THE BILLIONAIRE'S CRYBABY
Chapter 13: THE INTRUDER

Chapter 13: THE INTRUDER

As Ace dragged her away, her eyes found the deadly glare of her aunt’s. A shudder ran through her, as she clung on to him.

They arrived at the parking lot, and Cam hurriedly approached them.

"Hand me the keys, I’ll be driving," he said, letting go of her hands.

Without further questions, Cam handed the keys to his boss who he could tell was clearly upset about something.

"Take a taxi back home if you like," He walked around the car, and opened it. "Hop in." He nudged towards the passengers door, as he went into the driver’s seat.

Fay silently obeyed, still too shocked from everything that had transpired to say a word. She sat down, and put on her seatbelt, while Ace roughly drove out of the compound.

Not even the golden street was enough to pique her interest. As he drove, tears rolled down her eyes.

Once more, she wasn’t able to defend herself against the lies of her aunt. Maybe because she never believed her aunt could stoop so low.

"My daughter." "Her mother."

Those words rang provocatively in her ears. They mocked her. Mocked the memory she didn’t have of her own mother.

She had done it again. On one hand, claimed she had properly raised her. On the other hand, casted doubts about her character to the Atticus. Now everyone hated her; including Ace’s mother.

The awareness felt like a dagger being twisted in her chest. A knot formed in her throat, and for a split second, she couldn’t properly breathe. She sniffled, hoping it would aid respiration.

The sound made Ace turn his head to her. "Everything okay there?" He raised a brow.

"It’s nothing," she struggled to say, but said nonetheless.

He didn’t believe she was fine. A girl as emotional as she was, couldn’t be fine after that shit show his aunt, and her aunt pulled. But he didn’t want to push it. He would give her space to cry, while he reflected.

The traffic lights ahead turned red, and as he slowed down, he raised his head slightly, and caught a sign.

He nodded, waiting for the light to turn green. When it did, he drove forward a little, and turned his steering to the left. The car pulled past the opened gate of the building, and stopped at the parking lot.

She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, grateful they were finally home. But as she unlocked her seatbelt, her eyes were attacked by an unusually bright light.

She turned towards the direction it was coming from, and discovered they were nowhere around his house.

"Where are we?" She rested her gaze on him.

His heart skipped a beat at the sorry state of her appearance. Swollen, puffy face from all that tears she cried. Her mascara, looking all smudged and messy.

"You can’t go in looking like that," he said.

"Looking like what?" She asked in a voice ridden with confusion.

He sighed, and turned the mirror towards her. Her eyes widened, as she flinched.

"I look like a monster!" She exclaimed.

He wouldn’t take it that far, especially cus she still managed to look cute, despite her state. "Nope, you just need to wipe off. You’d look and feel better with a fresh face."

"We should be on our way home then."

"Not yet," he said. Opening a compartment in the car, he fetched a towel from it. He stretched his hand to the back seat, and found a bottle of water.

Her eyes lifted, as she waited to see what he was about to do.

"Move closer," he ordered, after wetting the towel.

"Why?" She threw him a suspicious look.

"Just do as I say," he commanded.

Slowly, she pushed herself forward, a careful eye resting on the towel, as if at any moment, it would hurt her.

She froze when instead of hurting her, she felt the coldness of the towel on her face, as he began to wipe.

"You seem shocked," he muttered, as he wiped.

"N– n-o," she stuttered.

"Don’t be. We’re at war now, in case you’ve not noticed. But you cannot fight a war if you’re not looking your best." He finished wiping it off, and returned the wrapped towel into a ball. "Look," he pointed at the mirror when she was still staring at him.

Reluctantly, she dragged her face up. Everything was gone. She could recognize herself again. She whipped her head to him, and smiled. "Thank you."

It was his turn to freeze. Her smile was absolutely gorgeous. Genuine, and ethereal.

"Hey," she called, when he wouldn’t move.

He shook his head, and quickly opened his door. He stepped out, and she followed suit.

