The Billionaire’s Creed

ADLEY

“Hey, babe.” I sat on the massage chair I purchased last week. It felt good. I was lucky to be one of those women who got pampered during pregnancy, but the work was time-consuming for someone like me who used to be hands-on on everything.

I was still in the process of adapting to the new environment and position, and it still felt fulfilling despite the daily demand of my work. Besides, I had the best consultant at my speed dial. Dru had been a great help.

“Busy?”

I’d been busy for the past weeks. I’d visited some ongoing projects from my predecessor, Grandpa. I’d attended meetings for collaboration projects of the world’s top corporations and scientists. The hopes for the future were aspiring-to be able to build a commercial space station outer space. The plan was incredibly ambitious for 2050.

“Not anymore. Grandpa left me tons of work, but it’s over now. All I need is good cuddling.”

“We can cuddle all night. Besides, it’s the weekend, and baby?”

“Yes?”

“No more working at home. Our home is for our family and not for the workload.”

“Couldn’t agree more. You, busy?”

“No. You want me to come over?”

“No, but since you were on a business trip with my last visit to the doctor, I thought-”

“You’re gonna tell me now?” I could feel the excitement in his voice. I was still keeping the gender of our baby from him. That was our agreement that I would tell him when I was ready. I knew it sounded selfish, but he was also up for it.

“Over dinner?”

“Then let me make an arrangement.”

“It’s already done.”

“You did on your own?”

“Yeah, without the help of my assistant. Consider this a date.”

“Now I feel awful. We really should do this more often.”

“Hey. We had a few dates. We can do it every weekend, even in the backyard. Now my schedule is not crammed anymore. Let me make it up to you.”

“It’s a date then. When is it, baby?”

“Tonight at seven at the Williams.”

“I’ll pick you up at seven.”

“No. See you there.”

“I’ll be there, baby. So, how’s our little pea?”

“I’m still not calling our baby that, but he’s okay.”

“Now, you are just confusing me with the gender reveal.” He laughed softly. I was also smiling the whole time.

“That’s the fun of surprise, Mykel. When are we planning on visiting Lyra again?” Lyra had given birth to a beautiful baby girl. Mykel went to see her parents and gave them time to consider whether they wanted to be a part of Lyra’s life or stay away for the rest of their lives. Thankfully, they finally came to their senses and did the right thing, accepting Lyra’s past mistake and being a part of her new life with Dru.

I was happy for Lyra. She finally got the peace she deserved. Dru was nothing but a good and caring husband. The second or third chance was a charm, indeed.

“I was just waiting for you. How about Sunday? Then next weekend we’re going out of town. I want you to enjoy and have some fun away from the city and your demanding job.”

“Sounds like a plan. See you tonight, babe.”

***

I wore a light pink midi dress. I applied some colors to my face. I gained weight due to pregnancy, but I was proud to show off my baby bump.

I arrived on time at the Williams. It was hard to book a VIP room reservation for two at this restaurant, but I was the CEO of the multi-billion dollar corporation, so it came in handy when you used your connections. Life was unfair, but tonight was important for Mykel and me. I had to make it a little special.

“Reservation for Creed.”

“This way, please, Mrs. Creed.” The lady staff led me the way.

She stepped aside after she opened the door.

“Oh, my God.” My hands were on my mouth. There were different kinds of pink flowers on the wall and on all corners and metallic pink balloons that said It’s a girl. “I love it,” I gushed in glee.

“Do you want some changes, Mrs. Creed?”

“No. This is beautiful.” I smiled at her with so much gratitude. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome, ma’am. Please, have a seat.”

I took a seat at the chair pulled for me. “Please, let me know if my husband has arrived.”

“Of course. Can I get you something to drink?”

“Just water, please.”

She nodded. “I’ll be right back.”

I couldn’t help but admire their handy work. This was precisely how I imagined it to be. I was confident Mykel was going to like it.

I type a text to him.

ADLEY: Babe, where are you?”

I hit send.

A moment later, my phone rang.

“Mykel?”

“Sorry, baby. I’m on my way. Be there in eight.”

“It’s okay. I’m already here.” To be honest, I was excited, the reason why I arrived early.

“Ahh, I feel terrible.”

“Don’t be. See you in a bit. I love you.”

