The Billionaire’s Creed

ADLEY

I woke up in an unfamiliar room. Then it registered to me that I was still in the hospital.

When I looked at the chair, it wasn’t my husband sitting there. I was surprised and glad to see a familiar face I longed to see. “Mom, what are you doing here?”

She came to me and hugged me tightly. “Darling, congratulations.”

“Thank you.” I adjusted the bed so I could sit while resting my back. “He called you, didn’t he?”

“I honestly didn’t understand what he said. He was rumbling, but I decided to come. He’s so happy and terrified, darling. I could see it in his eyes when he met me earlier.”

I smiled. “I’m glad you’re here. I need your advice. I was planning on calling you after Mykel found it out.”

“Just two nights ago.”

“Yes, it’s a kinda long story.”

“I know, darling. How are you handling that? I cried a river after I found out what he did.”

I licked my lips nervously. “Honestly, at first, it was hard. Then at the same time, I found out I’m pregnant and alone. It was a difficult time, and my emotions were all over the place. I was angry at Mykel, and he didn’t know. I didn’t know where to put my anger and myself. Then I realized I was being selfish. Mykel was doing the right thing. He was trying to rectify what he did years ago because he wanted to live in peace with me, but I was making it harder for him.”

“It was just normal to react that way. Give yourself a break. You are his wife. You need him for you and your child. Thinking that his attention will always be divided, I know how much that hurt.”

I held her hand. “And his life was crumbling because he’s still learning and trying to make things work in his relationship, and he has to take another responsibility.”

“But you’re okay now?”

“I cried the first time I saw Jax. I thought to myself; this is what I am trying to be selfish and get jealous with? He’s the cutest thing.”

“Mykel sent some photos.”

“He looks just like Mykel.”

“How are you feeling right now?” Madelyn laughed. “For a second, I felt like a shrink asking you a question.”

I chuckled. “I told Mykel earlier. I said I hope you are the last person to ask me that. But I’m okay. The baby is okay. I’m only here because my doctor is not taking any chances because of the fall and my spotting and, of course, your persuasive and overprotective son. I can’t, and I don’t wanna fight with him, or he will continue blaming himself.”

“I’m glad that jerk is in jail now.”

“Yeah. He’s kinda mentally unstable. His father worked for the Kross, and Grandpa found out he had been embezzling money from the corporation. Then his son just blamed me for ruining his life. Anyway, you should go home and get some rest.”

“Oh, no-no-no.” She shook her head. “Not until Mykel comes back. He went to the office earlier and then went home to change.”

“And you believe him?” I laughed. “Mykel went home to change?”

“Fine.” Madelyn laughed as well. “I don’t wanna know. I didn’t pry. But I’m going home if he comes back. You get some more sleep.”

I might have slept longer. I stretched out, and I felt someone was holding my hand. I knew it was Mykel without even looking at him.

“Morning, beautiful.”

I cracked my eyes open. I met the gorgeous man on the planet smiling back at me. “What’s the good news? You cleaned up pretty well.”

“Knowing you and our baby are okay, we can finally go home in an hour. It’s pretty damn good news.” He leaned over to kiss me on my lips. He trimmed his stubble, wearing a blue shirt and jeans. His hair was still in disarray, but he still looked hot in his hairstyle.

“Where’s your mom?”

“Home.”

“At least she’s not stubborn as you.”

“Might get it from my father.”

I held his hand. “I wanna go home now.”

“We will, baby. Sax is settling the bill.”

Thankfully an hour later, I was on my feet in clean clothes. It felt good to be on my feet again and not wearing a hospital gown anymore.

We left the hospital. I noticed an SUV was tailing us. “Yours?”

Mykel confirmed, “Romare and another guy, Omar, that your grandpa hired.”

“Grandpa knew what happened?”

“He has to, baby. He visited you while you were nodding off last night.”

“I don’t wanna stress him.”

“Then he’s not gonna stop nagging me for not protecting you and doing what I was supposed to do.”

I gripped his hand and looked at him. “Okay. Calm down. You know I feel your muscles are tensed everywhere.”

“When are we gonna have a peaceful life without everyone trying to stress us? And we haven’t talked about your position at the Kross.”

“What’s the problem?”

“Are you sure you can’t wait for a few more months?”

“Did Grandpa put you up into this?”

He shook my head. “No. I just thought-”

“I’m pregnant, and I can’t stress myself out.”

“Something like that.”

“Then I am more stressing out sitting out home, watching my belly turn into a watermelon and wait to pop out.”

