Filed to story: The Regretful Billionaire: An Unpredicted Reunion >>
She nodded sorrowfully. “Gilbert, if you worry about me that much, you should’ve stayed. I was counting on you to protect me.”
He merely smiled at her, and that was enough said. How could he not go abroad? He’d never let go of Danika if he stayed in Parrington.
She pursed her lips and said nothing more because Gilbert seemed to have arrived at a final decision. Unsure of how to face him before his departure, she said, “I won’t see you off tomorrow because I have surgery to perform.”
He was taken aback but didn’t insist. “Okay. Your work is more important. I’m not a three-year-old-I don’t need a send-off.”
After that, Danika didn’t stay long at Gilbert’s villa. For every minute she was there, she experienced more pain in her heart.
When Danika left, Zack grumbled to Gilbert, “You wanted her to see you off. Why didn’t you tell her?”
“I know she’s upset.” Gilbert couldn’t bear to see her upset.
Zack shook his head and sighed. “I wonder how the three of us ended up like this.”
“It’s all my fault.” Gilbert flashed a bitter smile at him. Had he been better at holding back his feelings, all of these would not have happened.
Zack wanted to say it wasn’t his fault, but he decided to keep quiet instead. He thought, “Oh well, let’s give everyone some time.”
Danika took leave from work the next day. She woke up early and clutched her phone. Zack texted her Gilbert’s flight information, but he didn’t urge her to see him off. Still, Zack made his intention clear by sharing the information, and he would let Danika decide whether to send Gilbert off.
It was two hours to Gilbert’s departure. She assumed he was on his way to the airport, but she hadn’t decided whether to meet him there.
Her doorbell rang while she was debating on the topic. She didn’t even need to guess the identity of the guest. She opened the door and found Eustace standing there, which wasn’t surprising at all.
“I bought breakfast. You want to have some?” While speaking, he entered her apartment with breakfast in hand. He could tell that Gilbert’s departure sent her into a bad mood. Over the past few days, Gilbert made a lot of arrangements in the company. As a result, many learned that he was planning to leave Parrington.
It was good news for Eustace. He thought it was best for Gilbert to take some time off. More importantly, he liked that Gilbert wouldn’t be showing up to interrupt his relationship with Danika. It was a selfish thought that he would never reveal to her.
“You go ahead. I don’t feel like eating.” She went back to the couch and curled up in a corner.
He walked up and pulled her from the couch. “Sure, Gilbert’s leaving. But it’s not that serious of an issue.”
“You don’t get it.” She dismissed him.
“Okay. Look, I don’t fully understand your bond with your siblings. But from what I understand, Gilbert’s only taking a short leave. He’s not gone forever. Why would you make it look like a life-or-death matter?” Eustace had to sound harsher to wake her up. He added, “When Gilbert’s back, you will still be brother and sister. Isn’t that great?”
Eustace’s words might have worked on Danika because she finally got up and had breakfast with him. Even so, she looked gloomy and quiet.
“Gilbert’s leaving today, right?” he asked.
“Yeah.”
“Aren’t you sending him off?”
She shook her head and gave him a half-hearted answer while eating. “No. Just like you said, it’s not a life- or-death matter. Why should I send him off?”
Eustace shook his head helplessly and said nothing else. When Danika finished breakfast, she went to lie on the couch again. He had to drag her up. “Go change. I’ll bring you somewhere.”
“Where are we going?” She looked up but was in low spirits. It was obvious that she didn’t want to go anywhere.
“You’ll know when we’re there.” He didn’t offer an answer. Instead, he led her to his car and drove out of Perry Residence.
She finally realized where they were headed when she saw the huge Parrington Airport sign. Her heart. fluttered as she glanced at him, but he was too focused on driving to notice the look in her eyes.
He parked the car, and they got out. Then, he quipped, “If you don’t want to send him off face-to-face, can still do it stealthily.”
you
She didn’t reply to him but didn’t turn down the suggestion either. He brought her to the VIP lounge, where she could have a clear view of the entrance to the boarding area.
“Thank you,” she whispered as she felt her heart opening up. Finally, her steely resolve was gradually breaking down.
He smiled at her. Even though he disliked Gilbert, he wanted to cheer Danika up.
Not long after, they saw Gilbert and Zack at the boarding area. The two men seemed to be chatting while Gilbert scanned his surroundings as if he was anticipating someone. After a while, he looked away disappointingly when he didn’t find the person he was searching for.
Danika witnessed his actions and realized that not sending him off was a wise decision. Only then could he give up on her.
Zack sighed when they reached the boarding gate. “Stop looking around. Danika will not show up if she says she won’t.”
“I’m not…” Gilbert had wanted to deny the fact that he was waiting for Danika, but Zack’s eyes seemed to be speaking to him.
“Quit denying because I knew everything.”
Gilbert fell silent.
“Let’s go.” Zack waved at him. Gilbert finally nodded despite feeling bitter. It was time to leave.
When he turned around to furnish his boarding pass, someone called out to him, “Gilbert Hawthorn!”
He spun around only to see Marigold Wagner hurrying over. There was no smile on his face. “Why are you here?”