KAYLA’S POV:
A shiver ran down my spine and for the first time, it wasn’t just from the cold. It was because of the name that flashed on the screen as my phone vibrated. I picked it up, staring at the caller ID, trying to find the words I’d say once I finally answered. Letting out a sigh, I hit the green button before pressing the phone to my ear. “How is he?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. Whenever Dr Wright called, it was rarely for a good reason. He was my father’s doctor and with my father’s health declining everyday, his calls almost never brought good news. “Ms. Levins,” he greeted, his gruff but gentle voice alarming me. “You’ll need to come over to the hospital as soon as you can. Preferably tonight.” “I will be there in fifteen minutes.” I answered immediately, not missing a bit. Yep, something was definitely wrong. “I’ll be expecting you.” The beep sounded, signaling he had ended the call. My eyes darted to the wall clock in the small coffee shop I owned. It was now past 10pm which meant it was time to lock up. My heart couldn’t stop racing and my throat stayed dry no matter how much water I drank. I flipped the ‘open’ sign to ‘closed’, switched off the lights in the shop and grabbed my bag before racing to my car and driving off to the hospital. I could only wonder what had happened to him this time. Hopefully, it won’t be as bad as the last time when I’d gotten news of his heart failing. Before I knew it, I’d reached the hospital. Parking my car, I hopped out and ran into the building, dread washing over me even as I forced myself to put on a brave face. “I’m here for Dr Wright,” I said to the receptionist. They all knew me already since this was almost my second home. “Go on in Kayla,” Janice smiled at me. I nodded, not strong enough to mutter another smile and look at their faces filled with pity. Entering the elevators, it carried me straight to the doctor floor and I entered his office. Dr Wright sat behind his desk, looking through papers. “Oh, Kayla. Please sit.” He said the minute he saw me. Adjusting my jacket, I took a seat, looking straight at him and bracing myself for what he had to say about my father’s health. “I’m sorry for summoning you at such short notice…” “Get on with it doc,” I cut him off. I wasn’t here for greetings and small talks. It only built more fear. Dr Wright let out a breathy sigh, “Your father is not getting any better. The cancer keeps eating his bones and we need funds to start his treatment especially now that he has a chance to live.” “I told you, doc. I’m working on it.” “Kayla, I’m sorry. I really am but your father can’t remain here if you can’t afford the bills anymore. I’ve tried the best I can in the past five years. I’ve tried to keep him here and monitor him at my own expense but it’s getting harder. I can’t keep covering his bills for you anymore.” He said, looking down at me from his huge glasses. “I… I have a family and unless you pay enough to keep your father admitted here, I’ll have to advise you to take him home or find another facility.” He hesitated. My heart sank. Truly sank. I could feel it rolling in my stomach and my blood running cold. I swallowed, then moistened my parched lips. “I understand Dr Wright. You’ve been beyond helpful to us and if I said I was grateful, that would be an understatement," I finally spoke up, looking down at the white tiled floor. “One more week. Please. Give me one more week and I’ll figure something out.” I said, tears already building up. “You said that 4 months ago. You’ve been saying that for the past two years, Kayla. I know it’s not easy on you but you couldn’t possibly provide three hundred thousand dollars in a week for your father to stay here and start treatment right away,” Dr Wright replied. He was right. Another futile attempt and even I knew that this time around, it won’t work. I didn’t care anymore. The tears started pouring and I fell to the ground, on my knees. “I’m begging you Dr Wright. Just one week. Give me time to figure something out. Please!” He looked at me, his expression exhausted and tired. It was expected. Although my dad was yet to receive enough treatment as he should, the only reason he’s still alive is because of Dr Wright taking pity on us. He had admitted my dad into one of the biggest and wealthiest hospitals in the city and I knew I couldn’t afford it. I was hopeful, too hopeful and had asked too much from the nice doctor. “One week, Kayla. You have one week.” A few minutes passed with Dr Wright updating me on my father’s health and his tumor development. My father had stage 3 cancer, one that can still be maintained but only if I’m able to act fast. After getting all I needed, I said my goodbye and used the stairs, walking down to my dad’s hospital room. The hospital was huge. Built with the fanciest facilities and even rated among the top 30s in the world. I’d overreached by admitting my father in a place I could not afford. One month of shouldering the bills alone had left me completely financially drained and only Wright had come to our rescue. I turned the door knob the moment I reached his room and saw my father. He laid on a bed, unconscious with machines connected to him, keeping him alive. The continuous beep of the machines matched the rhythm of my heart. Goosebumps filled my body and I felt the pure agony wash over me. One tear turned to two and before I knew it, my shoulders shook as I sobbed quietly at the thought of losing the last parent I had because I was too financially constrained. The coffee shop I ran didn’t provide enough. Only enough to eat and get on with the next day. It was impossible to raise the amount he needed even if I sold the whole shop. I walked up to him, brushing my fingers on his pale white face. “I’ll work something out. I promise. I’ll borrow and sell the shop. Hell, I’d do anything to make sure you’re okay, dad. I swear it.” I whispered, looking down at his soft face. I sat next to him, time passing as I watched him, praying some miracle would happen and he’d open his eyes and smile at me again. Like he always did. Instead, I was met with his dying, bony and fragile face. It took a