Filed to story: The Regretful Billionaire: An Unpredicted Reunion
“Maybe in a few days. I still have to work to settle here.” He wasn’t going to leave so soon, partially because of Paul too. Paul was his friend, and he would most likely need to console him after losing Stephanie. Eustace was already feeling bad for not helping Paul. It was the least he could do to retain their friendship.
Danika nodded and ate her food. Graham, however, huffed, “You’re not scared of the Glasses, are you?”
Graham preferred taking action once concrete plans were made to prevent the risk of the odds stacked against him. How could their plan to take the family over be put into action if Eustace wasn’t going to play his role in Bardoff?
“Don’t worry, sir. I won’t take too much time,” Eustace replied kindly. He wasn’t going to lose his temper on Danika’s father, of all people.
Before Graham could respond, Danika said, “Don’t rush things. It’ll do us good to make sure we’re fully prepared. The Glass family won’t be easy to take down.”
Graham was left staring glumly at her. “This wasn’t what you said before, dear daughter,” he thought. However, he had lost the right to say things like that when he let the Wilkins family foster her.
After dinner, the three of them returned to their respective rooms to rest. Tomorrow was a big day, after all. In Paul’s villa, the man frowned when he noticed Stephanie staring off into the distance, deep in thought.
“What’s on your mind?”
Stephanie turned back to glance at him, then shook her head. “It’s nothing.”
“Are you bored?’ Paul went up to her, tone and demeanor much gentler than it used to be.
Stephanie said nothing. In truth, she was worried about her parents. She had barely visited nor called them because of tight supervision under Paul’s command, wanting them to avoid getting into unnecessary trouble.
“Eustace says Danika is back in Parrington. Do you wanna have lunch with her? I’ll come with you.”
Paul asked something he had never asked before. He didn’t like Danika and didn’t want Stephanie to be in contact with that woman, but he didn’t want to see Stephanie upset, either.
Really?
Stephanie shuddered just the slightest when she heard Danika’s name.” Really? When did she come back? She never told me.”
“She’s one of the Bardoff City Ten Elites now,” Paul scoffed, ecstatic that Stephanie might never see Danika again. “She might’ve forgotten all about you.” Stephanie hummed quietly, though she knew deep in her heart that Danika would never do that.
Paul wrapped his arms around her. “Don’t worry. Unlike her, I’d never ever leave you behind.’
“Really?” Stephanie asked. Paul didn’t answer, choosing to respond with his actions instead.
The next morning, sunlight filtered into the room and brought life to the mess of sheets and limbs on the bed. Stephanie opened her eyes. The space on the bed where Paul had been was already cold. He must’ve left for work.
She got up and showered, put on some makeup, then started packing her things.
She really hadn’t known Danika had come back to Parrington. But the moment she did, she knew her time to leave had come.
Stephanie looked around the space, reflecting on her time there. It had been so long since she’d been kept in this gilded cage. Her outright resistance from the start had turned into silent acceptance, now turning into reluctance, much to her surprise.
However, she hadn’t lost her sense of self. She still knew what she wanted. Yes, she had feelings for Paul, but…she couldn’t be locked away in this tower he built for her forever.
Stephanie couldn’t become someone not even she could respect.
All this while, Paul had never learned to respect or love her.
Stephanie didn’t have much, nor did she want to take any of the gifts Paul had given her. She only packed some of her clothes and belongings before she sat on the balcony, waiting.
She wasn’t sure when Danika would come, but she had a feeling she wouldn’t need to wait for long.
As if predicting the future, there suddenly came a commotion from downstairs. She turned to look. “It must be Danika,” she thought as she went downstairs with only an inconspicuous messenger bag on her back.
And right she was. “Danika,” she greeted, not needing to say anything else.
“Hey, Steph. Are you free today? I was thinking we could go on a girls’ date. “
Danika held her hand.
Stephanie nodded, preparing to leave with her when the villa’s guards appeared. “Ms. Zelliot, we can’t let you leave without Mr. Wagner’s permission.”
Stephanie paled, the reluctance she had felt earlier dissipating in an instant.
“Paul told me himself I could spend time with Danika. You can call him to check for yourself if you don’t believe me.”
