Chapter 10. Leaving

As Tyrone rushed inside their home, a car had parked in front of their store, and a handsome man who Whitney often liked to see when he dropped Aleysia home was standing and waiting by the vehicle. Meanwhile, an older man with dark skin and gray hair, the one who was looking for Aleysia, stood in front of their house.

Aleysia, who was blind, quickly made her way to the front of the house, still wearing her house robe. The others never let her help with opening or closing the store, as she would only assist in counting the money and checking the stock.

"Who?" Aleysia asked as she reached the front, catching the scent of fresh mint and tobacco. "Bernard?"

Bernard smiled, knowing Aleysia recognized him. "Evening, lady. Madam wants to see you."

"She's here? What happened?" Aleysia looked startled.

Tyrone, Whitney, Yolanda, and even Jamal were now waiting, as in the seven years they had lived in this town, Aleysia had never had someone come looking for her in such a hurry. The last time they had someone come by was when Whitney's friend had been chasing Aleysia, as he had a huge crush on her. But Aleysia gives him a cold shoulder, as she's always uncomfortable with strangers; no matter who the person is, she rejects them.

Timothy opens the car's door, and from inside the car, a woman with an otherworldly beauty comes out and smiles. She brings something into her arms. Her piercing green eyes and enigmatic expression add an air of mystery and allure.

The woman carried herself with an air of regal grace, her every movement flowing with a mesmerizing fluidity. Everyone was astounded by her presence as she stepped out of the vehicle. She towered before them, a goddess-like figure whose very being radiated a power and mystique that left the onlookers in awe-struck silence. There was an almost ethereal quality to her features, a captivating allure that seemed to defy the bounds of mortal beauty.

She then walks from the car to Aleysia, who's waiting for her to come to her with one of her arms stretching out, waiting. Medusa gently took Aleysia's hand to her as she pulled the younger woman closer.

Medusa then wrapped a brand new Burberry double-breasted cotton trench coat around Aleysia's slender frame. Whitney's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets in shock, knowing the price of the coat is more than a thousand US dollars.

"Why are you not wearing your jacket? It's cold outside," Medusa said, her melodious voice ringing out and capturing the attention of all present.

"Ariadne..." Aleysia softly calls her name; Medusa loves it. She loves the way Aleysia calls her. "Is something happened? Are you okay?"

"I'm okay." Her melodious voice rang in their ears, not only to Aleysia's but also to the other who's stood there mesmerized. Timothy and Bernard stood there in pride; no mortal can deny the beauty of their mistress.

"Then what-"

Medusa cut Aleysia's words, "I'll be leaving for two weeks, or a month, top. Don't look for me, but if you still want to visit, you're welcome to my house. Here." She handed Aleysia a card, "a key to my house. You can ask the servants to help you."

"Where are you going?" Aleysia sounded sad.

"Dealing with something, don't worry, I'll be back." Medusa smile, a beautiful genuine smile that can only be seen by everyone other than Aleysia.

"Can I call you?" Aleysia asks; Medusa laughs.

"Of course, you can call me." Aleysia then walks closer to hug Medusa tightly, "You'll be back, right?"

"I'll be back." She bent down, held Aleysia's chin, and kissed her lips gently, making the other's jaw drop and shock.

"I'll be waiting!" Aleysia said she didn't know that her face flushed bright red; the only thing she knew was that she could feel that her face felt really hot after the kiss.

-

After Medusa left and the store was closed, the whole family gathered around Aleysia as she sat on the sofa. Whitney was the first to speak up, her voice a mix of excitement, happiness, and shock. "What was that?"

"What was that? Aleysia, who's that woman? Why did she kiss you?" Tyrone asked, shaking Aleysia's shoulder, his voice desperate.

Jamal voiced his concern, though he did not seem shocked, only worried. "Aleysia?"

"Uh, she was the owner of the house. Also, the owner of the mining company you're working for, Uncle Jamal and Ty," Aleysia answered.

Jamal's eyes widened with realization. "Huh? But it was Timothy, the new CEO of the company?" He then paused, remembering seeing Timothy opening the door for the woman of divine beauty.

"Yeah, Timothy is really just a servant of hers," Aleysia said, after hearing a stop in Jamal's voice and hesitation. "At least, that's what Timo told me."