while, but I finally got a grip on myself and stood up. I grabbed my bag and walked out of the room. My mind filled with thoughts on who else I could borrow from. There could be some humanitarian foundations that’ll help us, surely. Taking the stairs again, I descended, still thinking of what to do. “I am fucking serious, Jason!” A man’s voice rang out, making me pause. At the foot of the stairs was a man. He wore a dark suit that fit him impossibly too well. I couldn’t make out his face since he faced the other way. “I have one chance and I’m not blowing it up. We have less than sixty days remaining and you know that,” he hissed into the phone at someone. “I don’t care where you get her, but get me a freaking wife. It can’t be that hard. Throw some money at her if that’s what it takes. I’ll pay any damn amount.” He went silent, listening to whoever was speaking. “Oh please. It would work out. Just make sure she’s decent without ties to the business.” He finally said. Silence again. “You think I don’t know that? You know more of the normal people than I do so figure it out!” He said, before lowering the phone and cutting the call. “When you say any damn amount, how much are you talking about?” I blurted out and felt my face drop the moment this stranger turned to look at me.KAYLA’S POV: The afternoon air was beyond scorching. I pulled my shades up before running into the hospital building in order to avoid getting sunburned. I hadn’t bothered greeting anyone and went straight for the elevators, up to my father’s floor. I’d gotten news that he’d woken and rushed to the hospital before he became too weak to keep his eyes open. The moment I reached his room, I turned the knob without hesitation. And there he lay. My father’s chest rose and fell slowly, his arms and body thin and frail. A shadow of his former bulky build. “Kayla?” He called out, his voice barely over a whisper. My chest tightened as I looked at my dying father. “I’m here,” I rushed to him, grabbing his hands and tears threatened to fall out again. I’d told myself I wouldn’t cry anymore. I had to be strong for him. “Oh my baby. Have you been eating well?” He asked, barely able to turn his head to look at me. “Yes dad, yes I have. Don’t worry, you’ll get better soon,” I
ROBERT’S POV: The city lights blurred past as I drove as fast as I could back home. The day had been beyond exhausting and I couldn’t wait to hop on my couch with wine in my hand. It was a wonder how I’d still not grown tired of wine despite it being a major business I ran. Finally, the building to my penthouse gradually appeared and I could’ve howled with satisfaction. Once I reached, I parked the car before taking the elevator to my suite. “Welcome home, Mr Moore,” a voice called out. Not a lot of things shocked me in the life I live, but I almost jumped in fear. “Who are you?” A young blonde woman sat on my couch, a drink in her hand and she stared at me like I’d invaded her home and not the other way round. “Catelyn. You can call me Cat.” I looked around, observing her badge and carefully walking towards her. “What is a fucking investigator doing in my house?” Catelyn laughed, probably already sensing my caution. “I came to speak with you, Rob. Relax.” “Ge
“Who the fuck are you?” I’d made some silly decisions before in my life – dangerous ones even – but for some reason, I’d never once regretted them. This time, it hit me instantly. Right now, ‘regret’ felt like an understatement for what I felt after blurting those words out, catching his attention. He turned slowly and my stomach dropped. The man in front of me looked dangerous. He was incredibly tall and bulky, well over six foot tall, with muscles I was sure could punch through walls and break skulls. A scar ran through his chin and tattoos peeked from under his perfectly tailored dark suit. He had piercings and his lips were set in a scowl as he watched me with a pinning gaze that left me weak and scared at the same time. “I… I hadn’t meant to overhear your conversation but you were a bit loud.” I finally replied, running out of breath at the sight of him. He was handsome. An understatement really, but he truly was. He was built perfectly in every way and gave eve
KAYLA’S POV: A shiver ran down my spine and for the first time, it wasn’t just from the cold. It was because of the name that flashed on the screen as my phone vibrated. I picked it up, staring at the caller ID, trying to find the words I’d say once I finally answered. Letting out a sigh, I hit the green button before pressing the phone to my ear. “How is he?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. Whenever Dr Wright called, it was rarely for a good reason. He was my father’s doctor and with my father’s health declining everyday, his calls almost never brought good news. “Ms. Levins,” he greeted, his gruff but gentle voice alarming me. “You’ll need to come over to the hospital as soon as you can. Preferably tonight.” “I will be there in fifteen minutes.” I answered immediately, not missing a bit. Yep, something was definitely wrong. “I’ll be expecting you.” The beep sounded, signaling he had ended the call. My eyes darted to the wall clock in the small coff
ROBERT’S POV The sound of pen on paper unnerved and irritated me at the same time. I sat in a dimly lit office with dark furniture that gave the otherwise extravagant space a gloomy feel. My eyes fixed on the man opposite me, his fingers around a pen as he concentrated on his task of writing on paper. It was eerily quiet and calm, the silence rivaling my beating heart. “I’m sure you didn’t call me here to watch you write, father,” I finally said, narrowing my eyes at him. We sat in his office, opposite each other and since I arrived, he’d completely ignored me even though he had requested my presence. Finally, the sound stopped. He dropped his pen before looking up at me, his gaze intense. “Right. Do you know what today is?” he asked, his voice calm. My brows shot up as I thought, trying to recall if I had missed anything important. My frown deepened and I let out an irritated sigh. “All I know is, it’s past midnight and I’ve been sitting here for too long, father,” I f