Chapter 1 : Runaway billionaire

~Sarah McKnight~

It was a warm summer night and it was early June. Homeschool finished and I was free until next year, my parents were fighting again, but then again they fight almost every day. The fights always turned into bloodshed, someone always ended up in the hospital, it was either I, my younger brother or my mother. My step-father always abused us, it was as if his greed for money was never enough, what was worst of all was that he faked my death 6 months ago.

Like any other 17-year-old girl I was entertained by the idea of running away, to go off living far away from one person. My step-father. But unlike any other teenage girl, I just did that and didn't leave it as a fantasy story.

It was early summer, mid-July, and I have been saving up money my mother gave me. She gave me $100 a day and I always saved it for the right moment. I had about $15 000 in a beat-up old shoebox at the top of my shelf in my closet. And this is the day I was going to run away.

Did I mention my parents were billionaires? Anyway, my mother and stepfather own a company worth hundreds of thousands, they make clothes designs and have their own famous brand. Well my biological father started the company when he was my age, I'm proud of him, he built himself a beautiful future but he left before he could see our future. Our family company is called Crest Enterprises.

Both my parents are at work while I'm here stuck in this huge mansion with the maids and security roaming around everywhere. It was close to sundown and both my parents were in their day jobs.

I grab my old schoolbag I used when I went to school in 9th grade. I was homeschooled from the day my step-father told the media I was dead, and here I am sticking with it. Now I'm in grade 11. I was turning 18 in a few months. I grab the shoebox from the top shelf and stuff the money in the small pocket of my old school bag. Grabbing a few pairs of clothes and underclothing a thought struck me.

What if-what if he threatens and abuses my mother? What if he kills her? What if he sells the company to pieces? What if...

I shake my head away from the thought and aggressively stuff my clothes in the bag. What broke my heart was that my mother would risk being beaten up by my stepfather instead of me or my brother.

Don't worry mum I'm going to protect you...

Don't worry Lil Brother I'm coming for you, just wait a little longer...

I pull on my cap and slip into my oversized black hoodie. I wrap my scarf around my head and pull on the hoodie over my head. I converted to Islam a few months ago...a friend of mine, Zaynab enlightened me and gave me another life path, the path that leads me to Allah.

Alhamdullilah I'm muslim.

Zaynab knew about my situation and so did her parents, my mother is great friends with her family and so I was close to her, she is the only person that knows I'm alive other than the maids, security, my family and...Stepfather.

I grab my toothbrush and other health essentials, stuffing them in my bag with a few of my headscarves that Zaynab my mum bought me. My mum supported me when I converted but we didn't tell my stepfather as he would have gotten mad and start another bloodshed. My younger brother didn't know because I forced him to run away when we were 15 and my stepfather established that I was dead, that I got in a car accident and hadn't survived. He didn't know that my brother ran away, he thought he was missing and they haven't found him ever since. We are twins, I was the oldest and he was the youngest by 6 minutes.

I don't even know if he is alive, and what out there in the world he thinks that I am dead but here I am alive. I told my mother that he ran away, she got mad at me at first but soon understood why I told him to run away. I had to protect my brother and that was the only option...Until the day I converted to Islam and realized there were other ways. But didn't regret telling him to run away, he was safe from my stepfather but I regret not knowing where he was going, I regretted not giving him a phone to call me, we weren't even allowed to have our own phones though we were a wealthy family. That was my biggest mistake, I was in a rush to get him prepared to run away, I don't know where he is right now, but I am going to find him, whether he was alive or...dead.

Ya Allah, I hope he isn't, please protect my brother, you are forgiving and merciful, please protect him...

I pull my backpack over my shoulder, grabbing my keys from the table, and open my window. I stand on the window frame ready to leap but look behind me. I grasped the last moment of memories I had in this room. My mother sleeping next to me when she didn't want to stay alone at night. I shift my eyes at the picture frame on my bedside table.

It was a picture of my mother and...biological father. I lost him when I was seven and my mother married my stepfather when I was ten. I jump from the window back into the room and grab the frame stuffing it in my bag, I look upon my corkboard above my desk and grab a picture of me and my brother when we were 15 before I told him to run away and leave home.

I look at the picture and grasp it against my chest and slowly inhaled when I felt the salty tears making their way down my cheeks. They didn't stop, I couldn't stop. It was too much to take in. Thinking of it more didn't make my feelings any better.

