Billionaire's Spoiled Child
Fishing out my phone, I tapped my fingers impatiently on the screen as I dialed Carl's number, bringing it up to my ear. It was a moment I had never imagined experiencing, let alone dreaming of. My fingers danced nervously on the tabletop as the phone rang, each ring amplifying my anticipation.
"Pick up the damn call, Carl," I muttered under my breath, my agitation palpable. I was bursting with happiness, eager to share the news with him. Moreover, I wanted to discuss a decision I had recently made—it was time to end the agreement we had made a few weeks ago.
Never in my wildest dreams had I imagined that I would reach this point so soon. As a billionaire's spoiled child, my life had been about enjoying every moment and indulging in life's luxuries without concern for the future or finances.
With the immense wealth of my family, I could have lived a lifetime of luxury without ever lifting a finger to work. The idea of living independently had never crossed my mind, nor had anyone ever suggested it to me. My father and brother had always treated me like a child, even as I grew into my teenage years.
"Time is a great teacher," I reflected silently, recalling the wisdom I had once read. Indeed, life had taught me lessons beyond my wildest imagination.
Frustration surged through me as Carl failed to answer my call. I banged my fist on the table in disappointment before attempting to dial him again. After several rings, his groggy voice finally greeted me from the other end.
"Hi, Grace," he greeted lazily.
"Carl, where were you?" I demanded impatiently, my tone betraying my frustration.
"Grace, of all people, it's you asking me that," he chuckled.
Suddenly, my eyes landed on the clock resting on the table, and I smacked my forehead with my palm in realization. I had completely forgotten that Carl was a late riser, often sleeping in until midday. Admittedly, I used to be just like him, not a morning person, but life had since changed me.
"Okay, wake up now, quickly. I've got great news for you," I exclaimed energetically, eager to share my excitement.
"I'm all ears, go ahead," he replied, his voice still heavy with sleepiness.
"Carl, get out of bed and listen to me. It's damn urgent," I insisted, frustration creeping into my tone.
A bout of coughing echoed through the line, signaling that he was indeed still half-asleep.
"Okay, ma'am, I'm up. Tell me, what is it?" Carl's voice came through the line, now sounding more awake.
"Let's start with some good news," I began, trying to build anticipation.
"Carl," I paused, waiting for his acknowledgment.
He hummed in response, prompting me to continue.
"I received my first payment from the newspaper company," I announced, excitement tingling in my voice.
Another hum came from Carl, acknowledging the news.
"Furthermore, Carl, as per the agreement we had, I want you to stop sending me money because I am now financially stable enough to pay my own bills," I declared firmly.
"Have you lost your mind?" Carl's voice sharpened with disbelief.
"No," I replied confidently.
"Do you have any idea what you're talking about?" he pressed.
"Yes, very much so," I affirmed.
"Is this your final decision?" Carl inquired, his tone still skeptical.
I hummed in response, signaling that it was indeed my final decision.
As Carl's silence lingered on the other end of the line before he abruptly ended the call, a whirlwind of emotions swept over me. I stared at my reflection in the darkened screen of the phone, the expressions it mirrored back at me—disappointment, heartbreak, defiance—seeming to taunt me.
With a frustrated sigh, I tossed the phone onto my bed and sank into the chair, feeling overwhelmed by a torrent of thoughts racing through my mind.
Would I ever be able to shake off this sense of shame? Could I ever convince them to allow me to continue living this self-owned life, free from financial reliance? Would they ever agree to it?
The uncertainty weighed heavily on my mind, casting a shadow over any hope I had for a resolution. But deep down, a flicker of determination remained, urging me to push forward despite the obstacles that lay ahead.
As I heard the soft knock on the door, I quickly composed myself, knowing that my emotions would be evident the moment I spoke. With a steady voice, I called out, "Come in."
It was late afternoon, and the sounds of the kids playing and bickering over toys drifted in from the other room. I lay on my bed, staring up at the ceiling, lost in thoughts about my future plans. Now that I was financially independent, the next step was pursuing my education. While I had never been particularly studious before, I now felt a strong desire to learn, to gain more independence, and to chart my own path in life.
"Shall we bring our books right now?" Rix's voice broke through my reverie, followed by Sania, whose arms were folded in front of her, her gaze fixed on her brother.
Glancing at the wall clock before turning to the kids, I nodded with a smile. "Yes, go ahead and bring them."
Their faces lit up with excitement at the prospect of studying with me. It warmed my heart to see their enthusiasm, and I couldn't help but feel grateful for their presence in my life. Perhaps, for the first time, I allowed myself to believe that someone genuinely liked me, even if it was just these two young souls.
As the kids entered the room with their books and bags slung over their shoulders, I couldn't help but feel a surge of joy. Their mother peeked in from time to time, ensuring everything was going smoothly as I assisted them with their homework and engaged them in drawing activities to nurture their artistic talents.
It was clear that they enjoyed being my students, and I relished the role of their teacher. In that moment, I knew what I wanted to be. It was crystal clear—I wanted to pursue a career in teaching.
We had a wonderful time together, and the kids were not only cooperative but also affectionate. Their parents were equally supportive, with their mother even preparing dinner for us all, despite my offer to cook for myself. She insisted, recognizing my lack of culinary skills, a realization perhaps honed through years of experience.
As we sat down to dinner together, I joined the family at the table, enjoying the lively conversation and the children's animated retelling of their tuition experience. Their father listened with evident delight, pleased to hear of their positive time with me.
After dinner, I retired to my room, feeling a sense of contentment and purpose wash over me. I had found my calling—I wanted to be a teacher. With the decision made, I eagerly awaited the dawn of the next day, ready to embark on the next step of my journey.