The Beautiful Billionaire

LINDEN I knew this would happen. The fucking pillow was getting in our way. I lay on my back while Estelle curled into her pillow. She looked comfortable, though. I only wished she found that kind of comfort in me. A moment later, her body shook. She made fun of me.

“I can hear your brain cursing the hell out of this pillow, Gabriel.” She turned her head, grinning.

“It’s all right, baby. If only I could take all your discomfort, pain, and weight from you. I already did. What a little comfort you found in your pillow that I wouldn’t give.”

“Really?”

“Why do you sound so surprised?”

She turned to face me. “I don’t know. Couples don’t wanna have babies immediately because they want to spend time together, cuddle, travel, do something fun before they want another responsibility.”

“Do you want that?”

“Before we got married, you knew what I wanted, but things changed, and I don’t have an ounce of regret for having a baby. Though I’m still scared of this huge responsibility, but I know I’m not alone. You’re here with me.”

“You are not alone and won’t ever be alone. We’ll take care of our kid together, but you should really work on that nursery room.”

She grinned. I sensed a surprise coming from her.

“What is it?”

“Today, I stepped down as Chairman-”

“What?” She didn’t even tell me about her decision. “Why?”

“Because I wanna rest, focus on things that I should finish doing before my maternity leave.”

“Is that wise? Why didn’t you tell me before you did that?”

She blew a breath, seemingly expecting a better reaction from me. “Do you realize what we’ve been through for the past weeks? I just want to sit down and feel my butt warn on the sofa while I scroll some baby clothes. I’m halfway through, and I haven’t finished the room. I haven’t even picked a crib or mat. I didn’t know what I’d been doing for months.”

“Calm down, baby.” I caressed her cheek. She got a short fuse in a matter of seconds. “I was just waiting for you. I don’t want to alarm you and tell you I’m too excited or take your job with finishing the room. We’ll do it together.”

“Maybe you will get another assignment or rescue your men.”

“They can handle it without me. I promised you already that I would be there for you. I will be involved in any decisions about our baby and our marriage. That I should have been doing from the start. Who takes over your seat?”

“Dad.”

I pretended I wasn’t shocked, but she saw it anyway.

“I know you’re not fond of Dad, but please give him a chance.”

“I already did, and I admire what you did, trusting your father with the company he almost forcibly took from you months ago.”This belongs © NôvelDra/ma.Org.

“I know. He actually declined it. He’s afraid I would think he’s only after the position. I’m giving him a chance to prove me right, Gabriel. And I can see him becoming the father I have been dreaming of for a long time.”

“Well, it’s your decision. And he’s family.”

She smiled, holding my arm tight. “Thank you. That means a lot coming from you.”

“I love you, Estelle, and I will do anything to make you happy. So what’s your plan for tomorrow?”

“That’s the best thing about having no job. I can wake up anytime and still be productive.”

“How about our wedding?”

“I promised Dad I would not work hard on wedding preparation.”

“One thing we agreed on.”

She pressed her lips against mine and kissed me three times. “You’re the best, Gabriel, but I still need a custom-made dress.”

“Let me help you with that.”

“No. Do your regular job, Superman. I’ll do mine.”

“Will you tell me if you need anything?”

“Of course.” She then closed her eyes, making me laugh.

I shook my head in amusement and annoyed at the same time.

“You wanted to make another baby. Then you have to suck this up.”

“I’m not complaining. It’s just I really want to hug you and touch you, my love.”

“You can come and join me.”

“Sleep tight, baby.” I kissed her forehead.

“I’m wondering how’s Everette.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll check up on him.”

“Thanks, baby.” She felt sleepy right away.

After a few minutes, I was also about to doze off. I moved closer and used that thing as my pillow. I just wanted to feel my wife, which made me sleep well, knowing I could smell and touch her.

***

I parked the car in front of Jake’s house and watched him play soccer with his son. There were a lot of changes in Everette. He seemed enthusiastic, hyperactive and wasn’t shy anymore. Jake did a great job raising him.

Jake noticed our car. He walked to his son, gave him the ball, and said something to him. I climbed out of the vehicle as soon as he walked towards us.

“I thought it was you.” He quickly offered his hand.

“Apology for coming unannounced.” I shook his hand and did a brotherly hug.

“Daddy!” Everette came with a huge grin on his face.

“Remember him?” Jake asked.

“Yes. Mr. Linden.”

“Hey, Everette. Estelle says hi.”

“Say hello to me.”

“You play soccer, huh?” I ruffled Everette’s hair.

“Yes. I love soccer.”

“He also plays in his school now.”