I put it inside my bag slowly, zipping the bag and looking straight ahead out the window. I scrawled a quick note and placed it on my table. It contained only eight words. But it was enough.

"I am running away. Don't look for me."

I mostly aimed the small note at my stepfather, even though I knew he was going to search for me either way. I wrote a separate note for my mother and left it under my mattress for her to find.

I finally leap over to a tall tree outside my room without any hesitance. And accidentally cause a huge rustle in the tree. Two security guards passed down below me.

"What was that sound?" The taller one asked.

"Must have been a bird or something, come one let's go! We're switching positions." The shorter henchman said and they both walked away into the garden.

I calculated the times for about a month to be precise and I only 5 minutes to escape and leave this living hell before the other security guards make their way to their new positions.

I climb down the tree and run my way quietly to the underground garage we had. There were at least 10 cars and 7 motorbikes. One of the motorbikes was mine....my biological father bought it for me when I wasn't even born yet. I smile.

I run to my baby, and smiled, it was a Ducati Panigale and that rose gold colored one.

I swing my leg over to the other side.

"Man, how are you? Haven't ridden you in a long time," I smile, seated behind the oversized fairing I turned the key and just sit for a moment, listening to the purr of the engine. It was satisfying to hear it, "I missed you, alhamdulillah you are in good condition..."

I finally pulled on my helmet after the long reunion and make a grand escape. I zoom out of the underground parking causing about half the gardeners and security guards to chase, running after me. Petrified and confused they finally realized who was the one riding the bike.

I guess they knew it was me...

"See you never! I ain't some piece of cake you idiots!!!" I yell with a smirk on my face. Damn right, I'm the runaway Billionaire!

"Come back here!!!" They all yelled and ran after me, I laughed. There is something called a car chase, I thought this was gonna be fun...shouldn't they be getting in the cars?

Maybe I have watched way too many Hollywood action movies.

I pull on my brakes slightly when I ride around the fountain encircled in the middle of the driveway. I drove on the motorbike as fast as it could go, feeling free. I felt my heartbeat thumping against my chest, it was the feeling of adrenaline and I loved it.

I zoom towards the gates then suddenly someone yelled from behind me in the far distance.

"SHUT THE BLOODY GATE!!! IT'S THE GIRL!!!" I look from the corner of my eye, they all stopped chasing me.

The 3 meter high gates started to slowly close, I look ahead of me, and disregard the speed limits, opening the throttle wide. Speeding through the gate just in time and a huge grin plastered on my face. I must look like an idiot right now.

"CALL THE CHAIRMAN!!!"

I hear yells and curses behind me and subtly ignore them.

Still disregarding the speed limits I make the freeway within a few minutes. Turning sharp corners swiftly and smoothly without and obstacles, sometimes my knee just skimming the ground as I took the bends. This was my therapy, riding my bike and feeling the adrenaline.

It started to rain, but I didn't care, I had to get out of this area before they find me. Softly splashing water droplets hit my helmet as I drive onwards. The skies are overhung with a blanket of grey, so much so that I can barely tell the difference between the sky and clouds. I watch raindrops race down to the plastic face shield of the helmet.

I swivel the plastic face shield and let the cold fresh rainwater splash on my face. It felt nice getting out of the house. The last time I got out of the house was when I finished 9th grade and my brother going 'missing'.

The freeway was silent, I grin childishly and drive fast. The feeling is ultimate, speed through puddles. Pushing the limit, whilst the engine bubbles. Speeding along, no worry or fear. Rounding a bend, changing a gear. It felt great, I felt free, powerful and independent. It's gratifying.

I still had a mile left to reach Zaynab's house. Yes, I am staying at her house, I hope her parents let me stay there. Mashallah, they are very nice and homey, they are the perfect family, anyone could ever wish for... My family is corrupted and destroyed. Inshallah, I'll bring my family back together and I'll take my revenge...or maybe just take back what was owned by the McKnights, my father. The company.

After what felt like twenty minutes I finally get out of the freeway and meet a silent street in the city.

It was dark now, I had to get to Zaynab's house, once I get to her house I'll pray. Yes, I already learned how to pray, and I was proud of it... proud of my religion.

Now that I think of it, why haven't they found me yet?

BEEP!!!!

Ugh... I look behind me from the corner of my eyes and see three black cars chasing me, and that with the company's logo on it, a blue feather. Oh god... No, they found me already!

I illegally increase my speed and so do the cars behind me.

