The Billionaires Crush

Episode 9

The next day, Layla, Ethan, and Eliana persuaded their mom to take them to the park before she headed to work. They assured her they would behave, and with Sandra accompanying them, their mom relaxed and agreed.

When they got to the park, they saw lots of greenery and tall trees giving shade. There were swings, slides, and climbing stuff for kids, plus paths for walking and biking. They also found picnic spots with tables and grills, and benches along the paths for resting. Children could be seen everywhere with their laughter echoing through the air.

Overall, the park was a serene oasis amid the bustling city, offering something for everyone to enjoy amidst nature's beauty. They dragged Sandra around to various places and when it was around 11:00 am, Eliana distracted Sandra, thereby allowing her siblings to sneak out to the bus station they had arrived at. They asked around for a bus going to Anderson Group which was luckily closer to the final bus stop. They had searched the route to be taken the previous night and had done the homework to sound like natives...

Sitting inside the bus Layla couldn't help but ask... "How did you know they call the buses Ayalolo?"

Ethan replied with a laugh, "The internet, duh." They enjoyed the peaceful scenery outside the window, a stark contrast to their bustling town. As they passed by taller buildings, their adventure continued. They chatted excitedly about their plans for the day.

The bus ride provided them with a glimpse into the daily life of the city, with people bustling about their daily routines. They observed the vibrant street scenes, taking in the sights and sounds with wide-eyed wonder.

As they neared the Anderson Group, with hearts racing and smiles on their faces, they eagerly reached the reception and struck up a conversation.

"Good Morning Miss. Please are here to see Mr. Anderson" The receptionist looked at them and was sceptical.

"Do you have an appointment?" she asked. "No!" they answered in unison. "Then, I am afraid, you will not be able to see him."

"Shouldn't you call first to confirm if he wants to see us before you make a decision?" Ethan asked with a stern expression that sent a shiver down her spine.

"I guess she doesn't value her work," Layla commented. The receptionist was getting angry this time around with the kids but before she could react, Mark had reached them. He had come downstairs to pick up some documents.

"What's going on here?" He asked, looking from the receptionist to the kids. He was surprised to see them there, but due to years of professionalism, he kept himself composed.

"We wanted to speak to your boss but she said he can't see us because we do not have any appoint... ment," Layla said.

"I will let him know you are here to see him. This way... " Mark said as he led them to the elevator. "Oh and next time just let them up" he told the receptionist. In the elevator, he couldn't help but ask... "Can I be bold enough to ask why you are here and how you got here?" he questioned the two kids.

"Didn't you want to see us with all that surveillance you put on us?" Ethan replied, his brow furrowing in frustration. Mark was stunned; he wanted to ask more, but the elevator opened, and they had to get out. Arriving at Ernest's office, he knocked. "Come in," he responded, to which Mark entered after he instructed the kids to wait for him.

"Errm Sir, ...

"What is it?" Ernest looked up from the documents he was engrossed in. "There are two children here to see you," Mark informed Ernest after clearing his throat.

"Children?"

"Yes, the same ones from the Gallery. You children".

"Really? They are here... What are you waiting for? Ask them to come in now," replied Ernest, a bit surprised by their unexpected visit. He was overjoyed he was going to take a closer look at his children. He was a father. Yet he was anxious to know the reason for their unexpected visit.

Mark went out to inform Layla and Ethan who stood outside their father's office door, so they could go in.

With a deep breath, Layla raised her hand and knocked on the door. "Come in," came Ernest's voice from within.

Ethan turned the doorknob slowly, and they entered the office together. Ernest looked up from his desk, his expression a mixture of surprise, delight and hope as he saw his children standing before him.

"Good morning," they greeted in unison.

"Good morning. Please have a seat... eerm what ..what brings you here?" Ernest couldn't believe he was stuttering. DAMN, why am I so nervous? he questioned.

"Firstly, we wanted to see you, and thank you again for your help the other day. Without your help, we would have lost our sister." Ernest nodded.. Yeah, he would have lost his daughter before getting to meet her personally.