As soon as her feet touched the ground, she took a proper look at her surroundings. A flash of recognition crossed her eyes, and she gasped.

"Finger teaser?" She swirled, coming face to face with him.

"Move." He nudged his head forward, not sharing in her excitement.

"Okay!" She almost screamed. No one who saw her now would believe moments ago, she was bawling her eyes out.

Her excitement was almost infectious. Almost because this wasn’t his scene. She was the only reason they were there.

They walked into the restaurant, and went straight to the counter.

"A table with a view," Ace ordered.

"Sorry sir, but we’re not a conventional restaurant. We don’t do views," the tiny waitress with an oddly large head said.

"She’s right. I read its ambience is more togetherness, familiarity, than exclusivity," Fay explained to him.

"Sure," he bobbed his head, as he returned his attention to the girl. "Here," he handed over his card. "Give us a table with a view," he repeated.

Her eyes widened when she saw the card. "I’m sorry sir. I didn’t know it was you. James! Hurry up please!" She called.

Fay looked to him for help, but he shrugged in response. She really didn’t want to believe it was his card that made the girl act strange. Then again, considering the fact his family were obviously big shots, she wasn’t entirely surprised.

A bald man hurried out of the kitchens. "What is it, Layla?"

"Please show Sir Ace Atticus and his guest to the terrace table," she said.

He hissed. "Did you call me all the way from the kitchen to show some A—-" his voice trailed, as he slowly turned his head around. "Did you say sir Ace Atticus?"

She nodded vigorously, but he had already made the round before she was done responding.

"Good evening Sir," he wiped his hands on his apron, and stretched them towards Ace.

"Evening?" he briefly accepted his hands, but withdrew it just as soon.

"James. Head chef here with a degree in management in case someone’s asking." He nodded confidently.

"Sure. Our seats?"

"Yes Sir. Please follow me. Layla, could you tell them to hurry up, and come serve our special guest!"

"On it!" Layla spirited away.

Blown away by the sudden switch, Fay followed behind. She had been in the position of hurrying to serve a special guest before.

For the guests, they looked for the slightest things to be displeased about. If they only knew how much work is put into making them feel like kings.

Regardless, being on the privileged side still felt really strange.

"Here we are. Far away from the noise," James said as they arrived at the rooftop.

"Thanks, we’ll take it from here."

"Okay sir. I’ll go make sure everything’s fine in the kitchen . When you’re done with choosing your order, just ring the bell at the table. Someone will be here to attend to you," he bowed.

"Got it," Ace responded dismissively.

Fay couldn’t help her disappointment at his blatant disregard of genuine service. It was up to her to show him appreciation."Thank you so much for your time sir. We’re grateful," she said, throwing him a sincere smile.

"Thank you, pretty Miss." His face turned red as he shook her hands.

Ace, tired of standing, walked over to the only table in the middle of the large open roof. Fay joined him shortly after.

"This place is stunning. Did I ever tell you my boss hates this place because they serve finger foods, but are still so successful?" She ranted.

"You seem to be so taken with domestic staff, and general workers. Do you not understand you’re at a higher level now?" He leaned to the side, staring pointedly at her.

"I’m sorry." Her face fell.

"Stop it." He warned.

"I’m—" she bit her lip, and kept quiet.

He sighed. "Let’s make our orders."

"Okay!" She lifted her face, and clasped in excitement.

Internally, he chuckled. She was like a child. So easy to please. Never held grudges.

"Who really are you?" He questioned his heart.

They were skimming through their menu when the atmosphere suddenly changed.

"Do you think crab legs would taste deli—" her question was drowned by clicking heels.

She turned around and saw the face of a woman she recognized. Beside her was an older man she had an uncanny resemblance with, while behind them, three hefty looking guys stood.

"Ace?" She turned her head in fear, looking to him for help. But he didn’t return her look. Instead, it remained on the girl, as she stopped in front of him.

"Hey baby." She bent, and placed a kiss on his cheeks.

"Reign!" He muttered between his teeth.