The Million-Dollar Heart (Percival and Vivienne)
Chapter 100

After school, Percival wanted to walk home together, but Vivienne shut him down hard.

She always had a lot of stuff on her mind about her mom that she wanted to talk about with Iris, and having Percival there would make it awkward. Vivienne and Iris had already informed Dorian and Cordelia, so they picked up Thaddeus, grabbed a bite, and headed to the amusement park. It'd been a long time, and Iris's face seemed a lot older than Vivienne remembered, but she was still as gentle as ever.

Iris held Thaddeus and smiled at Vivienne. It reminded her of an old photo where Iris was holding her with the same gentleness.

That was her only time at an amusement park.

Vivienne was prepared for Iris to plead for the Hawthorn family.

But Iris dragged Thaddeus straight to the merry-go-round as soon as they got there and waved at Vivienne. "Come on, Vivienne, join us."

Vivienne cracked a smile. Her beauty was like a breath of springtime sunshine.

Aside from a few rides with height restrictions, the three of them did the whole park.

In the end, Iris and Thaddeus came out of the haunted house and got all excited after seeing the Ferris wheel.

While queuing, Thaddeus wanted some ice cream. Iris turned to Vivienne. "Hold the line, Vivienne. I'll take him to get some. We'll be right back." "Sure." Vivienne nodded.

However, they were taking forever. It was almost their turn, and there was still no sign of them.

Just as Vivienne was hesitating at the ticket gate, someone grabbed her hand from the side and dragged her onto the Ferris wheel.

She whipped around to see who it was and frowned. "Mr. Ellington, don't you have anything better to do?"

The Ferris wheel started its slow ascent as the door closed.

Percival was a big guy. The cabin was not small, but it still felt a bit cramped to him.

He sat back in the seat. "Isolde wanted to come to the park. What are the odds that you guys are here too."

With that, he pointed out the window.

Vivienne looked out to see Thomas with Isolde in the queue. The little girl had sharp eyes; she spotted Vivienne and began waving frantically.

After the engagement party, Percival's parents took Isolde back. Percival's mom, Cecilia, didn't like Vivienne, so she kept Isolde away from the Hawthorn family, which was driving her nuts.

Percival opened his hands at Vivienne, indicating that he wasn't pulling her leg.

Vivienne sat across from Percival with a smirk on her face. As if to say, "Yeah, like I'm gonna believe you."

She had declined Percival's company today because she had questions for Iris about her mother, Evelyn.

But Percival still followed, which irked her.

So far, Percival had been the perfect fiancé. He always behaved appropriately and did a lot for her. Most girls would have fallen madly in love with him by now. They would have even been ready to give their hearts to him.

But she was Vivienne.

She had been walking on eggshells for ten years, since she lost her mother.

Human nature was hard to gauge, which was a fact she was certain of.

Even though she knew Percival, she didn't fully trust him, especially when she found out that he had been to her and her mother's house after her mother's death, looking for something.

So, she would scrutinize his every move to see if he had ulterior motives.

She tolerated him always being around her, not because she was moved by him, but to see his true colors.

She was used to hiding herself. She had the patience.

In silence, the Ferris wheel slowly turned as their cabin stopped at the highest point.

Vivienne looked out the window. The night sky seemed close but far away still.

She looked down upon the amusement park lights and the tiny crowds.

Iris and Thaddeus returned with ice cream. They were in line with Thomas and Isolde; both kids were hand in hand, laughing and chatting.

Not far off, fireworks lit up the entire sky. It was a riot of dazzling colors.

She was watching the fireworks, and Percival was watching her.

She didn't know that her profile, in the changing light of the fireworks, was breathtaking.

"I want to buy this amusement park for you." After saying this, Percival found that his throat was now a bit dry. He had to fake a cough and turned his head.

But, in the moment he turned his head, the cabin's glass reflected the amazement in his eyes. It was so intense that even he was surprised.

Vivienne was oblivious, and she gave him a slight smile. "You want to buy this amusement park for me?"

"You seem to really like it here." Percival was blunt.

"Mr. Ellington, how about we make a bet?" Vivienne's smile deepened.

"Bet on what?"

"If you can buy this amusement park for me, I'll do something for you." Vivienne leaned in slightly, with a hint of mischief in her smile. "If you can't, you do something for me." "Anything?"

"Yep."

Percival looked up to see Vivienne leaning in.

The fireworks in the night sky danced in her eyes, reflecting his own face.

She was smiling. "My promises come with a high price tag."

In that moment, he felt his heart skip a bit, and his mind went blank. He didn't know why he agreed.

"Alright."

Vivienne looked surprised. She straightened up and began scrutinizing Percival. She didn't think he was a fool, so she couldn't figure out why he would accept such a bet.

This amusement park was hers. She had come here once when she was nineteen, and then she bought it as a keepsake of the past.

He wanted to buy her own property and give it back to her? If she wasn't willing to sell, then Percival couldn't pull it off.

So, he was bound to lose.

"I let you win." Percival said as he chuckled at Vivienne's puzzled look. He looked at her with adoration. "So even you can play coy, huh?" "What?" Vivienne blinked in surprise.

"Never mind."

The great Ferris wheel had unknowingly completed a full rotation. Percival stood up and, like a gentleman, opened the cabin door for Vivienne. Vivienne shot him a puzzled look and then stepped out.

They waited outside for a bit before Iris and the others finally got off the Ferris wheel.

"Vivienne!" As soon as Isolde got off the Ferris wheel, she dashed over, aiming to bolt towards Vivienne.