THE BILLIONAIRE AMONG US.

Chapter 8: Home isn't comforting.

It is sadness and heartbreak that makes the heart forget things that matter.

Beauty forgot Bill was waiting for her in the taxi at the nearest parking lot. She walked home without even knowing when she got to the door of their house– a bungalow.

She had stopped shedding tears but her eyes were still slightly swollen, leaving clues that she just shed tears.

With a trembling hand, she sniffed and turned the door knob and entered to see her mother watching a live news on their old Tv.

Mrs Ainsley looked in the direction of the door to see daughter dragging her leg inside like a defeated wrestler. She set the table before her aside and worriedly met her.

“Honey, what's the matter?!" She held her daughter's arm with concern laced in her voice. A deep frown expressed on her face when she noticed her swollen eyes.

She peered into her eyes worriedly “Have you been crying honey??"

Tears began to pour out of Beauty's eyes again remembering her defeat. She gave it all for the audition– practicing nights and days without relenting but all her effort had just been swept down the drain.

Mrs Ainsley gently led her to one of the sofas in the room and sat her down.

“Speak to me dear. How did the Audition go?" She looked into her eyes.

Mr Ainsley, her father, entered at that moment. He had never supported her dream of becoming a model and he never hesitated to show his bitterness towards it.

“How else could it go if not the failure way." He cut in from behind as he walked out of his room.

“Don't be harsh on her honey. She's your daughter." Mrs Ainsley said defensively.

“A daughter that refuses to listen to me is not my daughter. She should choose another father..."

A breaking news from the Tv on the wall interrupted Mr Ainsley and everyone suddenly directed their attention to it. Mr. Ainsley picked up the remote and increase the volume of the speaker to hear a female broadcaster saying;

“...three models have been selected in Elf city to represent the city us at the ANNUAL MISS WORLD BEAUTY and we hope they make us proud..." The pictures of the three girls were displayed on the Tv which Clara and Alice were among.

Mr. Ainsley didn't wait for the news to end before he continued his lamentation, his words hurting Beauty deeper.

“I Said it! Isn't that Alice and Clara your friend!?" He pointed at the Tv. “They're making their parents proud but you..I have never recalled you doing anything that makes me proud except failing and never will I be proud of you over that if your mother is!"

Beauty couldn't take it anymore. His words were like daggers, cutting deeper into her heart. Her mother's shoulder which was usually comforting for her became uncomfortable and the tears flowed down her eyes ceaselessly. She's the emotional type.

She stood up and ran to her room in tears, slamming the door shut.

“Beauty! Beauty!!" Mrs Ainsley ran after her, knocking her door for her to open up but Beauty didn't respond.

“Beauty, are you there? Don't take your father's words to heart..Come out baby girl, please." She pleaded yet no response.

The woman exhaled deeply and hesitantly left the door. She met her husband in the living room already seated on one of the sofas.

“Honey, you shouldn't compare your daughter's life and struggles with that of anyone. Life is a reality to be experienced and not a competition." She said,

“Are you trying to lecture now? That I can't talk to my own daughter again?" He glared at her.

Mrs Ainsley took her seat beside him. “I’m not saying you can't honey. She's your daughter after all but not this way Honey."

Mr. Ainsley simply glanced at her and concentrated on the TV.

Meanwhile, Bill's patience had worn thin, having waited for Beauty for what seems like an eternity yet she refused to show up.

“Why is she taking so long to return?" He said with a voice laced with concern and wanted to step out of the taxi to go look for her but a breaking news about the selected Models broke out from the Taxi stereo.

Beauty's name wasn't mentioned among the three selected.

Bill hurried out of the car and went in search of her. She asked a girl who told him she left some while ago and she also narrated what happened on the catwalk to him.

Even if Bill didn't know how talented Beauty is, he knew something must have happened for such a mistake to happen.

He returned to the car and quickly pulled out his phone and dialed John's number.

“Hello John!" He began with an urgent voice. “I want you to inquire about the judges of the just concluded Audition that takes place at Lumina for the Miss World beauty.

Make sure a girl named Beauty is among those who will represent the city!" Bill commanded, his voice effusing authority that made the taxi driver glance at him wondering who exactly he is to talk with such boldness.

He cleared his throat after Bill ended the call “Do you think that's possible Sir?" He shifted on the seat, staring at Bill. “I mean this is about a world Contest. Simply thinking about this, it's impossible to change anything about it because the names of the contestants are all over the news and it must have been sent to the organisers of the main contests." He said genuinely which is right.

Bill leaned back on the seat and smiled softly. “If only he knows who I am...if only he knows my real identity..." He said in his mind before he spoke out, keeping his confidence steadfast.

“Let's see about that." He simply said and the driver couldn't help but wonder why he's so confident.

Beauty laid face down on her bed, soaking the bed sheet with her tears. The pain of her father's words couldn't be compared to that of failing the Audition. His words hurt her deeply.

“I wish I could do better.." She sniffed in tears. “I...I wish I could make you proud Dad and mum...You're right Dad.. I'm a failure and I'm not getting it.."

In the ocean of her heartbreaking thoughts, her mother's sharp voice cut her off from the living room.

“Beauty!!! Beauty!!! Come daughter!! Come!! You need to see this!!"