I only make a few minutes down the road when the cars manage to be a few meters behind me. I had to think of something. I bring my bag out in front of me and pull my phone out, there could be a tracker on my phone. I toss it away and look ahead of me, it was oddly silent then I saw two silhouettes of guys on the street walking. This is bad, I can't have any witnesses. What if they recognize the company logo...

I'm doomed!

Screeching, the back wheel of my bike hovered and my front still on the ground, I violently spin around, leaving slashes of black on the road below me. I swiftly drift and face the three cars meters away from me, and alternately charge forward.

All headlights were facing me, they didn't stop on their breaks and so didn't I. This was going to lead me...to a dangerous situation. Ugh, what am I saying this is dangerous!

My speed on 180, still charging forward, they didn't stop speeding. I look behind me and the two silhouettes were still there. I spotted a camera flash.

Shoot! This ain't supposed to happen! I scowl at them, though they can't see me. I'm so dead. No one is supposed to witness this!

Verily, those who say: "Our Lord is Allah (Alone)" and then they sat firm, on them the angels will descend (at the time of their death) (saying): "Fear not, nor grieve! But receive the glad tidings of Paradise which you have been promised. (Quran: 41:30)

I remember Zaynab reading this to me and smile.

I was not going to give up that easily though. A huge car carrier truck drove past me on the opposite lane in a flash with nothing on the back ramp.

How convenient! The tires screech when I make an unexpected turn toward the truck and roared up the ramp at an angle and flew off the edge back onto the other side of the road at 270.

"YES!!! IT WORKED!!!" I laugh maniacally like an evil villain from a Disney movie, " BYE BYE SUCKERS!!! HAHA!!"

It felt like an actual action movie! I can't believe it actually worked! Thank you! Thank you, Allah! I'm grateful for you! Alhamdullilah I'm safe! AHAHAHA!

I landed smoothly, the hardened suspension taking the blow easily. I looked up and saw a car coming straight at me, another car!

DAMN IT!!

On the underside of the bikes weights suddenly slid to on the back wheel, tilting my motorbike backward. I shot past the car in a flash and the car righted itself at once. I glance back at the black Mercedes and flash past and saw that the Mercedes had crashed into one of the three cars behind me and caused a serious traffic jam.

Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un...

It was a small accident but this wasn't supposed to happen! Screeches of other cars behind me alerted the entire area and causing people to rush out of their homes and look at the scene.

I drove for another 10 minutes, the small crash from before concerned me, I hope they're all alright.

Forgive me, Allah! You are forgiving and you love to forgive, please forgive me...I did not intend any of these to happen.

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It was dark and cold outside, I was drenched from the heavy rain. I knocked on the door a few times before it finally opened and the bright light inside the house blinding me.

I look straight ahead of me and meet a young boy. It was Ahmad, Zaynab's younger brother, he is 12 years old.

"Sarah?" He had tears in his eyes.

"Hey, there Ahmad," I small smile appeared on my face but you could hardly tell.

He lunged forward and engrossed me in a huge hug, "I missed you!!!"

I ruffle his hair, "I Missed you too, now let go, otherwise you're going to get wet-"

"Ahmad!!! Who's at the door!!!??" I saw my friend run down the stairs with her hijab wrapped around her head sloppily.

She finally looked up, Ahmad moved away from me, "SARAH!!!" She ran towards me and hugged me without any hesitance and started sobbing against me, I didn't mind, I was already wet, what are tears gonna do to me?

"Missed you too..." I wrap my hands around her thin frame, "It's been long...."

"ITS BEEN ALMOST THREE YEARS!!!!" She screamed in a piercing voice.

"HEY KIDS! What's with all the commotion!!??" Mr. and Mrs. Arafat entered the hallway and stood still when they saw me.

"Assalamualaikum Mr. and Mrs. Arafat, It's been a long time..." I bow and smile when they rush towards me.

"Walaikumusalam, How-why-what are you doing here?" They both replied before Mrs. Arafat spoke up.

"Honey! What are you doing? Bring her in, she's drenched!" Mr. Arafat raises his voice.

"WHAT!!??" Mrs. Arafat looked me up and down, I looked down at my shoes when she does, and before I knew it was pulled inside the house. The door shut behind me and things were happening fast.

I was dragged upstairs by Mrs. Arafat, with a towel Ahmad had wrapped around me. Zaynab and Mr. Arafat Were rushing everywhere.

"WOAH! Slow down!" I cover my mouth as soon as it escaped my lips.

