Chapter 2: Billionaire's Regret

Annie keeps cycling but she barely noticed her surroundings as she was back in the past. She had just turned sixteen waiting for her Dad to come home from work. That day she learned he no longer works and he was in huge debts. Her sweet sixteen turned bitter, she lost faith, her respect for the one man who meant the world to her.

“Can I help you” the older woman talks making her finally aware of her surroundings.

Annie needed to blink several times before she finally realized she somehow cycled back to the past and her old family house. She looked towards the house; the new owners didn’t change much.

“I am sorry,” she focusses on the woman.

“Are you okay?” she asks concerned.

“I am, just didn’t realized I stopped.” Annie tried smiling.

“You seemed fascinated with the house. Do you know the people living there?” the woman openly curious. “I am part of the day-shift neighborhood watch.”

“The outside just caught my attention.” Annie said shrugging her shoulders. “Who lives there?”

“The wife is a teacher. The man a police officer.”

Annie smiled looking straight into her eyes. “I used to live there.”

“You Hanna Black’s child, grown now.” The woman seemed to focus her attention and her memory.

Annie smiled and cycled away towards the city.

Billionaire Aaron Casey stepped out of the SUV looking at his home. It has been months since he was here. He stood enjoying the image. Grown up poor he clawed his way to the top. This was the first and only home he bought and no woman has ever set foot inside. He loves the girls but this place, he shook his head.

Unlocking the door, he stepped inside. Standing just inside the door he closed his eyes picturing where he was. This home was located above the city, which gives it access to endless ocean and mountain views. The place was safe and secure. The house has a central courtyard with a garage for four vehicles. The lap pool he sometimes enjoys when he was stressed and finally the low maintenance garden.

“I made it Mom.” He said softly to himself. “I wish you could have seen what I achieved.”

He closed the door surveying the interior that features open-plan living spaces, an elevated gourmet kitchen and designer light fixtures and wall finishes that gives the home its unique character.

The cell phone rings in his pocket. Removing it he noticed it was his bodyguard and only friend.

“Where is she?” he questions point-blank. He briefly tightens his eyes when another image circles his memory. He quickly shook his head. That brief time was just an illusion.

“The Grand Central Hospital sir,”

“Watch her Zac.”

Orphaned at twelve years where he circled several group homes. He made certain no one would ever adopt him. He refused to dishonor his mother’s memory. The moment he turned eighteen he left the country to work on oil rigs. A fast and quick unexpected opportunity made him his first millions but he stayed under the radar building his fortune.

“Mom, you would never have gone hungry again. You sacrificed your life for mine. How do I ever repay you?”

Aaron wipe the single tear streaming down his face. It’s only the memory of his mother that could make him cry.

“One day I will bring a woman here whose worthy of your memory.” He promised himself softly. There once was a worthy one… his mind gently remind him.

Doctor Grace Stevens looked worriedly at the chart before looking at the pale sleeping woman. She loved being a doctor but when money becomes an obstacle, she hates her profession.

“Is this the final result nurse Mary?”

“Yes doctor. The clinic in Switzerland seemed the only option.”

“I should make a few calls before I call her daughter.”

Grace left the private room quickly heading to her office. As she closed her door a pair of arms quickly circled around her. She was turned around before he kissed her hungrily.

“Jeff,” she whispered throatily.

“I missed you lover,” he bends his head and claimed her mouth fully stealing her breath away in a kiss that makes her forget about her immediate surroundings. The body heat was sizzling between them. He holds her tightly against him allowing her to feel the rock-hard erection in his hospital scrubs.

“Jeff…” she could barely say his name.

“You belong to me, Grace.” He said harshly kissing her deeply. Her reaction was equally passionate, as she feels her own arousal matching his fire.

Aaron stepped from the SUV in front of the Grand Central Hospital. The cyclist barely missed him but he paid no attention. His focus was the woman inside the building. He squares his broad shoulders walking purposefully towards the elevators. He used the private entrance to reach doctor Grace Stevens office.

About to knock when he heard sexual sounds animating from behind the door. A dark dangerous expression washed over his face as he just opened the door. In the throes of her rising passions Grace looked into the cold, hard eyes of her fiancée…

“Aaron…”

Aaron Casey stood in front of the office door of Doctor Grace Stevens. Throughout the years he had a couple of relationships but it never lasted, until he met the doctor. They were instantly compatible and it wasn’t long before he asked her to marry him.

Are we forgetting another…his mind challenged?

Listening to the sounds coming from beyond the door he realized why she tentatively agreed with one request…their relationship should be discreet as she was trying to make partner on the hospital board.

He squares his shoulders as he steps inside carefully closing the door behind him. “Hello Grace,”

“What the fuck?” Jeff Kinney carefully adjust his clothes while looking at his lover. He noticed she seemed flashed and embarrassed about the situation she found herself in. He looked at the tall man watching them with a look of bottled anger.

“What are you doing here Aaron?” Grace step away from her lover. She went and sit behind her desk with wobbled legs. She tries her best to find calmness within herself.

“Do you have a moment for me? Or are you still in consultation with your…er…colleague?” he asks even toned.

Grace has the decency to blush looking at the cold hard face of the man who seemed to shrunk her office space.

“Who is this man Grace?” Jeff wants to be furious with his lover but he was uncertain about the reason. His very instincts tell him this was personal…much more than his involvement with her.

“May I have a private moment with Doctor Grace Stevens?” Aaron speaks through gritted teeth.

“Jeff, please. We will talk later.”

Both men study each other before the lesser man step aside.