THE BILLIONAIRE'S CRYBABY
Chapter 125: PART WAYS

Chapter 125: PART WAYS

"I’ve never walked along a beach before. Thank you for accompanying me," Fay said as they returned to the bench they had occupied some minutes before.

Seth, feeling the best he had in years, gave her an affectionate smile. "No, thank you, young lady. Because of you, I’ve smiled more in one night than I ever thought I would. Thank you for stopping by the beach and giving me the opportunity to meet you. It’s an encounter I won’t forget in a very long time."

With tingling happy feets, she drew closer to him, and they came together in an embrace.

Fay’s heart lurched as she pulled away. She didn’t understand this feeling she had developed around the old man.

Only that it was nostalgic. Like she knew him a long time ago, even if she had no memory of ever meeting him.

Snapping out of the strange thoughts in her head, she offered him a sweet smile. "I can barely see about. I think my driver would be worried. It’s time I return home," she said in a weary voice.

He noticed the light had disappeared from her eyes, just as she spoke about returning home.

He had never felt more drawn to comfort, and empathise with anyone. If money was going to alleviate her pains, he would have thrown all of it her way just to soothe her.

For a long time, he thought he would never be able to feel again. Every thought of that happening had flown out of the window when he lost every person that made his life worth living.

Funny how in just one night, he had remembered what joy felt like. And it had come by the simple pleasure of meeting a stranger.

If he knew it was possible to meet someone like her, he would have gone out more, instead of rotting on his bed.

"Can I see you to your car? It’s late," he said, angling his head hopefully.

He knew people like her. They were too shy, or too worried about others to worry about themselves. She could turn him down with the excuse she didn’t want him to worry about her.

But after tonight, he didn’t think he would ever sleep well without knowing who she was.

"Sure, you can." She nodded, noticing he really wanted to walk with her.

He was an adorable man who had been punished justifiably for his grave sin against his own son and his wife.

She only hoped that her meeting with him was enough to bring him out of his sadness. She hoped he would know that as long as there was life, you could always start again.

Turning around, she took a brief second to stare at the images she drew on the ground. Before dawn, it would have cleared off. But it was there now, and it brought a smile to her face.

"Ready?" He asked.

"Sure." She nodded, and continued forward.

Silently, they walked towards the spot the driver had told her the car would be.

She spotted his frame from afar, and relaxed. Although still sceptical about the atmosphere at home, she decided not to leave the bubble of euphoria she had gotten from meeting a stranger.

They arrived at the car, and her driver quickly moved to greet Seth.

"Good evening sir," he bowed. "Welcome back Mrs Fay."

"Thank you. I’m sorry for keeping you waiting. Seth and I walked around the beach," she said, her face flustered from all the excitement she felt in that moment.

Because of how charming and infectious her smile was, the driver found himself smiling too.

"It’s okay. I saw you two. I was worried for a minute, so I came to check up on you. When I saw you walking around with him, I was relieved."

Seth was appreciative of the young man’s honesty. It was clear he was a great employee, highly trusted by his employer.

"You’re a good man that knows how to do his job," he said.

"He’s cool," Fay added, and giggled.

The driver went around to open her side of the door, before jumping into the driver’s seat. As he started the car, he waited for Fay to come in.

Fay stood before Seth, feeling sad about leaving him. In the real world, they would become friends that talked to each other every time they were sad.

But there was just so much complication in her life, and no room for any new person. She only hoped he lived his life to the fullest, and find joy in being alive.

Seth grabbed her hands into his, startling her with the suddenness of the action.

"I’m sorry if it feels like I’m overstepping, but I’m really worried about you. Promise me you will be strong, and fight for yourself? I know you think you’re supposed to be silent and take whatever, because of the," he paused, and she nodded in understanding. "But you don’t. I hope you grow a backbone, and realise that you’re a gem, and should be worshipped. Promise me."

"I promise," she said with a glare of determination in her eyes.

He exhaled, and raised her hands to his lips. One after the other, he kissed both hands.

"I hope I get to see you again, Fay."

"If the universe decides."

He let go of her hand, and she entered the car. Shutting the door after her, he stood aside and waited for the car to leave.

In turn, she whipped her head behind and waved him goodbye, until the car pulled so far away from him, she couldn’t see his frame anymore.

She reclined into her seat, and held back tears.

It was like saying goodbye to a loved one. There was so much need in her heart. Need borne from being neglected over the years.

She wondered if she would ever stop feeling so deeply for people.

"It’s never going to happen," a tiny voice in her head said.

She closed her eyes, squeezing out a single tear from it.

When she opened her eyes again, it was because the driver tapped her.

"What is it?" She groaned in protest as her lashes fluttered, and her eyes opened.

"We’re home, ma’am." He announced.

Her heart did a double take, as her head spinned around.

It was home indeed. Ace’s home.

Feeling like a lamb being dragged to the altar of sacrifice, she stepped out of the car.

One step after the other, she paced herself as she walked towards the entrance door.

She would love to avoid Ace tonight. Her heart had taken more than it could handle for a day.

With her stomach anxiously tightened in a knot, she opened the door, and walked into the living room.

"Mrs Fay!" Alice called, drawing towards her.

"Hey guys." She waved, as Marilyn followed right behind her.

"You’re finally home!" They chorused, pulling her into a hug.

"I am. Thank you for waiting up for me," she replied warmly.

They instantly pulled away. "Why wouldn’t we stay up and wait for you? We missed you so much!" Marilyn said.

Fay laughed, and squeezed her cheeks. "You’re so adorable, Mar. I definitely did miss you."

"And me?" Alice butted in.

"How could I not?" She asked, transferring her affection to Alice’s cheeks. "You are the reason I get to eat all kinds of delicious meals. Of course I missed you terribly."

"So why were you out for so long? If the driver hadn’t called, we would have remained so worried about you. Was the beach that fun?" She asked.

She opened her mouth to tell them about Seth, when an alarmed voice in her head instantly held her back.

"It was alright. I just needed to clear my head. Besides, you two are always saying I spend all of my time indoors. Is it wrong that I decided to go out for a change?" She questioned, challenging them with a stare.

Their bodies relaxed as they smiled in sync.

"No," they said at the same time.

"I’m just glad you’re home in one piece. All you need to do is shower, and eat."

"Yes, eat," Alice agreed. "Your husband got you something yummy from the restaurant you like a lot. When you’re done showering, I’ll be there with your food," Alice said in a teasing voice.

She froze briefly. If this was Ace’s way of trying to bribe her into forgetting his atrocities, then he had failed woefully.

But he didn’t even know she had seen him. She made sure of that. How could he have known? Or did he just decide to be nice?

All of these questions made her calm head begin to throb, and she quickly tossed them into the trash bin in her brain.

"I’m not hungry," she said to both women’s surprise.

"I ate a lot of pastries on the beach, and now I’m full. I just want to go take a long, hot shower, and sleep," she lied.

"Are you sure, Mrs Fay?" Marilyn asked, her face marred with confusion.

"Positive." She blew them kisses, and climbed the stairs to her room.

Halfway through, her stomach grumbled. But they were too far, to hear the evidence of her lies.