Heiress' Househusband is a Secret Billionaire - Chapter 116

Chapter 116: Until We Meet Again
Nathaniel and Elsie’s friendship deepened the more time they spent together, including navigating the changes in their lives.

At the same time, Nathaniel realized he had been harboring feelings for Elsie. Despite that, he didn’t dare to be upfront with his heart.

“Nate, have you heard? Elsie rejected someone again at school.”

Whenever Nathaniel caught the news of Elsie turning her schoolmates’ advances, his heart soared in happiness.

Unfortunately, they weren’t in the same school despite being the same age. Thus, he only listened to the news from the ones who did.

Still, he often pretended to be uninterested despite how loud his heartbeat was.

Elsie was known as the prettiest girl in the orphanage. Even the younger children crushed on her. Her great personality enhanced her natural beauty.

She was warm, compassionate and loving but, she knew when to stand up for herself. She was both kindhearted and headstrong at the same time.

The closer Nathaniel and Elsie were to their college entrance examination, the more time they spent studying together. They usually stayed in the orphanage’s library.

Sometimes, Nathaniel sneaked a look whenever Elsie was engrossed in her work.

He loved seeing how her soft blond hair framed her face in waves. Its color reminded him of the gentle sunlight streaming through the morning clouds.

For a few times, Nathaniel wished to confess his feelings for Elsie but, he refrained from doing so.

Even after years of knowing each other, Nathaniel hadn’t had the courage to reveal his biggest goal in life—destroying his paternal family.

His life after leaving the orphanage most likely would be filled with thorns and darkness. He didn’t want to subject her to such a life.

Despite how heartwrenching his decision was, she would be better off without him.

One day, Elsie asked when they were in the library, “I heard you wanna intern while studying. Won’t you be busier?”

Nathaniel paused from answering the practice question paper. Tilting his chin up, he stared at Elsie, finding faint traces of concern on her face.

Putting the pen down, Nathaniel answered, his voice having a slight sharp edge as he spoke, “Yes. The Faulkner Investment. I aim to get into the company.”

It was the first time Nathaniel shared what he envisioned for his future with Elsie. All this time, he only told her vaguely.

Fortunately, she was never one to force him for the real answer.

Her response was enough to make his heart suspended from beating before it rammed rapidly against his chest.

“You will! You’re hardworking and smart. You’ll surely join the company! I trust you, Niel!”

Her green eyes, which often reminded him of a serene forest after the rain, brightened as she proclaimed her trust in him.

“…thank you. I’m sure you’ll achieve your dream too, Elsie.”

Elsie wished to be a fashion designer. She had started designing and sewing clothes whenever she managed to get cheap fabrics and used clothes from the thrift store.

Elsie also used to tell Nathaniel a few times about her dream of having a house with a large yard on a cliff somewhere.

Her words were…

“I want to plant my favorite flowers sooo many! And, and! Waking up with an ocean view sounds romantic, don’t you think?”

“That sounds great. But… your favorite flowers? Do you have any?”

Nathaniel knew Elsie loved flowers in general but, he had never seen her fixated on one kind. The heat emanated from his cheeks as he imagined having such a lovely home with her.

“Roses, camellias… I like them all but, I’m not sure. Hehe, maybe I’ll know what’s my favorite flower someday.”

Once Nathaniel heard Elsie, he silently whispered in his heart, ‘By then, I won’t be here with you.’

Nathaniel and Elsie passed their college entrance examination with flying colors. Both of them received good scholarships, thus lessening their financial burdens when studying.

“Will you really leave soon? Can’t you delay it? Mama Judy said you can stay longer.”

Elsie came looking for Nathaniel when she heard he decided to leave the orphanage the next day after the celebration. The director of the care home planned to throw one for them.

Nathaniel looked up from the huge backpack where he had kept his belongings inside. He smiled at Elsie but, he knew it didn’t reach his eyes.

“We’ll keep in touch, Elsie. You’re my first friend here.”

“…but, why? You look as if… you wanna run away from us.”

“I assure you that I don’t. It’s just… I wanna go to where I used to live with my mom. It’ll take hours to reach that place. Our old landlord will be on a long trip soon. I need to get there before he leaves.”

Elsie seemed disappointed but, she didn’t push further. She seemed to believe the excuse that Nathaniel had just randomly made up.

She only asked him to keep his promise of being in constant contact with her.

Despite being unsure, Nathaniel nodded and said, “Yes.”

On the day of Nathaniel’s departure, he did so before the dawn broke. The director respected his wish to leave before the children woke up.

Nathaniel thought he was being very discreet, only to receive a scolding from Elsie who waited at the main door.

“How could you do this? If I didn’t overhear you and Mama Judy, I wouldn’t ever know!”

Nathaniel awkwardly hugged Elsie, trying to comfort her. Her figure trembled in his arms as she cried.

“See? If I waited, the others would cry like you.”

Elsie responded with a smack on Nathaniel’s back once she heard his teasing. Her green eyes reddened as tears continued rolling down her cheeks.

“Still… you shouldn’t leave like this.”

“I’m sorry. I left a present for you, Elsie. It’s in my locker. Thank you for everything, my friend.”

Nathaniel hugged Elsie one more time before he reluctantly pulled away. His thumb sensed the warmth of her tears as he tried to rub her face dry.

“Until we meet again, Elsie.”

On the day he left the orphanage, he thought they wouldn’t cross paths ever again. He purposely changed his number and e-mail address, not intending to keep connecting with everyone.

Then, a few years passed when they accidentally met. After rekindling their friendship, their relationship also began shortly after.

Only to be met with a cruel separation.

“…I should sleep.”

Running his fingers through his ebony locks, Nathaniel knew he should get some shut eye before the longing for Elsie became unbearable. He folded the letter before putting it back inside the envelope.

Once again, the letter was safe in the drawer.

Nathaniel lay on the bed, seeking warmth under the blanket. He stared at the ceiling above, tracing the faint light that illuminated the square sunken panels.

Grasping the blanket with his fists, Nathaniel forced himself to close his eyes. The rigid lines on his taut countenance remained, only softening when he eventually drifted to sleep.

The memories of the old accompanied his dreams.

*****

High above the sea level, a plane cut through the night sky, gleaming under the moon. The twinkling stars scattered on the vast sky, shimmering outside the open windows.

The plane’s engines hummed steadily as it carried the passengers crossing the globe. Inside, most of them were asleep while a few chose to watch movies or listen to music.

The steward and stewardess moved quietly through the aisle, offering refreshments, other items and answering hushed requests. They remained attentive even at such a time.

“En… so many butterflies…”

A young girl, around age five, murmured softly in her sleep. The muted glow of the cabin lights illuminated her delicate features, framed by her soft blond hair.

The little one curled comfortably in the spacious business-class seat, huddled beneath a plush blanket. She tightly hugged a bunny plushie, sleeping together with her companion.

The girl’s whisper drifted to her mother’s ears. Hearing it carved a smile on the lady’s lips. She reached for her child’s blanket, adjusting it over the little one’s figure.

“I hope you’ll like it here, my darling,” whispered the lady, her voice brimming with hope.

To their new life.