Filed to story: The Regretful Billionaire: An Unpredicted Reunion
“Get out of my sight!” he yelled.
The circle of men around them broke, leaving a clear path to board the plane once again.
Danika and Stephanie were shocked, but after a moment’s delay, Danika tugged at her friend’s arm and headed for the plane.
“Let’s go.”
Once they boarded, Graham ordered the pilot to take off, but not before taking a long look at Paul Wagner.
He was memorizing his face because he knew this young man now harbored a deep hatred for Danika and might hurt her.So, he had to watch out for her from now on.
After the plane took off, Paul ordered his men to leave, and he stood where he was, staring at the aircraft until it disappeared into the clouds.
“She’s just in Bardoff City.
“You can visit her whenever you want to,” Eustace said, adding silently in his head, “You just can’t chain her to your side again like an animal.”He had never approved of Paul’s methods.Seeing that Eustace was still there, Paul’s face fell.
“What the hell are you still doing here? Waiting for me to beat you up?”
Eustace scoffed, “You really want to try?”
He wasn’t afraid of him whatsoever.
Paul had never been his match in single combat.
Paul glared at him, then left.
Eustace followed after him.
“Stephanie is quite similar to Danika, actually.As quiet and gentle as she seems, she has her own thoughts and opinions.She knows what she wants and desires.I can tell she likes you, but she definitely doesn’t like the idea of being kept by your side like some pet all the time.Plus, you said you’d never marry her.What sort of woman would accept that? Who would accept a lifetime of whatever weird entanglement this is?”
Eustace was helping Paul look at things differently because he truly hoped the man could be better.Otherwise, he’d never be able to be with Stephanie.
Paul frowned.
“I don’t care what she thinks.”
All he knew was that Stephanie couldn’t leave him without his say.He would find a way to bring her back, even from Bardoff City, if it was the last thing he did.
Eustace sighed, knowing Paul was being stubborn again.
“Keep this up, and Stephanie will never want to be with you.You’ll be the reason for your demise, I tell you.”
“Hey!”
Paul yelled, tossing a fist at his friend.
Eustace swiftly dodged it as if he had already anticipated it.The two men quickly got into a fight, neither one backing down.
They only stopped once they had some bruises and cuts to heal from.
It wasn’t like they wanted an actual fight —they just needed an outlet for their emotions.
Even Eustace needed it sometimes.He gave his friend a bottle of water.
“Feeling better?”
Paul took a long chug and huffed, “Aren’t you worried you’ll lose Danika once she’s in Bardoff City?”
What’s the Point of Being Scared?
Eustace paused at the question.
After a moment’s consideration, he said, “What’s the point of being scared? It’s not like I can hold her back from her path.All I can do is give it my all and hope I can keep up with her.”
He knew just how much he needed to accomplish in order to stay on equal footing with Danika.It would take months, at least, for the Quincey Group to be on par with the Zellwegers.
Giving up now would only mean growing further and further away from her.
“Seems like you really love her,” Paul huffed.
Did he really think so, or was that his way of mocking Eustace? Eustace nodded.
“What about you? Don’t you love Stephanie?”
Paul’s smile instantly disappeared.He seemed to hate the question.
“Love? How could I ever love someone as heartless as her?”
He was never going to love her, not in this life or the next.
Eustace shook his head.
Paul really cared more about his ego than himself.
“Whatever, man.As long as you don’t regret what you’ve done.”
There was no use in saying too much as Paul wouldn’t listen anyway.
Changing topics, Paul asked, “So you’re moving your headquarters to Bardoff City, right? I won’t see you around as often anymore, I take it.”
“Mhm, and not just for Danika.The company needs a new market to expand into,” Eustace said.
He then asked Paul, “What about you? Want to go there with me?”
Paul stayed quiet for a good minute.
Eustace knew his friend was actually taking that into consideration.
“Nah.I’d have to start from scratch in Bardoff City.I bet it’ll take longer than how long it took me to mark my place here,” Paul sighed.
He really didn’t want to fight so hard anymore.
Eustace patted his back.
“Better to do so while we’re young.”
“you have a point.” Paul nodded.
Whether or not he really agreed was unknown, though.
As much as it might seem like Eustace had convinced him, he actually did want to go to Bardoff City of his own volition.
There was no other way to get Stephanie back.
Meanwhile, Danika realized Stephanie hadn’t been the happiest since they left on the plane.
Her friend looked out the window from time to time as if missing Paul.
Danika sighed.
Good thing she had gotten Stephanie away in time before Paul sunk his claws into her.
“What’s on your mind, Steph?” she asked.
Stephanie shook her head.
“It’s nothing.I just felt nostalgic all of a sudden, leaving the place I grew up in.”
Danika didn’t call her out.
“It’s not that far.At most, a flight will take two hours.You can come back whenever you want.”
Stephanie nodded, but she knew there was no chance of her ever returning with Paul still on her tail.
“About Paul…” Danika then said.
“It’s not that I don’t want you two to be together.I just hope he can give you the respect you deserve.”
“I know.” Stephanie nodded.
“I feel the same way you do, really.If he could just realize and learn from his mistakes, I wouldn’t hesitate to call him my boyfriend.”
She truly adored Paul.But what good was that when he would never respect her as an individual or come to love her? Heck, he even said he’d never marry her.Stephanie would rather never see Paul again than be leashed at his side like some mutt.
What Are Your Plans?
Danika sighed in relief to see her friend still clear of mind.She had been really worried that Stephanie might insist on continuing to stick by Paul’s side despite being treated like a pet.She couldn’t stop Stephanie then— it would be her own choice.
Danika would be no different from Paul if she forced her friend.So really it was fortunate for Stephanie that she still had her wits about.
They soon landed in Bardoff City.The two women had just left the airport gates when Charles Zelliot and his wife rushed to greet their daughter.
“Stephanie!” they cried.
With tears in her eyes, Stephanie dove into their arms.
“Mom! Dad! “