Billionaire's Only Cure Read online

  “But then we tried a new method,” Doc continued. “We used his negative emotions toward you to fuel his recovery, and he recovered to a great extent. That kid formed a company and built it into a billion-dollar enterprise in just three years. Isn’t that impressive?”

  Alice didn’t answer. Her heart continued bleeding. Did she even deserve the care he had given her in the last few days? And she was even thinking of continuing her friendship with him. What if his condition worsened because of her? Would he recover a second time?

  No, she’d better stay away from him before he developed deep emotions for her again.

  “When he told me he got you back in his life, I was skeptical at first. I thought you’d affect his life negatively, but then he called me one night telling me about his near touch accident, and how he was feeling about everything.”

  Alice looked up. That night, it started everything. She shouldn’t have agreed to stay with him at all. It was like pouring oil in a fire. How could she lose her mind so easily?

  A tear dropped from her eyes which she brushed up quickly, hoping the doctor didn’t see it.

  “Don’t cry. He actually survived the night without any side effects. And after seeing his actions yesterday I came to a conclusion.”

  Alice raised her chin, staring into the doctor’s deep brown eyes.

  “You’re the only one who can help him. It’s always been you who helped him in some or another way. Do you care for him, child?”

  Alice nodded. Care? Damn. She cared for him more than she cared for herself.

  “I don’t know much about your feelings, but that kid has very strong feelings for you. Will you help him and stay by his side?” Doc asked, hope radiating through his eyes.

  A message beeped on her cell. It was from Helen.

  Meet me tonight at 8:00 PM in Hotel Regal’s lobby.

  Her face darkened. Doc asked if she cared for Jade. Well, she cared for him more than anything. Yet, she had betrayed him once. What’s stopping her from doing that again?

  “I’m sorry, doctor, I need to go.”

  Chapter 33

  Alice walked into the VIP room with nervousness to her steps. Even Madison noticed it, her brows twitching a little. She seemed tense, like something clawed at her from inside.

  Jade stopped chatting with Madison and cast a smile at Alice, but she didn’t see it. She pushed forward with red-rimmed eyes, like she had cried a lot.

  Suddenly, a bitter taste spread over his tongue, like someone accidently added an extra shot of expresso to his coffee. Exactly that feeling. Alice seemed off. What had happened? Was she worried about Madison? But Madison was fine, and while Alice was away, a doctor came by and assured them that she would be discharged in a couple of days. There wasn’t anything to worry about. So what was going on?

  He glanced at Madison with querying eyes.

  She shrugged and stuck out her lower lip. She didn’t know anything either.

  “Alice, did you get your supplies?” Seeing Alice’s empty hands, Jade asked, hoping to break the awkward atmospheres of the room.

  Alice’s gaze shot up. Something painful moved inside her eyes. “What supplies?”

  Jade rubbed the back of his neck. “You said you wanted to buy some medical supplies. Did you get them? Or do you want me to ask my driver to fetch them for you?”

  Alice shook her head. “Jade, please. That’s your driver and not mine. Don’t ask me such questions again.”

  Jade was taken back by the sudden change in her attitude. What happened with her? Reaching out, he touched her forehead to check her temperature.

  Alice jumped back, like someone threw concentrated hydrochloric acid at her.

  “Al, what happened? Why are you being so rude all of a sudden?” Madison asked, her face full of concern.

  “Ah...” Alice stared at Madison. “Nothing. It’s just—” She turned to face Jade. “Mr. Parker. Would you mind if I take a day off today? Madison is still in the hospital, and I’m the only one to take care of her.”

  “No,” Madison almost shouted. “Go away. I’m doing fine, and one of my colleagues is coming to visit me this afternoon. I’m sure you have some important work to do in the office, so you’d better go and take care of it.”

  Jade stared at Alice’s absent face. Where did she go? And what happened there? He wanted to hold her hand and ask what was bothering her, but he was afraid of how she might react. Just a moment ago, when he tried to touch her, she jumped away like it would burn her.

