THE BILLIONAIRE'S MERMAID

Chapter 6: Belle's Farewell

Belle stood in the middle of the guest room, staring at her half-packed suitcase. Clothes were scattered everywhere—dresses, jeans, blouses. It was a mess, much like the jumble of emotions swirling inside her. She had gotten the job, but now the reality of what that meant was hitting her hard.

Living in the villa, with its peaceful surroundings and serene beach views, was no longer practical. Psyche Zypheria's main office was in the heart of the city, a good two-hour drive away. There was no way she could keep up with the job and still live out here. The commute alone would be a nightmare, and if there was one thing Belle hated, it was being trapped in a car for hours on end.

She sighed, tossing another shirt into the suitcase. Leaving the villa wasn't just about the commute. It was about saying goodbye to the life she had known for years—the quiet, the peace, the solitude. She had come here after her transformation, after gaining her legs, to escape from everything, and in many ways, the villa had become a sanctuary. But that sanctuary wouldn't last if she had to travel back and forth to the city every day. It would make her life a living hell.

No. Belle needed to move to the city. Psyche's world was fast-paced, intense, and Belle knew she had to be closer to keep up with it—and to unravel the mystery that had brought her to Psyche in the first place. She couldn't afford to be left behind.

Still, leaving the villa was harder than she thought it would be.

With a heavy sigh, she zipped up her suitcase and looked around the room one last time. It wasn't much—just a guest room in someone else's house—but it had been hers for years. And now, it was time to say goodbye.---Belle made her way down the stairs, her suitcase thudding on each step as she descended into the kitchen. There, sitting by the window, was Nanay Tanting, the caretaker of the villa. The elderly woman had been like a second mother to Belle, always looking out for her, always making sure she was fed and taken care of.

Nanay Tanting looked up from her cup of coffee, her weathered face breaking into a warm smile as Belle entered the room.

"Ah, anak, you're finally packed?" Nanay asked, her voice full of love and concern.Belle nodded, setting her suitcase by the door. 

"Yeah, I need to move to the city. The job with Psyche Zypheria... it's too far to keep living here."

Nanay Tanting's smile faltered, and she looked down at her coffee for a moment before glancing back at Belle.

 "I knew this day would come. I've seen the way you've been pacing around, thinking about it. I'm just glad you got the job you wanted."

Belle smiled, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "Yeah, I guess I did. But that doesn't make leaving any easier."

Nanay Tanting stood up slowly, her old bones creaking as she walked over to Belle. She placed a gentle hand on her shoulder, her eyes soft with understanding. 

"You're young, Belle. You have a whole life ahead of you. You can't stay in this villa forever. You need to go out there and live it."

Belle blinked away the sudden emotion rising in her throat. Nanay Tanting had always been supportive, but hearing her say it now made it feel more real. Belle was really leaving.