The Billionaires Crush

Episode 3

"Are you going to help or not?" Layla asked, annoyance evident in her voice. "Sorry, let me," Ernest responded, taking charge. He provided Eliana with his own inhaler. Grateful, she inhaled enough to regain her composure. Layla, recognizing her error, apologized, while Ethan bowed his head in gratitude.

Sandra, who had momentarily wandered away, was now frantically searching for the kids. Spotting them in the midst of the crowd which had gathered due to Eliana, she rushed over. "Where have you been? I thought I told you to stay in front of the music area so I could find you. Do you know how worried I was about you? I couldn't think of how I was going to begin my explanation." Sandra finally noticed the crowd and turned to the kids. "What happened?"

The girls lowered their heads in shame, but Ethan took it upon himself to explain. "Auntie, Eliana just had another asthma attack," he said, recounting the incident with his face void of any emotion. Turning to face Ernest, Sandra was stunned by the uncanny resemblance with the kids but kept herself composed. It had to be him. The magazines and papers in Zelia's room featured him. Of all the people they had to bump into on their first day, it had to be him. Smiling at him, she said, "Thank you very much. we appreciate your assistance."

Ernest nodded, his mind musing. He did not know her, but it seemed she did for some reason, which wouldn't be a surprise since his face was in various magazines from Finance Times to Kokonsa AV, one of the most popular gossip sites in the country, extending internationally.

"It's okay. I'm glad I could be of help," he said as he turned to leave, followed by his assistant. "Mark! Have I been too lenient with you these days, you think you can just speak to others disrespectfully?"

"Huh... sorry! It was clear she wasn't looking at where she was going and I was just surprised and reacted without thinking. I know how you get when you get closer to other people, so I overreacted." He bowed his head in shame.

"It's fine." Mark was right. Ernest was always apprehensive when he came into contact with people he did not know, but somehow he felt familiarity with the kids despite not knowing them. His heart just went out to them, and seeing the little girl struggle with asthma just like he did pulled at his heartstrings. At least this girl had the freedom to run around, which he didn't when he was her age.

"Follow them," he commanded. He couldn't shake off the feelings he was having after seeing the kids. Mark quickly obeyed the command, trailing behind Ernest as they discreetly followed Sandra and the kids through the art gallery. As Sandra and the kids continued exploring the gallery, Ernest couldn't help but overhear snippets of their conversations. Layla, Ethan, and Eliana passionately discussed the art pieces, sharing their unique perspectives. Ernest felt a strange connection with their enthusiasm for knowledge and appreciation of art. Their questions kept catching him off guard as they displayed their intelligence but he could not determine the depth of it.

The group eventually moved towards the exit, and Ernest discreetly followed, his curiosity growing stronger. As they approached the exit, Ernest hesitated for a moment, contemplating whether to reveal his identity. Sitting in his car he asked Mark to follow their car to which he did.

"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Mark couldn't help but ask after he noticed Ernest's strange behaviour and the uncanny resemblance between him and the kids after their encounter. "I'm not sure... Those kids can't be more than ten, probably eight or nine and if they were mine, that would mean I would have birth them 8 it 9 years ago and then I was not more than a fresh high school graduate."

"what of your graduation party?" Right. He had never forgotten about that night. He had been reluctant to go but his friends kept calling him and after he heard it was a joint party with Roses International School, he just jumped at the opportunity to see her again. Lia Duah... That was her name. He first met her one night when he had been angry with his parents at the dining. He had slammed the door and walked out on them. In his anger, he got lost in his thoughts and ended up on the other side of town. Far away from the Estate, Engrossed in his own world, he had joined a queue at a food joint he knew nothing about, When it was almost his turn he realised where he was when he heard everyone request extra flavour and chilli of a sort which was new to him because, in his family, they kept eating bland food due to his mother's digestive issue. Belatedly, he had to ask.

