Filed to story: A Second Chance with My Billionaire Love
“It’s not about whether you’ll disturb me or not, I’m just not used to having a third person around if I’m going to chat with someone.”
“But…”
“Are you going to disobey me?” Jovan’s tone was calm but menacing.
“Okay, I… I’ll go make tea for you both.” Naturally, Eloise didn’t dare to disobey Jovan. She retreated obediently but shot Flossie a desperate look before leaving.
Flossie nodded slightly to reassure Eloise.
After Eloise left, Jovan and Flossie were the only ones on the spacious balcony. The sunlight was warm because they were on the rooftop of the manor, and the occasional breeze was somewhat soothing.
“What’s your name?” Jovan asked softly as he faced her.
The breeze toyed with Flossie’s hair as she looked at him and replied, “Brisa Stone. My name is… Brisa Stone.” During her time as a special agent, she’d learned how to change her voice, so she altered her tone to sound like an innocent female student so Jovan wouldn’t find her out.
“Brisa Stone…” Jovan said slowly, then smiled. “It’s a rather refreshing name. I’m sure you’re a bright person. Have you ever considered what you’ll face after you give your eyes to me?”
“Yes, of course.” Flossie felt relaxed as she stared at the mountains in the distance. They said the eyes were the windows of the soul, so would her soul be trapped forever when she lost hers? “I’m a person who’s very curious about the world, and I want to see every part of it. If I lose my eyes, I’ll spend the rest of my life in darkness. It’s… it’s a horrible thought.”
Flossie’s tone was melancholy.
“Why do you want to sell your most important organ then? You can earn money through other ways, you know. You don’t have to do something like this that will ruin your life.’1 Jovan frowned, looking confused.
Flossie smiled then said solemnly, “It’s because I think poverty is more horrible than having one’s soul trapped. The worst that could happen if I lose my sight is that I’d feel bored, but poverty can actually kill people!”
“How much do you need? I can give you the money, then you don’t have to sell your eyes to me,” Jovan said suddenly.
“Huh?” Flossie’s smile froze on her face, and she was caught off guard by his offer.
“Are you surprised?” Jovan clasped his hands together and said honestly, “I know how it feels since I’m experiencing it. I know how devastating it is to lose your sight, so I don’t want anyone to suffer such agony unless they have no other option.”
Flossie cleared her throat and said awkwardly, “I heard that you’re pretty aloof, so why would you rather stay in hell than have someone else suffer?”
“Don’t get me wrong; I just don’t want you to go down the wrong path since you’re so young.”
“Then I won’t,” Flossie said firmly, then added, “I want money, and I can get that money by selling my eyes. I won’t turn down such an offer.”
“I told you I can give you the money,” Jovan said seriously.
“No, that won’t do!” Flossie felt anxious, wondering if Jovan had sensed something. Stubbornly, she continued, ”1 might be poor, but I don’t need others’ charity. I’d feel guilty if I took your money without giving you something in return. I hate owing others.”
“You hate owing others…” Jovan murmured, sadness tainting his tone. “An old friend of mine she was forced to owe me a big favor. If it’s possible, I hope it’ll stay that way.”
“Umm… Why?” Flossie blinked in confusion.
“It’s a lifelong shackle if she owes me a favor.” Jovan laughed at himself for being such a fool. “At least she’ll never forget me that way.”
“I see. Well, that’s what you think.” Flossie felt uneasy. She didn’t understand why Jovan loved her so deeply, and why he was willing to sacrifice so much just for the sake of having a connection to her.
“You think I’m stupid, don’t you?” Jovan’s gaze was complicated. “I had a lot of ways to make her mine, and I was by no means a gentleman, but… I don’t know why I couldn’t do it when it came to her. I couldn’t bear to see her sad or desperate; I would be sad too if she were. It was so strange.” Jovan shook his head in agitation, then reached for his cup of coffee. He felt around, not knowing where Eloise had put it.
“Here.” Flossie took his cup and handed it to him kindly, and their fingers brushed.
Jovan’s body jolted like he had been struck by electricity, and his eyes grew wide in disbelief. “It’s… you?”
Panicked, Flossie pulled her hand back and accidentally knocked over Jovan’s cup of coffee.
“I’m sorry!” Flossie hurriedly used a handkerchief to wipe up the spilled coffee, but in her panic, she forgot to modify her voice.
Jovan immediately became suspicious and grabbed Flossie’s wrist. “Who are you?”
“Didn’t I tell you, Mr. Guajardo? I’m Brisa Stone! Don’t get handsy with me-I’m just selling my eyes, not my body!” Flossie said teasingly as she tried to pull away, knowing she had to stay calm. If she panicked, she would give herself away.