Jamal could barely hold back his laughter and surprise. "You called my boss 'Timo'?"

"Yeah, that's what he called in the house." Aleysia softly talks.

Yolanda asked with concern, "How can you know her, Ale?" Meanwhile, Whitney and Tyrone sat in stunned silence.

"Remember when I told you about the person who helped me from drowning?" Aleysia asked, her face bright with excitement.

"Yes?" Yolanda replied.

"She's the one who helped me. Since then, we've gotten closer. She's taken me around on her yacht, and we even saw whales! I even got to hold a baby whale and listen to their voices up close!" Aleysia told them, her voice filled with enthusiasm.

Tyrone's desperation was palpable as he asked in disbelief, "You got on a yacht? She owns a yacht?"

Jamal shook his head, unable to believe what he was hearing. "Tyrone, she owns the company. And the company in Svalbard is just one of many. Owning a yacht is such a simple thing for her."

"One last question from me, Aleysia Simon," Whitney asked, her voice unusually serious, though a hint of mischief could be detected. "Did she fuck you?"

"Whitney!" Tyrone screamed in disagreement.

"Of course not! That's not how our relationship is! We've never been intimate." Aleysia's voice trailed off as she remembered the closeness they had shared and the gentle way the older woman had treated her. "At least, I don't think so."

"At least what, Ale????" Tyrone seemed agitated, his voice laced with concern.

"Nothing." Aleysia decided to keep that part to herself.

"Aleysia..." Yolanda called her name in a soft, motherly voice. "Just be careful; I don't want you to get hurt or be used as a plaything."

Aleysia smiled and stretched out her arms to hug Yolanda. She knew all too well why the older woman was saying this—she had seen how broken Aleysia had been and how the rich and powerful had treated her, tossing her around like a toy.

"I know, I just couldn't help it. I like her so much, I keep going back to her," Aleysia said, her voice soft and sincere. "I don't even understand it myself; it's just... too powerful to deny."

"You like her? As in, having a crush on her? In a romantic way?" Tyrone's voice was almost pleading.

"Yes."

Jamal's brow furrowed with concern. "Take care of yourself, Aleysia. This one is too powerful. We can't help you if something happens."

"I know, Uncle Jamal," Aleysia replied with a shy smile. "I think I'll be fine with her."

Her once lifeless, blind eyes now had a newfound shine of happiness and a spark of life. This was the first time the family had seen such a lively, vibrant expression on Aleysia's face since she had lost her sight.

Whitney simply patted Tyrone on the shoulder, knowing full well that her little brother had harbored a crush on Aleysia ever since he was sixteen and she was nineteen. He had been the one to prevent her stepmother's boyfriend from abusing and raping her.

"No way, she's a woman?" Tyrone muttered, sadness evident in his voice.

"Not a woman, just Ariadne, I think," Aleysia said, having heard Tyrone's comment.

"Is that her name? Ariadne?" Jamal asked.

"Yeah, but she wanted to keep her identity secret. She doesn't want to deal with all the drama and issues," Aleysia replied softly. "She said she just wants to spend her days drinking tea, sailing her yacht, or traveling around the world."

Jamal burst out laughing, the sound echoing the gossip he had heard around the company. The true owner of the company had entrusted everything to Timothy Johnson and was not expected to be seen in public. Who would have thought the owner was just a young woman in her thirties?

"Wait!" Jamal suddenly stopped laughing, realizing he didn't know the woman's actual age. If she was around his or his wife's age, that would mean Aleysia was dating someone much older. He turned to Yolanda, his expression conveying his thoughts.

Yolanda clearly understood what was on his mind. However, they both saw a young woman, only a few years older than their children, stepping out of the car.

"How old is this Ariadne?" Yolanda asked, her voice cautious.

"She's thirty-five," Aleysia answered.

"Oh, thank God," Jamal said, visibly relieved.

"Why? Did you think I was going to date someone your age, old enough to be my parents?" Aleysia asked, chuckling.

"Yes, we did think that," Jamal admitted with a smile.

"But, what the fuck, Dad? Isn't she too young to be a billionaire who owns multiple companies around the world?" Tyrone suddenly realized something.