The Billionaire’s Creed

MYKEL

The horrible feeling when you were in a scenario where your world was being pulled under your feet, you became helpless, grabbed the nothingness until you fell into the profound loss and sadness.

I felt that way when it all sunk in-my denial turned into reality, and I knew my life would crumble before me at any moment.

I have lived my life to the fullest for the past five years. Those countless sleepless nights, those days of exhaustion, no baths, empty stomach, trials, rejections, and humiliation had finally paid off. I deserved it.

All you wanted to do was to celebrate that eventually, the world was in your favor-you tasted the fruit of your success.

People had seen your capabilities-to some, you became their inspiration, some idolized you-to some, you were just a joke, some took advantage of your status, and some didn’t want to see you on top of their world, wanting to drag you down with their failures.

I have had the best life since I succeed in capital ventures. I found the love of my life, had true friends, and got my family back. The people who believed me had my support in return. I had a great life, and I could not ask for more.

Then the past I preferred to be kept in the past wanted to come back and fucking bite me in my ass.

“Babe, are you done there?” I jerked at my wife’s voice behind the shower’s glass wall. I lost track of time but knew I had been there too long-my skin was hot and painful.

“Mykel?”

I turned the rain shower off. “Done.”

“Okay. Let me dry your hair when-”

“I’m good, baby. It’s late. Get in bed, please? I’ll be there in a minute.” I could barely look at her. I was not guilty. She knew that, but I would have never expected that I could hurt her like this.

Adley cared about me. I knew why she excused herself from the conference room while we had a video conference with my lawyers. She went out because she couldn’t take it anymore. It fucking hurt knowing the people you loved were in pain because of what I’d done.

She was scared to lose me. She was afraid of what would happen to me. She was terrified of losing all my hard work because of lies. Sometimes, you couldn’t think the truth-would-prevail-bullshit when you were in a frightful difficult situation. Positive thinking didn’t always work. You may also doubt God if He even existed, and the billion-dollar question-why you?

I got in bed, but my mind was still in turmoil. Adley was already there facing my side, but she was obviously struggling. I knew the feeling of trying to comfort someone, yet you felt helpless on your own.

She laid her head on my shoulder, her palm resting on my chest. I was stiffed as a corpse as I stared up at the ceiling, looking back at what that bitch could possibly use against me. I was exhausted thinking of it. And any threats about my life and anyone I cared about, I didn’t take it lightly.

I should be pretty confident. I had the best defense attorneys in town, yet I was losing my shit. The case had not been filed yet, but my life would be over if this issue escalated and be out in public, on gossip sites, and the social media.

You could only imagine how trolls on social media easily judge and destroy you with false claims. It could ruin your life, your image, your company, and the people you loved because that was what they do.

My lawyers advised me a long time ago to be very careful because I was not the person I was who had nothing to lose. I did not listen to their advice to protect my image from scandals. My fucking words finally got back to me and clawed me in my ass.

Adley kissed me on my shoulder. “Everything is gonna be okay.” I knew all she wanted was to make me feel better.

“I know.”

She held my cheek. “Look at me, babe.”

I turned to face her and looked her straight in the eye. It bled my heart to see the deep sorrow in her beautiful soul. “I’ll be fine. Whatever she had against me, I know it won’t stick. I did not do anything wrong.”

It cringed me, realizing I slept with that bitch. I respected women, and forcing someone to have sex with me? That was even horrifying to think about it.

“I know.” Adley closed the gap between us, kissing me on my lips.

I kissed her back, even if my chest was heavy. I would never let our lives be ruined and controlled by accusations. I couldn’t also use my wife and use sex as convenient whenever I was in pain and used it as an escape from reality.

I stopped, letting out of shaky breath.

“I’m sorry.” My wife just apologized.

Fuck. This was so fucked up and messing in my head.

“Don’t apologize. Never apologize to me, okay?”

“I apologize because I know you feel this is too much, and you’re tired.”

I looked her in the eye. “This is not too much. I’m exhausted, yes. But you know we always did even if we were both tired. But this time, I can’t use you and sex as temporary relief of pain, as a band-aid, baby. You’re my everything. I love you as I’ve never loved anyone in my life.” I closed my eyes for a few seconds and took a deep breath-way of trying to be romantic at the wrong time.

