The Billionaire Who Saved Me

Without the slightest hesitation. Not once did Farrah’s eyes blink. She shook her head, expressionless.

“I won’t stop until it’s all done.”

Kurt had expected this. But he had hoped.

“Enough. I don’t think we need to talk about this anymore. I won’t drive you to the airport. There’s something I have to do.”

Farrah sighed deeply. Standing up. Getting ready to leave. But she took a moment to speak again.

“Later. One day you’ll understand that what I’m doing is for all of us. For us. Especially for Ariel.”

Because in Farrah’s mind, that was all that mattered. That she wanted Ariel to have everything. That everything she had would eventually end up in Ariel’s hands.

“This is for Ariel’s happiness,” Farrah whispered. “For the happiness of the only child I have. I won’t let her suffer as I have.”

Suffer? The very word made Kurt grimace. Was Farrah so blind that she couldn’t see the abundance of blessings she had?

So, when Farrah turned around. Planning to leave. Kurt’s voice was heard.

“For Ariel’s happiness?”

Farrah’s steps stopped instantly. But she didn’t look back. She stood still, facing away from her husband.

“Are you sure this is all for Ariel? Is this really what Ariel wants?” Kurt asked painfully. Then he shook his head. “I’m sure Ariel doesn’t want all this, Farrah.”

Farrah remained silent. Saying nothing.

“No, Farrah. Ariel doesn’t want all this. Ariel only wants one thing,” Kurt continued with a very real feeling of regret in his chest. “Elice.”

Because Kurt wasn’t blind. He could see everything very clearly.

“Ariel only wants Elice. And what he says. What he wants to do, it’s all for Elice. How can you not see all that?”

Kurt erupted. He tried to pretend not to see, but how could he? He clearly saw that the reason Ariel was doing all this was Elice. The reason Ariel wanted to help Farrah take over Pacific Energy was Elice. His son didn’t want anything else. He just wanted Elice.

“So, I beg you, Farrah. If you really want to see Ariel happy, I beg you. Stop all this. Ariel won’t be happy with what you are doing.”

Would Farrah be moved? If the sadness of her parents and siblings couldn’t soften Farrah’s heart and feelings, what about the opposite? Would her child’s sadness succeed? Isn’t that the natural order of things? A child’s sadness is a parent’s death.

“I know what’s best for Ariel, Kurt. I know my son. I know what Ariel should have.”

Kurt closed his eyes. Defeated by the stubbornness of his wife’s blinded mind.

“What’s best for you, not for Ariel. And if you really know Ariel, you should know that Ariel never wants anyone else’s stuff. He only wants what’s rightfully his.”

Kurt clenched his fists. He tried to hold on to the wall. His legs were shaking. Weak from everything that had happened and he couldn’t stop it.

“Ariel was never a greedy man, Farrah. So, I beg you. Don’t make Ariel like you.”

The reproach shot straight into Farrah’s heart. Was she greedy? No. Farrah was certain that what she was doing was to get what was rightfully hers.

“I beg you, Farrah. Don’t go any further. Stop your ambition to get everything.”

Because in Kurt’s mind, a fear arose. A terrible thing that made him speculate. Until when would all her actions be protected and shielded from judgment?

“Stop the ambition to have everything. Stop it. Stop before we lose everything.”

*

For a few moments, Carolus was silent. He just stared at Bald, the driver who had caused the fatal accident. The accident that had led to Daphne’s death.

“What is it?” Bald’s question made Carolus blink once. The harsh, gruff voice caused Carolus’ gaze to shift to Bald’s pair of retinas. There was a glint of annoyance and fatigue. For Carolus met him often without ever getting bored.

“Um.” Carolus cleared his throat. He seemed to undo the button of his jacket and let it fall, and he felt relieved. Slightly, Carolus leaned back in his chair. “I know you’re tired of my visits,” Carolus said afterwards. In front of him, Bald confirmed the statement with a grunt. “But unfortunately, I’ll keep coming to you until I get what I’m looking for.”

Bald rolled his eyes. “What are you looking for?” he asked without waiting for Carolus to answer. “I’ve already told you. It was an accident. I was sleepy. You don’t know what it’s like to drive for hours without rest.”

Carolus’ eyes blinked once. He looked at Bald. Then slowly something else appeared on his face. It was a faint smile.

“Ah, so you were tired? Um.”

Carolus nodded repeatedly with an expression that made Bald furrow his brow. He could sense a difference in Carolus’ demeanor at that moment. Not like usual, where the man seemed to be pushing him. This time was different. Carolus seemed more relaxed. A difference that somehow puzzled Bald.

“Of course. You were tired from driving for so long without stopping. You must have been working very hard all that time, Bald,” Carolus said, nodding repeatedly. “Because you had to earn money to meet Amy.”

As the word fell from Carolus’ lips, Bald’s face suddenly changed. The stern and rough looking driver with the weathered skin seemed to widen his eyes. He looked at Carolus with a hint of pallor slowly creeping to his lips.

“You…”

“She’s a sweet girl. Looks like your ex-wife is taking good care of her.”

It wasn’t just the pallor that made Bald’s lips turn white. Instead, an overwhelming feeling of fear successfully enveloped his entire body. He felt numb. As if the air couldn’t get into his lungs. Even his heart seemed to stop beating.

For a moment, Bald could only stare at Carolus in horror. His mouth opened, but he could not utter a single word. Seeing this, Carolus smiled.

“How about it?” Carolus asked afterwards. “Are you really tired?”

Bald swallowed his saliva. Damn it! But he wasn’t stupid enough to ignore the implicit meaning of this question. And for that, Bald could only curse inwardly.

Damn it! I shouldn’t have been tempted by the money.

Carolus sighed. He seemed to open his work bag and took out a folder. He said,

“In that case, I assume you’re not really tired.”

Could Bald object? Of course not. Because the threat Carolus had made had rendered him completely helpless.

“Can we start now?”

Bald had no choice. He nodded.

*