Billionaire’s Unlikely Bride - Chapter 41: Chapter 41

Raven's POV
The sound of passengers exiting the plane surrounded me as I stepped into the terminal at Perth International Airport. The long flight left me feeling drained, but as soon as I stepped out of the plane, the unfamiliar air of Australia made me suddenly excited. It was warmer than I had expected, even with all the reading I had done about the place. But there was something fresh in the air that surprised me for a city as busy as Perth – but then again, it wouldn’t have been New York, it would be too loud and too smoky. But this? This was a new start, away from all the troubles behind me.
Finally some peace of mind. It was exciting, starting up in a place where nobody knew anything about me. I could be whoever I wanted to be! I could finally live my life without any expectations, without any resentment that filled any room I moved into.
As I pushed my luggage cart, my eyes scanned the crowd for a sign. Charles had told me someone would pick me up, and I was expecting a driver.
But then I saw it, a man holding a sign with my name. Very possibly the last person I would ever have expected to see... I walked toward him, and as I got closer, I froze in place, eyes wide from shock.
"Is that... Brian Anderson?" I whispered to myself in disbelief.
He flashed me a wide, charming smile, confirming my thoughts.
Brian Anderson.
The Brian Anderson...
... one of the most famous and respected fashion designers in Australia, having won awards in LA and New York, and he was standing in front of me holding a banner with my name on it. I felt like passing out at that moment. I had always imagined what it would be like if we met.
"Raven Prescott?" he asked with a grin as I approached.
I nodded because my voice got stuck in my throat. I had admired his work for years, ever since I started following the fashion industry. He had been designing since he was a teenager! He was remarkably talented… and he was standing right in front of me. Holding a banner with my name on it.
This moment felt surreal.
"Raven, are you okay?" He asked, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Your face is red right now."
"Oh, I... I'm sorry," I stammered, feeling my cheeks heat up. "It's just... I didn't expect to see you or that you'd be the one picking me up. You’re... Brian Anderson. Oh my God, I'm such a huge fan of your work! I’ve followed your collections for years. Oh my, I'm blabbering, aren't I?"
He chuckled warmly. "Thank you, but no need to be so formal. I'm just a normal person, just like everyone else. Charles asked me to ensure you're comfortable here, and I have a lot of respect for him."
"He did?" I asked, my eyebrows rising in surprise.
Brian nodded, motioning me to follow him toward the exit as he took my luggage from me. "Yep. He spoke very highly of you and said you had a real eye for design and a unique perspective. I can't wait to find out for myself."
I couldn't believe it. Charles had connections with Brian Anderson, and now, here I was, walking next to him, getting a personal welcome to Australia. I felt like I had stepped into some alternate reality.
"Wow," I breathed, following him as we walked out of the terminal. "It's such an honor to meet you. I never imagined… Brian Anderson."
Brian smiled as we reached his car. "Well, there's no need to imagine anymore, Raven Prescott. Charles speaks highly of you, and I trust his judgment. You must be important to him. May I ask how you're related to him? He didn't specify."
I fell silent instantly. I didn't want to think about Mason. He and I are over, which means I'm no longer a daughter-in-law to Charles.
"He grew up with my father, so he treats me like a daughter," I replied after much thought.
"That makes sense. Now, how about some lunch before I take you to your apartment? You must be hungry after the long flight."
"Yeah, that sounds great," I replied, my stomach growling in response.
The car ride to the restaurant was pleasant. When we arrived at the restaurant, I insisted on paying for our meal.
"I appreciate you picking me up," I said as we sat down. It's the least I can do to thank you.
Brian raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "You don't have to do that. Charles wouldn’t forgive me if he found out I let you pay."
I shook my head stubbornly. "No, I want to. Besides, I don't see Charles anywhere around."
Brian finally agreed. I pulled out my phone to check my bank balance. My finger hovered over the screen, but when I saw the numbers displayed, my eyes widened in surprise. There was a significant amount of money in my account, more than I remembered having.
"Charles," I muttered under my breath, shaking my head with a small smile. He must have transferred the funds without telling me. Typical. Always full of surprises.
"Is something wrong?" Brian asked.
"Oh no, it's nothing," I replied, smiling slightly. "Just Charles being full of surprises."
Brian chuckled. "That's Charles for you. He's always looking out for the people he cares about."
We talked about a lot of different things, especially fashion. He answered every question patiently, even the stupidest questions I could think of – not that Brian seemed to believe in stupid questions.
After lunch, Brian took me to my new apartment. I expected a small, modest place, but we pulled up to a stunning modern building and my heart nearly stopped.
"This is where I'm staying?" I asked wide-eyed as I looked up at the tall luxurious building.