The Faceless Billionaire Celebrity Wife-Chapter 310: Esther’s Father.

Feeling the presence of someone else in the kitchen with her, Hazel turned to see it was Ethan. Before she could speak, he beat her to it.

"You should stop working for tonight. I’ll take care of this myself," he instructed. Even though his words seemed nice, his voice and expression depicted the opposite.

Hazel didn’t waste her time before dropping back the plates of food which she had yet to discard, and walking out of the kitchen.

★★★

After a long night of tossing and turning on her bed without being able to sleep, Shikera finally rose up at the first ring of her alarm which she had set to 6 AM. Pulling her messy hair up into a ponytail, she padded across the room to the bathroom to wash her face.

"I don’t look different, do I?" she frowned, staring at herself in the mirror. It would not be alright if her face changed when she would be appearing on TV the very next week, as some viewers had more than keen eyes that could actually point out the exact way she looked different.

While thinking of that, she remembered she had yet to prepare for the show when she already reassured the team she would do that on her own. Since she had no appointment for the next two days, she decided there and then to make use of the time.

While still in her revealing nightgown, she headed down the stairs in high spirits only for her mood to sink when she arrived at the living room.

Ethan was there sitting on the couch with an array of wine bottles sitting on the table before him. Most were empty while the rest were half empty. The multiple wine glasses in front of him told her he was drinking one after the other.

In the twinkling of an eye, she closed the distance between them and came to stand before him.

"What are you doing, Ethan?"

Her voice made him glance up at her for a second before returning his gaze to the glass in his hand, while ignoring her question.

"Ethan, will you keep ignoring me? I thought this was over."

He looked up again, this time holding her gaze for more time.

"Did you just say over? Shikera, it’s not over yet. You have 64 hours left to change your mind," he stated. He rose to full height and stared down at her. "Your time is counting."

Holding the wine glass between his fingers, he picked up two of the half empty bottles and turned to walk away from her.

Shikera sighed, wearing a despaired look on her face. Staring at his retreating back, she suddenly felt as if she was being suffocated. He was leaving her behind...

"Ethan," she called, "Did you not sleep well?"

Ethan stopped and turned to face her, a mirthless chuckle escaping his lips, ’’Why don’t you guess the answer to that yourself?’’

’’I thought so,’’ Shikera murmured in reply. ’’I am sorry I went to sleep last night without bothering to come meet you.’’ She lowered her gaze while avoiding his.

Frowning, it was obvious from the expression he wore that he was confused.

’’Why would you meet me? Did you change your mind?’’ he asked.

Shikera hurriedly shook her head, not wanting to give him hope and then dash it. She replied, ’’No, that’s not what I meant. It’s...I forgot you can’t sleep well because of the nightmares. Your goodnight kiss...’’

’’Funny,’’ Ethan chuckled. ’’But I don’t need that again, Kera. I can sleep well on my own now so you don’t have to worry.’’

’’What?! You can-Does that mean you don’t have nightmares again?’’ Shikera asked in shock, her eyes sparkling in genuine delight.

’’And why does that make you so happy?’’ Ethan deadpanned. He expected her to be unhappy, sad maybe, that he hadn’t bothered to tell her about this earlier but was that a smile tugging at the corners of her lips? Was she that elated?

Shikera laughed softly.

’’Of course, I am happy. When I’m well...gone, you will be able to sleep peacefully and escape-’’ she was replying when Ethan cut her off with a scoff.

’’Shit! I must have been nothing but a burden to you after all. That’s why you can only think of that,’’ he said. Turning, he climbed up the stairs without sparing a glance back at her.

Shikera worked until late at night, absorbed in the articles she was writing. Cyprian had sent her some to work on earlier and she was determined on fulfilling her promise to the former about sending it before the clock stroked 12 am. Asides that, she was pretty much enjoying herself working like a reporter just like when she just married Ethan.

She had been unsure then, but now...she was happy.

Jolting at the sudden loud sound of a glass crashing against the ground, Shikera looked up to see Ethan standing at the top of the stairs. The broken glass which was lying at the foot of the stairs had probably fallen from his hands.

’’Ethan, are you alright? Do you need my help?’’ she asked, her voice laced with worry as she rose from the couch.

He didn’t reply her, simply staring straight at her as he walked down the stairs until he bypassed her to step into the kitchen. When he came back out, a damp cloth and dustpan were hanging from his hand.

He bent by the broken glasses and began picking it up. Shikera took the initiative to join him but before she could touch any of the shards on the ground, his cold voice stopped her.

’’I am not an alcoholic, Shikera, so don’t stare at me that way. I am only trying to stop myself from dragging you back to that damn hospital! But it’s hard...and i’m barely able to control myself now-’’

Feeling the intense emotions oozing from his eyes, Shikera had to interrupt him,"Ethan...’’

’’Don’t call my name. The only thing I want to hear from you right now is that you are willing to return to the hospital.’’

Shikera released a deep sigh.

’’Let me be selfish just this once, huh? If I have to go without anything of mine left for you to remember me, then I will really feel like I am lived in vain-’’ Before she was done talking, Ethan cut her off.

’’Less than 48 hours left,’’ he stated. Swiping the rest of the shards into the dustpan, he stood up and walked away.

THE DELOACH’S MANSION.

Mignon walked across the yard, pulling her shawl tightly to herself. It was cold and the workers, apart from the guards, had retired to their quarters early. And that was the sole reason she was pretending to tour the grounds right now. She wanted to see him.

’’Miss Mignon? What are you doing out here when it’s almost midnight?’’

She turned swiftly on her heels, on hearing the masculine voice which echoed from behind her.

’’Cole?’’ she gasped. ’’I...I should be asking you that instead. What are you doing out here?’’ she stuttered.

Cole blinked, raising his hand to scratch the back of his head. Was he that stupid...or was Mignon the stupid one?

’’The last I checked, I am a guard employed to secure this mansion and the people living in it. Isn’t it only right that I tour the mansion grounds even when everyone is asleep?’’ he asked out loud.

Mignon shook her head. ’’You are not just an ordinary guard but an elite one. Why do you keep guarding the house like that’s your job jurisdiction?’’

’’Because I can’t seem to get used to a life away from that?’’ Cole replied, his statement sounding like a question. ’’Let’s forget about that though. How have you been?’’

’’Well, as you can see,’’ Mignon replied. ’’You?’’

’’Well too,’’ Cole deadpanned.

Silence ensued, following his reply. Mignon who had been looking for ways to meet with him since earlier when he arrived with Ethan, suddenly found herself speechless. Even though the words were at the tip of her tongue, she could not bring herself to speak.

’’So...can I leave now? I still have a lot to do,’’ Cole excused himself. With a small smile on his face, he bowed slightly and walked past her.

Mignon took a deep breath in, summoning up courage as she blurted, ’’A minute, Cole! Just one question... does Esther know you are her um...father?’’

Without breaking his stride, Cole replied, ’’What good would it be if she knew?’’ He threw a hand over his shoulder to wave and said, ’’Sleep well, Miss Mignon.’’

She stayed there, staring blankly into space until her legs began to feel numb. Walking back into the main building, she was oblivious to the pair of eyes keenly watching her from a distance. She pushed open the door and stepped inside, preparing herself to find her way back to her room in the darkness.

She was shocked, seeing the light and TV on and a figure sitting right in front of the latter.