  Damn, this was unsettling. Why was it so hard? Why couldn’t he just take her in his arms and reassure her that everything would be all right as long as she remained with him?

  Alice poured some water and handed it to Madison, even though Madison had a half-filled glass beside her. Why was she distracted? She’d even called him Mr. Parker.

  Anxiety ate at his stomach. He wasn’t ready to lose her again. Whatever it was, he had to find and fix it soon.

  “Al, I already have a glass.” Madison touched Alice’s hand to disrupt her zombie-like motion.

  “Oh!” Alice suddenly came back to herself and stared at the glass placed on the small table next to Madison’s bed and then looked at the glass in her hand. “Sorry, I was distracted.”

  “Alice, I think you should rest on the other bed. You can look after Madison if you want.” He hated it, but if that’s what Alice wanted to do, so be it. Maybe a couple of hours’ rest would let her clear whatever was going on in her mind.

  “No,” Medusa said. “The colleague I mentioned—I’m planning to ask him on a date. So, I really hope you two get out of here.”

  “Oh, well, in that case I must take Alice away with me.” Jade smiled.

  Alice smiled, though it looked forced, and trudged behind Jade to the door. “Talk to you soon, Medusa. Feel better.”

  “Alice, what’s wrong? Did I do something wrong?” Jade whispered when they stopped in front of the elevator. “Was it because of what Doc said earlier? Trust me, it was a joke.”

  Her chin lifted, and a fake smile played on her lips. “It’s nothing like that, Mr. Parker. I’m just out of myself because of Madison’s condition.”

  It was driving him crazy now. What had gotten into this woman that she was treating him like an unknown? She even called Madison by her name. Not Medusa. Something was off, and he was dying to know what it was.

  The ride in the limousine happened in silence. Curiosity clawed at Jade while Alice kept to her side of the car, staring at the traffic.

  When the silence became suffocating, Jade couldn’t take it anymore. “I didn’t know Pam was the one to give your group that name. Soul sisters. I always thought it was you.”

  Alice said nothing. Jade sighed and looked out the window. Madison was a nice girl; she talked a lot about their group, especially Alice. He’d learned many things about Alice from her. Some he already knew, and some were new. It refreshed his memories of her, making him realize how beautiful those were. He shouldn’t have let Alice walk away from him.

  Yes, he would do better this time. He’d get her back in his life and keep her with him. He couldn’t lose her again. Suddenly it was crystal clear in his mind. He’d never stopped loving her, even when he hated her the most.

  Chapter 34

  The limo stopped in front of a theater. People flowed out of the theater like bees leaving their hive, abuzz with chatter. A young couple walked out of the crowd, hand in hand. The boy leaned in and planted a kiss on the girl’s cheek.

  Alice’s heart ached. She’d wanted to do the same with Jade when they were together, wanted to live a normal life like that.

  She sighed, focusing her attention on a bunch of youths drinking beer and cheering each other up.

  Alice’s insides twitched. Did this car have booze? Beer, if nothing else?

  “J—” She bit her lip. She couldn’t use his name anymore. Any road that led to reconciliation had to be avoided, at all cost. He was the boss, and she was his employ
ee. That was it. “Mr. Parker, do you have anything to drink in here?”

  Jade’s lips parted as if he might say something, but instead he pressed a button and a small bar appeared out of the front partition. It had everything she could imagine. Wine, whiskey, beer, everything. She itched to drink something strong, to borrow some strength so she could face this situation.

  “What do you want?” he asked in a husky voice.

  Her heart fluttered. It was happening again. Lately he had this mysterious effect on her that whenever he touched her or came close, her heart would start fluttering. Though they had a few feet in between them, his irresistible charm still got to her.

  No, Alice. She couldn’t think that way. He was a forbidden object. What if he lapsed again? Five years ago, he almost went into an asylum because of her. How could she do that again to him?

  She grasped the cushion beside her hard.

