent. “Someone tried to access the building. They asked for you.”
Her breath vanished.
“What? Who?”
“We don’t know yet.”
He stepped closer — protective warmth surrounding her like armor.
“You’re safe here. Rourke and the security team will handle it.”
“Xavier—”
He gently squeezed her hand — reassurance, not restraint. “I’ll call you soon.”
Then he was gone, the door closing softly behind him.
Clara’s eyes were huge. “Okay. That was hot. Terrifying. But also hot.”
Isla didn’t respond.
Her heartbeat crashed into panic. She finally uttered something.
“Someone tried to get into this apartment… and they were looking for me?”