“D-did you just-”

I opened my eyes and chuckled wistfully. “I’m such an ass. I wanted to say it to you many times, but I refrained from saying it before or after sex. I was trying to find a way to say it in some places romantic. Yet here we are.”

She smiled, and the smile turned to a beam. “Bed is always romantic.”

“When I just stopped us from making love? I just killed the romance, baby. How does it so romantic?”

“You just said you love me unless you don’t mean it?”

“I meant every word, Adley. I love you.” I smiled, but I still felt the heaviness in my chest that it was almost hard to breathe.

She wrapped her arms around my neck and hugged me so tight. I was good with her response, even if she did not say it back.

***

I woke up with a terrible headache. I got up from bed and went to find some painkillers in the medicine cabinet. I swallowed two tabs.

I did not only wake up with a killer headache, but I also woke up alone in bed and terribly late.ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

After using the bathroom, my stomach just growled. I remembered that I was barely able to swallow my dinner last night.

I went down to the kitchen only to find myself freezing in my spot. A lot of people were chatting at the dining table, including Lex. “What the fuck is going on?”

“Well, good morning, babe.” My enthusiastic wife came, tiptoed, and kissed me on my lips as if we were not carrying the world over our shoulders yesterday, even until now.

“How could you kiss that kind of mouth?” Lex commented, stabbing some sliced fruits on the plate.

“A talented mouth, apparently.”

“Come and have breakfast, son.” It was my father, patting the empty chair beside him.

“I saw the painting. Well, who couldn’t notice? I’m impressed by the way. Perfect spot to hang it.” How in the fucking hell was Knox here? I was glad he was here, but I was still puzzled by this sudden reunion.

Adley thought the painting should be in the family living room, and she also printed the family photo and framed it. Additional touch to the family room. Her words, not mine.

“Imagine my disappointment when I received a call that there were some miscommunications with my purchase. That’s kind of a terrible mishap for art dealers, don’t you think?”

“Sorry about that, Grandpa.” Adley showed a guilty smile.

“I understand. I know it was Mykel’s doing.”

“Who’s vegetarian?” Elise and Blaze were carrying two full plates of sandwiches. “In rice wrapper.”

“Are you just gonna stare at us?” Blaze seconded.

“I’m counting heads.”

“You’re scared we’re gonna empty your fridge?” Knox released a short laugh.

“Considering I might lose billions, yeah.” I snorted.

Lex literally rolled his eyes, which he never did. He gestured his hand. “Come and eat, Mykel.”

I finally joined them, sitting beside my father and my wife in the host chair. I kissed Adley on the side of her head. “How long have you been up?”

“Three hours. I couldn’t sleep.”

“I’m sorry.”

“I had enough, babe.” She put a slice of toast on my plate, a lot of scrambled eggs, sliced fruits, and bacon. “Do you want some wrap veggies?”

“Looks pretty, but no thanks.”

“It tastes good, actually. It’s refreshing.”

“You’re a sight of sore eyes and refreshing even if you lack sleep.” I started digging in my breakfast.

“Oh.” Lyra froze in her seat and grinned. “Sorry.”

“You okay?” The way my father looked at Lyra and asked it melted my heart.

“She’s surprisingly active today.”

Then I watched Dru place his hand on Lyra’s growing tummy. “Yeah. She’s already a badass.”

Knox chuckled. “I’m glad she’s a girl.”

“What’s wrong if a boy?” I asked him.

“Another pain in the ass?”

Everyone laughed at his answer.

“Well, she’s gonna be a pain in our asses, brother.”

Lyra smiled delightedly. “I’m gonna teach her grima. Don’t worry, boys.”

“Then she’s gonna be a really butt-kicker,” my wife replied.

Sax and Kye walked in with serious looks on their faces.

I put my fork down. “What’s wrong?”

“No worries, boss,” Sax answered.

I was about to rise from my chair when Adley held my hand. “It’s okay. We have a lot to talk about. But not until you’re done with your breakfast. You’re gonna get sicked if you miss another meal.”

I was still confused.

“Trust me. This is gonna be over soon.” Her assurance put my worry at bay for now. I trusted her judgment, and moreover, I trusted her with my life.

Everyone went back to the living room while Adley dragged me into the conference room, which was big enough that could fit a basketball team. Kye was already there, setting up for a video conference while Sax was on the laptop.

“What the fuck is going on, Sax?”

“Saving your loser ass, boss.”