“Brisa Stone?” Jovan’s gaze was void but his expression was alert. “Is that a name you just made up? Are you really… not my old friend?”
“Which old friend of yours do you think I am, Mr. Guajardo?” Flossie calmly asked him.
“You feel like her…” Jovan frowned contemplatively, then shook his head. “But it’s impossible. She should be spending happy days with the one she cares about now. She wouldn’t remember a useless man like me.”
“Don’t say that.” Flossie felt sorry for Jovan, and said earnestly, “I don’t think she’ll feel that way since she’s so important to you. Maybe she’s not being lovey-dovey with someone else, and you’re always on her mind.”
“I’m always on her mind?” Shaking his head, Jovan chuckled bitterly. “I know my place well—there’s no way she’d think about me. It doesn’t matter anyway; I’m just happy that I could have half a year with her in exchange for my eyes and health.”
An unusually tender expression softened his icy features as he thought about his time with Flossie. “Though it was brief, the time we spent together was so precious. I used to lie to myself and pretend we were a married couple back then.” He let out a soft sigh, then continued forlornly,” Unfortunately, I was useless back then because I couldn’t see or walk. There were even days when I wanted to kill myself, but her support and company made me realize how wonderful it was to be alive.”
“You…” Flossie exhaled deeply and said, “You love her so much, but I don’t think she deserves it.” Jovan’s passionate love scared her because she knew that she had only stayed with him out of guilt. Sometimes, she became impatient and wanted to leave, but unexpectedly, even those days were unforgettable memories for Jovan.
The thought filled her with shame and guilt, and she grew even more determined to donate her eyes to Jovan.
“It’s getting late. We’re going to have the surgery the day after tomorrow. You should rest well, and I’ll… do the same.” Flossie wiped away her tears and got up to leave.
Sensing the direction of where she was standing, Jovan reached out and grabbed her wrist. “Are you really not my old friend?” He knew that the possibility was slim, but she felt so familiar. The girl clearly had a different voice, but Jovan didn’t know why he felt like he was talking to Flossie.
“I would have come to you ages ago if I was, Mr. Guajardo. I don’t think your friend would hide her identity,” Flossie lied, her heart pounding in her chest.
“No, she might. That’s why I dare to hope that… maybe you’re her.”
“You’re overthinking—I’m not her. Plus, I’m willing to give up my eyes for money. What would your old friend want if she gave up her eyes for you?”
“She…” Jovan trailed off, not knowing how to respond. Flossie had children, a successful business, as well as countless possibilities with Halston. There was no way she would give up her wonderful life to save a villain like Jovan. His expression turned cold again, and he muttered, “Go then; well meet again the day after tomorrow. After the surgery, you can tell me how much you want. I’ll be responsible for you and your family.”
“Thank you, Mr. Guajardo. I won’t have to worry anymore thanks to you.” Flossie casually patted Jovan’s chest and left the balcony.
Meanwhile, Eloise was wringing her hands and pacing worriedly downstairs. When she saw Flossie descend the stairs, she immediately went to her. “How did it go? Did he figure out who you were?”
“Almost.”
“And then?”
“I managed to fool him.” Flossie looked at the balcony and sighed. “He’s a really loyal man, and I don’t deserve his love. I’ll always feel guilty if I don’t return his eyes to him.”
“Well… thank you then.” Eloise’s eyes glistened with tears.
“I’ll return to the basement if there’s nothing else for me to do,” Flossie said softly.
“I’m sorry…” Eloise said, feeling ashamed. She had used extreme means to kidnap Flossie because she thought that Flossie would be difficult and ungrateful, but it seemed like the woman Jovan fell in love with was no ordinary person. She had been overly critical and judgy of Flossie, who didn’t deserve it. Eloise sighed and said, “By the way, I think you should take your phone back. You have a lot of missed calls. You can either reply to them or not… You can always leave if you don’t want to do this.” After thinking it through, she felt that Flossie had to do this willingly. If not, Jovan would dig his eyes out instead of enjoying his sight.
“Sure.” Flossie felt that her friends and family might get suspicious if she didn’t speak to them. She had to let them know that she was safe so everything could run smoothly. Eloise returned Flossie’s phone to her, and it started beeping the moment she turned it on. Flossie’s eyes widened at the amount of missed calls and texts she received. There were missed calls from Margaret, Quinton, and Leia, but the person who had called her the most was… Halston.
Flossie felt her heart skip a beat, and then her phone suddenly started to ring. It was Halston calling, and after hesitating briefly, she answered the phone.
“Finally! I thought you were dead!” Halston bellowed through the phone, seething with anger.
Flossie winced and put her phone away from her ear. “Why did you call me? Are we that close?”