Married To A Powerful Domineering Billionaire

Memories

RAYNE’S POVPublished by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

‘Welcome to Disney Park.’ I stood there at the same spot, staring at the inscription. I couldn’t quite tell how that inscription made me feel, but I felt goosebumps all over my body. Was I really at Disney Park?

When I was just a kid, I used to wish so dearly that I could come to Disneyland Park, but my parents didn’t have much to afford that. A lot of kids in our neighborhood and some nasty kids in class would often make fun of me for that reason. Many times, I wish in secret that I’d go there one day, so that just like the other kids, I would have something to brag about, but, seeing my parents struggle every day to provide for our basic needs, I didn’t have the heart to ask that of them. Therefore, I had had to pretend that I disliked the park, just so my parents didn’t have to bother. But, in all, they were parents, they’d always notice.

One day, on my tenth birthday, Mom and Dad came to pick me up from school. I was surprised to see them in my school because I often left for school and returned on the school bus. And, they were nicely dressed too.

I ran into both of their arms when I saw them, and I couldn’t help but relish the sweet smell of roses and strawberries oozing around them. They didn’t usually smell this nice, so I was taken aback by the sweet smell around them.

But, I was excited to have them come pick me up, just like the parents of some other kids. At least now, when any of the kids said something about my parents, I had something to brag to them about.

The icing on the cake came later when Mom told me that they had planned a surprise for me. I was curious and couldn’t wait to see what this surprise was. That day, for the very first time, we had taken a cab, rather than Dad’s old motorbike. That too was yet another thing to brag about.

Because I was so young and excited, I hadn’t been bothered about knowing the directions. I was with my parents after all, and I couldn’t help glancing in between them. The entire thing felt different, too good to be real.

Mom noticed my curious glances, then she smiled at me and put her palms on my face, cupping my small cheeks. That day, those palms that usually were hard and strong from doing all kinds of manual jobs, felt different, slightly soft. And Mom even had her nails beautifully done. Her skin looked moisturized as well, but the familiar cracks at the back of her palms were still evident.

“Rayne dear, promise me you’d have fun today, baby?” She asked and I looked up at her. Her makeup had been applied lightly, yet she looked so pretty and I couldn’t help but marvel at how she happened to appear younger and more beautiful than she would every other day.

I nodded at her. The car pulled over and while Mom and I alighted first, Dad remained in the car. When I glanced back at the car, I saw him give out some clean banknotes to the taxi man.

“Come, Rayne, let’s go inside.” Mom had said, taking my attention from Dad. As we walked along, Dad came running behind us. I laughed and cheered him excitedly. When he approached me, he grabbed me off my feet and lifted me into his arms. I was excited, but my excitement knew no bounds when I realized we were at the play park.

I jumped down from his arms and ran first towards the carousel. It was one of the many things I had always wanted to do. Dad and Mom had joined me. I still recall how it had felt riding the merry-go-round with them. The shouts of excitement, hands swinging in the air, and my dad holding tightly unto me, protectively so I wouldn’t fall off.

“Don’t worry Rayne, from today, things are going to get better, your dad and I promise.” Mom had assured me on our way back home.

That had been the best day of my life. I finally had something to brag about to the kids who always made a jest of me. I could also brag about having visited the Disney Park and riding the famous carousel.

“I’m glad we could finally do something for Rayne.”

“I’d love to see her smile, play, and laugh more, just like today.” I had overheard my parents saying in their bedroom, and just as Mom had promised, things did change a lot. Mom started a new business. She had always loved to cook, so she started her own restaurant. While dad established his car repair shop, turning it three times into a bigger business. And for a long while, things were really fine.

Thinking back on those memories, I felt tears trickle down the corners of my cheeks and I immediately dabbed them with the sleeve of my dress. Those were memories I cherished so much and would continue to, for the rest of my life.

After their death, I hadn’t been able to visit the park anymore. The thought of not having them with me while I rode the carousel, gave me goose pimples. But, in all, I couldn’t bring myself to understand how we were here all of a sudden.

I turned slowly to Eric and glanced up at him inquisitively. He already had his eyes on me. I was curious as to why he chose to bring me here all of a sudden. “Why are we here?”

Eric suddenly slid his two hands into his pants pocket, and let out a small sigh. Then he looked down at me. “Because you love it here.” He said.

I locked eyes with him, wondering how he got to know about that.