THE BILLIONAIRE'S CRYBABY
Chapter 50: AN AUDACIOUS DROP

Chapter 50: AN AUDACIOUS DROP

"That was the coolest bath ever!" Sophie declared as they returned to the room.

"You think?"

"I know. It definitely was. You know how to make good bubbles, Fay."

"I’m glad you enjoyed it, my precious."

She raised her head up, and was startled by Marilyn’s presence. "That was fast," she said, tucking the towel around her chest.

"You won’t believe there’s a convenience store just down this street, which happens to sell clothes too. I bought these really pretty dresses," she said, emptying the contents of the bag on the bed.

"Wow, that’s a lot!" Sophie said to Fay.

"It just means you have varieties to select from. What’s your favorite color?"

"None." She grew somber.

"You don’t have to talk about it, until you’re ready. Mine is black."

"What?" Her head shot up.

"Actually, any color that isn’t bright. I already have bright red hair, and green eyes. Any more colors, and I’d look like a circus clown."

"No. You’d look like a fairy princess."

"You’re just saying that to be nice, Sophie."

"But I’m serious," she swirled towards Marilyn. "Won’t—" she paused, and turned back to Fay.

Marilyn and Alice exchanged looks. They understood the girl wasn’t comfortable around them yet. They didn’t mind. It was a pleasure to watch her chat with Fay. They were like the older and younger version of each other, and it was simply a joy to watch.

"Alright. I think your hair should be a little dried now. Can I have a look?"

"Okay."

She drifted forward, a little shyly. Fay reached out for the towel wrap on her head, and untied it. Shimmering Platinum locks fell down the lengths of her shoulders, further down to her back.

"We’ve not even run a brush through it, and your hair already looks so healthy!" Fay gasped.

"Can I see it?" The little girl asked. This was the first time she was showing any form of enthusiasm when it came to her hair.

It had been a battle to get her to wash it. But in the end, Fay prevailed.

However, with a mirror Alice provided from nowhere, drawn to her face, she smiled. "It’s pretty. That’s what my mum would say."

"It is, and she’s right. You’re the prettiest little angel in the entire world."

"Thank you Fay."

"Save the thanks for later, princess. We’re going to try on clothes now."

A lot of no’s later, the very opinionated Sophie settled for a gown with lots of flowery images.

Marilyn thanked her intuition for pushing her to buy new underwear for the child. She showed her appreciation by not flinching when she handed it to her. That alone was a big win in her eyes.

Alice was already dishing out breakfast.

Sophie sat on the bed, fully dressed, and with hair tied into a bun. Shortly after, Fay joined her.

They moved to the edge of the bed, their legs flopping to the ground, when a table was set before them.

Food was provided, and the aroma alone was enough for Fay’s mouth to water. Alexander was right. That ice cream did her a world of good.

"Are you ready to eat, baby?"

"I don’t know," she said, unsure.

"Watch me," Fay scooped a spoon, and shoved it into her mouth. "Yum! Chef Alice is the best chef in the entire world!"

"Really?"

"If you don’t try it for yourself, how will you confirm?"

"I guess."

She scooted forward, and grabbed a spoon. The chicken veggie mix was a weird concept for her, but she tried it anyway. The flavors too were new, but as her eyes bulged, all she knew was that it tasted really good.

"Wow," she simply said.

"It’s good right?" Fay asked, giggling.

She nodded, and kept eating.

A soft rapt sounded on the door, before it opened.

Leighton stopped dead in her tracks as soon as she stepped into the room. Her eyes trailed on Sophie, and she blinked multiple times.

When that still didn’t satisfy her, she wiped off her eyes. It wasn’t enough, so slowly, she proceeded forward.

"Sophie?"

The girl who was munching on a piece of chicken, turned her head towards the side her name was coming from.

"Dr nice," she said through a chicken stuffed mouth.

"Oh God!" Her heart jumped. "Is it really you?"

She nodded, amidst chewing the hell out of that chicken.

Despite the physical proof slamming her face, she turned to Fay. "What’d you do to her?"

Fay smiled. "We just bonded."

"Oh Fay. You have no idea how much of my job you’ve just made easier. Thank you so much," she said, moved to tears.

