The Billionaire's Craving : His Heiress

Gabriella's POV

"Oh no, no, no... not my car!" I half-yelled, planting my hands on my hips.

"I was going to make a payment today! You can't just take it!" I pleaded, my voice shaky and desperate.

The grumpy loan officer barely flinched, his tone dry as he scribbled on his clipboard. "I'm sorry, Ms. Brooks, but your loan has been pending for months. We have no choice. Besides, we gave you plenty of warnings."

I scoffed bitterly. Of course they didn't care. Why would they? Covering my grandma's medical bills had been a nightmare lately, and every penny I earned disappeared before I could even breathe. But try explaining that to anyone-they'd just shrug like this guy.

I stood helplessly on the pavement, pulse rising as I watched my car being hooked to the tow truck. It felt like a piece of my freedom was being ripped away right in front of me.

How am I supposed to get to work now?

A loud beeping sound from my phone snapped me back to reality.

"Oh, shit! I'm late for work!" I groaned, shoving my phone into my pocket. I flagged down the first taxi I could find and jumped in.

"Drive faster, please! I'm-late... very late!" I muttered, fidgeting in my seat and biting my nails nervously.

As the taxi sped through traffic, I stared out the window. The morning sun hit my face, but instead of calming me, it only reminded me how badly this day had started. I pulled out my phone and dialed Ben's number-my fiancé-but it went straight to voicemail. Again.

My chest tightened. This was the sixth time in a row he hadn't answered. His recent behavior had me overthinking everything, and the silence felt like a brick on my heart. He had been staying late at the office lately, cutting my calls. I planned on confronting him today after my shift.

By the time the taxi screeched to a stop outside Jewels Coffee Shop, I was a mess of nerves. I paid quickly and bolted inside.

"You're late!" Clara barked the moment she saw me.

"It's just a minute! Come on!" I panted, catching my breath.

"Don't start with me, Gabriella. This is the fourth time this week! Keep it up, and you're fired!" she snapped, her sharp tone slicing through the air.

"You know I had to see my grandma at the hospital, please Clara. I am in a tough point."

"That's your fucking issue, not mine." She spat.

I rolled my eyes when her back was turned, hung my coat in the tiny drawer behind the counter, and muttered under my breath, "Sick bitch."

Clara's head whipped around. "What was that?"

My stomach dropped. I forced a fake smile. "I said... nothing."

The morning shift dragged on painfully slow. Every customer seemed grumpier than the last, and Clara didn't make things easier with her constant hovering. But I powered through. Bills didn't pay themselves, after all.

Finally, after serving the last