The Billionaire’s Creed

MYKEL

“You’re upset.” I took off my suit and watched her undress in silence.

It was a pleasant dinner until Lex opened up about expanding a family. I didn’t take it as a burden. A pressure, maybe.

In fact, I wanted to have a family with Adley, but I wanted us to be on the same page because this was a lifetime responsibility. Considering what kind of past I had, I wouldn’t want to raise my child alone.

“I’m fine.” Adley’s necklace was stuck in her dress, and she struggled not to damage what Mom gave her and the dress.

“I’m here, baby.” I went to her. “Asking for help is not a flaw.”

“Who said it’s a flaw?”

“Let me.” The clasp was stuck into the lace of her dress. “Done.”

Once done, she put a sweater on and left the walk-in closet after hanging her dress.

I changed into sweatpants and shirts. Then I went to the office. I knew I would find her there. “You can use the desk.”

Her laptop was on her lap as she typed something, her eyes glued to the screen. “I’m fine.”

“But we’re not.” I took a seat beside her. “Let’s talk about the elephant in the room.”

“Did you sleep with me to knock me up?” Her words were straight and blunt. Yet, she still did not face me.

I was taken aback by her question. “What? What made you think like that?”

“When I kissed you, it led to another-”

I stayed calm. “And it was amazing.”

“You didn’t stop and pulled the gentleman’s card on me.”

I laughed and shook my head in disappointment. “Wow. I can’t believe you just said that.”

“We did not use condoms, and you did not tell me you’re clean. You did not even ask me if I was on contraceptives.” I was amazed at how she could multi-task, typing while angry and throwing words at me.

“I saw your pills in your drawer, and knowing how perfectionist and obsessive with things you are, I know you are still taking your pills, and I am clean. I told you I haven’t slept with anyone since I met you. You’re making this a big deal because you’re not ready, and maybe you don’t want to have kids.”

She turned her head at me, glaring. “Do you? Weeks ago, the relationship was the last thing you wanted. Then suddenly you want to be a family man.” She was right, but as I said, that was before I met her.

“What’s wrong with that? People change all the time, Adley. And here I thought you’re the last person to judge me.”

“I am not judging you.” Yeah, deny all you can. If you were being honest to yourself, you know I was right.

“You just did, wife. You just did. Or maybe you don’t wanna have kids with me because I can’t be a good role model. My father is an asshole, and I’m a fucked up younger version of him.” I rose from the couch. “You know what, if we plan on having a family, we plan it together because this is our family, not Lex or anyone around us. This is our life. We thrive, we struggle, we fail. It’s all on us. If anyone should decide, it’s not them, and I’m not the kind of person who lets anyone dictate our lives.” I walked towards to door. “I’m going out, maybe drop by the convenience store and buy a box of condoms.”

I called Dash on my way to a bar. I was hoping Adley would admit she overreacted when I came home.

“Trouble in paradise?” He slid on the stool and ordered a drink. “Old fashioned, please?”

I blew a breath. “I’m actually buying a condom. I thought I would meet you first.”

He barked into a laugh, patting my back. “You are far away from a convenience store, my friend.”

“There’s something Lex talked about with me, and she was upset when it came up.” I sipped the Godfather. Liquor was something he and I didn’t mix. I occasionally drank just to blend in. I had wine cellars because I dreamed of having one.

“And you didn’t explain.”

“I did. She didn’t believe me.”

“You both are still in the process of getting to know each other. Expect a lot of arguments, fights, and misunderstandings along the way. If you can get passed through that, then you both are a lucky couple. Love and trust are the basic elements in a relationship. What you have with Adley is not something you can just walk away from if things get complicated. You need to find the solution to the issue before the trust is gone. You chose this life for a reason. Prove it to her that you are committed to her and your marriage.”

I emptied my glass and stared at him. I was utterly stunned by his words. Who would have thought one day I would be listening to his advice? And to be honest, he was right, “Well, look at you. And here I thought you’re an empty vessel.” I was kidding. Dash was wise if he didn’t use his dick a lot.

“You’re welcome. Go home, Mykel. This is the time where she needs you the most.”

“Thanks, bro.” I patted his back.

“This is on me. I’m still the godfather, right?”

I chuckled. “Shut up. Don’t get yourself drunk.”

***

Adley was already sleeping on her side. I didn’t even stay out long-she must have gone to bed after I left.

After I put the box of condoms in the drawer, I joined her in bed and rested my hand on her arm. “Baby, are you up?”

“Yeah.” Her voice was barely audible.

“We need to talk.”

“It’s okay. I’m over with it.” She didn’t move.

“Well, I’m not.”

“Just drop it, Mykel.”

“And this is where a huge trouble in our relationship starts when you let it go without taking it out.”

Finally, she turned to face me. “We’re still working on our relationship. I may have overreacted, but I’m not ready to go there.”

“I know. I’m sorry for not telling you and putting you in that position. I want us to be okay before we go to sleep.”

“I just don’t like secrets between us. You can ask me anything. I’m transparent.”

“I know. Come here.” I opened my arms for her. “I hate arguing with you.”

“Me too.”

Finally, she’s back in my arms. I sighed shakily, letting those pain and grief go as I hugged her tight.

“Do you really wanna have a kid?” Her question made me pause.

“I love kids. And of course, I wanna have kids with you. Before I met you, I still imagined myself as a married man in maybe twenty years. Do I feel terrified? Fuck yeah.” She pinched me. “Sorry. Hell yeah. I didn’t have a role model for being a father. I don’t have any idea how to be a father. Obviously, money is not a problem. I will settle a college fund. But how do we change diapers, deal with colic and tantrums, and explain why this exists? How to be with her when I have to leave for a business trip. But if it happens right now, I will do my best to be with you both. I would go to the moon and back for both of you.”

“When you joked about you won’t let her go out on a date with jerks, I thought it didn’t mean anything to you.”

“Baby, I already told you I meant everything I said.” I kissed her forehead.Content from NôvelDr(a)ma.Org.

“Condoms slipped my mind, actually. It never happened, but with you, it happened so fast, and all I could think about that night was to feel you. You were like a drug to me, Mykel, and I was euphoric the whole time.”

“I take that as a compliment.”

“Maybe that’s the effect of having a dry spell.” She shook as she laughed.

“That wasn’t a long dry spell. Just admit it, that you are crazy about me.”

She glared at me. “I’ve slept with hot and attractive men, Mykel.”

“Okay. This is not funny anymore.” I pulled away.

She grinned. “Really? Does it bother you? How about if we talk about your sexual shenanigans?”

“It’s not shenanigans. As far as I know, I’m honest. They knew my intention, and I didn’t give them false hopes. Are we really gonna talk about it?”

“Oh, God. I’d rather not.” She slipped from me, moving away to her side.

“The night’s still young, baby.”

“Go to hell.”

“So you can keep that up all night? Or I might find you in my arms when I wake up in the morning.”

“Shut it.”

I went to her and wrapped my leg around hers. “Are we okay?”

“If you keep on talking about your sex life before me. I’m gonna elbow you and make sure I will break a rib.”

I smiled. “I believe you. I won’t mention that again.” There was still something I had not told her, and I knew it would bite me back in the ass. “Condom or without a condom.”

“I’m not in a mood right now.”

“In the morning then. I know you enjoyed our morning sex.” I hugged her tight and cupped her sweet breast. “What did you say? Oh, God. More. Faster!”

“Oh, my God. You’re gonna use it against me, aren’t you?”

I laughed. “I like it when you’re noisy. It turns me on more.”

“Stop it, or I will sleep in the other room.” I was aware she was serious with her warning.

“Okay, baby. Goodnight.”