THE BILLIONAIRE'S CRYBABY
Chapter 149: SOPHIE’S PARTY II

Chapter 149: SOPHIE’S PARTY II

"I was going to go change my shoes, Fay," Sophie said as Fay dropped her on the ground.

"Do you want me to come with you?" She asked.

"Could you please? I’ll appreciate that."

Fay laughed. She almost forgot how grown Sophie always sounded. "Alright baby, I’ll come with you."

Ace wriggled his nose in his head. He wished he was the one being referred to as baby instead. The little girl had no idea how lucky she was.

"You finally showed up," she heard his mum’s voice.

"Mum?" He lifted his head and saw her.

"You’re finally here. I didn’t think you’d come," she said.

"Now why would you think that?"

"Mummy?!" Sophie screamed before she could respond. "Does this mean Ace is my brother?"

Ace lifted a curious brow as he stared between the child, and mother.

"It means exactly that," she said with teary eyes.

It still made her feel like breaking into a wail every time Sophie called her mummy, and it was just the second time.

"I don’t understand what’s going on, but I spy some cakes, and grandma’s eyes on them. Excuse me." He waved them goodbye, and proceeded forward.

"It’s so good to see you Gabrielle," Fay said as Gabby pulled her in for a hug.

"You too. You look gorgeous as always."

"Let’s go!" Sophie jumped restlessly.

Both women threw their heads back in laughter as they led the little girl away.

"Ace Atticus," the matriarch called when he arrived before her.

"Don’t you think you’re too old for a kids party?" He asked, running a hand through her grey hair.

"And you?" She stared cooly at him through her lower lashes.

"I do believe I’m way younger," he shrugged, and then smiled mischievously. "Don’t tell me you still monitor cakes. You can have a whole bakery if you please."

"And you?" She returned his stare with a narrowed one.

"None of your business."

"Good, then mind yours too."

"With the way you two bicker, you’d think you aren’t grandmother and grandson."

"Is that Landon?" The matriarch rolled her head around in search of him.

"Here!" He hugged her from behind, placing kisses on her side profile as he did.

She laughed giddily, whilst Ace stared at them with disgust.

"You’re so insufferable," he said to Landon when he finally let go of her.

"You’re the one to talk," he replied, giving him a once-over. "Why are you just coming to the party that started at dawn?"

"And you?"

"I’ve been around. I was with Colin," he replied.

"Colin is here?" Ace asked.

"Yep. We were talking about—" he zapped his mouth shut, remembering the matriarch was present.

"Don’t stop on my account, Lan. You’d think I don’t know what you boys are up to. Have you forgotten how you three would lie with my name to get out of trouble? Who bailed you out then?" she scoffed.

"And you’re still as cool as ever. I’d just rather you enjoy your peace now," Landon replied with a laugh.

"See, this is why you’re my favourite."

"Grandma, we got some!" The twins said in unison as they arrived in their midst.

They paused when they saw Ace, and their eyes sparkled in sync.

"Ace!" They both jumped into his body.

"Alright, that’s enough." He tried to push them away, but they just held on to him more.

He knew there was no saving himself from the situation, so he just gave up.

When they were satisfied, they pulled away and turned to Landon.

"You said you were going to take us to that game house," Claire said in an accusatory tone.

"That’s why we’re not going to say hello, because you failed us!" Blaire stuck her tongue out.

"Ladies please. What is this about failure I hear? You know all I do is win. Anyway, don’t fret. I have the perfect day planned for us. I just need to clear my schedule, okay?" He leaned between them, and they brought their ears together. "Tell your brother to give me some break from work."

Blaire straightened up first, and snickered. "Don’t you have your own company? Go work for yourself instead of with Ace. Then you can have all the free time to take us out."

"True!" Claire nodded.

"You heard that, Ace?" Landon straightened his body and turned to his friend.

"Not happening," he replied.

"Heard that?" He turned to the twins.

