The Billionaire’s Creed

ADLEY

This wake-up call in the middle of the night was stressing me out. I grunted as I picked up my phone on the nightstand.

“What do you want?” I snapped as I answered the call.

“Oh, wow. You’re scary. I’m sorry to call you this late-” I instantly recognized that voice.

“Knox?”

“Yeah, it’s me.”

“You okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine, but Mykel is in trouble.”

I was already sitting in bed when I asked, “What happened? What’s going on, Knox?”

“We were having drinks, and suddenly, Mykel punched Dash in the face. Things lead to another.”

“Has he been drinking?” I shook it off. He just mentioned they were having drinks. I guessed I was not fully awake.

“He wasn’t drunk, Adley. Not really, but, you know. Since you two are not okay, he’s been having difficulty dealing with it.”

“Where is he now?”

“He’s locked up.”

“He’s what?”

“I know. This isn’t him. I’m worried about Mykel. He’s been under a lot of stress, and it’s not something like his finance, or his boards can help him settle this out. He needs us, Adley. I know it’s too much to ask, but if you care even a little, I need your help. And I wouldn’t have reached out to you if you’re not his wife, but you’re the only person who can talk him out of this.”

“You know I care about Mykel.”

“Can you just set aside the anger for an hour and take him out of the police station. He said I should go home, and he wanted to spend the night at the station. He told me not to call his bodyguards.”

“Where is he?”

After he told me the address where Mykel was, I went to the bathroom to freshen up. I changed to jeans and a shirt, grabbed my coat and bag, and texted Romare to meet me downstairs.

Romare and I were on our way to the police station. He was looking at me through the rearview with a question literally popping on his forehead.

“Don’t even ask.”

He did this with his head instead of saying okay.

I called Knox when the station came to view. “Where are you?”

“See me?” He just got out of his car and waved at us.

“Yeah.” I hung up the call.

I climbed out of the car as soon as Romare was done parking. We hugged each other, and I didn’t know how comforting it was until I met a familiar face.

“Don’t tell him I called you. All he needs to know is I already left.”

“I won’t.” I smiled at him. Knox seemed well aware of what was happening between Mykel and me and the recent events in his brother’s life.

“I called you because I knew you were the only one who could persuade him. He can’t stay there. For fuck’s sake, he’s a hot mess.”

“I’m going in. I’ll handle this, okay?”

“I’ll wait here outside.”

Romare followed me inside.

“You must be the lovely wife of our distinguish guest.” The officer offered his hand for a handshake.

I gripped it and smiled. “Is he giving you a hard time?”

“Not more than he wanted on himself. Look, I’ve been working here for almost fifteen years, ma’am, and anyone who walked in wanted to run back. Your husband, on the other hand, was another story. His friend left an hour ago and refused to press any charge, and his brother left half an hour later. And he said he wanted to stay.” He shrugged off. “He must be having some bad days.”

“Is he drunk?”

“He might have been drinking, but he’s aware of what’s happening. Whatever is going on with him, I can’t keep him here. He’s a good man and donates a lot to the Police Welfare Fund.”

“He had so much fun. I’m taking him home.”

“Good idea.” The cop took the keys and gestured to me. “Follow me.”

I followed him. That was how I saw Mykel for the first time in days, his head pressed against the cell.

I walked past the cop. “What the hell is wrong with you, Mykel?”

He stiffened as he recognized my voice. He then opened his eyes and lifted his head to look at me. The shock was evident in his eyes.

Mykel looked miserable but still terribly handsome. Dash must have punched him back as I noticed redness surrounding his left eye.

“Baby?” He searched outside the cell. “What are you doing here?”

“Are you really planning to stay here?”

“Get a room!” A man from the other holding scouted at us.

“Fuck off!” Mykel scolded the other man.

“Stop it. You’re not staying here,” I said firmly. “What the hell were you thinking?”

“Honestly, I wasn’t thinking.”

“Precisely.” I turned to the officer. “Please?”

