The Billionaire’s Creed

MYKEL

“It’s more fun to watch you two banter.” I smiled.

“How’s your son?”

“He’s good. Thanks for being okay with this.” Mentioning my son always put a smile on my face. Maybe that was the father’s love or being a proud dad. Anyhow, I felt good to open up about him.

“You did the right thing, son. Adley sent me Jax’s picture. Good kid. He got the look from you.”

“I got that a lot.”

“How about you and Adley?”

“What about us? We’re doing great.”

“That’s all I wanna hear.” He slightly nodded and looked at Adley, and there was something in that look that I wished I could read his mind.

We spent a few more minutes discussing Adley’s seat at the Kross Corp.

“Are you sure you wanna work now, honey? I can still extend my seat for a few months.”

“You don’t trust Adley that she can handle the job?”

He leaned back so that he could look directly at me. “Why do you think I forced Adley to leave her old job? I trust my granddaughter more than anyone.”

“Then what it is that bothering you?”

“It’s nothing. It’s the side effect of having a new kidney,” Adley joked.

I wasn’t entirely convinced. I felt like they were conniving behind my back. Something was going on, but I would figure it out anyway.

“You both can stay.”

“We’re going home. I want fresh air.”

“Isn’t there enough fresh air in here?”

“Oh, my God, Grandpa. I’m so glad your sarcasm and irksomeness are back.” Adley laughed out loud. I couldn’t help but laugh as well. Finally, I heard her rich voice so freely for the first time in weeks.

“Yeah. He’s like possessed by some naughty evil.”

“Stop it.” Adley hit me in the arm.

“He was like this years ago. If not barking, he was throwing sarcasm at me.”

“We’re staying.” Adley turned to me.

“Anything for you, baby.”

After dinner, I soaked Adley in the tub with some essential oils.

“Are you sure you don’t want wine?”

“I’m taking care of my liver. I’m still young, and I go easy on alcohol.” She barely opened her eyes.

“Sure. No alcohol, then. Since when did you turn down red wine?”

“Don’t press it, Mykel.”

“Don’t fall asleep. Call me when you’re done. I’m in the room.” I walked out of the bathroom.

I looked for her robe when her annoying ringtone blasted into the room again. “Baby, someone is calling.”

“Can you check who, please?”

I grabbed her bag and fished out her phone. It was Blaze.

“What do you want, Burns?”

“Yay. Cranky much? Where’s Adley?”

“In the tub.”

“Still alive?”

“What kind of fucking question is that?”

Blaze barked out laughing. “Jeez. What got your boxers in a twist?”Content from NôvelDr(a)ma.Org.

“What do you want?”

“I wanna remind her of something.”

“Something what?”

“She knows it.”

“Well, I don’t, and my wife doesn’t keep something from me. Tell me, or I won’t tell her.”

“I’m meeting her in a cafe tomorrow.”

“And you have to remind her because you’re going to meet her tomorrow?”

“Yes. What’s wrong with reminding my best friend? She’s a busy person, and she’s not working here anymore, so I don’t get to see her often. What’s so terrible about it, Creed?”

“Fine. I’ll tell her. Anything else?”

“Congratulations, new daddy.”

“Thanks. Bye, Blaze.”

I threw her phone on the bed and thoughtfully mused. “What is she hiding from me?”

I knew it was the dumbest and most terrible way to find out. And here I was, going through my wife’s bag. Well-organized. Nothing out of the ordinary.

But it was always hiding in plain sight, right?

“Babe, I think I’m done.”

“Need my help?”

“I’m good. Thanks.”

I sat on the edge of the bed. I remembered she always kept something in her drawer. I pulled it out. My heart seized in my chest. I was crushed with dread that my fingers shook as I grabbed the pill organizer. Since when did she need one other than her birth control pills?

“What are you doing?” She came in, tying her robe.

“Why do you need all these? Are-are you okay, baby?” I showed her the organizer in my hand, holding my breath.

“Yes, I’m fine.”

“Why do I feel that you’re hiding something from me? Earlier with your grandpa, I had this feeling that something was going on that I didn’t know about. I need to know if you’re not feeling well.”

“I promise I’m okay.” Her reassurance should have made me feel better, but something she was not telling me.

“Well, considering my mom just had cancer, and weeks ago, I just figured out Lex was suffering from ESRD, forgive me for being so careful. I have already trauma, Adley. I can’t take another bad news.”

“I’m not sick. I promise.”

“Why do you need this? What are these? What aren’t you telling me?” I arched an inquisitive brow as I looked down at the sets of tablets according to date.

“I take those daily. The small one if I feel dizzy or about to puke. The others are just vitamins.”

“Oh, okay.” I looked at her and studied her meticulously. “Are you sure are these just vitamins?”

She rolled her eyes. “Why would I lie to you? Go ahead, bring them to a lab, or try those tabs yourself.”

“Okay. I trust you.” I looked down and stared at her for seconds until it all made sense. Then I burst into laughter before I shook my head, feeling so stupid. My laugh turned breathless.

“What so funny with what I said?” Now, she was pissed off, narrowing her eyes at me.

So, these mood swings, alcohol free-diet, and vitamins had something to do with what we were having. The only question that remained unanswered was why she hadn’t told me?

“Man, could I be any more so fucking dumb? Come here, baby. Sit on my lap.” I let go of a shaky satisfied breath.

“I’m still not wearing underwear.”

“That’s even better.” I couldn’t contain my happiness anymore. I held her hand, allowing her to sit on my lap. I hugged her so tight and let her smell fill my lungs. Then I slipped my hand and placed it just below her belly button. She went rigid, which only confirmed my suspicion. “I love you more than you ever know. I love you more each day. You are everything to me, and I can’t imagine my life without you. How far are we, baby?”