"Then you take us to the game house!" They said in unison, directing their venom at Ace.

His breath doubled. He forgot how creepy they could be with their twins in sync power.

"I’ll think about it."

"No!" They screamed.

"Fine, I’ll go!" He hissed, hoping they would leave him alone now.

They smiled, flipped their hairs, and turned to the matriarch. "Mission accomplished," they said.

"See you in the situation room later?" she replied as they spoke in codes.

They nodded, and happily bounced away.

"I can’t believe they’re getting older." Ace shuddered at the weirdness of the entire thing.

"I remember when they were just babies," the matriarch said, adorning a dreamy expression on her face.

"Now they’re terrorists," Colin said, interrupting the conversation.

"Uncle Colin!" They screamed from afar, as if they had heard him talk about them.

He shuddered, and went behind Ace. "Your sisters are so scary." He peeped through his back, watching them glare at him from afar..

But after a while, they ran away.

"Wow!" He breathed out, and moved from behind Ace.

"Do you have any idea how grown you are?" Ace shook his head, as he stared at him from head to toe.

"Who cares?" He shrugged, and went to hug the matriarch.

"Hello gorgeous. You look stunning." He kissed both her cheeks.

"Why wasn’t I the first person you sought out when you arrived?" She frowned.

"Forgive me. This human accosted me. And we had to talk about something." He pointed an accusatory finger at Landon.

Landon scoffed. "You’re the one who blocked my path and wouldn’t let go until I gave you some information. You practically kidnapped me," he said with a mouthful of cotton candy.

"How and when did you get that?" Ace asked in shock.

"You know me." He smiled mischievously, munching away.

The matriarch couldn’t help but smile. She loved when everyone she watched grow up were gathered around. It reminded her of her age, but in the same vain, made her feel youthful.

"I spy some food Lan. What do you say we go get some?" Colin asked, salivating.

"Can’t believe you still manage to stay in shape despite how much you eat." Makayla returned to the group.

"Maki?" His eyes twinkled, as he pulled her in for a hug. "Please tell me you’re over Ace," he whispered to her whilst hugging her.

She pushed him away, and threw him a glare. "Didn’t someone tell me you have a girlfriend? Why are you asking such invasive questions?"

"I can’t let that stop me from having the love of my life." He threw her a wink.

"True." Landon nodded.

Ace nudged his head in agreement.

"I can’t believe the nerve of the three of you. If you must know, I’m engaged!" she waved her finger in their faces.

"Yeah, I heard. I just couldn’t believe it’s real. How are you marrying that asshole, my love?" Colin asked in absolute disbelief.

"Yeah, true. Why are you marrying a man you clearly don’t love?" The matriarch inputted.

"Well, we’re not all Ace Atticus. It’s not every time we marry for love. In our world, you know, business marriages are much more popular."

Ace who had been silent all along began to feel like the liar he was. It was good they thought he married for love. It meant whatever they were doing was working.

"We’re going to talk about this later. For now, I think I need to retreat. Over to you, Ace." She gave him a knowing look, and he returned it with a salute.

"She wants you to watch the cake, right?" Landon asked.

"Everyone knows her." Colin said with a laugh.

They broke into nostalgic conversations when Fay stepped out with Sophie in her arms.

"Is that Fay?" Colin was first to say. "God she’s stunning!"

"Careful," Ace grumbled in a low voice, but his eyes were on her.

He couldn’t hear whatever she was discussing, but he loved the way her eyes lit up as she listened attentively to Sophie.

"Look at how he looks at her," Makayla said.

Their eyes all went to Ace who was too lost in his appraisal of her to notice the gazes.

A friend of Sophie’s intercepted, and dragged the little girl from Fay’s hands. She laughed, and waved them goodbye.

Lifting her head, she spotted Makayla first. Her smile broadened as she waved at her.

"Come over," Makayla mouthed.

It was only when she was walking forward she spotted Ace in their midst. Their eyes locked, and he threw her a wink.