“I love you.”

Being pregnant always often needed to use the bathroom. I drank a little water so that I was here when Mykel arrived.

Two minutes had passed, and I was tapping my fingers on the table and constantly checking the time on my phone.

Three minutes later, Mykel had not arrived.

I emptied the glass.

Suddenly, I felt edgy. It was passed fifteen minutes, and he had not shown up. He should be calling me if he was stuck in traffic. A surge of worry knotted in the pit of my stomach. I dialed his number and was busy. I suddenly had this feeling that something was not right.

I typed another message.

ADLEY: Are you still up for tonight?

A slight frown settled between my brows as I did not receive a reply or return call. I tried to shake off the possible scenario in my head. It was not Mykel to ditch our dates while he said he was on the way. Maybe they had a flat tire or something.

My chest constricted when there were no signs of my husband twenty minutes later. I felt like crying in annoyance. He’d never been this terribly late.

A wave of uncertainty and dread started growing and growing to the point that I kept pacing in the room and bit my nails when it was almost an hour.

I dialed Sax. His phone seemed to be turned off, and so as Kye. “What the hell was going on?”

I sat back on the chair, staring at the empty seat across mine. My mind went back to my last call. Mykel was not busy this morning. Suddenly, he was late, which was unusual for him. He always arrived on time like clockwork. He could have just told me he couldn’t make it if he was not up for a date than making me look stupid waiting for him to come.

“Ma’am, can I take your order now?”ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

I swallowed hard. “What time is it?”

“It’s past two hours since you arrived, ma’am.” A chill raced down my spine, realizing I had waited that long for nothing.

“I’m taking the tab, please.” My breathing hitched. I could barely hear my words. I felt stupid and humiliated and had wasted my time putting up for all of this surprise.

After settling my bill, I walked out of the restaurant, hoping not to see this place again. I was not speculating anything. Mykel had changed a lot to ditch me for another woman. He was not the kind of person who would run away from his commitment no matter how difficult it was for him.

“Where to, ma’am?” It was Romare.

I looked outside the window of the car. The world seemed to slow down around me. I got a glimpse of my reflection in the mirror, and the pain was so deep in my eyes. “I don’t know. I want to be alone.”

“All right, ma’am.”

My heart was aching. I let the view outside pass like a blur. I was disappointed, hurt, and angry. I couldn’t find any reason why he had to convince me that he was excited for tonight if he had other plans. It seemed like not the man I had known for the past months.

I cleared my thoughts as I closed my eyes for a brief moment. The car slowed down, which caught my attention.

“What’s going on?” I asked Romare. There was a commotion ahead.

“Looks like there’s been an accident ahead, Mrs. C.”

“What?” I froze in motion. My heart began racing. I stared at Romare in shock with my mouth hanging open.

“Let me ask around.” Romare rolled the window down. “Hey, man. What’s going on?”

“A rich kid got into an accident,” the passer replied.

“Stop the car,” I ordered.

“Mrs. C, we can’t stop the car in the middle-”

“Pull over!”

“Wait for a minute until-”

“I don’t have a freaking minute!” I didn’t let him finish his words. I pushed the door open. Thankfully, the car wasn’t running. Everyone was stuck in the traffic. I rushed down and shut the door behind me.

“Adley!” I ignored Romare calling out my name.

I wasn’t exactly in the right mind. I wasn’t thinking at all. The only thing I could think of was about the accident. I sprinted to get out of the street. The universe seemed on my side. I managed to cross the road without causing an accident.

I was pressed between onlookers of the accident. “Excuse me?”

It was frustrating. These people ignored me-no one listened to me, except they were busy taking pictures and recording the horrible collision between two sedans.

“Adley! Mrs. C!” Romare managed to grab me on the wrist. “Are you trying to harm yourself?”

I stared at him through my blurry vision. I was shaking, terrified. Everything around me started to blur. “I- I was supposed to meet Mykel in the restaurant tonight.” I launched to him and wrapped my arms around his gigantic body. “And then he didn’t come in eight minutes. I can’t contact him nor Sax and Kye.”

“It’s okay, Mrs. C” I felt his hand patting my back. “I thought you knew.”

“Know what?” I pulled away quickly and stared at him.

“He flew to LA. Sax informed me that there’s been an emergency.”