The Beauty And The Billionaire Beast

Under the rays of the morning sun, Patrick paid his school fees and booked his classes online.

He received a confirmation to pick up the receipt for payment at the finance department and felt relieved. Though a day late, he was able to register for the art course he dreamt of taking.

He turned his head to the side to glance at his wife. Erica had her headphones on and continued to ignore him.

Patrick still had no clue what he did to upset her. He tore the scene from the morning inside out in his head to find the point where her temperament changed and found nothing out of place.

'Maybe this is just how she is,' he deduced.

"We'll be arriving at High Hopes University in five minutes, Mr. Lim," Derrick informed.

"Okay."

"Serenity Spa is ten minutes away, ma'am. Would you like to tour Sir's school before we proceed to the spa?"

"She is wearing her headphones. She can't hear you," Patrick spoke up.

Erica tilted her head to look up at her head of security. "There's no need for that. Head straight to the spa after dropping him off," she ordered.

Her cars came to a stop at the University gate. Catching the attention of the students as they halted their movements and peered out their necks to catch a glimpse of the rich heir or heiress alighting from the train of luxurious cars.

The chauffeur of the fourth car got off and opened the door to the back seat.

"At what time should I fetch you, sir?" Derrick asked, ready to update it to his to-do list for the day.

"My classes with be done by 4 pm," he let Derrick know. He faced Erica, "At what time will you be done at the spa?"

"Why?"

"I'm just asking."

"I'll stay till evening. I booked every service they had to offer."

"If my classes end early then I'll join you there. I can, can't I?" He inquired, looking for an opportunity to make up with her. "E, I don't know what I've done that has upset you but I'd like you to know that I..."

"You're running late."

"Hear me out," Patrick insisted. "No matter what happens, you and I are husband and wife. I don't want bad blood to exist between us. Please, E," his pleading voice and affectionate tone started messing with Erica's heart once again.

Time seemed to slow down, his words entered her ear and went up to her heart. She struggled to maintain her cold mask when a little warmth from him melted her icy walls.

"Fine, have Derrick drop you at the spa when you are done," she agreed half-heartedly.

How easily he was breathing the impenetrable walls she took three years to build surprised her.

"Thank you, you won't regret it," he leaned and kissed her cheek. "Bye-bye," he dashed out of the car at a neck-breaking speed as though being chased.

Erica touched her soft cheek and scoffed. "First, he upsets me, and then he goes and acts all cute. Not done," she claimed.

The chauffeur closed the door and returned to his seat. He and Derrick were both stunned by Patrick's boldness.

"To the spa, ma'am?"

"Yes, hurry."

Patrick blushed all the way to the main building. He failed to register all the eyes that followed him from the car to the building.

Students whispered among themselves, attempting to figure out his identity, and scheming ways to build a friendship with him in the coming days.

Patrick picked up his class schedule from the office. He stopped by the Finance department and picked up his receipt of completion of payment.

The NIL in the receipt filled his heart with joy. He had no impending debts because he cleared his fees for the next four years.

"I can achieve my dream with ease now," he said.

He bumped into someone on his way out and their books fell to the floor. "I'm sorry," Patrick hastily went on his knee to pick up the books.

Patrick brushed off the dust on the books and looked up to return them to the owner. "I'm sorry again..." His frame froze as he registered the identity of the person he bumped into.

"Patrick," the girl called out.

"Here," he shoved the books in her arms and veered around her to leave.

"Patrick, hold on," she grabbed his arm. When his movements paused, she turned him around to face her. "You probably hate me by now. I know I deserve it but can you please hear me out?"

Patrick heard the sound of his dreams nearly shattering the previous night's ring in his ear.

Her broken promises were the impression left of her in his mind. He had nothing to say to someone like her.

"Autumn," Patrick met her gaze. "You said everything you had to say in your text. The message echoed loudly when you blocked my line. There is nothing more for you to say and even if there is, I don't want to hear it."

He pushed her hand off and sauntered away. His heart squeezes in pain at her betrayal. He hadn't anticipated that they would be meeting again so soon.

He raced to get far away from her. Amazed at the grudge he held towards her when he very well knew that Lucas and his family were partly to blame for Autumn backing away from her promise.

Autumn followed Patrick with her eyes; the guilt of what she did ate at her, and she regretted falling weak to the pressure of the Andrada family.

Patrick was a rare treasure in her soul that she couldn't lose. Despite giving in to the Andrada family, she enrolled in the same school as him to make amends.

"How can I show you how sorry I am?"

Her eyes fell on her books and the receipt on top of them caught her eye. She picked it up and examined it.

"He cleared his fees? How?"

She looked up, questions puzzling her eyes. Autumn was aware of his situation and failed to imagine how Patrick came about the money he used to secure his education.

"I have the next four years to apologize and make up for what I did to you. I won't stop until you forgive me, Patrick," she said, longing eating away at her eyes.

"Once I earn your forgiveness, the two of us can go back to how we once were. I can't wait for you to forget your anger and fall in love with me again," she expressed.

Autumn saved Patrick's receipt in her book and proceeded on her way.

"I will win you back with love, I promise."