A Wife for the Billionaire
Chapter 93: RICHARD

Chapter 93: RICHARD

Chad being Chad, had refused to let us clear the dishes alone. And the guy can be quite persuasive when he wants to be.

Mrs Helen was cleaning the kitchen and doing the dishes, those from the entrée and main course when we waltzed in with those from dessert.

I wasn’t really surprised, Mrs Helen was one of a kind, her employees may fear her, but I’m pretty certain they adore her more.

After clearing the table, we stole a bottle of champagne and headed to the infinity pool.

It was one of our favorite places in the Estate, we’ve made a shit ton of memories in this place.

Set on the highest floor of the Estate, the infinity pool not only offered a perfect spot for relaxation, with its cool illuminated water that seemed to flow over the edge. It also had a breathtaking view of the city’s skyline.

This night, it looked like a night sky with the lights from various buildings twinkling like stars.

Chad had done this for us, the estate already had a pool, close to a tranquil garden oasis, but that was for, like everyone. It even boasted of a hot tub. But this, right here, Chad had fought to build for us.

A lot had been changed to provide the space for this, its construction even created an enmity between father and son, and yet Chad had seen it through for his boys.

But guess who, became a frequenter

after it was finished? Daniel, of course before he left for good.

Chad hates to talk about it and as much as we’ve tried, he refused to talk about it.

"God, I’ve missed this place" I sighed, turning 360° to take in the sight.

"But it has only been, wait!, how long has it been?" Aaron asked, genuinely perplexed. It looked like he was doing the math in his head.

"I think it’s been two months," Chad answered, folding his pants and sitting at the edge of the pool, his legs dipped into the pool. Lazily, he traced lines and splashed the blue luminescent water.

Setting my flute down, I folded my pants too and joined him. The water felt so cool and refreshing almost like it was massaging my toes and my feet.

Aaron joined us as well, it was just as old times, three boys, three friends, three brothers.

"But has it really been that long?" Aaron inquired, breaking the soothing silence.

I think he had tried to do the math in his head, but failed to arrive at an equals to. He always did that, asking questions if he couldn’t figure out something for himself.

"Yeah, it has been. The last time you came here was before Zara and I went to India" Chad pointed out, the sadness clear in his voice.

"Sorry man, that’s messed up. So how are you doing?" I asked.

"I was pissed at you guys, I mean, why would you bring me here instead of taking me back to my apartment?"

"But you were in no state of being alone, you needed help and we had to bring you home. And you have no idea how that decision strained us, like seriously" Aaron stated.

"What happened? Tell me"

"You know the ’irresponsibility’ stuff I was telling your mom, it was actually Rich here who made that accusation and no offense, you are also guilty. You both think that because I’m the last child, I don’t know what responsibility is all about and that is very wrong"

"But I don’t think I’ve ever accused you of such" Chad defended.

"You didn’t have to say it explicitly, your actions spoke volumes about how much you think I don’t care and as my friends, I thought you knew me"

I intentionally remained silent. I had gotten him angry before and we just reconciled some hours ago, I couldn’t push that.

"Sorry dude, but if I’m being honest, you always act like you don’t care even one bit and that was why we thought you didn’t" Chad said, looking at me for support.

Before I could say anything in agreement with him, Aaron burst,

"But that’s the thing. To others, I don’t give a damn, but you guys are my friends and of all people, you should know me better. You should know that I actually care about you guys, I love you boys even though you get on my last nerves at times"

Shuffling close to where he sat, Chad threw his arm around him and said,

"Wald, getting all sentimental. Damn, Rich, what did you say to him?" Chad teased.

"Oh shut up" Aaron waved off, laughing.

"Richy, you’ve been awfully silent and man, I can’t believe you didn’t tell us that you’d be traveling." Aaron said, all serious once again.

"That is not even the height of it, I didn’t want to say this in front of Mrs Helen, but Claire has roped me in on a selection process."

Gulping his glass of champagne in one go, Chad said, refilling his flute,

"A selection process, what has your mother gotten you into?"

"Yeah, what’s that? Is it like rearranging your wardrobe, or what?" Aaron quipped.

"You have no idea" was all I said, before refilling my glass to the brink and draining it to the dregs in one go.

"Damn! It must be very bad, here I think you need something stronger" Chad handed me a flask.

Before taking it from him, I already knew what it was and who it had belonged to.

Chad may not like talking about his father and he always referred to him as a jerk, but weirdly, he carried his silver flask with his initials, ’D.R’ inscribed at the base.

One time when we had asked him about it. He had shrugged, waving it off as the only thing he needed to remember the jerk. He had stolen it the night Helen chased Daniel out of the house.

Even Daniel had been scared of his wife. From how Chad had narrated the incident, Mrs Helen had almost stabbed his dad. In a fit of rage, Mrs Helen only understood one language... blood.

According to Chad, the flask was all he wanted from his cheat of a father. But I know it means more, more than he could ever accede. He still loved the jerk and the jerk will always remain his dad, the man who taught him how to play basketball, the man that had been his confidant... his dad.

It was like my situation with Claire, I still love her and she will always be my mom even though I tell her that she has lost that right. I tried to hate her when I learnt of what she had done, cheating on my dad. But I couldn’t, it was one of those times that my heart became independent of my commands. Come to think of it, can any of us claim to actually be in control of our hearts?

If we were, then I don’t think we would fall for someone that will never be ours. We won’t continue to love someone even after he/she put us in a difficult position by doing something that’s heartwrecking.

Just like the mind, I think our hearts are another part of us that isn’t really a part of us. It’s an independent body that most of us are foolish enough to think we can control its functions.

And I know most people would wonder if I’m not included on that list, but my case is very different. I have always had a weak heart and I think that makes it so much easier. Besides, I’ve had a lot of practice and my past experiences have really been a great help.

Like the case of Mel, I don’t think I would ever see myself in such a situation again. My heart is mine to control, and that’s why I shut it off whenever I feel a beat that’s off rhythm. A beat for another that isn’t me.

It’s not about liking myself too much, but what I felt after breaking up with Mel, isn’t really something that I want to experience twice. And with the delicate condition of my heart, I think everyone should be rooting for me.

If you really think about it, I’m doing these girls a favor, none of them would be receptive to dating a guy who could die at any minute. Nobody wants a liability as a partner and I’m too high and mighty to allow myself to be reduced to such a degrading term.

There are certain things that aren’t meant for everyone, like long term commitment. Emphasis on the ’long’, who would venture into such commitment knowing that he doesn’t have long. That his time is short and

counted.

If given the choice, I would ever get married. I may be cruel, but I’m not a monster. Too bad, Claire has left me without any choice. So, I guess I will have to be a monster, I only pity the girl who will be selected.