"Don’t thank me. What are friends for?" She threw her a wink.

"You two are friends?" Sophie questioned Fay.

"When we were about your age, we were best of friends. But Leighton left for the United kingdom, and I never saw her again. Well, until now."

"That means you two were always meant to be friends. I didn’t have any growing up. It was just me, mummy, and daddy. It’s just me now." She grew a little sad, but kept eating.

"I understand how you feel. I’d disagree a little bit, though. You have Marilyn, Alice, Dr Leighton, Me, and even Ace."

She charged up at the mention of Ace. "Where’s Mr Ace?"

"Yeah, where’s he?" Marilyn echoed her sentiments. "He didn’t return last night."

"I haven’t seen him this morning, either," Alice chipped in.

"Maybe he had to return home to rest a little. He had been pretty much up, and about," Fay defended him subconsciously.

"Will he return?" Sophie asked.

"I don’t know, my love. We’ll just have to see."

"Alright, alright! Enough with the sappy talks. I have really good news," Leighton interjected, hopping happily like a duck.

"Spill it," Fay urged.

"Xan told me this morning that he spoke to the chief. He thinks you can be released today."

"Really?" Her eyes widened, but beside her, Sophie stiffened.

Her hand reaching out for a glass of water froze.

"Are you leaving, Fay?" She asked in the smallest, most heartbreaking voice.

"Oh Sophie." She touched her arms, but Sophie pulled away, and rose to her feet.

"I’d like to return to my room now," she said.

"Won’t you finish your meal first?" Leighton weighed in.

She didn’t answer. Just like that, she was back to her shell. She tried to process her feelings, but the only thing that registered in her head was betrayal. Her parents had betrayed her by leaving, and now, the woman she had grown to cherish because they shared similar traits, was also leaving.

Her body began to tremble in fear. Flashes of the accident whipped through her vision. It was that bleak day all over again. Mum screamed at dad.

"Save Sophie!"

He did. Her brave little daddy shoved her to safety, then took his last breath. They left, and Fay was going to leave too.

On spotting this swift change, Fay jumped to her feet, and ran to the little girl. She pulled her into her arms, ignoring her clawing protests.

The door opened, and Ace in company of doctor Alexander and the chief, who he had met at the hallway, stepped in.

His eyes went straight to Fay, and the little girl, and he was instantly puzzled.

"What’s going on here?"

Sophie heard the voice of the Chief, and stopped struggling. She clung on to Fay, tightly.

Noticing the shift, Fay held on to her too. She didn’t care what was going to happen. She was ready to protect her with her life.

"I need you to calm down chief, and let me explain,’ Leighton said, a little panicky.

"I’m all ears. Go on," he encouraged with a hand gesture.

She moved closer to him, so she wouldn’t scare Sophie with her words.

"Sophie?" Ace didn’t know why he called, but he did anyway.

She tugged on Fay, wanting to pull away. Fay understood, and rose to her feet.

Little legs shot forward, and went to hug Ace’s legs. "You came. Fay said you probably went home to rest a little last night. I didn’t think you’d come back. They want to take Fay away. If they do, I’d be returned to the ward. I don’t want to go back. Don’t let them take me there," she went on and on.

Fay turned her head to the side, and began to cry. It was too much to bear. Too overwhelming. The child deserved better, and by God, she was ready to fight to give her that.

Despite his reservations, Ace picked her into his arms. She wrapped her little hands around his neck, and clung to him.

He turned, and faced the chief who had just been briefed about the situation.

"Does this child have an extended family she can be sent to?"

"From what I’ve heard, just the aunt. We wrote to her weeks ago, and she said she didn’t need any children in her life."

His heart raced with anger, but he was calm enough when he spoke to Sophie. "You talked about your grandparents—"

"They’re with God too," her voice sounded muffled, but he could hear what she said.

"That settles it then," he made an instant decision, and declared it.

"Settles what?"

His phone rang at that moment. "Hey Cam," he said, as he whipped it out of his pocket and answered.

"Okay, bring her in."

The call ended.

"My mum is here to start the adoption process for Sophie," he announced, and everyone’s eyes flickered, widened, and spinned with shock.