The guards nodded and called Paul.
When they gave the phone to Stephanie, she asked, ‘Didn’t you say I could have lunch with Danika yesterday? Are you going back on your word now?”
“Of course not.” Paul’s smile could be heard through the phone. “I’m just checking up on you. Have you had breakfast?”
Pity, his affectionate tone didn’t touch Stephanie whatsoever. Stephanie knew Paul was only this unbothered because he was confident he wouldn’t lose her, nor would she dare to leave.
“Yes.” She gave a short answer. She hadn’t, actually. She just didn’t want to waste any more time than was necessary.
“Okay,” Paul said, and the call then sank into silence. It made Stephanie nervous.
Could he have realized Danika’s plan?
The Plan is in Motion
After several long seconds, just before Stephanie was about to say something again, Paul said, “I’ll have some of my men guard you two. It’s not safe for women to be out on the streets.’
“Paul…”
“They’ll just be there to protect you, nothing else.” Obviously, Stephanie didn’t buy that. “Protecting her” was just another way to spy on her.
Stephanie was about to refuse when Danika made a subtle signal to her. Stephanie sighed, “Alright, fine.”
After hanging up the call, Danika and Stephanie left the villa by car with Paul’s men tailing them.
In the car, Stephanie asked, “Are my Mom and Dad-“
“They’re safe. They’ve already reached Bardoff City. I’m here just for you.” Hearing this, Stephanie finally relaxed. All that mattered to her was her parents’ safety. She eyed the cars behind her, guessing a good handful of Paul’s men might be watching out for them. “Are you sure we’ll be able to leave? I can always…”
“Don’t worry about it. I’m only here today because I know we will succeed,” Danika assured her. “Well go to the mall first, then find our chance to sneak off to the airport. My people are already there waiting.”
It was best they left without letting Paul know. That way, Eustace wouldn’t be involved, and neither would Graham need to put his foot forth.
They soon reached the mall, where Danika brought Stephanie “window shopping.”
Behind them, one of Paul’s guards reported into his earpiece, ‘They’re shopping for clothes right now.”
“Keep your eye on them,” Paul instructed. He knew Stephanie wouldn’t dare run away, but…he didn’t want to take the risk.
After some time, Danika and Stephanie went to the washroom. Stephanie went in first, while Danika noticed the guards making their way toward her.
“Really? You’re gonna follow us inside, too?” she asked.
“Please don’t make this difficult for us, Miss Zellweger,” they said.
“I’m not making things difficult. I’m watching out for you guys,” Danika scoffed.
“Imagine if Paul knew all of you went into the washroom with Stephanie. How would he react, hm?”
Danika guessed these men knew just how terrifying Paul could be. Sure enough, the men’s faces immediately paled.
“Wait for us out here. It’s not like we have wings to fly away,” Danika said, then walked inside the washroom. The men wouldn’t dare follow her inside now.
It was their perfect chance to escape.
She had done her investigation on the mall. They would be able to climb out the washroom window and leave via the ride she had arranged to wait for them outside. Then they could head straight to the airport.
Meanwhile, Paul’s eye wouldn’t stop twitching. As much as he tried to focus, he always found his thoughts drifting.
Just then, his assistant knocked on the door and entered. He seemed worried.
“Sir…there’s been an update on the Zelliots.”
Paul’s expression had already turned quite ugly at this point.
“Charles and his wife flew to Bardoff City this morning.” It had always been just Charles, so Paul never minded as much, but now both of them had left. That was why Paul’s assistant needed to update him immediately
Danika Is Mine
The pen in Paul’s grip snapped in half.He instantly called his guards.
“Where is she?”
“Ms.Zelliot is in the washroom with Miss Zellweger, sir,” the bodyguard replied, oblivious to what was happening.
Paul’s temple throbbed.
“How long has that been?”
The guard’s heart fell with the sudden realization.
“At least ten minutes, sir.”
“Go find her, you piece of shit!”Paul roared, then stormed off from his desk and out the door.
“Have all eyes on the airport shuttle buses,” he ordered his men.
“If any of you let Stephanie get away, I will make your life a living hell!”
He had already guessed there was a hidden agenda behind Danika visiting Stephanie.