The Billionaire's Nightmare

1

~Sapphire~

I ran through the dark, empty corridors. The only sound to be heard were my heels clicking off the gray tiles. The blinking red exit sign is the only light source within a distance. I couldn't have been more relieved when I saw that sign. The tension in my shoulders loosened, as I quickened my pace.

I didn't stop myself, or even slow down, when my body slammed through the exit steel door with force. My feet carried me further, as I heard the door slam shut. The noise alone caused my brain to freeze, my aching legs coming to a halt. My body gave up, as I collapsed to the ground, the cold snow soaking through my stockings. It barely ever snows here. Have I been completely lost in my own world to have seen the signs?

I felt... Nothing. I was numb in ways not many could understand. I know what you are going to say, the chilly Jordan air nipping at my skin while the freezing snow my body was sitting upon were the cause of my numbness.

That wasn't the cause though.

The salt tears barely registered as they slid down my face, falling into the snow beneath me. I was consumed by the way each tear froze instantly, as if the snow was welcoming them home. Why could nothing go right?

My ringtone blasted from my pocket, pulling me out of my self-pity. The back of my sleeves glazed softly over my tear-stricken cheeks. Pulling the annoying contraption out of my soacked pockets, did nothing but sour my mood more.

Xavier.

Why did this man seem to call me at all the wrong times? Should I answer him? My gut told me not to, but I knew all hell would break loose if I didn't.

Sighing with reluctance, my finger swiped over the green button. Though I refused to speak. He didn't deserve my acceptance or time.

"Where the hell are you? Saph, answer me right now. I got back to the apartment and all your clothes are missing." Xavier seethed with rage. I could almost see his blonde brows bunched up with anger, his eyes staring daggers at me, while spit flew from his mouth. Xavier was like a wild beast who didn't know how to control his emotions.

Xavier was the man I was with in high school, one who I thought I would one day marry and have a family with. Why I ever could have thought that was absurd, even to my own ears.

"I moved out." I whispered, not an ounce of emotion leaking out of me. I was strong, I was worthy of more than he could ever give me. The least I deserved was someone who knew how to keep their hands to themselves. I wasn't the only one I needed to think about anymore.

"WHAT???" He roared, my ears ringing from the intensity. I heard his fist smashing into the wall, or was it our table? My body involuntarily flinched, making pain radiate through me. The beating last night left me with more than a few fractured ribs, a sprained wrist and a scatter of bruises along my porcelain skin. "How dare you move out. Do you hear me, Saph? YOU ARE MINE."

I couldn't stand the physical string of vomit rolling its way up my throat. It was time. I hung up, without so much as a word. My fingers shook as I hovered over the block button. My inner turmoils started to bounce around. Maybe he could change this time, even though the last hundred times he didn't. No, it was time to get rid of him. It isn't just about me, anymore. My finger reluctantly slammed on the block button, causing a soft, breathy laugh of relief to leave my lips. I was free, I was safe.

"Can I help you?" A deep, rich voice caressed my skin, as if he had always been my safe haven. My body yearned to be against this stranger, as my fingers itched to reach out. How could I feel so intrigued by a complete stranger?

My eyes shot up, staring at the man who stood before me. He was wearing a hardy dark gray suit with a matching tie. A dark purple shirt sat beneath. The way he filled out that suit, I could only imagine how muscular he was beneath all his layers. His gold cuff links stood out, catching my attention, as did the weird symbol that was embedded in them. A lion and unicorn surrounding a four-symbolic shield. Where had I seen that symbol before? He cleared his throat, pulling my focus to his rugged face. He had to be at least six foot six by the way he towered over my five-foot-nine frame. His jaw was impeccably sharp, as if it could cut right through glass. Was that even a thing? Well, it definitely was now. The black stubble littering his face, made him look dangerous. Plump lips glistening in the sun's light, painting him irresistible. His black hair was tousled perfectly, as if he had been running his hands through it all morning. My eyes connected with his, causing me to get lost in their gray maze. It was as if he had specks of blue and green swimming within the dray gray pools.

"Hm mm," He cleared his throat again before a smirk passed across those tempting lips. It almost felt like he knew what I was thinking. That is insane. Sapphire, don't even go there. "Are you hurt? What are you doing out here in the snow while bleeding? Let's get you inside the hospital."