  “Anything will do,” she said, suddenly less interested in a drink. God, this was so hard, ignoring him while sitting next to him.

  Jade picked a can and handed it to her.

  Popping the tab, she gulped from the can. The sheer coldness of beer calmed her nerves a little, but not enough to push thoughts of him away. Whenever she looked at him, she thought she saw a man in cap and gown wailing, cursing, and shouting her name.

  “Alice, can we talk?” he asked, his voice deep and low.

  “Yes, of course boss. Do you want me to do something for you?” she asked, plastering a fake smile on her lips. Whiskey would have been better. Beer was good for chilling out with friends, but it could never match the soothing sensation of burning whiskey traveling down her throat.

  “Alice, can you please tell me what’s wrong? Did I say something? If I did, I’m sincerely sorry.” He pushed his fingers through his hair. She wanted to do that too, let her fingers run through his short hair.

  Alice, wake up!

  She took another large gulp. What would it take to stop thinking about him? More beer? Or would she have to resort to something heavier?

  She looked out the window. “Mr. Parker.” She drained the last of the can. “It’s better if we keep some distance between us. Didn’t you hire me to take revenge? Why don’t you go back to that instead?” Yes, please do that. If he started troubling her again, she might forget about him quicker.

  Jade grabbed her shoulder and turned her towards him. “Do you want me to get on my knees and apologize to you?”

  A knife stabbed at her heart. Why would she want that? She would never let him go on his knees, not in front of anyone. She shook her head, fighting back tears.

  “I know I’m a jerk to think like that,” he said. “But can’t you give me another chance to make it up to you?”

  The knife pierced the inner layers of her heart and twisted in an awkward angle. He could make it up to her, but she couldn’t make anything up to him. The pain she gave him, the pain she might give him... No, she couldn’t do it again.

  She had to get away from him, somehow, without hurting him again.

  She touched his shoulder. “Mr. Parker. Can you please let me breathe? I need time to think about this.”

  Letting her shoulder go, Jade shifted in his seat. He glanced forward and grabbed a beer for himself. “I’m sorry. I went overboard. It’s just that I realized how much I—” He froze. Completely froze. Like he realized something all of a sudden.

  His gaze drifted away from her.

  “Never mind. Please take your time to think. It’s just that I don’t want to have misunderstandings between us.”

  Looking away, she quickly wiped at tears that dared to fall. She was hurting him; she could see it. But she was hurting herself more. The knife had already sliced through her heart, leaving it in a thousand pieces, but every piece cried his name. She couldn’t let that sound be heard. Especially not by Jade.

  “I know it’s hard for you, but please give me some time. It’s hard for me as well.” Heck, it was killing her already, keeping herself away from him. What would happen when she did walk away from him again?

  Before that, she had to make sure he’d recover completely.

  She stood at the start of the path, staring at the tough journey ahead.

  Chapter 35

  Confused and frustrated, Alice entered the ground floor of her office building. The day had been hell. From the moment she learned what she did to Jade five years back, guilt crawled into her mind and consumed it slowly. Every time she glanced at Jade, she saw a guy locked in a room, wailing her name, crying, shouting.

  Yet, he called her an angel.

  More like an angel of death. Yes, she was an angel of death for him. No more. She had to get away from him somehow.

  Her phone buzzed again.

  Helen: I’m waiting for you in the lobby.

  Her forehead throbbed. What did she want now? Why was she calling? Didn’t they finish their business five years ago? Her phone buzzed again.

  Helen: If you don’t come, then I’ll come to your hotel. Chose what you want.

  Her fingers clenched around the feeble phone. If she could, she would throw it under a bus and run away from all of this. If only she could.

  She went outside. A limo pulled up, stopping in front of her, and a driver in a black suit opened the door for her. It was there to take her to her hotel.

  Whatever. At least the car had booze.

