Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 63911 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 320(@200wpm)___ 256(@250wpm)___ 213(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63911 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 320(@200wpm)___ 256(@250wpm)___ 213(@300wpm)
With their usual enterprising ways, the media had learned of the billionaire’s scheduled flight out of Milan, and they had staked the airport, waiting for the tight-lipped billionaire.
When he finally did, the first reporter that reached Jaak de Konigh had asked, “Did you get tired of fucking the public pussy, is that it?”
And that was it.
By the time security had managed to pull the billionaire away, both his fists were bloodied and bruised, but even so he looked better off than the reporter, whose face had been nearly unrecognizable after being in the receiving end of the billionaire’s punches.
It had chaos and hell, and the billionaire had been taken into police custody while an ambulance took the unconscious reporter to the E.R. Meanwhile, the remaining paparazzi had started hounding the flight crew of the billionaire’s private jet. Was he always that hotheaded? Had he verbally or physically abused any of them?
Only stoic silence met their questions and bribes. The violence that the billionaire displayed had shocked them, but even so the staff remained deeply loyal to Jaak de Konigh. He had always been a good employer to them, a fair and generous man. They would stand by him, even when the rest of the world didn’t.
When the jet finally landed in Amsterdam, the billionaire was not surprised to see the airport free of any signs of media presence. Here, the de Konighs held unparalleled power, and Jaak knew without being told Willem had taken immediate measures to ensure his privacy and security.
Upon making it to his limousine, he called his brother right away. “How is Ilse?”
“She left to meet with Issac Bakker,” Willem answered quietly, “but other than that she hadn’t left the house. Security’s made sure that none of the media bothers her.”
“But she knows?”
“All I know is that Serenity and her friends refused to tell her anything.”
Jaak breathed hard. “Thank you, Willem.” Thank you for never failing, the way he always—-
“Jaak.”
He watched the home he had shared two goddamn magical weeks with Ilse gradually rise into view.
How fucking happy they had been.
How foolish she had been to trust her.
And how even more foolish he had been, to let her.
The limousine slowed down at the top of the driveway, but the billionaire didn’t step out right away. He simply stayed there, watching from the inside, wondering numbly if he even had the right to see her.
“Jaak, are you still there?”
“Ja.”
“Did you cheat on her?”
“It doesn’t matter if I did. I knew what I was doing. I knew what would happen the moment I stepped inside and—-I still did it anyway.”
THE HOUSE WAS COLD and quiet, and although he had hired staff to be present around the clock, all of them were conspicuously absent. On his way to the stairs, he passed by the formal dining room, its door ajar, revealing Jan eating alone, and an opened book on his lap.
After a moment of hesitation, the billionaire turned and headed towards the dining room. He knocked on the door, waiting for Ilse’s brother to look at him.
Jan brightened up at the sight of the billionaire. “You’re back!”
His chest clenched at Jan’s smile of welcome, the sight slashing him to the core because he didn’t think he deserved it. He said hoarsely, “I’m back.” And he managed to return the smile, barely, his lips forming a crooked grin.
“Where’s the staff?”
“Ilse gave them the day off yesterday.”
“I see.” And he did. Because he had known this kind of pain, and he had known the need to be alone in it.
Turning back to Jan, he noticed that Jan’s plate was the only one on the table, and the billionaire asked if Ilse had eaten yet.
The younger man slowly shook his head. “She hasn’t come down since this morning.” Jan took the workbook on his lap. “She was supposed to help me with today’s lessons.”
“Was she?” The billionaire gestured to the workbook. “May I see it?” At Jan’s nod, he reached for the workbook and saw an illustration of the solar system. “Were you asked to memorize the planets?”
Ilse’s brother nodded.
“Recite it to me then,” he said. “I’ll let you know if you got anything wrong.”
Jan took a deep breath. “Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars.” He paused, his face scrunching up.
“Go on, you can do it.”
“Jupiter, September, October—-”
The billionaire’s eyes widened.
Jan broke off with a frown.
The billionaire did his best to keep a straight face.
But then Jan smiled sheepishly, and he could no longer help it.
The billionaire laughed, and so did Jan.
When he finally managed to speak clearly, he told Jan encouragingly, “You’ll get it right next time.”
Jan nodded.
“Let’s practice again soon, okay?” He came to his feet. “I’ll check on Ilse now. Will you be okay here on your own?”
“Yup.” As the billionaire walked away, Jan suddenly said, “Jaak?”
He looked back at Ilse’s brother. “Yes?”