“That’s great. How have you been?”

“We’re great. I only work five days in the bar. I want to spend a lot of time with Rette on the weekend. Tomorrow, we’ll go fishing, right, Rette?”

“Yes! Last week, we watched a baseball game at the ballpark.”

“Good for you. I should join you next time.”

“Will Estelle join us?”

I chuckled. “I’ll try to invite her.”

“Why don’t you and your men come inside?”

“I’m just actually dropping by. I have something for Everette.” Before I drove here, I dropped by the toy store. Lynx took the bags out of the trunk and brought them to Everette.

The boy’s eyes lit up the moment he saw the bags.

“I know there’s nothing much, but if you need anything, just call me.”

“I wouldn’t expect you to visit after what happened to you and her. I’m so sorry, Linden.”

“All forgiven, man.”

“Here you go, mate.” Lynx gave the bags to Everette and the rest to his father.

“This is a lot.”

“I don’t know what to pick for his age. And, um, if you want a freelance job, I can offer you. Also, my wife has something for your son.” I took the envelope from my pocket and gave it to Jake.

“What’s this?” He hesitated.

“Probably a gift card. Take it.”

“Thank you, man. If you have time, you can drop by my bar. It’s small, but it has beer.”

“Thanks.” I waved at Everette. “See you, buddy.”

“Thank you, sir.” He was grinning the entire time, checking what was in the paper bag. “I love puzzles and lego.”

“Just be careful not to step on your lego.”

I called my wife as soon as I climbed into the car. Lynx took the driver’s seat.

“Hey, baby daddy.”

“I’m your husband, Estelle.”

“Oh, yeah. I just gave my number to that guy.” I knew she was joking.

“You’re flirting even though you’re pregnant and married?”

“What can I say? I’m a hot mamma.”

“No doubt. Where are you?”

“You’re not picking me up right now. I’m with Mom. I found a very cute crib, but it cost a fortune. This is not even made of titanium or gold.”

“Just buy it, babe. Buy anything you want.”

“Oh, I already bought it. It’s your credit card I’m using anyway.”

I laughed. Lynx gave me a weird look. “Well, that’s the best decision you ever made, and that’s why I gave you the card.”

“Do you realize I’m rich, Gabriel?”

“I know, baby. You don’t have to shove it to my face, but you’re shopping for our baby, so I don’t give a damn if you spend my one-year salary.”

“Mom likes the necklace. She said she might buy one just like mine.”

“It’s personalized. What she’s going to put on? Your name?”

“No, the same as mine.”

“Well, that’s great. I feel like I have a lot of competition for my child’s attention, and she hasn’t been born yet.”

“Well, she’s already well-loved.”

“I’m glad, Estelle. Are we having dinner tonight?”

“No. I will be having dinner with Mom.”

“What about me?”

“You have your guys. I barely spent time with Mom. Don’t be pesky and jealous. I’m coming home to you anyway.”

“Yeah? But I’m literally sleeping alone.”

She laughed. “Fine. When I’m not going to sleep, you can cuddle me.”

“I want more than cuddling, Estelle. You’re my wife.” I watched Lynx shake his head. “Block your ears, Lynx.”

“Why? What is he doing?”

“I think Sax’s attitude is like a plague. Lynx is slowly turning like him.”

“See you later, husband.”

“Baby, don’t be late.”

“I heard you. I wanna do it in the bathtub.”

I was confused. The only thing that came to my head was waterbirth. “Give birth?”

“No, dumbass.”

“Okay, baby. I love you.” I hung up the call and chuckled.

“I wished I could unhear everything.” Lynx tsked with a shake of his head.

“The call wasn’t even on speaker.”

“I can hear it, boss.”

“Just shut up. Do you have a girlfriend?”

“Nah, mate. I’m good.”

“You might be into a redhead. I know just a girl. Someone broke your heart, too?” I looked at him.

“Something like that, but no thanks to the redhead. And I know someone out there waiting for me, and she will be worth the wait, but right now, I am more focused on the job.”

“Aren’t you full of surprises, mate,” I copied his accent, even if it was horrible. “I didn’t expect to feel that way when I met Estelle. The first time I saw her picture, I was attracted to her already, and when you meet the right one for you, everything just clicks.”

“She’s a lucky lass.”

“It’s the other way around. What made you say that?”

“You’re a good man willing to do anything and give up everything for her. My father is your opposite, mate. He gave up on my mother, gallivanted around the world, and took women with him just around your wife’s age. You, on the other hand, just became one of the most successful self-made. You settled down instead of showing the world what you got. And chivalry isn’t dead.”