Chapter 109

After a decent night’s sleep, I climbed out of bed and got ready for school. Jennifer entered my room in time to help me with my hair and makeup.

“There’s some kind of a ruckus outside,” she told me as she dried my hair with a round brush.

“What do you mean?”

“It sounds like a bunch of voices just outside the front door,” she replied. “Benson went out to deal with it, and he didn’t look happy.”

“I better go down and see what’s going on,” I said.

Jennifer rushed to get me ready to leave for school, and I went downstairs.

As I was crossing the foyer, I heard the sound of many voices shouting questions at the same time outside the mansion’s front entrance.

Panic raced through me. I had heard that sound once before when Victor had to use his Alpha voice to save me from being crushed outside the school.

It was the sound of dozens of reporters shouting questions.

Why were they here? Victor released a statement when Alex was in the hospital and another when he came home. What would make them go into a frenzy like this?

Poor Benson. He was out there dealing with them. I felt guilty, but I was terrified of reporters since that last time when I was almost crushed to death by them.

Benson pushed his way back inside and managed to close the door.

But the reporters saw me before the door closed and began shouting my name.

“Benson, are you all right?” I asked. He looked a bit rumpled.

Benson brushed a piece of lint from his sleeve. “I’m fine, Miss. Thank you for asking.”

“Why are all those reporters out there?”

“I’m afraid they heard a rumor that your father is dead,” Benson replied.

“Who would have told him that?”

“I imagine it was someone who wanted to cause problems for you,” Benson said. “But don’t worry, I told them it wasn’t true and threatened to call the police if they did not leave the property.”

I peeked out a window and saw them driving toward the road. “They’re leaving.”

“I’ll have someone close the gate,” Benson said. “We’ll keep it closed for a few days until this blows over.”

I thanked Benson and went to check on Alex. He stirred when I entered his bedroom and smiled when he opened his eyes and saw me. I was glad he didn’t know about the reporters outside.

“Good morning.” I sat next to his bed and took his hand.“I hope you slept well.”

He squeezed my hand. “I feel like all I do anymore is sleep.”

“You need your sleep to get better,” I reminded him. His complexion was less pale, and his eyes seemed brighter.

We both greeted a nurse that walked into the room. “It’s time to get Mr. Wilson cleaned up and ready for his day.”

I stood and kissed his cheek. “It’s time for me to go to school. I’ll see you this evening and tell you all about it.”

“Have a wonderful day, darling,” Alex said as I went out his door.

I was too upset to eat breakfast, so I drank a glass of juice and asked Benson to have the chauffeur bring the car to the front door.

I missed a lot of school since Alex was in the hospital, and I couldn’t miss anymore. No way was I going to be known as the dropout CEO. Hopefully, the reporters would be gone and leave me alone.

My heart was pounding as I went outside. But I climbed into the back of the limousine, and the chauffeur closed the door.

After locking the car door, I sat back and tried to melt into the seat. The mob of reporters are still waiting outside the gate. The chauffeur didn’t stop after the gate opened, and the sea of reporters shifted to allow us to leave the property. He drove past them, and I was on my way to school.

But the reporters refused to give up. They climbed into their cars and followed us.

“I’ll get you as close to the school's front gate as possible, Miss Wilson,” the chauffeur said.

“Thank you, Joe,” I said. “Maybe I can hurry inside the school before they leave their cars.”

But several of them had beat us there, and I hesitated to get out of the car. In less than a minute, there were dozens of reporters shouting my name outside the vehicle.

I was shaking and felt physically sick. There was no way I could get out of the car. But I couldn’t miss any more school.

“Let me see if I can make them move out of your way,” Joe said.

But he was an average size guy and the reporters refused to move. They crowded around the car, especially outside the door where I sat.

“Please, go away,” I whispered. My hands gripped the car seat, and my rapid breathing echoed throughout the car. I didn’t want to cry, but I was on the verge of tears. Why wouldn’t they leave me alone?

I trembled for a short second when someone knocked on the window next to me.

“Go away!” I shouted. “Please, just leave me alone.” They were going to break into the car. I just knew it. I would be crushed this time while they screamed questions in my face.

Someone knocked on the window again, and I heard a familiar voice.

“Daisy, it’s me,” William said. “Come on and unlock the door. Some of the guys are gonna help me get you inside the school. Just ignore the reporters, and we won’t let them touch you. I promise.”

I took a couple of slow, deep breaths and unlocked the car door. William opened the door and took my hand as I exited the car. My legs shook, and everything seemed to be happening in slow motion. How could I make it all the way to the school’s entrance?

But William put his arm around my shoulders and tucked me close to his side. Four of his largest friends from the football team were with him, and they took places in front, behind, and beside us.

“Don’t stop for anything, guys, until we’re inside the school,” William told his friends.

I hid my face against William’s chest and let the football players surrounding me lead me into the school. I could still hear the reporters shouting at me, but, thanks to William and his friends, they couldn’t get near me.

As soon as the school doors closed with us inside, the guys spread out. But I couldn’t get myself to leave the safety of William’s strong arms.

He held me tightly as my heart rate slowly lowered to normal.

“What makes those boneheads think you would go to school today if your dad just died?” One of the football players said.

“They’re just trying to get a story,” William replied. “I’m sorry they’re doing this to you, Daisy. With everything else on your plate, this is the last thing you need.”

I pulled away from him and looked up at his handsome face. “Thank you for the rescue.” I turned toward the other males. “All of you, thank you very much.”

“No problem,” they chorused.

I had to smile a little. William must care about me to help me like he did.

The first bell rang, and William escorted me to my homeroom. I hugged him again before going inside and taking my seat.