THE BILLIONAIRE'S CRYBABY
Chapter 262: CLEARING THE AIR

Chapter 262: CLEARING THE AIR

Fay finished eating, and got up to wash her plate, when Ace grabbed it from her hand.

"I’ll do it," he said.

"Okay." She shrugged, and gave it to him.

As he washed, she observed his body movement from behind.

He was simply a magnificent man, and his strength unnerved her.

All done, he turned abruptly, and caught her staring.

"Do you want me to get you anything else?" He asked, already creating some distance between them as he walked towards the fridge.

Once more, she sighed in frustration. She didn’t know how long she could hold back, before crashing out.

"Water?" He asked.

"Still have mine," she replied.

"Alright."

He pulled out a can of beer, and closed the fridge.

Surprised, she scoffed, grabbing his attention.

"What?" He asked, as he opened the cold beer.

"Never took you for a beer drinker. Only ever seen you drink whiskey, tequila or wine," she said.

"True. Sometimes, we crave something different, right?"

That hit her differently than she was sure he intended.

She wondered if he was bothered about Jason.

If he was, he was doing a poor job showing her.

"Do you still have more work to do?" He asked, leaning on the walls, close to the entrance.

He had once again found a way to create a space between them.

"Nope. Done for the day," she replied. "Why?"

"Oh nothing. Just asking."

She laughed, but it was a laughter devoid of humor.

"What is it, Fay?"

"Oh you know my name? Excellent."

He was bringing the can to his lips when the tone of her voice made him pause.

"Did I do something?" He asked, lowering the can.

"That’s the point, Ace. You’ve done absolutely nothing," she sighed in frustration.

"I don’t understand. Help me out here, Fay."

"What’s the point? You don’t even understand me," she said, shaking her head.

"If this is about Dream, and me not helping out enough, please tell me what more I can do to help."

She whipped her head up, disgusted by his ignorance. "I appreciate how much of a help you’ve been with Dream, actually. But that’s all. What about me?" She asked.

"You? Am I missing something here? I always ask if there’s anything I can do for you, and your answer is always the same - nothing."

"Maybe you’re asking the wrong questions then. Do you understand that we’re in a lockdown? I haven’t seen you in six months, then I find out you’re dead. Only to find out again that you’re alive. Then you brought us to this house, and crazy Reign shows up. We haven’t talked about any of these things. All you do is apologize, take care of Dream, and look at me with guilt!"

He bobbed his head, slowly getting enlightened.

"We talked about Reign. You asked me to see a therapist and I said I would after we sort our problems. And as for the past six months, I told you nothing happened, because I couldn’t even talk. What more do you want me to say, Fay?"

"Ugh!" She rose to her feet, and stomped a foot in frustration.

"I want you to stop looking at me with those guilt ridden eyes. I want you to know that I’ve forgiven you because you sincerely asked for my forgiveness. That I see everything you do for Dream, and I appreciate your efforts. These are not even my core points."

"Then what is?"

She paused, and breathed out. "Is this about, Reign?"

"Fay, why are we still talking about Reign?"

"I mean, you tell me. Maybe you miss her, and all the times you spent together?"

"Don’t do that. She tried to hurt my child. She tried to hurt you. The only thing I want is to see Reign pay for her crimes, right after she’s discharged from the hospital."

"Good, so why do you look at me with guilt, and not desire like you used to?" She blurted out, tired of beating around the bush.

"What?!"

The can of beer almost slipped out of his hand, as his eyes widened in shock.

"You heard me, Mr Ace Atticus. Why are you unable to be in the same room with me? Why do you do all these nice things for me, but won’t even touch me?!" She screamed out in frustration.

A switch flipped in Ace’s head, and he was about to toss the can away, and storm towards her, when Landon entered into the kitchen.

"Hey, I heard your voices from the living room. Is everything okay?"

Fay, who was breathing hard, and fast, turned to welcome Landon.

"Everything’s fine, Landon. Welcome back," she said.

But Ace was too stunned to speak. He couldn’t believe he thought he had been doing the right thing all these while.

