The Billionaire’s Creed

ADLEY

The evening started rocky to the point that Mykel was ready to walk out.

After dinner, I got a chance to get to know his father. The man was a jerk, but he was making his amends, and he had nothing but respect for his ex-wife, who he abandoned. And who was I to judge against someone willing to change to be a better version of himself?

We all had issues, made mistakes, and learned each step in our lives. We fell, stood up, and started over. That was all that mattered.

While Mykel was tensed the entire time, he exchanged a little conversation with his father’s girlfriend.

“You have an accent. Where you from?”

“I was born Queens, but my parents are originally from Colombia.”

“That tells your skin. It’s lovely. I’m jealous,” I butted in.

“Do they approve of your relationship?”ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

Lyra looked down.

“I see. Do they know you’re pregnant?” Mykel asked.

“Yes. My family is a little bit traditional regarding raising a child.”

“They didn’t approve of raising a child out of wedlock,” I cut the chase.

She nodded in agreement. Mykel stole a glance at his father. It looked like Dru had no plan to marry this woman before the baby was born. Mykel seemed right. Business came first for Dru, or he didn’t believe in marriage anymore. Whatever his reason was, I hoped it was for their own good.

“If you need anything, my wife and I are always here for you.” I admired my husband for looking after this woman he had just met an hour ago.

“Thanks.” She smiled timidly.

“Adley, are you still in the design business?” Dru asked.

“Yes.”

“Maybe you can help us design the nursery room.”

“She’s still busy dealing with the situation at Kross Corp. Her friend Blaze will take over,” Mykel cut in. I knew he wanted me not to get too close to his father, but Dru asked for a favor.

“That sounds great,” Dru said. His expression slightly changed when Mykel butted in.

“Thanks. I can still design for you. Then I will endorse you to the team. I haven’t resigned anyway,” I respectfully replied. It felt like he had a lot of embarrassment for tonight. I could lighten up the tension in this room.

“It’s okay. We can just visit the office-”

I swatted my hand. “It’s no biggie, really. Just let me know when you’re both ready.” I turned to Lyra. “We can talk about it over a coffee.”

“Of course,” Lyra said gleefully. She was five months pregnant, and her baby daddy had not done anything for their child.

Wow! I wasn’t judging, but I was grateful Mykel got the majority of his DNA from her mother. Actually, scratch that. They had fifty-fifty, but he was just raised well by Madelyn.

The dinner went well in the end. Madelyn finally decided to come to the penthouse with us after some persuasion.

“I didn’t wanna impose. You two are newly married. I’ve been there-”

Mykel and I shared a look. I instantly knew what was on his mind. We just had sex on the table, and I didn’t know if I could see that thing the same again without thinking something dirty and wild.

“Mom, we wanna spend some time with you before you return home.”

“If you say so, honey.”

I had red wine with me while Mykel was responsible for the glasses. Madelyn sandwiched between us as we settled on the couch.

“I’m gonna continue watching the series.” She picked up the remote and searched for the show she was talking about.

“You’re not watching rom-com, Mom.” Mykel offered Madelyn a glass of wine.

“Thank you. Nope. This is about a surgeon.”

“Oh, boy. The killer from another show?” Mykel looked at me.

I shrugged. I was afraid I didn’t know what he was talking about.

“I’m going to watch this, or I’m going to bed.”

I laughed beside her.

“Fine. We’ll watch it.” Mykel knew he was not going to win over this time. He was losing a vote from me for Madelyn.

The show started with the first episode. “I’ll start from the beginning so that you two can relate.”

“Thanks, Mom,” he muttered with sarcasm.

“I love you, my boy.” He received a kiss on his cheek from his mother. “And you, too, darling.”

“Love you, too.”

“Baby, can you come over here?”

I looked at him. “Sorry, big guy. I’m staying in my seat.”

“You both just watch. No more talking.”

Three hours later, no matter how interesting the story went, I had to hide my yawn.

I might have fallen asleep while watching. The last thing I knew, I was carried and put to bed.

Then I forgot to silence my phone. Someone called and woke up my senses.

Mykel shushed me. He must have put my phone on silent mode and returned to sleep.

***

“Oh, my God, Mom! What are you doing?” I rushed toward Madelyn with her hands full in the kitchen.

I woke up early, but not earlier than Mykel, who was like an alarm clock, never missed a minute in his five o’clock routine. But then, his mother was also an early riser.

“I’m making us breakfast,” she replied casually.

The coffee pot was almost full. There were sliced fruits. Madelyn had a pan on the stove, my guess for the egg and waffle maker on the counter.

“Where’s Mykel?”

“In the mini gym.”

“And he let you do all this alone?”

She sighed and smiled at me. “Darling, I only come here to visit once in two months? I still wish I could make you breakfast and dinner every day.”

“Mom, you don’t have to do this. How can I help? I’m gonna hire a chef after this.” I felt my cheeks burning with embarrassment. She may be Mykel’s mother, but she was still our guest.

“Just sit pretty and chat with me.”

“You know that I don’t really cook. Did he tell you that?”

“Tell her what?” Mykel replied from my back, kissing my exposed neck. “Morning, baby. Mom.” He went to kiss his mom on the cheek.

“You’re sweating, Mykel. Go clean up, you stinky boy.”

“You love me.”

I watched him smile as he walked away, and Madelyn didn’t miss it.

“You love my son.” Her remark got my attention, making me blush. I wasn’t surprised. I knew it would come up.

“I think I’m in love with him.” There was no reason to deny the fact. I always felt that my feelings for Mykel grew deeper and deeper.

“That’s good to hear that my son’s heart is in good hands.”

“Don’t worry. He’s gonna break my heart first before it happens.”

“You two talked about working at Kross Corp?”

“Yeah. He actually suggested this first. Then I realized I needed to be there.”

“That’s what I wanted to hear. You should always share opinions on what’s good for both of you. Trust and love each other. You’ll grow old together.”

“That’s the plan.”