The Billionaire's Twins Play Matchmaker

Chapter Two

“Doctor, how is she?” Augustus demanded as soon as she exited the bedroom.

Signing for quiet, the doctor peered into the bedroom at her patient comfortably resting before pulling the door closed. Maia Darman had been practicing for over two decades and had gathered a rather exclusive clientele. Though her hair was slowly fading to gray now, her wits were as sharp as ever.

It was often assumed the rich were entitled and self-absorbed, and in some cases that was undoubtedly true. However, there was also a reason for their entitlement, especially in terms of healthcare. After all, ensuring their good health as well as the health of their heirs was doubly important when the rumor of a cold was enough to affect their company’s profits and stocks.

With such stakes, it wasn’t a surprise they rarely stepped into a hospital, preferring the physician to make a house call. Of course, that doctor had to be trustworthy enough not to succumb to idle gossip, not the promise of selling confidential information to the media. Augustus DaLair was no different, but he wasn’t impossible with his demands. As such, she was able to maintain her own practice aided by his generous donation and endorsement.

Many people feared him, but they would be surprised to see the concern and worry he exuded now. There was nothing more important to Augustus than his family and their health. The fact he had been pacing the hallway the entire time while Maia checked on her patient was proof of how dearly he cared about his daughter-in-law.

“She’s resting comfortably now,” Maia said. “I prescribed her something for the nausea if it gets worse, but the most important thing for her right now is rest and to reduce her stress levels.”

“Stress?”

“This is her first pregnancy and, according to what she told me, her cycles are generally irregular,” the doctor explained. Macey had known Augustus would be concerned for her health and had given her permission to share this much information. “Irregular cycles can be a sign of hormonal imbalances, in which case getting pregnant can be more difficult and also more difficult to maintain, especially in the first trimester.”

Augustus felt himself go pale. His wife had a hard time conceiving and Rose had as well. Was Macey similarly cursed?

“What about the baby?”

“As far as I can tell, without further tests, it’s fine,” the doctor sighed.

Augustus let out a slow breath.

“She should continue to rest and allow the pregnancy to establish itself. She should take it easy and relax and you should keep as much stress out of her daily life as possible.”

“It shall be done,” Augustus nodded.

“I’ll return in a couple of days for a follow-up, but call me if anything comes up before then.”

“Of course, thank you doctor.”

A sidelong glance at Stephen was all that was necessary to instruct the younger man to escort the doctor out. When they were both gone, Augustus quietly let himself into the bedroom. With a sigh, he took a seat beside the bed and stared at the woman comfortably sleeping.

It had been two days since she left Julius. She left everything behind aside from a handful of cash. Even her cell phone had been discarded. If he hadn’t the foresight to send Stephen to shadow her, she would have disappeared completely forever out of his sight and protection. Augustus couldn’t let that happen.

He owed his life to her father. Carl Grayson was a simple man, or so Augustus thought at their first meeting. They met in basic training along with the other men that would soon be placed under Augustus’s command. Their training had centered on working together until their deployment. While the other men in the squad soon developed close ties and camaraderie, Carl maintained an aloof manner and kept everyone at a distance.

He obeyed orders and carried them out to the letter, but seemed to lack imagination. Battle was a fluid thing and sometimes it was necessary to think on one’s feet, but Carl seemed to lack this ability. It caused strife among the other members. When not actively training, he spent an inordinate amount of time checking his gear, sharpening his knife or disassembling and cleaning his weapon rather than hanging out with others. Even at meal time, he kept himself apart, quietly observing and listening to them, but never actively participating in their conversations.

Not wanting any disharmony with his men, Augustus took Carl aside to confront him about these issues. Carl merely nodded quietly and shrugged when he was asked to work on them. Frustrated, Augustus demanded, “These men are your comrades. How can you expect them to watch your back if you don’t prove yourself to them?”

“I don’t expect them too,” Carl answered easily.

Augustus was at a loss for worlds. Was this even possible? Was this man serious or just that arrogant?

“I know I’m not making a good impression, but I never do,” Carl continued when Augustus continued to stare at him. “I’m just not good at relating to people, no matter how much I want to. It’s like--It’s like…music.”

“Music?”

“Yes. Everyone here is like rock music while I’m classical. Have you ever listened to Beethoven?”

“No. I can’t say that I have.”

“That’s a pity. He is considered a genius for a reason. Whenever I play one of his pieces, I feel uplifted.”

“You play?”

“Yes, my grandmother taught me. I think she did it so I could connect to something, since people are hard.” Carl frowned, momentarily lost in thought. “But in any case, I’m not good with people.”

“Because they don’t like the same music?”

“Like has nothing to do with it. We just don’t connect.” Carl sighed, frustrated. It was perhaps the only time Augustus ever saw him express an emotion. “When you turn on a radio station it’s because you like the music they play, right? Whether its rock, country, classical, whatever. No radio station plays them all, right? I know I’m not explaining it well but…”

“No. It’s fine. I think I understand what you are saying,” Augustus said, after a moment, sensing Carl was getting worked up by his own inability to express what he thought. “You have a hard time connecting to others. It’s not something you can control or overcome.”

“Right.”

“But these men are your comrades and your life will depend on them.”

“I will never abandon my comrades,” Carl nodded. There was no uncertainty in his statement and Augustus was forced to leave it at that, though he was still unsatisfied.

He made up his mind to try and include Carl more in hopes of improving the squad’s harmony. That plan fell through as they were shipped out soon after. Carl remained aloof and unapproachable, but while others complained about the heat and humidity, he remained stoic and unbothered. Oddly enough, it actually gave the others a bit of confidence. If Carl could tolerate it, then so could they.

Augustus’s lips twitched, fighting a smile at the memories. He looked again at Macey. There was no sign of her earlier struggles, though her expression still seemed strained. He didn’t know exactly what Julius said to her, but it was clear it had a terrible effect.

Augustus was surprised by her pale, haunted look. He couldn’t believe his son had rendered such a lively woman to such a state. It had taken everything in him not to confront his son immediately. Now he was grateful he held back. If he had caused a ruckus it might have induced more stress on Macey and the baby. But now, what should he do?

It had been two days since the party, and March claimed Julius was desperately searching for her, even going as far as enlisting the IT department to track her route from the apartment to the bus station. Augustus admired his son’s tenacity, but that didn’t excuse him. As much as he wanted to bring this problem to a swift conclusion, it was impossible as long as Macey’s health was in question. He certainly wasn’t going to risk the life of his grandchild.

Coming to a decision, Augustus stood and quietly let himself out without disturbing his daughter-in-law’s sleep. He was certain Julius would be furious once he learned Macey had been with Augustus the entire time, but that didn’t matter as long as Macey and the baby recovered. He would put off any decision until after that.