If he had known that while he was repressing his desires, the love of his life was thinking he was over her, he would have never done something so foolish.

"Hey man, you good?" Landon asked, snatching the can off Ace’s hands, and downing the beer.

"Yeah," Ace blinked, returning to his senses. "I’m fine, you?"

"Not great," he replied, tossing the empty can into the trash basket.

"Yeah, you definitely aren’t," Ace said.

"Come take a seat, and tell us what is wrong," Fay said, pointing to the chair beside her.

"She’s a good woman, Ace. A good woman," he said, before walking over to her.

Ace’s eyes went to Fay, but she easily evaded his.

Now that the tension had settled, she felt awkward for talking so recklessly.

She still hadn’t decided if she wanted to renew things with Ace.

"What is wrong with you, Fay?" She chided herself.

"What is it, Landon?" She asked him.

"I stopped by the Atticus mansion," he began.

"How’s mum doing?" Ace asked in a sober voice.

"Stronger than before, but still so teary eyed. Leighton has been helping with the matriarch’s health. She’s heartbroken, Ace."

"Damnit," he muttered under his breath.

"Oh, and Leighton said she tried to call you to tell you she won’t be returning here tonight. She has a night shift to cover," he said to Fay.

"Is she okay?"

"Yeah, she is. I stopped by the hospital before coming here."

"He’s a good man, Ace. A good man," she mimicked him, talking to Ace without looking at him.

Landon had felt the tension when he entered the kitchen.

He knew something was clearly off, but didn’t want to make things more awkward by asking.

"Anyway, cats out of the bag," Landon said, slicing the tension that was beginning to form again.

"They know I’m alive?" Ace asked in alarm.

"Nope, they don’t know that yet. Celine did tell them,but your mother is finding it hard to believe her. They did watch the news though, and saw all the allegations against Celine. They’re confused, and thinking of seeking the help of the family lawyer," Landon explained.

"Did you encourage them to do it?" Fay asked.

"Oh, I had to. One way or the other, a lawyer would have been needed."

"Why, what’s going on?" Ace questioned impatiently.

"In layman’s terms, your mother beat the shit out of Celine after she tried to convince her you were alive, bipolar, and vindictive," Landon said.

Ace couldn’t hold back. He burst into a feat of laughter, and so did Landon.

Fay shook her head, as she looked from one man to the other.

It was funny that Gabrielle finally put that bitch Celine in her place, but they had more important things to talk about.

"When you two are done laughing, let’s talk about how Celine is going to make sure to retaliate. I don’t think she’s going to go through the law either. If you ask me, the mansion needs intense security. The children, and everyone who goes out too," she said.

"Yeah, Fay’s right," Ace said, growing serious again.

"I’m already on that. I told Grant to sort security out. If anything happens, we’ll be the first to know," Landon said.

Ace walked over to him, and tapped his shoulders proudly.

"Thanks man. For everything you’re doing," he said.

"I’m an Atticus by extension, and families protect each other, right?"

"Always," Ace said, and smiled.

"Alright boys. I think I’ll retire for the night," Fay said, interrupting the brotherly show of affections from both parties.

"Goodnight Fay," Landon said, as she walked away.

"Goodnight Landon," she replied behind her shoulder, disappointed Ace did not even have the decency to do the same.

She had disappeared out of sight, when Ace tapped Landon’s shoulder.

"If you’re hungry, there’s some food in the microwave. I’ll be right back," he said, going after Fay.

She was about to close her door, when a hand dragged her out, and before she could blink, she was pinned against the wall.

"Ace?" Her heart thundered when she saw it was him.

"Shhhh," he said, and dazedly, she shut her mouth. "A lot of things have happened, hence my resistance to behave in peculiar ways around you. But make no mistake, Fay, I’ve never wanted anyone the way I want you. There are things that need to be sorted, and they will be. After that, I’ll show you that no man but me is deserving of you. Do you understand?"

Still in awe, she bobbed her head like a zombie.

He kissed her forehead, before letting her go.

"Goodnight Fay."

She watched as he walked out of her sight, and knew in that moment, she could never let him go.