Page 52 of The Billionaire's Off Chance

Eric retires to bed early. Chasmin and I are in our room. She’s awfully silent as she undresses. I can guess what’s on her mind. Her voice cuts through the silence. “I’m sorry about tonight. My family isn’t perfect,” she says in a contrite tone.

Shocked, I go to her. Kneeling, I see that she’s sobbing silently. “You have nothing to apologize for, Chasmin. No family is perfect, and this isn’t on you. We did our best, but the situation wasn’t in our control.”

“I know,” she says with resignation. “I blame myself. I think since Mom had to raise me alone, she was pushed to marry Paul.” She laughs sadly. “I fear a family that looks similar to hers. It’s a bit irrational, but whenever I go home to see Mom, it looks even more real each time.”

I sit on the edge of the bed, her words flowing through me. “It’s far from irrational. I might have given you a perfect picture of a family, but it isn’t all sunshine. Mine has dark moments as well. My parents never let us into their conflicts, but we just knew when they were at odds anytime they walked into a room. It’s like they carried it with them anywhere they went. The same thing goes for my siblings and me. What has kept us together is mutual love and understanding…and a willingness to forgive each other.”

She glances at me and offers, “Families are hard. I’m not judging you for yours.”

“My family is barely functioning at this point, but what I have here with you…is a vision.” She shifts closer to embrace me. “I want this for my life, Lance.”

“Same, Chas,” I say, offering the shortened version of her name. I feel her shake her head against my chest.

“Don’t call me that. It weirdly reminds me of Paul. He always called me that name… in his words tofoster a father and daughter relationship with me,which I don’t want.”

“Noted, baby.”

We chuckle, and her arms tighten around me. “You make me happy, Lan.” When she says that, it brings a smile to my lips.

“I’m happier with you.” She looks up, and I kiss her softly with my eyes closed.

The next morning, Chasmin checks in on Anna with a call and is relieved to hear that she is fine. We receive packages of wrapped gifts, which we arrange underneath the Christmas tree.

“Dad, can we open it now?” Eric asks as he sets a small box down upon larger boxes. He looks eager to open it.

I wave a finger in his face, tapping his nose with it. “No, it’s too early. On Christmas eve, we’ll open all the boxes together.”

“That’s too long. Please, can I open one?”

“If you open it now, you might miss out on the gift I got you for Christmas,” I reply.

He flops down on the ground, pouting, and looks at Chasmin. Chasmin keeps a stolid face, yet I see the mirth in her eyes. “Chasmin…” Eric begins, but Chasmin’s phone rings, interrupting him.

“One moment.” She excuses herself and heads to the door. Probably another package. She leaves the house, and I focus my attention back on Eric. His chin is resting on his hands; he narrows his eyes, watching me.

“What?” I ask, touching my face just in case I have something stuck in my beard.

“You like her, Dad.”

I smile. “Yes, I do,” I reply, feeling warmth in my chest.

“You always smile when she walks by.” I open my mouth to reply when Chasmin’s scream startles me.

Jumping to my feet, I run out of the house with Eric following as fast as he can. Outside the house and into the blasting chill I see Chasmin running. Running to me. Behind her is a man with his hoodie drawn up. He hides behind my parked car in front of the house. He sees me and tries to make it to the gate.

“Stop!” I yell, running after him. “Stay with Eric,” I command Chasmin as I run past her.

The gate is locked, so he tries climbing. I get a hold of his leg, yanking him off the gate onto the snow-covered ground. He grunts in pain. The chill from the cold threatens to make me shiver, but my anger won’t let me.

“Mr. Rosii, please stop. You’re hurting me. I’m Charles with the Daily Sun.” His teeth chatter as the snow dampens his clothes. His hoodie slips off and I see him: cropped black hair and light blue eyes wide with panic.

“I don’t give a damn who you are or where you’re from. You trespassed and scared my woman. Who do you think you are? Trying to garner information that will get your piece on the front page of your newspaper? Well, this will certainly have your face on the front pages of major newspapers – with your name on it.”

His face grows as white as snow. He shakes his head, pulling his leg free from my grip, and starts begging. Ignoring his plea, I drag him to the house as the chill becomes unbearable.

I find Chasmin and Eric huddled inside. Chasmin is wearing my jacket, her arms folded; she is still shivering. Locking the door, I place a call to the police. Charles remains by the door.

“Did he hurt you?” I ask, pulling her into an embrace. She hugs me, sighing into my chest.

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