Taming A Billionaire

Niklaus point of view:

What was she doing here? That was the first question that came to mind. Even though it's been years since I came here, there was no way on earth I wouldn't recognize this residence, Kays'.

"Why are we here?" I couldn't help but ask, searching her face for an answer. Reina had to have a valuable reason for bringing me here before leaving for our honeymoon.

"Do you trust me?" She asked me, which was kind of stupid. I trusted Reina with my life. 

I nodded.

"Then, let's go," She said and intertwined our hands together. 

I glanced down at our intertwined hands and laughed mentally. All these while in the car, I've been trying to touch her when all it took was a question of trust for her to hold me instead? Well, I'll add this special trick to my inventory.

I walked alongside her, curious to see how she'd get me into the residence. After Kay's death, her parents hated me with fervor since I was partially responsible for their daughter's death. As if that wasn't enough, they had tried to get custody of Isabella but I fought tool and nail to win, so you can imagine how much they despise me. Hence, me getting into their place was an impossible dream.

Wait a minute, hold that thought... How did Reina do it?

The moment Reina knocked and the door was opened, I was expecting the housekeeper to send us away since she'd been here for long and pretty much recognized my face. But she let us in? Well, maybe her sight has deteriorated but Kay's parents would chase me out - that was for sure.

"You're here," I saw Kay's father welcome Reina with a hug. 

My brows furrowed together in confusion, why does it seem like they're acquaintances? It doesn't make sense at all.

"Y-you? How did....? " I couldn't hold my curiosity back any longer.

Kay's father said to me, "You're lucky you have a good wife," and left.

A guilty feeling squeezed my chest, it couldn't be that Reina came here to beg for my sake? I glanced up at her, a little displeasure at the corners of my eyes, and was about to have a word with her when she said, "Let's go,"

Wait a minute, go where?

"Oh," was the word that escaped my mouth minutes later when I found myself in a garden, standing right in front of Kay's gravestone.

An uncomfortable feeling arose in my chest and I guess that was called guilt; It compressed my heart so tight and made it impossible to breathe. 

I was her ex-husband and yet never visited her grave all these years - not that her parents would have let me. But that was no excuse, I knew if I had fought hard enough, they would have given me the right to visit. 

Reina kneeled before the grave to my astonishment, why was she doing this? 

"Here's her picture as promised," she said, foraging through her handbag and brought a picture of Isabella which she placed on the grave.

As promised? Does that mean this wasn't the first time she was here? A huge sense of shame fell over me. This was my responsibility, this was something I should have done already. 

"Your daughter grew up beautifully and I'm so glad to have known her. Though she drives me crazy sometimes - I'm sure she would too if you were here," she laughed, "Buts that's her allure and I couldn't ask for any other person than her. Contrary to expectation, her father dotes on her a lot even though he claims to be one tough bull - he's just a gummy bear inwardly," she laughed again.

"Though Isabella's new at it," Reina went on, "She takes care of her siblings well - she only needs a manual for that - and I know she loves them. I'm sure she would have done well with them if you had given her a sibling," she took a long deep breath, "You don't have to worry anymore, Kay, I'll take care of your daughter. I'll remind her every day through my love and attention how much you would have done the same if life had given you a chance. So don't be anxious anymore, rest in peace now,"

I bit back the tears that stung my eye. This was not the time to cry, Niklaus! You're a man, behave like one! You've already gotten over Kay's death, no need to bring up the bad memories.

I was roused from my thoughts when Reina placed a hand on my shoulder, giving me a worried look.

"I'll give you some privacy," she said and turned to leave before I could say a word.

I wanted to reach out and grab Reina, telling her not to leave that I was much stronger with her beside me. However, my mouth hung open like a moron and watched her leave.

Aside from the chirping of birds, the garden was calm - awkwardly quiet. I kicked the soil right in front of me, what was I going to say?

Fine, I sighed with my eyes close. Then I plonked down to my knees as I saw Reina did - that should be the first step.

