THE BILLIONAIRE'S CRYBABY
Chapter 53: EXPLOSIVE

Chapter 53: EXPLOSIVE

Fay held on to the tip of the umbrella, stroking it gently. Her mind filtered past the present, and wandered to just a couple of minutes before.

Alexander had come in like an Angel, handing her a shield. It was a pretty dramatic description, but that was how she felt at that moment.

He told her things that were not very appropriate for a wife to hear. But a wife? Was she really one? What made one a wife. One minute, she was serving guests at one of the biggest restaurants in the City, a job she got by chance, and the next, she was marrying this man for money.

"This man?" Her thoughts echoed, as she catapulted out of her head.

From the corner of her eyes, she searched his face. His eyes were clouded by an expression she couldn’t decipher. But traveling down his hand, she could tell he was furious. It was his grip on the steering. The way the veins in his hands stood.

She shuddered, and withdrew her gaze. Her only source of comfort came from her hand on top of the umbrella.

Drained by the tensed silence, she shut her eyes tightly, and just let her imagination travel to a place where peace trumped all other things.

The car suddenly jerked, and took a turn. A scent of luxury wafted through her nose, and her eyes toppled open.

They had arrived. She knew places by their scent, and as soon as she perceived the opulence, she knew they were home.

"Home," she muttered.

Ace heard, but pretended not to. He drove straight to the parking lot, and stopped the car.

Marilyn and Alice dashed forward, their eyes scanning the lengths of the car in search of Fay.

They stepped back when Ace alighted from the car.

"Sir A—"

He raised a hand, and silenced them. The iciness in his stare sent shivers down their spine.

Moving over to Fay’s door, he opened up before she could.

"Get out," he said, a rough edge in his voice.

She nodded slowly, and grabbed the umbrella.

"No. Leave that there. It’s not coming into my house."

Her heart jumped. She didn’t like his tone, or what he had just said. It was a gift. Why couldn’t she bring her gift along?

"But—"

"You either leave that trash in the car, or I swear to God Fay, I’ll call Cam right now to drive you back to your aunt’s house."

Marilyn’s eyes snapped, as she turned to Alice who’s eyes were widened.

"What’s it going to be?" Ace pushed his ultimatum.

Fay’s face grew hot, and flushed. She was supposed to be used to being embarrassed. Didn’t her Aunt find every possible way to ensure she clutched shame like a purse? Why did it hurt so bad that he was acting this way on a day like this?

Why did she feel like the ground needed to open up and swallow her?

"You’re wasting my time Fay. What is it going to be?" He said with gritted teeth.

Helpless, she let the tip of the umbrella fall from her hand. She gave it one long look. It was supposed to represent the kindness of Alexander towards her. Not just towards her, but the general personality he exuded.

Now, it was a piece of trash according to Ace.

"Step out," she heard him say.

She complied, and gently stepped out of the car. The terrible headache from the morning still hammered in her head. Even made worse by his show of power.

He banged the door shut behind her, the sound causing her to flinch.

Her hand flew to her chest, and she clutched it tightly. Deep inside of her, she began to quiver. Hot tears threatened to spill out from her depths, but she held it together.

She couldn’t afford to break down in the midst of everyone that mattered to her, right? She just couldn’t.

"Follow me," he ordered, and walked ahead.

Marilyn made a move to grab Fay’s hands and comfort her, but Alice pulled her back.

"He’s pissed," she whispered. "You don’t want to butt in," she said, kicking some sense into her.

As much as it pained her to onlook, she had to. She had to watch Fay, faced down, walk one step at a time behind the striding legs of Ace.

With her hands twisted in knots, and a heart that felt like it was bound to split into two with how hard it thumped, she accepted her humiliation. It wasn’t like she had any choice in the matter.

A lot of eyes were on her. She could feel their piercing gazes. Apparently, the staff were out to welcome her back. Unfortunately, they had to see this.

The sun pouncing on her delicate skin didn’t help. She was certain before she found the shade of the living room, she would be a little bit burnt.

But not even the coolness of the living room offered her comfort. Ace didn’t stop walking. She couldn’t either.

Her head pounded at the same rate her heart did. Her chest felt heavy, and so did her stomach. Her fingers shivered, and her toes curled.

Still staring at the floor, she began to ascend the stairs. One after the other, until the last stair.

Ace still didn’t stop. He didn’t make the turn to her room, instead he walked straight to his.

"Follow me," he had said, right? Religiously, she did.

He walked straight to his room, and pushed the door open, stepping aside, he waited for her to go in before he followed, and shut the door behind him.

Again, the sound made her jump. His footsteps approaching made her flinch. She twirled, and came face to face with him.

"Why did you accept his gift?" The question left his lip like a thundering cloud.

She took a step back, and then another, her entire body shivering.

"I was burning. He— it was just an innocent gift."

"Bullshit!"

"I—"

"Was it an innocent gift when he paid for your shopping?"

Her eyes widened, and a gasp left her throat.

"Oh you’re shocked? I saw the receipts, or have you forgotten? What’d you think? I wouldn’t bring it up because you’re fucking sick?"

"It’s not—"

"You had the guts to accept his gift right in front of me, Fay! What? Do you like him? Have you fallen in love with him? Humor me."

He went to the bed, and plopped on it. As his foot tapped without rhythm against the floor, he waited for her response.

He wouldn’t let her talk. Fay was on the verge of tears. He had interrupted every explanation she had tried to give him, and came to the conclusion that she was in love with Alexander?

How could he throw that kind of accusation when he was fully aware of her very recent history with Gabriel?

Hadn’t he saved her from a life of regret by making her see Gabriel never loved her? Was it that easy to love another, that she would already be in love with Alexander?

It made no sense in her ears.

"Answer me, Fay!" He bellowed.

She jerked back, totally confused by this side of Ace. Even when he was pissed, he would usually speak with more ice than loud.

"I—"

"You what? You what, Fay?"

"I don’t know what to say," her lips quivered, and she burst into tears.

"Again with the tears?" He hissed, and jumped to his feet. "That’s not going to move me. Not after what you’ve just done. And for what to say? Why don’t you start with the truth?"

"But– I really," a hiccup amidst her tears stopped her explanation.

"You what? Common, say it," his face contorted with pure fury. "You can’t say anything anymore? You don’t want to answer my question? Then it’s safe to assume you’re in love with the doctor," he scoffed, and did a one-eighty, in absolute disbelief. "You know," he continued, turning to her. "I wasn’t going to believe anyone’s words concerning you. I thought your Aunt was being conniving when she suggested you’re a golddigger who acts innocent. But I think there’s some truth to her words."

Fay’s heart squeezed against her chest, and its manifestation was a physical pain so great, she grappled her chest, and staggered back.

As she raised her head to look into his face, her eyes were not just dampened by the tears that ran down her face, but by hurt.

"I’m not a gold-di-gger," she stuttered. "I’m - not." She shook her head.

"Oh you definitely are. But guess what? I’m no fool. I’m going to give you everything I promised to give you, but that’s all. You’re dead to me."

"Was I ever alive to you?"

They were both stunned by her question.

"You don’t question me," he said condescendingly.

"You’re right," she nodded. "I’m nobody. I’m nothing in comparison to you who has everything, and is everything," her voice broke a little, as she struggled to pass her message without falling completely apart. "Forgive me for forgetting my place."

She bowed, and fled out of his room.

"Fay!" He screamed, but the only response he got was the sound of her feet, scurrying far away from him.