A Billionaire in Disguise #3 ： The Wrong Side of Midnight(22)

"They showed up, did they? I kind of figured they would have to make an appearance to avoid bad publicity."

"Sylvia's a monster, Lois. Earl sat quietly in Chloe's room for a few minutes, and then he walked past us and said he was sorry and left. I don't think he was very happy with his wife."

"Earl's a sweet man, but he too should have been more involved with his daughter. Sylvia isn't really a monster, Becky. She acts like one to avoid rejection. Her mother rejected her, and there was no way she was going to go through that kind of sorrow again. When she would visit with her little girl, Chloe would treat me like the mother and Sylvia more like a distant relative. That was rejection in her eyes. She never bonded with Chloe because of her past."

"I thought I was going to hit her. She treated Matthew like dirt. Do you know she hasn't called to even check on her daughter?"

"All I know is peace has to be made in that family."

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

Earl Burlington walked through the parking lot in the rain. When he reached the hospital entrance, the doors opened but he couldn't bring himself to step inside. He'd rehearsed in his head, over and over again, what he would say to his daughter. In the end, it just wasn't good enough. I'm a stranger to her. Earl walked in the rain back to his car.

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

Chloe was stable so the doctor had her moved to a surgical floor. Becky and Matthew walked behind the transporters but stayed in the lobby until the nurses were done getting her situated. The room would allow one cot, so between the two of them they decided it was best if Becky stayed. Chloe fell right back to sleep when the nurses left, so Matthew went home, but promised to come back up after work the next day. 

"Give her a kiss for me. I wish I could have talked to her before I left."

"I don't think I'll mention you if she wakes up. She'd get really nervous waiting for you to arrive, and I don't think that would be good. It's best if you come over after work and give her that kiss yourself." Becky hugged Matthew and held onto him for a few moments longer. "Thank you for loving her."

Matthew kissed Becky's cheek and drove home. John was at the apartment helping Conner get settled for the night when he walked in.

"Matt, how's Chloe?"

"They moved her to a regular room, but I didn't get a chance stay there long. She's pretty tired. Tomorrow after work I'll spend some time with her."

"You don't have to come back to work until you're ready. I got everything covered there, and here with your dad," said John as he pulled out a roll of cash.

"What's this for?"

"Your pay from this week."

"Keep it, bro. I didn't work, you did. I'm not taking your money."

"If you don't take it, I'll just deposit it myself into your account."

"I'm okay, John."

"I worked hard doing two jobs. Not because I had to, but because I love ya and you're my brother. Someday I might find myself in a tight situation and unable to work. I know you'd pitch in and do for me what I couldn't do for myself. Take the money."

"Thanks, man. I owe you so much. You've taken care of me, my dad, the business … I don't know what I'd do without you."

"Hey speaking of which, your dad only smoked three cigs today."

"Unbelievable … "

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

Becky woke up when the lab tech came in to draw Chloe's blood.

"Ouch."

"I know, dear, I'll be done in just a second." The technician turned to Becky when she saw her start to sit up. "There's coffee in the nurse's lounge if you want some. You should hurry though, they'll suck that stuff up like crack heads gettin' a fix. Have a good day, ladies."

"Becky?" Chloe's voice sounded panicked.

"Hey, how do you feel?" Becky tried to keep her voice soft as she walked to Chloe's bedside.

"Like I was hit by a tank. My body is killing me, but I don't want to take pain medication and sleep, so I'm not exactly honest about how I feel."

"I was so worried … ."

"I'm okay. Man my jaw hurts if I open it too much when I talk. Sorry for mumbling."

"I love you."

"Thanks for being here. I love you, too."

Becky wanted to tell her how Matthew had camped at her bedside, and how much he loves her, but he needed to take care of that himself. If Chloe asked about him, however, she wouldn't lie.

Chloe had been thinking about Matthew since she woke up after surgery. Conner and Sherry probably think I moved without saying a word. Matthew has to be elated over not seeing me. I bet I was fired from my job and kicked out of my apartment. She wondered if her parents knew, if they even cared.