  “Please take me to Hotel Regel, on twelfth avenue,” Alice said, as she stepped into the limo. Until this morning, she had never been in a limo before. Seeing it for the first time, she’d understood why rich people preferred limos. What wasn’t there? A mini bar. Remembering the button Jade pushed, Alice followed suit. A small bar appeared out of the front partition.

  Grabbing a bottle of Johnnie Walker, she put some ice in a glass and filled it to the brim. As she emptied it, the burning liquid entered her throat and put her senses on overdrive.

  “Ma’am, Mr. Parker asked me to take you to Hotel Alexis.”

  Alice shot a glare at the camera. “Do you want me to step out and get a taxi?”

  “But, ma’am...”

  “God, please don’t be Jade and just listen to me. I have a friend I need to meet. It won’t take more than fifteen minutes, so drop me at Hotel Regel and wait outside. Will that work?”

  She couldn’t see the driver, as pitch black tinted glass separated them, but his silence said he agreed. He might tell Jade about this. She would deal with that later. Right now, she needed to get this over with.

  Fifteen minutes later, she stepped out of the limo and entered the lavish lobby of Hotel Regal. As expected, a hostess came rushing upon seeing her. She guided Alice to a private booth where Helen waited for her.

  Helen wore a plastic smile as Alice slid into the booth across from her. She had changed little in the last five years. Fake smile, heavy makeup, and soul-piercing eyes. Maybe the wrinkles around her eyes had darkened a little.

  “Hello.” Alice dropped her tote at her feet. She wasn’t afraid of Helen, not anymore. The bargaining chip Helen had on her was gone.

  Helen signaled the waiting hostess. “Please get some wine for my guest and then disappear.”

  “Johnnie Walker, a full bottle. No soda please,” Alice said.

  Helen’s brows shot to the sky. “Did you turn alcoholic?”

  “None of your business.” Alice snapped back. It really wasn’t. The word Helen had used last night burned in her mind like acid. Five years ago, Helen had talked about manners, but now she seemed to have lost them.

  Helen shrugged. “Whatever. I won’t take much of your time. Name your price and then get out of my son’s life.”

  Alice slammed her hands on the table. The glass of whiskey she’d had in the limo was kicking in, giving her enough strength to face Helen. Not that she needed alcohol to talk with an old hag like her.

  “How dare you, Helen. I love that man, and I ain’t moving out of his life.”

  What the hell did she just say?
>
  Alice swallowed, her heart going haywire. Did she use the “L” word? Did she just sputter some nonsense out of her mouth?

  Helen’s breath quickened. Red spread over her face. “I will...”

  Alice pushed her hair back. She was tired of Helen’s threats five years back, and she was beyond frustrated with them now. She’d had enough trouble for one day.

  “I’m leaving first.” Alice had enough.

  Helen shook violently and then threw her glass at Alice.

  The glass came at her like a bullet and smashed against her head. Pain and blood blossomed on her forehead, but it was nothing compared to the anger burning in her heart. She was angry on Helen, and on herself for sprouting nonsense in front of her.

  Did she really love Jade?

  “You B$%^S.” Helen shouted. “You betrayed him and almost sent him to an asylum. I won’t let you kill him!”

  Alice stood. Blood rolled down her face, and the pain was intense, pushing her to the edge of unconsciousness.

  “Ma’am are you all right?” The hostess asked.

  Alice realized it was same hostess from before, holding the full bottle of Johnnie Walker. Without hesitation, Alice took the bottle, opened it, and poured it inside her mouth. The burning liquid entered her stomach, numbing her senses.

  With bottle in hand, she walked out of the hotel and back the limo. Helen made sense. She had almost killed Jade once, and she couldn’t do that again.

  Chapter 36

  Jade watched the evening traffic through the glass wall in his office. The streets were bustling with people, cars, and God knew what. Usually, watching traffic gave him peace of mind. Strength. Not today. His mood remained the same: unsettled. Because Alice was upset. God knew what had happened to her in that medical materials buying break. She left with a smiling face and returned acting like an angry pixie.

  Why was his mood always centered around her?