The Billionaires Crush

Episode 2

Zelia sighed, her mind still lingering on memories that haunted her. "I just hope I'm doing the right thing, Dimples. Accraville holds so much for me, both good and bad. I can't shake off the fear, especially for Layla."

Sandra gave her a reassuring smile. "Zee, you've faced worse fears in the past. You're a strong woman. And besides, Layla is a smart girl; she'll adapt. All of them will, you will see." Layla was the most emotional among the three kids, and she was the oldest among the three. She was always thinking of what others meant with their speech, body language, and attitude. Her other senses were sharper due to her blurry visions and inability to see well in the night. She possessed a maturity and emotional intelligence far beyond her years and was always the first to spot a lie. Her exceptional memory allowed her to excel academically, and she had skipped several grades, demonstrating a thirst for knowledge that exceeded the typical expectations for her age.

Ethan exhibited an extraordinary aptitude for technology and loved numbers like Zelia when she was his age. However, his seemed to be extreme, and she had no doubt it was a trait which was a blend of both her and their father, Ernest. What she feared for him was his lack of showing his emotions. His room resembled a miniature science lab, complete with a collection of gadgets he had built himself. Teachers often struggled to keep up with Ethan's insatiable curiosity, and Zelia also sometimes struggled to keep up with him.

Eliana, on the other hand, was quite different and an artist. She was always bubbly, and she had bugged her from a young age to teach her the guitar and piano, which she had no choice but to do. Although all three of them were taught, she took it more seriously. She had already garnered recognition in interschool competitions for her musical abilities and artistic creations. Eliana's room was a colourful haven of creativity, filled with sketches, paintings, and musical instruments. Despite her young age, she had an innate ability to capture emotions through her art, leaving both classmates and teachers astounded. Like her siblings, Eliana had advanced academically, attending classes beyond her grade level to nurture her artistic talents.

Zelia managed a small smile in return, appreciating Sandra's attempt to comfort her. As they sat in the living room, sipping on their coffee, Zelia's phone buzzed with a message. It was from Layla.

"Mom, we're on our way. Don't worry; I've got my siblings under control. Love you!"

Zelia couldn't help but smile at Layla's reassuring message. She was proud of her children's maturity and understanding, which clearly was beyond their age.

"Have you thought of what you would do should you face anyone from your past?" A commanding voice echoed through the room, causing the two girls to turn their heads in unison. The resonant tone belonged to Simon, the father figure who had embraced Zelia as his own after she had lived with the family for close to a decade. This unique familial bond had originated from an unexpected encounter when Zelia, having fled her own troubled home, responded to an advertisement seeking a live-in maid. Having run away from home to a town that was far away and living on the streets for weeks, she felt this was a great opportunity for her because the requirements met everything she needed. Initially met with reluctance by Sylvia, Simon's wife, Zelia gradually won her over through her dedication and the positive impact she had on their only daughter, Sandra. Eventually, the couple decided to go beyond the employer-employee relationship and formally adopted Zelia into their family.

They had spoken at length with her during which she told them of her past. How her parents wanted her to abort the baby when they found out she was pregnant, and how she was carried with force to the hospital for abortion because they thought she was bringing shame to their family name. How no one she turned to was willing to help, How her then-best friend had betrayed her and how the man she had a crush on and believed she loved had crushed her dream and hopes for love for life. From then, she decided to live her life dedicating it to her kids. Sandra's father, Simon, assisted her in attaining a communications degree from one of the best college universities in Japekrom, the town they lived in. Due to hard work, she established her own PR Consultancy, which was making waves in the nation.

"I honestly don't know, Dad. but if someone was really interested in me, don't you think I would have been found by now? I mean it's been almost ten years and no one has turned out to look for me not that I care because I know very well if they wanted to find me they could have with all the resources they had"

"Did you forget you changed your name, baby? You were so afraid of being found you changed your name," Sylvia said with a laugh as she took a seat beside them, entwining her fingers with theirs.

"I don't know what the future may hold, but the one thing that I know is that you, my dear children, are so intelligent and can conquer any trial that comes your way. On that note don't forget to call me when you arrive. I'm going to miss you all a lot."

"Says the woman who always nags us about noise," Sandra said, putting her head on her mother's shoulders.

"Just don't forget you always have a home to return to if ever you feel everything or burden is too much for you to carry." Simon, Sandra's father said as he pulled Zelia's head to his shoulders.