"What's on your mind? You look so worried." Becky took a warm, wet cloth and gently wiped her mouth.

"Have you heard from Lois? I should have been keeping in touch with her, but I didn't want to have to lie." She wanted to ask about Matthew, her parents … so many things, but didn't feel up to bad news.

"Lois has been here off and on. She came right away when she heard about the accident. I've been calling to give her updates, and she calls me to check in."

"She's not angry with me?"

"Not one little bit. She's just thankful you're alive."


 

 

 

"Do you know how I was hit and who hit me at that intersection?"

"An older man had a heart attack and went through the light. They think he died before he hit you."

"That poor family … "

"Get some rest, sweetie, so your jaw doesn't get so sore. I can call Lois to come visit you this afternoon. She'll be so excited."

"I'd like that a lot. Thanks, Becky. I think I might need a little bit of medication after all. It even hurts to breathe."

"That's a good idea. While you take a nap, I'm going to run home and shower real quick."

"Why are you dressed like that?" Chloe grimaced in pain when she began to laugh.

"Oh, well the nurses had some clothes in a storage closet and they gave me some to borrow."

Becky promised to be back soon and then stopped by the desk and asked the nurse to bring Chloe some medicine. She had planned on stopping by Matthew's apartment to shower, but now she couldn't wear any of his clothes without risking Chloe recognizing them.

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

Matthew checked his watch and was excited to discover they'd finished up the job early. He hopped in his truck and drove home to get what he needed, clean up, and then visit Chloe. His father was taking a nap when he walked in the door, and still, the house remained fairly smoke free. He stopped by the office to update Sherry and then drove to a jewelry store on Eight Mile. He stood outside and waited to be buzzed in.

"Hello, can I help you find something?" asked a very well-dressed woman about his father's age.

"I would like to look at this ring. How much is it?"

"This is thirty-two hundred."

Matthew frowned and handed the ring back to her.

"Let's start out in your budget range. How much do want to spend?"

"I'd be willing to spend every dime I could get my hands on for this woman but, unfortunately, I only have about nine hundred bucks."

"Come over here with me. Does she like white or yellow gold? A diamond or plain band?"

"She doesn't really wear jewelry, and she hates gaudy looking things. Oh I think she'd like this one here."

The woman pulled out the dainty gold band with three tiny diamonds on it."

"This one's twelve hundred."

"Dang. Can you go lower? I'll do some work for you … "

She stared at Matthew for a long time, watching him turn the small ring around in his large hands. "She's a special one isn't she?"

"You have no idea."

"I've had this ring in the showcase for over a year. I'll tell you what. I'll sell it to you for nine hundred dollars, that way I'm not losing any money on it. And in the future, if you ever need to buy more jewelry, you'll come to me?" 

"You bet. Thank you so much."

Matthew watched her polish up the ring and place it carefully in a beautiful, gray velvet box.

"If it needs resized, bring it on back."

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

Chloe was given soft food she didn't have to chew much, and even though it looked horrible, it was better than nothing. The staff at the hospital had been so nice. She'd make sure to do something special for them when she got out. Nurses really do work hard. Lois had stopped in briefly to visit, but didn't stay very long. She tried to keep the conversation on pleasant topics, but when the subject of her parents started to come up, she left and promised to come back the next day.

She wasn't as sore as she was yesterday, but that wasn't saying much. Her body went through hell. Chloe was told the pins in her hand could come out in another week, but after that short excitement, she was diagnosed with a bladder infection and placed on more antibiotics. It's always something …

Matthew walked into the hospital and took the elevator to the third floor. The entire time, he had to keep wiping his palms on his pant legs and felt the need to frequently clear his throat. What if she says no? Heck, she might even throw me out before I get a chance to ask. What was I thinking? I should have waited to buy a ring until after I found out if she hates me or not. But I want her. If she says no, I'll try again another day.