The Billionaire’s Creed

ADLEY

“Mykel?” I woke up at two in the morning to his call. I found missed calls and messages from him. I thought I was dreaming, hearing the constant playing of a song. I realized it was my ringtone.

After two days, it finally got into his freaking mind that he had a wife he left in New York.

“Baby, I wasn’t sure you would answer.” Really? That was the best excuse he could think of. There was also a hesitation in his voice.

“After two days, then you are about to drain my batteries. Why are you calling, Mykel?”

“Baby, I’m sorry, okay? I’m coming home. My jet is taking off in thirty. I’m picking you up as soon as I land-”

“Mykel, do you realize it’s early morning when you land? Don’t waste your time. I’m not coming with you.”

“Baby-”

“I’m sorry-”

“Adley, I gave you two days to think. I know you’re still angry with me, but we need to talk, and this split-up, you staying in the other house, doesn’t do any good in our marriage. You and I need to sit down and settle this issue.”

“I’m not ready.”

“Adley, there’s a lot of things happened in two days, and I wanna tell you everything,” he just confirmed my greatest fear. “I need you right now, baby. I want you.”

“Let me guess. You already found what you’ve been looking for.” I was already shaking in bed. My tears fell down my pillow. I tried hard to keep my voice firm, but my heart was bleeding. “There comes the part that you don’t need me anymore. And I’m not ready to talk about this. I need some time.”Please check at N/ôvel(D)rama.Org.

“Baby, you are my wife. I needed you before. I need you even more right now. Please, don’t do this to me. Things or misunderstandings, miscommunications, or rifts between us would not solve themselves. From the start, I told you I would never leave you. I would stay by your side no matter what. I’m not giving up on us. We just got through a difficult time and can do it again as long as we do this together. Don’t leave me hanging, Adley.”

I shut my eyes close. “I can’t talk or be with you right now. I’m sorry.”

There was a second of silence. My guess was he was thinking about this. On my part, I was scared. I was terrified to hear the truth that I wasn’t prepared enough. In fact, I wished what was hurting me and making it so heavy in my chest was not true.

I was selfish, maybe. Was I ready to give up our relationship? No. But I didn’t think I could live like this. I had a baby with him. I wanted him to focus on us. I needed him for us-for my child. I needed his undivided attention; in my mind, this would not happen. His time and attention would always be divided between his child and mine.”

“Baby, how much time do you need?”

“I don’t know.”

“For fuck’s sake, Adley. Don’t do this to me.”

“Don’t dothis to me,” I pointed it out. I started sobbing.

“I know, and I’m sorry. Look, I was a terrible person back then, but since I met you, I realized I’d done things I was not proud of. To be able to make our marriage work, I need to be honest with you. I need a clean slate. After what happened last week, I wanted us to start over. I wanted this marriage so bad that I wanted to live in peace. And it won’t happen until I fix the mistake I made years ago.”

“I understand, Mykel. You don’t have to explain. All I’m asking is to give me more time. What just happened shocked me. I’m still wrapping my head around it. If you care for me and this marriage, don’t force things the way you want. Don’t push it into me. I care about you. You know that by now. That’s why I am still talking to you. I wanna make this marriage work, too. I’m still not giving up. Despite what happened, I’m still here, hoping for the better of our relationship.”

“Okay, okay.” He drew a deep breath from the other line. “I missed you, baby. It’s been an eye-opening, confounding, and petrifying week.”You have no idea.

“I know.”

“Adley, I love you so much it hurts. That’s one thing that’s not gonna change.”

***

“Are you ready?” Grandpa asked me for the second time as if I was going for my first recital.

“You’re making me edgier.” I licked my dry lips. My stomach rolled.

“This won’t take long. Congratulations are in order, honey.”

I smiled a little before we entered the conference room at the Kross Corp. “I’ll thank you later once I have the documents in my hand, Grandpa.”

“You deserve this. Your sacrifices didn’t go to waste.” He gripped my shoulder. “Take this as a win.”

“I hope Mom and Dad think so too.”

After our short pleasantries with our lawyers, we settled on the long table.

“What are we waiting for?” I asked.

“Our witness.” The door flew open simultaneously.

I was startled in my chair. So much for the grand entrance. My throat clogged. My lips went dry as I watched who had just waltzed in. How did it slip my mind? This was our idea in the first place.

“Glad you could join us, Mykel,” My grandfather addressed his royal presence while I seemed rooted to my seat.

“Sorry, I was fashionably late by three minutes. But I won’t miss the big day.” He sauntered toward us, particularly the empty seat intended for him next to me. He always looked at his best, even without shaving. His suit always fit perfectly on him, and the commanding and authoritative aura made people give him a second look. “Morning, baby.” He kissed the side of my head, his hand on my thigh, squeezing a little, causing me to almost jolt in front of everyone. “I missed you so fucking bad.”