"Is it only spicy food they sell here?" He had asked the girl in front who was not only quick to reply but her antics drew her to him. He immediately fell in love with her. He believed it was love at first sight. To keep up with her, he tried the food and realised he loved it. It wasn't as bad as he thought. Through their conversation, he realised they were of the same age with him older than her by just a few months. He kept in touch by showing up at the eatery. He didn't know how to meet her so he kept coming every night until he realised a pattern. She was always there on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. As a pattern, they got closer and they both explored different eateries with different levels of spice and flavour. He also got to know of her interests like languages, mathematics and music.

As if that wasn't enough she showed up at his school one day as part of the Rose International students whom they were to write Mock Exams with. Her attitude then struck him. She was timid and different from the sassy, confident, witty, and spirited individual he had come to know. He later got to realise everyone knew her timid personality and he had been the first to get the chance to know her other self that she kept hidden or probably didn't know. Having witnessed her almost being bullied, he stepped in to save the day and that was how people kept off her.

Having her present at the graduation party would make the place more bearable for him so he went, It was at the party, he got tricked into drinking a lot and not knowing his limits he found himself drunk and woke up to find a girl in his bed. His mind was bland and had no memory of the event. His friends had told him he was setting him up with one of his father's business partners' daughters the night before since they realised she liked him so he had an idea of what could have transpired. She also happened to attend Roses International and when he woke up with a spitting headache... He lashed out at her after spotting the yellow and white dress on the floor. But that wasn't the last he heard from her. His parents are still trying to get him to marry her and there is no way... There has to be a mistake.

Ernest couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to this unexpected reunion than mere chance. Arriving in front of the hotel. Mark parked at a distance that was close enough to see what was going on but far away so they would not be noticed. Coming out to meet the kids was Zelia.

"Mummy!" They all rushed to hug her. "Did you have fun?" she asked as she hugged them back. "Yeah"

Ernest was bombed. "She is here! It can't be... I thought..." "Who?" Mark asked confused. Ernest pointed in the direction, Mark saw the lady hugging the kids. It was an older version of the lady in the pictures he had been tasked to find for years. Her younger self was on his boss's desk in vintage and he always looked at ...

"How?" he asked. He had done several investigations for the past 5 years after their return from the States but had been on a dead end. He had even encouraged Ernest to move on telling him the lady had probably forgotten him. He once found her former neighbourhood only to be told she vanished into thin air. No one knows what happened to her. Having an audience with her parents after his discovery, he was told she had passed on but since the was no funeral or tomb to be found, he had his own reservations. The family's reaction said a lot then. Ernest couldn't believe his eyes. The woman in front of them was a living contradiction to the mystery he had been trying to solve for years. The lady he had been searching for was supposed to be gone and vanished without a trace. Yet, here she was, hugging three little children in front of him.

"How?" Mark asked again, his confusion mirrored by Ernest.

"I don't know, but we need to find out," Ernest replied, his mind racing with questions and possibilities. He had spent years wondering about Lia Duah's disappearance, and now, unexpectedly, she appeared boom... alive and well.

As the family walked towards the hotel entrance, Ernest and Mark kept a discreet distance. Zelia seemed to be completely absorbed in her children, unaware of the intrigue she had sparked. The mystery deepened as they followed her into the hotel lobby. The hotel exudes sophistication and comfort, with modern amenities and a welcoming atmosphere. The lobby is adorned with tasteful decor, and the reception area is staffed by friendly individuals who contribute to the overall hospitality. Something to be expected of the Dufie Hotel

Inside, Zelia and her kids approached the reception desk. Ernest and Mark strategically positioned themselves nearby, attempting to gather more information without being noticed.

"Excuse me," Mark approached the receptionist, feigning a casual inquiry. "Do you happen to know the woman with those kids? I believe we crossed paths earlier"

The receptionist smiled, "Oh, that's Ms. Koomson. The kids have been guests here before. Lovely family. But I am not familiar with her. I'm not supposed to even disclose anything to you." Ernest nodded "Koomson." Did she perhaps change her name or was it another person? The kids had features similar to hers, but you couldn't deny the distinct features in them which belonged to him were huge, but how? He didn't remember being involved with her, although that had been on his mind more than he cared to admit Thus, if she was the one.

As Zelia and the kids headed towards the elevators, Mark couldn't help but voice the confusion lingering in his mind. "Ernest, what is going on? Are you sure that's her?"