“Sure, ma’am.” He unlocked the cell.

Once the door was opened, Mykel sighed deeply and walked out. He closed the gap between us and wrapped his arms around me in a tight hug. “I’m so sorry.”

“It’s okay. We’ll talk about this once we’re out of here.”

The officer gave him his belongings. “Don’t come back, Mr. Creed.”

“Not planning soon, officer. If you need anything, you know where to find me. Thanks.”

“Thank you, sir. Stay out of trouble.”

Knox drove off as soon as he saw his brother walking out of the station.

The ride home felt awfully silent. Mykel had not said a word, but he never let go of my hand. It was in his grip the whole time.

I was still hurting. The clearer the truth became as the days passed and the wound cut deeper. It hadn’t changed since I found out he was a father.

The elevator ride was excruciatingly slow and awkward. The truth became more painful to bear each second as the door swung in front of us. The silence was deafening.

When the door shut behind us, Mykel let go a shaky sigh while I stood there rooted to the ground. I felt like I didn’t know what to do to let this awkward silence go.

He turned around and held my hand back. “I’m tired. I don’t wanna ask how did you find out I was there. Dash or Knox probably called you in the middle of the night. You and I are lacking sleep.”

I opened my mouth to say something.

“Don’t go back.”

I swallowed and nodded. “Okay.” I climbed up with him toward our room. This was just the two of us now. Unexpected things were likely to happen behind closed doors.

He stripped from his clothes and walked to the shower only in his boxers. I went to the closet, changed into PJs, and went to bed.

A few minutes later, he joined me in bed, and I was on my side. “Night, baby.”

***

I found him in the kitchen with his fist tucked on his jaw, seemingly in deep thoughts. He noticed me before I got even closer.

“Coffee?”

I shook my head, not meeting his burning and scrutinizing stare. Every day, I avoided things I loved to drink and eat. The reality that I was carrying a child was striking me in the face.

“I’m having heartburn lately. I stick to tea and fresh juice for a while.”

“Have you seen a doctor?”

“It’s nothing serious. She did not even recommend antacid. I’ll be fine.” I joined him for breakfast. I picked a piece of croissant from the basket and shoved a half-full in my mouth.

“Did you miss your dinner?”

“I’m starving, Mykel.” I glared at him.

He poured fresh orange juice into the glass and smiled. “Eat anything you want, baby. Don’t ever starve yourself.”

I grabbed the glass and drank half of it. “I’m not planning on starving myself to death. I’m gonna be like a hippo soon anyway.” I blinked at my own words.

“Why is that?” He checked me out from head down to my abdomen.

I felt conscious instantly. Though my stomach was still flat, for how long could I keep this up? “I eat a lot. That’s all.”

“Then I can’t wait to see the most beautiful hippo on the planet.”

“Let’s talk about the elephant in the room,” I started in a serious tone.

“I want you back home, baby. I need my wife.” The way he looked at me shredded my heart into pieces.

“I’m gonna help you with your son. That’s all.”

He must not have anticipated my words. His lips parted as he stared at me in utter shock.

“I will help you because you’ve been there for me when I needed you. I’m returning back the favor, Mykel. Once you get introduced, I’m done. Beyond that, I can’t help you anymore.”

“I wanna spend time with my son for a day or two, and I can’t bring him if Jade doesn’t trust us.”

“Jade.” I swallowed hard. My eyes started to sting. My emotions had been in chaos since this kid issue and finding out I was with a child.

“I swear nothing is going on with Jade and me. I haven’t forgotten that I have you. I have a wife that I love, Adley.” He reached out for my hand, but I managed to pull back before he could touch me.

His touch did not change. I still felt the warmth and the tingles when he kept my hand in his grip last night. I still saw the warmth and longing in his eyes. The desire and smile I wanted to see were still there, intact, but my trust wasn’t there anymore. I couldn’t trust him. I couldn’t trust myself either. This was what pulled me back.

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His nod had placed me more in vain.