"Does that often happen?" he asked, concerned. "Nope... It was just one of those days..." Ethan waved his hands dismissively. He wasn't willing to continue to talk about that.

"A real question. We have been curious. What's with this sudden interest in us? You've had so many years to get to know us and put surveillance on us as you are doing now..., by the way, next time you want to follow or get to know about others, you've got to be discreet. You got the information you got only because we allowed it", Ethan said as he sat down and picked up the water they had been served earlier to drink.

"You know you were being watched? Does your... Does you... " Ernest was shocked to find out the people he had sent had been discovered, and it had not been long. He belatedly realised the kids in front of him were smarter than average kids their age.

"Our mother? Rest assured, she has a lot on her mind to notice them. She didn't even notice you and your guy when you followed us to our hotel room". Ernest's jaw dropped agape.

"To get to the matter at hand. We want to know. You haven't answered our question yet" Layla continued, her gaze steady as she awaited his response. She had left the glasses at home today to prevent any suspicion and questions.

Ernest took a deep breath, feeling the weight of their expectations resting heavily upon him. He knew he owed them an explanation, and he was determined to be honest with them, no matter how difficult it might be.

"I... I know I've been absent from your lives for far too long," Ernest began, his voice filled with regret. " I honestly didn't know of your existence. I was looking for your mum all over and the responses I got were never helpful. When I met you at the gallery, I saw the resemblance, so I wanted to know more. I never expected to find out what I did. I realised that I had unknowingly made mistakes, that I can never take back. But please believe me when I say I wish I was there for you all and when given the chance, I would be there for you." They both nodded.

"Don't expect us to forgive you. It's too sudden for us to find out we have a father who is willing to be in our lives. However, we understand what you are saying. So, what's your next plan then," Ethan asked. "You don't expect to use words to manipulate us, right? Layla probed.

"If I may dare to ask, What are your names?"

"I am Layla the Eldest. He is Ethan, the middle one and the last one is Eliana. But how did you know I wasn't the one with the asthma attack? It's usually difficult to differentiate us".

"You seem to have a permanent mark probably from long use of glasses. Do you have any problem with your eyes?" Ernest asked, trying to deflate from answering the question.

"Nothing serious that can't be handled." Ethan looked at his sister with a sad expression at the mention of her eyes which did not go unnoticed by Ernest.

"We've got to go now. We've been gone for too long." Layla suddenly declared and stood up to the door and Ethan followed suit.

Ernest watched as Layla and Ethan stood up, a mixture of emotions swirling within him. He understood their reluctance to forgive him, but he couldn't shake the feeling of hope that perhaps one day they could reconcile.

"Wait," Ernest called out as they reached the door. "I understand if you need time... but I want you to know that I'm here. Whenever you're ready, I'll be here."

Layla and Ethan exchanged a glance, their expressions softening slightly. "Thank you," Layla said quietly before they exited the room, leaving Ernest to ponder their conversation.

As they walked out of their father's office, Layla and Ethan couldn't help but feel a sense of relief mixed with uncertainty. They had finally confronted their father, but the road ahead was still unclear.

"We need to talk to Mom," Layla said decisively as they made their way out of the building.

"Yeah, she needs to know about this," Ethan agreed, his mind racing with thoughts of their mother's reaction.

Meanwhile, Ernest sat at his desk, deep in thought. He knew he had a long road ahead of him to rebuild his relationship with his children and Zelia but he was determined to try.

Just then, an idea struck him. He picked up the phone and dialled his assistant's number.

"Mark, I need you to arrange a welcome dinner for our new PR team," Ernest said, excitement building in his voice. "And make sure to invite them all." He said meaningfully.

Mark was taken aback by the sudden request but quickly agreed to make the arrangements. Ernest knew that inviting their mother to the dinner would be a significant step in showing his commitment to his children and rebuilding their family.

As Layla and Ethan exited the building, they couldn't shake the feeling of uncertainty about their father's intentions. But deep down, they hoped that maybe, just maybe, this was the beginning of a new chapter for their family.