The Billionaire's Love

by Alexia Praks

Lilly’s birthday party went great, starting from lunch until well after dinner in the evening. Drinks and food flowed freely as both adults and children enjoyed themselves tremendously. Chan was indeed happy she was a part of the celebration.

  Of course, as with any party, the people who helped out would always be tired by the end of the day, and this rang true for Chan. She and her sisters had been at Sam’s house at nine that morning and had helped out ever since. It was well after dinner; Lilly had blown out her seven candles and had opened all of her presents. The cake had been cut and shared, and now all there was for Chan to do was go home.

  Her dear friends, Alex and Ruby, and their respective partners had left straight after dinner, as they had an early start tomorrow. Alex, her husband Jayden, and their baby boy Andy were flying back to America, while Ruby and her fiancé Alec were returning to England. Chan hugged her friends good-bye, while Dara and Soriya sadly kissed Andy, promising the toddler they’d see him again at Ruby and Alec’s wedding in six months.

  Of course, most of the children and their parents who remained left soon after that as well. It was getting rather late, and Chan was eager to leave because her feet were aching something sorely. Not to mention her ankle, which hadn’t yet healed fully.

  She was tidying things up and getting ready to leave when Lilly appeared and wrapped her arms around her waist.

  Chan turned round in pleasant surprise. “Hey, Lilly. Did you have fun today?”

  Lilly stared up, her eyes large. Chan noted the unsatisfied look on the little girl’s lovely face and wondered what was going on.

  She came down to her knees and took Lilly into her arms. “What’s the matter?”

  Lilly said, “We’re supposed to be on a date.”

  Chan understood immediately and smiled. She couldn’t help herself. The child was so cute. “But it was nice, wasn’t it? You spending time and having heaps of fun with your friends?”

  Lilly pursed her lips. “But I didn’t get to spend time with you.”

  Chan laughed. “Well, I still have a couple more minutes until Dara and Soriya are ready to leave. What do you want to do?”

  Lilly brightened immediately. “Really? I know.” The girl took a few steps back and then took Chan by the hand. “Come on.”

  Chan chuckled. “Where are we going?”

  “You can read to me,” Lilly said, leading her toward the stairs.

  Chan stared wide-eyed as they came to the second floor of the mansion. She hadn’t been up here at all, since the party only took place on the ground floor and the backyard, where it had a great view of the private beach and the sea beyond. Some of the guests even ventured out onto the beach during the afternoon, her, her sisters, and friends included. It was such a beautiful place.

  The little girl led her along the corridor and then into a room, which Chan assumed was Lilly’s. It was large and decorated to the taste of a little girl. Pastel colors dominated the walls, followed by soft furnishings of a sofa and chairs and a nice queen-size bed with a pastel duvet.

  “Is this your room?” Chan asked.

  Lilly nodded. “Hmm. Do you like it?”

  Chan chuckled. “Yes, I do. It’s lovely.”

  Lilly made her sit on her bed. “Stay here. I’ll find a book for you to read for me.”

  “Sure,” Chan replied, making herself comfortable on the bed.

  This is nice, she thought in delight. Putting her feet up was truly wonderful, easing the aching continuously nagging at her since this afternoon.

  Lilly returned with a book, and Chan wasn’t surprised it was one she’d written. It was the second book of the Sacred Sword Series. She wondered if Lilly understood about the Naga’s world where monsters like the Naga and Garuda resided. It was Hindu mythology and rarely known or understood by the western world.

  “You can read me this one,” Lilly said.

  Chan was curious. “Do you like the Sacred Sword Series, Lilly?”

  Lilly nodded. “I like all the pictures,” she said. “They’re so beautiful. The black and gold Naga. The white and gold Garuda.”

  Chan chuckled. Those were pictures of her digital art. It had taken her ages to get those right, and there were plenty more where they came from.

  “I have two more books at home. Do you want to read those as well?”

  Lilly nodded in excitement. “Oh, yes, please. When can I get them? Tomorrow?”

  Chan chuckled. “How about I drop them off for you on Monday? My sisters and I have a few things to do tomorrow.”

  Tomorrow, she and her sisters had a visitation with Grandma Su. It had been months since Chan last saw the elderly woman, and she wondered how her health was doing.

  “Oh. Okay,” Lilly said as she made herself comfortable.

  Chan began by opening the book and then started reading the first chapter. It wasn’t long before she realized Lilly had fallen asleep, breathing evenly and deeply. The little girl looked content and happy.

  Chan put the book down and then arranged Lilly in bed properly, settling the duvet over and tugging it around her. That done, she was about to leave when Lilly caught her hand.

  “Cuddle,” she murmured softly, her eyes closed.

  Chan smiled in adoration. She didn’t have the heart to leave the child; thus, she made herself comfortable again and cuddled Lilly.

  “Kiss,” Lilly murmured softly again.

  Chan chuckled. Then, of course, she couldn’t help herself and gave Lilly a peck on the forehead. She noted Lilly smiling as the little girl began to breathe deeply and evenly once again.

  Chan rested her head against the soft pillow and closed her eyes. She was tired, and she was in such a comfortable position she didn’t want to move. She’d wait until her sisters came for her, and then they’d leave.

  With that, Chan snuggled closer to Lilly. It didn’t take long for her to fall asleep, a content smile on her face.