Filed to story: The Regretful Billionaire: An Unpredicted Reunion
They’d see each other again in Parrington. As the drive continued on, Eustace peeked at Danika from the corner of his eye.
“What…happened to you?”
“Oh, now you’re interested?” Danika shot back.
“Yes. If there’s any way I can help, I will.” Eustace smiled awkwardly. It was too late now, but he couldn’t just not ask.
Danika didn’t bother sugarcoating it. “Rowena sent the assassin, most likely. I haven’t found any evidence yet, though.”
“Hm.” Eustace nodded, not surprised either. Only Rowena and Jolene would think of hurting Danika to that extent.
Their drive soon came to an end. Before Eustace stepped out, he said, “It’s not safe for you now. Let me have some of my men look out for you.”
He couldn’t be by her side, protecting her 24/7, yet he still worried about her, so having his bodyguards watch out for her was his best option.
Danika smiled. “No need.”
“You don’t have to deal with this alone, Danika. I know you can fight well, but there are many people in the city who could be your match. I’m sure I’ll even find mine here.” Eustace still remembered being attacked by Graham’s man. He hadn’t been able to retaliate whatsoever.
Seeing how adamant he was, Danika revealed, “James has already placed some men in my vicinity to watch out for me. They’re pretty skilled, so I don’t need anyone else.”
Danika had tested them herself. Sure, none of them could defeat her single handedly, but as a group, they were more formidable than most. Any more unnecessary manpower spent on her would only be a waste.
Eustace knew it was only natural for James to do this for Danika, but he still worried about their relationship.
“You two…seem to be really close, huh?” he bit out.
Oblivious to Eustace’s jealousy, Danika nodded. “Mhm. It’s been a few years, but our relationship is still there. We used to spend a lot of time together when we were younger.”
Relationship?
Bitterness spread through Eustace’s mouth. He didn’t even know if he shared that with Danika anymore.
His silence invited Danika’s curiosity. “You’re not jealous, are you?” Eustace said nothing.
Jealous? How could he not be? Danika and Finn already had their kinship as disciples. Now both were children of the Ten Elite of Bardoff City. Who was to say a prospective marriage wasn’t in the works?
Eustace had never thought little of himself, nor did he think James was better than him, but he still worried about the what-ifs.
“You’re thinking too much. We’re just friends.” Danika shrugged.
Eustace hummed in assent and dropped the topic. “Let’s go.”
The two left the car and headed to a hole-in-the-wall ahead.
Eustace used to refuse to eat food from these places, but he had come to realize that they weren’t as terrible as he thought after spending time with Danika for so long.
Danika placed a large order after they sat down, curious about how the local street food fared as opposed to Parrington’s. She hadn’t had a chance to try thus far.
When her food arrived, she asked Eustace, “Has the Zellwegers been putting any pressure on you?”
Eustace shook his head.
Danika nodded. That meant Graham didn’t see Eustace as a threat, nor did he dislike him. She might still be able to convince him to help take down the Glass family.
“Have you settled your business here? Shifting headquarters can be tedious,” Danika ate some fries as she spoke.
“Yeah. I’ve installed some managers and directors here. They’ll handle things for me from here on out.” Eustace plated some ketchup for her. It made sense, Danika thought. Quincey Group had way more experience than hers. Her business didn’t have much staff, even though it was also called ” Group.”
“That therapist you recommended to me was pretty good. I’ve only had two sessions, and already I’m seeing improvements.” Eustace thanked her.
Danika beamed. ‘Really?'”
“Mhm.” He wasn’t as terrified of the dark anymore, at least.
“I’m happy to hear that. I hope you can heal from your past.” Danika was ecstatic that Eustace was accepting therapy. It was a good start. Eustace nodded. He had actually been concerned about it. Dr. Watkins had told him to start controlling his compulsion to see Danika in person. His failure to do so was likely a symptom of something.
As the two ate, they didn’t notice several people taking pictures of them from a camera in the distance.Taking all the photos they needed, the paparazzi left, anticipating the headlines for tomorrow.
No one would expect Danika Zellweger of the Zellweger family to go on a tryst with another man this late at night, though it was understandable given how attractive he was.
Don’t Need You to Watch Out for Me
Danika and Eustace ended up having a fulfilling night out, both from the food and the conversation.
‘Til drop you off at home. It’s late.” Eustace stood up; his anxiety had quietened down after spending time with Danika.
Danika nodded, getting up too. “Yeah. I still need to get on that flight tomorrow.”
On the way back to Eustace’s car, Danika asked, “You didn’t tell Paul
Wagner about my plans here, right?”
