The Billionaire's Daughter

Franco

When I woke up and saw Saphira lying beside me, my heart went berserk. I vaguely remember her helping me to bed. I thought I was dreaming but seeing her beside me sleeping peacefully, I realized she was really here. I tried to keep still but the force that made me want to caress her face was strong. I was almost touching her face when she woke up.

Her concern and care was overwhelming. I am drowning with happiness.

After helping me with the food she cooked for me, I thought nothing could ever ruin my night until my mother decided to go home and bring an unwelcome visitor in our home.

"Franco, oh. Were you sick? Hi Saphira I didn't know you were here."

"Good evening Ma'am."

"Mom, why did you bring her here? I can't do this now mom I still feel weak."

"Sorry son, she insisted to come here and talk to you. I didn't know you were sick. I should have stayed home to take care of you."

"Don't worry mom, Saphira took care of me."

"Now that you've mentioned it, I guess I have to get going now. Your mom is already here so I'll just..."

I felt like my head was about to explode, from my headache and from the realization that Madeleine's presence may hurt Saphira. I have to protect her so I did what I have to do. "No. Stay. Please stay."

"Owkaayyy."

"So kids, I have to go and cook dinner and you can just talk here while I prepare some food."

"Ahhm, ma'am I already prepared something for dinner. Sorry but I was bored while waiting for Franco to wake up."

"Oh Saphira honey, you are such a sweetheart. Thank you."

Seeing my mother hug Saphira soothed my aching head and calmed my nerves.

"I'll prepare dinner so we can all eat."

"Mom, Saphira and I already ate. Please go get your dinner and rest. I know it was a long day for you."

"Thank you honey. Are you sure you are feeling better?"

"Yes mom. My nurse here is very efficient."

I saw Saphira blushing and I can't help but smile. I almost forgot there was someone else in the room. "Okay kids, see you later."

"Franco."

And so she speaks.

"Madeleine, this is my best friend Saphira. Saphira, this is Madeleine someone from my past."

I saw Madeleine flinch with those words.

"Can we talk? In private?"

"Whatever you have to say you can say in front of her. I will tell her about it anyways, so better that she will just hear first hand." "Franco, please don't be rude."

Saphira was always the kind one and I know I have to listen to her or else she will just scold me after this is done.

"Fine. What do you want to tell me Madeleine? I'm listening."

I saw her looking cautiously at Saphira before exhaling loudly. I guess she was nervous.

"Look, I came here to apologize. I guess I was not brave enough to talk to you before I left last summer so I just wrote a letter."

"What you said in the letter was enlightening. Thank you for your honesty."

"I was wrong. Now, thinking about it, everything I told you there was a lie. I realized that when I left. Being away from you made me feel alone and sad. You made me happy. There was no one else who made me feel loved the way you did." Hearing her words I felt nothing. I just want this to end so I can be alone with Saphira once again. I looked at her and she looked hurt and unsure of herself.

"Until now, you are still selfish. All you realized was how I made you feel. Did you even think about how I felt when you left? How I felt reading your letter and finding out that I just wasted a year of my life with a pretentious person like yourself?" "Franco, I'm sorry but I realized that now. That's why I came back for you. I want to win you back. I will prove to you that I am worthy again of your love."

"No need Madeleine. Like you said, when we see each other again I should have moved on. Well, I did move on. And I feel a lot happier now that I can finally say in front of you that I do not love you anymore."

If I saw hurt in her eyes I was not sure as she was someone who can mask her feelings very well. But I don't care. All I want is for her to realize that I will never get back with her.

"Franco please?"

She tried to approach me but I held up my hand to stop her.

"You were my past and this wonderful girl sitting beside me is my future. So please, find someone else. Don't worry I already forgave you for what you did. I am also grateful to you, if not for you I wouldn't realize that love is a two way street. It is a give and take relationship."

"Franco, if I could turn back time..."

She was crying now and Saphira looked like she wanted to comfort her. Oh Saphira, how can you be so kind hearted?

"I'd rather you don't. I learned a lot from our past and I'm sure that will be very helpful in ensuring that what happened to us will not be repeated again with my future."

"Thank you for your honesty and sorry for bothering you. I hope you get well soon."

She regained her composure and she left without a glance.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah. Never been better."

""Was that true?"

I just knew I have to pull her closer to me.

""Every word."

I was about to hug her when my very loud mother barged into my room.

"Franco, Saphira, Madeleine already left. I will be sleeping now. Behave you two! Goodnight! Oh, Saphira, delicious dinner! You are such an awesome cook." "Thank you ma'am. Goodnight."

"So..."

"I have to go home now, it's getting late and you still have to rest."

I don't want this day to end but she's right, I can't keep her here.

"Alright. Call your driver so they can pick you up."

"They're already waiting for me."

I can't help it anymore, I pulled her into an embrace.

"Thank you for taking care of me. What I told her was the truth. I see myself in the future with you."

"Shhh... we still have a long way to go. What is important is that we are together."

"I know. I am just happy to have you. Please don't leave me ever?" I hugged her tighter.

"Don't worry, even if you chase me away, I will always stay."00☐☐☐☐☐☐