"Another boring day", I woke up groaning. I don't need an alarm mom's utensils are enough to burst my ears.
" Mom, Hi", I waved and went straight to the outside to breathe fresh air.
"This brat doesn't know any manners. When will she learn"?, I can hear her screaming.
" What's that", I saw a bag outside with a message on the top of it.
'It's yours. Use as you wish, I read the message written on it.
"What the hell?", I reluctantly opened the bag. I was scared what if it's a scam? What if it's a bomb? Should I call the police? I will go crazy at this rate.
" Go to your aunt, she told that she send us fresh fruits", Mom screamed from the kitchen.
"Oh, I got scared for nothing. Aunt has a bad taste in humor.
I opened.
" What the hell"???
"Is Aunt a witch"???
" It's money. It's a lot of money.", I dropped the bag. I should call the police. I think someone is pulling pranks.
"No, it can't be. This money is 20 BILLION DOLLARS. I should go to the police station before mom sees this and make an issue", I called a cab and headed to the police station.
" Inspector! I found this", I narrated how I found the bag and showed him the money inside.
Inspector was on a call and seems like he isn't surprised.
"It's yours, miss. It seems Mr.Gerald has his eyes on you", Officer laughed.
" What do you mean? Who is Mr.Gerald?Why are you laughing?", I yelled.
"You mean Gerald.The multi-billionaire?
This police officer is talking about Duke Gerald. The multi-billionaire who can buy the whole world with money, I Guess. But this is too much. It feels like I am cast in squid game 3. I don't want to die this soon. my stomach is growling as I was caught up in this money drama early in the morning.
I spend a lot of money on cabs today. I reached Gerald's palace after a one-hour-long journey. I washed my mouth and went to the restroom since it can't be avoided no matter how urgent the matter is. If I die people will complain about my bad breath.
I am so curious that I am sure I will die of a heart attack at this rate. His security allowed us to enter without any checking.
" Weird"!!!
He is filthy rich. I can't believe he has multiple houses like this. How rich can a young man get? Was he doing charity by throwing so much money in front of my house?
A man who looked like a secretary or butler exhibited me the way without asking any questions. One floor in his home is his office it's more huge than a normal building in the town.
"Sir, Miss Hailey arrived", The butler or secretary guy said.
" How did he know my name"???
He is enjoying the view so I can't see his face.
"Speak, Miss Hailey. I am all ears", A cold hoarse voice pierced my ears.
" I think you know everything already. Noone inspected me when I arrived. Your secretary/butler knows my name. You throw 20 billion dollars at my house. You rich people do know how to waste money. You are more powerful than I am, but that doesn't mean I will agree to be your plaything. I don't need this money and please stop doing this kind of thing to middle-class people like me.", I said in a single breath.
"You are not the only one I gave this money", His answer shocked me. As expected, The only person who returns my money is you.No matter how much debt you are in, you didn't touch a penny. I am impressed, Miss Hailey", He turned his chair to face me.
He looks like a celebrity. Perfectly set jet black hair and pale blue eyes and a sculpted face show his elegance and cold exterior at the same time. He wore an expensive-looking suit and his death stare is slowly killing me.
" Mr.Duke Gerald. We are living in the 21st century so this Cinderella type of game is not my cup of tea. Please pick your candidate from a rich family and play with her.
"They all want my money. No one sees me as I am.", He cut off my words.
He is speaking the truth. Every single lady wants a guy like Gerald to be their sugar daddy. Money can't buy everything. I pity him. Whatever I can't spend my precious holidays here. I want to get out of this place. I am getting uncomfortable.
" I felt lonely. I wanted a partner. So I planned to drop money on random houses. Yours was one of that houses. Except you, other ladies took the money. I was monitoring all of you. Your actions quite surprised me. Even after knowing my intentions, you are declining my offers. The more you do that the more I want you", His expression suddenly changed. I sense a scary aura around him.
"Mr, Duke. I am not expecting anything from you.No matter how much money you got. I only want peace of mind. I have someone I love and I am waiting for that person. So, please don't do this. You can be my friend if you feel lonely. I know how exactly it feels. Please excuse me for now", I turned away from him. I wasn't lying when I told I had someone I loved.
This rotten rich brat rubbed salt on my wounds. During my childhood days, I was invisible to everyone. I was left out and outcasted.No one ever looked at me. There was a little boy who sat by my side and gave me yellow candies. I was so shy to look at his face. If he saw my expression, I was scared he will leave like other kids. He came every day with yellow candies. I never looked at him. But I talked with him. One day he disappeared. I got sick for a few weeks. Since that day my one-sided love became a painful memory.
Strong arms grabbed my arms from behind.
" Mr.Duke.You are crossing your limits", I tried to release from his grip. He placed something in my arms.
"I told you I don't need M----mone..ey", !!!!!!
" Yellow...Yellow candies"???
"This...This...
" This is the candies he gave me"!
"At grace school park, at the corner of a bench, a pretty cute girl was sitting alone. The moment I saw her, I wanted her to be my only friend. I guess I made the right decision. I brought her my favorite candies in return she told me interesting tales. But in the end, I broke her heart. I searched for her after I came from Europe and found. I wanted to make sure she is still the same. So I played a little game", His voice cracked.
" I....No...Its good to meet you again..", I couldn't hold my tears. I managed to wipe it. I had no courage to face him.
"Let me go Duke Gerald. Let's forget whatever happened, I wanted to run away.
" If you leave. How can we build a snow castle in Antarctica? if my wealth scares you, I will give up at this instant. But don't leave me, Hailey", He suddenly wrapped me in a hug that I couldn't break.
"I waited 9 years so that you will come to help me build our snow castle. You idiot"!!!!
and Hailey found her lost love and Duke his true love.
Sometimes Fate has other plans for you no matter how hard your life turns out, there might be something better waiting for you. It's never too late to be kind.