Eustace frowned, feeling almost hurt by her question. “You don’t…trust me?”
Paul was a dear friend of his, but…
Danika was the most important person in his life right now.
She shook her head. “I was just teasing. I trust you, Eustace. I know you wouldn’t tell him. That’s why I felt sorry for you.”
Eustace tilted his head curiously.
“If it was me, I’d instantly tell my close friends,” Danika continued. Friends were very important to her. She didn’t tolerate lying or hiding things in a friendship. “But, I trust my friends not to tell anyone else.”
Eustace sighed. “I’m still hurt, Danika. Are your friends more important to you than I am?”
Danika giggled. “You’re just my friend right now, too.”
“Huh. Guess I’ll have to work harder,’ Eustace chuckled after a moment’s pause. He soon sent her back to Zellweger Castle, then left for the office, ready to tackle more work. He hadn’t made any preparations for returning to Parrington tomorrow-it had been impromptu, after all. But he didn’t feel safe seeing Danika go back alone. He knew how Paul could be when angered.
Anything could happen. That was why Eustace needed to go back and check up on things.
The next day, Danika woke up early as always, ready for her flight back. When she went downstairs, Graham was already having breakfast in the dining room.
What surprised her was that Rowena and Jolene were at the table too.
The two women straightened up when they saw her, eyes narrowing happily like snakes. Danika instantly had a bad feeling.
“Good morning. Join us for breakfast,” Graham said.
Danika went over and sat by his side, ignoring the two women. Still, that didn’t mean they’d give up on being a pain in her ass.
“It’s been some time since you came to Bardoff City, Danika. Has any handsome man swept you off your feet yet? Do tell. I can always give you updates. Word gets around here,” Rowena began, seemingly genteel. But Danika wasn’t falling for it. ‘No. That hasn’t been my focus lately.’
“Then do you already have a prospect? Remember to tell your father and I so we can watch out for you. You must’ve learned your lesson from being divorced once, no?’ Rowena continued.
Danika rolled her eyes. “I don’t need you to watch out for me. Why don’t you stop digging your nose in other people’s business and worry about your daughter instead?”
Danika wasn’t going to waste her time being respectful to Rowena. That woman was a snake. She just never expected Graham to speak up too.
“She has a point, Danika. It might not be what you want to hear, but it might be what you need.”
Danika stared at him in disbelief. Something definitely happened.
“You know James Windsor, right? I’ve seen his work. He’s a good man and comes from a family of the same standing. What do you think about him?” Graham asked. He hoped Danika would have a happy marriage and not be tricked by Eustace Quincey again.
Hearing James’ name, Jolene shouted, “She doesn’t deserve him! A divorcee marrying into the Windsor family? That’s an outright joke!”
“Be quiet!” Graham roared. “How dare you speak of Danika like that? She’s your sister!”
Jolene pouted angrily. She didn’t think of Danika as such whatsoever. Danika was just another wannabe bitch in her life.
“You don’t need to worry about me. I know what I’m doing.” Danika shrugged. James was like a brother to her. She could never imagine marrying him.
Graham didn’t stop. “I know you don’t like when I worry about you, but I’m your father, and this is about marriage-one of the most important things in your life. How could I not worry?”
He had never stopped regretting seeing Danika marry Eustace, so now that she had come home, he was determined to find a better man for his daughter.
Danika frowned once again. “What are you trying to say?” She wasn’t an idiot. Something must’ve happened to have these three people be so nosy about her.
After a long pause, Graham caved in. “You and Eustace aren’t good for each other, so I hope you don’t continue seeing him.”Danika suddenly understood what was going on.
“You’re biologically my father, but that doesn’t give you the right to meddle in my personal affairs,” she said sharply.
Graham’s face turned cold, feeling slightly hurt by his daughter’s words.
“How could you talk to your father like that, Danika? He’s only saying it for your own good,-” Rowena huffed on Graham’s behalf.
Danika snapped back, “What are you doing shoving your nose in my business with my father? Stay put, will you?”
“”You-” What a bitch!
Before Rowena could say anything else, Graham shot her a glare, shutting her Up.
“I know you’re upset with me, Danika, but you cant mess around with serious things like this. You and Eustace already proved your incompatibility by the divorce, so why get involved with each other again? He’s not the only bachelor out there.”
Danika put down her silverware, officially losing her appetite. “You’re overthinking. Eustace and I aren’t together at all. I’m upset because you’re crossing my boundaries and invading my personal affairs. Even if we end up together, that’s a choice I make that no one can interfere with.” Not even her father.