"Oh Sweetie I'm so sorry, we were just very..."

"No it's alright Mrs. Arafat, I shouldn't-"

"No need to be formal! Call me Aunt!" She cut me off.

"And call me Uncle!" Mr. Arafat and Mrs - no, I mean Uncle and Aunt raised their voices.

"And you call me Bro!" Ahmad joined in and I smiled.

We all laughed at him, and then I was dragged upstairs again, and we entered Zaynab's room. It was beautiful...

"Mashallah..." I whispered.

I look behind me and everyone left except Zaynab, she ran to her closest and disappeared and started rambling about I don't know, the clothes that she should give me...

But I was too busy and fantasized over her room...it was simple but beautiful, my room at home was too detailed and big, this room is...so subtle.

The best part of this room is the furniture and layout. The size of this bedroom is the smallest out of the rest of my family's rooms, but you could still fit everything you need into it. There was a bed right in the middle of the squarish room, which takes up quite a bit of space, but I like it that way. It was the best spot to lay there reading a book in the natural light coming through the window, which is my main source of light, but now it was dark and the curtains closed it.

I stroll towards the closet Zaynab was.

The storage is great because it is hidden away above her wardrobe, which is built into the wall, although most of her stuff goes under the bed. I look under her bed. There is a big black shoebox beside her bed which fits all her shoes in it. There was a mirror hanging on her beige-colored walls above a study table. Next to them, she has tall, white draws bulging with clothes. I set on her bed and slowly rub my palms on the soft surface, she has a white bedside table with an alarm clock, a rose-red touch lamp, and a blue Bluetooth speaker.

"....and that's why I chased Ahmad and ended up getting scolded."

"Huh?" I break away from my ponders and stand up and walk to Zaynab, She smacks the back of my head, "OUCH!!!"

"You haven't been listening to me these past few minutes? Have you?" she scowls at me

I rub my head and smile at her sheepishly, "Well...."

"Oi oi! It doesn't matter, now what about this? You can wear this now and to sleep," She smiles and I look at the black sweat pants and dark grey hoodie in her hands.

"Just my style!" I side hug her and rush to her bathroom.

"No probs Sistah!" She teases and I cringe at her, "What's wrong..Sistah!?" She throws a grey scarf on my face.

Before I could chase her out of the room she scrambled away down the halls and stairs. I smile and rush to the bathroom.

After five minutes I make my way down to meet the others sitting in the dining room. The dining table was full of all sorts of food, there were chicken wings, rice, dips, salad and a wide variety of grilled and BBQ'd food.

"What you staring at? Come on and join the table!" I hadn't realized my eyes were staring at the food until Uncle bellowed before a huge grin plastered his face.

"Oh. Umm...yes" I grinned back at him and joined them at the table sitting next to Zaynab and facing Aunt.

We all said Bismillah and started devouring the delicious food. To be honest, I never really liked the food at my place, tasting this was the best, it was made with love for family unlike at home it was just made to fulfill just hunger.

We were almost done, I looked at Ahmad and he was eyeing Zaynab. I looked at him confused, then both of them looked at the last chicken wing that's on the big plate in front of them.

Oh, this is gonna be interesting! I smile like a goof.

Aunt and Uncle saw my reaction and then realized what was going on.

"Zaynab..." Uncle whispered under his breath.

"Dad, this is between me and Ahmad..." She didn't even blink or spare a glance.

"3! 2!...1!" Ahmad yelled and at the same time, they both lunged forward for the last chicken wing.

I close my eyes, I have no idea why.

"HAHA!!! You Lost Sucker!!!" Zaynab yelled and I looked at the defeated Ahmad slop back on his seat.

I grab my last chicken wing from my plate and give it to him, "Here take it you little monkey..." I chuckle.

His eyes twinkle in fascination, I nod at him and he mutters a thank you before he turned to Zaynab and smirks, "SARAH IS THE BEST SISTER EVER!!!" he yelled from the top of his lungs.

"WHAT!!!???" Zaynab screeched, "Come here..." She got off from her spot and started walking around the table slowly.

Ahmad also got up, and slowly started to walk around the table in the same manner as Zaynab.

Damn, things are getting interesting, I smile in amusement, both Uncle and Aunt chuckle and watch them.

"Come here you little brat!" Zaynab hissed and smiled.

"Why?.." Ahmad slowly walked closer to me.

"Just come here." Her scarf fell off of her head and she walked closer to Ahmad with a huge grin plastered on her face.