As the morning unfolded, the house became quieter. Their parents had gone to their room to take a rest after helping them pack up. Sandra was also going with them. Zelia took a deep breath, trying to shake off the lingering anxiety. She glanced around the living room, filled with memories of her struggles and triumphs.

Sandra broke the silence. "Zee, this journey is not just physical. It's emotional, too. You need to confront your past and heal old wounds. Accraville might be the key to closing that chapter."

Zelia nodded thoughtfully. "You might be right, Sandra. Maybe it's time to face what I've been avoiding for too long."

The door swung open, and the kids rushed in, bubbling with excitement. "Mom, we're ready!" Eliana exclaimed.

Zelia smiled at their enthusiasm, pushing aside her apprehensions for the moment. "Alright, let's make some beautiful memories in the City of Accraville."

As they left the house, locking the door behind them, Zelia couldn't shake off the feeling that this journey would be more than just a change of scenery. Accraville awaited them, holding secrets and possibilities that would unfold with each passing day.

The road ahead was unknown, but Zelia was determined to face it, not just for herself but for her children and the chance at a new beginning.

And so, the journey to Accraville began, marking the start of a chapter that held the promise of healing and rediscovery.

After a six-hour bus journey, they finally arrived at the city's bustling bus stop. Zelia, taking charge, guided the group towards the taxi pick-up area. Eliana, filled with excitement, couldn't help but exclaim, "See, there are three statues, and they look nice. OMG!" They had reached a roundabout and needed to cross to the other side to catch a taxi to their temporary hotel.

"Those are the statues of Obrumankoma, Oson, and Odapagyan," Layla explained, recalling what they had learned about these historical figures in school. Ethan chimed in, "Oh! I saw pictures of them when I looked up the city on the internet. And there's an art gallery across the street."

"Really? Mum, can we go? Please," Eliana pleaded with Zelia.

"It will be fun. Come on, let loose. If you don't want to go, I can accompany them so you can check in. It's only a fifteen-minute walk to the hotel anyway. You can rejoin us if you're worried about our luggage. I promise I'll take care of them," Sandra offered, sensing Zelia's hesitation. During their previous visits, they came with the school and headed straight to their destination, making it impossible for them to explore although Sandra was with them.

After a moment of contemplation, Zelia sighed and reluctantly agreed to let the kids explore the art museum. They parted ways, with Zelia heading towards the hotel and the kids excitedly making their way to the art gallery.

At the art gallery, Eliana kept jumping with excitement at the sight of various artworks. Her eyes sparkled with admiration as she explored the vibrant canvases and sculptures that adorned the gallery walls. Ethan, although more reserved, found himself captivated by the technological installations and interactive exhibits that showcased the fusion of art and innovation. Layla, with her heightened senses, ran her fingers gently over textured paintings, absorbing the intricate details that her siblings described to her.

As they wandered through the gallery, the kids shared their perspectives on different artworks, discussing the emotions they evoked and the stories they imagined behind each piece. Eliana, in particular, couldn't resist the urge to strum her fingers across the strings of a displayed guitar, her love for music intertwining with her appreciation for visual art.

"Careful Eliana, you don't want to get any shortness of breath now? We have no way to help you," Layla warned, but in her excitement, Eliana found herself running around not listening to her elder sisters' warning only to bump into someone. "Watch where you go, kid! Didn't your parents teach you to stay in one place?" the man behind the person she bumped into quipped.

As Eliana collided with the person in the art gallery, the force of the impact and the abrupt halt in her movement triggered a sudden shortness of breath. She felt her chest tightening, and panic set in as she struggled to inhale. Layla's warning echoed in her mind, and the realization that she might be having an asthma attack intensified her anxiety.

The person Eliana bumped into turned out to be Ernest and his Assistant, and his assistant's initial frustration shifted to concern as he noticed Eliana's distress.

"Hey, are you okay?" Ernest asked, bending down to Eliana's level.

Layla quickly stepped forward followed by Ethan, her heightened senses picking up on Eliana's struggle. "She has asthma. We need an inhaler. Please, help us." Layla swallowed a Lump and tried to keep her emotions in check.

Ernest rushed to help, his concern evident as he knelt beside Eliana and his assistant followed him squatting beside Eliana. However, his attention quickly shifted to the young boy who had entered his field of vision. The resemblance was striking; the boy looked like a miniature version of him. Turning to the girl lying on the floor, he was stunned once again, noticing the same features but on a female. His surprise was audible as he looked from one child to the other.

"Who are you?" The question slipped out involuntarily as he tried to make sense of the uncanny resemblance.