Sax and Kye exchanged looked from the front.

“You two have something to say?”

“No, ma’am,” they said in unison.

“Good because I don’t give a crap.”

“Will you calm down, please?” Mykel rubbed my shoulder. “We just got out of the hospital.”

“I will tell you if I’m in distress. I promise. My baby-”

“Our baby-”

“Our baby is my number one priority. So if the job gives me more anxiety than peace of mind and gets between us, I will quit. It’s not worth it, putting myself at risk for money. I also don’t wanna hear you nagging every time I go home. Your voice is sometimes annoying.”

He groaned beside me. “I pretend I didn’t hear that. And that’s we’re different. I love listening to your voice in different pitches.”

I hit him in the arm. “You’re awful.” I knew what he meant.

“I love you, too.”

I had never been so relieved when we finally arrived home. I almost jumped. My hand in my chest as I watched the confetti pop into my face and saw smiling faces as they chorused, “Welcome home!”

“Guys, I told you no surprises.” Mykel groaned beside me.

“Thank you, guys.” I just had teary eyes. They came to hug me; the last ones to do were Sax and Kye.

“Thank you, boys.”

“So, we’re two, like just swallowed watermelon and an avocado,” Lyra laughed.

“More like coconut for me. When is your due?”

“In three weeks. Two weeks if she’s so excited.”

“Wow. Are you nervous?” I joined them in the living room.

“Hell yes. You can get through this.”

“Thanks. I badly need that.” I took a seat beside Madelyn.

I looked at the people I thought would never become a part of my life. Grandpa and Dru were in a light conversation, and Blaze and Elise were still going stronger. The love of my life was chatting with his brother Knox, and they just burst into laughter.

Mykel must have felt I was looking at him. He smiled and winked at me. I suddenly felt young and in love, and I haven’t told him about my feelings. My face burned that he knew exactly how I felt.

Then Madelyn and Lyra were giggling like teenagers. Sax and Kye went out to check on their team.

A few minutes passed, and we settled at the dining table.

“Before we start this meal, I’d like to thank you guys for coming here today. And I wish my son Jax would be here as well. My parents once told me-to never abandon the people you love and those who care most about you. And my father told me that I should be better than him, rectifying my past mistake. I thank you all for being there for us from the beginning. And hope you will remain our support system as Adley and I are about to have a new member in our family.” He raised his glass and mouthed I love you. “To family.”

I raised my glass and drank my non-alcoholic wine.

After our delightful lunch, we settled on the patio. Grandpa had to leave early to rest.

“Is it okay with you that I will book tickets for Jade and Jax?”

I looked at him. “Of course, you don’t have to tell me.”

“I do. I wanna tell you everything about my plans for Jax. I don’t wanna keep you in the dark again. This is our life now.”

I smiled. “Thank you.”Please check at N/ôvel(D)rama.Org.

Mykel wrapped his arms around me securely and whispered, “I was about to tell them that we’re planning to get married again, but I’m not sure how you feel about that.”

“I want to keep that to ourselves first. Anyway, I opened Mom’s journal and found a Polaroid photo of a one-year-old me and a kid kissing me on the cheek.”

“Should I be afraid that that kid is a grown-up adult now?”

I rolled my eyes. If he only knew. “So I read that page where she slipped the photo. She wrote there that she took me to the park when I got fussy. There came a boy around four or something and stared at my baby. He has such thick hair and an eye of a hot choco. Then he smiled and left. Minutes later, he came and kissed Adley out of the blue. The boy’s mother came, apologized, and joked that when her son was old enough, she would let her son take responsibility for his action and arranged a marriage to my daughter.” I picked up the photo from my pocket. I showed it to Mykel. “This was taken by my dad twenty-three years ago. I think we’re bound to be together ever since, babe.”

“What do you mean?” He quickly took the picture from my hand. He inspected the polaroid meticulously.

“Unless Mom was making that up.”

He chuckled. Judging by the look on his face, he remembered something. “I think I saw a picture like this at Mom’s house.” He looked at me, amazed. “I remembered asking her who was in that picture. She smiled at me and said, it’s for you to find out.”

A smile curled up against my lips. “I showed that to your mom. She said the same thing. Check the back.”

He turned the photo. “Holy shit.” Mom wrote my name and Mykel’s on the back with the photo’s date. “Yet Mom never even mentioned this to me again.”

“She told me about that too.”

“God, I love you, baby.” He kissed me.

“I love you, Mykel Creed.”