"No! you're gonna hit me!" He screamed and both started running around the table.

I was amused by their love and affection. Mashallah, it was a beautiful relationship despite the huge age gap. Then I look down and my fingers. Then I saw myself and my brother in Zaynab and Ahmad's place.

A tear small tear dropped from my cheeks, the happy memories of me and my brother come as divine deja vu, sitting in my synapses for a moment and resetting my mood to sunny days ahead. Even the Happy memories hurt so much, I felt so alone and broken, I wish... I wish I just could meet my brother. I had to find him, I couldn't take the burden of all these memories anymore.

I felt my chin quiver, I bite my lip from any sound escaping from my mouth. The tears kept coming, Why does it have to hurt this much?

"Zaynab?" I wipe my tears away and look up at Aunt, "Everything will turn alright, we believe in you, Allah is there for you, just ask him for anything you want and he will inshallah accept your duas..." She reaches for my hand and squeezes it slightly.

I reply with a nod.

"Will you two monkeys stop and sit on the dining table as civilized humans!" Uncle scolded Zaynab and Ahmad and they both quickly stopped tackling each other and rushed to their spots.

Aunt was still holding my hands and finally spoke up, "Now the millionaire dollar question," I instantly knew what she was going to say, "What are you doing here?"

I explained the whole story to them, how I ran away from home, drove my motorbike here, and the dangerous situations I faced on the road.

And after what felt like 30 minutes I finally finished speaking. No one spoke the whole time, but whispered Alhamdullilah's, Oh's, and Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un when I told them about the accident.

".....So I was wondering if I could stay here," and I started pulling out fingers for every favor, "I'll pay for all the food, do the chores, wash the laundry, clean the kitchen, vacuum the house, I'll even bake for everyone, I know how to bake but not cook, I'll tutor Zaynab or Ahmad, you name it, I'll do everything you-"

"Sarah! You can stay here for as long as you want, you are family." Uncle raised his voice.

I'm family?

"Yeah, Dad is right! Stay here for as long as you want!" Zaynab attacked me with a hug.

I'm Family!!? The thought made me smile...I'm family!

"You can even go to school!? Come to our school! You don't have to be homeschooled anymore!" Ahmad cheered.

"Yes, we will pay for your school fees! One Kid isn't any hassle!" Uncle restored.

"No that's too much!" I wave my hands in the air.

"Nonsense! You don't have to any chores in the house, maybe you can tutor Zaynab and Ahmad, especially Zaynab, she needs a lot of help!" Aunt laughed.

"Mum!...wait actually yes, you have no idea how smart she is, all A's in her grade and reports!" Zaynab slammed her hands on the table full of energy.

"Overall, Sarah welcome to the family!" They all high-fived together in the air.

"Oh and Sarah you can share the room with Zaynab if that fine with you...I'm sorry if it's uncomfortable for you if we were rich then-" Aunt stated.

"I'm completely fine with it," I smile at her and so does she.

We joked around for a while and laughed before we all packed up the dining table, and headed up the stairs. It's time for isha, both I and Zaynab made our way to her prayer room and prayed silently.

I pulled my hands up in dua and smiled,

Ya Allah! You are the one and only, you are forgiving and all-knowing. I make dua for you, and for you to accept. I'm grateful for all the times you have been with me ever since I converted. Thank you for all the things you have given to me, I would never regret converting to Islam. Thank you for bringing Zaynab into my Life, she enlightened me and I'm grateful to you. For all the bad deeds oi have done, inshallah I hope I'm forgiven for. For you I worship, for you I make dua, for you I am grateful and for the sake of you, I will continue living my life, with you by my side. Allah helps me remember you for all time, to you to be grateful for, and for you to pray in a good manner...

Ameen.

I stand up from my prayer mat and fold it neatly, placing it in a neat pile with the others on the table.

Both Zaynab and I walk out of the room and to hers.

"Now... let's watch Netflix!" She claps her hands like a four-year-old child just got a lollipop and runs to her bed.

I join her and after a few episodes of watching a Kdrama called While you were sleeping, we finally decide to call it a night and sleep under the covers.

"Goodnight Zaynab"

"Nighty night Sarah!"

I look at the hovering red lights on the bedside table, it was eleven at night and I couldn't sleep. I was way too happy with the Arafat family accepting me to stay here...

"Sarah! You can stay here for as long as you want, you are family."

I smile at the memory and after a few minutes, I felt drowsy and was buried by sleep.