A Deal With The Billionaire

EPISODE FORTY-ONE

THEME: Strong Raven McKenna

CONNECTICUT, UNITED STATE OF AMERICA

A TASTE OF ROME RESTAURANT

Raven’s meal was halfway from being completely devoured when she remembered that she hasn’t called to hear from Rowan and her mom this morning. She almost smacked her head wondering what was wrong with her memory. A good mother was not meant to get carried away from anything when the child was on a sick bed.

Raven brought out her phone and swiped a certain area. She had purposely placed her mother on speed dial for emergency situations.

“I would like to make a phone call please. I need to speak to my son.” She excused herself.

“That’s fine.” Hope said.

But Raven decided to make the call right in front of them so she won’t seem rude and to avoid any form of doubt. Her mother picked the call on the first ring.

‘I was just about to call you. He has been asking of you since he woke up today.’ Eva ranted.

‘I am really sorry mom. I should have called earlier than now.’ She pleaded, still sending an apologetic smile to her hosts.

‘It is fine, Raven. I am sure Rowan understands you too. Here… talk to your mom.” From the background it was obvious that she had passed the phone onto Rowan.

‘Hey there my baby.’ She cooed.

‘Hi mom. How are you?’ Rowan’s sweet voice boomed over the phone.

‘Why so cute my baby? I am fine. What about you son?’

‘I am good.’

‘Are you taking your medication as the doctor instructed?’

Rowan coughed lightly. ‘Yes mom. I did as the doctor instructed and grandma is helping me read a book at the moment. But I just miss you so much.’

Tears clouded her vision but she sniffed and blinked back her tears. ‘I miss you too my boy. I will come to you as soon as I get off work.’

‘Is that a promise?!’

‘Of course honey, I promise. Love you my baby.’

‘I love you too mom. I will give the phone back to grandma now.’ Rowan replied.

‘He seems happier now.’ Eva said with a light giggle.

‘Thank you so much mom.’ Raven said in a sincere tone.

‘You are always welcome my darling. Let me leave you to get back to work.’ Eva blew kisses over the phone as she disconnected the call.

After the call ended, Raven figured that Christopher had called her several times and she kept it in her mind to call him back later.

“Wow. You must share a very close and special bond with your son right?” Hope asked as she sipped on a glass of orange juice.

“Yes. My mom, my son and I are pretty close because it has just been us the whole time.” Raven replied as she beamed with pride.

“Your son must be a really cute kid. Can I see a picture of him please?” Her voice pleaded.

Without hesitating, Raven rummaged through her cellphone. She loved being asked to show pictures of her son. He was so good looking sometimes she doubted if he came from her. Fishing out numerous pictures of her son on the phone and she showed it to Ava. If anything, Rowan was a picture freak and he ensured to make it known to his mother’s phone camera every time he gets his hand on the device. This particular one she was about to show them had been taken at the beach when she took him there on his seventh birthday. Rowan had his white perfect dentition in a bright smile.

Ava gasped lightly. “Oh my goodness! He is so handsome! Take a look at him mom.” She showed it to her mother.

Hope awed at the picture. “He is so good looking. You should bring him to the house to play with the kids. They can get to know each other before the wedding.”

At the mention of the wedding, Raven shifted uncomfortably. She wasn’t used to hearing it yet even though it seems to be popping up at every chance.

Chuckling nervously she replied. “He wouldn’t be chanced.”

Hope looked up at her. “Why not? You don’t want him to meet us?” She asked in a sad tone.Property belongs to Nôvel(D)r/ama.Org.

“Oh no no… that’s not the reason. Please don’t get me wrong. He is not too well. My son is at the hospital and I don’t know when he will get discharged.” Raven clarified.

“What?!”

“Your son is at the hospital?!”

Hope and Ava exclaimed at the same time.

“Yes.” Raven shook her head.

“Christopher didn’t tell me anything.” Hope said with her eyes sparkling in annoyance. “That brat could have at least told me then we would have waited on the wedding and also not bring it up till he is fine.”

Raven’s brain took a slight pause at her words. They were being kind but she knew this marriage had nothing to do with whether she was comfortable with the arrangement or not. Moreover, getting married as soon as possible was the condition aligned to fulfilling her part of the contract that brought her source of happiness and survival back to life. She had to say something to calm Hope Crawford.

“That’s not it. To be honest, I am fine with the wedding arrangement. Rowan’s surgery schedule only happened to fall just after our engagement.” She tried to sound happy and neutral.

“Oh! Rowan is his name… that’s so lovely.” Ava commented. “So what happened to him?”

“He was diagnosed with Pilocytic Astrocyma brain tumor and-” Raven got interrupted.

“What the hell does that mean?” Ava cut in sharply.

“A brain tumor in simple English.” Raven explained. “A surgery was needed to remove the tumor and that was what he did. But according to the doctor, he is fine now the only thing is that he can’t involve in much sporting activities anymore. And he loves football so much but no more football again.”

“Oh my goodness, that’s so sad. You are such a strong woman, Raven. You are going through all of this and you still take your time to work and also show much love to my son. That’s so loving and considerate of you.” Hope said as she held onto Raven’s hands.

Raven felt a bead of sweat forming on her forehead. She hoped that she hasn’t divulged too much than needed. The contract didn’t state that they could have a close form of relationship with each person’s families. She noted to ensure that she put a call through to Christopher when she has time to herself.

“Can we go to the hospital to see him?” Hope asked but it sounded like a plea that she couldn’t turn down judging by the soft look in her eyes that Raven couldn’t resist.

“Please Raven!” Ava joined in as she formed a puppy eye.

Raven fought the urge to release a fit of giggles as she wondered why they had to put up so much drama just to get her to agree to their demands.

“Okay. It’s fine. We can go to the hospital to see him.” Raven agreed.

They both wiggled in their chair with excitement and Hope called out to the waitress to sort the bills. Raven didn’t try to play humble by asking for the bills. She already knew that she couldn’t even pay for just hers alone if she tried not to talk of the three of them. However, it was obvious none of them expected her to pay. She blushed in embarrassment as Ava made the payment.

“We should go now.” Hope said as she stood up from the chair.

Staring back at the unfinished food, Raven almost wailed in displeasure. She did a brief farewell to the tasty meal and followed them out. To avoid catching her mother off guard, Raven sent a text to inform her about the intending visitors. What Eva didn’t fancy was being pulled a surprise on. She never finds it appeasing no matter how urgent it might seem.

Taking a deep breath, she stepped into the busy streets of Connecticut finding her way to where the limousine was parked. They drove off after she told Nelson the hospital’s address.