THE BILLIONAIRE'S CRYBABY
Chapter 47: KINDRED SPIRITS

Chapter 47: KINDRED SPIRITS

"You’re finally here, Ace!". Landon broke the awkward silence.

He paused when his eyes moved from his best friend to the blonde beauty beside him. If it wasn’t for her scrubs, he would have thought she was straight out of a movie.

"I am," he said dryly, observing his friend, as he observed the woman beside him.

He knew that look in his eyes. Had seen it countless times. He could wager that when they’re alone, he would bring up the fact he had fallen in love.

Give him one week tops, and he was back to default setting.

"I bought the ice cream—"

"You said you were going to buy?" Ace interrupted before he could finish speaking.

He blinked, his face contorting into confusion. "But—"

"When you said you wanted ice cream, I thought you meant just for yourself. I didn’t know you were going to go crazy." His eyes trailed on the various bowls on the bed.

"Yeah, sure." He laughed awkwardly, wondering why Ace was trying to cover up the fact he had specifically asked him to buy the entire store if he could.

He had figured it was for his wife, and that was why he came to her room straight when he arrived.

His heart palpitated as he spared a glance her way. Her face had completely lit up when he gave her the variety of flavors her husband had asked him to buy. But seeing the laughter in her eyes had disappeared, he knew she was disappointed.

And he was right. Fay couldn’t bring herself to lift another scoop of the ice cream. Once again, her mood was ruined. Just when she thought she and Ace were smoothing things out, and he was extending an olive branch, he had proved he didn’t care about her.

"Landon, let’s talk outside," Ace requested, feeling a shift in the air. Fay had not taken a scoop out of her bowl since he walked into the room.

She wasn’t comfortable in his presence, and he didn’t want to push anything.

He peeled the little girls off his, turned around, and walked out of the room.

"Excuse me ladies. Enjoy your ice cream Mrs Fay." He forced a smile, and hurried after his friend.

"Wow!" Leighton exclaimed. "Well that was awkward. At least you look less pale. How do you feel?" She directed at Fay.

"Much better," she said in a low voice.

Leighton started to speak when her watch beeped.

"I’m so sorry, but there’s an emergency that requires my attention. Can you please watch Sophie before I return?" She directed at no one in particular as she twirled, and left the room.

"Sophie? That’s a pretty name." Marilyn tried to strike a conversation with the girl.

In response, she flinched.

Fay caught the response, and worried lines instantly formed across her forehead.

"Hey, Do you want some ice cream?" She found herself asking.

Sophie looked at the bowl with longing. She was going to nod her head, but ultimately decided against it. "No." She shook her head, and threw it to the side.

"Why? There’s a lot here, and I can’t finish them. They said they’re going to bring a refrigerator, but who knows how long that’d take, right?"

"I guess," the little girl muttered.

Fay didn’t know why, but she was drawn to her. They were like kindred spirits. She wanted to understand her. To soothe the pain she saw in her eyes. If she couldn’t do it for herself, it didn’t mean the little girl had to suffer the same fate.

"Do you want some delicious food? I packed a lot, and the Mrs has refused to eat," Alice tested her luck.

"Why won’t you eat?" Sophie, without raising her head, questioned Fay.

"I don’t have an appetite for food right now," Fay was only glad to respond.

"Me too," she confessed.

"What do you want, baby? Chocolates? I could go get you some." Marilyn offered.

Once more, she didn’t respond to the generous offer. "Are you Mr Ace’s wife?" She referred to Fay, again.

"I am," Fay replied, not much enthusiasm in her voice.

"He was going to leave me in the hallway to go to you. He said ’I need to return to my sick wife.’ I think he really loves you," she said.

Fay was at the verge of scoffing when she caught herself right in time.

"You think so?"

"Yeah, I do. I’m Sophie," she said.

"I’m Fay."

The little girl finally lifted her face. "Like fairies?" She asked.

"Exactly. Like fairies. And yours is like a princess." She smiled.

"A fairy and a princess."

"Do you want to sit beside me?" Fay offered.

A guarded look surrounded her eyes, as she moved forward.

Alice made to give way for her, but she mistook the action for trying to touch her, and jumped behind.

"Did I upset you?" Alice asked in alarm.

She didn’t answer, but continued on her way to the bed, where she climbed up herself, and sat.

Alice looked to Marilyn for help. The latter gestured for her to watch the interaction between Fay and the interesting child.

"Mrs Fay, are you really sick?"

"Please, call me Fay. We’re fairy, and princess right? A dynamic duo."

"Okay, Fay. Are you really sick?"

"I’m getting better. Are you?"

"No. But the pretty doctor insists on giving me medicine."

Fay’s eyes trailed all over her body. There were some cuts. She also looked like she hadn’t been properly washed for a while.

"Where are your parents?"

"They went to see God. And yours?" She asked innocently.

It was like a giant ice fell in the room. They all felt chilled to their bones at her innocent pronouncement. What did a little girl like her know about seeing God? If what they thought she was saying was true, then it was the most heartbreaking thing ever.

A tear dropped down Fay’s eyes, but she hurriedly wiped it off. Now was not the time to cry. The girl needed someone to be strong for her. She was going to be that person.

"Mine too."

"Really?" She whipped her head. "Do you miss them too?"

"In my heart, I do. But there’s nothing much to miss or hold on to, when I don’t remember them. Not their faces, or even anything about them."

This came as a shock to Alice, and Marilyn. They didn’t know that about Fay. It was gut wrenching information that neither of them knew how to process.

"I do remember my parents. There was an accident three weeks ago. I survived, but they went to see God. At least I remember their faces. You don’t remember yours. It must be hard for you."

"It is," Fay smiled bitterly. "Don’t you have family visiting you?" She changed the topic. It was still such a sensitive one.

"I think I do. How’d you grow up, when your parents weren’t around?"

She brought the conversation right back to the spot Fay was trying to run away from. But she understood her. She was afraid. Afraid of her future without the parents she’d known all her life. She herself would give anything to remember something about her birth parents.

"My Aunt raised me."

"Really? Was she any good? I have an aunt too, but she doesn’t like children. My mum said that’s why she never had one of hers. I don’t want to go to her. She’d have to stop her life to raise me, and it’s not a fair job to push on her, right?"

That did it for Fay. She started to cry. How could someone so little have so much insight, and knowledge of life?

"I’m so sorry if I upset you, mr– Fay."

"No you didn’t, baby. Pay me no mind. I’m a crier. I cry all the time." She looked to her side for a tissue, but Marilyn was quick to hand her a box.

She muttered a thank you, as she wiped her face.

"You’re just like me, I guess. I cry a lot. Mostly when I’m alone. I don’t want doctor nice to see me cry. Then she’ll make me take medications. I don’t like them. They’re so bitter."

"Doctor nice is Leighton I presume?" Fay asked.

"Yes. Miss Leighton." She nodded.

"She just wants the best for you."

"I know. It’s because I lied to her that I didn’t remember anything. But Mr Ace forced me to tell her the truth. Now that I have, maybe she won’t give me those bitter medications again."

Marilyn threw her face to the side, unable to bear the pain anymore. The little girl was so precious, yet life dealt her a terrible hand. It proved there was no age limit to the unkindness of fate.

"I’ll talk to her. She won’t give you the bitter drugs anymore. But shouldn’t you wash out the bitter taste with some ice cream first?" She offered again.

Sophie looked at the collections. "It’s probably melting already."

"That’s why we should hurry up," she whispered conspiratorially.

"Okay," Sophie said. And for the first time in three weeks, the little girl smiled.