The Beautiful Billionaire

LINDEN I remembered I was in the office, talking to Skyla. Her visit surprised me, but I was hoping I could speak to her after what I found out. But unfortunately, we didn’t get to that point.

When I struggled to breathe, she asked for help, and I managed to hold her hand. And I still remember her coming with me in the ambulance. The rest, everything was a blur.

I thought I was dreaming, but I felt the pain like I got run over by a roller. I thought I was going to die.

I couldn’t breathe.

The feeling when you drowned- the water entered your lungs and expanded your chest. The next thing you knew, you wished you could have a minute to be with your loved ones and felt sorry for how I took them for granted.

I thought I was dead.

Until the rich laugh of my wife reached my ear. I opened my eyes, feeling disoriented, but I was lying at a forty-five-degree angle, and I could sense Estelle was sitting close to me. Her sweet and alluring smell hit my nostrils, her hand holding mine.

“No way. What is he like?”

“He’s such a sweet boy. Even when he was days old, he didn’t give me a hard time. He’s really a blessing, you know. Being a single mom and all.” I thought it was Skyla. “He doesn’t like phones or gadgets like most kids these days. He plays some games, but he’s drawn to sports like soccer and softball.”

“What’s his name?”

“Emery. It’s my-”

“Her grandpa.” My voice was low and husky. I squeezed Estelle’s hand, and she seemed to freeze.

“Oh, my God!” One moment, she was sitting. The next thing she was on her feet, looking down on me with those big blue eyes filled with gratitude. “Baby? You’re awake.”

“Kind of not hard to when all I could hear is your laugh.”

“Oh, my God. I’m sorry. Yeah, I forgot for a moment I was in the hospital, and you.” She pinched my arm. “You’re gonna give me a heart attack.”

“I’m sorry, baby.”

“Shut up.”

“Let me call the doctor,” Skyla volunteered.

“Thanks. I’ll press the nurse button, too.” I searched for the call button and pressed it.

“How are you feeling?” Her smile made me already feel better, and she kissed me on my forehead. “You made us all worried, Gabriel. Maybe this time you learn to listen to the doctor’s advice.”

“I’m sorry.” I lifted my hand and traced her cheek.

“Stop apologizing. Just get well. No work. No office. No staying overnight. Did you hear me?”

“Yes, ma’am.” I smiled. “Thanks for not making it awkward.”

“Oh, it was.” She grinned sheepishly. “I was quite harsh earlier. But I’ll tell you everything soon. Okay?”

“Thanks. You already made me a lot better.”

“No, Gabriel Linden. You will stay put.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“How are you feeling, Mr. Linden?” The doctor arrived, adjusting my bed.

“Because my wife is around, I’m not going to lie. I feel terrible and sick.”

“You’re lucky. You only get a partial collapse lung called Pneumothorax?”

“What? The Lorax.” I heard my wife groan, making me chuckle. “So, how am I?”

“We inserted a needle and connected it to the chest tube to remove the extra air.” Hence the discomfort when I moved. Now, I felt like I was being skewered alive. “We talked to your wife. She suggested that you could stay here until we removed the chest tube. Although you can take it home and have a medical doctor check it once in a while.” The doctor came closer to check my chest and my back.

“That’s a good idea.”

“You will stay, Gabriel, until they remove it and until your lung is healed.”

“Your discomfort and pain you felt, that was a small pneumothorax. Maybe you should refrain from combat sports. I saw your bruises. Your broken ribs are what caused you to be here in the hospital. The rest of you’re blood works are excellent.”

“How many days should I stay?”

“Going somewhere?” Estelle asked, brow cocking. The sarcasm in her voice made the doctor smile. Clearly, she was unimpressed. “See that tube attached to you?”

“No, my love.” I linked my hand fingers with hers and kissed her hand.

“Do you feel any pain? Rate it from one to ten?”

“Five.”

“Good. I will not give you another painkiller. Just when you need it.”

“Thank you, doctor.”

Once the doctor was gone, Estelle sat back in her chair, but Skyla remained standing.

“Thank you for being here with her.”

“No problem. I can drop by tomorrow,” Skyla said.

“You’re leaving?”

“I can’t stay. Unlike you, I’m an employee and need to pick up my son from school.” She looked at my wife. “Call me if you need anything.”

“Thanks. And what we talked about earlier. Don’t worry. I got it.”

“What did you two talk about?” I inquired, suddenly curious.

“Not now, Gabriel.” She then shifted to Skyle. “I’ll call Qamar to send you home.”

“That won’t be necessary,” Skyla said shyly. Watching her like they’d known each other for a long time put me at ease. I was sure it was valid whatever changed in my wife’s heart.

“Please?”

“My car is at Osmium.”

“Then give your key to Sax and your address.”

“It’s on my GPS.”

“Great. Let me walk you out,” Estelle said excitedly.

Skyla looked at me. “Behave and follow your wife’s order. Understand?”

“She’s my boss. She knows that.” I smiled, grateful.

“Good.”

When they left, Lynx and Kye came in. “For a moment, I thought I’d have the chance to run Osmium. I was really hoping you were dead.”

I rolled my eyes and shook my head in amusement. “Not a fucking chance.”

“So, your wife and that woman?” Lynx asked.

“My ex, Skyla. I don’t know what happened, but they seemed to get along.”

“Yeah, I find that hard to believe when they were about to have a cockfight in the hospital.”

Confused, I asked Kye, “Why? What happened?”

“Skyla pretended to be your wife, and then later on, Estelle arrived. The doctors and a nurse got confused. Skyla left the ER and walked away. Estelle followed. Moments later, they walked in together. Anyway, I’m sure your wife will tell you. So, how’s the feeling of having a near-death experience?”

“Not the first time.”

“Seriously, brother. You’re putting Estelle under a lot of stress. It’s about time you consider your priorities. I thought she was going to collapse again. It’s not healthy for her and the baby.”

“I know.” I swallowed the lump in my throat. “This would be the last time I put her in that situation. I will get better and focus on the desk job.”

“Good.”NôvelD(ram)a.ôrg owns this content.

I heard the commotion. Lynx and Kye noticed that, too.

“Probably a celebrity,” Kye said.

“Let me check it out.” Lynx hadn’t reached the door, and it already pushed wide from the outside.