Chapter 164 - Parting (1)

Orita didn't look very happy and Jenna looked conflicted. At the dining table, the couple stared at each other wordlessly after Wilmer's announcement while the four children simply looked between them.

Scarlet and Elfie already knew this was going to happen. The young writer had talked to the hacker about it at the barbecue and her predictions weren't wrong. Wilmer was leaving them and if Wilmer is leaving, Elfie knew what was going to happen next. The CEO would talk to Danny and Elfie would be taken away once more. This time, maybe for good. It was said but inevitable, even with the heads-up. Elfie knew he would never be ready for it.

Alex tried to hold back her tears and Jasper supported her emotionally by holding her hand under the dining table, hidden away by the long table cloth. Scarlet glanced over to her sister and felt her heart ache. She knew that Alex never had much time with her father ever since he was young. The last few months with Wilmer in Singapore was like a dream come true for her and when her mother joined them, it made up Alex's entire world. To have that fairy tale ripped away from her so soon would most definitely be hard on the perpetual dreamer.

Still, Scarlet was proud of her sister who showed signs of maturing in the last few months. She tried to keep her emotions in check even though it was clear to everyone that she was desperately holding back tears. Jasper was beside her so Scarlet wasn't as worried. When Wilmer left, Scarlet just knew that it would take some time for Alex to pick herself up and move on. She had faith in the artist, Alex was stronger and kinder than most people. She might not understand why this kept on happening but Alex would always forgive Wilmer for leaving them and welcome him back with a radiant smile.

Orita didn't say anything and Wilmer avoided her gaze. The heiress wasn't foolish. She knew that her husband kept many secrets from her so as not to add burden on her but she still worried about him dearly. If it wasn't because of the on-going troubles with Anastasia and the Wilde Empire, Orita would have argued with him. What could possibly be more important than raising their children right now? Then again, if Wilmer made such a decision, it could only mean one thing. The children were in danger and Wilmer needed to leave to keep them safe.

"When are you leaving?" she asked eventually, deciding to ignore Jenna's exasperated looks.

Wilmer didn't miss a beat and carried on with the conversation in the direction that his wife pointed out. The butler knew that it was inevitable. The master was too busy trying to protect the empire at all times and Anastasia's involvement had escalated despite Claire's best efforts to thwart them. The situation didn't permit a happy family but Jenna wished they could have come up with a better reason and timing to say all these in front of the children.

"Next Tuesday," Wilmer replied and briefly glanced over to the children. "I'll leave after New Year's."

The answer was simple but the implication was not. The unsaid words weren't lost to Scarlet. Wilmer wanted to still spend at least one day a year with them in a year but because of the situation, he didn't know if the opportunity would exist in the next year. Hence, his decision was both a kind but cruel one. Alex didn't know the meaning of those words but Orita did and her eyes softened as she excused herself, most likely to hide the tears from the children watching her.

Once Orita left, Alex excused herself as well, unable to hold back tears any longer. Jasper followed after the artist and the dining room immediately felt lonelier with half the occupants gone. Claire stood beside Scarlet, watching for the young writer's reaction carefully but the girl didn't show any expression or indication that the news affected her. Elfie seemed worried and fidgety in comparison but was doing a decent job of hiding it by finishing his meal quickly.

After the hacker left and Jenna cleared the dishes, Scarlet looked at Wilmer.

"Daddy... I'm going to study very hard and work very hard to become successful. If I succeed in six years, will you grant me one wish?"

Scarlet's sudden request made Wilmer look up from his brooding thoughts. "One wish? What wish is that?"

The young writer merely smiled angelically. "I'll tell you again in six years. By then, all of us will be sixteen and a.d.u.l.ts of our very own rights."

Wilmer frowned. "No, you're not considered an a.d.u.l.t until you are twenty-one. It doesn't mean anything even if you can drive a car at eighteen, daddy will not allow it! Also, no kissing and dating until you are at least sixteen, you hear me? I might not be around but if I find out from your mother than you or Alex are going around seeing boys, I will fly back no matter how far away I am or how busy I will be!"

Scarlet laughed, glad that Wilmer is back to his usual self even if he was faking it. "Then I guess we'll just have to do it more often so that you visit us more. I'll be sure to tell Alex that. Love you, daddy!"

Without waiting for Wilmer's response, Scarlet hopped off her chair and ran away, leaving a dumbfounded Wilmer and Claire behind.

"Has she always been like this?" he asked dryly and the head maid blinked.

"Not that I know of. I guess the young lady has more surprises up her sleeve than we thought. She was deliberately luring you into making a promise knowing that you cannot commit to anything. Scarlet is smarter than we give her credit for."

Wilmer sighed, troubled yet slightly happy. "Children grow up too quickly, Orita was right. If circ.u.mstances were different, I would have stayed to watch them grow up into fine a.d.u.l.ts. Claire, you've been working with me closely on the case. We got careless a while ago but I don't hold it against you. If anything, I'm counting on you to watch over my family while I'm gone. The further away they are from him, the safer they will be. Scarlet has a nose for trouble, don't let her get too close."

Claire bowed. "Roger that, sir. I will watch over Scarlet closely. Ever since the day she was almost kidnapped, the young lady hasn't stopped trying to find out but we've been keeping her occupied as much as possible to distract her. However, if she finds out one day and starts confronting it, I hope that you will be responsible for explaining everything to her personally."

Wilmer agreed. "I will tell them everything once they are older. I will tell Orita as well but not yet."

Claire didn't say anything and Wilmer left to grab his cigarettes. There are only four days till Tuesday and there was a lot to pack before he left for America. However, at this moment, the CEO just wanted nothing more than to enjoy the cold wind at night in Singapore and smoke a bitter cigarette while his family slept peacefully behind him. The rest can wait till tomorrow.