My Billionaire Daddy

Runaway Son

The following day, Ella felt reluctant to leave her room to unwrap her gifts under the Christmas tree. She didn't want to bump into Michael. Lucas, too, didn't want to come outside, fearing he'd bump into Ella; his guilt was eating away at him.

Ella's POV:

I need to go outside, but I'm so embarrassed. I'm not sure I can ever face Michael; I ruined our friendship. Ella buried her head in her duvet, crying softly.

"Knock knock knock."

"Ella, Ella!" Mrs. Haruna called. "I'm coming in."

She opened the door and walked to Ella. "What's wrong, my dear? Why are you crying?"

"I just want to be alone, Mum," Ella said, still crying under the duvet.

"Ella, I don't know why you're crying, but all I'll say is that things happen, and we shouldn't dwell on sadness and pain. Instead, we should look at the bright side of everything. We can't change what's happened, but we can always act differently in the future to avoid past mistakes from happening again."

Mrs. Haruna gently patted Ella's back. Ella eventually brought her head out of the duvet, sat up, and wiped her eyes gently, still sobbing. Mrs. Haruna looked at her daughter with sorrowful eyes, as if she wanted to cry too, but held back her tears.

Mrs. Haruna rushed to Ella and hugged her tightly. "Everything will be alright."

Ella nodded. "Thanks, Mummy. What would I do without you?"

"Okay, before you squeeze the life out of me, let me rush downstairs to set up the table," Mrs. Haruna said, letting go of Ella's grip. She stood up to leave the room, then added, "Hurry up, Ella. Everyone is going downstairs for the unboxing of gifts."

She left, closing the door behind her. Ella got up to freshen up before going downstairs.

Mr. and Mrs. Agbaje were already downstairs, as was Lucas. Ella walked down the stairs, her head bowed, fearful of facing Michael. Everyone looked at Ella as she walked down the stairs; to her, it felt like an eternity to reach the end.

Lucas's POV:

Oh, my goodness! Ella looks beautiful in her pink flowery dress; it brings out her beautiful caramel skin. I wish she could look this beautiful only for my eyes to see. I feel bad about my outburst yesterday; I can still remember the look in her ocean eyes. Although I feel proud for making her sad, I want to be the only one to make her sad.

"Lucas, Lucas, Luke!" Mrs. Agbaje brought Lucas back to reality.

"Yes, Mum," Lucas replied, removing his gaze from Ella, who was already close to the Christmas tree.

"Have you seen Michael?" his mum asked with concern in her eyes.

"No, Mum, I haven't. Have you checked his room?"

"Yes, I did, but he isn't there," her voice shaking now.

"Then he must have gone jogging as usual," Lucas added, walking up to his mum and holding her hand. "He's an adult, he'll be alright."

"Okay, beloved family," Mr. Agbaje said. "Let's get started. Michael will join us eventually; we can't keep waiting."

Everyone went to collect the boxes with their names on them. They came across a gift with "A gift for everyone" written on top. They opened it and found a piece of paper inside. Ella brought it out.

"Read its contents, child," Mr. Agbaje said.

Ella nodded and began to read:

"Beloved family, merry Christmas once again. By the time you read this, I'll be on my way to Paris. I'm sorry, but I do not wish to be part of the Agbaje group. I've always loved fashion; it's something I've always done. I have a clothing line, 'Rivoli Rouge,' which I started secretly in college. I'm tired of hiding; I want to express myself for who I am. Ella, I'm sorry I didn't reciprocate your feelings; I see you as my friend, and I'm gay. Hence, the reason I never acted like I wanted to be s****l with you. I'm sorry, Mum, Dad, Lucas, Mrs. Haruna, and my best friend and sister Ella."

Yours truly- Michael

Ella burst into tears. Lucas looked on in surprise. Mrs. Agbaje rolled on the floor, wailing. Mr. Agbaje suddenly had a cardiac arrest.

"Darling, darling!" Mrs. Agbaje called out to him, but he didn't respond.

Lucas immediately carried him to the car and drove off to the hospital. The rest followed in another car driven by Adamu the family driver , with Mrs Haruna comforting Mrs Agbaje.