I couldn't get past the way his rough, seductive voice shot tingles between my legs. My core is clenching with the need to feel this man. s**t, get yourself together Sapphire, this perfect specimen of a man was asking you a question. I cleared my throat, trying to build up my composure. "I'm fine. Thank you."

I was happy my voice didn't wavier, and I sounded as cold as the snow underneath me. The confusion and concern in his eyes made me look away. I couldn't deal with someone thinking they could feel anything for me. Xavier had proven that I could never trust anyone again.

"You are bleeding..." The way his words hung made it feel like they were incomplete. The pain in his eyes made me want to hold him, making him feel better without expressing a word. I shook my head, trying to rid myself of the absurd ideas running through my mind. This man was a stranger. Xavier hurt me, ruined me for everyone else. How did I know this man wouldn't hurt me as well?

He excites you in a way Xavier never did. He stands here in the cold, ruining his expensive dress shoes to make sure you are alright.

His hand glides into mine, the way his warmth seems to spread through my body causes tingles to erupt down my spine. He slowly pulls me up to my feet. His hypnotizing gray eyes were holding my own captive, as if there was a pull I couldn't break away from. I could see the lingering desire from the dilation in his eyes. It seemed like he could see into my soul, whether by touch or by our gazes. I wasn't sure. Shaking my head, I broke eye contact. Realizing I was fantasizing over a man I didn't even know. He could have been worse than Xavier for all I knew.

Xavier would never have helped you off the ground, only laughed at your misery as he walked away.

"Hello love, my name is...." His words were cut short when the steel door, which I escaped from an hour ago, burst open. My gaze was immediately brought to the entrance as I saw a nurse breathing heavily. Her body arched over, as she tried to catch her breath.

"Are you alright?" I asked with concern, as my hand fell out of my savior's hand. The warmth eloping me from his touch was gone, as the cold replaced me to my very core. I felt like I was missing the most important piece of myself. That thought alone, scared the s**t out of me.

"Oh... Yes miss. I am sorry to intrude, the newborn screening has been completed, and I was tasked with finding you. It is crucial that an infant bonds within the first few hours of delivery. It allows the child to grow well mentally and physically, as well as develop a healthy emotional attachment. I assume you would want to be with her now." The nurse's words seemed to divert into an uncomfortable nervousness, as if she was scared I would want nothing to do with the baby.

Maybe she thinks the death of your mother would make you resent the little one?

I hated her, I could have cared less that she was dead. My baby sister would be better off without her. I wasn't sure how to raise a child, but I knew I had an army behind me and my doctorate would help her be cared for physically. Now I just needed to show the little dove some affection. I could do this. I was nothing like my mother and that meant I already had a leg up. It was probably best she died during childbirth.

That was cruel, wasn't it?

I was so lost in thought, I forgot there was the perfect specimen of a man behind me and a nurse in front of me waiting expectantly for an answer. "Of course. How long will she need to be in the hospital?"

"She will be released by Saturday night." The nurse answered while stuttering, her eyes solely focused on the man behind me. I wasn't sure if my emotionless attitude was making her stutter or the way she was blushing from the man's looks. How rude was it for her to focus on him while speaking to me?

I couldn't hide the irritation from my tone. "Good, we will be on a flight Sunday morning with her in tow. Now if you could tell me the room number I will leave you to ogle this... man."

The sour taste on my tongue as I said those words was a welcome return from the numb feeling within me. How could I be jealous of this man? No... There was no way that was true. I was merely annoyed with her lack of respect. That was it.

Keep telling yourself that.

"Miss, you can't fly with an infant. It isn't allowed. If you do want to see her though, she is in room two hundred and one." The nurse stuttered, her face flaming with embarrassment as she looked down at the snow-covered ground.

"Freshen up on allowances, will you? It's an embarrassment. She will be given a medical release, she will have a doctor with her on the flight, and she will be flying on my private jet. You are dismissed." I spoke with certainty, not feeling the least bit bad about the way I spoke to her. The woman was a friend of my mother's and I knew she was only speaking that way because she believed I had abandoned my mother. She was a terrible mother to me. I was only a child. "I must go."

I didn't even glance towards him as I walked back into the building, though I could feel his smoldering gaze burning a hole in my back.