Adopted by the Billionaire✔️

[38]

A Few Weeks Later
Ellie's POV
If you asked me what I learned this year, I would say:
Boys are confusing.
Sleepovers are the best thing ever invented.
Having real friends feels like you finally found the right shoes after wearing the wrong size your whole life.
Eliana Smith, age eight, officially approves this message.
Tonight, Raevynn and Kyle were over again. Which still felt weird to say, because if you told me last year that Raevynn would be my friend, I would've laughed so hard I'd probably choke on a potato chip.
But life is strange.
And honestly? I liked strange—when it wasn't scary.
Skyla had been busy lately with schoolwork and... family stuff. So it was just me, Rae-Rae, and Kyky tonight, and that was fine because the three of us were basically unstoppable.
Also, my daddy had bought a new beanbag that swallowed you whole like a giant pillow monster, and Kyle said it was "the best throne ever."
He was right.
We were in the game room, which was connected to the cinema room (my favorite thing ever because why should you walk far when you can just turn and BOOM, there's a movie wall?), and we were all curled up in the cozy corner.
The cozy corner had:
beanbags
blankets
fuzzy rugs
pillows shaped like stars
and a tiny lamp that made the room feel warm even when it was dark
It was basically a "safe place," which is what Jenna used to call areas that made your brain quiet.
Kyle was talking about some game I didn't understand—something about levels and skins and a victory dance—and Raevynn was pretending she didn't care, but she totally did because she kept leaning forward every time he got excited.
Then at some point, we all got quiet.
Not awkward quiet.
Just... sleepy quiet.
My eyes started blinking slower.
And the next thing I knew, I was dreaming I was Supergirl and I was saving the world with Wonder Woman and Flash, except Flash kept tripping over his own shoelaces because he was "too fast for his own feet," which made no sense, but dreams never make sense.

---

I woke up because I heard a knock.
"Baby," Daddy's voice called softly. "Dinner."
I blinked, confused for a second, then I realized I was still in the game room and my face was pressed into a blanket that smelled like popcorn and fabric softener.
I pushed myself up.
Kyle was asleep with his mouth slightly open. Raevynn's hair was in her face like a curtain. I watched them for a moment, and my brain did that thing where it felt happy and warm because these were my friends.
Then I saw Daddy standing in the doorway.
He was wearing a button-down shirt with his sleeves rolled up, and his tie was loosened like he'd been pretending to work but actually thinking about something else. That's how Daddy looked when he had too many thoughts.
But his eyes softened when he looked at me.
I felt proud in a weird way. Like I had succeeded at something important just by existing.
"Dinner is ready," Daddy repeated.
I tried to whisper like a spy. "Rae-Rae. Wake up."
It was not a whisper.
Kyle's head jerked up like he was attacked by air.
Raevynn blinked. "What—where—"
Daddy's mouth twitched. Like he was trying not to laugh.
"We're alive!" Kyle announced dramatically, rubbing his face.
I stood up and stretched. "Daddy, what's for dinner?"
He answered like it was a serious business meeting: "Cheeseburgers and fries."
The three of us froze.
Then Kyle screamed, "YESSSS," and Raevynn gasped like she'd just been told she won the lottery.
We ran out like wild animals.
Daddy followed behind us, slower, like a tired lion supervising three hyper puppies.
I heard him chuckle.
That made me smile.

---

Dinner Time
The dining hall had been transformed into what I would call: Junk Food Heaven.
There were buns, burgers, ketchup, mustard, cheese slices, fries, chips, cookies, even little sauces in bowls like we were fancy people. Daddy called it "a casual night."
I called it "a miracle."
Kyle stared at the food like it was sacred. Raevynn sat down like she lived there.
"El, this is the best sleepover ever," Kyle said, as if he hadn't said that every time he came over.
I giggled. Kyle was a dope. In a good way.
Raevynn leaned back in her chair. "El, I could literally live here."
"That's because you have taste," I told her.
Daddy entered and looked at our plates.
"Kids," he said, amused, "the food isn't going to walk away."
Kyle immediately shoved more fries on his plate like he was afraid the fries would escape.
I rolled my eyes.
And then Daddy picked up his own plate—his portion looked normal, not like a mountain of snacks like ours—and he stood there for a second like he didn't know where to sit.
And that's when I panicked.
Because I had told him earlier: Don't eat with us.
Not because I didn't love him. Not because I didn't want him around.
But because... dads can embarrass you.
And mine could embarrass me in ways that were deadly.
So I waved my hands. "Daddy, you can go nowww."
He stared at me like I'd just fired him from his own house.
Then he walked over and—OF COURSE—planted the wettest kiss on my forehead.
It was loud.
It was warm.
It was... disgusting.
"DAAADDY!" I whined.
Kyle snickered. Raevynn stared like she was watching a movie scene she wanted to live inside.
Daddy stepped back, pleased with himself.
"Right," he said. "Wouldn't want to embarrass you."
He turned toward the kitchen.
And I knew the damage had already been done.
Kyle did a baby voice: "Awww that was sooo cute."
I narrowed my eyes. "Kyky, watch your mouth."
He lifted his hands like I was holding him hostage. "Okay, okay."
Raevynn's voice went quiet. "I admire your relationship."
I paused mid-bite. "Why?"
She stared at her fries like they were the saddest thing in the world.
"My father is busy," she said. "And no matter what happens, he never spends time with me."
That made my chewing slow.
I put my burger down. "But we see him at school all the time. Why doesn't he talk to you?"
Raevynn's face tightened. "He says it's unprofessional. And he says I shouldn't call him 'Daddy' when he's working."
Kyle frowned. "That's... kind of messed up."
I sat back.
I never realized how much time I had with Daddy until that moment. Even when Daddy was busy, he still found ways to be near me. Even when he was tired, he still asked about my day. Even when he was angry at the world, he still had that soft voice for me.
"Rae-Rae," I said carefully, "your dad is a big meanie."
Kyle nodded dramatically like he was a judge. "Confirmed."
Raevynn laughed once, but it sounded sad. "That's why I was always mean to you."
I blinked.
"Because I wanted what you had," she admitted.
That made my heart do a weird flutter.
I always wanted to be her friend. Like, I knew she was mean, but I also knew there was something under it. Something that looked like loneliness wearing armor.
"It's okay," I said, trying to sound wise like Daddy. "Everyone has a past that makes them who they are."
Kyle shoved chips into his mouth like he was avoiding emotions.
Raevynn looked at me. "El, can I say something about your father?"
"Yeah," I said, returning to my burger.
"He's scary," she admitted. "When I first met him, I thought I was going to pee my pants."
I burst out laughing. "He does that to everyone!"
Raevynn nodded like she'd survived war. "El... I'm sorry. For everything I did. All the mean words."
My heart did that flutter again—stronger.
"That's terrific," I blurted. "It's okay!"
Kyle pretended to sob. "So emotional. Please don't mind me while you two have a friendship moment without me."
Me and Raevynn giggled.
"Sorry, Kyky," I said, patting his shoulder.
Kyle leaned forward. "I'm just saying... my life is normal. Loving parents. Annoying siblings. But you two?" He pointed at us with a fry. "You're my best best friends."
I leaned in close to his face. "Do you mean best BEST friends?"
"Yes," he said seriously. "Forever."
Raevynn laughed and pushed my shoulder. "Okay, okay, calm down."
I smiled so hard my cheeks hurt.