"A-hem," I cleared my throat, thinking of an opening speech, "Hey, It's me Niklaus, that is if you can hear me," I laughed at my foolishness. Why wouldn't she hear me when I was the one who caused her death? If only she hadn't followed me that night.

"It's been years, ten? Twelve? Eleven? I can't really tell. It's not like I've been keeping track - yeah, I'm going to be truthful here. If you don't like it, come out here and tell me you don't, at least we can argue it out and I can see what you look like since I've been forgetting - don't blame me, it's not like it's my fault Isabella didn't take after you at all.

"Are you well down there? Do they treat you well there? They call it paradise and I hope that you're having a better time than you ever did in this cruel world?"

I inhaled shakily, " Her name's Reina which I'm sure you know already since she came before me - can't believe you both are BFF already - and yes she has that charm. Isabella likes her so you poisoning her mind didn't exactly work - don't be so sad, you can have your vengeance on me once I meet you there at last. 

"I've tried to imagine several times how we would have been if things hadn't gone awry and the truth is, we'd be divorced by now probably. What I feel for her is strong and I don't think I've shared it with anybody - not even you, sadly. We were young and did some pretty bad mistakes and to make it up to you, I promise not to let out our daughter, Isabella do the same,"

"I'm sorry," I finally said the word, a tear slipping down my face, "I'm sorry that you ended up this way for meeting a jerk like me. I'm sorry you lost the light in you because of me. I'm sorry that you sacrificed your life because of me and my dumb family," and just like that, the tears gushed out.

I tried to control it but I couldn't, the more I held it back, the more the memories of her that I thought was buried forever, surfaced.

I knew I cried for a long time and the evidence of it was my red swollen eyes; I looked quite a sight. Thankfully, we were leaving with my private jet so I wasn't worried about time. 

Standing up to my feet, I swept the dirt off my butt. For some strange reason, my heart which had been burdened with guilt earlier was surprisingly light. I felt healed.

I turned to her grave one last time, saying, "In your next life, may you never meet a bastard like me. Encounter someone that would love you unconditionally. Rest in peace, Kay," and with that being said, made my way back to the house only to see Reina in the living room having tea with Kay's parents.

To their surprise, I fell to my knees and kowtowed thrice, "Forgive this unfilial son for his trespasses, "

I had denied them Isabella, who should have been their right as her grandparents - well, it had been tough and intense then, I had to secure my daughter. If only we had put aside our differences, things would have been better. 

"You may rise. It's not right to hold grudges for this long," Kay father's said and I got to my feet, "We've all made mistakes and it's time to let go of the past," 

I stared at the man who now had a crinkle in his eye. I didn't realize how aged Kay's parents were until now and chagrin hit me knowing that she was their only child. Thus, I made a mental note to send Isabella and the kids to them once the honeymoon was over - they need their company more than I do. And hopefully, they don't burn their house down. 

As usual, Reina, the spirited one, found a way to make the tense atmosphere lively and by the time we left, Kay's parents had a smile on their faces. 

"You're free to visit anytime," Kay's father patted me on the shoulder as they escorted us to the entrance. I guess all sins were forgiven. 

"She's a keeper," he said to me," Give her all the love you would have given to my daughter,"

"Of course," I nodded, bowed, and left for the car with my wife, Reina, for the honeymoon. Finally. 

"Niklaus, I -" She was probably attempting to apologize for not giving me the heads-up when I grabbed her chin and kissed her. 

Reina's eyes widened with surprise, that was unexpected? 

I was so grateful to have a wife like her and what was supposed to be a gentle kiss deepened into a passionate one. Reina's hands searched, climbed blindly, and when she found my neck, wrapped her hand around it. My senses swarmed with her touch and I was about to meet her tongue when her phone rang, disrupting the moment. 

"Niklaus.." she struggled to say as I refused to let go, "I need to pick,"

"Fine," I groaned, vexed. Why can't they let us have our honeymoon in peace? 

"Hello," she was breathless as she answered the call. Her cheeks were rosy with a blush and I was tempted to run my thumb across her swollen lips until I saw the deep furrow on her face as she ended the call. 

"What is it?" I asked. 

"It's Cecil, I think she's in trouble,"